A Lap Quilt Finish

     I am excited to have finished this quilt with applique inspired by Anna Maria ( Horner) Parry's quilt “Plot Twist 2”. I love her bold style and fun applique shapes.

I FM echoed the appliques and then quilted swirls in the pods and meandered around all the flowers and the background. Here is a close up of a pod.

It is almost too pretty for a lap quilt. I would love to use the applique ideas for a larger quilt.

     Now to pull one partially quilted and finish the quilting.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 0.5 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year - Used: 116.88 yds Added: 42.5 yds

Net decrease 74.18 yds

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

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

A Wall-hanging Finish

      I have several projects in the works and one needed to be finished for gifting on Oct. 19^th so I left other projects sitting to finish this small wall-hanging.

My church will be celebrating the 25 year ministry of our associate pastor for outreach. The blocks are foundation paper pieced. I chose 4 from the book, Symbols of Faith: 44 Quilt Blocks by Linda Causee. Originally the blocks finish at 7”; however, I enlarged them to 10”.

     I just need to stitch down the hanging sleeve and then I can get back to other sewing/quilting projects.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 2 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year - Used: 116.38 yds Added: 42.5 yds

Net decrease 73.88 yds

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

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

A Little of This and That

     I spent last week out of town; however, I expected to have sewing and quilting time so I was prepared. I brought 2 quilt sandwiches and did in the ditch quilting on both to stabilize. Now they are more ready for FMQ.

     I brought Christmas fabric for holiday coaster sets. I cut out 4 sets of 6 and finished 2 sets. I cut out a new dress for myself; however, since I forgot interfacing I did not start sewing it. I also brought plants and set them out in my son's yard. The weather has been cool and beautiful. GD Lily's orchestra gave a short concert which was nice.

     Saturday afternoon I wanted something different to sew on. I found directions here for several methods of making Half Rectangle Triangles (HRTs ). I decided to try method one with some scraps. Unlike HSTs you need to know which way you want the triangle to face before you cut. Other than that I did not have a problem. Method one does require trimming to get the correct size.

     Now that I am back home, I hope to finish quilting at least one that I started quilting and sew my new dress.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 2.5 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year - Used: 116.88 yds Added: 42.5 yds

Net decrease 74.38 yds

When life gives you scraps, make a quilt.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Not Much to Show

     I don't know where my time went the past week. I spent a little time on lots of different projects. My craft table is the clearest it has been in a long time. As I was clearing I made 5 scrap mug rugs.

     Some time was spent moving furniture and boxes to rearrange bedrooms. Saturday I took time to sandwich 3 lap size quilt tops.

I hope to start quilting on one this week. I also have plans to make a new fall dress, work in the yard and spend time with family.

     October is already looking busy and of course it won't be long before the busiest time of the year. The next couple of days we will be watching the tropical storms and hoping they miss us. What have you been busy with?

Stash Report for 2025

    this past week - Used: 7.075 yds Added: 4 yds

So far this year - Used: 114.38 yds Added: 42.5 yds

    Net decrease 71.88 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Another Quilt Top

     While work continued on my bath remodeling I pieced. I sewed my six large string spiderweb blocks together and added a breaker border. Next I used the 8 at a time technique to piece 4” finish HSTs. I needed 48. Since I wanted them more scrappy, I used 9 fabrics with yellows as the background fabric for 72 units so I now have a surplus of 4” scrappy HSTs for some other project. I added a dark blue other border. Here is the completed top.

     I need to get busy sandwiching some tops to quilt. 

    The bath remodel is finished and I love the result. I still need to do some decorating like install the blind and buy a shower curtain. 

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 2.6 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 107.305 yds Added: 38.5 yds

Net decrease 68.805 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Embellished with Applique

      I have been inspired by the designs of Anna Maria (Horner) Parry for several years. Earlier this year I borrowed her book Anna Maria's Blueprint Quilting through my local library with the Hoopla app. Then a church member pieced a quilt top that I thought would make a great background for some applique. I wanted to try some of Anna Maria's applique ideas. Here is the quilt top before my embellishment.

      I made 1/2” wide bias tape for stems and vines. I used fusible applique with machine blanket stitch around the leaves and flowers. Here is the top with my applique.

I love it and look forward to using more applique on future projects.

There is not a sandwiched quilt waiting for me so it is time to get busy sandwiching a top.  I do have many HSTs in progress for a border so I can move that project along.  

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 3.75 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 108.455 yds Added: 38.5 yds

Net decrease 69.955 yds

I'm linking up with Alycia's Finished or Not Friday. It is great for inspiration. Check out what others are making.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Pieced and Quilted

     Work on the bathroom remodel is making progress; however, it seems slow. Hopefully it will be totally finished about midweek. While they worked, I pieced and quilted.

     At church quilt group Wednesday I found the perfect fabric and added a simple border to the economy blocks so the top is ready for a backing and quilting.

     After church quilt group Wednesday I brought home a sandwiched top for quilting.  It was pieced by Joan and she will sew the binding.  I used a light green blending thread so the quilting is not easily seen. The top portion has FMQ feathers. Next I used the technique of divide and conquer with crazy eight motif between parallel lines. On the bottom section I quilted swirls.

Close up view.

     I pulled another of my UFOs. I had 4 – 16” finish string spiderweb blocks from several years ago inspired by Bonnie Hunter's spiderweb quilt. I considered making enough for a 3 by 4 setting. Instead I decided to only make 2 more and plan to add a pieced border for a 48” by 64” lap size charity quilt. I finished two more blocks so here is the current layout.

I used my Fons and Porter Easy Diagonal Sets Ruler to trim the string units.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 0.5 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year – Used: 104.705 yds Added: 38.5 yds

Net decrease 66.205 yds

 

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

A Finish and Progress

     Workers have been in my home a few days remodeling a bathroom.

I stayed out of their way and enjoyed the time sewing and quilting. I pulled some orphan blocks and finished one placemat for a Meals on Wheels client.

   My sister Irene pieced a quilt top and asked me to quilt it so I did. I used a simple continuous line motif in the center and large swirls in the outer border.

Now it is ready for her to bind and gift.

   Next I decided a comfort quilt top needed some applique for enhancement. I have been inspired by quilts of Anna Maria (Horner) Parry. You can see her work here. I used some of Anna Maria's shapes to form flowers. Here is my planning progress.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 1.75 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 104.205 yds Added: 38.5 yds

Net decrease 65.705 yds

I'm linking up with Alycia's Finished or Not Friday. Check it out. 

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Time for Piecing

      Last week my contractor started the remodeling of one bathroom. While they worked, I enjoyed sewing time.

     Several weeks ago I was making the partial seam block “woven” and was running out of green and blue 2 ½ “ strips from my stash. Instead of making more blocks, I decided to set them on point with the 18 I had pieced. Sunday I finished piecing the top which will probably wait a while for quilting.

     Wednesday at church quilt group I chose sashing fabric for the economy block quilt top. I started adding the sashing and sewing rows. I should have more sewing time this week while the work continues on the bathroom. I prefer to do piecing while they work as I will be able to handle interruptions better than during quilting.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 0.66 yds Added: 0 yds

    So far this year –Used: 102.455 yds Added: 38.5 yds

Net decrease 63.955 yds

Enjoy your Labor Day holiday.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Minimal Sewing

     The past few weeks I have been busy on other home projects and family time so I had little time for sewing. Then last week I sat down to finish the last 2 scrappy Economy blocks for a small comfort quilt and my Bernina died. This week I brought home from church my old machine to finish the remaining 2 blocks. I will add sashing when I decide what I want to use. Here are the blocks on the design wall.

     I pulled a couple of orphan blocks from a class I taught years ago. I used the left over fabric to cut block kits. Then I pulled some coordinating fabric for a few more blocks to make 12. The kits are ready to sew for another comfort quilt.

     I don't know how much sewing or quilting I will be able to do the next couple of weeks. My contractor is supposed to start a total remodel of one bathroom.

I hope I will make some quilting progress.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 3.75 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 101.795 yds Added: 38.5 yds

Net decrease 63.295 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Progress on a UFO

     A few days ago I decided I needed to clear off my cutting table so I could sandwich a couple of quilt tops; however, I wanted to take to time to sort and cut the scraps into usable units at the same time. I made a lot of progress. The cutting table is almost clear and I have piles of scrap units to put into their bins. I have not calculated the yardage of the scraps I cut into units but I'm guessing at least a yard.

     Sunday afternoon I made 10 little pocket prayer squares. My church quilt group has been making them for years. We first learned about them from Shabby Fabrics.  Over the years we have made and shared hundreds. 

     Also in my organizing last week I pulled another pile of UFO blocks. I have 14

8 inch finish Economy blocks. Originally these were to be the centers of larger blocks with lots of HSTs; however, I decided to make 6 more Economy blocks for a 4 by 5 setting. I grouped them by color to see what I had and what was needed; however, they will probably not stay that way when set.  With sashing and a border it will be a charity quilt. I had to cut a few more triangles and put them into sets.

     I hope to finish clearing off my cutting table, but weeds in the yard need to be dealt with if the rain holds off.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 2 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 98.045 yds Added: 38.5 yds

Net decrease 59.545 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

One Finish and More Progress

    The past few weeks I have been focused on finishing UFOs and pulled a couple to work on. The child's top was pieced last year.  I used flannel for the backing and finished the quilting. The binding is made and hopefully a church friend will bind.

Next I pulled 16 saw tooth stars, pieced 4 more, cut sashing and pieced this small charity top.  

     Some months ago I was teaching my church quilt group about partial seam blocks. I pieced one in the demo and had all the background fabric cut. I didn't want that block to just sit any more. Last week I pieced a total of 18 plaid partial seam blocks which is enough for an on-point setting. I chose setting fabric and cut the triangles. This photo shows when I was auditioning the fabric.  I will wait until Wednesday's church quilt day for the final setting and start sewing together the top. 

   It feels good to move UFOs along to the finish and I hope I can make more progress on them.

Stash Report for 2025

        this past week - Used: 3.25 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 96.045 yds Added: 38.5 yds

        Net decrease 57.545 yds

I'm linking up with Alycia's Finished or Not Friday. Hope you check out what others are making.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

This and That

     The past week I spent more time in the kitchen and garden than quilting. I used about 20 lbs of pears to make pear chutney.

I worked one morning in my yard then visited sister Irene and helped her in her yard a couple of days. She sent me home with a small quilt top to quilt for her.

A couple of afternoons I did some simple sewing. I added a border to a scrappy floral top.

I started cleaning scraps off my cutting table and decided to make another placemat. I pieced the 2 color binding for a faux flange but have not attached it yet.

I pulled another UFO to work on but needed to purchase an accent fabric. That is now washed and ready to be used.

     I still have more pear to deal with so this week I know that is one thing that will keep me from sewing. I hope I will accomplish more.

Stash Report for 2025

        this past week - Used: 3.4 yds Added: 2 yds

So far this year –Used: 96.195 yds Added: 40.5 yds

    Net decrease 55.695 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

A Quilt Finish and More

     Monday I pieced all the Rick Rack blocks into a top with sashing and cornerstones. The block can be easily pieced from 2 ½” strips. I found the pattern from Carol Thelen. You can watch her tutorial on YouTube and there is a link there for the free pattern.

     Tuesday I picked 90 lbs of pears from a friend's tree. Some years I have canned pear honey or preserves. I usually freeze a lot of cut up pears. Last year I shared pears with Sally and she shared her pear chutney and the recipe so this year I plan to make pear chutney.

    Wednesday quilt group met at church. We had a small group because many were on vacation. We chose a backing and sandwiched my Quick Quarter Quilt top. When I got home I decided to quilt our Village quilt and make the binding. I quilted overall FM swirls. Here it is quilted and trimmed. Another will add the binding.

     Friday and Saturday I quilted my Quick Quarter Quilt. The binding was finished Sunday evening.

     I sent my latest QOV top to my sister's guild in NC for them to finish. Now to pull another UFO to work on and then make some pear chutney. 

Stash Report for 2025

    this past week - Used: 2.5 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 92.795 yds Added: 38.5 yds

    Net decrease 53.995 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Only a Little Sewing

   This past week I was busy at church with Art and Bible Camp from 9 until 3. When I got home I did not feel much like tackling quilting or gardening. I managed some small projects. I used stash fabric to make 2 more placemats for Meals on Wheels clients. One is finished and the other is an in progress sample.

     I hope this week to get much more done in my sewing room. Tuesday is quilt guild day and Wednesday is quilting day at church.  I still have a church quilt sandwiched and waiting for quilting.  I pulled out 2 of my UFOs to work on next.

Stash Report for 2025

           this past week - Used: 1.5 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 90.295 yds Added: 38.5 yds

        Net decrease 51.795 yds

What are you working on?

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Preparing for a Guild Demo

     I have been asked to demo in August how to add a faux flange binding. When I first learned the technique years ago, it was called a “2 color binding”. Today some call it simply a flange binding. Using a flange binding can add a “pop” of color to the binding. I decided to make several placemats for the demo. Afterwards the samples can go to Meals on Wheels clients and I could use scraps of fabric in my stash.  Here are some in stages to show the steps.

      In Friday's post I shared a finish and other quilt project progress. I have another sandwiched quilt top waiting for quilting; however, most of my days this week will be filled with Art and Bible Camp.

Stash Report for 2025

         this past week - Used: 3.5 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 88.795 yds Added: 38.5 yds

              Net decrease 50.295 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Quilt Progress and Happy July 4th

     This week I made some progress on quilting projects. I added simple borders to Kenny Koala but he will wait for quilting.

     I quilted a simple continuous FM motif on my Trip Around the World and meandered the busy border fabric. A church friend will bind for me so it counts as a finish.

     I sewed together all the columns of my Quick Quarter Quilt. This is an Eleanor Burns pattern from her book Quick Trip Quilts and uses 18 fat quarters for lap size. I have chosen fabrics for a breaker and outer border. I think the top is a lot prettier than it appears in the photo.

    That is all my sewing for the week as I've been tackling weeds in the yard most mornings before it gets too hot.   For this July 4^th holiday I plan to enjoy BBQ with son John and a friend. We will probably hear pops from neighbors' fireworks but I don't plan any. I hope others will enjoy a safe and happy day.

I'm linking up with Alycia's Finished or Not Friday. 

Have a great day!

A Couple of Finishes

     I love to sew things for family so when GD Lily requested a seashell pillow for her bedroom, I wanted to make one. Since we don't have JoAnn Fabrics anymore, I had a little trouble finding the right fabric to use. I created my own pattern from an internet photo that she shared. For dimension I cut 2 layers and stitched lines to create the sections.

After stuffing the sections for a front and back,

I sewed the 2 halves together, turned right side out and stuffed more. Here is GD Lily with her seashell pillow.

     At the last church quilt day I sandwiched a child's quilt and Saturday I finished the quilting. It is not my favorite quilt but I hope a child will enjoy it.

     I spent some more time cutting up scraps; however, not enough to record a change to my stash report this week.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.