Variety of Projects

   Today was one of those days when I went from working awhile on one project to another and then another.  I started the morning by piecing more batik blocks in pairs with the light and dark reversed. 

When I was ready for a break, I cut a backing for the golf themed coin top and organized some scraps.  Then I decided to one more column to some I Spy scraps that had been pieced together.  With a border it will make a nice small child's quilt. 

Frustrating Block Mastered

      Last summer on the Carolina Shop Hop I bought kits for a few of the blocks I really liked.  Yesterday I finally tackled the Delectable Mountain block kit.  I was disappointed with the instructions ( some unusual seams ) and unhappy with my finished block because it was too large and I did not want to trim off my points.  Last night I started taking the block apart.  I drew the block in EQ to find out the correct size for components.  Today I did some more unsewing and approached the block from a different direction. 

The original directions said to construct the mountain units first.  This time I started from the middle and built out, sewing the border of half-square triangles on last.  It worked much better and the finished block is the correct size.  Now I could even make more with a lot less trouble.  

 

      I found out this afternoon that I need to get started on blocks for a quilt I’m helping Irene with.  They are fairly simple and finish at 9”.  We’re using batiks and making a positive and a reverse of each set of colors.  So far I have made 3 sets.  Since she already has 64 blocks, it should not take long to have enough for a full size bed quilt. 

Sunday Afternoon Quilting / Sewing

     After the morning at church I finished piecing the golf coin top. I just need to pick out a backing and I can probably have it quilted very quickly.

I also quilted the eight block small quilt.  I used a continuous line free motion design.  Instead of taking time to hand sew the binding, I machine stitched it.

     I still haven't picked another UFO to work on.  Why don't I want to work on them?

Working on Comfort Quilts

    This has been a great day for quilting.  I sandwiched 2 small lap comfort quilts for my church quilt group and one is quilted and complete.  They were pieced by another lady in our group.  I like both patterns.  They both used a lot of 2 ½” strips.   We have made a couple using the eight block.  The 12” finished block goes together very easily.   The coin quilt needs strips of a focus fabric but then it can use a lot of 2 ½” scrap strips.

12" finished eight block

   There were so many coin pieces leftover that have already been cut, I decided to cut more golf fabric strips (focus fabric) for another coin lap quilt.  I added blues to brighten it.  There still may be more coin pieces leftover for another coin lap quilt with a different focus fabric.

UFO # 6 Finished

    The binding is on and UFO # 6 is finished.  This round robin project that started with the Quilt Mavens night bee a couple of years ago is finally finished.  I am happy with how it turned out.  The ladies who participated used a variety of techniques.  The bright colors and motifs make it very child oriented and it will be a great gift for one next Christmas.  I am glad my guild has the challenge this year to finish our UFOs.

     Before I pull out the next UFO to work on, I have 2 small comfort quilts to quilt for my church group.  Then I have a twin quilt top that has been waiting for a couple of years to be quilted.  I have a special design for how I want to quilt it.  I just can’t make myself get started on it.  I have another larger top that just needs a few special touches and a border.  The other UFOs on my list are in earlier stages and will need more time and work.  I’m glad I have a couple of days to decide which UFO to tackle next.

Church Quilting Group Day and Home Quilting

    Today was quilt group meeting at church.  We sewed all morning, stopped to eat the lunch we had brought and then sewed several hours more.  I worked mainly on crumb blocks,  Crumbs are small scraps of fabric.  I also used some strips and strings left over from other projects.  I squared blocks up to 6 ½”.  With those previously pieced, we now have 30 ready for another quilt.  On our first crumb quilt we added sashing, cornerstones and a border so we probably will use the same layout. 

     Since I returned home I quilted 2 hours on the round robin neighborhood quilt.  I sandwiched it yesterday and started quilting in the ditch to stabilize sections.  Today I have been stitching free-motion grass, bricks and other patterns to give a little texture.  I am try to keep the quilting light but do like the added texture.

That is enough sewing / quilting for today !

Round Robin Progress

  I have spent my afternoon hand appliqueing  things to the Round Robin neighborhood.  I feel it is also complete.  I probably need to add a couple more trees and shrubs.  Next I will have to decide what size I want it to finish.  It is already 47 by 49".  Should it be a wall hanging?  Irene suggested at least one more sky border and I agree. Here are photos of the latest additions and what the whole now looks like.  

Back from Vacation

      I didn’t go any where for vacation.  Instead I took vacation at home while company came to visit me.

I enjoyed a visit from my granddaughter and family and then my quilting sister visited for a week.  We had a busy week of activity and the time disappeared.  Now I can catch you up on the little bit of sewing I did manage to fit in.  I have added a couple of sidewalks to the houses.  I also found a couple of specialty fabrics with nice animals.  I still need to add bushes and trees so I better get busy. 

More in the Neighborhood

I have been spending several mornings working in the yard before it gets too hot.  Then in the afternoon I work in the house.  I have added 2 more specialty fabric figures to the round robin neighborhood project.  I still need some more but I really like the ones I've added so far. Here are the new ones.

Back to Quilting Projects

The past several days I just could not get motivated to work on a quilt project.  Instead I’ve worked in the yard, cleaned house and other nonproductive activities.  Today I actually got a lot of sewing done including a little on a quilt project.  I made 2 summer tops for my granddaughter.  When she and her family visit next weekend, I will find out how they fit.   One is for her to where to Braves baseball games and the other is a simple tank top and shrug in her favorite color.

I searched through my stash of specialty fabric and found a few things I thought fit the neighborhood theme of the round robin project.  I added baseballs kids and a dog.  I need a lot more things.  This also gave me the opportunity to practice my needleturn appliqué skills.