WORKS IN PROGRESS

I've been busy stitching, but since I've been working on several projects at the same time, I don't see the progress.

I started making the hourglass blocks for the next border on my granddaughter's Hallowe'en quilt, with many more needed.

I'll have to get my rotary cutter working overtime, as I need lots of these blocks!

The manager of our community in the south is off on maternity leave.  My quilt group suggested making a baby quilt for the new arrival.    I sat down with Electric Quilt 8, and designed a quick rail fence quilt, with 2 borders.  I picked up most of the fabric required, and took 16 x 2.5 inch strips of fabric, and asked people to complete 1 or 2 blocks.  By the end of our session, all the strips had disappeared, and this week 16 blocks arrived!  We placed the blocks on a table, and tried different placements, and once everyone was happy, I stacked the vertical rows, ready for sewing.  My next job is cutting the borders and binding, and will get volunteers to add them to the top next week.  One of the members will be providing batting, so hopefully we'll get the quilt pin-basted, and maybe even start on the the quilting.

I received a request to work on a table runner that the group had shared in 2007.   Since we have many new members, I sent out the fabric requirements, and then dug into my stash to make some "stitch out" samples.  Everyone had fun making this quilt as you go, reversible runner, using Sharon Pederson's "Salted Peanut Table Runner" from her book, More Reversible Quilts.

This is side A, with spring-like colours, using my scrap strips.

This is side B, which looks more like autumn to me.  I do like brighter colours!

 A bit of a close-up.  When the strips are sewn on Side A, it quilts Side B.  I decided to try not to repeat any of the fabrics in my strips, as I like lots of variety!twp

The first time I made a runner from this pattern, I found a fabric that would go with both sides for sashing and binding, but with this quilt, I made the two colour binding, using the instructions in the book, and I'm just going to sit and start hand stitching the binding, so I'll have it finished to show the group next week.

OFF TO A GOOD START

Since I still had my small collection of Christmas fabric on the cutting table, I hunted through my saved patterns, and decided to try the "Gather 'Round Runner" pattern from Iowa Star Quilts, that was part of their year of runners in 2006.

 The background fabric is a poinsettia print with silver highlights, and I used the remainder of the piece!  This will go in my collection of items for the boutique at my guild's next quilt show.

I soaked the beans for 15 bean soup last night, so this morning, I drained the soaking water, and added fresh, along with a ham bone that I had saved in the freezer.  We are having soup for lunch!

A TINY SCRAP FINISH

During the winter, a former member of my southern quilting group called to ask if I would like some of her quilting scraps.  She and her husband were selling their home, and returning north permanently.  Of course, I said yes!

She loved making flannel quilts, so there were lots of various size strips and pieces in lots of different colours and prints.  There were also some cotton scraps.  I found some odd shaped triangles in gold and burgundy, along with some dark print pieces.   I decided the largest cut I could make from all the pieces, and ended up with some flying geese, squares and half square triangle pieces.  After a little playing with various arrangements, I was able to piece a small table runner.

I pieced the dark print triangles and stitched them together to make bias binding.  Amazingly, I had exactly 2 inches of binding left over after joining the ends.  I machine quilted the gold parts with gold cotton thread, and then used a variegated thread to stitch tiny flowers in all the burgundy pieces.

The shiny polyester thread makes a simple project sparkle!
I'll have to send a picture of the finished project to thank her for the gift!

I'M SUPPOSED TO BE PACKING!

I've been doing some sorting in my sewing room, in preparations for packing some projects to take south.  Of course, I've stopped and stitched along the way!

Several years ago, a member of my southern quilt group gave me a bag of fabric, and cut wedges.  I started to sew the wedges into rings a while ago, but the project was pushed aside.  The wedges were cut from voile, and had almost see-through areas in the print.  Instead of pushing them aside again, I stitched all the wedges and was able to make 3 rings.   Since one of the fabrics was white, and any background would have shaded the fabric, I cut 3 white on white fabric squares. Included in the bag was a large piece of a funky stripe, so I used that to make the setting triangles, and binding.

The runner is completed, but needs more quilting.  I hope to get that done today, and then maybe I can concentrate on packing.  I think the only way to get that done is to pack up my sewing machine!!!!!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  1.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  1.75 yards

Fabric added this week  5 yards

Fabric added year to date  33.625 yards

Net used 2018  -31.875 yards

I'm still in the red, but at least I have a finish!

I had fun with these blocks, but decided that I wanted to get back to other projects, so I stopped at 3, and made a runner.

I got back to work on one project.   I had made both the blocks and the alternate blocks but had to make the pieced setting triangles.  When I checked my instructions, I found that all the edges would be on the bias, so I used EQ8 to draw the block, then I divided it in half, and printed out templates for the unusual shapes, then I divided it into 4 pieces, so I could get templates for the corner triangles as well.  I spent yesterday piecing the side and corner triangles, then used the living-room carpet to lay the blocks out, then pick them up in rows for sewing.  This morning I managed to sew the rows in one direction, and then pin them in the opposite way, but it began raining, and since my sewing room is a sunroom under the carport, the rain hitting the aluminum roof was just too loud, so I came inside and reconciled my back accounts - a job I always put off!

I also received the final instructions for the borders for my guild's scrappy BOM quilt, so when I get the first one done, I'll begin stitching the borders (all pieced!) 
I'm linking up with quiltpaintcreate today to share my stash report.  

A SMALL FINISH & UPDATE TO MY STASH REPORT!

Fabric used this week 1.25 yards
Fabric used year to date  113.5 yards
Fabric added this week 14 yards
Fabric added year to date  70.25 yards
Net used this year  43.25 yards

When I said small, I really meant it!  I completed a table runner - I had finished the hand embroidery, and it had hung, forgotten, on my design wall for 2 years.  I pulled some fabric for backing and borders, and prepped it for quilting before heading south.

Of course, I don't remember the pattern designer......

It looks very sparkly in person - I used a pearl coloured Glitter thread by Superior Threads to quilt snowy swirls in the background, and red Glitter around the pointsettias.   I also forgot to bring binding fabric, so I used one of my new fat quarters.

I also spent some time completing the December BOM blocks - green this month.

There are two of the first block, similar, but using a variety of fabrics.

 There are two of the geese blocks, following the designer's suggestion to radiate the geese colours from dark to light.

There are 4 for the bow tie blocks, following the dark, light, dark green colour scheme.

Now I just have to wait for January!  If you are interested in the block of the month, here is the link.

The holidays are nearly upon us again.  I still have baking to do, and we haven't decorated yet!  DH has been helping a neighbour seal his concrete driveway, and finally, all the band members have arrived south for the winter, so many practices are coming up.  There is a Christmas sing-a-long each December in our community, and the band has been asked to entertain while everyone is arriving, and also accompany all the songs and carols.  Everyone has fun, and it helps to get everyone in the holiday spirit.  There is a decorated golf cart parade coming up, and a huge pot luck dinner on Christmas eve.  The band is entertaining there as well!  They also have several Christmas parties at local nursing homes scheduled for December, so they will be busy, busy, busy.  They all play for the love of music, and try to add some extra cheer all year.

MORE LOST AND FOUND BLOCKS

When sorting through my "lost" fabric strips, I also found six red and white 9Patch blocks.  I decided to make 2 table runners - they will be donated for my guild's boutique at our show next June.

Either one would be cute for Valentine's Day.  I managed to use the last of my "heart" fabric on these.  I think the blocks are over 15 years old!
 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I had a couple of "down days", but I'm feeling much better today, so I was able to get pictures of my latest project.  I used the remaining 4 pieces of the striped border from my Dragonfly Garden quilt to make blocks for this runner.  I lined up the prints and cut all 4 layers into 2 large squares, then cut them diagonally into 8 triangle stacks.

I took the picture in full sun so the the metallic thread would show.  Once again, I used Superior Metallic thread, and their size 14 topstitch needle to do most of the free motion quilting.  I also used some King Tut variegated thread thread to stitch the curvy lines in the sashing and yellow border.

I stitched dragonflies in each of the purple setting triangles, following the tutorial that I found on The Inbox Jaunt.

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

A FUN LITTLE PROJECT

Last winter, when visiting a not so local quilt shop with friends, I spotted this wonderful border stripe fabric.  A piece had to come home, along with some of the coordinating fabric.  It is rich looking with metallic gold accents.

After completing my Grand Illusion mystery quilt, I needed a quick project to work on, so I placed the stripe on my cutting board, and cut one of each coloured stripe.  I cut 60 degree triangles from the darker blue stripe, and made a large hexagon.  I then cut a strip from the coordinating print to make the second stripe the same width, and cut more 60 degree triangles.

Here is the completed runner, that I named "Earth Sea and Sky".  I used gold metallic thread to quilt some of the lines in each block.  I echo quilted the shapes of the lighter fabric, and also in the centre of the darker hexagon.  I used crosswise cut strips of the fabric to bind the edge, to help bring the two totally different looking fabrics together.  Completed in an afternoon!  I showed it to my DIL via Skype this morning, and she loves the colours, so I think it has found a new home.....

FINAL FINISH FOR THE YEAR

I had stitched some fan units made from left-over 30's fabrics, so I decided to complete the project before starting anything new.  I added the quarter circle centre to each one, then added background triangles to 2 of the sides.  I stitched 2 sets of 4 fans, and 2 sets of 2 fans, then cut a rectangle of background fabric to fit, along with some corner triangles and came up with a table runner.

The appliques were leftover from a vest panel that I bought about 20 years ago for $1.  I made the vest to donate to my guild for the quilt show boutique and brought the appliques south.  I hand stitched them to the runner, using lovely silk thread.

I stitched a double grid (thanks Inbox Jaunt for great quilting ideas), then stitched a wavy fill in the alternate squares.  I stitched some flowers in the centre row, and echo stitched around the appliques.

Once this was completed, I cut yellow, aqua, black and pink squares and complete part 5 of Bonnie's mystery quilt.  The rest will have to wait until we return south, as we're heading north to assist on the "big move" to DS and DDIL's first house.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I've been trying to work on some projects for my Florida group.  One of my goals is to teach them how to use some of the angle lines on their rulers.  The first project I thought of is a table runner.

The fabrics I used were leftover from a set called "Coffee & Teal", that was part of a Christmas gift from DH a few years ago.  I'll be taking this sample top south with me, along with some backing and binding so I can complete it after it is used for a teaching aid.
Now - back to the drawing board to come up with some other fast, easy but interesting projects.

Check out the creativity linked to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.  

TWO SMALL FINISHES

The first was my Christmas Williamsburg Runner.  I've used this pattern many times, using various special focal fabrics.  It is made with 1 large focal rectangle, 16 half-square triangle units and 4 squares of background fabric.  

 I had fun machine quilting with my new machine!  I stitched diamond cross-hatching in the focal area, using metallic gold "Sliver" mylar thread - lots of glitz! 
 Then I stitched a pointsettia in each of the background corners using metallic red mylar thread.

Last winter, while in Florida, my quilting group  members made lots of these tote bags.  The pattern is "Building Block Bags" by Indygo Junction.  I finally made mine, using lots of my sewing themed fabrics.  It is a large tote, with an 8 1/2 inch square base, and long, over the shoulder straps.  I added a stiffener in the bottom, as suggested, and the bag stands nicely on the floor or table.  The bag is reversible, with more sewing themed fabrics inside.

FINALLY SOME PROGRESS

I finished a pieced backing for the scrappy split 9-patch quilt - all from my stash.  I'm trying to clear out fabrics that have spent too long waiting their turn to be a quilt!

I decided to work on a quick project, so I made another Christmas runner.  I'm not sure where I found the pattern, but have made several of these over the years.

I don't make too many "three fabrics" projects, but this one turns out well every time.  It needs a focal fabric for the centre, then two more for background and contrast.  It looks complex, but is made from 16 half square triangle blocks.  I'm hoping to quilt this on my new machine, that is supposed to be delivered tomorrow, (although I haven't had confirmation yet!)

It feels strange to come down the stairs to my sewing room and not pass by the model railway.  There are some large holes in the walls, so we'll be doing some repair and repainting soon.

I received a call from my doctor's office - the earliest I might be able to get my knee repaired is 4-6 months, and that is at a hospital an hour away.  The wait list here is over 1 year.  Some of the larger cities, like Ottawa and Toronto have almost a 2 year wait.  Of course there could be more damage during that time as well.  I guess I'll be making my Disney trips in a wheelchair this winter!  The good thing is that we live in a bungalow in Florida, and at most I have to go up 2 steps, and I have a heated pool to try to exercise.

I guess I'll be busy making quilts this winter as well!
 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I don't really have a design wall here - I usually take over the living room and lay large pieces on the carpet.  I do have a small flannel covered cardboard that I use when demonstrating things with my Wednesday quilt group.  We don't start meeting until Nov 14, and the group grows gradually as people arrive south for the winter.

I finished this table runner since arriving here.  The floral stripe fabric was leftover from the border for "The Orient Visits Baltimore" completed in 2011, and was pinned to my design wall up north.  While doing my final tidy up, I decided to use it to make the runner, rather than hide it away.  The remaining small pieces were cut into squares and strips to be used in scrappy projects.  I used a mylar type of metallic thread to do the "walking foot lines" and the free motion stitching around the flowers.  Then I did some curvy lines in the background around them.

I have my "Sing a Happy Song" quilt top and back pressed, just waiting to pin baste.  I didn't find the binding when I unpacked, so either I made it and left it north, I forgot to pack the fabric to make it, or I have to find something that will work with the quilt top.... 
 I also pulled out 3 baby quilt panels and flannel backings that I didn't get finished last winter.  There was fabric for binding, so I cut the strips, stitched them together and pressed them ready for use.  I also pressed the top of the Grandmother's Cross but I have to look for some backing for this one.  I did sew a scrappy binding together. 

DH emptied the drawers, so I filled them with all the small tools, miscellaneous thread, cone thread, and other gizmos.  My sewing room is looking very neat!  I even folded the fabric for my winter projects and stored them on the small set of shelves that we found last winter.

My next project is to make an appointment to have my Pfaff serviced.  I plan to get all the prepared projects quilted with the Juki while it is away.  I get a more accurate 1/4 inch with the Pfaff, so I use it for piecing, and adding some embellishment stitches to my projects.  The Juki is my workhorse for machine quilting, and I use it for most straight stitch sewing other than quilting.

Check out what everyone is working on this week at Patchwork Times! 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  1.375 yards

Used year to date   198.375 yards

Added this week  6 yards

Added year to date  147.125 yards

Net used 2012   51.25 yards

Stopped into Joann's in Lakeland this week and picked up 2 pieces of "white on white" - on sale and an additional 25% off - the only time to shop.  Seems I've added lots of fabric this  year, but I've still used more than I added - yahoo!

I finished a table runner this week.  I had pieced it and pin-basted it before heading south, so it was an easy project to pick up and complete.  My sewing room is mostly set up.  I still have to wait for DH to empty one set of plastic drawers (he stores garden railway items there in the summer), then my unpacking will be completed!

We've been having visitors in our yard each day in the late afternoon.  Today I watched them eating acorns - we have lots!  They are large birds with no fear of us, and they have very loud voices, but are usually silent.  After a while, they continued their stately walk down the street....

Check out everyones stash report at Patchwork Times!

   

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

First, another small finish.  I've been having fun playing with batik fabric lately.

 Here's the finished table runner.  Lots of half square triangle blocks!

 I just did simple quilting as the fabric speaks for itself.  I used a variegated "Rainbows" thread from Superior thread in the border and block centres, and just some simple stitch in the ditch for the rest.

 On Friday, I finally began cutting the wonderful Oriental print that I found last winter.  It had a huge 24 inch pattern repeat.  I spread out three of the blocks - to - be, to show some of the variations.  I haven't tried octagon blocks before, and these will have kaleidoscope triangles to complete the corners.  I spent some time yesterday, adding a narrow accent band to the outside edge of each piece.  I've cut 30 blocks, as I want a larger quilt (the original pattern was only 40x40 inches).

Head over to Judy's blog to see what creative happenings are on the other linked blogs.

AUTUMN LEAVES AGAIN

Several members of my quilting group tried the Quilt in a Day pattern to make an autumn leaf table runner.  Everyone seemed to have great success, especially with all the diagrams to follow.  They used a variety of fabrics.

 There was a really good variety of leaves made.  The final leaf shown only used 2 fabrics for the leaves, and fussy cut the pink and green areas from one piece of fabric.  Several of the quilters enjoyed the project so much, they are making more, with one making a runner and 4 place mats to match.  The only complaint was over the slipperyness of the templates, but that was solved with a bit of "Invisigrip" added to the back.

FINISHED AUTUMN LEAVES RUNNERS!

I was asked to review a pattern from Quilt in a Day by Eleanor Burns.  I chose the Autumn Leaves pattern, found here. 
 When following the pattern, you make four leaves, so I decided to make two runners.

  I plan to donate this runner to my quilt guild for the boutique at the next show in June. 


I have a small table in my southern home, so I decided to make the second runner a bit shorter.
  There was less space to quilt in the centre of this runner, but it will allow 6 people to sit around my small table.



Here is a close-up of the machine quilting....

I enjoyed making the first two runners so much, I made a third one, using all four leaves and a pieced border!
Later I'll post pictures of the leaves made by my quilting group, along with their comments on the pattern.  We have quilters of all skill levels in the group, and we have all enjoyed making the runner.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I was recently asked to review a Quilt in a Day Pattern by Eleanor Burns.  I chose one of the "signature" patterns that included a bonus ruler and extra pattern sheet.  I also received the mini geese ruler set.

Years ago, I began my quilting life adventure after watching a QIAD show on my local PBS station and ordering a pattern.  I found the pattern well written, with lots of pictures and diagrams, and my first project was a success.  As a novice, the Quilt in a Day TV shows and patterns gave me  a strong foundation in techniques and methods that I have used successfully throughout my quilting experiences.  


The new pattern, Autumn Leaves, is just as well written, and it gives the quilter a choice between a wall hanging or 3 different table runners.  For me, it was like visiting with an old friend.  There is a short video on the pattern page, that shows all the steps to make the block design.

I took the pattern to my Wednesday quilt group, and several people are trying the pattern as well, including a couple of beginning quilters. I'll be showing pictures of their projects, along with their comments,  in a later post.

Step 1 : fusing the stems to the background piece.  I used a light paper-backed fusible web and will finish the edges by machine later.

 Step 2 : making the bottom leaf points.  Following the picture, I made sure that the angles were going in two different directions.

 Step 3 : stitching the first 4 pieces together.  By following the pattern, the seam allowances were facing the correct direction for easy sewing!

 Step 4 : making the two toned flying geese units using Eleanor's large and smaller square method.  Following the instuctions carefully, it was easy to make the perfect size geese, with two different background triangles, and trimming with the flying geese ruler.  

 Lining up the pieces squares...


Marking the guide line for stitching

 Pressing the seams in opposite directions....

 Perfect flying geese, ready to stitch into the next units!

 Following the special cutting guideline, it was easy to make the top leaf point without using a template, and the included "on point ruler" made completing a perfect unit very easy.

Love the block!

Here is my first completed runner top, planned as a gift, and I have two more leaves to make a second one for me!
This pattern was so easy to follow, I'll be making a 4 leaf runner with a pieced border tomorrow!  

Check out what others are working on at Judy's blog.