Early Summer Fun

Along with the commitments I made on the 2016 Finish Along at She Can Quilt blog, I have also been working on some extra projects...

I love the fabric I found for this dress I made for my darling grand-daughter. The colors remind me of vintage tablecloths. It features open pleats on the bodice and sleeves and I found a little flower shaped button for the back closure. I barely had enough leftover for a matching purse so I made it a bit smaller than the pattern required. 

She was delighted with her new outfit and wears it often. Isn't it fun to sew for little girls?

I will soon be leaving for a trip to Japan. Dear friends of ours work at the New Life Center in Ishinomaki where the tsunami went through. The people in this area lost their homes and families. The New Life Center was created to be a place of hope that offers counseling and other needed services. It was one of the only buildings left standing. 

This August we will be hosting a Quilting Workshop as several people have shared a desire to learn this craft. Below are a couple of the projects we have planned for this time together making new friends in Japan.

 
This is my own personal design and I will gladly offer this as a free pattern once I get back. It is a small project since we our workshop is for two days, but there are several piecing techniques to learn. 

Another small item is this Dresden Plate table topper. It measures 20" in diameter and will brighten any area it is placed in. 

The old fashioned bow tie pattern offers many ways to set the blocks. This will make a charming project. 

All squares and half-square triangles, this runner has many alternative settings. Very basic but a whole world of options using these two patches. 

We have been working on notebook covers, pincushions, and sewing kits to present to each participant. I am so anxious to teach and learn from the people in Ishinomaki.

Christmas Celebrations

Have you ever tried paper piecing? Using a pattern by Judy Niemeyer?  You will not be disappointed! Her patterns are very thorough and have little waste. (well, relatively...paper piecing tends to be that way anyway) I really enjoyed this first introduction into paper piecing! The only complaint I may have is removing the paper backings. But an evening with good light, tweezers for hard to get areas, and the sweeper nearby for clean up makes the chore doable.

This is listed as my Number 2 goal for the 4th quarter finishes. 
Once I had the pie pieces assembled and sewn together. I stretched the backing, wadding, and top on the floor for pin basting. All those pins! My fingers were so sore! They look like tiny ants, don't they?

I began machine quilting this but moved to the chair for hand quilting in the evenings. A task I love to do. My machine quilting - even with a walking foot - needs more skills built. And since I have so much work invested already, I did not want to compromise now.

Binding is on and she is ready for the tree! I'll update this with a final picture once our tree is up.

This will be linked at She Can Quilt as a completed finish. Gather your goals and join us for this motivation and a chance to win some prizes!

 
 

Finishes in November

I am late getting my finishes posted for November. And since excuses only satisfy the one giving them, I'll simply introduce Finish #1 as listed in my 4th Quarter Goals.

Modern Fans Sew Along...This was a project inspired by Suzy Quilts . I did not win anything but I did make a completed quilt that I adore. This was a really fun quilt and went together fairly easy - even though it was curved piecing. Slow and steady progress was the word to focus on. 

I had some Christmas yardage pieces that worked well with this so I did not even have to purchase anything other than the pattern. I'll surely get my money's worth as hopefully I will make another. This quilt design lends itself to many different settings and color combinations.

It is pictured above all quilted (by my long arm quilter) and binding is attached. The back was pieced with leftover fabrics I had stored away and I inserted a stray block so I have no waste. 

It is presently snowing so it will be a special treat to sleep under my new Christmas quilt. Peace and good tidings to you and yours this joyous season!!

This post will be linked at SheCanQuilt at the end of the year. Gather your own projects that you desire to finish and join in the fun! 

 

30's Block of the Month

My very first exposure to quilts was while spending the night at my dear Aunt Betty's house. My mother was tucking me in as she drew my attention to the many pieces that Aunt Betty had sewn together. Being so young, I did not appreciate the work involved, but I was intrigued with the pretty colors and prints. I've often wished I had one of her quilts as I remember they were so toasty warm. I always felt loved and safe in her home. Do you have similar memories of sleeping under a quilt made by a loving relative?


Now, many years later, I jumped in with the making of this project at my local quilt shop. Using designs that were popular in the 1930's, this block of the month sampler quilt was made using reproduction fabrics from that same era.

This Sunbonnet Sue block was described by my husband as Holly Hobbie. I told him no, she came about 40 years after Sue. Well, he tries. <grin> Other blocks include Dresden Plate, Jacob's Ladder, Bow-tie, Overall Sam, Card Tricks, Churndash, Hexagon Grandmother's Flower, and Bridal Bouquet.

I used pinwheels in its borders with the remaining fabrics I had leftover. And I STILL have leftovers! Well, I am presently working on restoring a Sunbonnet Sue quilt top made by another loving aunt for my niece so those scraps will work perfectly there.

My 30's Sampler Quilt finished at 70" x 70" and I used up 10 yards of stash. That brings my total yardage busted in finishes this year to 57 yards so far. I have not included the yardage from the three tablerunners I finished.

It may not be as pretty as the quilts I remember my Aunt Betty made, but it was a fun project. And it is finished. This is my 7th finish this year.

Now it is time for a warm and toasty nap under my 30's quilt...after giving a prayer of thanks for my dear Aunt Betty (1918 - 2013). 

4th Quarter Finish Goals for 2018

It is unbelievable that we are looking at the last 3 months of 2018, but here we are. And there is so much to do before the new year arrives. Between preserving the last of the garden's produce, collecting seeds, and putting the gardens to bed, I have to get busy in the sewing room.

Christmas sewing will be my main focus from here till the end of the year. Some/most of these are for gift giving so hopefully those recipients won't be reading my blog. I don't want to spoil the surprise!

1.) Modern Fans Sew Along 

Finished Here!

I had enough Christmas fabrics in my stash to jump in on this challenge. It has been fun, and surprisingly a fast project. Only a few more blocks to complete, borders attached and she will be ready for the long arm quilter. I may have to make another after the first of the year. I really do like how this design goes together.




2.) Christmas Celebrations

Finshed Here!

A carry over from last year. She is nearly done as the main units are complete. I just need a few days of marathon sewing for it to be completed. I hope to hand quilt this so I better get it to that stage soon. (why it is listed as number 2). Evenings are a favorite time to stitch on the frame. 




3.) Large Pillows on Wooden Base

  Finished Here!

I recently went to a workshop at a local quilt shop featuring Penny Haren from Creative Grids. What inspiration she gave! My head was swimming and this is one idea she shared that I just cannot pass up. It will be a set of two floor pillows, set on a base that my husband will make. Can't wait to report this one as a finish. Pillow forms were ordered and arrived last week so now I need to pick the fabrics and pattern. Don't you love new starts?




4.) Wonky Christmas Trees

Another Creative Grids design that I purchased at Penny's workshop/lecture. Hopefully, it will be a quick Christmas project that will be finished in time for my table top. I will be using several blue and green holiday fabrics along with the Frost charm squares.



6. Christmas Ornaments Table Runner

Still another great idea I found and purchased from Creative Grids. I have the rulers so why not finish another? This is will be made in our Ohio State University colors - Red and Gray. Some Buckeye fan I know will be happy to get this one!




7.) Feathers Table Runner

Finished Here!  
I absolutely adore this pattern. It will consist of 6 feathers for a long tabletopper. I'm using strips from leftover Stonehenge fabrics combined with some batiks in browns, greens, and a few corals. 



8.) Blue Ridge Beauty

Only about 30 more blocks need assembled. Then they can be sewed into rows, simple borders attached, and color this one done! I have not counted the pieces in this quilt yet but it being a Bonnie Hunter pattern, I am sure it is in the thousands. 



9.) On Ringo Lake

Really! I have to get this one done since Bonnie Hunter will begin giving out clues to her new mystery next month! I love the colors chosen for this quilt. It will have a home in our spare bedroom. 




Well, that is my goal list. I'll be linking up at She Can Quilt blog site to participate in her 2018 Finish Along. Check out what others have on their goal list and make a few of your own. 

More Finishes for 3rd Quarter

A quilt top came home recently from the long arm quilter. 

My Vintage Stitches quilt was made from leftover blocks from the original Vintage Stitches project. The original Thimbleberries Club member kit was made with 24 blocks of the month - to be used for a reversible quilt. I made the front as directed and can be seen here, but I opted out of making it reversible. 

Instead I made Irish Chain style alternate blocks for this setting and made an additional throw size quilt.

Every quilt has a story and this one is that I was less than 2" short of binding fabric. I found a close match and put it in. Now I cannot find the shortage! 

I am so glad that every inch of this fabric is used up!

Just a small green scrap inserted did the trick. 

Another finish for the shelf and is ready for gifting. This was my number 16 on my 3rd Quarter Finish Along Goal List 

She finishes at 78" x 78" and I used up 13 yards of stash!

You too can join us in setting your goals for finishes. Visit She Can Quilt for more details before the last quarter begins for 2018. 

Red Robin's Runner on My Table

This pattern was an impulse buy during last year's local quilt shop hop and I couldn't wait to complete it. It took lots of handwork which is something I love to do! It takes time but it is a fun process, right? 

I am still in the honeymoon phase for making hexagon flowers. Oh! They are so addictive! (see my 3rd quarter finish along goal list) 

All hexagon squares (huh?) are sewn in rows, the appliqued Robin on berry vines are attached and it is all hand quilted and sitting pretty on my dining table now. This is my number 7 goal from my 3rd quarter finish along list.

Every time I pass by I have to smile. I added a little personal touch of my own on each bird. Do you like her hairdo? 

You too can visit the Bloggers Quilt Festival at Amy's Creative Side taking place right now and post your own quilt finish. You can get lots more inspiration by visiting the blogs of other quilters entered in the festival.

Then make up your own list of goals for the upcoming 4th quarter coming soon at She Can Quilt blog site.

 

September Finish of Many Mansions

Not much garden work gets done by me while it is hot outside, so it has been guilt-free time in the sewing room. And productive too! 

I finished my Be My Neighbor quilt and am happy to check off number 2 on my 3rd Quarter Finish-Along Goal List.

I could have spent more time on her as these house blocks are so charming and cute and fun to make!  I stopped at 9 blocks - even though there are 12 … my coordinating stash was getting low and I felt the nudging to move on. You can make your own version using Moda's free pattern found here. 

I always enjoy making a custom label on the back of my quilts. I had enough scraps to put together one more house block and then appliqued it to the back. It will be signed and dated along with an appropriate scripture verse.

"In my Father's house are many mansions..." John 14:2 

I hope mine is next to yours!

You too can visit the Bloggers Quilt Festival at Amy's Creative Side taking place right now and post your own quilt finish. You can get lots more inspiration by visiting the blogs of other quilters entered in the festival.

Then make up your own list of goals for the upcoming 4th quarter coming soon at She Can Quilt blog site.

Say Goodbye to July

I've been making some progress towards my finish goals. I sat down for some marathon sewing and got all but 40 blocks done on my Blue Ridge Beauty quilt. 

Just look at that stack of blocks. All 142 of them!

The remaining 40 are simply the two halves of blocks so with 40 quick seams they will be complete. Then it will be time to arrange them on the design wall and get the rows sewn together. Anxious to see this one! It will be a big one!

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I've been working on my Be My Neighbor quilt top and decided to stop after 9 blocks. I just finished the borders and will get her basted into a sandwich and ready for quilting this week.

She measures 60" X 73" without the binding so it will be a nice throw size. Although this was a fun project, I just lost interest. This will likely be my last block of the month - new start that is.

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And I am still plugging along on my hexagon flowers. I have over 65 flowers done but have a few more cut so it will be larger than originally planned. I just love working on these! 

I hope you are stitching up a storm. The weather is hot and now is a good time to get sewing before harvest time and we will be busy outdoors again.