Work on Charity Quilts

    The past week I spent time in the garden as well as in my sewing room. I made progress on several charity projects. A few months ago I found some units left over in 2011 from a baby illusion quilt. I made a few more to get 30 and Sunday finished piecing this “I Spy” Illusion top. 

I pieced a HST border from orphan units and added a plain border to a charity top that is now 51” by 56”. 

I quilted this Golf Stepper which was pieced by a church member and another member can add binding.

Even working on all these projects, my fabric stash did not change.

Stash Report for 2024

this past week- Used: 0 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year-Used: 43.11 yds Added: 19.125 yds

Net decrease 23.985 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“The only mistake is the one from which you don't learn.” - Henry Ford

Not Much Sewing

      Not much sewing has gone on so far this month.  The past 2 weeks have been focused on activities that have not left time for sewing or quilting. My BIL died unexpectedly and I spent one week with my sister to help her deal with things. Last week I was home; however, there were appointments or church activities that did not leave time for much sewing. The only sewing I did was to make 3 mug rugs and a set of coasters for April birthday surprises for friends. At church quilt group Wednesday I sandwiched 2 small tops so they are ready for quilting.

    This week I am spending some time with granddaughters and family. I do have sewing/quilting projects on the plan as well as some garden work. This top was probably pieced by the Cresco Ladies and sent to me by Jo of Jo's Country Junction's charity quilt program.

I pulled scrappy 3” HSTs from my stash and cut a few more with which I want to create a border. Maybe next week I will have more to show.

Stash Report for 2024

this past week- Used: 1 yd Added: 1 yd

So far this year- Used: 43.11 yds Added: 19.125 yds

       Net decrease 23.985 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“The only mistake is the one from which you don't learn.” - Henry Ford

New Month - New Start

      It's Monday and the first day of a new month and start of the 2^nd quarter of the year. So far this year I have finished 3 of my UFOs including the major “Celtic Fantasy” for my son. I started 2 new projects ( “Stars Like Spaghetti” and Tropical Log Cabins) and have the tops complete so I feel good about my first yearly goal and progress on my UFOs.   I have finished /quilted 7 comfort quilts, pieced a few more comfort tops and made 3 placemats for Meals on Wheels. A few other small projects have been finished. I hope I can keep up the rate for finishing.

     Saturday I quilted this comfort quilt top for church which Eunice pieced.

I quilted the FM swirl hook.

The binding is ready for someone else to sew on.

     My second yearly goal is to reduce my fabric stash. So far I have reduced stash by about 1/3 of my decrease in 2023 but not quite ¼ of my decrease in 2022. I would like to use or give away more fabric.

Stash Report for 2024 

this past week-  Used: 1 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year- Used: 42.11 yds Added: 18.125 yds

Net decrease 23.985 yds

     My third yearly goal is to control and use scrap fabric. This is where I have made the least progress and need to make a new plan. Maybe I can set a timer for 15 minutes each day and deal with scraps. I'll see if I can.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.”      Walt Whitman

Another March Finish

       This week flew by but I was to able to finish a UFO.  This was Pat Sloan's March Block a Day for 2023.  It was great block to sew each day and it made a great dent in my floral fabric stash.     

    Wednesday at church quilt group I sandwiched a quilt and started the quilting; however, not much else got done.  

Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend.  I'm linking to Alycia's Finished (or Not Friday).

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“The only mistake is the one from which you don't learn.” - Henry Ford

Busy Week of Sewing

      Last week was busy and yet I feel great about all that I got done. I was able to work in my yard 2 days before rain came. Here is my first bearded iris bloom of the season.

I wore a mask since pollen was so bad. The air is more clean after the rain which left big yellow patches on the ground where the pollen collected in puddles.

     In my sewing room I worked on numerous projects. I cut a kit for a comfort quilt which someone else will sew, pieced 3 comfort quilt backs, and quilted one comfort quilt. This is the first time I have used the FM swirl hook motif.

With this link you can learn how Angela Walters quilts this motif. I plan to work with that motif more to get comfortable stitching it. Here it is quilted before binding.

I used the Jellyroll Twist free pattern from Fat Quarter Shop except I used charm squares instead of a neutral fabric. Joan has it to add the binding.

     Tuesday a guild meeting our guest with a trunk show was Annette Ornales of Southwind Designs. I got this cute mug rug pattern which she designed and made it easily in the afternoon after her visit. 

     Late in the week I pulled personal quilt tops to work on. I sandwiched 2 that had backings ready. Saturday I started quilting on my 2023 March Block a Day quilt (from Pat Sloan) and should be able to finish this week. It feels great to get projects moving along.

Stash Report for 2024 

  this past week-   Used: 3.91 yds Added: 4 yds

So far this year- Used: 41.11 yds Added: 18.125 yds

Net decrease 22.985 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“The only mistake is the one from which you don't learn.” - Henry Ford

Another Small Project Finish

      Spring is here with all it's pollen. Everything outdoors is covered in yellow so even though I would love to work in the garden, I am trying to find tasks for indoors for now.

     I enjoyed sewing and quilting on National/International Quilting Day Saturday. Eight placemats were finished.  No fancy quilting.  Mostly I stitched in the ditch.

They will be donated for the auction to raise money for “FamilyPromise”. Their mission is to help families experiencing homelessness to achieve sustainable independence. While in the program, families work toward that goal, congregations in the faith-based community provide them with temporary shelter and hospitality. 

     I brought home 3 tops from church for which to piece backings and I have 2 sandwiched tops here waiting for quilting when I get inspired. Not sure what all I will work on this week.

Stash Report for 2024

this past week-  Used: 5 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year- Used: 37.2 yds Added: 14.125 yds

          Net decrease 23.075 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“The only mistake is the one from which you don't learn.” - Henry Ford

Two Finished Tops

     “Stars Like Spaghetti” has the border and is a finished top. My guild QOV group has a stash of quilts so they don't need this one finished anytime soon. I may look for another group that might need it.

     The On-Point Tropical Log Cabins is also a finished top. The pieced blocks were given to me by a friend of gave up quilting. I love the bright happy colors and am sure it will make someone happy.

    Thursday I and 2 friends from church quilt group finished 24 shelter cat beds. We used donated home deco fabric and stuff with cut up pieces of scrap fabric and batting.

Stash Report for 2024

this past week- Used: 4.16 yds Added: 3.5 yds

So far this year- Used: 32.2 yds Added: 14.125 yds

Net decrease 18.075 yds

I'm linking with Alycia's Finished (or Not) Friday

     Saturday is National (International) Quilting Day.

I hope to piece 3 backs for comfort quilts and make a set of 6 placemats while watching free shows at thequiltshow.com.  What will you do?

Hope you enjoy some time for quilting. Check out some projects by others and get inspired.

“The only mistake is the one from which you don't learn.” - Henry Ford

Small Finishes

      The past week was a frustrating time with equipment of all kinds from my riding lawn mover to flat car tire to worrisome sewing machine noise. After a cleaning and a little oil the sewing machine sounded much better and I managed to quilt 2 placemats and one table topper for St Patrick's Day.

     I was happy to spend a few days with family and a couple of afternoons with GD Lily.

I bought a great blue fabric for my “Stars Like Spaghetti” border but haven't had time to sew it on yet. Hopefully this week I will be able to get more sewing done.

Stash Report for 2024

this past week- Used: 2 yds Added: 5.75 yds

So far this year- Used: 28.1 yds Added: 10.625 yds

Net decrease 17.475 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

The only mistake is the one from which you don't learn.” - Henry Ford

Late Look at Last Week's Progress

     It is Tuesday evening and I'm just getting around to looking back at last week's projects.  I pieced all the blocks together on my “Stars Like Spaghetti” top, and had hoped to get the border. I did not find a good border blue in my stash so need to buy something.

    Wednesday my guild QOV group presented quilts to 4 servicemen and I was happy to attend and honor them.

      I quilted a comfort quilt for church and got it trimmed for Joan to bind.  I quilted an overall FM motif called “echo shortcut” from Leah Day.

      I spent a couple of days working to prepare for a big church women's event so not much time was spent sewing and nothing changed in my stash report.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“The only mistake is the one from which you don't learn.” - Henry Ford

QuiltCon 2024 and Family

     Last week Alycia posted the last clue for “Stars Like Spaghetti” QOV mystery. Before I left for QuiltCon I put as many blocks as would fit in the layout on the design wall. Hopefully this week I will get them pieced together and add a simple border. I love Alycia's design and enjoyed the mystery.

     I met up with 2 sisters and visited more family in Winston-Salem. They had an early birthday celebration for me which was fun and special.

    Friday and Saturday my sisters and a niece enjoyed QuiltCon 2024 in Raleigh. There we met a friend from my church quilt group. We also visited with friends from my sister's guild. It seamed much more crowed than last year; however, the venue was very different. I wonder how the attendance differed. I was not excited by most of the winning quilts; although, it was interesting that many winners were men. Following are a few of my favorite quilts from the show. I especially enjoyed the piecing category and the maximalism special exhibit.

At a QuiltCon vender I picked up 2 small free fabric pieces so they are the only change to my stash this past week.

Stash Report for 2024

this past week- Used: 0 yds Added: 0.125 yds

So far this year- Used: 26.1 yds Added: 4.875 yds

Net decrease 21.225 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“When life leaves you scraps, make a quilt.”

A Little Progress Is Good Enough

      Where did the time go this past week​? I am not sure; however, as I look at my calendar, I see. I worked in my yard 2 mornings, had quilt group at church one morning and Women of the Church activities a few mornings. So that is why I didn't spend much time sewing or quilting.

     Wednesday at church quilt group, we put together the blocks for the center of our “Faux Feathered Star” (free from Fat Quarter Shop).

This is a joint project and we are making ours totally out of upcycled cotton shirts that were donated. I used EQ to plan a layout with extra borders so that it will finish at 52” by 64”. There is one more narrow plain border to be added and the top will be finished. I am loving it and would like to make one for myself.

      Sunday afternoon I pieced the blocks for Step 5 of Alycia's “Stars Like Spaghetti” QOV mystery so I am on track and loving the blocks.

Stash Report for 2​024

this past week- Used: 1.25 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year- Used: 26.1 yds Added: 4.75 yds

Net decrease 21.35 yds

      I don't expect to get much quilting done this week because I will be meeting 2 of my sisters for our trip to Quilt Con. I know we will have lots of fun, plus I hope to share some great quilt photos next week.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“When life leaves you scraps, make a quilt.”

     I started last week with work on small projects and ended with a nice comfort quilt finish. At least my part is done. I pieced the top using Pat Sloan's free “Traffic Jam” pattern with the addition of a row of blocks so it would finish as a rectangle. I finished the quilting and will let a church quilt group member stitch the binding.

     Part 4 of “Stars Like Spaghetti” QOV mystery was posted. Since we only made 2 blocks, it was fast to complete and keep on track. I'm looking forward to seeing how the variety of blocks will go together. I'm sure Alycia has a great plan. I will be excited to get the top together. My guild is presenting 5 QOVs the end of February so I'm sure they will appreciate the top as soon as it is finished.

    My checkbook cover was looking sad so I decided to make a new one. I used an easy tutorial from Crazymomquilts.blogspot.com. I used some purple "made-fabric",  added fusible interfacing and did some quilting /embellishing with decorative stitches before assembly.

       

The 3 green placemats for guild have been quilted and finished.  I simply used the walking foot and serpentine stitch. 

Stash Report for 2024

this past week- Used: 1 yd Added: 0 yds

So far this year- Used: 24.85 yds Added: 4.75 yds

         Net decrease 20.1 yds

     It would be great to make as much progress every week; however, that is probably expecting too much.

   I'm going to Quilt Con 2024.  I will be going with 2 sisters and a niece.  I also plan to meet up with another quilt friend.  I expect a fun couple of days.  Less than 2 weeks away.  

  

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“When life leaves you scraps, make a quilt.”

Staying On Track

     So far I am on track with Alycia's "Stars Like Spaghetti" QOV mystery and have all the blocks for part 3 finished. Here are the stacks of blocks for parts 1-3.

     I had a kit from church and finished piecing the top. I have seen this pattern with a couple of names. Eleanor Burns calls it ”Piece of Cake”. Someone else calls it “Garden Party”. The units are an uneven 4 patch, just like the ones created when you cut up a “Disappearing Nine Patch”. This kit was cut into 10” squares, 10 by 5” rectangles and 5” squares so could be made using a layer cake.

     When I went through my Valentine fabric box, I found a large piece of Valentine made-fabric perfect to finish into a placemat. It didn't take long.

     My guild is collecting placemats all year for Meals on Wheels clients so Sunday afternoon I played in my scraps and have 5 tops. For a couple I used some orphan paper-pieced leaves which need stems and veins stitched.

 

Stash Report for 2024

this past week- Used: 3.375 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year- Used: 23.85 yds Added: 4.75 yds

Net decrease 19.1 yds

     I'm not sure which UFO I will work on next. I have one sandwiched to quilt and a comfort quilt in the process of being quilted.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“When life leaves you scraps, make a quilt.”

Loving the Progress

      The Celtic Rhapsody quilt for my son is finally finished including binding, label and hanging sleeve. I recently wondered why Ricky Tims named his quilt designs “rhapsody” quilts so I looked up the meaning of rhapsody and it made sense. Merriam-Webster says rhapsody is “a musical composition of irregular form having an improvisatory character”. Ricky composes music and quilts. This quilt design is composed of both irregular forms and has an improvisatory character.

       I am participating in Alycia's QOV mystery “Stars Like Spaghetti” and step 2 is complete. I don't know Alycia's plan, but here are my blocks on the design wall. I love the possibilities.

I haven't decided which UFO to work on so I am piecing a quick comfort quilt.

Stash Report for 2024

this past week- Used: 1.125 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year- Used: 20.475 yds Added: 4.75 yds

          Net decrease 15.725 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“When life leaves you scraps, make a quilt.”

Finished Quilting 2

      This week has been a week for quilting and I'm excited to have finished the quilting on 2. First is an adult lap size comfort quilt that is 54” by 67”.

One of the ladies in my church quilt group pieced it; however, we are not sure by whom. Here is a close up of the flower and leaves FM quilted.

     I am most excited to have the quilting finished on my son's quilt that I have named “Celtic Dragons”.

Pattern construction started in September 2022. I don't have an time estimate for the pattern construction and piecing, but I tracked some time for the triple stitch applique which is about 24 hours. Then the quilting took about 28 hours. I used Ricky Tims' Rhapsody Quilts workshop guide and his Celtic Fantasy supplement.  The quilt edge looks a little strange because I still need to hand sew the binding on the back and the hanging sleeve. This has been the most challenging quilt project I have made. I am pleased with it even though I know it is not perfect.

Check out what other quilters are making at Alycia's Finished or Not Friday post.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“When life leaves you scraps, make a quilt.”

Weekly Progress

     Alycia has designed a new QOV Mystery, "Stars Like Spaghetti", and it is early so you can still join in. Here are 4 of my blocks for step 1.

The directions were very clear that we were to make 7 blocks; however, as I was cutting I was carried away and cut units for 8. When I was sewing and realized I had cut too many, I just kept sewing. At least I can have a choice of blocks and save the extra block as a seed for a new quilt.

     I spent a couple of days quilting on the “Celtic Fantasy” quilt for my son. I wanted to quilt cables in the border and sketched out an idea. I did not like the corner. My sister Irene guided me to this website with many suggestions. Here are the drawings of my plans.

The website shows hand quilting but I was able to transfer the idea to machine quilting with a walking foot. I like the new corner quilting.

There still needs to be more quilting added in some areas, but the finish is getting closer.

1. Finish UFOs - Done

I used as many pieces as possible and have a finished top that is 64” by 70” which I call “ Rainbow Sherbet”. 

(Last week I shared that the construction was inspired by the “Birch Bark” quilt design.) I have 4 extra blocks that I was not able to use for the top and a very small pile of scraps. I hope to use the 4 extra blocks for a small project.

2. Reduce fabric stash - Done

A little fabric was used this week and nothing was added.

3. Control and use scrap fabric - Done

For part one of the “Stars Like Spaghetti” mystery I was able to cut all the pieces from my scraps.

Stash Report for 2024

this past week- Used: 1.25 yds Added: 0 yd

So far this year- Used: 19.35 yds Added: 4.75 yds

             Net decrease 14.6 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“When life leaves you scraps, make a quilt.”