QUILT PROJECT 17 FINISHED

DH became my quilt holder this morning so I could mark this quilt as truly finished.  It is the 17th project completed this year.  The quilts are due at our final guild meeting of the year on June 5th.  They are expecting around 20 finished quilts.  There were request from some to make the patterns queen-size, so there should be some larger projects as well.  This time I have to remember to take my camera!!!!!
Our end of the season dinner is being catered by the executive again this year.  Everyone brings their own table setting - placemat, napkin, dishes and silverware.  Our guest speaker at the meeting will be talking to us about Superior Threads, and will be holding a workshop (already full), the day after the dinner.  I have to check my thread supplies and take some $ to buy more thread - thread doesn't count as stash!

I managed to get the centre parts of my Christmas Wish quilt stitched yesterday, and cut strips for the final border and binding.  Now I'm off to sew.  I plan to make a pieced backing for this quilt, so I can use more Christmas fabric!

A NEW CHALLENGE

DH's sister and her husband came for a short visit yesterday.  She brought along a quilt top, batting, backing fabric and some for the binding.   She had made this disappearing 9-patch quilt over the winter (she takes quilting classes at her local community centre), but needs it finished quickly to be gifted as a wedding present.

This morning I cut strips and prepared the binding, then stitched the backing fabric together and pressed it well.  Now I'm in the process of pin basting.  With my small table, I have to move the quilt to baste the whole thing, and then roll it up to do the next areas.  I've found that this is a 2 person job, and DH is off helping some friends paint their dining room, living room, kitchen and bathroom today.  He spent Tuesday there as well, so I'll have to wait until he gets home tonight to roll and move the quilt so I can finish the pin-basting.
I use the time while I'm pin-basting, to think of different ways to quilt each project.  Some take more thinking than others!  I have 2 stencils that I may use in alternate blocks.  The next problem will be to find a thread that shows well against all the different colours!
I must say I enjoy each challenge.....

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  12.875 yards

Used year to date  125.875 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  108.875 yards

Net Used 2012  17 yards

I finished the quilting on my quilt called "Half Log Blues"  yesterday afternoon.  Now if I could only enlist a second tall guy to hold my last 3 large finished projects so they could have their picture taken!

 After my thread/needle/presser foot/tension difficulties, I chose a shiny trilobal polyester thread that is actually varigated light purples and greens, as the best to show up on the blue sections of the quilt top.  From a distance, the cone of thread looks like silvery grey - not my first choice, but my best choice!

Haven't seen Judy's stash report yet, but I'm posting mine!

More Plaid

 

After stitching the finished blocks together and pin-basting the quilt, I had to come up with a quilting plan.

I began by stitching in the ditch around all the star shapes.

Then I decided to quilt a spiral in the centre of the beige stars, with figure eight style loops extending into each point.  

I used a thread colour that matched the contrast in the plaid, matching the bobbin to the top thread.

As the backing of this quilt is large pieces of assorted plaids, I thought that the different thread colours would add another design element to the finished quilt.

In this type of quilt, I repeat the design in all matching parts.

BTW, I am quilting this on my Juki, by hand-guiding the quilt, without the use of a frame. 

Wicked1

Enjoyed the final installment on my Christmas present yesterday.

DH and I saw the matinee performance of "Wicked" at the Straz Center (formerly the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center) yesterday.

The two lead singers were awesome, and I enjoyed the unusual, quirky costumes. We had our favourite seats - front row of the balcony. I always take my small binoculars, so I can see the details on the costumes - always a love of mine.

Today things are back to normal - sewing, and my second order of thread just arrived from Superior Thread! Now I'll be able to play for many months before I have to worry about restocking my supply!

Thread

I used up one of my cones of Masterpiece by Superior Thread, (my favourite for piecing), yesterday. Opened up my cone storage box to find only one left, and it had just a tiny bit of thread left as well!
How did I let my thread get so low?
I ordered more right away, and just received the tracking message - won't be delivered until February 1!!!
I guess I'll just have to concentrate on some hand applique while I'm waiting.......