Mary's Quilting Notes

Look What Happens...

2012-01-31T20:11:00.000-07:00

Do you see what happens when I try to do paper piecing. The whole sewing room explodes! Well, OK, it's not the whole sewing room, but it just makes such a mess. I am NOT a neat person, but for some reason this just drives me crazy. Little bits and pieces of fabric laying everywhere. The fabric I used just tossed around. Yuck.

And I'm not even sure the block looks at all good. These colors aren't great (taking pictures at night again), but well, it's just kind of blah.

Oh well. It's a block for the past president of the guild, and I tried my best.

They can't all be winners.

Design Wall Monday-January 30, 2012

2012-01-29T19:33:00.002-07:00

I don't know which number Judy is going to pick for the UFO Challenge in February, but I think I'm going to work on this one. It should be pretty quick, because the star of the quilt is the fabric and pattern, who cares about the quilting. I'll probably just do diagonal lines or something. Maybe a light green backing fabric--perhaps fleece if I can find it, or maybe the blue. I might have some blue that would work.

I really like this quilt, and think I might make another couple of them. I have plenty of fabric for stack n whack, though this is officially a one block wonder. I started it in 2009 and finished it in November of that year. Here is the original fabric, before the whacking!

To see what's on other design walls, check out Judy's blog.

Got the Featherweight!

2012-01-28T21:16:00.000-07:00

Isn't this fun. I drove and picked up the machine today. I stopped to see Joe before I went home, and checked my calendar for something and realized there was a guild sewing day for charity quilts. I stopped by and got to use the Featherweight. It sews great! I'm very happy I got it. I know it doesn't really weigh like a feather, but only about 11 pounds (if the bathroom scale can be trusted...can we trust it)? I don't know what the Bernina weighs, but next time I get it out of the table I weigh it and see.

The stitches are even and it sewed just fine through fleece. I'll have to compare the quarter inch stitch on the Singer to the Bernina, so I don't have to sew a project with only one machine.

I am a happy camper....ummm, I mean sewer! (I never realized that on who sews and the underground pipes that carry sewage were spelled the same. Isn't English funny.)

Another One Bites the Dust!

2012-01-27T19:44:00.001-07:00

... and another one gone and another one gone, another one bites the dust...

I have to admit I'm feeling pretty productive. I have now completed 3 quilts since 1 January. Only 27 days, yippee!

I don't know where this one will go, but it will find a home. I used green leaf fabric, the same type as the rest of the fabrics, for the binding. I used green thread on the background so thought that might work.

It almost looks like I know what I'm doing when you look on the quilting in the orange zig. It was the last one I did on the quilt, so I was getting pretty good by the end. I started this quilt 10 days ago, I think that's a record. I have some ideas for more variations on this quilt. Not only is it quick, but I like the way it looks.

Here is the label, with a bit of the back showing. I like the whole thing. I have to wash it before it goes anywhere...it still has a bit of a mechanical smell and it is shedding.

Hope someone likes it.

Wonder which number Judy will pick next. I still have to wait 3 days to find out, so I may have to start something before the.

Quilting is Done

2012-01-26T21:50:00.000-07:00

This looks pretty cool, if I do say so myself. For someone who usually gets out the walking foot and does some kind of straight line design, this feels pretty good.

I still have to trim and bind it. I think I'm going to use a spring green for the binding. That's the color of thread I used in the background zigs.

I used thread that matched the zigs to do the quilting. I decided it was OK if you could see different colored threads on the back.

It's not perfect, but it's done!

...and I think I'm finally giving in. I've been wanting a more portable sewing machine for taking around. My sister has a featherweight that's very cool, but I didn't want to spend $300 for a second machine. I started looking around again online, and found a few small machines, but none of them got reviews that made me think they would last. My current machine is a Bernina 801 Sport. It's the one I bought in about 1988. It was designed to be a machine used in Home Ec classes, so was simple but sturdy. It's all mechanical and I've been able to oil it, clean it and keep it going.

The newer small machines are too flimsy looking for me. A few years ago I spent about $90 on a small machine and it was just crap. Today I was looking at the anniversary edition of the Singer Featherweight. It's about $400 and looks kind of cool, but I want something that sews a straight stitch and does it well.

I looked on ebay for an old featherweight, and there are plenty of them, but they'd have to be shipped, and if they don't work they'd have to be returned, yada, yada, yada.

I finally searched for Singer Featherweight Colorado, and lo and behold on Craig's list there was on listed for $180. I looked at the pictures, it looks good. It's not in pristine condition, it looks like it has been used. I didn't want a collectible, I wanted a machine that will sew, and sew well. I called the person who listed the machine, and he is the one who refurbishes them...I'm going to buy it on Saturday! YAY! It's a 1955, and I was born in 1954, so I think it's new enough for me.

Design Wall Monday-January 23, 2012

2012-01-22T20:29:00.001-07:00

Here is the finished top, and I've already started quilting it! It went together very quickly. I started on this on Wednesday or Thursday and finished the top yesterday morning. I bought the fleece, brought it home and pinned it yesterday. I began to quilt the curvy lines on the zigs yesterday and finished two of them today...that leaves 9 more if you count the borders to the left and right of the zigs.

All the fabric for the top is from my stash...but I did have to buy the backing. The quilt is 62 inches wide, just a bit wider than fleece. I didn't want to buy nearly four yards and have bunches left so I used the John Flynn diagonal piecing method. I found his instructions online years ago and saved them. I went back to look at the photos, but he has removed them. If you're interested I've described the method here.

The quilting pattern is very simple...just curves and swirls in the colored and background zigs. I've done two of them and I like it. It's hard to see in the photos I took, so here is a sketch I did on the pattern picture I printed out.

It's a little difficult to see here but in the purple and the background zig above it I've quilted swirls, going opposite directions. I'm using green variegated thread in the background and color that matches the zigs in the colored ones.

The backing is grey fleece and the quilting shows up pretty well there. If I finish this before the end of the month, this will be my third finish this year...I just hope I can keep the momentum up.

If you want to see what other quilters have on their design walls, check out Judy's blog.

Cutting the backing the Flynn Method

2012-01-22T14:05:00.000-07:00

I have used this a couple of times, and it works great when the backing is just a bit too small. It saves quite a bit of yardage. When the backing is 1/3 of it's width narrower it is just about even. Use the calculator I've shared to see if it is worth it for you. If you save fabric and it's worth the time, here is the method. Make sure you remember to add to the width and length in your quilt measurements so it is larger than the quilt. Add 4-6" and use those measurements in the calculator.

First, measure your quilt. Add 4-6" and plug the numbers into the calculator. Figure how much backing fabric to buy.
(You can click all pictures to make them larger)

Fold the fabric corner to corner and cut. The original page said to fold up the package along the folded edge and use a ruler and rotary cutter to cut about 1/8" off. Because I was using fleece for the backing I used scissors in the folded edge. Not perfect, but it worked.

Then, slide one piece of the fabric down until the width of the fabric, butted together equals 1 inch wider than you need for your backing (remember to add the extra 4-6" so the backing is larger. Once it is wide enough, put right sides together, pin and sew.

Here is my backing fabric from last night. You can see on the right side where I've moved the fabric. Notice the "dog ear". I then took the top piece in this picture and flipped it onto the bottom piece so right sides were together, then...

...pin...

...sew.

Here is the backing ready to be pinned to the top. Since it's fleece, the seam is very obvious. It can't be pressed, so I just make sure it's open when I put the top on and pin.

Quilting Super Zig

2012-01-21T22:34:00.000-07:00

This quilt is pretty big, about 62 x 79...I finished piecing the backing fleece. The quilt is just a bit wider than fleece fabric and I didn't want to buy 2 x 66" of fleece (about 4 yards) so bought 2 3/4 and used a diagonal piecing method I had copied from John Flynn's website many moons ago. He no longer has the step by step directions up, but I saved them so was able to save some money on the fleece. One weird thing about this fleece, it has a decidedly oily smell. I guess I'll have to wash the quilt a couple of times before it goes to anyone.

I pinned it all (and the backing was actually big enough!) then had to figure out how to quilt it. I had this nifty printed copy of the finished design and started doodling. I'm going to go with it. I think color to match the colored zigs, and black on the background...or maybe green. I don't have any green in my quilt, and I think I might have some 40 weight variegated, that might look cool.

I might actually have this done this week. That would be three finished quilts in one month, that would be a record.

That Was Easy

2012-01-21T17:27:00.000-07:00

That went together quickly! Now to the quilting. I'm going to use a grey fleece for the batting/backing. Don't know what I'm going to do for the quilting yet, but once it's pinned I'll get an idea (I hope!)

I decided against rainbow order because it was too predictable. I like the colors next to each other this way...they aren't very true in this picture, it was taken too late in the day. I couldn't have taken them outside anyway because there's a front moving through and being in the mountains, that means wind...probably 20-35 mph gusts.

Super Zig-progress

2012-01-19T20:52:00.001-07:00

Here is what it looks like at the moment. All the main blocks are cut, now to cut all of the edge blocks. I don't know if the blocks will stay in this color order, or if I'll move them around some. I'll play a bit and see what I think.

The background fabric in this picture looks like the heather gray of a sweatshirt, but as you can see in the picture below, it really is black on white. If you click the picture to enlarge it, you can see it more clearly.

It should be done pretty darn quick, then there's just the quilting!

And one more arrangement of the colors. I think I might like this one more.

Likin' it

2012-01-19T06:01:00.002-07:00

So far so goodnick!

Super Zig

2012-01-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

Here is the newest project. I have so many quilt tops to quilt, but I couldn't resist this quick one. It's called Super Zig and is a free pattern (click on the name). The strips are 4 1/2" and it's a simple split rail so should go together very quickly. I sewed all the strips together in about 30 minutes (5 colors, 3 strips each). As you can see on the pattern, the background is white, but I didn't think that would be very practical. I have a white with thin black lines in a wiggly "weave" pattern that I bought from Lunn fabrics about 4-5 years ago. I wanted something light, but not white. It will be interesting to see how it works.

This quilt is being sent to Alycia and maybe the one I am making now will too. I've made QOVs for the past 5 years or so, and want to continue that. Maybe I'll even get 12 done this year, I don't know.

And on the UFO front, I have one more finished, but not because I did any work on it. I thought the Butterfly Blooms still had some quilting to go, but it's done. It's going to be given away this Friday...finally. I made it for my friend, and when we put it on her bed it was a bit too short to be a bedspread (some of the mattress showed). She asked if I could make it wider...I thought I could, but I was wrong. It's been sitting waiting for me to say, what you see is what you get. So she gets it this year for her birthday.

I haven't decided if I get to count that as another UFO done, or if I should add one more quilt top to quilt. I have plenty of them :^)

Design Wall Monday-January 16, 2012

2012-01-15T21:24:00.003-07:00

All that's left is the binding and label and I'm done with the official UFO challenge quilt for January. The batting/backing is fleece and I quilted each hexagon and then circles in the green sashing. The purples just has one line of quilting down the middle. I spent most of today quilting it and I like it.

The hexagons are quilted with curved lines on each seam, and then the yellow has some curved line quilting too. The picture above has more accurate color for the quilt, but you can see the quilting a bit better in this picture.

Here you can see the backing color and what I did for the quilting. Not exquisite, but I like it. I get to put the binding and label on this one, then mark it as done on the list...yay!

Just finished the binding and label...so number 2 UFO for 2012 is done.

If you want to see more design walls, check out Judy's blog.

Quilting Begun

2012-01-14T19:25:00.000-07:00

I have started to work on the actual UFO for January. I am quilting the hexagons with curved lines around the seams. I think I'll do the same with the yellow triangles in the background. I don't know about the green strips between, but so far I like this, and it's not too hard.

I am feeling pretty motivated to actually quilt right now, so I think I'll go with that for a while, and hold on the piecing...though I have lots of ideas (and lots of fabric!)

First UFO Done

2012-01-13T19:32:00.000-07:00

Here is the first UFO for 2012 quilted, bound and labeled. It doesn't have a home yet, but it will. The quilting is very simple. Vertical wiggly lines, except on the brown borders and the blue corner squares. The quilting on the brown is in the direction of the border, and the squares are 90 degree lines that go around the corner.

The batting/backing is a yellow fleece, and the binding is kind of a wild black and white print. I'm not sure why I picked it, but it was right at the time.

Yay, one down, 16 to go (if I am going to get them ALL done haha!)

Design Wall Monday-January 8, 2012

2012-01-08T21:36:00.001-07:00

I've actually been quilting! This isn't the UFO from the list I put up, but it was already pinned so I thought it might be logical to work on it. I'm not quite done, I still have three more borders to quilt, then I need to add the binding and label...then I'll be done.

I'm doing another challenge about learning free motion quilting. SewCalGal is hosting it, and she has recruited 12 different free motion quilters to teach lessons, one each month. Participants follow the lessons and post their samples each month. There are prizes!

It's kind of funny, because I thought after I practiced the leaves (the first month's lesson) that I would use it on this quilt. After all, the fabric is all leaves, but I decided something simpler would fit it better. I have many tops to finish, so I'll have plenty of opportunity to practice.

This picture shows the whole quilt top. The quilting lines are lengthwise, except for the brown border pieces on the top and bottom, those lines will run parallel to the longer sides. I used my walking foot with a pastel variegated 40 weight thread for the top, and a 50 weight cotton in the bottom with a size 14 needle. It's working out pretty well. The back of this is a yellow fleece, and I decided the bottom thread should match. The tension is pretty good and I like the way it looks.

If you want to see more design walls, check out Judy's blog.

Free Motion Quilting Challenge-Month 1 Sample Done

2012-01-06T21:38:00.001-07:00

I've decide to take the pledge over at SewCalGal and have finished the first month's lesson. This is going to be good for me, because I have many quilt tops to quilt. Names will be drawn and prizes awarded if you want to join in.

Here is my first sample. I decided not to practice the heart leaves, because I have a quilt that has leaves that look a bit more like this and thought I might get a lot of practice using a leaf design if I do one that looks more like those leaves.

The fabric looks like this (if you click on it you can see the leaves more clearly) and is in about 6 different colors. This is a quilt that has been pinned for at least a month, and probably more waiting for me to finish. It is pinned with fleece for the batting/backing so should be pretty easy to move through the machine as I practice these leaves.

Because I have done a little bit of free motion quilting, and the practice block I made was 15 inches square, and I didn't want to do these leaves over the whole thing I decided to try a bit of a different pattern too. I have a DVD from the Pajama Quilter and she practices the designs before she quilts them by using a white board and marker. I have one but it is stashed behind some stuff at the moment, so thought I'd just use some paper.

Here are the first sketches I did, kinda ugly and the lines don't flow very well. I turned the page and did a couple more. The one on the left side was a bit better, but the leaves just kind of mushed together. I did see the last group of leaves and saw that when I had a group of three I liked it better, so that's what I did on the right side. As I was going from group to group though, I saw that there was space that needed filling, so I added the swirl.

I set this page near the sewing machine, then sewed this sample. I actually like it OK. I don't know if I'd want this all over a quilt, but it looks OK.

Free Motion Quilting Challenge

2012-01-06T06:27:00.001-07:00

Since I am already going to try to finish a bunch of quilt tops I have, why not include learning how to quilt the tops at the same time? I've joined the 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge over at SewCalGal. There are monthly lessons and prizes...how is that bad? Maybe I'll learn enough to really like what I quilt, instead of calling it good when they're done.

You can join in too, just click the link above.

Design Wall Monday-January 2, 2012

2012-01-01T17:32:00.001-07:00

Here is my first UFO. I think I already have the backing/batting. I believe I bought some yellow fleece, but I'll have to find it. Leah, at the free motion quilting project will be a big help this year. She already has 365 different filler designs, but now she is changing the direction of her blog some and moving towards teaching/learning how to quilt large.

Let's see what I can get done. To check out other design walls, go to Judy's blog.

2012 UFO list

2011-12-20T08:15:00.001-07:00

OK, I have to decide what I want on my list for this year. I'm going take a number of them from last year, and few new ones. Let's see...

1. The one block wonder quilt, it needs to be sandwiched and quilted...the top is already done.

2. The brights round-robin quilt. It is a wall hanging and the top is done.

3. The jewel box quilt...needs to manicured and then sandwiched and quilted.

4. The stack n whack undersea quilt.

5. The Zippy Strippy stack n whack

6. Then there's this one..the Big Ezy. I like it and it's done. The block that shows as out of place here, is fixed. Didn't notice it but readers did, so I fixed it.

7. The dresden rainbow plates. Top is done, needs to be quilted.

8. This stack n whack 4 patch.

9. This one. I think I might add a border before I quilt it again. This is one I quilted with fleece, and then the fleece melted in the drier, so I took it off...unquilted it if you will.

10. this one is even pinned, just needs to be quilted (come on, Mary...get it together! :^)

11. This one needs about 1 hour more of work...I will get it done...I will!

12. the picture above is going to be Jack's Chain and the one to the right is Judy's peaches and dreams. I don't know if I'll get both tops done, but I like them both and at the moment I'm motivated.

UFO Report for 2011

2011-12-18T19:47:00.001-07:00

So, I have four quilts done that weren't before, that's better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick. I also made a very involved wall hanging for our pastor, from nothing to done in 2 1/2 months. I made 3 quilts of valor from start to finish, and tops, tops, tops, 7 new tops,4 finished , not a good ratio. I also made 3 cord baskets, a professional tote and upholstered a couch. Below is what happened with the UFOs I listed for Judy Laquidara's UFO challenge. Some are going back on the list for next year.

1. Disappearing 9-patch swap quilt-done quilted and will be gifted this season. (one down)

2. One block wonder--this one still needs to be sandwiched and quilted. Didn't even touch it. It was sometime after June, I don't remember when, and that's when I fell off the wagon!

3.Brights round robin quilt--also waiting to be sandwiched and quilted. Also didn't touch it, though I know where it is!

4. Done, done done. I still have this in the closet, it may be gifted before the end of the year, too. Just don't know who to.

5. Not done, not touched. It needs to be pressed and all the threads trimmed from the back. I made this and used it as a duvet cover. Washed it once and decided it would fall apart if I used it again. I love it, and just need to do some manicuring on it, then sandwich and quilt.

6.Done, finished, gifted. I know when I give things away, they should be without strings, but I didn't even get a thank you for this. Ah well, I love it and enjoyed making it.

7. Another one I didn't touch. It only needed some kind of border, then to be sandwiched and quilted. It's just wall hanging size, so not too difficult.

8.Not touched. It was another that was towards the end of the year (well after June at least). It's wall hanging size and I need to decide what to do with it. I think it needs some kind of applique, but not too much. I think this will go on the list for next year. I could get pretty creative.

9. I was about done, and ready to finish it...just the borders to be done. I showed it to the recipient, and she asked if I could make it about 8 inches wider on each side so she could use it as a bed cover. That stumped me, so I've been avoiding it. I decided I will finish it as is, and she can buy something to put under it, but I just can't figure out how to make it wider without going insane.

10. I finished this and hated it (because of the pain in the butt it was to finish it), but I use it almost every day now when sitting at my computer. It's about the perfect size for putting over my lap to keep my legs warm, and because of all the seams it is warm!

11.I did end up getting the borders on this one, but now it needs to be sandwiched and quilted. I like it!

12. I didn't touch this one either. Probably going on the list for next year.

Design Wall-Couch is done

2011-11-22T06:12:00.001-07:00

The couch is done. I like the way it looks and when we have the covers on the chairs I'll post of pic of how I dye them. When I look at this one compared to the current couch, it looks like a dolls couch, but we're going to get a small table and the two chairs are small as well. The room will look finished but not overfull. Covering this wasn't terribly hard. If you can sew curves at all, you can do it. The only places I had any trouble were at the corners of the arms and the back a bit. I think the secret was pinning the fabric to the pieces so that it was taut and fit, then measuring a half inch seam allowance. I then unpinned and just sewed the parts together with a half inch seam allowance and when I put it on the couch part it fit. Of course it's not perfect, but it is good enough for me!

If you decide you might want to try upholstery, I say, go for it...you can do it!!

To see more design walls, check out Judy's blog.

Design Wall Monday-November 21

2011-11-20T19:48:00.002-07:00

The quilt is all done. I decided that the sky needed a bit of quilting so added the knots there. It was presented last Wednesday and is being signed by parishoners on the back. The binding is dark blue, and very thin. I hand stitched it down because it is so thin. The shape of the wall quilt isn't really weird like this.

I have been working on this loveseat today. We have a small living room, and have had a large-ish couch in there that just took up too much room. We have been looking for something else and when we went to Ikea on Friday evening to buy chairs (one in red one in gray with covers that I can dye) we found the love-seat. I've had fabric for a while to cover the other larger couch, but never got to it. Too complicated. But when I saw how this loveseat is put together I decided I could do it.

Here are the parts and the fabric. I made slips for the arms and one larger piece to staple over the seat. I was going to piece it but figured out that it would be much easier to just staple it. I still have to cover the back, and that means piecing, but I don't think it will take too long.

Here it is sorta stacked together to look like a loveseat. It's just the parts, but I like it. Not really a design wall, but it is sewing.

If you want to see what folks have on their design walls, check out Judy's blog.

Design Wall-The Quilted Sky

2011-11-13T20:18:00.001-07:00

The sky is a little poofy, and I didn't want to quilt it a lot because I knew it wouldn't be smooth (I'm just not that good). I was looking at it, and knew that it needed something, and then I thought of more knots, so I did. You can see it's not great, but I think it will be OK. Sometimes I look at quilting and think it just looks awful, and other people look and they don't see it, so I'm going to assume this will be OK.

The quilting in the sky is completed on the right side, but just marked and pinned on the left. I have to say I transferred the design by marking the design with pin holes, then rubbing chalk across the paper. Then I took a marking pencil and darkened the lines so I could see them to quilt. They kind of rubbed off as I was quilting (yay) and I used a white eraser to complete the job. I saw this used when I watched a video about the Tentmakers of Cairo a fascinating look at the work they do, with some techniques thrown in. If I hadn't seen that video last week, I would have struggled to figure out how to add the design...so yay surfing!

If you want to see what other design walls have on them, check out Judy's blog.

Tree of Life top is done

2011-11-06T15:16:00.001-07:00

I know it doesn't look much different, but all of the leaves are fused on and each one has "veins" sewn down. I knew they would have to be attached and did the first one adding veins. I liked it OK, but wanted to see if I could free motion around the edge. Nope.

There are 57 leaves (if I counted right) and it only took about 1 1/2 hours to do them all. I'm not very fast but I am thorough.

The borders are on, and it is ready to be sandwiched and quilted. I think I've decided I'm going to use clear polyester thread. That way the back can be used for the church members to sign before it is presented to Fr. Paul.

In the picture of the leaves you can see the veins I've sewn in to attach them to the quilt top more securely. I know they might detach around the edges, but I figure that will just give the quilt more dimension.

To see what more folks are doing, check out Judy's blog.

Almost There-Design Wall Monday

2011-10-30T15:02:00.002-06:00

I changed out the corner on the border. I tried the knot in the original design and it was too heavy. I've ironed on about half of the leaves. I used misty fuse for the letters and the edges frayed a bit...I'm going with it. The leaves are so small that I'm using stitch witchery. A bit more there, there so I don't think it will fray. I'm cutting the leaves by hand, then bonding them. When they're all done I'll stitch around each one to make sure it doesn't fall off.

I love the darker green circle framing the tree. I did it in four sections, and it still needs to be stitched down. I'm doing a top stitch near the edge. I used freezer paper and pressed the round edge under, then took off the paper and pressed with best press. It's all pinned and waiting.

The borders aren't sewn on yet. I'm going to wait till I have the leaves all one. They'll be the last thing sewn. I don't want the letters to fray too much. I might see if I can find something that will stop the fraying. I think fray check will make it shiny, and I don't want that. Do any of you know what I might use? I am really pleased with how this is turning out!

If you want to see more design walls, check out Judy's blog.

Dissapointment

2011-10-26T17:01:00.000-06:00

Sometimes Mother Nature disappoints. I was hoping that wouldn't be possible to go to work this morning, but we only had about 2-3 inches and tonight, not a whole lot more, maybe 4 inches. I guess we can hope for more tonight, but I'm thinking we're going to be disappointed again. I guess I'll have to wait for another day.

I may get more work done

2011-10-25T19:33:00.000-06:00

Gotta have a picture, so here is one from Weather Bug

We have a forecast that includes 4-8 inches of snow tonight and another 6-10 inches tomorrow. The first real storm of the season. If we end up with even 2-3 inches tonight, we probably won't go "down the hill". That's from Woodland Park to Colorado Springs, about a 2,500 foot drop in elevation. It's possible that if it continues to snow during the day, we won't be able to get home, and I'd rather be stranded at home than at work. Soooo, if I stay home tomorrow I'll be able to get more sewing done on the tree of life wall hanging, and that will be good!

Design Wall Monday-October 23

2011-10-23T20:55:00.001-06:00

Here is one of the knots. Thought I'd share just so you can see what it looks like up close...

...here are three of the borders done. I've decided that I am going to put the leaves in, and put the green circle border around the tree.

The words are raw edge applique, and I'm going to put the leaves on using the same technique.

I'm really liking the way this one is turning out...lots of work, but I think it's worth it.

To see more design walls, check Judy's blog.

Tree of Life Progress

2011-10-23T08:32:00.000-06:00

Here is the drawing...

...above is what I have done so far. Now I can't decide if I want the circle of darker green and the leaves. I think the circle really frames the tree, so that will go in, but the leaves are still a question. The fabric for the leaves and the frame is not a solid, it is a darker green batik, you can see it to the left. Do you think I should make it more solid?

I decided to use a stop watch to get some idea of how long the knots take to pin and sew. I wasn't exact (because I forgot a couple of times to start or stop it), but the one knot next to "be" took approximately 1 1/2 hours to pin and sew. I guess there's a lot of time in this one.

All of the knot work in the branches and roots are sewn now. The letters are fused and top stitched down. That was pretty easy. I'm going to try to get more of the knots done. I think I'll do the top ones next. They're smaller than the others because the letters are larger.

Design Wall Monday

2011-10-16T20:26:00.003-06:00

I've got the top bit sewn down along one edge. The roots are still just pinned. I need to add leaves to the to between some of the limbs. I'm also going to add a darker green in a circle around the tree. The tree is about 24" across. I'm also going to add borders with "The Lord be with you" the way the priest starts prayers...seemed appropriated.

It took a long time to pin, and a long time to sew what I've sewn. I don't think it's going to take as long as I thought.

I want to have it done by early November so I can quilt it. Don't know what I'm going to do for the quilting.

If you want to see more design walls, check out Judy's blog.

I decided I should add a bit more information about this. I am making the quilt for the pastor of my church. He is retiring after 11 1/2 years with us. He made a trip to England, including Iona, and really enjoyed the Celtic spirituality of Iona. My husband works for the church, and has a trinity knot quilt on his wall (that I made) that the pastor really liked. I decided since he is retiring to use the tree of life, and did a google image search using celtic and tree of life. This is actually based on a design for a tattoo.

I used Microsoft Paint to make up the design for the whole top (to the left). The words "The Lord be with You" are included because that is how he starts many prayers, and gets everyone's attention when we're in a group.

When I was finished with the design I found a free poster program online and enlarged the whole thing to about 36" square. I then traced it because it was quite pixelated and used the traced version to mark the knots and cut out the trunk.

I'm going to quilt it with a white/light backing so it can be signed by the parishoners on the back. The pastor is leaving December 4, so I gotta hurry!

Whew!

2011-10-15T21:02:00.000-06:00

I just spent a good part of the day making the bias strips and pinning them to the design. It took a loooong time.

I bought some applique pins this morning, and used about 2/3 of the 350 I bought.

I wonder how hard it is going to be to sew all this down. I am going to use the machine. I'm a skilled top-stitcher, but there is an awful lot of bias tape to sew down. I like the way it looks.

The bottom edge isn't reddish, that's just the indoor lighting.

When I've sewed it all down I still need to add the leaves.

The View

2011-10-08T08:36:00.001-06:00

The first snow of the season. It's been a long Fall. We usually have snow before October, but we're getting it now.

Some Shopping and Jelly Roll Race Done

2011-10-07T13:13:00.000-06:00

We got an Ikea in Colorado this summer. I have many fond feelings for Ikea. I like a lot of their furniture, they have fun lighting options, their food is pretty good and... I went to Ikea first in 1987 on my honeymoon in Germany. My husband's mom is from a small town near Heidelberg, Wiesloch, and not far from there is and Ikea in Waldorf.

I thought it was wonderfully different then. They have the same type of layout today that they had in 1987. You wander through room set ups, see all kinds of ways you can use their products, then you go downstairs and shop for tschokes and kitchen stuff. I discovered the fabric section before the Ikea was here in Colorado. I have family in California, and when visiting a couple of times, I went to Ikea there, and found some fabrics. I haven't done anything with it yet, but I like it.

Looking at the fabric above, I think I'm going to make shopping bags from the vegetable fabric. The button fabric is actually pillow covers. The bright abstract fabric is a kind of heavy twill, so I might end up making heavy duty shopping bags from it. The black and white prints I think I am going to dye. It would be fun to add color to them. The vehicle print is going to be kid quilts. Either a whole cloth quilt, a backing, or maybe I'll cut it apart and use the different vehicles in different blocks. The green dotted fabric is actually the duvet cover to the right. I love the graduated sizes of dots. It's 100% cotton and when I figured out the cost per yard, it's only about $2. I don't know if I'll use it for a quilt backing, or what yet, but I own it now and can do what I want when I figure it out.

My eyes aren't as good as they used to be, and sewing can be tiring. I saw this little clip on lamp (at Ikea of course) and thought it might work. It was about $15. It's an LED with a magnifier that makes the width of the beam much better. I was thinking of buying one of those tiny LEDs that you can stick on your machine, but I couldn't bring myself to spend $30. It does exactly what I wanted and should last me a very long time.

This quilt was quick and I think it's a nice one to brighten up someone's day. It is a jelly roll quilt, and I backed it with fleece. The binding is made from some fabric I bought on sale a while ago.

I bought the yellow fleece previously to back one of the tops I have completed. I don't remember which one, so I used it for this one. I still have about 15 tops that need to be quilted, and I was able to use the same fleece for another quilt, so instead of the one I originally planned (whatever that one was) I was able to finish two tops with this one piece.

The colors on the first picture are a bit more accurate. It is a fun, bright quilt.

Design Wall--Working Again

2011-10-02T21:04:00.001-06:00

I'm finally quilting some of the tops I have. In one spot, I've counted 17, oops (and that's not all of them). I already have a bunch of fleece to finish them off. This one will be a charity quilt when it's done.

The pictures below show the "after" of cleaning up my sewing room. I have some "before" pictures but they're on the other computer and I can't get to it right now. Believe me, you'll be impressed when you see them. It was so awful I wasn't sewing at all. My husband was gone for about 2 weeks, so I took the opportunity to move all of the totes out of the room and go through them. Get rid of stuff, move other stuff into more accessible places and make the room easier to work in. One thing I did was move the computer desk out. Now when I'm sewing and my mind wanders I have to walk down the hall about 30 feet to get to it. At least I'm getting some walking in :^)

The quilt on the design wall below is one I've been waiting to put borders on for a while. I got them done, now I think it's going to be the next top I quilt. By the way, it is NOT one of the 17 tops I have.

If you would like to see more design walls, check out Judy's blog.

This corner isn't changed much. I cleaned up some the piles, but now I've added new ones!

Much cleaner. I've turned the table, and the sewing machines that were catching all the extra junk are now holding up my ironing station.

The two sewing machines are under this pressing station. I made it 3 x 5 feet, so plenty big. I piled some stuff on it that will be going away next week. The green "fabric" in the center front is a duvet from Ikea, loved the fabric, and when I figured the price per yard, it was only about $2...a deal.

The closet used to have plastic containers in the bottom part. I stuffed junk in there and never thought of it again. This way, I'll at least be able to see it. I know it doesn't look too organized, but it it is.

Another UFO

2011-10-01T11:38:00.000-06:00

I am trying to get some quilts done. I just added the side border to this one. Now I need to decide how I'm going to quilt it. I don't know if I just want to use fleece for the batting/backing, or actually put together a quilt sandwich. It's so much cozier when it's fleece, but more durable if it has a "real" quilt sandwich. I'm going to let it percolate for a while and try to finish something else while I wait for inspiration.

October's UFO

2011-10-01T06:39:00.000-06:00

Judy has chosen #5. Maybe I'll actually get one done again, it's been a while. My number 5 is my jewel box quilt. I love the colors in this top. I finished it once as a duvet top, but then decided I wanted it as a quilt.

I'll be very happy if I get it done...so now I have to pull it out and see what I want to do to finish it.

Wish me luck.

Crappy Day

2011-09-28T18:53:00.000-06:00

So I decided I needed to do something to make it better. I had cake for dinner, which really didn't help, though I thought it would at the time, then decided to go outside and take some pictures. I live in a great place, and I sometimes forget how great it is.

These are from the yard, at most about 100 feet from the house. We're fortunate enough to have 16 acres in the mountains of Colorado. Pikes Peak is about 13 miles south of us. The aspens are changing, but no snow yet. We've seen it on the Peak, though.

Enjoy

It's been a long time since I climbed a tree, but this picture reminds of those days.

I didn't even know we had berries. No wonder we have lots of critters who visit.

The sun was shining through the trees and lighted just to tops of a few of them. I leaned against the tree to take this.

Look at the colors! I didn't "stage" this. Just laying there on the ground.

What a great yellow! Thank you autumn.

From a tree we cut down in 2001. There was a fire raging less than 5 miles away, so we cut down about 10-12 trees that were too close to the house. Now look at it.

A piebald tree. Can't decide if it's still summer, or really autumn.

Jelly Roll Race Top-modified

2011-09-27T17:08:00.000-06:00

Here is the Jelly Roll Race top. I modified it a bit. The idea of putting spacers between the colors came from a blog I read. I think it was from Wanda at Exuberant Color but I can't remember for sure. I like the idea of sewing the strips end to end instead of on the diagonal, and I like the idea of the spacers. The one that sticks in my brain (that I haven't been able to find again) has fabric with a circular pattern on it--black and white. I really liked it, and decided I would do something like that. I ended up with plain black, because I was shopping at Walmart on my way to babysitting and they didn't have a black and white print I liked.

When I was done, it was much too square for my liking, about 61 x 64, so I decided I would chop some off the short side (5 inches on each side) and sew them to the leftover quilt. I like the way it turned out and now it's closer to 50 x 70, which feels better for a lap quilt. I don't think I'm going to put borders on it, just fleece for the batting and backing and quilt it simply.

A quick happy quilt top. It took me significantly longer than the 35 minutes I saw was the fastest time on the video I first watched, but not terribly long. I have a box of strips, and I think that's what I'm going to do for the next one. I don't know if I'll user spacers or not, but just measure up about 1,600 inches of strips and get going.

I did some sewing-Design Wall Monday

2011-09-25T12:33:00.002-06:00

I took some time to sew this weekend, so got the binding done on two quilts. Here is one of them. This is a QOV and I sent it out to be quilted. It is fluffier than I like, but it's done. Now I need to make the label and pillowcase, and it will be ready to be presented.

The flag fabric is what I used for the Stack n Whack octagons in this QOV. I like the way the whole thing turned out. It was beautifully quilted and I even like the backing. I found it on sale at a local quilt shop, and I think it goes well, kind of restful.

I need to make the label and the pillowcase for this one as well, I think I'll be able to get them done today

I was "babysitting" (is that what you call it when you stay with other people's kids who are 17 and 12?) and brought stuff along to keep me busy. They took care of themselves, so not much for me to do. I stopped and bought a couple of strip packs from Walmart on the way there, and am making a jelly roll race quilt. I'll post pictures when I get it closer to done. Here is what I have right now.

I also got the ironing surface done. I've had this cotton curtain panel from Walmart for a while. I made a quilt bag from it abotago, and decided it was a nice bright look (and I had it) so covered the board with thin cotton batting, then the striped cotton. I haven't used it yet. It's not attached to the machines underneath, and I'm not sure about the height. I think it will work, if not, I'll figure out how to make it taller.

Check out Judy's Blog to see more design walls.

Clean Up Time

2011-09-19T18:14:00.000-06:00

I'm in need of another cleaning spree and reorganization in the sewing room. My husband is not here for the moment, and I decided now is the time to take everything out and try again. It's not a huge room...just about 10x12, so I have to choose wisely when I set things up. I moved everything around a couple of months ago, and it's just not working. I'm ending up with piles everywhere (not so unusual) but the no place to put lots of stuff.

I'm hoping it will work this time, and I won't end up with stuff EVERYWHERE.

Here I go!

Design Wall-September 5

2011-09-05T06:41:00.001-06:00

I have the tree trunk and the non-knot part of the branches and roots done. Not sewn down yet, though. I used freezer paper, then glued and pressed the edges under.

I did a little test piece, and the paper was hard to get out, so I took the paper out and it's waiting to be top-stitched down. I was going to use invisible thread and a hem-stitch, but now I am going to top-stitch the knots down, so decided I should do the same for the trunk. The space below the branches (next to the trunk) will be blue and the root space will be brown.
(the color in the root picture is closer to reality)

I also made these vessels a while ago. I used invisible polyester thread this time instead of cotton thread and I like the look. I blogged about them here but realized I didn't put them up for design wall, and the picture above isn't very exciting so I wanted something more colorful.

Enjoy other people's design wall...check out Judy's blog.

Design Wall Monday-August 22

2011-08-22T05:55:00.002-06:00

This is the quilt I made for Joe

I actually have a design table at the moment. Our Pastor is retiring in December, and I want to make him a quilt for the 10 1/2 years he's served with us. He enjoyed the Trinity Knot quilt I made for Joe so I decided to make him a quilt based on something Celtic knotish (is that a word?).

Here is what I have so far. I made up a drawing, enlarged it with a free poster making program, traced ti onto parchment paper, bought some fabrics and now I have to buy some misty fuse. I'm going to make the knots in the tree and the border from bias tape, I think I'm going to use misty fuse (though I've never used it before) to do the rest of the quilt.

I'm going to make the backing white or very light so that parishioners can sign it. That way, he's got the memories on the back and can look at them when he wants. Also, I can quilt it before it's signed and have it ready for him when he retires.

If you want to see what others are doing, check out Judy's blog.

"Greek" yogurt

2011-08-10T17:13:00.001-06:00

I like yogurt well enough. I go through phases where I like it more than others, and recently I have tasted Greek yogurt and really liked how thick and creamy it is. Because I am ~~cheap~~ frugal I didn't want to spend the money for it, so I looked online to see if there was a way I could make it myself...easily.

I've made yogurt from milk and a starter before. It's not difficult, but I was hoping for something really easy...and I found it.

After draining-the container it came in

Before draining

Take the yogurt you like. It can be plain, non-fat, low-fat, flavored, whatever. This process does nothing but remove some of the liquid. Get a strainer of appropriate size. Line it with about 4 layers of cheesecloth. Put the yogurt in it. Wait some amount of time.. from this site:

* Yogurt strained 4 to 6 hours results in sour cream type texture.

* Yogurt strained 8-12 hours results in GREEK YOGURT!

* Yogurt strained 24 hours results in Yogurt Cheese aka Cream Cheese.

You can see the volume is reduced quite a bit, so I guess it's possible that it's no less expensive, but still I like it.

Design Wall

2011-08-07T20:30:00.001-06:00

It's been a while since I had anything for the wall. I have a professional tote by creative thimble that I started and finished in the last couple of days. I really like the contrast of the lining color to the outside. A fun surprise inside.

This is a fiddly pattern, with lots of steps, but the finished bag is quite nice. I think I've made 4 of them now. I don't have a picture of the first one, but I made that in 2005 for my sister-in-law for Christmas. The next one was last year in February. I made that one for myself but used the wrong kind of interfacing so it's very squishy.

I made another one right away, and that one was for my sister. I used the correct interfacing that time and it was much crisper.

The inside of the one I just completed is a red Hawaiian print. It's a nice touch of color when you open the bag without being over the top.

To see what other folks are doing, check out Judy's blog.

Rainbow Containers

2011-07-22T10:35:00.000-06:00

I had fun making these. I've had the dyed cord for about a year and decided today to do something with them. The taller one is about 5 inches tall and the wider one is 8 inches at the longest dimension.

I had a bit of an idea of what I wanted when I started. For this one I was thinking of pencils. I can't get it to have straight sides but this is pretty close.

I have a container similar to this near my sewing machine. In it I put all of my little notions that I need regularly...scissors, seam ripper, seam roller, magnifying glass, rotary cutter...well you get the idea, so I thought I'd make another one. Don't know who they're for yet, but I like them.

Stack n Whack 4-patch....done.

2011-07-21T16:29:00.000-06:00

I like it much better finished than I did when I first made the 4-patch blocks. Then it was a bit dull for me, but now...I like it. THe dark green finishes it off without fuss so the blocks really stand out. I have no idea how I'll quilt it...I really have to find someone who doesn't like to piece, but loves to quilt. We'd be a perfect match!

No post for more than a month, then 4 in one day, what is this world coming to?

Jeans "buckets"

2011-07-21T14:20:00.000-06:00

I saw this idea on a blog a while ago. Use old jeans legs and make little buckets out of them. These don't have any interfacing, so they're kind of slouchy. I like that. I may try some others and use interfacing to see how they look. I'm going to donate these to the quilt guild's auction in October. Think someone will want to buy them?

Oh, and why oh why do I wait so long to replace the cutting blade on the rotary cutter...it's like magic when it's new!

Another Quilt of Valor

2011-07-21T09:29:00.000-06:00

I just got the Cozy Modern Quilt of Valor back from the quilter. I still have to finish the label, binding and presentation case. The quilting is a meander with stars.

The quilter used polyester batting so it's a bit fluffier that I'm used to. I think it will be well appreciated once it's done. I have one more out at a quilter...can 't wait to see that one.

Stuff

2011-07-21T08:57:00.001-06:00

Here is the main section of the top all put together. I'm going to use the sashing fabric for a narrow inner border, then I have a darker green that I think I'm going to use for the outer border. I was thinking of adding a pieced border, but I think for the blocks to be the focus, I'll just use a plain border as a frame.

Here is a shot with the fabric I'm thinking of using for the outer border. It has stars on it, but I think it will be OK. The color looks fine with the greens in the main fabric, so I'm going to just do it. I'm trying really hard not to buy more fabric (though I did break down and get two pieces a couple of days ago).

One fabric I bought is the one marked above. I've been planning to make this quilt for a while but I still need to buy a couple more darks...I have plenty of mediums and lights. It is from Judy Laquidara's blog and called Peaches and Dreams. I never use oranges, but I love this one, so I'm going to make it.

The gray fabric to the right was the other piece I bought. I decided I wanted a gray to use and first picked up a print. It is a newer fabric so cost about $11 per yard. I then looked at the batiks and saw this one. It was only $9 per yard...probably because it has been around a bit longer.

I somehow followed an internet trail from Judy's Design Wall Monday and saw a quilt called Jack's Chain . I have never seen this pattern before, but I'm intrigued. I'm going to use the solids shown and the gray for the background. Don't know when I'm going to start, but I'm liking the idea. I don't know how I'm going to distribute the colors yet, but I'll think of something.

Design Wall Monday-July 18

2011-07-18T06:27:00.000-06:00

Wow, it's been almost 2 months since I last posted. Here is the current work on the design wall. This is left over fabric from a quilt I made my niece about 2 years ago. I was looking for something quick and easy to get back into the quilting groove. I've been working on the house this summer and wasn't feeling motivated.

The blocks are simple 4-patches, and I didn't worry about matching the second seam. I figured it was supposed to be be quick and easy, and who would notice from 10 feet away! I had the sashing fabric and I'm going to be sad when it's gone. It's a pink and peach batik that seams to go with the difficult fabric I'm using.

I still have to figure out and add borders, but I think I'mm going to keep them simple.

Check out Judy's blog for more design walls.

Design Wall

2011-06-06T07:09:00.000-06:00

Surprise, I actually took time to finish the top. We have been working on finishing up the house...molding on the floor, molding around the doors, molding around the built-in...well you get the picture.

I like it. The original design called for the darker green as a border around the plates, but I forgot. I like it this way too, now they look kind of like they are floating.

To see what other wonderful things are on design walls, check out Judy's blog.

What Next?

2011-05-24T19:30:00.000-06:00

I'm not done with the Dresden Play quilt top yet, and I have my May UFO waiting to be finished, and I have 3 tops waiting to be quilted that I finished this year, and I'm looking at these colors and wondering if they would make a good Double Wedding Ring. That is another quilt I've wanted to make for a long time, and maybe I can figure out how to make these fat quarters work.

Design Wall Monday

2011-05-23T05:46:00.001-06:00

It's taking me a while to finish the plates. I have a nice template for the centers, and I am gathering and pressing them around it, but I'm slow. I'm going to make a pieced border. I know, weird huh, but I think it will look nice. I was trying to use the fabric from my stash, but I just kept coming back to this pale green with a kelly green border. I tried blues and yellows and all sort of other colors, but this is the one I liked best.

Check out Judy's blog to see what is on other design walls.

A Homecoming Surprise

2011-05-19T18:17:00.001-06:00

This is what I came home to today. It was bout 60 degrees at work, and here about 36 when I got home. It's the 19th of May for goodness sake! Beautiful though. Here are a couple more pictures, just for fun.

Design Wall

2011-05-15T21:21:00.001-06:00

Here is what I have so far for the Dresden Plate. I'm thinking something like the drawing for the background, something dark, but I don't know what yet. I was going to fill in the indents with the button background, but I kind of like the in and out of the current set up. I think I'm going to do something for the border. I'll play with that.

If you want to see more design walls, check out Judy's blog.

and now a word from our sponsor...

2011-05-11T06:38:00.000-06:00

Yesterday it was 70 and sunny, here is the scene outside my window this morning. Living in the mountains is never boring. We had the "fruit basket" weather prediction yesterday...rain, hail. snow, thunderstorm, high winds, tornadoes...I think the fire danger is down a bit though.

Design Wall

2011-05-01T19:28:00.001-06:00

This quilt started out as a Storm at Sea, but I didn't like the way the blocks came out, so made this lap quilt instead. I was going to use the cornerstone fabric for the border, but it felt too aggressive to me, so I found the gentler diamond fabric that I used for a back some time ago. This way the blocks stand out int he quilt. It works form me, even though it's not what I was going to do.

This month Judy has pulled number 9 for the UFO challenge. I need to finish quilting the Butterfly Blooms top (while I was quilting, there were tension problems, so I removed some of the quilting.) I also need to add some width for the bed it is going to go one. I'll figure out something, though I don't know what yet. It shouldn't take too long, then I think I want to work on the rainbow plates.

I have these cut out in two or three different sizes and want to start making a top out of them. This one makes me happy!

Enjoy looking at what other people have on their design walls at Judy's blog.

Failed Quilt Pattern

2011-04-27T20:27:00.000-06:00

This is the pattern I was using. I've always wanted to make a Storm at Sea quilt, and found this pattern a while back. I couldn't tell from the picture that the corners don't meet and it just ends up looking sloppy to me.

You lay a stack of fabrics, cut and shuffle and then sew the three types of blocks back together again.

These are some of the fabrics I chose and the cut sets. The two on the left are actually different colors, one is blue and the other purple. I thought they would go together OK, and decided to try them.

This is what I actually came up with. I put the 12 inch blocks together after cutting and shuffling, but really didn't like the way I thought they would look as a storm at sea quilt. I decided if I wanted a storm at sea, I'd just have to make one...a real one.

Surprisingly, I like the quilt top I got. I still need to add a few borders. I'm going to use a white inner border, then the blue patterned fabric I have at the intersections. It is about a half-yard piece I had laying around. It's going to be an OK baby blanket.

It's actually more attractive in person!

Design Wall - Easter Monday

2011-04-25T07:24:00.001-06:00

I finally finished the banner. It's at church and will be used starting next week. I ended up finishing the edges all by hand. I sewed them down, then sewed the lining down by hand as well. I wasn't happy with the puckers I was getting in the banner when I sewed by machine, so that was the answer. The loops to hang it from were machine done, but the rest was done by hand. YAY, it's done.

The baby blankets are going to Iraq. I am going to make a few more before I send them off. I think I have enough flannel for at least 4 more. The process to make them with self-borders is pretty easy. I found the pattern here. I think I may make a few of these the next time a baby comes round.

The cozy moder QOV top is done. I think I will back it will fleece. It's a quick way to put the quilt together and really is very cozy.

To see what is on other design walls, check out Judy's blog.

Design Wall

2011-04-18T06:26:00.000-06:00

I've done a bit more work on the QOV. I have to put the last borders on, then quilt it.

The banner needs to be finished. I've been dilly dallying because I'm not sure how to finish it. I have it all quilted, now I need to finish the edges and put the hanging tabs and backing on . It's going to be done for Easter!

To see other design walls, check out Judy's blog.

Design Wall

2011-04-11T05:34:00.001-06:00

It's back on the wall. I've finished a couple of the tops I was working on so this one is back. I have modified it a bit. It was going to be too large, so I changed the pattern some. This will have to borders and the it will be done.

It's a simple pattern, but boring to make. I think it will have a white, then a blue border I only have the top row together right now.

Yesterday I worked on QOVs with the ladies at the NCO Association at the AFA. We got one top done, and most of the second, so that's 6 for the year so far. YAY

To see what's on other design walls, check out Judy's blog.

April UFO #4 is Done

2011-04-06T20:33:00.000-06:00

This is the fabric I found to use for the binding. I wasn't able to find the batik I used for the border, but I like the way this looks. The grey is the backing. It's fleece and works nicely.

That's #4 for April done, and it's only the 6th. I think I may work on one of the other UFOs that I have. Maybe one of the ones with lots of work left to do.

UFO #4 Nearly Done-Design Wall

2011-04-03T16:15:00.002-06:00

Well, all I have left to do is the binding. I want to thank Judy again for suggesting the UFO challenge. I got it out yesterday and started quilting it. It's very simple with a fleece backing. I'm so glad there is one more out of the closet.

For the binding I think I'll either find the multi-colored batik I used for the small north wind blocks and the colored border, or I'll just drag out some black. Either way, it should be done in another couple of days. YIPPEE!

I walked out of the house to hang this on the line so I could get some true color pictures and there were 8 deer just hanging out. I think the neighbor is still feeding them, because they didn't take off when I came out. They stopped and looked at me, but then went back to grazing.

I wish he would stop. It's not good that they are so acclimated to humans. We had a buck in the backyard last summer who decided he liked our corner, and didn't want to leave. I am afraid that at some point we'll go out and one will decide we've invaded his territory and decide to take action.

Check out Judy's blog to see what other people have on their design wall.

New UFO for March... oops April!

2011-04-01T05:37:00.004-06:00

Here is my quilt for April. I like it. It just needs quilting, so should be another quick one. How fun to get these done. Now I have to go and find it, and figure out what I am going to do for the quilting.

This was a block exchange/round robin quilt with my guild. We decided what kind of block we wanted, made one, then it went on to the next person to make a some. I don't remember how many the other quilters were supposed to make, but as you can see, I wanted brights and black. One quilter decided she would "mix it up some" and make different blocks, so those didn't make it into the quilt because they didn't work with what I wanted.

I ended up making the smaller blocks at the top and bottom so that the quilt would be more useable. I didn't want a wall hanging. Now, what to quilt?

More Flimsies, and a Couple of Pillowcases

2011-03-27T16:21:00.001-06:00

Here is the stack n whack Quilt of Valor top. I still need to quilt it and figure out how I'm going to do that...no idea right now. This is for a military person that my friend works with. She lets me know that she needs a top or I as if there is anyone who needs one and I make them. The folks she works with are mostly active duty and are struggling with PTSD, so I am happy to do this. Makes me feel a little more connected to the recipients, even though I don't know who they are. This quilt , this one and this one were all made for her to give away. Oh, so was this one (I almost forgot). The skull, irish chain and hunter quilt were specific requests for specific people, the others are more generic.

I also finished a top that will go back to the group I quilt with on one Sunday a month.

It's from a pattern called 4 Layer Cake and has many different fabrics. It's not my favorite quilt, but it did go together very quickly. Only two of us showed up last time, so Linda cut this pattern out, and I told her I would be happy to sew it together for the next meeting. It will be sent off to a volunteer long-armer and then given to someone deserving.

I also made two pillowcases for presentation for these two quilts. Very simple, but they work. I really like the "sausage" method so that there are no exposed seams. There are plenty of tutorials around, the only change I make is that I cut the contrast bit only 1-1/2" wide instead of 2-1/2". Easy to do and the results are great looking.

To see what more people have on their design walls, check Judy's blog.

Another QOV-Design Wall

2011-03-21T06:16:00.000-06:00

I'm easily bored, or I guess easily distracted. I decided to start another QOV. I have a couple of requests. This one is from this fabric. It's not exactly restful, but it is sure RED WHITE and BLUE!

It's not quite large enough yet, so I'll be adding some borders. I think I'll use some of the original fabric for at least one of the borders.

To see what other folks have on their design walls, check out Judy's blog.

Design Wall Monday

2011-03-14T05:39:00.000-06:00

I finished Daniel's quilt and was able to give it to his mother...he came home for some R & R. You can see it here.

I worked some more on the Cozy Modern Quilt QOV, I'm about half-way done now. These are not sewn together yet. I'm going to wait till I have all 42 of the blocks done then take a picture and look to see if there is anything I want to move around.

I also went to sew with a group (only two of us there) to make QOVs. I finished the binding on one quilt, then took home pieces to make another. It's much too scappy to me, but that's OK. None of these blocks are sewn together yet, but I'll work on them during the week.

To see what other people have on their design walls, check out Judy's blog.

Daniel's QOV

2011-03-12T20:29:00.002-07:00

Daniel came back home for a couple of weeks of R and R from rehab. His dad wanted a big welcome for him, so let folks know when he would be landing. We decided to go be one of the crowd, and though I wasn't sure I would be able to give the quilt to him directly, I decided to finish it up and bring it.

I made a label and a pillowcase to put it in. The body of the case is fabric I bought that I thought I might use. It's passport stamps from all over the world. I had a bit of the fabric that I used for the postcard blocks on the front of the quilt, so used that for the cuff.

It was pretty cool at the airport. When we got there, there were already about 50 or 60 people there waiting. His family of course, and people from his church. There were about 10 or 15 people who were Marine vets...an HD motorcycle club. People had signs and balloons, and when he got off the elevator everyone clapped. I hope he felt the love. I gave the quilt to his mom to give to him. I hope he likes it.

Here is a clip of his homecoming (thanks Paula).

Tomorrow I go to work on some more QOVs with a group that meets at the Air Force Academy. This will be the third time I go. It's a small group, but it's good to be doing something.

Weekend Work and Design Wall

2011-03-06T08:35:00.001-07:00

Here is the back of my UFO #1, done. Because there is not batting, just flannel backing you can see through the quilt. I like the way this looks. It is a summer weight quilt, and I just need to clip the threads and it's done.

Here is the front. I almost got it in time. It's a bit cloudy outside so the first picture I took didn't have any shadows, but then the sun came out. I am all done, and I know who this is going to. Oh, wait. I don't have the label done yet, so I still have a bit more work.

Daniel's quilt cam back from the quilter. I trimmed it and now need to add the binding. He is coming back to Colorado for a vacation from rehab in San Diego at the end of March, so I will be able to give it to him in person. He was up on "stubby" prostheses last week as a first step to getting around without a chair. Wow, it looks like really hard work.

Here is the whole top. I am going to use dark blue for the binding. I think I have enough from the backing that was left over that I trimmed off. If not, I have to go face the cutting nightmare again, but at least it won't be for 13 different fabrics.

Here is the charity top with the outside borders. I had it with just borders between the stack n whack strips and on the top and bottom and it looked a bit unbalanced, so I added the two outside strips, now it's much better. Thanks Wynn Anne, Suzette and Deb for helping me out with that decision.

This is the design wall from a couple of days ago. I cleaned it now, and there are no more bits of thread or other dreck, so it's ready for a new design.To see more, go to Judy's blog.

UFO Challenge #1--March

2011-03-05T14:49:00.000-07:00

This one is going to be easy. I've decided to make it summer weight, and I think I know the recipient. The teal flannel was bought to back another quilt, but I used something else. It's just the top and the flannel. I don't know what I'm going to do yet for the quilting, but it will be something simple.

New Charity Top

2011-03-05T10:17:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a fun quilt. It was a bit more work than I thought it would be, or I just didn't work on it that much. It measures about 45 x 54. Not huge, but a nice size. I was thinking of adding the blue fabric to both sides, what do you think?

Quilts from the Past

2011-03-05T10:12:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite quilts. I made this about 7 years ago and gave it to a friend. It was a color study. I dyed the fabric complementary colors (yellow-green and red-violet) then made this quilt. I quilted the maze in the middle with a satin stitch. I forgot how much I liked it

This was made for the same friend, from a kit with some added fabrics. They both hang in her office. The one above is probably about 30 by 30 and the one at the right is a twin size.

Design Wall

2011-02-28T05:22:00.001-07:00

I'm making a quick stack n whack quilt for a charity quilt for the guild.The fabric is big flowers and the sashing I'm going to use if below. The triangles are only 4" because the repeat was only 12", but I think it will work.

I finished the UFO challenge quilt completely. It's even washed and ready to go. I might be keeping it, I just can't decide.

To see more design walls, check Judy's blog.

The fabric below is going to be in strips between and on either side of the stack n whack blocks. I forgot to add that when I was writing the post at 5 am this morning. The pattern I am using is the same as this one. The purple will be next to the strips of blocks, then the blue will be a long strip where there is white now.

This is the fabric I'm going to use between the rows of blocks.

A Revelation

2011-02-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

OK, I'll just start by admitting that I like home made chocolate chip cookies, light on the chips and heavy on the walnuts. I read some cooking blogs, and I remember reading about cookies made with browned butter. I was sitting here sewing, and my mind wanders into many and varied places, today it went to chocolate chip cookies. I made one big cookie last week for Sunday school class, so that didn't sound so exciting, but then I started thinking about those browned butter cookies. I'm pretty easily distracted, and the computer is right there next to the sewing machine, so I often stop to look something up that's flitted through my brain. Well, I started looking for the recipe that I read about that had gotten into my brain. Couldn't find it, but found many others. Most called for using dark brown sugar and I don't have any.

I kept looking, and came across a chocolate chip recipe that used browned butter. I decided that's what I wanted, but then I got to thinking that I have a good recipe already, why not just substitute the butter with browned butter.

So I did.

Oh my...I can't really say why they are so delicious. why that little change in the flavor of the butter makes such a difference, but it did. They are quite good, and interestingly enough, the texture is slightly softer, chewier and good.

If you have the need to try something a bit different with your standby cookie recipe, try browning the butter. I did it in the microwave and it worked just fine. I didn't have to stand at the stove for 20 minutes (which is what one recipe said to do). Just be sure to use a large bowl (about 4 cups if you are going to brown a cup of butter) because as the water evaporates it foams up, a lot.

I'll be taking these to work, so that all the calories don't end up in me...I often share the calories!

Happy Sunday.

Cozy Modern QOV

2011-02-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

I've got twelve of the blocks done, I only have 30 more to go, so 5 more rows. I like it, but it's a bit of a pain to put together. I feel the need to choose fabrics that are different in each block. I'm just not a scrap quilt person.

#10 UFO Completely Done

2011-02-25T18:44:00.000-07:00

It is totally, completely done. I was going to call it done when I had the top finished, so I am pretty impressed with myself. I didn't think I would be able to do it. It is quilted and bound and everything. I used a black fleece for the back and binding. It's pretty heavy, or course with all that thread it would be. Finished size is about 46 x 57, so not really a great cuddle quilt, but a good kid quilt. I think I'm going to give it to our guild's charity group.

I can add it to my finished projects tab, and mark it as done on my UFO list.

This was the one UFO I had the most to do on, so whichever one is chosen next should be a piece o' cake.

Using Things Up, Passing them On

2011-02-25T06:27:00.001-07:00

Here is the quilting on Totallly Tubular. I need to trim the back and bind it and I'm 100% done.

Do you see the groove on that bolt. That's from my rotary cutter, I guess I've used it some. I don't think there is a way to get just the bolt replaced, and it rolls really weird now, so I'm giving it the heave-ho (well, it's going into recycling anyway)

And last, I have packed up three boxes for IBOL and sent them off. It's not pretty fabric, but I think it's going to be useful for someone. I included sewing needles, pins, thread and some scissors, so someone will be able to use the fabric for something....I hope. Helping make peace, one box at a time.

Banner Quilting

2011-02-21T20:24:00.000-07:00

This isn't a very good picture, but it does give an idea of the quilting. Gari suggested that lines radiating from behind the shield might work. I went with that. I'm looking at it hanging and not liking the wrinkling I see. I don't know if I want to add more quilting to stabilize it more.

I need to walk away for a while and see what I think in the daylight.

Design Wall Monday

2011-02-21T04:53:00.000-07:00

I've had a productive week. Thanks Judy, for suggesting the UFO challenge. It seems when I work on getting "the assignment" done, I get a lot of other stuff done, too. First, I finished the UFO top for this month. Right now it is on my table being pinned because I am getting this one done, done, done. I was a bit exuberant when I finished it, you can see that post here.

Then I also finished another UFO, not one from the 12 for the year, but another one that I didn't even know was a UFO. It is for my niece who is pregnant, a baby quilt. I got the fleece on Saturday and finished quilting it yesterday. I did it simply, but it is done. It is in the box ready to send today. The shower is in California on Saturday, so I'm sending it to my sister so she can bring it because I'm not exactly sure where the shower is. My sister is so good to me.

And I cut out all the pieced for another QOV. This one is going to be a while. I'm going to get it done between other work. I've finished 5 blocks out of 42, so it will be a while. You can see the rectangles don't look exactly rectangular, they've got the pointy thing going on in the corners, but I think it will be fine.

And today, I quilt the church banner. That's my only job for today. I've been avoiding it because I really don't know what to do, but I'm going to figure it out today and get it done. I have to quilt it, add the tabs to the top and line it. I don't know if I'll get all of that done, but I'm going to give it my best shot.

To get inspired and see what else people have on their design walls, check out Judy's blog.

Another one Done

2011-02-20T15:33:00.000-07:00

I find it every interesting that working on getting a UFO finished really motivates me to sew a lot more. Even when I don't like the one I'm working on. I hope this one gets to the party on time. I'll send it out tomorrow. I thought I'd already had it quilted...oops, so got it done today.I finished the top sometime last year. I can't find the post now, but it was in the middle of the year. I like the way these types of labels look. Easy to make and personal.

A Couple of Questions

2011-02-20T15:03:00.000-07:00

I'm sitting here sewing the binding down, and my mind wanders. I think about all kinds of things, and sometimes I stop and look them up (I used to read dictionaries and encyclopedias...now I have the internet). A couple of things that were wandering around.

Since I took a class back in 2003 or 2004 I have been pressing all of my seams open in all of my quilts. I remember I started then because I had lots of seams coming together in one spot and it would have been a big lump if I pressed to one side. I am a bit of a geek, so I did some looking online to see what other quilters thought about the open versus to one side pressing. One remark that sticks with me is that clothing seams certainly have much more stress than a quilting seams (in most cases) and they are pressed open, so obviously the stitching we are doing currently is plenty strong for pressed open seams, and then on more item about why we pressed to one side. When all quilts were hand stitched together, some of the stitches were larger and farther apart than we get with machine sewing. If those were pressed open, then you might see the batting through the seam line after a time.

It makes logical sense to me that pressing one way or another can't make the stitch stronger. The thread is the thread and the stitch is the stitch no matter which way the fabric goes...does that make sense to all of you, or am I a bit biased because I like the look of open-pressed seams and want to justify them?

Second question: hand or machine stitched binding? I stitch all of my binding on by machine. It is much quicker (and that means it will get done) and it is much stronger and longer lasting (at least than my hand stitching) for quilts that I expect will be thrown in the wash machine and dryer. I know if I ever wanted to enter a quilt in a show I would have to hand stitch the binding down, but I really don't make quilts to be put in a show. I get all the affirmation I need when I give a quilt away and get thanked. I make quilts for being used. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with putting quilts in shows, just not for me.

Second questions: do you hand stitch all your binding down? Why. If you machine stitch do you feel like you're doing a less than excellent job finishing?

Sometimes when I am sewing on the binding I feel like I'm just slapping it on, but I like the way it looks. I don't try to make it look like it is hand stitched...it never comes out well when I do try. I celebrate the stitches I put in the binding...I make them obvious...I SHOUT them!

Tah and Dah! UFO #10

2011-02-19T19:14:00.000-07:00

Do you see that? Do you see that top over there? Do you know how many pieces that top has in it? Neither do I, but it's a LOT.

The best thing about it, the VERY best thing about it? IT IS DONE.

I can't say that I like it, but it is finished. You know tha saying, finished is better than perfect? In this case, finished is better than anything. I am going to put some sort of border around the top, probably a black border and then I can really call it done.

Do you see how many capital letters I have in this post? That is because there is no other way to show how delighted I am that I won't have to do any more work on this. There are so many freaking intersections that the only way I could possible quilt it across somehow. I'll figure it out so it can be out of my house.

It's 46 x 57, so two-thousand six-hundred and twenty-two inches of DONE. YIPPEE!

New QOV

2011-02-18T06:49:00.000-07:00

Here are the first three blocks of 42 for the next quilt of valor. I think I'm going to like it. It is sort of scappy but sort of planned. It comes from the book Cozy Modern Quilts by Kim Schaefer. Nice.

Get 'er done!

2011-02-17T13:51:00.002-07:00

This is one half of what I have done. It's a tube, so I can't show the whole thing at one time. I've got two more up-down sections and then I have to cut the tube open. I don't hate it as much as I did when I put it away, and it's not as difficult as I imagined it would be. I've given up on pinning each intersection...who can see if they meet or not anyway.

I decided to take the photo of the tube and make a mock-up of what the finished top might look like.

If nothing else...it interesting (isn't that what we say about something that we don't want to insult?) It doesn't particularly wow me, but it will be DONE...and I won't have to think about it again. I don't know if I'll use this method again, but who knows, I could have a crazy moment sometime in the future.

Oh, and see the pink and four-patch purple that were transposed in the lower right part of this quilt. I didn't notice, but one of my readers did and was kind enough to point it out...it's corrected.

Thanks anonymous!

Design Wall-Working on the UFO

2011-02-14T06:19:00.001-07:00

Here is the first bit of the UFO for the month. I actually have 4 strips sewn together. It is a lot of work, but I'm going to try to get it done.

I also began cutting the other strip sets. I'm not sure if I am cutting them in the same place or not, because I wasn't clever enough to note where the first cut began on the previous set.

It's complicated...so we'll see if they even go together.

If you want to see what other people have on their design wall, check out Judy's blog.

Teaching a Class

2011-02-12T21:46:00.001-07:00

Back in 2010 (June) I did a 15 minute presentation about making Kaleidoscope blocks. A number of guild members said they would like to take a class, and I was willing and it's happening this Saturday. I (with my fellow teacher Jeanie) did a presentation tonight as a kind of introduction. I shared lots of fabric ( I have a ton) and talked about what kind of fabric would work well, and what wouldn't.

Today, I worked with Jeanie and we taught the class. We had 12 students and it was so fun to see and hear their excitement about the wonderfulness of stacking then cutting fabric and the magic that happens.We taught 3 different patterns, isn't that fun. I forgot to get pictures of the original fabrics but you can see how pretty these came out.

Design Wall

2011-02-07T06:31:00.000-07:00

Just finished quilting this quilt. I finished the top back in July. It's a simple fleece backing and then sewing a quarter inch away from the blocks, nothing fancy. This is going to our charity at the guild this month.

If you want to see what other folks have on their design walls, check out Judy's blog.

Pinning Away

2011-02-02T11:18:00.003-07:00

Because it's a cold day (not snow day, just really cold) I have time to quilt today. I took out my UFO #10 and it's going to be slow to finish (I think). I'm pretty sure I understand the directions now, and I've got the first set of strips pinned together ready to be sewed (sewn?). Once I have this seam done, I'll press and see if I really do understand what I'm doing.

I know this doesn't look much different than the last picture, but all the seams are now sewn, it's officially a completed top. I hope that doesn't mean it is now another UFO! The longer dark borders aren't supposed to have a seam, but I only had a yard of fabric when I started this, so didn't have a long enough piece to make one long border. I added the extra seam, and I think it looks OK.

When I get bored with the UFO I'll see about pinning this and getting ready to quilt.

How funny, until I just had a comment about the mistake in the quilt on the right side, I didn't see it. I guess I'll be doing some unsewing. Thanks anonymous!

UFO Challenge for February -- #10

2011-02-01T14:42:00.001-07:00

Here is the next UFO I am supposed to work on. Not my favorite, and probably a good idea it is on the list otherwise I'm sure it would languish in the container for years.

I just found the book and I'm going to have to read through the directions to see if I can even figure out what I have to go to get this one done. I'm going to call this one done if I get the top done, including borders. If I get that far I'll be very happy. Oh, it is supposed to look like this when it's done.

Design Wall Monday

2011-01-31T04:49:00.001-07:00

I have been very productive lately (well with quilting anyway :^). I finished Daniel's top and back and they are ready to send to my sister so she can bring them to be quilted. I finished my January UFO and now I've started this charity quilt.

I love this fabric. It was $2.26 per yard from Connecting Threads because the last 9 inches of the leaf pattern is not square. When it's cut into pieces like this you don't notice so much, and I think this pattern is just too cute. I bought all the colors in the line and used all but one in this quilt.

It is a very quick top, I will probably be finished with it tomorrow, then if I have time I'll buy some fleece for the back and be ready to donate it at our next guild meeting. I have one more top ready to have the fleece put on, so I might have two ready, that would be fun.

Check out Judy's blog to see what other people have on their design walls.

Daniel's Quilt of Valor

2011-01-30T06:46:00.000-07:00

The top is done.The color of the outer border is not quite as blue as it looks in the picture, but has enough blue that it goes will with the cool colors of the strips in the top. Because I wasn't clever I have to get a bit more fabric to finish the backing. If I was quilting it here I would exactly enough, but I'm sending it to my sister who is going to have it quilted so I need an extra 6 inches on the width. I think I can figure out how to piece the leftover fabric to make it wide enough, then off this goes to be quilted. I'm very happy with how it turned out. Not my usual colors, but I like it anyway.

I'm feeling motivated, so I'm going to see if I can finish a charity quilt for the guild (or maybe two) before our meeting the second Thursday of February.

C'est Fini!

2011-01-29T13:22:00.001-07:00

I just finished the binding and label for the spiral rainbow. I haven't been able to get a good picture, but I'll keep trying. This is my first UFO from Judy's challenge finished before the end of the month. I'm so proud! I don't have a specific recipient in mind, so made a generic label. I can add the name later if I feel the need.

Now back to work on Daniel's QOV. I hope to have the top together by the end of today, then maybe I will be able to send it off to my sister on Monday.

Quilting Done...Tah D...

2011-01-27T21:39:00.000-07:00

I can't say it's finished, I still have to do the binding, but that's not a hard thing for me. I always do all of my bindings by machine and I don't find them a horrible chore, so this UFO will definitely be done by the end of the month. I still have 4 more days so it will be a piece of cake to finish it. YAY!

I didn't want to interfere with the colored squares anywhere, so I only quilted in the black. I sewed a quarter inch away from the colored spirals, and then in the border I did a zig-zag from the center of each black block up and down. If you click on the picture you may be able to see it.

I just finished it (it's 9:30) so I didn't have good light, I'll get a better picture tomorrow and show the whole thing then.

Quilting Nearly Done on The UFO of the Month

2011-01-27T06:44:00.000-07:00

Do you see the black lines on the checkerboard border? That's how I'm thinking of quilting it. All of the spiral blocks are quilted in the black portion . I wanted to make the spirals sort of float. I'm thinking of using a variegated primary colored thread for the border---what do you think?

Switching Gears

2011-01-24T19:36:00.001-07:00

I talked to my wonderful sister tonight, and she wants to participate in the Quilt of Valor for Daniel, so she is going to take it to her local quilter and pay to have it quilted. I know that I can send it through the QOV volunteers, but doing it this way we get to make this quilt for him together. She live states away, so we can't actually quilt together on it, but I know if she was closer we would probably work on this one, and others together. That would be so cool!

I've included a close-up of the border fabric, and then how I think I'm going to put it together with a narrow inner border.

On another note, I am switching back to the spiral quilt. I have to get done...it's a contest. I come from a family that is just a bit competitive, and though there is no winning or losing here, I have said I would get it done before the end of the month, so I will. I have the backing just about ready, the batting is unfolded and laying out and I might even get started on pinning it tomorrow morning. I tend to get a lot of work done in the morning before work (I have been waking up about 4:30 or 5:00) and then I feel like I have some life outside of work and sleep. So, I may actually get it done, and get Daniel's top done and ready to send to my sister all by the end of the weekend...and wouldn't that be cool! Here is the border fabric with a bit of the top so you can see them together.

Design Wall Monday

2011-01-24T06:00:00.001-07:00

Three more rows and the top is done. I like the "travel blocks" and the way the whole quilt is turning out. I think I am going to have to add a darker fabric between the border and the rest of the quilt. I don't know how wide I am going to make the border, but the top needs something. The border fabric I found has antique maps of the world. I think a bit narrower and some other fabric (maybe the dark blue) between the top and the border will work.

I went to help sew a quilt top with a local group that gets together once a month. We nearly got one top done. There were 6 of us sewing, but two were working on a different quilt top. We will meet again in two weeks (we had a 2 week delay because of snow).

If you want to see what other quilters are doing, check out Judy's Blog.

The Saga of the Border Fabric

2011-01-23T19:24:00.000-07:00

Here is what I decided to use for the border fabric. Originally I wanted to use one of the dark colors from the quilt, but the two quilt stores I went to get some didn't carry Moda Marbles.

Here is a very long story explaining why I didn't go to the original store to buy more Moda Marbles

The original fabric store is owned by a very controlling man. When I first bought all the fabric I purchased 13 different colors of the Moda Marbles. I wanted 1/4 yard of most of them and knew it would take a while to cut them all because there were so many, but it ended up taking about 30 minutes. The owner doesn't have cutting mats and rotary cutters for his employees to use...OK, not everyone does, but because the woman had to use scissors she could only cut one fabric at a time. That added a bit of time to the cutting time. He also has them use T-squares to mark the fabric before cutting so the cuts are straight and then it's marked with chalk and then cut on that line. The T-squares are those used for drywall, so are about 4 feet long. They're a bit unwieldy and when the employee is done marking, the T-square has to be put aside so the fabric can be cut, usually set leaning against the cutting table next to the employee. Twice while I was having my fabric cut the owner came through and told her to put the T-square away because it was dangerous and someone was going to trip (good thinking if she wasn't done using it.) She told him she was still using it because she was still cutting. He also told her to put away the scissors at another time, and not leave them laying on the table...oh, one of the other employees also came by and put the scissors away...while she was still working on cutting the fabric I had on the cutting table.

I was in a time crunch because I was there on my lunch 30 minutes and it took me about 10 minutes to get to the store. Needless to say I was late getting back to work. I clenched my teeth the whole time she was cutting because it took about 3 minutes per fabric (I never really timed it though so I'm not POSITIVE it took that long). The woman moved a bolt of fabric in front of her, unfolded a bit, lined it up along the front edge of the table and put a mark at 1/4 yard. She moved the fabric a bit, so she could get the T-square on the table in the right position. She then picked up the T-square, lined it up with the edge of the table, found the chalk, drew a line. Next, take the T-square off the table, set it aside (tell the owner she is still using it) pick up the scissors (need to be sharpened, so has to cut with the edge closest to the handles only..so that means she can cut about 1" at a time). Set the scissors aside, fold, fold, fold my fabric, set it aside. Take the bolt of fabric, look at the end and write down the 7 -digit SKU and put it with the other bolts that have been cut, (about 6 feet away). Start all over again. After all 13 fabrics were cut, she had to ENTER EACH 7-DIGIT NUMBER INTO THE COMPUTER with the amount. HELP ME PLEASE GET OUT OF HERE. I was about ready to pull my hair out by the time she was done. She wasn't dawdling, but she wasn't a speed demon either.

AAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHH!

OK, I finally cut the fabric a couple of days later, and one of the 1/4 yard pieces was cut crooked so I didn't get 6 strips out of it, I only got 5...this means I have to go back and get another 1/4 yard piece. It's only one fabric to cut, so shouldn't take nearly as long, right?

This time, instead of measuring 1/4 yard with the chalk on one edge, then using the T-square to mark the fabric and cut it, she took out a tape measure to measure 1/4 yard in two places on the fabric then was going to line up the ruler and mark the line. Unfortunately this was the same fabric that was cut crooked before, so I would have lost a strip on each edge because I was cutting strips, with the fabric folded. I pointed this out and she said she had to do it the way, that was what the owner had directed her to do. I said again, that if she cut it that way I didn't have a quarter yard of fabric to use. There was another woman cutting fabric at the time (I guess the manager) and she came over and rather abruptly marked the fabric straight, saying that she would get in trouble from the owner for not following his instructions. I kept quiet, payed for my fabric and left. When I got in the car I looked at the amount of "extra" fabric I got because one end was cut crooked and the other straight...3/4".

All of this to say, I just can't go back to that store right now and buy more fabric. No one was rude, but I know I would go INSANE if I had to watch them cut even one piece of fabric. Neither of the other stores in town had Moda Marbles, so I had to find something else (what a long story to explain why I have a different fabric for the border.)

I just needed to share that frustration. I have no idea how much it costs for rotary cutters, mats, and scanners, but holy mackerel, is it really THAT expensive?

Aspens and Pines

2011-01-22T07:28:00.000-07:00

The first two rows together. They took a bit more time than I wanted because the grey strip I cut for the cornerstones was a bit narrow, about an eighth of an inch too narrow so I had to fiddle with the first row of blocks and for the second row, I had to unstitch the grey and sew a right size block. Probably not crucial, but it makes sewing in the long run easier.

I also couldn't resist some clearance fabric. The colors just make me happy. I bought it at Connecting Threads. It was $2.28 per yard because the leaves do not go in a straight line across the fabric. I decided I am going to use it for charity quilts so I could justify buying 2 1/2 more yards of each. I'll have 3 1/2 yards of 10 different fabrics so that should be enough...it feels wonderful and looks beautiful!

Travel Blocks

2011-01-20T06:01:00.000-07:00

I've got all but one of the "travel" blocks made. I think they work pretty well in the quilt. The fabric only had a few different motifs and I don't want to repeat any of them. I'm going to put the dark fabric that is framing the travel pictures between the blocks and a lighter gray-blue as cornerstones. I think I can have the top together by the end of the weekend, then I have to figure how to quilt it. I'm going to use the dark blue for the backing as well.

I don't know if I am going to add a border or not, the pattern doesn't call for one, but I may add one anyway, just to give it a little more width. It's only 49" x 56" right now.