Tag: quilting

Block#4- I wish You a Merry Quilt Along

I finally found a reason to use all my metallic threads.  I have been hanging on to them for quite some time.  My late husband and I owned a commercial embroidery busisness manny moond ago and I am thinking that this is why I have a bunch of metallic thread.  Came out not so bad.  When I put my blocks all together, I do like it.  I am designing my 20170901_204923_resizedsashing, which will involve some snowflakes, somehow.  Must keep with my theme.   Looking forward to the next block.

So, I have been doing a lot of sewing these last couple of days.  I find when I have a lot on my mind, or something bothers me, that I find it soothing an/or comforting to just sit and sew.  The kind of sewing that does not require a lot of thinking.  I have a quilt that I am making that has 72 appliqued blocks.  It is farly simple applique, so I found myslef sitting at the machine for quite some time working on the blocks, trying to group by colors since it is scrappy, and rethreading the machine the least amount of times is best for my eyes.

Haapy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Houston Strong

 

Oma’s Treasure finished for my One Monthly Goal

I actually really like this piece.  I had lots of advice from people on what to do and I thank all of you for your help.  I so very often finish pieces and am unimpressed.  This is already hanging in my dining room by all the other beautiful thinks that once belonged to Oma, Mom and now me.

Despite the fact that my Oma could not speak English, she always knew what to send me that would make me happy.  Something to make or do.  I believe the center embroidered piece is around 40 years old.  Surprisingly, I did not do such a bad job as a kid.

The embroidered piece is made from linen, so I did add some interfacing to the back to20170806_131034_resized add a bit of stability.  I also sewed glass beads in the centers of some flowers to keep the batting from shifting.  I went totally outside my box and did quilting outside my comfort zone and I am totally happy with it.  How crazy is that?  So, now, when I sit down to dinner, I can imagine Oma smiling down at me.  Getting sentimental, I should stop now.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Join One Monthly Goal, great way to get things done

A Finish of my very own Topper

So, I finshed this, mostly so I could see if I liked my own design. I sort of like it.  I had the most difficult time with the binding.  I wanted to use the same as the background fabric but the biggestest square I had left to make bias binding was onl 13″.  That made for an interesting binding session.  Add that to the fact that it is homespun fabric and ravels like crazy.  Binding was a challenge but I did it.

I decided to do very small meandering.  I think that came out pretty good.  The hardest 20170820_202956_resizedpart was keeping it small.  I had to constantly remind myself to pay attention to my sizing.  I think that I will make a another one of these to get my design totally down.  Want to make a couple of tweaks.  Next time I am going to put some veins in the leaves.  Was going to do it this time, but I really liked it and decieded to leave it as it was.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Block #2 – I wish you a Merry Quilt Along and a bit more

So, when I saw this pattern, I was intitially not very excited.  Could not figure out how to keep with my snowflake fabric theme.  However, I found that I really enjoyed watching it come together.  I did manage to use my green snowflake fabric.  I found some pretty decent Christmas scraps for the trees.  I thought it would be difficult, but it wasn’t.  A bit tedious maybe, but not too hard.  I am excited to see what Block #3 will look like for the I wish you a Merry Quilt Along.

I also did a bit of work on my Table topper design.  Sewed down all the leaves.  I am starting to like it.   I got it pin basted and selected my thread.  THe thread is perfect, it has all the colors of the homespun in it.  I love the varigated threadds.  I also bought them on clearance for 50 cents each, which I also love.  I think I know how I am going to quilt it, bit need to stare at it a bit longer.  Also considering putting some vein in the leaves.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Venturing outside of my box again……

I am always very envious of people that come up with their own designs.  While I sometimes create beautiful things (not so recently though) they are not usually something I came up with. This sort of bugs me.  I want it all to be me.  Likely why I can’t send a quilt off to be quilted by someone else.

I am usually getting my inspiration for things (mostly quilty stuff) by looking at other people’s work, magazines and books.  I am sure we all do.  Sometimes in my mind I am skill building, which is not always bad.  But I always have in the back of my mind that I want it to be all mine from design to finish.

So, last week I finished my “One Monthly Goal” (have not posted yet, this picture is just20170622_182605 the embroidery).  As I hung it up in my dining room, I took a step back and realized this is a one of a kind piece of work.  No one else will have anything like it.  The only part I did not design was the embroidery.  It was a kit my Oma gave me when I was a teen.  But the rest, all me (with all my blog friends advice).  So, why did I think that I could not do my own designs?  Honestly, when I did that piece, I was not thinking about designing a one of a kind piece.  But, that is what happened.

Well, maybe I can.  I will start with something small.  Maybe I do it more than I realize.  Not really sure.  So, I am always practicing on Table Toppers and small pieces.  So, Figured I would try my hand at my own small piece.

I took a piece of homespun fabric that I didn’t like.  Funny because, it was in the local guild quilting garage sale and no one bought or traded for it.  I wanted to not waste something that I liked, fabric wise.  So, I went to my “What were you thinking when you bought that fabric box?”  Then I went to my scraps for the leaves.  I have to admit, they are some of my favorite fabric scraps.  Hand Dyed, which I actually dyed.

I no longer hate the homespun.  Funny how that works.  Still need to finish it, which I will.  Not exactly sure on my curvy base, but I may still work on that.  Is it too busy? Would love your thoughts, all of you give great advice.  Thanks!

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

I think I have had enough of this quilt top.

So, I got a lot of good advice form people on what to do with this top.  After thinking about it, I decided that outlining with yellow might be the thing to make the yellow less obvious (obnoxious).  I went and bought a piece of yellow, went through my stash and find about four other shades.   The print actually has multiple shades including a gold tone.  I tried them all.  I didnt like the mustardy gold at all.  So, I settled on a lighter yellow hoping it would not over power.

While my daughter Haley now says it is better, I am not sold on that thought.  I might like it a little better, but still not a favorite.   I decided that I was not going to take it apart.  I will put it in the pile to quilt.  I am sure someone will love it somewhere, smeday.  It can easily become a charity quilt.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Well it’s a bit better, still not sure though…

I started this project a few weeks ago.  I didn’t like it much.  But, I had already cut the fabric, so , I made a few adjustments.  I was limited in the that Ihe things I could do since everything was already cut.  I also did not have much extra fabric, which was odd for me.  I usually buy way more than I need.  Not quite finished, still have border of the solid green on the bottom and the top and an outer border.  The outer border will have to be a different solid color since I have no more of the green.

My daughter does not like it.  She hates the yellow. It does stand out a lot and the green print just disappears.  It is still oddly intersting.  I will have to see once I get it totally done.  Not much left to do.

Also got my safari quilt pin basted and ready for the actual quilting.  I need to figure out 20170813_185057_resized (1)the exact pattern and practice a bit befiore I begin.  I am also contempating making a storage bag for this quilt since I plan on saving it for my “someday” grandchild.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Yes, The Fabric Gnome visited me…

So, at my house when socks and things go missing, we say that the Underpants Gnome took them.  This was my late husband Derrick’s version of comedy that stuck.   Gosh I miss him.  He was hilarious.  So, we don’t have the Sock Fairy stealing socks, but the Underpants Gnome. Let me tell you, he is hungry because I have an enormous bag of un-mated socks and underwear with holes (They couldn’t be because they are 10 years old).

So, when I felt slightly guilty about the Fabric package in the mail, I decided that I would blame the Fabric Gnome.  I like him way better than the underpants Gnome.  He left me this fabulous pile of batiks from Hancock’s of Paducah.

So, the folded pile is a sample pack.  There are 40 pieces at least 14×18 (most nearly fat quarters).  It was $19.99.  Holy Cow.  They are very lovely and luxurious.  There a few duplicates, but I won’t complain.  Such a steal.  I am having a difficult time not going and buying more, especially since they sent me a 15% off coupon after that order.  The other pieces are one yards that were $3.99.

Odd thing, I love batiks, but have only made a couple of small baby quilts.  I got these with the plan of making myself a quilt.  How weird is that?  I already have a jelly Roll and was looking for a few others.  This will be perfect.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Beware of the Underpants Gnome

Invite the Fabric Gnome in

I am Such a Slacker on Free Quilt Block Day

As I have mentioned in the past, Red Rooster  (Dublin, Ohio) quilt shop gives a free quilt block every two weeks.  There are thirty total that will complete a wall Hanging Quilt.  It is super cute and has a lot of Orange, which I love.  They are total geniuses for doing this.   These are about 6” blocks, so they are giving you maybe a dollars’ worth of fabric.  But, I am going into their store and spending money every two weeks.  So that dollar they are spending they have already made back more times than I care to admit.  I always liked the shop, but now I have a very specific reason to go every two weeks (which I would not normally do unless I specifically needed something.  Random visits cost money) and collect my block and whatever else tickles my fancy (the problem).  The other part of the issue is that my Day job as Nerd Whisperer keeps me about two miles from the shop.  So, when I have had my fill of the nerd squad I go to relax and wander around their store (probably not the best option for my wallet, despite the free block).

So, why am I slacker?  Well, I didn’t buy anything today when I went to get my block (I should probably see a doctor) but when I was checking out, the lovely lady at the counter asked me if I was up to date on my block creations.  As she handed me block #15, I had to admit that I just finished block #10.  Seriously they are 6 inch blocks.  I am such a slacker.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Going on a Safari….Baby quilt Top

So, I found this fabric when I was going through my stash and decided that it would make a cute baby quilt.  I must have thought that when I bought it, because I also have matching fabric for the back.  After I cut out all the animal squares, I turned around and sewed them back together with sashing.  My daughter thought this was totally crazy and a big waste of time.  She kept asking why I was cutting them up and I told her “So I can sew them back together”.  She just looked at me with that dumb founded look as if Mom had completely flipped out.

Even though she thinks I am crazy, it still came out cute.  It went together quickly, mostly because it was simple, I am sure.  Either way, I like it.  Not sure how I am going to quilt it, likely something simple.  It will make a great gift or go in the cedar chest for my someday, way way off grandchild.

My daughter is 13 and being an “OLD MOM”, I am always concerned that I may never meet my grandchildren.  So, I make quilts for them now, just in case. Whether I am here or not, they will have a quilt form their grandmother.  I know, in the words of my daughter, WEIRD.

 

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting