Where did February go?

There sure has been a lot of talk and grumbling about the winter weather we have been having this year. I do not understand what the commotion is about. I guess the only power we have over the weather is to complain about it, but complaints are like excuses - they only satisfy the one who is giving/making them!

So here it is March already and I did not make one post in February. Okay, here is an excuse for you - every time I log on to this blog account my password will not work. I have had to change my password every time (and yes, I write them down)! My cheat-sheet is getting longer and longer. Does anyone else have this problem?

I have still been working on some unfinished projects - moving on towards my goal. In February I finished an old table runner for Valentines day. I picked this up years ago on a remnant table at a local quilt shop. I am not too happy with the finished results because I was in too big of a hurry. I stretched the borders as I was stitching the binding on - thus causing the ripple effect. I am ashamed of myself because it is all I see now. Perhaps next year I will remove the binding and reapply it, but for now, it is on to the next thing.

I just got the call from my long arm quilter last Friday and my Lori Smith Sampler quilt is finished and ready for pickup! Yay! Now I can look forward to some quiet hand stitching in the evenings. I think I will baste the binding on first before sewing on the machine so not to stretch the edges again. What application works best for you when attaching binding? Is there an easier way?

As I think over all the UFO's I have stored away, I have come to the realization that some of these projects are items I purchased unfinished! I am such a sucker for these as I make the excuse, "well, it is half finished so it won't take so long to complete." Ha! Some UFO's are rejects because they are not square, or the stitching is coming apart, or the construction is not all that good. But I am pretty picky about the quality - it has to be worth my time. My time loss is their storage time while I own them. I do like pondering what the original maker was thinking when she started it though.

Another start??

I forgot I committed to another Block of the Month program back in December until it arrived in the mail recently. I could not resist Di Ford's new mystery quilt called "Mountmellick", named after a town in Queen's County, Ireland. Mountmellick was well known for textiles in the 19th century and Di Ford is well known for her antique Old World designs, so I am certain this will be a thrill to work on. 

Block One is 20 inches square with a basket and broderie perse flowers appliqued. Little half inch flowers (hexagons) are appliqued in the corners so I will be trying the English Paper Piecing techniques. I'll post some pictures when I actually get these pieces together. I hope to have them ready for applying on Super Bowl Sunday.

Two quilts have been sent out to the machine quilter and I expect them back sometime in March. I already have the binding cut and the labels completed, ready to attach. I'll post pictures when they are officially finished.

It has been a record cold January here in Ohio and this week we experienced "snow rolls" one morning. An amazing but rare weather phenomena where the wind actually blows the snow into rolls. They were numerous! Our neighbors had what looked to be hundreds. Here is a view of our backyard. 

They look like toilet paper rolls, don't they?


I finished a table topper last week made from a few vintage pinwheel blocks I had saved years ago. I do not even remember where I got these. Most likely from an auction or garage sale. I alternated the blocks with plain muslin blocks and added a small border. It is hand quilted and now sitting on the dining table looking appropriate (blue) during these cold months. So this was an unexpected finish. I'll tick this one off my list!

I do not consider myself a expert hand quilter but here is a closeup of the blocks showing the old style fabric. I do not know what the original maker used for the plain triangles but it was a tight weave and I could feel the difference in drag on my needle. I wonder what she had planned for these blocks...or maybe they were extras from another project. I can only hope she would be pleased that they are now used in something pretty on our table.



So back to the sewing room to add the borders on the last year's Border Creek Station Mystery Quilt using Moda's line, "Cinnamon Spice" fabrics. I am very happy with how this quilt came together, but I wish it was a little larger as it finishes at 77" square. It will make a nice Christmas throw and I have already purchased backing fabric so once the borders are on, it is on its way to be quilted too! 

Border Creek's mystery for this year was a temptation to begin. The fabric line they are using is 3 Sister's "Vin du Jour" but no more BOMs until I get these other projects finished! Isn't that what this blog is about??

I like the word, 'distracted". That is what it is - I get "distracted". This year is the year for no distractions and to focus on the goals I have set. It will feel so good to achieve!!

I hope you are accomplishing your goals and staying warm this winter. It will soon enough be spring and then we will be splitting time sewing with the outdoor chores.  So let us make good use of this time and -  "Let it snow, let it snow, let me sew!" 

An Easy First Finish for 2014

I am so happy to have this one done. It was nicely machine quilted by Dottie at Just Quilt It Quilt Shop and is presently hanging in her shop as a "sample". The pattern is El Dorado Canyon and the fabric line is Stonehenge's Woodland.

I've been wanting to make something using these fabrics so when Dottie asked me to sew this one up I was thrilled. 

For the label I used one of the tree sections from the border, then using a pigma pen, I added the verse from Psalm 1, "He who meditates and delights in God's law is like a tree planted by the rivers of water. Whatever he does will prosper." (my paraphrase) 

 
Then, of course I add my name, date, and hometown. 


The label on Abigail's quilt has the priests blessing from Numbers 6:22-27. I made four miniature pinwheel blocks with leftover fabrics from the top. This fabric is one of my favorites because it is the scraps of a maternity blouse I made when expecting Sarah, Abigail's mother. Unfortunately, I cannot find a photo of this quilt finished. I'll have to take a shot the next time I am visiting for my scrapbook. Do you have pictures of all your quilts too?

Bonnie Hunter's Christmas Lights Mystery Quilt was completed a couple of years ago and I gave it to my niece. Here I made a label for the back using a simple nine patch block and included my rubber stamp of a girl doing her needlework.

So labels can be as simple or ornate as you desire. I think using leftover scraps and a miniature block that compliments or replicates a piece of the front is a fun addition to the work. Ideally, it would be perfect to have the label attached to the backing before it is quilted but by stitching it on afterwards I am sure it is where I want it, and is square to the edges. Once it is "appliqued" on, I use accent quilting stitches to secure it in the middle without going through all the layers.

I hope you are motivated to create your own original labels for your quilts. It is never too late to add them. Have fun, and share your work with us.

Looking Forward in 2014

I love new years! The Christmas decorations and tree is packed away. The house is swept and clean. Pork & Sauerkraut are roasting in the oven and filling the house with the smells of an upcoming delicious dinner. And the sewing room is ready for some focused work! We are expecting a winter storm and I have the song stuck in my head that goes,

"Well, the weather outside is frightful, but my fabrics are so delightful. I have no other place to go. Let it snow, let it snow, LET ME SEW!"

In the sewing room, I went through the cupboards and drawers and took inventory of all the works in progress, blocks, quilts needing only the borders, quilts needing quilted and binding put on, and unopened kits. I am so thankful to be blessed with so much. But I am also so convicted to be a better steward of my time and gifts that I seriously need to clean up, finish up, give up, and move on. 

So this new year, in 2014, my goal is to finish 12 items! I feel this is a realistic goal as there are a few items that should finish rather quickly.  My motivation and accountability will be to get them completed and journal the progress here. The only fuzzy part of this challenge is defining what completed is. I am happy to have the top finished and ready to be sent out to be quilted, so if I only make it that far, then I will be satisfied. Please forgive me if I am wimping out.

Today, the project in my lap is the El Dorado Canyon quilt I have pictured in a previous post. I picked it up yesterday at the machine quilter's and today I am stitching on the binding. This is the ONLY easy project that counts towards the 12 to reach my goal. Is that fair? 

I really enjoy attaching bindings. I really enjoy handwork. In high school, I made my homecoming gown with an over-skirt of chiffon that had a hand-rolled, bias hem of what seemed like 20 yards! We only had an old Kenmore sewing machine, and I didn't have a clue how to use the hem rolled presser foot (if there even was one). The tension on that machine was so fickle it would have likely ate the sheer fabric anyway, so to save the frustration, I hand stitched it and LOVED the process! It took me a week working in the evenings. How I now wish I learned to quilt at 17!!

To make the binding, I cut my binding at a width of 2.5 inches, across the width of the fabric. I prefer cutting along the length of the fabric because it has no stretch but this time I did not. I do not use bias binding nor do I make bias binding, even though it really wears the best. I sew the lengths of binding together on the bias and trim the dog ears. This is so there is no bump when turning it over and stitching it down to the back of the quilt. I love the look of mitered corners. To see how this is done, you can check out a video on YouTube. It is not complicated but would be for me to explain the process here.

Fold over your binding and blind stitch to the back. I try to keep my stitches about 3/8 inches apart except smaller around corners and seams. How about you? Are yours smaller? Larger? I certainly do not want a "toe-catcher" but I guess it depends on the expected use of the quilt. A child's quilt would have heavy use and frequent washings.

I found Roxanne applique needles at the quilt store and I am in love. They glide through the fabric like a hot knife through butter!

Once the binding is finished, I will make my label, attach it, and cross this one off my list! BOOYAH! And happy new year!

Making labels will be a good subject for my next post. 

Discipline in 2014
 
Seriously? My last post was in September??  I know excuses only satisfy the one making them (right?) but it is hard taking time away from sewing to write up a new post. Does it get easier?

Well, I have been busy. I do not normally make more than one of anything but these little mice were too much fun. I made one for all the girls in the family. I would like to make more but this should do it. The pattern is from Fig Tree Quilts. Don't you love their colors and style??

I made a soft yellow, green, and brown quilt using Fig Tree fabrics. It's setting is a medallion style and I would like to add one more border. It is on the UFO list. Which brings me to the real subject line to this post...

I'm thinking about a UFO challenge. I love new years and the thought of ringing in the new, don't you?. This must be some kind of sickness because I am real good about starting something new. Ah, the delight! The inspiration! The fever to keep working. Who needs sleep? I love the high! 

And I do not loose interest. I love ALL my UFOs...it is just I begin another project (and a new rush of excitement) and the old ones slip back in priority. So this coming new year, 2014, I need to make a goal for completing some of these beauties and pass them on to those who may enjoy them. FREEDOM!!

I belong to the yahoo group, Stashbusters. They have challenges too and I love to celebrate with the others' accomplishments. I just have to solidify my goal into numbers...and go through the cupboards and prioritize.

And isn't it funny how working on one unfinished project sometimes generates another??  I mean, you can't just throw away those extra strings and squares! I have those organized in plastic drawers for some "scrap therapy". And so the story goes on.

I jumped in Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt project a few weeks ago. You just can't go wrong with Bonnie! I love her designs and I love her challenge of 100 of this, and 100 of that. No whining, she likes to say! Just keep sewing. 

This mystery is called Celtic Solstice.  I have been keeping up so far but I do hope she soon gives directions in putting these units together. I can't wait to see the result.

I love the colors she suggested but I have no idea what or where this quilt will go when completed. Once the beds are covered, quilt making is for the pure joy of making them, you know.

So, back to step 5 on my Celtic Solstice. And to tabulate a list of projects to finish this coming new year. 

Work in Progress - FINISHED!

   I have been busy making my deadline. I finished the "Eldorado Canyon" quilt top and it is now at the long arm quilter's. I am so glad to have it done and checked off my list. I have always wanted to make something using the Stonehenge fabric line and this quilt turned out beautifully. My only tip for you if you make this quilt yourself is to follow the directions for pressing exactly so you do not run into trouble when joining the blocks into rows. I still managed to have a few "bumps". 

   I have come to believe that pressing correctly is directly related to flat, even blocks with precision piecing. And it also lessens the need to pin on simple seams. I especially love it when the seam allowance on the top fabric faces the needle and the seam allowance on the bottom is facing towards me. The top fabric just slides right into position for an exact match! 

   Do you have any pressing tips to share? Or helpful links on Youtube? Wouldn't it be great to have a big screen TV on the wall in your sewing room that is internet ready? It would be like your own personal tutor. Sweet!

 Today I went to a lecture presentation by Mary Huey.  Her lecture was on taking control of your UFQ's. You know, those unfinished quilt projects that we all have stored around. It was so motivational, and got me thinking through her ideas to "repurpose" my projects - regardless of where they are in the finishing (or starting) process. Once I finish our fall jobs (washing windows, putting the gardens to bed) I will be making a mess in the sewing room sorting and resorting all those UFQs with the goal to finish them up and move on! How exciting!!  Maybe I'll try Mary Huey's challenge!

    Now to get back to my Love Entwined quilt. I am falling behind fast.

      

     Another quick entry on my progress working on Esther Aliu's Love Entwined BOM before our next part is posted. My compass is completed (hand pieced), the ring is attached and has the seam allowances basted under - ready for applying to the background. My little dots are appliqued. These little puppies were a challenge to be sure! I gathered the raw edges as you would for making yo-yos and appliqued them down. Of course I read a better way to do these after I finished, but they are done.

Back side of compass

     My mother always told me that the back of your needlework should be as neat as the front. This definitely is the case with piecing and pressing seam allowances. I lightly whip-stitched the edges also because I am so obsessed with hanging threads! Silly.

     My yellow center star seems a little "blouse-y" (for lack of better words). I think I may baste some batting to the back - kind of my own trapunto. Another technique I have never tried. The first of more to come as I work on this quilt. Was this coverlet quilted? Or was it a summer cover with a backing and no batting? There is so much applique that I am wondering if there will be any room.

    

     The center square is prepped and I'm beginning to get everything placed. See my curly 6-petal flowers? They will lay flat once they are basted. I have 8 zig-zag units prepared but not pictured. What? I think there are 160 so I have much catching up to do!! And part 3 is coming this Thursday.

     Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you, Esther Aliu, for making all this possible! It is a joy to be part of this process.