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.

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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? 

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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!