OUR ANNUAL PILLOWCASE DAY

For the past several years, my southern quilt group has sponsored a sewing day for Ryan's Case for Smiles.  The Tampa Bay group is very active, with many scheduled sew days at various quilt shops, and with private groups.

Last Wednesday, three coordinators arrived, loaded down with sergers, fabric, and sewing machine kits.  We began at 11 am, and with the help of many friends and neighbours to tackle the non-sewing jobs, such as pinning, turning, pick up and delivery to the various machines, and folding the completed pillowcases.

We completed 290 pillowcases by 2:45, and another 200 almost completed ones are heading off to the next sewing group!

On Thursday, DH and I headed to the Atlantic side of Florida.  Our first stop was in Rockledge to visit The Quilt Place - what an incredible quilt shop!  I picked up 2 yards of Hallowe'en fabric for my grandson's quilt.  Then we continued to Cocoa Beach, to visit friends who were visiting while on holiday.  After a great lunch and a short tour of the area, we headed north to Ormand Beach.  Then on Friday morning, we attended the AQS Daytona Beach quilt show!  What inspiration!  We took our time, looking at all the quilts that were exhibited, and the only shopping I did was choosing 4 large spools of a variety of orange shades for my Hallowe'en quilts' quilting.

Fabric used this week  4.5 yards

Fabric used year to date  23 yards

Fabric added this week  9.5 yards

Fabric year to date  25.125

Net used 2020  -2.125

STASH REPORT

Fabric used this week 7 yards

Fabric used year to date  18.5 yards

Fabric added this week  11 yards

 Fabric added year to date  15.625 yards

Net used 2020  2.875 yards

My southern quilting group is having a pillowcase sewing day for Ryan's Cases for Smiles.  I picked up fabric for them last week and used it right away.  We have 2 members of the local branch coming on Wednesday, and lots of non-sewing volunteers to help pin, turn, press, fold, pick up and deliver pillowcase parts to keep the stitchers busy.  I'm taking my serger to provide a clean finish to the final L seam.

I have finished the quilt top for my granddaughter - Hallowe'en all the way, but have to find a backing so I can start quilting. 

I also completed the quilt top for my "52 blocks in 52 weeks" project with the block patterns provided during the past year from the Canadian Quilters Association.  I think this one will wait until we return north in April, as I have fabric available there for a backing.
Since I only claim yardage for finished projects, I can't take credit for the two quilts yet!

My Bernina is going into the shop for its annual spa day, and on Thursday DH and I are heading to Daytona to attend the AQS show again this year.  We are visiting friends as well - they are staying in the area for a couple of days.

 

MAKING PILLOWCASES

Next week is my southern quilt group's annual "make a pillowcase day".  I decided to get mine made early, so I can continue to work on the machine quilting of my mystery quilt.

We get lots of extra help from friends and neighbours, to pin, press, and fold all the pillowcases.  Last year we completed 317 in 4 hours!  I think it will be hard to beat that record.
All the completed pillowcases will be donated to "Ryan's Case for Smiles", and will be distributed to local area hospitals.

WEEKEND FUN

I spent some time over the weekend piecing batting.  I had used parts of 3 queen batts over the past couple of months, and decided to make some "Franken-batts".  I needed one for my second mystery quilt, as I had pieced the backing fabric, and pressed the backing and the quilt top, using a bit of spray starch, ready for pin basting.
First, I used all the smaller pieces of batting to make one the correct size for a panel quilt that I had planned to finish for donation.  I managed to pin baste the quilt top on my cutting table, and I began with all the "stitch in the ditch" quilting on Sunday.
Monday, I completed all the quilting, and added the binding, trimming the back and batting to make sure that my binding will be full to the edge.
Next, I pieced two larger pieces of batting to make one the correct size for my mystery quilt.  I took some time this afternoon to watch an episode of "Vera", a British police investigation series, while I hand stitched the binding on the panel quilt.

Tomorrow is my weekly quilting group, so I have to get my bags packed ready to go!  We are having a pillowcase sewing day in 2 weeks, and I have some samples of the finished products, along with some step-out samples to show everyone.  I posted in our community newsletter, looking for volunteers, those that can sew, and some to just pin, press, fold etc., and we try to show them what to expect before the actual date.  I'm sure we'll have fun, and Cases for Smiles will appreciate the finished pillowcases to give to children in area hospitals.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 0 yards

Fabric used year to date 0 yards

Fabric added this week 6 yards

Fabric added year to date 6 yards

Net used 2019 - 6 yards

Yesterday DH and I made a quick visit to Dade City.  I picked up some novelty prints to make pillowcases for Ryan's Cases for Smiles.  My group is having another sew-a-thon in February, so I like to have some samples to show the steps, as we have new people come to help every year.

 

Each colour combination will make 2 pillowcases.

I'm getting caught up!

I've finished a couple of items lately.  Two are upcoming baby gifts, so I can't show them.  I also put the final stitches in my guild's block of the month project for 2016-17.

  It finished at 76 x 92 inches, and I called it 
"Use It or Lose It!"  
I love making scrappy quilts, and years ago my DH said that to me about my huge bins of scraps.  I spent 2 summers pressing and cutting all the scraps into usable sizes, and have made many scrap quilts since!




I spent the afternoon today, filling out my entry forms, artist statements and labeling pictures to be sent to Quilts Kingston - the quilt show in Kingston ON, sponsored by the Limestone Quilters Guild, and the Kingston Heirloom Quilters June 8, 9, 10.

I've been spending my evenings hand stitching some small thread catchers for the boutique, and I've also begun quilting my second large winter quilt project.

Last week, my southern quilting group, along with some non-sewing neighbour volunteers used our Wednesday quilting time to make pillowcases for Cases for Smiles.  In four hours, we made 360 bright, colourful pillowcases for kids in local hospitals! 
 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 1.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  71.375 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  51 yards

Net used 2017  20.375 yards

Our grandson, age 27 months, loves Paw Patrol.  I found some fabric, and made him a pillowcase.  

He likes to help Mom and Dad in the kitchen, so I also made him his own apron.

I think he'll like wearing it, as both parents wear aprons in the kitchen.

I attended my community quilts group on Tuesday, and we pin-basted quilts all day!  I brought home 4 to quilt, add binding and labels.  As usual, we had a delicious potluck lunch, with our hostess' husband making a large pot of chicken soup !

Check out others' progress at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  4 yards

Fabric used year to date  66.75 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  51 yards

Net used 2017  15.75 yards

My used fabric was for pillowcases.  Our sewing day made 223 pillowcases for area children's hospital.  The only other sewing I did was to cut the yardage for tablecloths for DS2's use at work.  I didn't add the fabric to my stash report, so I can't claim it as used.  I serged all the edges, then turned and top stitched the hems.  I was able to use the differential feed on my serger for the round cloths, just eased the fabric enough to turn and stitch with no puckers.

I've been baking this past week.  I made 4 loaves of whole wheat bread, 2 French loaves to take to a dinner party, and 4 loaves of cinnamon raisin, fruit bread.  Three of these were gifted to neighbours.  I wanted to use the fruit before packing up to head north.

Company is coming tonight.  We plan to go out for dinner, and I have made an apple crisp for dessert, to have with some vanilla frozen yogurt.

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

A SUCCESSFUL PILLOWCASE DAY

Our clubhouse began humming, as members of my quilting group and their friends and neighbours began to get set up early for our 2nd annual pillowcase day.  By 11am, we had 4 sergers, 10 sewing machines, and 10 non-sewing helpers ready to begin.

The Tampa Bay area coordinator for the Cases for Smiles charity came, loaded with lots of pre-cut pillowcase kits to add to the ones donated by our group.  She made sure everyone was busy, and supervised the non-sewing workers. 

 
They pinned the "kits" together and kept the machines humming along.  They also picked up the cases when each step was finished, and took them to those who were turning them, pressing them, and then delivered them back to those sewing to continue with the next step.  

The 4 sergers were kept busy, as we tried to complete each of the pillowcases.  Near the end of the day, we also had some finished using a French seam - one extra step.

We took a short break for a quick lunchtime snack, sharing some chocolates and bar cookies, then it was back to work!  The coordinator counted the finished pillowcases, and packed them into bags of 50.  By 3pm, we had completed 223 pillowcases, beating our record.

 We carried the heavy bags of completed pillowcases, along with the rest of the supplies to the coordinator's vehicle, then waved good-bye.  Everyone slowly packed up all their gear, and we straightened the clubhouse - putting chairs back and searching for forgotten items.  I'm sure everyone was tired, but thinking about all the children that will sleep on the pillowcases at the area's childrens hospitals kept a smile on everyone's faces.  

We're looking forward to doing this again next year.
 

MY LATEST FINISH

I finally talked DH into being a quilt holder, so I could get a picture.  He's been so busy lately - 6 band performances in the past week.  They've been visiting all the local nursing homes before the band members begin heading to their northern homes for the summer.

The block pattern was ladder star, from Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville, in her "Addicted to Scraps" column in Quiltmaker magazine.  I used the leftover half square triangle units, along with some 4-patch blocks, for the border.

I did basic quilting in the blocks, and had fun making swirls in the neutral borders.  I used a variegated King Tut thread from Superior, colour #921 Cleopatra  
It had Variegated Colors:LIME-RED-ORANGE-AQUA-PURPLE, which coordinated with the Egyptian fabric I used on the back and binding.

You can see a bit of the backing showing in this picture. 

My quilting group, along with several other volunteers from my southern community will be making pillowcases for Cases for Smiles tomorrow.  I got my serger out, oiled it, put in new needles, cleaned out all the lint, so I'll be ready to sew from 11-4.

Now off to pack up all my supplies......

A BUSY DAY WITH MY QUILTING GROUP

Today was our weekly quilting get-together.  15 busy quilters met at our clubhouse for 4 hours of sewing, visiting, sharing, etc.   A few people dropped in for a quick visit, and to see what we are working on this week.

Several were piecing their row quilt parts - lots of little pieces.  Several were working on their own choice of projects.  A wool applique project was cut out and prepared for blanket stitching, and some hexagons were being hand stitched together.  I brand new quilter cut the pieces for her first quilt, and another cut pieces for a baby size quilt that she wants to try to machine quilt herself!   

We also had a visitor drop in to ask about our pillowcase sewing day, scheduled for March - she saw the information in our monthly newsletter.  Last year, my group completed 201 pillowcases in 4 hours, and we hope to do as well this year!  The Cases for Smiles coordinator will be attending, so we are looking for lots of volunteers. 

 I had another finish this week.  I was inspired by Bonnie Hunter's "spoolin' around challenge" from a couple of years ago, and I made 192 spools, using 1 1/2 inch strips from my scrap bin!  I decided to make them into blocks, and used more 1 1/2 inch strips for sashings and cornerstones.  
The two gold borders were made from cut-off backing fabric from a quilt I completed in the fall.  The middle borders were more 1 1/2 inch strips, joined together and cut to length.  The binding is also scrappy, with leftover 2 1/2 inch strips stitched together.  I kept the quilting simple, stitching in the ditch around the blocks and the spools, as the quilt was busy already.  I was able to use just over 8 yards of scraps to make this top!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  40 yards

Used year to date  71.25 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date 7.75 yards

Net used 2016   63.5 yards

Thanks to the pillowcase sewing day, I used 40 yards from my stash this week!  Some of the fabrics had been hiding for almost 20 years, so it was about time to get them into use.  I pulled all my kid-friendly, novelty fabrics from their shelves, and cut pillowcase parts before heading south!

I also have a large scrap quilt and three baby quilts waiting to be pin-basted.  I have all the bindings prepared and ready as well.

We're having DH's band members and spouses over for pulled pork on onion buns tonight, along with coleslaw and potato salad.  I have deserts made, snacks ready and beverages cooling.  It is a beautiful day, with clear blue skies, light breezes and temperatures in the 70's - just perfect!

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

A SUCCESSFUL PILLOWCASE STITCHING AFTERNOON

My quilting group, along with other friends and residents of our community used our Wednesday quilting time to make pillowcases for the charity "Ryan's Cases for Smiles".

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One of the area coordinators came to assist, and brought 2 large totes full of pillowcase parts, all cut out and paired together, along with some pinned ready to stitch. 



 Our members also brought completed cases, and paired parts to donate as well.

We had 16 machines, including a couple of sergers, doing the stitching, and the remaining helpers worked at 4 ironing stations, a trimming station, and several pinning areas to keep us all busy. 



 We also had runners, who kept picking up and delivering cases and picking up pins from the stitchers, as well as turners, prepared the cases for the ironing team.
At first the stitchers sewed the cuffs to the body of the case, then it was turned, and sent to the ironing stations.  

Then the sergers were kept busy doing the final L-seam.  When we reached a backlog, the sewers began finishing the cases with French Seams.  Of course, there was a little un-stitching, and trimming to be done!

We began at 11, and by 3pm we had 
202 completed pillowcases, along with 100 cases with the cuffs stitched, pressed, ready for the final L-seam!  These will be taken to the next group for them to complete.



We had a short break for lunch, and there were chocolates and homemade cookies to share during the whole session.  (We wanted to keep everyone's energy levels up!) 

We had a great day, and plan to repeat this again next year.

Check out their website, as there are chapters all across the USA and Canada, who would love to have your help.  They have sewing days scheduled that anyone can join.and you can also donate money, fabric, zipper type plastic bags, as well as your time!   There is a pattern on their website, and a link to a tutorial on French seams.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

 Used this week  0 yards

Used year to date   31.25 yards

Added this week  7.5 yards

Added year to date  7.75 yards

Net used 2016  23.5 yards

There is a shop hop in my area this month - 22 shops!  You have to visit 5 to be eligible for any of the medium prizes, and all 22 for the larger prizes.  DH and I attended a quilt show in New Port Richey on Friday - lots of great inspiration!  There was a shop nearby, so that made #4 on my passport.  I found a great stripe that I had to have, along with a lovely black, red and white print.  Then on the way home we stopped at my favourite shop, Quilts on Plum Lane in Dade City, and I found 2 more stripes and also bought backing for my latest scrap quilt!  That made shop 5, so I handed in my passport. (There is less temptation this way!)

This Wednesday, my quilting group is dedicating the time to make pillowcases for Ryan's Case for Smiles.  I cut pillow cases and cuffs from my stash before heading south for the winter, and I have 38 to stitch on Wednesday!   That should help my stash report next week!

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