Rainy day sewing

Today has been a day of watching the tv for news of  Hurricane Florence .  It keeps changing course and intensity.  We are going to get hit the worse tonight around 1 - 2am and then all day tomorrow.  They keep saying that there will be power outages and trees down.  We live in the country with lots of large old Oak trees, so this all makes for a tense night.

 



  I did spend some time last night and today doing some applique on my Pemberley Quilt.  Those scallops are actually appliqued to a large background. The next step will be to applique the vines, flowers and leaves that go around the center.

 

My guilds quilt show is Friday and Saturday, Sept 21 and 22.  I am doing a demo on how to board baste a quilt sandwich, and needed a small quilt top for the demo.  I had some cute duck fabric and decided to do a baby quilt.  I thought it just right to use on such a rainy windy day.  

 

If you are in the path of the storm, I hope you will stay safe and dry,

 



Ahoy!!! Whales!!



 This afternoon I attended a baby shower for a sweet young woman at our church named Heather.  This is Heather and her husband , Robert's,  first baby and I was excited about making a quilt for her.

I saw this pattern in a book called Fat Quarter Baby and had been wanting to make it. When my daughter told me Heather was having a boy, and was using Red,White, Light Blue and Navy for the nursery with a maritime theme, I thought this would be perfect.

Front view of the quilt

Back view of the quilt. The sailboat label has his name and October 2018 date - hope he does not come early!

And here is the sweet expectant Mom

Stitch 'N Sew Quilts Magazine

I have been subscribing to quilt magazines for years now, but am to the point where I am letting my subscriptions expire.  All the magazines are so full of ads and I think they try to out do each other to see who can print the most quilt patterns in a magazine. The main problem being they try to compress all the instructions into 2 or 3 pages, and I have found mistakes many times when I tried to follow these sparse instructions. The only current magazine I will continue is AQ Magazine and recently I have subscribed to Quiltfolk, which I thoroughly enjoy reading.

While in an antique shop recently I came across the April 1987 issue of Stitch 'N Sew Quilts.  I am fascinated with this magazine which is full of stories about quilters, original block designs and very few ads. 

 

Being an avid English Paper Piecer, I am always on the lookout for new blocks that I can EPP.     

 

  This block was titled Windblown Star.   The description given in the magazine: "This wonderful design came to us from Jan Halgrimson and her book Great Scrap-Bag Quilts,"  the second in her series of 3 "Scrap Quilt" books."  they go on to give the Publisher information of the books.    

They have the pattern pieces for making the block, and I can hardly wait to try making it.

 



 

 

Other articles in the magazine included:

• Pieces and Patches - a poem written by a quilter
• Reverend Foster's Quilt - a quilter's story about a special quilt made for a pastor
• Unfinished Quilt
• Why Quilting? - I found this article so current to quilters in 2018 as in 1987
• Getting the Most Out of a Quilt Show - Should be a must read before going to a show - hey, its not all about the vendors!
• Immigrant Influences - this is an amazing Baltimore Album style quilt that has a different block depicting the impact on the various nationalities of immigrants.  It described in detail the meaning behind the block - I found it fascinating.
• Sixty Per Cent Syndrome -  this article gives a whole new meaning to the purposes for our UFO's
• Finished in Love - a very touching story of a quilter who purchased unfinished quilt objects at auctions and other places and finished them - turning them into beautiful gifts as an act of love the quilter that started the project
• Numerous block designs and quilt patterns - readers submitted their original design blocks as well as a couple "professional" designers

 

I haven't read all the articles yet, but I will.  I enjoyed it so much, I got on line at ebay and found 10 more issues.  This is what is missing in today's magazines -  QUILTERS and their stories. 

 

 

 

Happy Quilt Progress

 This is my progress as of this morning when I took these pictures.  Still have one more applique row with butterflies, and checker board separator row and a row of houses to go. 

Having a lot of fun with this one and loving working with these bright happy colors.

Since  am doing this Quilt-As-You-Go, I can use a different bright color fabric for the backing on each row.  How fun is that!!!!  I am using an orange sashing to connect these rows on the back ad just a white on the front.

Pemberley

I spent this afternoon working on my Pemberley quilt.  This is just the center oval, and today I completed the brown edge around this center oval.  I am trying to work at least once a week on this project, which is rather overwhelming if you look at the entire quilt. 

This is a picture I pulled off the internet of the entire quilt, so you can see I just have completed that tiny little oval in the center, but progress is always good.










I have also started hand quilting my Star of Bethlehem quilt.  This one is going to take awhile as I am doing it in a regular stitch with #40 YLI hand quilting thread.  But then I am not in any hurry.  I ordered some corner stencils that I am going to use to set off the blocks - working on one of those now.  Will have a picture soon.

Jack's Chain - QUILTED!

Just finished hand quilting my Jack's Chain Quilt.  I am so excited to have this done.  The binding is made and ready to sew on as soon as I get the quilt trimmed and squared.  I took the first stitch in the quilting on June 20, and now, just one month later, it is quilted.  I think that must be a new record for me.  Doing big stitch with #8 perle cotton sure sped up the process and I am pleased with the look.

Progress on the Turevon BOM

May - Celebration

So far I have been able to keep up with the Block of the Month my guild is sponsoring - blocks designed by one of our guild members.  I am twilling the blocks along with a little back stitching to just add a little dimension to the blocks.  Its also easier to backstitch the smaller design areas.

Seven blocks done, five to go!

June - Peacocks

July - Beach Party

January through July Blocks

Little English Paper Piecing Tote bag

Yesterday was such a beautiful day.  My husband and I decided to take a ride in the mountains and visit one of our favorite antique stores in Hudson, NC.

 I found this sweet little tapestry bag, measures around 5" x 6".  I think it is just perfect for toting an English Paper Project or embroidery project  to work on at a friends house or anywhere else that I just need to take a small project.  It is lined in satin, and just too irresistible to. 

I have been spending most of my available time quilting on the Jack's Chain quilt.  Doing big stitch with #8 perle cotton means quilting is going a little quicker than my usual hand quilting, but still taking awhile.  I am trying to get the quilt completed in time to enter in my guild's quilt show in September, which means having it ready to submit Mid-August for judging.

This morning I sat on the porch for about 5 hours, enjoying another beautiful day watching the birds at the feeders, listening to an audible book (The Great Alone) and quilting. Such a peaceful start to a day.

I have also started piecing a baby quilt for someone at my church.  Unfortunately  I have had to set it aside until I can get the Jack's Chain finished.  All I have to do is add the borders, and then machine quilt it.

Also managed to fit in a little work on my Pemberley quilt - making these sweet hexagon flowers with 1/2"hexagons. I have a couple more to make and I can start appliquéing them to quilt center. 

So many fun things to work on - and so little time to do it.

Quilting Jack's Chain Quilt

 

 
Hooray, the Jack's Chain is in the hoop!   I debated between machine and hand quilting, and hand quilting won out.  Primarily because my left wrist and hand are still pretty weak from the break, and I don't think I could tolerate the twisting and turning and pulling this pattern would require on my machine. Besides, since the quilt is entirely pieced by hand, it seems fitting to hand quilt it as well.  I am doing big stitch quilting with #8 Perle cotton and thoroughly enjoying the process.

Going to the West Virginia State Quilt Festival tomorrow in Summersville, WV.  Excited about taking a landscape quilt class from Judy Lily and also seeing all the beautiful West Virginia quilts.

Crossed over the New River Gorge Bridge this afternoon - what a beautiful site.  This is a picture of the gorge I took from the visitor's center.

Jacks Chain -Ooooops

 

 Got up at 4:15 this morning in order to watch the Royal Wedding coverage which started at 4:30.    What better handwork to do while watching the Royal Wedding than some English Paper Piecing?

Here is my Jack'[s Chain top so far, just needing the final border rows.

I pieced the four corner blocks this morning and actually got one of the corners sewn on.  They are kind of odd shaped at this point and was a puzzle to add to the corner.

Corner block sewn on

So the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now married, and I take my quilt to the guest room to admire my work of the morning.

Oooooops, I had sewn the corner to the side, lol, completely missing the corner.  Plus I already pulled out the papers. 

Oh well, it can be fixed, but daggum (been watching too much Tomater Tales with my grandson) I don't like ripping out EPP!

To make sure this does not happen again, and with me it very well could. I put a clip on each of the corners.

And while I am sharing my goofs, here is Block 1 of a new quilt I am working on.  The block is actually a green print, but the photo shows up here as yellow for some odd reason.  I tried to edit and make it green, but then the back ground turned a green as well.

Anyway this block went together so well, that I made the mistake of telling my friends how forgiving this block is as it is not so noticeable when the points don't exactly line up.

JINX!

Here is block #2 - my grey block.  Forget what I said about goofs not showing up....having to eat my words and rip my stitches on this one.

Thanks for stopping by,
Teresa

 

Happy Mother's Day

Its a good Mother's Day with two of my daughters and their families here for Sunday lunch.  My son and his family could not be here - so hard to get everyone together at the same time.

Ellen and Jennie, standing and Lorelai on my lap. 

Toby, Taralyn, Tess (in back) Timothy and Tori - standing;
On my lap - Lorelai and Adeline and standing in front,Titus.
This is 8 of my 11 grandchildren

What a blessed day this has been.  They have all gone home now and the house is quiet.  Time for some Sunday stitching.  Working on twilling my BOM project.  Still a little awkward with my sore wrist and hand, but something I enjoy all the same.  The physical therapist tells me its also good therapy for my hand.

Also an update on my "Happy" quilt.  I have the first three rows quilted and attached to each other.  This quilt as you go method is becoming quite the challenge.  I do like the way it looks, but not as easy as I thought it would be to put it together.

 I have included a picture of the back.  Stitching down the orange connecting sashing is a work in progress.  I will use a different color solid or near solid fabric for the back of each row and continue the orange sashing between each row. 

Hmmm...really re-thinking the name Happy

Really starting to rethink the name of my Happy quilt. 

I am doing this in a Quilt-As-You-Go method, and I have quilted the first row...which measured 12 1/2" x 60 1/2" prior to quilting and after quilting measured 12" x 58 1/2".

Yikes!!!!!

The checkered row is the next row and has not yet been quilted, but look at the difference in lengths. 

Every other row in the quilt is checkered, and I was not going to quilt the checkered row until after I had the rows on either side of the checked row sewn on.  This is going to be interesting!!!

Anyone every had to deal with this situation, I would sure like to know what you did.  I am new to Quilt-As-You-Go techniques, and this one has me stumped.  I posted the picture and question on the Quilt-As-You-Go facebook page, and so far the responses have all said that there will be shrinkage, and I should quilt all the rows before joining them together,  but that is not what I wanted to do.

Oh a happier note, here is my sweet little Lorelai, sitting out in the grass (weeds) this beautiful afternoon.  Now how can I be upset with this little doll to bring me so many smiles?  See that left foot kicked up - she sat with one foot or the other kicked up like that while in the grass. 

And here is Lorelai's big sister - Adeline, out for a spin in the grass in her  car.  She finds joy and fun in everything she does.  Notice the static electric hair do?  Can it get any cuter that this?

And guess what....there is another little girl due to arrive in October.

I am so blessed to have my eleven grandchildren that bring so much happiness in my life.  So what's a little quilt shrinkage when my family is still growing.


Teresa

Is Happy a Jinx Name?????

I am going to quilt my Happy Quilt in a quilt as you go method, quilting each row individually. So yesterday, I got Row 1, the Sunshine Row, all pin basted and ready to quilt.  And this is where my fun day began.  Once I finally decided on a pattern for the Sunshines, I used a blue water soluble fabric pen to draw the lines.  First sunshine looked great - I am excited. And then.....the rest of the story:

1. Moved on to the second sunshine, and I grabbed a blue highlighter pen (same blue color case as my water soluble pen case) instead of my blue fabric marking pen and 3/4's around the first square before I realized my BIG goof. I immediately tried to wash it out, came out of the yellow just fine, but would not wash out of the orange fabric.After trying every kind of stain remover and detergent in the house, there was nothing to do, but make a new block. Fred now has a nice blue highlighter - I don't even want it near my cutting table ever again. 

2. In the process of taking it out, wouldn't you know I cut a slit in the background fabric of one of the good blocks.  It is less than half an inch, but  right in the seam line.  Sigh....another problem.  I ironed some fusible pellon on the back to keep it from raveling any more and hopefully hide the cut.  You can still see the slit but I think it is secure. I need to mark it with a safety pen so I can be sure I quilt over that spot

3.I cut out the new sunshine block and started sewing it together.  Of course I had my machine set up for quilting, so I had to remove the autofeed foot, remove the machine quilting thread and bobbin, and then set it up for machine piecing. 

4. I had the sunshine block nearly complete - to the stage of sewing the "rows together, and dang, the points were way off.  What in the world happened???? I had been so careful to make sure I had true quarter inch seams and straight seams.  So I go back and look at my instructions - I had cut 2 1/2" squares for the points and should have cut 2".  Well this could not be fixed.  So I had to cut out a whole new block and start over.

5. Got the new block cut out and sewn together  then had to stitch it back in the row.  This was complicated by the fact that I had already started quilting the row and had it basted to the batting and background....and this was not a block on the end of the row.  The block on either side was attached to the quilt sandwich.  The first side was no problem but the other side was like sewing in a tube. I was almost half way across, and wouldn't you know, I ran out of bobbin thread.


6.After refilling another bobbin, I finally got the replacement
block sewn in.....and then, I guess I had stretched the fabrics and was getting a pleat when I tried to smooth it over the batting.  So I had to take each seam in a little so it would lie smooth.

7.Then reset the machine for machine quilting, marked the new block with a blue water soluble pen and got to quilting.  All of the sunshines are now quilted  and I am back on track.  But..to my dismay,  I am seeing some bleeding  of the yellow hand dyed fabric I used for the backing through to the quilt top.

Geez Louise - this is not supposed to happen.  I always pre-wash my fabrics!!! 

 No panic....I will just put a whole box of dye catchers in the washer when I wash this quilt and if that doesn't work, well you know, bright sunshine sometimes gives the sky a yellowish tint - right?

For now...its time to enjoy a good cup of coffee and contemplate on how I will free motion the background.  Tomorrow is another day......

Happy Quilt

This is a Row by Row printed in McCall's Quilting Magazine, 2016 as a mystery quilt with each issue having the next row.  I am making it in primary, scrappy colors and when I look at it, it just makes me happy - So the quilt is now named HAPPY.  

The plan for this quilt is to use it in my grandkids play room where there is a twin bed, and thus I need to make it "sturdy."  The pattern called for fusible applique, but I am doing the method my Mom taught me of turning the edges under with a running stitch and then blanket stitch over that, leaving the basting stitches in.  Only difference is I am machine blanket stitching since handwork work is a challenge for me these days. 

Having fun with this pattern - next row is made of churn dash blocks, one of my favorites.  There is the row of squares between each of the other rows. Several of the women in my club are making this one with me and we are trying out different techniques on each row.  Its fun to see it being put together with different fabric themes.

 

Recently I purchased sunglasses with reader biofocals. I needed a case  that would easily fit in my purse.  After searching the internet for some patterns I combined two different patterns to make this simple case with the Seminole pieced insert.  This was a fun quick project.

Twiling and Star of Bethlehem

My guild is so fortunate to have a member, Sherri Turevon, who is an excellent designer and is chairing our monthly block challenge.  She has come up with a Block of the Month for embroidery each month and then framed in a pieced border.  The blocks are beautiful, and we stitch in the stitch of our choice.  I am doing some twilling and back stitch on mine.  I have seen several other ladies' work and they are all equally beautiful, all done differently, so far.  I was thrilled to discover I could do this work even with my wounded hand.

Here are my first four blocks:



January - Snow Crystal

February Hearts

March - Shamrock

April - Butterflies

With the help of my husband, I was able to get my Star of Bethlehem quilt wrapped on the boards for basting, and then two friends, Darlene and Brenda, came over and helped me get it thread basted.  Its now on the hoop, ready for quilting which hopefully I can start soon. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was so excited to discover I could do some paper piecing, that I kind of overdid it one afternoon, sitting on my porch and stitched for over two hours. Needless to say my hand was swollen and hurt a lot when I stopped.  Went to therapy yesterday, and was told to take it easy - that I had actually set my progress backwards :(   Soooooo...have to limit hand sewing to 30 minute intervals, followed by 30 minute handrests for the next few days.  But it sure was fun!