Quilted

~ Mary ~ 4 Comments

After looking at the forecast, I decided to get in the sewing room this afternoon to quilt the 16 patch top and I finished just as the thunder started up. I had planned to quilt swirls on this one but after it was loaded on the longarm I thought that might be too busy looking so I was going to do some dwirling – which is basically just wavy lines with some swirls thrown in but after I quilted the first wavy line I decided that wavy lines without the swirls would suit this nautical quilt and it was quick and easy to quilt.

Ready to assemble

~ Mary ~ 5 Comments

The bow tie blocks are done and ready to assemble. I might move a block or two around so I’ll look at it for a day or two before I start sewing. In the meantime, I’ve got the 16 patch top loaded on the longarm and ready to quilt – I might even make a start on it this evening.

This one will not have borders – it’s a small donation quilt that is kind of a trial run for a larger scrappy one. I enjoyed sewing these blocks together, it was easy to get into a rhythm and as you can tell, they were quick so I’m anxious to make another one. I did a quick look through my stash to see if fat quarter bundles popped out as a good choice for one of these but haven’t made any decisions. I can see using a bundle for one but I can also see pulling random scraps from my bins.

Speaking of bins, I mentioned a few weeks ago when I was working on the Kite blocks that this blue/green/purple bin refuses to empty … this is now the 5th small quilt I’ve made from it and while a few fabrics have been added here and there I don’t see much change in the level of fabric so you can count on seeing this combination again!

Bow Tie blocks

~ Mary ~ 4 Comments

This one is quick and easy! I’m using the 6 inch finished Bow Tie dies for my GO. It’s a two die set with the triangles on one die and the block that they’re sewn on to on another die. I also have have a 3 inch square die I could use but it’s easier to cut those myself.

That one purple looks pretty dark in the photo … but it’s the light in my sewing room. It’s just not good for photos. Here’s a close up of it.

Right now I’m making 4 blocks from each fabric unless my scrap isn’t big enough so the colors will be mixed up more in the final quilt. I just couldn’t wait to see the blocks up on the design wall.

I’m pretty sure this is the setting I’m going to use. I shared two vintage quilts a few weeks ago that I found on eBay and I’ll eventually make one using both settings I think.

Assembled

~ Mary ~ 9 Comments

The 9 patch and Heart top is assembled – you knew the first thing I’d work on was finishing this one up so I could start a new project right?!

Quilt notes for the 9 patch and Hearts quilt are on my website.

I also pulled the next top to be quilted – I decided on this 16 Patch UFO and when I went to look for fabric for a backing I found a green one already pieced in the backing cabinet. I have no idea which quilt I pieced it for but it’s the right size for this one so I’m going to use it. Most of the time when I piece a back for a specific quilt I hang it with that top in the closet so finding this one is unexpected.

I tell you, this thyroid cancer has really messed with my memory among other things. Sometimes I wonder if I’m ever going get back to normal again.

August Goals

~ Mary ~ 2 Comments

Switching gears from travel to being home, I looked over my list of August goals this morning. I made a good start before traveling last week but there’s still lots to be done.

  • Quilt 4
  • Assemble 9 patch and hearts top
  • Start piecing a bowtie quilt
  • Bind 3 quilts
  • Finish the seashell stripe blanket

I started by working some on the seashell stripe afghan – I finished up the 3rd Big Cakes today and I’m thinking I’ve got at least 3 more to go before the blanket will be long enough to have the length to width proportions I want.

I was just about ready to go into the sewing room when I heard a bit of distant thunder and thought I’d better check the weather forecast to see what I need to work around this week … looks like lots of storms but at least the temps aren’t in the mid 90s!

I’ve also got a couple appointments this week including one to check out a new longarm. I’ve been waffling back and forth about replacing my longarm for a year now and I think I’m finally ready to do it.

I’m home!

~ Mary ~ 5 Comments

Keith met me at the airport and took me right to dinner! PF Chang’s!

Maureen was busy today too and already has her binding made and sewn on … let’s see how long it takes her to hand stitch it down!

Quick Strippie instructions can be found on my website.

Our road trip is over

~ Mary ~ 7 Comments

I drove Mom home today. I don’t fly home until tomorrow so I had time for dinner out with my brother, brother-in-law, and Mom.

But, before and then after dinner I coached Maureen through making a Quick Strippie. I let her choose her fabric from my stash (FaceTime!) and then I cut and kitted the project to bring with me. She has made quilts in the past but it’s been a while so she needed help.

The top was done before I left for dinner and I’d gotten her started on pin basting it so she could quilt it when I got home.

I’m kind of shocked that she got it all made today but she wanted me to trim it for her before I left so she kept working until it was quilted. It still needs to be bound but lucky for her, she has Mom here to help because I head out early in the morning!