Finishes for 2023

 All totaled up my 11 finishes added up to busting 105 yards of fabric. That makes my goal of using up a minimum of 100 yards a succeeded goal. It is not so big when you find that these were not projects starting from scratch.

1, Fidget Quilt - 20" x 28",  2 yards total, made for my dear sister. It was a fun project of hand embellishments and fun textures.

2. Just in Cases - 57" x 68", 9 yards total. American Jane has such cute (and sometimes challenging) patterns. This was made using 30's reproduction fabrics. The backing I used was a vintage muslin. It was 58" wide and was heavy yet not very finely woven. 

3. Red & Green Train Tracks Kid's Quilt - 47" x 47", 3.5 yards total. This small quilt was given to friends for the birth of their first grandson. Backing was a minky and was so very soft!

 

4. Blue & Gray Boomerang 3-yard quilt - 44" x 58", used 6 yards total. Another small quilt I had quilted with soft fleece backing. It has a warm and cuddly feel and ready for gifting. 

5. Brown & Black Vertical 9-Patch - 47.5" x 58", total of 8 yards.  This top has been hanging around a while so I sandwiched it up and hand quilted it in the evenings,. Made a nice throw for the TV room.

6. Jelly Nougat - 85" x 91", used up 18.5 yards of stash. This finished as one of my favorite scrap quilts. Made using muslin and a huge amount of "crumbs".

7. Trumpet Vine - 53" x 68", used 8 yards. A Karen Griska pattern that used up a lot of scraps in my Brights box. Loved the backing so much I had to go back and buy several yards more for future use.

8. Green & Yellow Moda University BOM Medallion - 98" x 98", used 18 yards. My largest finish this year. It has been hanging around since 2008(?) and just needed borders. Its finished and on the bed now.

9. Red Churn Dash - 78" x 87", used 14 yards. Love how I found a random remnant in the closing of a local quilt shop to use as vertical rows. I had just enough to finish it with only inches left over. 

10. Vintage Column Quilt - 94" x 94", used up 17 yards. A totally scrappy quilt using 1.5" finished size squares. Fell in love with this pattern the first time I saw it. My box of scraps took a big hit with this one. (that's a good thing)

11. Steampunk Violinist Christmas Wall Hanging - 14" x 28", 1 yard used (barely). Embellished with sequins and beads for extra holiday sparkle. 

So that is what 105 yards looks like. I also completed a Partridge in a Pear Tree wall-hanging but it cannot be counted this year as it still needs to be quilted. Its on the UFO list for next year.

I am now planning and dreaming up goals for 2024. So far I have a list of 18 UFOs and 5 or 6 new starts planned. I'll need to sew like the wind to accomplish all that! Especially when you know that the top 5 UFOs are labor intensive - Dear Jane, Montmellick, Love Entwined, Antique Wedding Sampler, and  Jaye's Bouquet. Maybe I should rethink those new starts!

Blessings and Happy Stitching!

The Partridge in a Pear Tree Challenge

Have you ever worked on a project that was a bit challenging and you felt the need to baste the pieces together before sewing them together to ensure that they match up nicely? That is what I have been doing to make these triangles with multi points to line up in my Partridge in a Pear Tree wall-hanging. Below you will see the two triangular pieces marked and ready to be sewn together.

These are the 2 pieces that make up the sides of the tree trunks and the sky blues. I hand sewed them together, matching end points and seam lines, and then pressed the seams open for a flat finish piece. 

Once these triangular blocks were sewn together, it was time to sew the rows together. I place a pin in EXACTLY the point where the seams should meet. Keeping the pin vertical.

 

You can see on the opposite side that the pin meets exactly on the seamline I want it to match up with. 

I carefully keep that pin in an upright position as I pin along each side. I often use the edge of my sewing table to do so.

 I then place 2 pins on both sides of the vertical pin all while keeping it upright the best I can. 

When pinning, be sure to take large enough "bites" so that your seam does not bunch up in thickness and make it hard to run under your machine needle. It can sometimes shift or bunch up into a knotted mess if you don't. 

This might be a good time to give suggestions for the pins I use. They are extra long and very thin. They are my FAVORITE pins to use. Actually, they are the only pins I use. These silk pins are made in Japan and are perfect pins for piecing.

I have no affiliate link. They are sometimes hard to find but they last a long time. When they become bend or damaged, I save them in a special box.

The Japanese have a special day they call, Hari-Kuyō. It is celebrated by women in Japan as a memorial to all the sewing needles that have become broken in their service during the past year, along with the added opportunity to pray for improved skills. My collection of broken pins and needles are several years' worth, but I think of their tradition and it reminds me to pray for improved skills along with being thankful for useful tools in my sewing box. 

My little box sits on the shelf above my sewing table. Do you like my little antique "studda bubba" pincushion? She makes me smile too and reminds me that I am becoming a studda bubba myself (old lady). Although I do not have a babushka. :-)

So back to the Partridge challenge. You can see my machine needle is lined up ready to sew this seam together below. My pinned seam joints are laying flat as I gently WALK my machine needle over the pins. Yes, I have hit a few now and again (see hari-kuyo above), but because it is s-l-o-w I have not knocked my machine out of time....yet. The only other solution is to baste these points together. That is probably what my Home Economics teacher, Mrs Starr would suggest. No wait, Mrs Starr did not suggest anything. Her motto always was, "There is a wrong way, and a Mrs. Starr way" Haaaa! I owe my attention to precision sewing to her. Thank you Mrs Starr! ♥

Pressing those seams to "set" once they are sewn. You can see my stitching has been guided along with my markings.

This results are points matching nicely once done.

And the real test is the basted seams with multiple points matching up together. Yippee! Success! These were the half diamond pieces (tree trunk and sky blue) sewn together by hand and them basted before sewing together in rows. (did not risk the 3 pin technique here).

So how do you conquer your sewing challenges? Do you baste and/or hand sew? Is there another technique you use? 

Do you have a favorite quote from your Home Economics teacher you can share? Do you have a favorite pin cushion? 

Please leave your comments below as I would love to read your insights and tips.

Happy stitching!

Pre-Holiday Sewing

And a Partridge in a Pear Tree

With Christmas coming in a few short weeks, I thought I would dig out that project from last year that gave me fits! It is done with paper piecing and somehow I forgot the proper steps, and wasted material with plenty of mistakes (triangles and diamonds anyone?). So I bagged it up for... just a time like this. Feeling brave (and more patient) I dove in and alas! I made the remaining 6 pears in one evening! Don't stop me now! Another day of cutting green diamonds from my stash that would compliment the existing pieces that came with this "kit" and another evening was spent cutting the blue and setting pieces.

I should mention, I purchased this at a Quilter's Garage Sale last year. I found this steal at Mary Huey's booth, and being a big fan of Mary, and her work, I felt quite pleased that I managed to bring home something that she had put her mind to.  Even though it took me a YEAR to finally attack it successfully myself. 

Some of the work had already been completed by Mary. The partridge was finished, and 4 pears, and several dark green diamonds were cut out. The fabrics were from the late 90's and the pattern was featured in QNM's Quilt It for Christmas, 2001. This was when you could purchase a magazine for $4.99!

So now I am happily at the stage in piecing the diamonds into rows and sewing the rows together. While this sewing gets done it is fun to contemplate border ideas, right? I have little fabrics leftover and not sure I want to introduce new ones for borders, so I am not really sure how that part will go. Stay tuned.

The pattern says this quilt hanging finishes at 45" x 54" but mine will probably be smaller because of a lack of borders as the pattern recommends. I am not even sure I will have this finished in time to display it this year for Christmas, but I am enjoying the process and I am committed to finish it regardless.

Another holiday project I found was this block featuring a violinist in a steampunk style. My daughter is also a violinist, has a Christmas birthday, and has a liking for steampunk so this work for her. This orphan block came with a bundle of scraps I purchased a few years a go. I think it is a Loralee design.

I added a few borders, and I will sandwich it with batting and a backing to begin hand-quilting it. I remember having some beads and embellishments leftover from January's Fidget Quilt so now I am brainstorming how to make this mini hanging sparkle for Christmas. I may need to forage for some metal and leather trinkets in the button tins.

My Jaye's Bouquet embroidery project is falling behind but I will pick it up in the new year. Yes, it is time to begin planning next year's goals. I have TWO big commitments in 2024, so my sewing time will take a hit...but you know how they say if you want to get something done you ask a busy person? I hope to get better at managing my time because I can get cranky if I don't get into the sewing room on a consistent basis. Can  you relate to that too?

Happy November. Count your blessings before shopping for more "stuff", and happy stitching!

 

Vintage Column Quilt Finished

I had so much fun in the making of this scrappy quilt. And did I ever use up the 2" squares in my scrap box! It is nearly empty as you can see! Just the "uglies" are left.

This quilt was originally featured on Jo's Country Junction website. I went as far back as 2017 trying to find the direct link but was unable to locate it. There was some discussion about this quilt on the Stashbusters' group list as I couldn't quite get my head around the actual block. Nancie V was so very helpful by sketching a block for us. Thank you, Nancie! This quilt is credited to you! Here are my expanded sketchings and scratchings.

Once the blocks were made,  I debated on the setting for this quilt. I considered just a straight layout - the easy way. But after a brief break away from it, I decided to just go "all-in" and make it on a diagonal setting. Which meant MORE blocks (setting triangles) that needed to be made and the trimming on the edges had to be done. 

Notice my garlic knot blocks on the right...another project that I am anxious to get finished. (2024 goal)

You can see the partial blocks that were needed on the outside edges, and if you look at my "cheater" sketches above you will find their actual layout. It got confusing so I needed to stay close to those drawings. 

 

Then it was time to consider the borders. I had yardage leftover (still do) so I went with the Thimbleberries pansy print that was also used in the diagonal centers. 

Once it came home from my long arm quilter, it was time to wrestle this big quilt on my machine and sew on the binding. More of that pansy print fabric.

Which brings me to the most relaxing part of making a quilt - hand sewing the binding on. Ahhh. These chilly nights have been nice to sit under this quilt and sew in the evenings. 

So now she is finished. The binding and label is on (using 1/2" squares) and is ready to put on our bed for winter coziness. 

So many scraps that recall past quilts and projects.  I calculated the total squares when determining the total yardage. There were 3,280 squares in the making of this quilt. (2500 in 25 blocks + 660 squares in setting triangles + 120 squares in corners = 3,280). Phew! That is a lot of fabric squares!

The completed measurement is  94" x 94" and I used up 17 yards of stash. That brings my total to 104 yards of fabric used so far this year and this is my 10th finish! It has been a good year.

 ________________________________

 

Meanwhile, I pin basted my Dear Jane Siggies quilt at the church a few weeks ago and now I am able to hand quilt it at my chair in the evenings. It is so enjoyable to devise different ways to quilt each little signature block. At first I had it in a hoop to quilt but had to take it off and quilt it without stretching (relying on those pins to do the job). My hands just cannot work that hard anymore.

This one will take me a long while. I may have to set it aside as I try to catch up on my Jaye's Bouquet BOM as I am falling behind. And then there is the Maymont on my design wall waiting for its rows to be sewn together. It is sometimes nice to have a few things going on at the same time. Do you work like that too? 

 _________________________________

 

 

Another finish to celebrate is the final work of using up this years apple crop. I tried my hand at making apple butter. It took 3 days of cooking!! First day was just cooking them down  S-L-O-W-L-Y.  For effect, when someone asks you how to make apple butter, you are supposed to delay your response to prove they have the patience! Haa! Day two after pureeing in the blender, I cooked it down some more. And day three was just to bring it back up to a simmer so I could process it in jars. Each day I refrigerated it overnight for fear of scotching it. Today's crock pots still cook it too fast. During the day I constantly stirred it and it finished beautifully. 

This is so good on toast and biscuits. And mixed with cream cheese makes an excellent spread on bagels. There are more recipes on what you can do with apple butter - pies, cakes, breads...

And keeping with the theme for this year - downsizing and thinning out the stuff in our house - I donated 3 quilts and 5 table toppers at a benefit auction last week.

No idea how many yards of fabric those included. Just happy they found new homes where they will hopefully give warmth and comfort as quilts always do.

 

Are you still here? We recently went to a Justin Hayward concert. Nothing like hearing the music of our youth. It was an enjoyable evening.

 

Happy stitching!

STILL Harvesting and Reporting a Churn Dash Finish

   I used to think that May was a busy month. September is proving to be a close second - perhaps even beating it. This year we had a big crop of apples. We must have picked 5 bushels already and there are more on the trees waiting for a frost to ripen them. I am not complaining though. It has been 7 years since we last got a harvest of apples, so this is a good thing!

Above are the washed apples after wrapping the "perfect" (unblemished) apples...

They are being stored in 4 boxes in our basement, and are individually wrapped in tissue paper so the skins do not touch one another. These are Cortland and Liberty apples and should keep for a month or two or, (hopefully) more. I will be checking these weekly for any that have gone bad. Because you know what they say about one bad apple!  

I tried my hand at making apple jelly WITHOUT pectin. Yikes! It reached the jelly stage faster than I could get it off the stove. Just look at those air bubbles. I now know what "sliding off a spoon in a sheet" looks like. Nice try anyway. I put these 2 jars in the frig to use up right away and one is already consumed! They are so good!

I cut up more apples and tried another batch using sure-jell. It worked nicely this time. I also had one cup of elderberry juice leftover from making elderberry jelly last month, and added it to 5 cups of apple juice. Oh my! I have a new favorite jelly! It is delicious and such a pretty color! You should see it on toast. ♥ Here you see them resting besides the second attempt at apple jelly on the left.

And there are STILL more apples to process! I peeled and sliced 18 cups to make pie filling for the freezer. It made 5 quarts and enough leftover to make a pie. 

The downside is I didn't really like the filling that much. I'd rather use fresh apples for pies. But its done, and perhaps we can make cobblers and crisp from those frozen 5 quarts.

Of course there were also tomatoes to deal with. I only planted 6 plants this year and I got nearly 10 quarts of sauce along with fresh eating all summer. Not too bad I guess...except all the Big Farmer wives are laughing at my measly attempts at canning! My mom used to brag that she put up 40 quarts of green beans one year when she was on the farm!

I froze 10 quarts like pictured here with the elderberry jelly.  Freezing green beans is not nearly the work of processing them in a hot water bath like mom did, I am sure.

So I am longing for the long days of sewing in the sewing room. In the meantime, I am gathering and saving seeds for next year, and plugging away at reducing the amount of "stuff" we own. Are you minimizing too?

A big shout out to Gerdy and Dot for their fine work of finally laying some eggs! Dot, our Starlight green-egger laid the pretty one on the lower left. Gerdy, laid the small one on the right - even though this picture doesn't not truly represent how much smaller they are than the top two. Gerdy's is not green or blue, but it is textured. Its almost like a fine mesh was wrapped around it. They are both delicious, and we thank them all daily for their hard work!

Well, if you stayed with me this long, I will share my latest finish. I wrote about my red churn dash quilt in July. I fussed about the borders, and making do, and purchasing binding fabric on ebay. She is all done now and I am pleased with the outcome.

Its finished size measures 78" 87". I love reds and this is now one of my favorites. It will keep us warm all winter.

The churn dash quilt block really is a charming block. One that makes any quilter happy to construct. If I ever get caught up with my other ongoing projects, I would definitely consider making another. Maybe try the 3 1/2" block as linked below.  I am sure there is a way to turn this block into a leader/ender project if the pieces were cut out before-hand. 

This quilt began in 2019 when Temecula Quilt Company began a fun sew along called Dashing Through the Snow. 

These 6" blocks (finished size) use 2 red 2 7/8" squares, 2 light 2 7/8" squares, and 1 light 2 1/2" square. 2 strips cut 1 1/2" x 10 1/2" - one light, one red. You can visit Temecula's site for construction directions if you need them. Her blocks finish at 3 1/2". So darn cute!!

I had 3 extra blocks leftover so I used them in the label on the back (to be signed and dated). The block in the middle is done by simply rotating the strip units so the light is next to the center light square.

I calculated the border fabric (3 yards), fabric for the 104 churn dash blocks (5 yards), 1/2 yard binding, and 5 1/2 yards backing. This brings the total to 14 yards. 

This is my 9th finish and I have used up 87 yards of stash so far this year. Should I add the yardage I bought at the Ohio Shop Hop? WelI, I did purchase a total of 4 yards in remnants and, ah-oh, a kit!! I couldn't resist. It was the last one and deeply discounted. I will have to cut into it before the end of the year to claim it in next year's UFO count. 

Did anyone go on the All Ohio Shop Hop? I understnad there are similar shop hops in several states. Is your state participating? More are joining in 2024. Check out the dates and lists here.

I visited a few shops with great restraint. I have enough fabrics, patterns, notions, etc., to keep me busy, but a couple of friends asked me to join them for a day of shop hopping and lunch. It was more like "shop till you drop". Sheesh, I came home sooo tired! Along the way I found this cute idea to use the little blocks that each shop gifted us hoppers with. 

I hit a total of 11 quilt shops. Not even a fraction of all those participating state wide. So, see? I did practice restraint. Ha! I actually heard there were some quilters who book hotels and hit them all! Can you imagine?

 

Bosco loves pulling his toys up as a pillow and napping on them. He is still very much a puppy even though his first birthday was in August. He even self sooths by  sucking on his toy's appendage. He cracks me up. And you know he is relaxed when his tail unfurls.

See you next month. Happy stitching!

Kris