It's November and Getting Close to My Goal

My goal of sewing through, and using up 200 yards of stash that is. The BIG factor in making this happen is that I found a very ambitious long arm quilter. I can barely keep up with her so I have been taking in quilt tops that I have had in the closet waiting for "someday". Their "someday" has arrived and I am getting so many done! Now my next goal is not only to finish,  but to disperse and distribute as well. They are really stacking up!

So this month I have an oldie to report as finished. This quilt was one of my early ones made in the 1980s. I can even remember the house we lived in when it was made! I used my mod Singer Genie sewing machine (still in excellent condition)  to sew it together. And it was Eleanor Burn's book, Log Cabin in a Day that inspired and motivated me with her easy-peasy directions and illustrations. OMGosh, you really can do this in one day!

I did not tear my strips, although the first one I made I did. I painstakingly cut my strips 1.5" wide instead of Eleanor's recommended 2.5". I think the inspiration for this quilt was found in one of the Great American Quilts by Leisure Arts that came out yearly. Remember those? Sadly, I think you can still find them on ebay for $1. 

My log cabin was made using VIP calicos found in that era in lavenders and garnet reds. I still have a box of those pretty calicos from the 80s but unfortunately, their quality is not as good as today's fabrics. I try to use them up in mini projects and crafts.

I may need several sheets of Color Catchers when washing this one. And it does need washing as it sat so long it got the yellow stains along the fold marks while living all those years in the blanket chest. I preferred to get it quilted first, then a wash is forthcoming when the weather warms up. 

Mini label on back

I have been watching for a quilt to go with the Baptist Fans quilting design, and this was it! I love the old-fashion feel and look to Baptist Fans, don't you? I will definitely use it again on future vintage quilt block patterns. 

Baptist Fans Quilting

My log cabin measures 80" x 100". I made it to fit our old double size bed and long enough to tuck under the pillows. That is funny to me because now I make mostly square quilts and not bother with the pillow tuck. 

2 of my favorite quilt-holders helping out

AND, it was finished just in time as the spare room for our grand daughters has an antique Jennie Lind bed that they have outgrown (too short), and is getting replaced by that old double poster bed. Yep, the same one I measured this quilt for. So everything is coming together. (Hope the grand daughters can appreciate that. I might have to put a more modern quilt on the bed for them when they come to spend the night.)

So this finish bumps me up to #10 and I busted through 15.5  yards of stash. Bringing my total so far this year to 139.25 yards.

I can't close without another announcement. We have a new member in our family. We recently brought home Bosco and now we are all getting used to each other. Along with training for a well behaved dog.

 

So I'll sign off with this fun clip I found. These points are true for us as well as our pets. 

Things We Can Learn from Our Dogs

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face be pure ecstasy. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently. When it is in your best interest, practice obedience. Let others know when they've invaded your territory. Take naps, stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Be loyal. if what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. Thrive on attention, and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a growl will do. On hot days, drink lots of water. When you are happy, dance around and wag your tail. No matter how often you are scolded, don't pout. Run right back and make friends. 

Happy stitching!

Kris

   

 

Still in the Running for 200 Yards

I accepted that Challenge a few months ago - that of busting through 200 yards of stash. I think I might make it mainly because I found a really fast and efficient Long Arm quilter (and I have so many tops to be quilted). I am very happy with her work but I can barely keep up with her! Every 2 or 3 weeks she calls to tell me my quilt is finished and ready for pick up. I presently have 2 quilted tops waiting for their binding to be sewn on and I pick up another tomorrow.

But I am getting ahead of myself. Today, I can report a lovely finish that I call Bricks and Pinwheels. Do you know another name for this block? This top was made with beautiful bright fabrics (I can't remember the line) and the pattern really works together for a bright and sunny quilt for summer.

It measures 80" x 80" and I used up 14 yards of stash.

 

The back shows a miniature block made into a label. I love making these kinds of labels. 

 

I debated on the binding to use on this quilt. I found a bright orange polka-dot that would have worked but decided on a plain white binding so it would not compete with the patched border design. 

Another finish that I almost forgot to report is what I call my Purple Fasset. I love Kaffe Fasset's designs and these purple and green prints are so pretty. It features friendship blocks in the center and borders with striped fabrics and a large flowered print. This quit finished at 66" x 74"  and I used up 10 yards of stash.

I only have these 3 pictures because it was gifted to a dear relative very soon after it being finished in early September.

I made a complimentary label using some of the scraps leftover from the pieced backing. 

 

So this month I can add 24 yards to my running total bringing my grand total to 123.75 yards!

--------------------------

We have been busy canning and freezing what we cannot consume fast enough from the garden. This year we grew Seychelles pole beans and they have been so very productive. Two 6ft rows have yielded 16 quarts of green beans, numerous servings fresh picked before dinner, and several bags full for friends and family!  We will definitely be planting this variety again next year. 

Another huge task has been our yearly yard sale. Sheesh, I am getting too old for this. We are not hoarders, and I am not a messy, but we do have too much stuff in our attic and basement. It felt good to give things a new home for others to enjoy. 

October is rolling in soon and we have a few chores to finish up before cold weather hits. I am looking forward to those "cooped up" days in the sewing room. Besides, I am itching for a new start. Do you get that feeling too? 

 

Happy stitching!

 

"Quilting evokes a tactile response that reaches both hand and heart." 

   ~ Donna Wilder, Quilters Hall of Fame acceptance speech, 

   November 4, 2000

Summer Heat with Bricks and Tumbling Triangles

It has been a hot summer so far and I am so very thankful for AC. Nothing beats fresh air though, so the windows are opened in any weather 70 degrees or below. Today, that was only until 9:30am before it began to heat up. But it is a good day for washing the bedding and hanging them out to dry. I love the smell of sheets that have been drying in the sun, don't you?

Our bees love the sunshine and warm weather too. They have been busy building comb so we recently had to add another super to give them more room. We planted the area surrounding the hive with wildflowers and they are now blooming. Hopefully the bees are happy with that. 

Another area that we planned with the bees in mind is the corner garden in front of the hive. It is now blooming with daylillies, cosmos, zinnias, calendulas, and marigolds. I love this little area and enjoy its beauty daily from my kitchen window. The marigolds and calendulas are also grown for the chickens. I pick the blooms off the plants, pull the petals off and lay them in their nesting boxes. Their seem to enjoy that, and they reward us with such pretty eggs!

 

I have been making some progress in the sewing room during this heat wave. I fell in love with Bonnie Hunter's new pattern, Maymont. I bought it immediately and now have 52 blocks completed. I sorted through all my 2" strips and pulled out any that were bright or pretty colors. No browns allowed in this one. 

 

 

Sure, I could have drafted out this pattern, but why reverse engineer something, plus the pressing directions are worth the price of the pattern too! 

Another new start is a vintage quilt that I saw posted on Jo's Country Junction. I have one block completed to make it an official start, and have numerous 4 patches sewn and ready. I am now trying to plan the pressing directions.  (see note above) Again, this bit of info of pressing for success makes the piecing so much easier. Being simple squares and four-patches, this should not be too complicated.  

 

I found some yardage of Thimbleberries fabric that will work for the diagonal Irish Chain patches.

------------------------------

My Scrappy Bricks recently came home from my long-arm quilter. This was made using up some old (and ugly) scraps I had saved. The remainders are now gone as I recirculated them to a group who does charity quilts. Time to rotate in some fresh scraps so my scrappy quilts do not all look alike.

 

 

My Scrappy Bricks finished size is 86" x 87" and I used up 14 yds of stash. It will make a nice utilitarian quilt that will keep us warm this winter without adding a lot weight on the bed.

 

 

I found an orphan Dear Jane block that I used for framing a quilt label on the back. It complemented the brick theme, I think. 

 

 -------------------------------

Another finish is my Tumbling Triangles.  I designed this pattern myself using leftover half square triangles from another project made years ago. I found them in my "Procrastination Box". You know the box? The one that holds remnants, bit and pieces, and unused sewn units from previous quilts that would make nice table toppers, wall-hangings, or small gift items. I dig that box out occasionally when I want to get the creative juices flowing. It always guarantees some fun, and surprises.

Unfortunately, this is not too original, because I have since seen this setting in other quilts online. Nothing new under the sun, I guess.  Well, mine does have the alternating black blocks so it is a bit different. Anyway, this was a fun project and I have the binding on and it is labeled. It measures 69" x 69" which is a nice throw size and I used up 11 yards of stash.

 

So this should put my total fabric used so far this year at 95.25 yards. Looks like I will make my 100 yard dash! Can I get to 150 yards? That would be a first.

Happy stitching!

June Is Blooming with Finishes

Walking past this Wisteria smells amazing! The bees like it too. So the weather is really warm (hot), the gardens are growing, and the sewing room has been busy.

My last post I shared about making a quilt top out of old pajamas that belonged to my late and great dad. These remnants have been stored away since 1990 and I recently felt motivated to dig them out and cut into them.

 

 An improvised jellyroll race was decided upon and the strips were cut into 3 1/2" strips. 

 

I hand-quilted this top which was not too bad of a task because it only measures 48" x 61".  I used up an old spool of hand quilting, all cotton thread. It is nice to work with as it doesn't knot up like other threads tend to do. I love the soft finish that hand quilting makes. This will definitely be a cuddle throw quilt. 

 

I am pleasantly pleased with the end result. I wasn't sure about the colors but that is what makes a jellyroll race quilt project fun. You are anxious to see how it all goes together in the end. 

 

So this was a fun finish. It is now labeled and ready to gift to my sister in Florida. 

This project busted a total of 5 1/2 yards of stash.

-----------------------------------------

Another quilt that I can call a finish is my Hexagon Flower Quilt. Oh how I love this quilt! I loved sewing these little hexagons together. They were like potato chips - I just couldn't stop! And when I found the striped fabric at the LQS's shop hop I knew it would be a perfect pick for the border and binding. Phew! I just had enough too! And because I purchased it 4 years ago, there was no chance of there being more. Have you made this same mistake? It makes you hold your breath, right?

The Hexagon Flower Quilt was part of a stitch along at Kingfisher's in 2018. I like the Flowers for Eleni too as they are appliqued onto squares instead of diamonds. So if you would like to make this yourself, you could choose either block design. The hexagons were 1" and I got my free templates here.   You can read a tutorial on how to make these English Paper Piecing hexagons at Apple Green Cottage along with links to free templates.

I really enjoyed arranging these blocks, mixing and shuffling so they complimented each other. 

Do you recognize any of these fabrics? I really raided the scrap bin and a few fat quarters.

So happy to have this one done. It measures 80 1/2" x 83 1/2", and I busted through 13 yards of stash. It will be on the bed for the summer. I love how colorful and cheerful it is.

Happy stitching!

Jelly Roll Race in Pajamas

Have you ever tried making a jelly roll race quilt? They are fast, fun, and always create lots of anticipation and excitement because you are never quite sure how it will look when finished. 

What was left over

I recently found a bundle of fabrics that I had saved many years ago after my dad passed away in 1990. I gathered up his old pajamas and cut them up for a future quilt. Yes, Bonnie, you were not the first to recycle and repurpose old clothes. :-) 

I began by pressing these "parts" and then I cut them into 3.5" strips. Hmmm, perhaps I will sew together diagonally into rectangles and frame with a solid fabric, I thought. No, I want to make this quilt quickly and send it off to my sister who recently lost her husband. I thought this would make a nice hug for her, and I am sure she will recognize some of these fabrics as she was Dad's caregiver for a while. 

So I just began sewing into one long string. Some were sewn on the diagonal, and some were just butted together. Lots and lots of sewing and guessing about when there was "enough". This is where once you begin, it is hard to stop until finished because you just can't wait to see it finished into a top!

Mine finished at 46" x 61". A perfect size to cuddle under. 

But these fabrics are sooooo thin! I found batting pieces that I zigzagged together to make a "frankenbatt". And another find was some yardage in complimentary blues and browns. It is now a sandwich ready to quilt! I mention the thinness of these pajama fabrics (which are also poly-blends) because the batting I found is working nicely together with those thin fabrics and is making an unbelievably soft quilt! I think the batting is from leftover Soft & Toasty by Fairfield. It is a natural cotton, and soft because it doesn't have a scrim. I will have to quilt closely though. 2" to 4" quilting distance is recommended. 

So stay tuned for the finish. I have been quilting on it during the evenings and expect its completion soon. So anxious to get this in the mail headed for Florida!

So you want to try this technique yourself? Here is a link for instructions from Wee Folk Art. You can find lots of links to YouTube videos also with a simple search using your favorite search engine.  

This is my third "jelly roll race" quilt sewing strips together. I have not used a jelly roll but sorted strips from my stash. One I dearly love. It is made using low volume fabrics (simple backgrounds) and a few red and yellowish squares randomly. It was hand-quilted, and is so soft and cuddly. Maybe that is the key component - hand-quilting. Your thoughts?

Another jelly roll race project I worked on was one that I used brown and blue strips. Once it was sewn together, I was not that happy with the ending result. It hung out for a while in the closet until inspiration hit.

Then one day, I bravely cut into it and added these "positive" marks in a row vertically. I think I like it better now, even though it is still hanging out in the closet to be quilted. (grin)

So while I am see-sawing my needle through the pajama quilt in the evenings, I am also working on my "siggie" blocks getting them made into a top. You can see them peeking out behind the pajama top pictured.

I am very anxious to see this one finished to the flimsy stage so I can send it off to the long-arm quilter. Not too sure she will accept it though as it has embellishments of buttons, etc.

If not, I will be on the floor again, stretching and pinning to prepare for hand quilting. Sheesh, it is getting harder to do down there. 

I once saw a demo where you can load the backing, then the batting, and finally the top onto the rails of the quilting frame. Anyone have any luck trying it this way? I imagine you must carefully rolls these together so there are no puckers. Perhaps YouTube has a video....

Happy Summer stitching!