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.