Day of Quilting for Nurses

     I have finished one large wall-hanging of blocks made by Palmetto Health nurses during Nurses Week 2014.  Today I finished the quilting on the second wall-hanging.  I still need to trim, add binding and a hanging sleeve. 

I used the walking foot to stitch-in-the-ditch for the sashing and border then FMQ each block. 

I basted the third wall-hanging so tomorrow I can start quilting on it. 

     These are not typical quilt blocks.  Many of the nurses did not use typical quilting materials to create their blocks.  One was made from a diaper.  A few nurses used scrapbooking items.  Some used very creative embellishments that caused some problems for quilting but so far I've managed to quilt around them. 

     I also recently helped my older granddaughter finish her second pillowcase.  She gave this one to her little sister who was very pleased. 

Next she asked to make a small quilt for herself.   She loves her grandmas quilts.

  

This and That

This is the week for many sewing group meetings.  Monday was Quilt Mavens.  Mary brought this giraffe quilt and asked whether it needed a mane.  We agreed that it did and it is very cute. 

This morning at Comfort Quilts many of us worked on quilting with a walking foot on children’s quilts.  Our guild donates to the local children’s hospital and they want more.  I did not finish but made good progress.  In the afternoon, I decided to make the bunny pouch that my granddaughter requested. 

                        

                                      Here is the back. 

 

In May I will be presenting a program and workshop for my sister’s guild on “using made-fabric”.   I need more samples so I pulled out some pieces and made a few more anvil blocks with a made-fabric centers.  I love these.  

Tomorrow is sew day for my church quilt group but I hope to spend time cutting up scraps into usable units.   

Enjoy some sewing and quilting time! 

Celebrate Quilting

     This is a great weekend for celebrating quilting.  “The Quilt Show” and sponsors are offering free viewing of 15 seasons of their videos.  Hope you take advantage of some.  I have today while I pieced.   I enjoy watching for inspiration and ideas and learn new techniques.

     Thursday evening was the fifth and final class for my beginners 2 block quilt.  I am disappointed to say I only have 1 photo and that thanks to Kay.  For important occasions I need to check the batteries in my camera ahead of time.   Here is Carol’s quilt.

 I stopped her from sewing on the binding so I could take a photo.  Every one squared up their quilts and started sewing on binding. 

    Most of my students said they would share photos when they finish the binding.  I look forward to seeing them. 

*Update*   Natalie just emailed me a photo of her finished first quilt and she is planning for her second.  Great job and thanks for sharing!

Enjoy a weekend of sewing and quilting!

Week's Accomplishements

    The past week had a lot going on but I did find time to sew some every day.  I made a new small coiled fabric bowl which has been donated to Midlands Tech as a door prize.

      Last Thursday night’s beginner 2 block class went well but I was so busy helping students sandwich their quilts, I forgot to take pictures.  I have quilted one of my 2 block samples but plan to use it to demonstrate squaring up and sewing on the binding so it is unfinished for now.

       Saturday morning I taught one beginner the introductory block at JoAnn Fabrics.  Marilyn did an excellent job on her block. 

     I just finished a sample string quilt for a Creative Sewing Center class.  It was suggested I make a sample for those who do not know what string quilts are.  The class will make this exact quilt but explore making various string blocks. This is just one type.  It is a wonderful way to use scraps.

I put this together very quickly and wish I had put the purple border on the bottom instead of the green, but is finished.  

Getting Back to Quilting

     After 4 days of visiting with family out of town and 4 days of illness after coming home, I am finally getting back to quilting.  I have spent the day quilting on the nurses’ wall-hanging and am glad it is finished.  The embellishments they added really restricted the quilting that could be done.  First I stitched-in-the-ditch for the sashing and border.  I meandered in blocks that I could.  I had to do each block differently and some would not allow much quilting.

     

quilting in progress

                finished

     When visiting with granddaughters, they tried on their new dresses which were a hit.  They were a little large but comfortable.  Better too large than too small.  They enjoyed showing them off dancing.

I also put the finishing touches on the Statue of Liberty costume. 

   This will be a busy week with Day Bee for GCQ guild Tuesday, SQG Wednesday, Free-motion quilting class and Beginner Quilt class Thursday.  I was very sorry to miss last Thursday night’s class but they did not want me to give them what I had.  It is good to feel better and be back to quilting.