STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  13.25 yards

Fabric used year to date  13.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date 12 yards

Net used 2017  1.25  yards 

I'm in the black this week, but I just squeeked in!  Since I hadn't done any machine quilting for a while, DH and I pin-basted a baby quilt panel when we were pinning the other 2 quilts.  I use it to "warm up" my quilting muscles, including my brain......

I outlined many of the elements in this cute panel, then stitched loops and swirls in the pink gingham-look border.  The quilt has pink gingham-look flannel on the back to make it cozy for a new baby.  It will be donated to my guild for the Hugs program at our local hospital.

 For the pinwheel quilt, I stitched double circles looping back and forth in each block.  I used a neutral thread in the light blocks and a variegated thread in the dark blocks.

The plain border was stitched with simple leaves, forming a zig-zag pattern, and then large swirls in each of the outer border blocks.

 I finally have my first two finished for 2017.  The top and binding of this quilt was made entirely from my stash of pre-cut charm squares (5 "), while the border and binding was made from leftover backing fabric from a previous quilt.  The backing fabric was part of the order that arrived last week.

Check out all the progress 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  12 yards

Fabric added year to date 12 yards

Net used 2017  -12 yards

 Most of my purchases this week were backing fabrics.

Now I just have to find time to get them pin-basted.  They are all pressed and starched ready to go, and the binding is prepared as well.

My group wanted to work on a "row quilt" this winter.  I hunted through my files to find one that I liked and that could be made from scraps!  Back in 2012, Lori Holt offered a "row along" on her blog, a Bee in my Bonnet.  I had saved all the instructions for future use.  I've been busy sewing a row or two each day, enjoying the challenge of using my scraps before cutting into new fabric.  The pattern has 13 rows, consisting of 7 wider rows and 6 narrower rows.  

Since I wanted to use more scraps, I decided to change the final borders.  I hunted through my favourite resource - 60 Pieced Quilt Borders - Mix & Match by Judy Laquidara, and decided on border option #35.

I was able to dig into my 1 1/2 inch strips to make these cute 3 inch blocks.  All the neutrals in the quilt are cut from leftover strips, or from small pieces of fabric that have been in my stash for a long time.



Check out everyone's progress 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 2017  0 yards

What a boring report - same old, same old!  I've been working hard every day, but not completing any projects.

I have 2 scrappy quilt tops completed, and the binding prepared for each.  I've ordered backing fabric, that should arrive soon, so I'll be able to finally have a finish this year!

I have a third scrappy top started, but it has been on hold while I work on the row quilt with my group - also using scraps!  

I think I see a trend - trying to use lots of pre-cut scraps this year.

My bin of 1 1/2 inch strips has shrunk by 1 1/2 layers out of three.  My 5" charms stacks are about half used, and I've even made a dent in my 2 1/2 inch strips.  I made scrappy binding for one of the quilt tops.  I also have a stack of 4-patches, made as "leaders and enders" using 2 inch squares, that will be turned into quilt blocks soon.

Check out the progress shared on 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 2017  0 yards

 I'm not off to a good start this year.  I still have to figure out what I plan to use for backings for the quilt tops that I've completed so far.

My time has been taken making the first 2 of 13 rows for my group's row quilt.  I have to try to make samples of the next few rows, so I can stay ahead of the group.  I've also spent some time with some of my newer quilters, helping with problems.

We had a visit with our cousins from Jan 1-4.   We talked, laughed, played Sequence (a board game), and ate way too much food.  DH and I are back to our normal diet.  I cooked a turkey dinner while they were here, so I made turkey soup with the bones yesterday.  We're having it for lunch today, and 5 containers of soup headed to the freezer.  We also packed up some turkey and gravy for later meals as well.  DH wants me to make more cranberry sauce!

See everyone's progress 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 2017  0 yards

I'm following Judy's lead, and starting the year with a clean slate!

I've been keeping track since 2011, and my grand total used in the past 6 years is 683.875 yards.  During 3 of those years, quilts shops in my area closed, and had awesome sales that I just couldn't resist.

 

I'm busy cooking my turkey today, along with sausage dressing, giblet gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, green beans and rutabaga casserole.  Good thing we only eat this once or twice a year!  Our cousins are coming to stay for the next 3 days, so I thought it would make for easy leftovers.....

I finished my zigzag blocks yesterday, and need to plan the layout before stitching them together.  I'll have to see what I have for backing fabric, as I will soon have 3 lap quilts ready to quilt.

Happy 2017, and check in with Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

 

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2017

DH and I have had a great year.  Our family is happy, and we've enjoyed our time with our first grandson, watching him grow and explore.  We are fortunate to be healthy, and happy.

My goal again this year is to use more of my stash!  I've been making quilt tops from my pre-cut strips.  I have bins of 1 1/2", 2", and 2 1/2" strips, along with 2" and 5" squares.  I have completed 3 tops already, using 5" squares and 1 1/2 inch strips.
My latest is spinning spools, all made from 1 1/2 inch strips.  I'm currently working on another top made from strips - this one needed width of fabric strips in lights and darks, and my 1 1/2 " bin has almost no full width strips left!  Now I have to plan projects to use up all the short ends!

My southern quilt group starts our winter project this Wednesday.  They asked for a row quilt, so I found an interesting pattern to share with everyone.  

Hope everyone is looking forward to 2017!  Happy quilting.....

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Hope everyone is enjoying their day in their own special way.

We Skyped with our family early this morning, and watched our grandson open his presents.

We are delivering plates of holiday goodies to our neighbours, then

 heading out to spend Christmas and Boxing Day with our cousins in their new home!

 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  217 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  87.75 yards

Net used 2016  129.25 yards

 

 Nothing completed, but lots of sewing going on....

Machine quilting - densely stitched leaves inside each block around the leaves.

Swirls and leaves stitched in the sashing areas. 

I like open quilting on my quilts, especially in the open spaces.

The outer, dusty green border has feathered hooks, with a row of echo stitches on each outside edge.

 

This quilt was difficult to photograph - too much light and it looked washed out.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  13.875 yards

Fabric used year to date  217 yards

Fabric added this week 7.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  87.75 yards

Net used 2016  129.25 yards

I just finished the final stitch of the binding on my Shades of Autumn quilt!  I had a mechanical problem with my free motion stitching, but after a quick call to the repair expert at my local dealer, we figured out what was wrong, and I was able to complete the quilting.  Pictures to follow - my quilt holder, DH, has been busy practicing for tonight's Christmas sing-a-long.  One of the members of the group has been away for 2 weeks, so they are busy, busy, busy.

We stopped into my favourite local shop, "Quilts on Plum Lane" in Dade City.  I picked up 3 pieces of fabric from the clearance area, and 7 fat quarters.  My plan of using pre-cuts all winter has one flaw - I forgot that I was teaching the group a row quilt, and needed larger pieces for some of the blocks.....  Don't you hate being forced to shop for fabric!

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week 0 yards

Used year to date  203.125 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  80.25 yards

Net used 2016  122.875 yards

Nothing completed this week.  DH and I finally pin-basted my autumn leaf quilt, but we had so many visitors and interruptions this week, I haven't made much progress.   We've also been hanging the Christmas decorations and lights outside.

Hopefully I'll be able to get at least one more project completed by the end of the year!

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

QUILT TOP COMPLETED

I just put the final border on my pinwheel quilt top.

Now I'll finally begin quilting my autumn leaf quilt.

My new threads are arriving tomorrow

while we are spending the afternoon at Epcot for

Christmas Candlelight Procession.

Saturday I'll be in the mood to decorate inside and out for the holidays! 

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  7.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  203.125 yards

Fabric added this week  20.25 yards

Fabric added year to date  80.25 yards

Net used 2016  122.875 yards 

My numbers always change at this time of year - can't pass up on Black Friday sales.  I went to Joann's on Wednesday at dinner time - no line-ups at the cutting table.

  

Flannel for backing future baby quilts, 

fabric for two more pillowcases

and some "neutral" Christmas prints.  I'm always very selective when choosing fabric at Joann's - some is great while others are not!

My finish was the Calico Friends baby quilt that I shared earlier.

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

ANOTHER BABY QUILT FINISHED

Just another quilt made from a panel....the larger (yard by width of fabric) are almost impossible to find lately.  I've been working on the ones in my stash, as our hospital gift shop loves them - they sell better than the pieced and appliqued quilts, and the money goes to our Hugs program, to pay for other items provided in the layettes that they give away.

DH and I, along with a good friend, headed for the Disney Studios yesterday.  It was packed with families who had the whole week of Thanksgiving off!  Our goal was to see the Fantasmic show and the Christmas multi-media/ fireworks at night.  We managed to enjoy a couple of other favourites while we were there.  DH and I plan to return another evening just for the  Christmas show- the beauty of having an annual pass.  Next week we plan to go to Epcot for the Christmas Candlelight Processional.  It has become a part of our Christmas traditions, seeing the orchestra, massed choir, and hearing the story told - it lifts my heart......

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  7.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  199.25 yards

Fabric added this week  15.75 yards

Fabric added year to date  60 yards

Net used 2016  139.25 yards

My machine finally came home, all shiny and raring to go!  My first job was to complete the bicycle seat covers that I had cut out and serged.  DH and I ride our bikes everyday, so now I have 6 ready for use, so I won't be making more any time soon.

I have the machine quilting done on all three baby quilts that I pin-basted, and I stitched the binding on two of them.  The third should be completed later today, but I'll have to claim that yardage next week.

A dozen quilters showed up for our first day together - a great turn-out.  Several new quilters attended to see what we are planning for the winter season.  I have emailed a couple of small projects to the group, and we plan on making a row quilt.

I have to check the clubhouse schedule to find a good time to pin-baste my leaf quilt, now that my batting has arrived.

Check out everyone's progress 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

I just finished adding the final border on my "Shades of Autumn" quilt top.  The binding has been prepared, and I am just waiting on the delivery of the backing fabric.  The leaf blocks are ones that I printed at a workshop in September.  I'm looking forward to adding more detail and some dimension to the leaves when I work on the machine quilting

 It seems like such a long time since I stitched anything, even though it is just a couple of weeks.

I think I'll get out one of my collection of baby panels, and make a quick 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

I ordered some fabric this week, but I'll add it when it arrives.  One of the pieces is backing for my autumn leaf quilt project.  I've been busy stitching the top together.  I decided on the placement of the blocks in the quilt top, and took a picture for reference when piecing the top.

We were able to skype with our grandson and his parents.  Two of the three have a cold, but they were heading outside this afternoon to finish clearing up their veggie garden.

We're still getting settled - it seems to take longer each year, but I guess that is because we're getting a bit older every year!

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

READY TO GET QUILTING!

With lots of help from DH, my southern sewing room is ready to go!  Since I sew in an attached sunroom, the first job is to sweep the floors, and unload all the items stored there over the summer.  Then DH washes all the walls and the ceiling fan, then removes the windows and washes the frames.  They get really dusty over the summer months.  I start cleaning the windows and put them back into the frames, then we wash all the tables and finally the floor.

I've decided to keep the fabric in our spare room dresser this year - we had lots of humidity last year, and it was difficult to work with.
I'll keep my bins of strips handy, and bring out fabric as needed.

My job this morning was to serge the cut edges of the new fabric that I picked up on the trip south, and it is in the washer.  I pre-wash all my fabrics with regular detergent and a colour catcher, adding vinegar to the rinse.  I've had problems with colours running and fabrics shrinking in the past, and lots of my quilts are donated, and I want them to survive whatever treatment they get during their usable life. 

A place to sit and hand stitch or visit with a friend.

My cutting table with rulers and templates (in the binder) at the ready.

Sewing machine ready to go.  I love my mesh chair - my room has no air conditioning, but a ceiling fan to keep my cool on hotter days.  The blue bins hold 2 inch squares ready for "leaders and enders" while I sew.  A variety of thread is stored in the containers under the table.

Drawers full of assorted tools and thread.  The container on the right has 1 1/2 inch strips, while the one on the left holds 2 1/2 inch strips and 5 inch squares, ready for my scrap projects.

White or off-white leftover strips are in the box with the blue edge, while the others hold light and dark 2 inch strips.
A box of patterns, when I get the urge to sew clothing, and a shoe box full of pre-cut pieces that was a garage sale find by a friend.  I also have 2 irons in cases that travel to our weekly quilting meet-up each Wednesday.

This is the cleanest and tidiest that the area will be until it is packed up for the trip north in the spring!