Merry May Finishes and 2nd Quarter Progress

Our Ohio Stars Quilt Guild Quilter's Day Out was yesterday, so I can now post my pictures of some recent finishes.

My Kawandi finished nicely and I am so pleased. (I will definitely attempt this again) It was my answer to our Fat Quarter Challenge, where we had to use a required FQ fabric in our project. There were many fine entries at this year's show and it was an exciting event that I loved participating in.

It measures 14" x 28" and I used several fabrics from my stash to compliment the pink and black dress form fabric that was the required "challenge" fabric. Can you find them?  Kawandi making is a fascinating technique created by the Siddis in India. Isn't it fun to explore needlework from other cultures?

Kawandi actually translates as "quilt". The little triangle pieces in the corners are Phulas, or flowers. And a  Kawandi is thought to be naked without them.

 

Kawandis are made beginning on the outside edges and pieces or "tekelis"  are added and stitched down as you work towards the center. Tekeli translates as "gem".  It is actually a bit harder than it looks since you need to exercise some forethought. Notice how the stitching must catch the edge of each piece (tekeli). Rows of stitches are generally a finger width apart and stitches are long on the front side, with short stitches on the back (not pictured). Another little habit to be mindful of because I have been trained to keep my stitches small and uniform in size.

The center piece, or "belly" has a few grains of rice inserted underneath with the universal wish for our families' bellies to always be full. So sweet!

There are a few sites online explaining this technique for making a Kawandi in more detail. I especially enjoyed this video by Jeri Bellini. 

 

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Another finish I made for our Quilters Day Out was a panel quilt project. This was a workshop our guild did together in March of this year. I made mine a bit different than what the pattern called for and I used strips of all the same length. I didn't want to cut out part of the picture (as you can see in the original pattern - link below).

 

I hand quilted it during the evenings in my chair as I dreamed of sitting in this Adirondack chair on the beach. A lovely scene.

You can find the free pattern here at Jordan Fabrics.  

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After finishing my darling grand daughter's t-shirt quilt last month,  I had some leftover fabrics that I didn't use. Not wanting to have these linger in my stash I opted to make her several pillowcases. And now they have a new home! ♥ And most importantly, DGD is very happy!

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Making some progress on my embroidery since finishing the above mentioned panel and Kawandi.  This has brought back so much love for slow-stitching and handwork. Are you a fan too? If so, we are from the same tribe!

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And making progress on my Strip It Earth. I have 98 blocks completed and will soon be making final arrangements on the design wall so I can begin assembling them together. Once a few more blocks are made, of course. I am aiming for a 90" square quilt.

 

 

And just for fun - "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?" Arf! Arf! Gosh, I remember my Mom singing that to me so many times when I was little.  A popular song recorded by Patti Page.

  Happy stitching!

 

 

Second Quarter Goals for 2025

I really like breaking up my goals into quarters. I can better focus on small steps rather than the whole big picture for the entire year. Plus, as I look out over the next 3 months, I can see what is coming up and what is feasible to get to a finish. April through June looks to be busy with graduation and games and the garden. So here is "the plan". 

1. Kawandi quilt. 

This is to be for a challenge that was given at my local quilt guild. It is due in early May so I need to get busy. Very busy. I have the challenge fabric with dress forms (see centered in picture below). I love the soft colors of pinks, light greens, and grays, and have chosen a few complimentary fabrics of my own. Originally I thought this would be an easy and quick project. Hmm, not so much. It has actually been quite "challenging" as I plan the patches to meet where the stitching will go to be sure to catch all the edges. Nothing is basted beforehand. So it is a true challenge!

I found this dreamy thread. #12  from Garibaldi's Needle Works. I am in love and will picking up a few more skeins the next time I visit Alpha to Omega quilt shop! It glides so nicely through the fabrics without much tangling and is fairly easy to thread into the eye of the needle.  

This is my new favorite and I am swooning over my new purchase from Turkey with these luscious colors.

 

2. Christmas Quilt for Snip-its.

I recently committed to another group of ladies who make simple quilts to donate to various charities. I have several squares that I need to somehow organize into a pleasing arrangement and have them sewn so the ladies can tie the sandwiched top into a quilt. I at least need to make some progress in this project before our next meeting.

3. UFO 

My quilt guild had a UFO exchange (what was I thinking???) and I picked a pretty box that had this fabric bundle inside. I'm thinking of sandwiching the squares and sew simple X quilting stitches to make a rag type quilt. I have the special scissors so that part is covered. Not an inspiring project but need to follow through with it. It will go into the donation pile once finished.

And what a great project to use up my leftover batting pieces! I will be glad to see that box gone.

4. Strip it Earth

This is the one I can't wait to get back to. I love the colors. I love the simple design. And I have the perfect couple to hand it over to when it is finished. 

5. Jaye Bird's BOM

Still trying to get back to this hand embroidery project. Once I get the block traced, it is then ready for evening stitching. Waiting for that sunny day when I can tape it all to the window. 

 

 6. Pillowcases

I have a lot of leftovers from the t-shirt quilt. They are all quality fabrics that are soft and 100% cotton. To use them up, I will make several pillowcases for the grand daughter. She can give away any she has too many of to her room mates. That will allow me to fling about 9 yards of stash! 

This is enough to keep me busy. I hope to have at least three of these items checked off my list, and flinging several yards of stash adds to the excitement!

Happy stitching!