BACK QUILTING AGAIN.......

Yesterday, I finally started a new project.  It is a quilt I have made many times, but wanted to make for our granddaughter.  She will be 1 in September, and I like to make things in advance!

The pattern is from Quiltmaker No.88 Nov/Dec 2002, called Flock of Dreams.  I made the sheep blocks with a variety of green backgrounds, cutting my sheep from white fleece, and machine appliqueing each to the fabric.   DH suggested that I make one black sheep.  The one with the black hooves is also his suggestion, as he always tell the kids his second verse of the nursery rhyme.  "Mary had a little lamb, its hooves were black as soot, and into Mary's bread and jam, its sooty foot he put!"

The alternate block is a simple 9-patch, which I made with some larger floral fabrics, and WoW.

I'm off to press the 9-patches, then play with a layout on my design wall.  

It feels good to be back at my sewing machine!

 

A FINISH FEELS GOOD!

Even though it is a small finish......  My Fiesta Runner is completed.

If felt good to get the few remaining parts from a 2 year old "one block wonder" quilt off my design wall, and into a project!

I used Superior Thread's Monopoly to applique and outline stitch the coloured shapes, and then Rainbows variegated thread to machine quilt the background of the runner.  

I'm trying to squeeze in a bit more sewing before I have to pack everything up for our annual trip south, but the days get filled very quickly.  The most difficult job is to decide which projects I want to work on over the winter months, and to try to remember all the fabrics, patterns etc., that I think I might use!  DH says that one of these years, we'll overload our van and the tires will pop off! 

Back to sorting......

MAKING MY SEWING ROOM TIDY!

My version of this task is to make something with leftover blocks!

In 2016, I made a one block wonder quilt that I called "Breaking Out!"  

I had some half block pieces left over, and I also cut the remaining stacked fabric into smaller pieces to make smaller units.  They have been on the edge of my design wall, just begging to be used.

Yesterday, I pulled some bright yellow "Fairy Frost" fabric from my shelves, and used it for the background of the runner.  I stitched the half  blocks into a large hexagon, with an open centre, then spent time with the iron, to fold all the edges of the units under.  The two smaller hexagons were made from the narrow, leftover strips set of the fabric.  I machine appliqued the pieces to the background, using monofilament thread and a narrow zig-zag stitch.  I plan to call it "Fiesta"......
Now I'm off to find backing and binding fabrics, and get to machine quilting!!!!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I was feeling a bit better this morning, so I decided to get back to work on my guild BOM project.  I had made the blocks each month, but hadn't finished the last one, as I had to decide what I wanted to add to the basic blocks.

I finally decided to make some small Dresden plate pieces.  I made an open circle on the left side, and then played with the pieces to make two looped shapes on the right.
Pardon the cut off picture.  My sewing room is small and that is the best I could do.  The top right block has the woven pattern that is a mirror image of the top left.
I machine appliqued the Dresden parts to the block using monofilament (invisible) thread.  I challenged myself to make the whole quilt in shades of blue and white, and I've been enjoying the process.  I still have a few more borders to add - they were not provided with the pattern.  It will be interesting to see all the finished quilts.  This time I'll remember to enter mine in the next quilt show.

Check out all the creativity shared on Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

HEXAGON FRIDAY

I'm supposed to be packing and cleaning, but......

I was straightening up my sewing table, and found my basket of 1/2 inch hexagon papers and leftover hexagons, so I just had to stop and sew.

 I love using tiny "fingertip towels" for my guests, and I have a collection of plain ones, just waiting to be decorated.
The three blue flower units were already stitched together, so I linked them with 2 neutral hexagons, then machine appliqued them, using a small blanket stitch, to the towel, using monofilament (invisible) thread in the needle and white in the bobbin.  Then I did the same with the zig zag strip of hexagons that I pieced while watching TV.  These will be really quilty accents in my powder room!   I may make some more for sale at my quilt guild's show in the spring.

HEXAGON PROGRESS

I've been slowly adding the hexagon units to the final border for my quilt.  I am doing applique by machine, using monofilament thread in the needle, and a very narrow zig-zag stitch.  So far I have 3 borders completed, and the 4th is past the half-way point.  I can't wait to add them to the quilt!
Next, I have to find a suitable backing fabric for this project.  I attended the Sewing and Quilting Expo in Lakeland yesterday, but none of the fabric was just right!  I guess I'll have to check out a couple of quilt shops soon!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I've been busy getting ready for company arriving this evening.  Both DH and I use our guest room as extra storage - me for quilt stuff and DH for guitars, amplifiers, stands, cables.  We had to be very creative to find accessible storage for all of the items, so our guests will have a room to themselves!

I decided to use the blue fabric with stars that I bought recently, to use as sashing around the embroidered blocks of "Long Time Ago in Bethlehem".  I couldn't find any pale colours with small stars, but I did get a buttery yellow with small polka dots.

  After looking at the completed top, I decided to finish it without the remaining borders in the original design.  I'll be using the same blue for the binding, so I machine basted a small folded strip on each edge to provide a small accent.

 I've been making hexagon units while watching the Olympics.  I want to plan the final appliqued border for my hexagon quilt, so I know how many I have to complete.

Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT WEEK 6

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  50.75 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  9 yards

Net used 2014  41.75 yards

Nothing completed this week - two days were too cold to sew in my room, the weather was cold and rainy for the south.  Nothing like family and friends are suffering at our northern home!

I added the sashing between the embroidered blocks for "A Long Time Ago in Bethlehem".  The original pattern had two of the blocks without sashing on the outside edge of the quilt top, so I adjusted some of the block sizes and added it.  When it was finished, I decided that the quilt is large enough for a wall hanging, so I'm not going to add any more borders.  Now I have to hunt for some backing fabric in my small stash.

Then I decided to work on finishing my hexagon quilt.  I cut the remaining burgundy fabric in strips to add a straight border to the outside edges, and spent 2 afternoons machine appliqueing the top to the border.  After measuring the top, I've decided that it needs to be larger, so I've decided to add an additional border, and I'm back to making motifs that will be appliqued to the final border to bring the hexagons to the outside of the quilt.

DH's music partner found 2 hats to add to their performance wardrobe, but they need new hat bands.  His wife found some great black and white musical striped fabric, so I'll be cutting some bias strips to dress up their new hats.

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see all the progress made this week!

CHRISTMAS WISH 5TH SECTION

Once again I had fun rummaging through my Christmas fabric collection to finish this section.

I took a couple of short cuts.  I used fusible web to attach the hearts and stars and made a machine blanket stitch around the edges.  The pattern called for "star pockets", but since I don't know the recipient of this quilt, I chose the simple route.  I used metallic gold variegated thread on the stars and some great 30 wt. Sulky cotton on the hearts.

Now I'm impatiently waiting for the next installment of Christmas Wish from Red Brolly

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

My wall is a little sparse this week.  I've finished several projects and haven't really started anything new yet!

I do have the on-going Christmas Wish project from Red Brolly.  I finished the redwork embroidery section for part 5 and appliqued the curved top to the block.....

I have appliqued all the curved parts by machine.  I used a method taught by Sharon Schambers.  I started the same way, making a template and trimming the curve and cutting slits to allow the fabric to press to the back.  But then I pinned it into place and used some "school glue" with a tiny tip to add a fine line of glue to the exact edge.  This was pressed dry with a hot, dry iron.  Then I opened up the area and machine stitched on the pressed line.  The glue will come out with the first washing.  I've used this method many times, and I also use it when making a mitered corner on a border - very secure and very accurate!

Head over to Judy's blog to see what other awesome projects are on the design walls this week!

CHRISTMAS WISH

I finished the fourth section of the Christmas Wish quilt from Red Brolly, just in time to download the next one!

 I appliqued the stars, using fusible web, and stitched a machine blanket stitch around the edge with a variegated gold/bronze/silver metallic thread, to a dd a bit of shine!

Now onto the 5th section!

 

FIRST SECTION COMPLETE

As a break from paper piecing, I've been working on the Red Brolly "Christmas Wish" quilt.

Since I make redwork quilts all the time, I decided to go "non-traditional" with this project, and dip into my vast collection of Christmas fabrics.  
I hand appliqued the hearts, but used the fusible method with machine buttonhole stitch edges for the reindeer. 

I'll be adding the buttons on Santa's coat after the top is completed.  I like to give the whole top a good press before I layer it for quilting, so I don't want the embellishments to get in the way or get damaged.

I've been enjoying the time spent pulling fabrics, and knowing that more of my Christmas fabric is being used......

The next section is waiting for assembly, and the third section still awaits its two appliqued heart sections.

TOO MANY CHORES, NOT ENOUGH ENERGY

I've been trying to do a thorough house cleaning, vacuuming, floors, dusting, lemon oil on furniture, as well as making the garden more tidy as plants begin to prepare for winter.   Of course, I have a sore throat, which I'm hoping doesn't develop into anything serious.

We're also having a house guest on Thursday night, then a trip to Kitchener on Friday and Saturday to attend the quilt show there.

I do not have time to get sick!

I did  manage to get the flock of sheep machine appliqued and the blocks stitched together.  (The sheep are made of fleece, for a nice soft feel for baby.)  Now I just have to add borders, then I can get the quilting completed!

Design Wall Monday

3 out of 4 isn't bad....  I just have to finish stitching the last one and a half bows, then I'll be ready to sew the borders to the quilt!  
I used a narrow machine blanket stitch on the swags, but changed to a narrow zig-zag stitch for the bows.  I found I had more control while turning the sharp ovals.  Now I'll have three quilt tops lined up waiting to be quilted, so I think the next step is to prepare backings and get basting.....
Our bedroom is almost back to normal after its new coat of paint.  The pictures are hung, furniture polished and in place, but I reminded DH that he forgot to clean the ceiling fan....  I am still sorting through a collection of costume jewelry, left to me from my mother.  I need to simplify things, and I rarely wear any of it.  I'm cleaning and polishing, saving some of the special items, and the rest will be donated (my friend's church sale has a jewelry area, so they will probably end up there).

Who Decided on an Appliqued Border?

I finally finished preparing all the applique pieces... First tracing the shapes onto the applique stabilizer, then spending an entire evening cutting out all the shapes.  Then I glued the stabilizer shapes onto the back of the fabric, using a washable school glue.  Back to the scissors and cutting out all the pieces, leaving a seam allowance on each.  Then I spent 2 days with a glue stick, turning the edges to the back...I think I managed to get all the glue residue off my fingers!

I finally started stitching the scalloped swags by machine, using a tiny blanket stitch, with invisible (monofilament) thread in the needle, and "bottom line" thread in the bobbin.  I use an open-toe embroidery foot on the sewing machine so I have better visibility and I stitch very slowly.....

Design Wall Monday

I added the sashing and cornerstones to my current project, but am still trying to decide on the  final border.  I am leaning toward an appliqued border, with scallops and bows, but I don't want to overwhelm the blocks.
After playing with pieced borders, I don't feel happy with a plain one.  Decision time today.  I also have two quilt tops waiting to be quilted, so I guess I have to make time for those as well!

A Tisket A Tasket

I was asked to show all the blocks again so here are the links to the original posts:
Block 1 January, Block 2 February, Block 3 March, Block 4 April,  Block 5 May, Block 6 June, Block 7 July, Block 8 August, Block 9 September, Block 10 October, Block 11 November, Block 12 December.
Now back to the drawing board - EQ6 drawing board that is....
I can't seem to make up my mind about the layout design.  Too many border choices!

A Tisket A Tasket Block 12

I decided to use some of my Christmas fabrics for this block.  I also had to look through my stripes to find some "candy cane" fabric as well.  I love my tiny bias tape maker for the 1/4 inch handles.  I find that starching the bias strip first helps to thread it through the opening to get it started.  This is one of the places that I use steam when pressing!
Once again, the appliques were prepared using water soluble stabilizer and a washable glue stick.  Machine appliqued with monofilament thread and machine embroidered. 

A Tisket A Tasket Block 11

I managed to get block 11 finished.   I love choosing the fabrics from my stash.  I cut each shape from water soluble stabilizer, then spent some time with a glue stick, gluing all the seam allowances to the back of the stabilizer.  I then used some washable school glue to attach each piece to the background fabric.  I used invisible (mono-filament) thread and a very small machine  blanket stitch to attach each part of the applique.  When I began this project, I challenged myself to do all the embroidery stitches by machine as well.  For the lines, I use a triple stitch, and then found shapes for eyes, etc.  I had to play with the length and width of the stitches until I found a setting that was correct for each of my choices.  I even sewed the button on by machine!
I haven't been getting as much sewing done this week as I've been  suffering with back pain.  It started to bother me about a week ago, but it has suddenly become worse, so I'm waiting to hear from my doctor's office about an appointment....

Design Wall Monday

More finishing to tidy sewing room!  I finished the first 10 blocks of "A Tisket A Tasket" BOM from Bunny Hill Designs before heading south last fall, but as I don't have a stash there, left these to be finished upon my return.
Today is the day!  I'll be getting my light box out and tracing the pieces onto some water-soluble applique foundation and choosing the fabrics to finish the last two blocks.  Then I have to decide what type of setting I want to use to finish the quilt top. Fun, fun, fun.....
Thanks to Judy for hosting design wall Monday