Just Another Project Added

      Early in the week I thought I would work mostly on my “Brightly” quilt top. I finished piecing all 20 of the blocks and here they are on my design wall. 

     However, instead of continuing on that, I started yet another project. I am pleased with all the finishes I have accomplished so far this year; however, I've started several new ones when I could have been working on UFOs.

     Wednesday at church quilt group we sandwiched 3 tops for quilting. I brought one home to quilt. We discussed making fall theme placemats in September for Meals on Wheels clients. Thursday I pieced a couple of pumpkin and leaf placemats as samples. I also typed up the cutting information to help get started. Here are 2 simple ideas for the pumpkins using only 2 ½ “ strips and squares.  

The leaf placemat is a little more complicated. I hope the group will be motivated to make a few by seeing the samples.

Stash Report for 2026

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

So far this year - Used: 86.37 yds Added: 10.375 yds

Net decrease 75.995 yds

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

Have a great week and enjoy sewing, quilting and creating.

A Couple of Finishes

     For many reasons I haven't done much quilting or sewing recently. Finally I had some time.  I pieced 7 cardinal blocks which will make 2 wall-hangings. With one extra I made a mug rug.

The cardinal is from the “Dressed in Red” pattern from Debbie Mumm's book Seasonal Samplers Autumn and Winter Book 2 .

    Saturday I finished quilting the “Woven On-Point” with partial seam blocks and made the binding. I quilted a simple meander for the center blocks and feathers in the on-point border. Sunday I sewed the binding on half way. Here is a photo without binding.

     At the August meeting of my quilt guild I demonstrated and showed faux flange bindings on placemat samples. I had a few finished and others in stages. This past Wednesday at my church quilt group I shared the technique. Friday I finally finished stitching the bindings on my unfinished samples so they are ready for gifting to Meals on Wheels clients. The faux flange can really add a pop to a project. If you don't have enough fabric for a traditional binding, a faux flange binding can save the day and it is still a double fold binding.

    Members of my congregation folded over 1000 paper cranes. I spent 3 mornings helping string cranes for the church display. This is only half of them. They look really nice.

     I was out of town for 3 days recently for a PW retreat on St. Simon's Island, GA. This was my first visit. I especially enjoyed the beautiful old oak trees.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 4 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year - Used: 120.88 yds Added: 42.5 yds

Net decrease 78.18 yds

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

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.

A UFO Finish

     October quilting time is off to a great start. I sandwiched two UFO tops and one of those is now quilted, labeled and bound. It is also washed and ready to be gifted to a great nephew. I decided to call it “Circle Stars” for lack of a better idea. I was first intrigued by the block when I saw it on Linda's blog in 2019. I had a pile of the triangle in a square blocks left from a Bonnie Hunter mystery so they were perfect for these blocks.

     I have been trying to clear out orphan blocks and I would rather use them for something so I have made more placemats. I finished 4 fall placemats for Meals on Wheels clients.

I also finished 4 star placemats that will be a house warming gift.

   This week I have a full lots calendar but still hope to get some quilting done.

Stash Report for 2024

this past week - Used: 6 yds      Added: 0.5 yds

   So far this year -Used: 105.005 yds Added: 40.625 yds

Net decrease 64.38 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Finished Except for Binding

     Progress was made on a variety of projects and that feels great.  My “Pinwheel Flowers” top waited for a while to be quilted. I am counting this as a finish since the binding is made and just needs to be sewn on. Here is my “Pinwheel Flowers” quilt.

My inspiration came from the “City Girl” quilt by Svanhild Schmidt-Havstad in the Dec/Jan 2009 “Quilters Newsletter” magazine.

The challenge was being consistent in making the triangle in a square units and I got more precise as I went.

      When I was asked to make the “Ribbons and Pinwheels” quilt that I recently finished, I was just sent a photo and did not know from where the pattern came. Last week I found out it was a free pattern from Robert Kaufman. You can find the pattern here.

 It was designed by Darlene Zimmerman and named “Buttons and Bows”.

      Other sewing projects got some attention. I used some stash to cut sashing and cornerstones for a comfort quilt. I used stash to make border corner quarter-square triangle units and border strips to move a scrappy improv UFO to a finished top.

I also finished 3 placemats that will go to Meals on Wheels clients in the fall. They are fast and easy when I have a great specialty print fabric.

Quilting is in progress on a charity/comfort quilt.  In addition to sewing I put lots of pears in the freezer. Hope you can tell how huge many of the pears were.

Hopefully next week will see another quilting finish.

Stash Report for 2024

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

So far this year -Used: 74.455 yds Added: 34.375 yds

Net decrease      40.08 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13

Tiny Pinwheels and Gardening

      Last week I again split my time with many mornings in the garden and afternoons piecing tiny pinwheels. I finished 16 each of green and blue pinwheels and sewed them into units.

I have pieced enough now that I have a system so they are getting quicker to piece. Sunday afternoon I pieced 16 light blue.

I still need 16 each of 5 different colors to complete the alternate block for the bows quilt top.  If you haven't seen, this is my EQ plan. 

    Friday I wanted something different to sew and made 2 quick placemats for Wheels on Wheels clients. My pattern was inspired by Pat Sloan's “Oh My Stars” pattern which I have used a few times. Since I wanted the placemats to finish about 14” by 18”, the squares finish at 3 ½ “. They went together quickly and I love how they look so plan to make more.

     I am disappointed that I did not make time to quilt on projects that are sandwiched and waiting. Vegetables just will not wait. Soon it will be too hot and the garden will slow down.

Stash Report for 2024

this past week- Used: 3.25 yds Added: 2 yds

So far this year-Used: 59.735 yds Added: 23.125 yds

Net decrease 36.61 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

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

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.”

Weekly Update and Goals

      Mornings were unusually chilly here last week so that was a great time to stay inside and sew. I worked on lots of small projects and got some quilting done.  I enjoy giving handmade gifts and that makes good use of my fabric stash.

This is how I did on last's week goals:

1. Quilt more on “Celtic Fantasy”. Done.

I quilted about 3 hours on it. Making good progress. Echo quilting around all the applique is done. 

2. Finish charity top. Done

I added the borders onto “It's a Snap” for a finished top.

3. Work on more small gifts. Done.

I finished another panel soft book, another 2 pairs of microwave bowl cozies, and a set of 4 placemats.

I finished 2 more pillowcases for Meals on Wheels clients for Christmas and cut 3 more pillowcase kits.

     While searching my stash for pillowcase fabrics, I also discovered a few forgotten projects and fabric. It was the perfect time to do some organizing and decluttering. It felt good. I need to plan projects to use scraps and precut fabric units such as 3 ½ “ squares which are overflowing. Maybe a Scrappy Trip Around the World is in the future.

Stash Report for 2023

this past week- Used: 6.66 yds Added: 2 yds

So far this year- Used: 93.67 yds Added: 42 yds

Net decrease 51.67 yds

Goals for this week:

1. Quilt more on “Celtic Fantasy”.

2. Quilt a charity top

3. Make a few more small gifts

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Weekly Progress and Goals

     It is Monday again and time to take stock and set weekly goals. Because I was spending more time with GDs last week, I did not plan a lot of quilting but I feel great about what was accomplished. My goals were to -

1. make progress on GD Mattie's quilt. Done. I corrected the twisted block on Mattie's quilt top and am looking for a backing fabric.

2. Work on comfort quilts. Done. I already had the blocks for a scrappy 16 patch ready to sew and finished piecing that top also. This may get a simple border to make it a little larger for a comfort quilt.

     After those projects went as far as they could for the week, I pulled out a UFO. GD Mattie helped layout the Dogtooth Star blocks and Wednesday I sewed the top together. It will get a simple blue border added.

     I used an orphan LOVE block, a drawing of hers and scrap 2 ½” strips to make a placemat for GD Lily with quilting by stitching in the ditch.

I made 2 Valentine bargello placemats. They were very easy. I cut a 2 ½” WOF strip of 9 fabrics and sewed a strip set. (9 fat quarters with strips cut lengthwise should also work to make 6 placemat tops. I will have to check that out.) Then pressed seams and sewed into a tube. I cut 14 2 ½” strips (7 for each placemat). Unpick the seam of each strip progressing between a different set of fabrics for the 7 strips. After piecing the tops, I sewed and turned them pillowcase style. I quilted with a walking foot using the serpentine stitch.

   After half day school Thursday and Friday GD Lily made progress sewing blocks for her quilt. She has half the blocks sewn and several rows together.

Goals for this week and stash report:

1. Stitch down appliques on 4 more Celtic units

2. Choose backing and sandwich GD's quilt.

3. Sew binding on QOV

Stash Report for 2023

this past week-   Used:   1.125 yds   Added: 0.625 yds

So far this year- Used: 13.445 yds Added: 21 yds

Net decrease -7.545 yds

Have a great week with some time for quilting.

“When Life gives you scraps, make quilts. “

Remembering Memorial Day and Quilting

      Today is one special day for us to give thanks for the ultimate sacrifice some of our military personnel gave to keep our country free. My family members who fought in wars have been blessed to come home safely. Not all families have been so blessed and it is right to take time to remember them.

In between garden work and other quilt projects I made progress on placemats for a sister. One is totally finished and 3 more just need the binding top stitched by machine.

I'm not sure what will get finished the rest of this week as I will host Grandma Camp for granddaughters 14 and almost 10. They have ideas about how they want to spend their days.

Progress on my goals for this year continue:

1.  finish UFOs          No progress again.
2.  decrease stash fabric

As I cut a couple of kits for my church quilt group I needed some other colors and pulled from my stash and was able to use another yard. 

Stash fabric used or added:

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

So far this year- Used: 54.5 yds Added: 13.75 yd

3. control and use scrap fabric       No progress

4. make charity/comfort quilts

I cut 2 kits for Trip Around the World lap quilts.

I finished the fan quilt top and Fiddlesticks top and they are sandwiched for quilting.

  

I put binding on my second H2H quilt and posted the finishes in yesterday's link up at AcademicQuilter.

Stay safe and healthy while enjoying some time sewing and quilting.

A Finish or Three

      Most of Monday morning was spent in my garden. After lunch I finished quilting on the 2 pet panel block placemats by practicing echoing which didn't take long.

     Then I started the FM on the Chunky Churn Dash quilt.  I used one continuous curve motif in the churn dash blocks and a different one in the large hour glass blocks.

 I quilted swirls in the border and added binding by machine for a finish.

     PatSloan shared cute carrot bags free pattern from Connecting Threads. You can watch her video of making one. I checked it out and made 2. They were a quick finish. Here they are stuffed with jelly beans. They are large enough to hold a whole bag.  Connecting Threads also has a bunny bag pattern.

That is about it for this week. Check out Alycia's post for Finished (orNot) Friday.

Hope you are making progress on your projects.

Stay safe and healthy while enjoying some time sewing and quilting.

April Goals and Progress

       Spring is here in South Carolina and my garden is taking shape. However, the beginning of gardening season has definitely interfered with my quilting time. Since most of the planting is done, now I plan to spend more time quilting. I was in the mood to sew a little project and made a few quick Easter ornaments.

Progress on my goals for this year continue:
1.  finish UFOs

I spent a couple of afternoons stitching in the ditch on my Chunky Churn Dash quilt and I am still deciding what FM motif to quilt in blocks.

 My search in my stash for another border has been unsuccessful so I finally bought a piece on sale.

2.  decrease stash fabric

Sales are tempting but so far I have resisted. I only bought border fabric to move a UFO along when I couldn't find anything in my stash that suited. 

Stash fabric used or added:

this past week-     Used: 1 yd       Added: 1.5 yd

So far this year- Used: 45.5 yds Added: 10.5 yd

3.  control and use scrap fabric

I used a couple of orphan panel blocks to make quick placemats. They still need a little more quilting.

4. make charity/comfort quilts

The placemats will be added to the pile for Meals on Wheels recipients. I'm sure someone who loves animals will enjoy them.

Hope your spring is off to a wonderful start.
Stay safe and healthy while enjoying some time sewing and quilting.