A LITTLE PROGRESS

DH brought in my DIL's cutting table on Friday, and we set it up in the living room - the only place large enough!  He helped me pin baste 3 quilts - my 52 blocks 52 weeks quilt, my version of Unity from Bonnie Hunter, and a baby quilt.

We both suffered from tired backs and sore fingers, and my tin that holds my pins is more empty than I have ever seen it!   I use the grapefruit spoons to help close each pin as it is used.  It was a trick I saw on a very old "Quilt In A Day" program on PBS, well before any handy tools were available for this task.

I received an email from the local greenhouse, so yesterday afternoon, we took a drive and picked up my plant order.  We had a much cooler day, with scattered showers, so they are waiting on the patio to be planted.  Most were annuals to add some colour to my front garden when the irises are finished blooming, and I also have 2 more and 2 perennials for the small garden at the back of our townhouse.

Now I have to get my machine ready to quilt.....clean lint, oil, new needle, make sure the bobbins are all wound.  I did some mending yesterday for a friend's son, so I have to change the needle plate and foot on my machine as well.  I also have an audio book to finish soon, so this should be a very productive day!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used since last report  2 yards

Fabric used year to date  41.125 yards

Fabric added since last report  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  46.625

Net used 2020  - 4.5 yards

I'm still in the red, but almost caught up!  I have some quilt tops ready to pin baste, but since I don't report yardage until the quilt is finished, I just have to get going.......

Right now, my cutting table is covered in fabric pieces being used in the Unity sew-along from Quiltville, but I plan on asking DH to bring in my DIL's folding cutting table, just so I can pin baste in the living room.  (She inherited it from her Mom, and it is residing in my garage, along with some other items that don't fit in their city apartment.)  She is gradually working through some of her stuff to make room for more, and she has sold some of the items online, before the virus arrived.  Hopefully, she can get back to dealing with things again soon.

We just had our Sunday morning Skype with DS2 and family.   My grandson said that he wants to give us a "big squishy hug!"  He has really missed our visits, and his trips to our home.  His little sister is getting more vocal all the time, and loves to follow her big brother.  She tries to copy everything that he does, including playing with his toys.  He is pretty good at sharing, and getting better at it all the time.

I guess I'll have to settle for a big squishy hug from DH! 

 

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.

MORE MACHINE QUILTING

For the past couple of years, I've been making scrap hourglass blocks.  I finally decided that I had enough fun, and called the top complete!  I  found a large enough piece of fabric to make the quilt back and binding, so spent part of a day pin-basting.
 
It is now under my needle, being machine quilted!  I am using an all over design, just to make this quilt comfortable for snuggling.

Tonight is my guild's first meeting of the season. I have several quilts to take along, as well as goodies for the snack table, and the remaining photo CD's from our June quilt show - I've had requests from some members who were away during the show.
I have 2 community quilts that I quilted and add binding, the Diamond Tiles quilt that I am donating, and two quilts for show and tell.  I'm looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces tonight!

NEARING TIME TO PACK

I've been cleaning up my sewing room, as it will soon be time to pack it all up for another season in the south.  I still had one more baby panel, and some coordinating fabric to use, so I spent the past two days making hourglass blocks to add to this pretty panel by Jacqueline Steves.  I can't remember the name of the panel, but I'm calling it Hourglass Farm!

I also worked on my version of Diamond Hill.  I decided to stop after completing the 4 applique blocks, as it will make a lovely large wall hanging.  I made some changes to the design, and added plain borders to the blocks before continuing on.
It has the binding complete, but needs quilting in the background areas.  I have stitched around all the small squares, as well as outlined all the flowers and leaves.  I think the remaining quilting will wait until it is back in my northern home, where I can concentrate of it.  It is currently pin-basted.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

No design wall in my southern home, but I took a picture of my latest scrap project.  I had stitched the blocks together in one direction, and the seams are pressed, and it is pinned, ready to sew the remaining seams in the top together.

The pattern is called Pinwheels on Parade, and found in one of the Nickle Quilt books.  My plan was to sew from my bins of precuts.  The centre of this quilt was made from 5 inch squares.  I had separated all the batik squares, and had enough for the dark blocks, but not enough for the light ones.  I had packed lots of "neutral" prints to help use up the scraps, so I cut 5 inch squares, after I took all the neutral ones from my "light" stack of 5 inch squares.

My next decision will be what to use for the borders.....

DH and I finally made it to the clubhouse on Sunday afternoon and pin-basted my autumn leaf quilt!  I'm anxious to start quilting, but I ordered a few spools of thread from Superior Threads, and I plan on using one or two of them in this quilt.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  191.5 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  44.25 yards

Net used 2016  147.25 yards 

My machine is still in the shop for its annual spa treatment.  I called late on Saturday, but it wasn't ready, and the mechanic won't be in until Tuesday!  I've resorted to cleaning the house to keep busy!!!!

I have pin-basted 3 baby quilts, so I hope to have something to show soon.  The bad/good news is that my fabric order should be delivered on Monday.  It includes the backing fabric for my autumn leaf quilt, so I'll have to get it washed and pressed, ready for basting.  The rest of the fabrics are neutrals for use in scrappy quilts.

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

NO SEWING FOR ME

I took my machine in for its annual "spa treatment" on Tuesday.  My sewing room looks so lonely without it!  I can't wait for the phone call to tell me I can pick her up.....

Since I can't sew, I've been preparing some baby quilt tops and backings, and pin-basted one this morning.  I thought I had lots of batting, but after a search, I discovered that I only have leftover pieces!  I just ordered some more, but I think I'll check out all the bags and see if I can hand stitch some together - at least it will feel like progress!

My southern quilting group begins its weekly get-togethers next Wednesday, so I took some time to organize my binder of "stuff" so I'll be prepared for the first week.  People are slowly arriving.  I think many waited until after the election, or are waiting until Thanksgiving.

Yesterday we had a visit from a cousin who was only south for 4 days, to visit us and his sister.  He plays a mean guitar, so DH and our northern friend played most of the afternoon.  I called and invited our friend's wife for dinner, so they could keep playing!  It was great to visit and listen to the music, even if it was only for a short time.

Off to hunt for batting pieces!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Nothing on my design wall yet, but I  hope to get these 4 quilts pin-basted this afternoon.  One is a larger scrap quilt, with braid border, and there are also 3 small baby quilts.  The binding is all cut, stitched and folded, ready to attach too!

We had fun on the weekend, entertaining all DH's band members and families.  I made pulled pork with onion buns, potato salad, and we also had coleslaw. 

There were snacks, beverages of choice, and lots of conversation during the afternoon, and we had great goodies for dessert as well.
 The band is performing for a group having a celebration dinner this evening, so I hope to get some quilting done while DH is out.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  0 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

 Fabric added year to date  0 yards

Net used 2016  0 yards

 

Still nothing to report!  DH and I headed to the clubhouse after church this morning, and lined up 4 of the long rectangular tables.  We spread out the king size backing, and used large binder clips to hold it taut.  Then came the batting, and finally the quilt top, place carefully.  We were able to baste half at a time, with only the final border on one edge to pin after releasing the clamps.  DH is an expert pin-baster - he follows my lead, and helps with every large quilt.  We worked for about an hour to complete the quilt, only moving and re-clamping the backing once.

After a quick lunch, DH headed out for his band practice.  I headed to the sewing room, and finished sorting some fabric.  One of the ladies in my quilting group had sold her house and is moving north.  She brought over some books and "unwanted fabric" to share with the group.  There was quite a bit left over after everyone had a look, so I brought it home.  She had an elderly neighbour who gave her lots of "good stuff", but it mostly was unusable.  I've saved some larger pieces of fabric, and they will go into the group bag - handy to use to test a new pattern, so not required to report as my personal stash!

Tomorrow the machine quilting commences!  My machine is set up ready to go, 3 bobbins wound and a new needle in place!  Wish me luck - this will be the largest quilt I've done on my home machine....

 

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

A LITTLE PROGRESS

DH and I managed to find time this week, to do some pin basting!  Tuesday afternoon we headed to the clubhouse to use the large tables there, and managed to baste both quilts that I had completed since arriving south, along with a small panel for a growth chart for our grandson.
We had our cousins come for a visit from Wednesday to Friday, and we had some friends join in for a ham and scalloped potatoes dinner on Thursday night.
Friday afternoon and Saturday have been spent catching up on my guild's block of the month project.  I had 2 blocks to complete, and then I'll email the pictures to the coordinator, so she knows I'm keeping up!   (This has become a joke between us, and last month she printed the pictures and hung them with the rest of the blocks at "show and tell".

 Now that I am caught up, I'll get my machine set up for machine quilting, and make sure I have lots of bobbins wound.  I'll "warm up" by quilting the panel first, then my scrappy quilt, then the bright coloured hearts quilt.  That should keep me busy this week!  Then I want to get started on my son and daughter-in-law's new "oceany" quilt - king size!!!!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY - OOPS! TUESDAY

I'm not sure where Monday went!  DH and friend arrived in time for dinner last night.  They were both tired from their visit to Syracuse, with 5 performances in 3 days, but they had fun, added smiles to some residents of nursing homes, and generally enjoyed their time!

Nothing on my wall, but I managed to get my half log cabin quilt pin-basted.  Now to find time to quilt!

It is currently draped over my sewing table, just patiently waiting.

So far this morning, two more members of the band arrived, just in time to head out for the morning performance.  The whole group is returning to our place at noon, for a quick lunch, so this morning I made some egg salad and tuna salad to make sandwiches, and I'll slice some tomatoes, cheese, put out pickles, crackers, meat and other condiments, and they can have a free-for-all, making their own lunch when they arrive.  This afternoon, we're all going to attend the performance, then are off to band member Steve and Shirley's place for dinner.  Not sure when quilting will fit into the schedule.  
Tonight we'll have 3 house guests instead of 1 - we're at our maximum number for the space we have in our small townhouse, but everyone is comfortable.  It will seem very quiet when everyone heads home on Thursday!!!!!

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

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

DH helped me pin baste 3 projects yesterday.  The largest is my Grand Illusion Mystery, then a quilt made with the Victory Garden panel and borders, and finally a baby panel, ready to quilt.

I plan to work from smallest to largest, getting my quilting "warmed up" as I go.

DH started yesterday by vacuuming and shampooing our rugs, and washing the floors!  Then he still helped me pin baste - what a guy!

During the morning, I dug out some panels to make cloth books.   I cut out 2 and stitched them together.  Last night I turned them right side out, and pinned them together, ready to be finished.  I'm sure my new grandson will enjoy them when he gets a bit bigger.  All our family are avid readers!

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

SECOND BORDER ADDED

I'm pleased with the flying geese border - it really adds to the quilt top.  I've added the third border - using the wider flowered stripe, but haven't taken a picture yet.

My king batting arrived from Connecting Threads today, so I "booked" DH to help me pin baste quilts tomorrow.  I have my Grand Illusion, the victory garden, shown above, and I've added a baby quilt panel lined up to baste!  I love having an assistant - helps the work go more quickly, so I can get to machine quilting!

DH took me to the quilt show at The Villages today.  They have a huge guild, with 18 chapters and around 1000 members.  They were selling a photo CD at the show, so we only took a couple of pictures.  I looked at all the vendors' wares, but came home empty-handed, although there were several fabrics that were crying to come home in my tote!

QUILTING DOWN TO THE WIRE

I'm looking forward to returning home soon, seeing family and friends, etc., BUT - I can't seem to stop quilting!

My hexagon quilt is about half quilted, and this afternoon, DH and I pin-basted 2 more quilts - one about twin size, and the other a bit smaller.  I had the backing prepared, and thought it would be easier to use the large tables in our clubhouse.

Tomorrow is my last day with the quilting group, but the hall is booked until the end of the month.  There are always a few trying to finish the last bit of their quilt projects.  When I get home, I'll have to start packing up my sewing room - I've just been regrouping items, trimming scraps into usable sizes, measuring leftover batting etc.  Our final few meals are interesting, trying to use up most of the food in the house.  Our left-overs will be passed along to neighbours, and finally get shared with some of the full-time residents.

The beds in our guest room are beginning to be piled with items that need to be packed.  The totes are lined up, ready to be loaded.  Once I start packing, it will all disappear quickly, then it is up to DH to fit everything in the van.  This year he has more equipment than ever before - golf clubs, 3 guitars in cases and 3 amplifiers, music and guitar stands, etc., etc., etc.  For the first time ever, I think his items are more bulky than mine!!!!!

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.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I have completed the stitching on 4 more blocks for the "Long Time Ago in Bethlehem" quilt project.
 
Block 12 is the smallest - called "Hark"



 
Block 9 is called "Spotlight Angel"












Block 11 is "Eggsellent Advice"





Block 10 is "Glory of the Lord".  This is the block I saw that MADE ME want to stitch this project!  Every time I look at the sheep, I smile!

I pin-basted a small baby quilt panel, and I've almost finished the quilting, so I should have it completed for next week's report!.

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times to look at this week's creativity

STASH REPORT WEEK 3

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used  year to date  21.375 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date 0 yards

Net used in 2014  21.375 yards

No finishes this week, but also no new fabric.  I've been working on a wall hanging that has been in the planning stages for 2 or 3 years.  I've also been stitching my "Long Time Ago in Bethlehem" blocks during the evenings.  My sewing room has no heat or air conditioning, and we've been having cold temperatures overnight - almost frost - so I don't sew until my room is a reasonable temperature, which can be as late as 1pm!  It sure cuts down my available time.  I did manage to get my brown, pink and white quilt pin-basted, but discovered an error in one block, so I have to remove the corner unit, and sew it in the correct orientation!

Friday we went to visit friends in their new home near Leesburg FL, travelling with 2 other couples (they had all worked together at Tyndall AFB).  Their community is lovely, as is their home.  They've been redecorating since they moved in, including a new kitchen, tile floors, etc. 

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see other quilters' progress this week! 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I didn't feel like machine quilting on a large project yesterday, so I went hunting in my closet of panels and projects.  I found a project that my friend had wanted to make, but had forgotten about.  I had spent some time several years ago, planning the quilt, and writing instructions.

 I had a panel that consisted of several small units, so I had cut them apart.  There is a polka dot theme in all the panel fabrics, so I pulled a collection of polka dot fabrics from my stash.  I followed my written instructions and the top went together quickly!
It is now pin-basted and ready to quilt! 

I'm not sure how I'll quilt it, but will start by "stitch in the ditch", then some free form outlining of all the animals.  I have also made some "unstuffed, piped binding" to try on this project.

Check out what others are doing at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

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.....