Shop Hop & Free Motion Quilting

 I really do not like to shop, but I admit I have found lots of fun and enjoyment hopping around all the local quilt shops, collecting their stamps, patterns, charm squares, and entering a chance to win prizes! I went to all 12 shops this year on the Charming Quilt Shop Tour and did not win a thing! Can you say, "BUMMER!"? I did rack up some points on my waze travel app though, as well as add to my bulging stash (not such a good thing)!  I also get 10% off purchases at all 12 shops for the next year when I bring in my bag. Nice!

 


Another adventure I've been on has been by enrolling in the Leah Day, Butterfly Dance, Free-Motion Quilting Class using my domestic sewing machine. This is one of the those classes that has become a real game changer. It has opened so many new possibilities to take this craft to the next level. Practice! Practice! Practice! has become my mantra as I build skill, confidence, and speed. I never imagined I would be attempting this endeavor on my sewing machine no less!


I have made up several of these "quilt sandwiches" to practice on. Picking up a quilted mattress pad at a local garage sale recently gave me the idea to chop it up for practice sandwiches. Now there are plenty of these to work on without fretting over using what seems like wasting the good and pricey batting. Any suggestions on what to do with these blocks when finished? Insulate the attic maybe? 


I used a different motif instead of the butterfly pattern Leah uses. Because I quickly lost interest in this year's row by row experience, I had accumulated a bit of fabric from this year's theme - water, and decided to use up those fabrics on this project. Actually I did not want to start another project but since I already had these fabrics... The umbrellas were enlarged from a pattern I bought at Just Quilt It, a participating Quilt Shop from the Row by Row Experience. Don't they fit perfectly with this theme? Hopefully it will be the drive that will see me through to completion...for another finish....like in the spring of 2016! I guess that is the downside to taking classes - they generate new projects.


I think I have begun as many NEW projects as I have finished this year! Although they are all fairly simple designs, the time does add up. I must sit on my hands when Bonnie Hunter's new mystery comes out this holiday season! What keeps you on track and focused to finish?

Another machine quilting site I found helpful is the Inbox Jaunt by Lori Kennedy. Her button is also on the right. She has tutorials, patterns, and challenges! See you there!

Q3 FAL Finishes 2

It's still time to report to the Finish Along with Adrianne at On the Windy Side with high hopes to snag a win! 


This is a small finish but counts as another to be ticked off my list titled FAL Q3 Quilting Goals. 

This blue table-runner was hand-quilted in the evenings - something I love to do. Handwork is so relaxing. I could have done more but I want to move on toward more finishes. 







It was previously pictured on my post, FAL Q3 Quilting Goals, in July. I removed the corner triangles and left the ends pointed. I like it better this way.

I could imagine making more of these. Not necessarily this pattern but more "Skinny Quilts". Table runners can be fast projects and they are perfect for practicing piecing skills and innovative designs that do not take up a big investment of time and materials.

I've even begun to think about my goals for 2016. It is time to pull to the top of the list at least ONE heirloom quality item that I really dream of completing. You know, one from the bucket list! THE ONE quilt that shows my best work and the one my children will fight over. (But I want to make more than one so they don't have to fight over such silly things! - It's just all stuff, you know?)

If you'd like to read more about prioritizing your goals, check out Lori Kennedy's Quilt Notebook Series at The Inbox Jaunt.  It is time for me to rethink my priorities.

When it comes to quilting, our most limited resource is TIME…

Q3 Finishes

It's time to report to the Finish Along with Adrianne at On the Windy Side with high hopes to snag a win! Many quilters participate in this Finish Along and it is fun to visit their posts for motivation and inspiration. 

I listed 8 items I hoped to have completed in my July post titled FAL Q3 Quilting Goals. Two are complete finishes and a few others are very close and will definitely make the list next time.

Syncopation Quilt was another attempt at using up the juvenile fabrics on my shelf. This is the second quilt (of three) using these fabrics and there's still not much progress in shrinking that pile! This quilt top began using a pattern but I ventured off on my own using various combinations and sets. It is kind of a "planned" orphan block quilt. 



I love these funny and charming prints. I never tire of working with them and I hope they entertain my grandson at bedtime when he is winding down his day. 

There are alligators, and fish, and trucks, and snakes, and monkeys just to name a few of the wonders and adventures of little boys.

It was not machine quilted by me but I chose the pattern, "Bubbles" and picked a variegated thread of primary colors to bring the pattern forward for visual appeal. 

And of course it would not be complete without the special label along with a Scripture verse that I pray will always  carry him throughout his life.



So now I can tick off #4 on my Q3 Finish Along List

Leaders and Enders and Vortex Quilt

I recently found more strips and scraps in my basket next to my machine. These are what Bonnie Hunter might describe as "crumbs".  And I love her idea of leaders and enders so...why not use these crumbs as my leaders and enders but instead of being a four-square block, they are just random shapes. 

I have them laid out here on the ironing board. Many different sizes, but I won't trim them just yet. I grouped them in pairs, sewed them together, and grouped them again.

 Can you see more possibilities? These little darlings are addictive! The little block in the top left corner only measures 3.5" by 6.5". I will continue to group these together until they are close to 12" square. How long will it take to finish an entire quilt like this? Who knows but it is a nice diversion. I have started a box for these to work on as time permits and it will sit by my machine for "leaders and enders". Feeding these through the machine saves a lot of thread too! 

You can read more about making your own Vortex Scrap Quilt at Crazy Mom Quilts. She just had a Quilt-Along this last June. 

"Walk with The King today, and be a blessing!"

Strings and strips

I feel like I opened Pandora's box. I've been saving 1" to 1 1/2" strips for some time now and because I picked up several yards of lightweight interfacing from a local rummage sale for 25 cents, I thought I would try a few string blocks using the interfacing as the foundation. Well a "few blocks" turned into 36! Oh what fun! Oh what a mess! I just could not stop!

There is even more of the same on the machine table where I work - they had to spread out to the floor. I guess there is no other way to work with these. These string blocks really are fun to make even though they are messy. The foundations are 12 1/2" so they will finish at 12". I am thinking of maybe adding some sashes...but will think on that some more. I found a nice black print I will definitely use for a 3 or 4" border. Because the design wall is full of blocks that I am presently sewing into rows, these are actually laying on the floor.

They all have a black print for the diagonal centers. This is a great project for using up some of those older, loose weave fabrics since the interfacing foundation gives it a little extra body and support. At least I think it will! I have never made these before so hopefully they will not give me grief when I machine quilt them. The interfacing is very sheer but I think I may iron the seams open when joining the blocks together so there is not a big bump.

So what do you do when you are finished? How do you store these skinny strings without them turning into a jumbled mess? I surely do not want to have to press them all when I decide to use them again so just tossing them back in the box is not an option. Good thing we like to fondle our stash, right? I spent some time stacking strips and laying these bundles in the box. I also sorted some of the shorter lengths as I went. A Pineapple quilt is on my wish list and these "shorties" will go first.

There is a little box of really really skinny strips. I have not idea what I will do with these other than perhaps make a few "promise stitches" pictures for gifts.

Any tips or comments you want to share? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for visiting. 

"Walk with The King today, and be a blessing!"

FAL Q3 Quilting Goals - 2015

I am still pushing to complete more projects begging to be finished this year. Last quarter was fairly successful, considering it was a busy time working outside. So next up are:

1. Country Bride Quilt - this is a biggie! I finished this top in 1998 for our oldest daughter's wedding. It is embarrassing to admit it still needs quilted. Just listing it here is a big step closer to getting it done. 

All the appliques are done by hand and I later trimmed the background away to reduce bulk as I want this one hand quilted. I have the quilt lines are traced lightly on the top - it is just getting it sandwiched and quilted that has me stuck! It is quite big - another reason I have stalled. I am considering taking it to my long-arm machine quilter and have her baste it for me. I can then put it on the frame and go for it! How long do you think it will take?

2. Triple Four-Patch - a carry over from last quarter. It is at the long-arm machine quilter's so I can at least count this one done by the end of next month...Actually I think I remember her saying it won't be ready until October. Maybe I'll get lucky and it will come back to me before the deadline so I am counting it here!








3. Twirly Triangles just got a new look which I have now titled, "Not a Cross Word".  I'll add an updated photo once it is completed - this one is another carry over from last quarter. (proving I have not given up!) I love these new simple designs that lend themselves to so many different settings and arrangements, don't you?





4. Syncopation - This was a fun quilt that began with a pattern and then I just started improvising because of the size. I was really trying to bust my stash of juvenile fabrics with this one and I STILL have enough to probably make one or two more! The top is finished but it still needs quilted. Hopefully this one WILL be completed by the end of September.











5. Jelly Roll Race Quilt - This top is all basted to its backing and batting. I am presently taking a class at the local quilt shop on machine quilting using my domestic sewing machine. All I need is a little confidence and a bit more practice and I plan to tackle this one myself.

For the batting I used strips leftover from previous quilts. I fused them together using very lightweight interfacing and I am rejoicing in my "free" batting! You can read more about how I did this on this posting.



6. Table-runners - I have a few of these all basted and ready to quilt the layers together. These might make nice gift ideas this Christmas. 

 

This topper is all quilted and ready for the binding. I am stalling because I am unsure how to miter those corners. Another challenge to overcome. 

Am I seeing a pattern here? My UFO's all meet at the same place - where I get stuck!  How do you break through your "sticking places"? 

A half-hexagon block made from a pack of 5" charms. It is all basted but not quilted yet. I love these little projects and try to have a few by my chair so in the evenings I have some busy work all ready. I notice here too that I will have those awkward angles on the outside edges. Yikes! 




And this one's quilting is just about finished and will be ready for its binding to be applied. Compared to the above mentioned, this one will be an easy finish. 

The four outside corners have not been quilted yet - perhaps I will remove them after seeing it pictured here. 
 
 I find hand quilting can sometimes be addictive. I like to fill in the areas so I tend to add a few more rows or lines of stitches. Being a table runner where it can be easily scrutinized, I want it to lie flat. 

So there is my plan. I would LOVE to have all 8 finished by the end of this quarter. Let us keep doing that "just one thing"! Even if it is only 5 minutes a day. It all adds up to a completion!

Breaking the Rules

There are always lessons to be learned and wishes for doing things differently afterwards - even in the quilting world. This quilt project forced me to break some rules in order to get it done.Two very important rules:

1. Make sure you have enough fabric to finish the quilt as directed on the pattern!

Yeah, I missed that one. I loved the large print I chose for this quilt and used fabrics that coordinated nicely...except I did not have enough of the large print fabric! I went ahead anyway with the hopes I could squeeze and conserve the fabric to make it stretch. It did not, so I had to use a close match as an alternative in the sashings. If you look closely, you may notice the center pieces are just a little off. 

 2. Make sure you have enough fabric to finish the quilt AND use 100% cotton fabrics only.


Not only was the large print fabric short, but I also ran short on the green solid. I guess I could have used the alternative fabric I mentioned above for the binding but I was really stuck on the solid green.

Do you know how hard it is to find an exact match of a solid color of fabric? The closest I could come up with was a polyester-cotton blend. Ugh! There is a big difference in handling this type of fabric but I got through it and am satisfied that it is now completed. 

Here, she is hanging on the design wall ready to be sent out to my long-arm quilter. I chose a soft white backing that is so smooth and soft. 100% cotton, of course. "The touch, the feel, the fabric of our lives" Do you remember that jingle for cotton?

 Her finish with binding on. 

 And a couple of pictures showing the quilting design. 

 I love the swirls!

She is all ready to be shelved away for Abby. It had to be hers. The pattern name is Abby's Wish and you can find the pattern in BH&G Sampler Quilts, 2002.

Another finish in 2015. I can check off number 2 on my Finish A-long list.