This is top #4 of 6 brought back from the Maine sew-in – A Sharon inspired HeartString quilt pieced by Barbara. Unlike our usual scrappy HeartStrings quilts these are more planned and You can see brief instructions for them on the website.
Pantograph is Dollop and it’s similar to Mermaid Fingers that I used earlier this week but more linear. I think I like this one better.
I also got the last row of blocks done on the Map quilt so that one is ready for assembly.
I’ve been quilting for almost 20 years and have never cut myself with the rotary cutter until today. I was distracted and the blade jumped up over my ruler edge and cut into my finger. It’s deep but not too long thanks to my fingernail stopping it. As long as I keep bandaids wrapped tightly the bleeding stops but I had to loosen them a couple times to let the fingertip get a little circulation and it bled like crazy both times. I’m going to give it a day or two and hope that I don’t have to go have it looked at.
I had Keith run to the drug store for bandages and finger cots so I can sew without worrying about bleeding through and getting blood on anything and decided that Rainbow String blocks would be the perfect thing to work on … it’s my index finger so I’m going to be slow and clumsy for a while I think. I pulled some greens for the first group of blocks cutting some extra strips from scraps for some variety.
I love this rotating mat for trimming the blocks. Trim on two sides, swing the mat around and cut the other two sides without having to lift the ruler.
I got 16 blocks made and found a leftover one from the last time I’d made these so I have 17 green blocks. I do use multi colored fabrics in these as long as the background is the same color I’m working with.
In case you don’t remember seeing the Rainbow HeartStrings quilts, this is where I’m going with these. I’ll make one or two quilts myself and the extra blocks will go to Maine in September to be joined with other blocks into tops that we’ll assemble and tie for donation. I haven’t decided whether to make the smaller or larger version or one of each. If you’re interested in making your own Rainbow HeartStrings blocks I have some brief instructions on my website.
After I finished with the green blocks, I cut the rest of my bolt of muslin into foundations for the blocks. I’m not making any set amount, I’ll just sew one color until I’m ready to move on to another. I need to start looking for a Joann’s 50% off coupon to buy another bolt of muslin but I’ve got plenty to get me started.
I love it when I get more accomplished than planned in a day. I intended to load this one today and quilt it tomorrow but I got it loaded and quilted this evening. I’m pretty sure this 16 patch was pieced by Jackie – it’s #3 of 6 I brought home from the Maine sew-in to quilt and finish. The goal is to get all 6 quilted this month.
Pantograph is call Mermaid Fingers by Apricot Moon designs. It’s the first time I’ve used this one and it’s kind of an elongated, teardrop shaped meandering.
I also managed to make a lot of progress on the Map quilt last night and I did another row of blocks today. Just two more rows to go.
I’m working on a hat but set it aside to start a new blanket today. This one is really easy using the self striping yarn and it’s really pretty in different colors too if you don’t mind weaving all the ends in … I love the free patterns on the Attic24 website but I’m lazy so I prefer the self striping yarn to weaving those all ends!
The plan is to load a top on the longarm this evening (Keith is out of town again so I’ll work a bit tonight), maybe make a few blocks for the map quilt after loading the top and I’ll finish off my evening with more crochet!
I’m so grateful that Chris makes so much effort to spend time with us and brings the girls. It’s not easy either, it’s a 7-8 hour drive each way. At Christmas, Becky and both girls came with him, in November it was Chris and Mo, and this weekend it was Chris and Rae. She’s growing up so fast!
I decided she was old enough to try some sewing (She’s 7) and I thought we’d start with something fairly easy by hand.
I asked her yesterday if she want to try it and she was very enthusiastic and did a great job. We didn’t finish but we got about halfway done and will work on it on her next visit.
Since I couldn’t sleep, I spent a couple hours in the sewing room (between 1:30 and 3:30 am) working on the map quilt. Chris has”claimed” it and I’m happy to make yet another quilt for him but I’ve warned him, it will be at least a year before it’s finished and given to him.
It’s Gasparilla season in Tampa and we had lots of fun today at the Children’s Parade. It’s along Bayshore Blvd, just a block from the house so we go back and forth all day, enjoying the festivities and taking breaks to sit on the porch. Chris, Rae and Keith’s nephews joined us today for the parade and fireworks.
Becky and Mo stayed home this trip but Becky sent me a photo of Mo wearing one of the hats I knit for her just before they headed out for the day! She’s so cute!
I like the texture this stitch creates and it was certainly easy to make but it’s a little bulky for me in a baby blanket. Next time I’ll try a sport weight (vs worsted) yarn and see if I like that better.
Chris and Rae are coming this weekend for the Gasparilla children’s parade so I pulled out all the baby and small child size afghans for him to take back and donate for me. I had planned to send him back with some quilts too but I didn’t get them washed so those will have to wait for the next visit.
