{Post #48} Belated Christmas Quilt Progress

I have felt terrible for a few days now.  It's affecting my sleep, and that must stop!!  Last night I could not keep my eyes open, and it was only 6:30 PM.  I managed to stay up until a little after eight, then I just had to go to sleep.  That probably had something to do with getting up at 3:30 AM.  I put the time to good use, working on these Army Star blocks.

Cut and pieced the navy HST in the corners as well as the stripity parts on the outsides of the star blocks.  Here is the first 9 out of the total 30 for the inside of the quilt.  Not a lot of variety in the colors, but that will come!

Off for a little more bedroom reorganization and maybe more sewing later today.

~Joan

{Post #47} Monogram for My Sister's Family

Here is a monogram sign I made for my sister's family.  Her birthday is coming up soon.  I am mailing her a box with her tote bag, a tic tac toe set for the family, a new quilt magazine, this sign, and a table runner I made for her big table for 12. 

Here is the runner, a pattern called Waffle Time by Atkinson Designs.

Better get to the post office!


~Joan

{Post #46}

I am ready to sew Steve 'n Emily's binding to the back by hand.  Will start that process while I'm waiting for Rachel at her piano and violin lessons this afternoon.  Finished machine quilting their quilt this AM and attached the binding that Susie graciously prepared for me.

The top thread is a smoky invisible and the back is chocolate brown.  Went super fast and turned out great.

Here is a pic as I was taking it off the quilt frame.

It is 70" x 76" and matches their bedroom and bed covers beautifully.  This setting is one of my favorites.  This is the second time I've used it.  I will likely make another one in the future.

The lovebirds are coming up for Christmas, so I will have this ready for them.

~Joan

{Post #45} B & B Center is Finished!

When one buys fabric according to pattern requirements, there is always so much left over.  So when I bought the fabrics for this quilt (which I affectionately call the B & B quilt--not bed and breakfast...blue and brown!), I got just a teensy bit more than the pattern called for and have plenty of fabric for two more rows, making the center 60" x 70" instead of 44" x 70".  I also got a smackerel more border fabric than it called for and have enough for the bigger quilt, plus the border will be an inch wider.  Win, win!!

I already have the quilting design planned out...one long feather in the zigzag and just meandering in the churn dash blocks. 

Here it is...

I.  love.  it. 

~Joan

{Post #44} B & B for Now

Here is the Bed and Breakfast quilt with an extra row (on the right).  I figured I had enough fabric to add yet another row.  The uneven ending does not do it for me.  As it is here, it is 52" x 70".  Adding one more row of eight on the right will make it about 60" x 70", then one inner border. 

This setting has been running through my mind for using other blocks.  Does anyone have a non-paper-piecing pattern for a 6" finished Lemoyne Star block??  I know it has set-in seams, but I'm not scared!!

~Joan, who is going to the Shelby quilt show in about 30 minutes

{Post #43} B & B Update

Above is the start and finish of today's sewing.  I have three rows put together, and there are two more to go.  This is coming along nicely.

~Joan

{Post #42} B & B Quilt

I rarely use anything but Thimbleberries fabric, mostly because I have over a hundred bolts of it at my house.  Once upon a time years ago I saw an antique quilt I wanted to copy.  It had an antique setting of a pink zigzag between brown churn dash blocks.  I went to Mary Jo's and could not find a pink I liked.  But I was attracted to this blue print.  It was out of character for me, but I bought all the fabric I needed (including backing and binding) to make this quilt.  <gasp>

I call it the B & B quilt because it's blue and brown.  So original.

Emily (newly-married daughter) painted her new bedroom a light blue and has all chocolate brown bedding.  She saw the kit when I started working on it and asked if I would make it for her.  I don't remember what I told her, but I HAVE been working on it!  All the blocks are pieced, and I started adding the blue zigzags this AM. 

Here is what I have so far...

This will be my piecing project for the next little bit.  It seems like things come up all the time to bump the current most important project out of line.  I often wonder how fast things would be finished if I just worked on one at a time.  But how fun would that be?

~Joan

{#41} Mother's Log Cabin Finished

In my last post on this blog I showed you a log cabin quilt made for an upcoming bridal shower at our church.  In the past, my standard gift was a crock pot and some recipes for it from my own recipe box.  In the last year I've changed to making one of these barn raising setting log cabin wall quilts for the bride-to-be.  This one measures 28-1/2" square.  The last post was Bethany's quilt...this one is for her mother (Diane), one of my good friends.  Diane took a quilting class I gave years ago and has kept quilting.  I just machine quilted 1 of 3 tops that are very similar that she just pieced.  See it here.

At the bridal showers our church gives, I often hear mothers say, "Well, my mixer just broke" or "my towels look hideous" or "I want one of those" as their daughter opens gifts.  I thought it would be fun to give Diane one of these as Bethany is opening hers.  I had shown the top to Diane and asked her if she thought Bethany would like it.  Diane responded, "I am so jealous.  I want one just like that to put in my living room where I've had the one I made 5 years ago."  So I thought I'd surprise her at the shower. 

Hope she likes it!

~Joan

{#40} Bridal Shower Quilt Finished

It is finished...pieced, quilted, bound, hanging sleeve, and label!  Ready for the bridal shower.  26-1/2" square.

In today's news...I am hemming 3 bridesmaids' dresses and making 4 sashes for same.

Go to my other blog (http://www.shelbystitcher.blogspot.com/) and see me play with more of these blocks to make something for ME!

~Joan

{#39} More Triangle Log Cabin Blocks

These are in the "Barn Raising" setting of log cabin blocks.  For those of you who are not quilters, there are different layouts you can do with the same blocks.  Since we have friends (hi, Valerie) who are in the process of building a barn, I am showing them in the barn raising setting for now. 

~Joan

{#38} New Log Cabin Blocks

On the left above is another wedding shower quilt, w/o the borders...those are to come soon.

On the right is a quilt I started this AM for a future wedding gift.  I think it's still quite a few months out, will have to check with the MOG.  Anywho...the center for the ones on the right are 4" finished HST and each log is 1" finished, making each block a whopping 10-1/2" square.  The blocks on the left finish at 5" square.  This is entirely acceptable to me because the left set will be a wall hanging and the right ones will be a bed quilt.  This is definitely clearing out my 1-1/2" strips box.

The centers will be a large variety of prints.  I wanted to finish 4 of them this AM so I could determine if this was the size I wanted to use.  So I just grabbed a chunk of fabric off my cutting table (that happened to be the left over border from this) and made 4 of the same centers.  With scrap quilting, the pieces just recycle from quilt to quilt...sometimes it seems they never entirely go away!

Upward and onward with wedding chores to finish...

~Joan

{#37} Hearthside Memories Quilted

Top picture is Hearthside Memories on my quilt frame.  I machine quilted this with a smoky transparent thread.  I did it all today.  This AM was spent putting a blanket stitch around the outer 4 corners' applique.  Then the quilting was done in early afternoon and this evening.  I sewed the binding on by machine as well as the hanging sleeve.  I hope to get those hand-sewn down tomorrow some time.

It has been a challenge to get all these projects done w/o Emily knowing about them.  She left this AM for a visit to see her great Uncle and then my parents in Ohio. 

I love the sewn-into-the-backing labels.  This and the gold fabric backings are definitely my go-to plan from now on.  The blocks I wrote the label info on have a story.  I was making a couple practice blocks for an upcoming surprise.  I wondered how the log cabin blocks would look with a half square triangle in the center instead of the traditional red square.  I didn't like the way these were going (I made two so I could have a leader and an ender).  I didn't even finish them.  Instead of throwing them away, I added them to the center of my back because I ended up needing 6 more inches of length in the backing.  Perfect!

Getting up to take Susie to the airport at 5:30 tomorrow AM.  Good night!!

~Joan

Log Cabin Top Finished...Back, Too!

Bethany's quilt top and back are finished!  I pushed through and got them both done today. 

The only consistent thing about the center of the top is that I used all the same red for the center of each block (which finishes at 3/4" square).  If I had a piece left of a 1-1/2" wide strip that was too small to use in a future block I sewed them end to end to fashion a label for the back.

There were two fairly large pieces of gold in my large scrap box.  I put one on both side of the strip mentioned above and added a large cream piece in the middle, enough to write on.  I enlarged it for the last picture.  Just enough space for a memory!  This is the first time I've pieced a label right in to the backing, and I.  like.  it.

Gold is one color that doesn't work out well in my Thimbleberries scrap quilts unless it's featured as the "light" like in this snowball quilt.  It's not light enough to play nicely with the lights, and not dark enough to play nice with the darks.  So I'm determined to use up the small pieces for quilt backs like this.  So much more interesting than one piece of fabric, no?

Taking a break to get cleaned up for church tonight.

~Joan

Sixteen Blocks Finished

Just found out from my friend that her daughter's wedding shower from our church is September 4.  Good thing this is mostly finished.

I will finish Emily's Hearthside Memories after she leaves Saturday AM for yet another long trip.  God's hand of protection has been very strong on our behalf this summer...so many miles logged onto our little Honda Pilot.

~Joan

Wedding Surprise Started for a Friend

Started a little project tonight...these:

Plus these (and a whole lot more):

Will eventually be one of these (click on the "these" to see it).  One of my friend's daughters is getting married in October.  I though since I had a few minutes tonight, I'd get started on my NEW wedding gift for girls in my church that are getting married. 

I used to give a crock pot and recipes from my recipe box specifically for crock pots.  These are one-of-a-kinds!

In the above pics, the top one is after adding 3 logs to my red centers.  No hard-and-fast rules for piecing this.  I have a box of 1-1/2" strips.  I am needing 1-1/4" strips, but instead of cutting a bunch of them, I am trimming off the extra 1/4" when I square them up.

My personal rule is not to add the same log to more than 4 blocks.  There are 16 blocks in this little wall quilt.  That makes enough variety to keep it interesting.  Each new log added is longer, so the chances of getting more than 1-2 on the last round is iffy anyway.

Stay tuned!

Just Needs A Smackerel of Applique

Just needs the hearts and commas in the outer cream blocks (in the rows with the HSTs).  I am so glad this turned out well. 

I jotted down my own instructions as well as the applique shapes just in case I make this again in the future.  My oldest daughter is not yet engaged, but she has already begun putting in her "quilt order".  One of these has lived in our kitchen for so long that the kids think kitchens are incomplete w/o one.

This measures about 53" square.  It will shrink up a bit when quilted.

Off to start those appliques.  I have been on my feet most of the day, and I'm beat.  I cooked several meals this AM while I was baking cookies for Emily's wedding rehearsal dinner and for the day after that.  Then it has been run, run, run all day.  I'm ready for a good night's sleep (please, Lord?).

~Joan

Just One More Border!

What is that sticking out behind the light Bull's Eye quilt top in progress?  Those triangles don't seem to match! 

Ah...pull it back and...wait for it...wait for it...this is how I'm hiding the quilt top from Emily for the moment...I want to avoid having to press the whole thing again.

Ta da...the Hearthside Memories quilt only needing one more black outer border and the appliques in the corners!!  Well, that and the quilting, binding, and hanging sleeve!

I overheard Emily volunteer to take a friend's elderly neighbor to a town about 45 minutes away tomorrow, so that will be some more of my sewing time on this little number.  Hee hee...

JULIE--Don't Look!

My new B-friend (that's blog-friend) Julie of Me and My Stitches sent me an email telling me she had talked to Emily and that Emily did not want this quilt, so I could go ahead and mail it to her.  Hahaha...as I was reading it I nearly believed her.  Julie thinks I'm teasing her by showing pictures of this, but here goes again.  The center is finished and all I have to do is add the 36 HST around the outside and the last border.

I have it on my design wall, but have another quilt top draped over it...Emily got home from FL/GA last night.  Hope she didn't see it!

~Joan

PS:  She just came out for the first time this AM and did not mention the quilt top (which at that time was in plain view)!  She would have had to turn all the way around after coming downstairs last night to see it, so I think it remains a surprise!!

Hearthside Memories Center Nearly Finished

In the above picture, the top and bottom section of blocks are stitched to the center and the applique is all blanket-stitched down.  Ruth asked how I did the applique.  I have done needle turn on one quilt, back-basting single layer on my Hearts and Gizzards and a nativity quilt, and on this one I fused the pieces down and did the blanket stitch by hand.  Desperate times call for desperate measures!

Too tired to stay up and add the side blocks to the center.

The reason this seems to be going so fast is that I pulled out my drawers of units (4-patches, HST, etc.) and have not had to cut many pieces at all from larger scraps.

~Joan

Blanket Stitching Under Way

I ended up talking with my future SIL last night for a long time and texting my possible-future-SIL before that, so my hand-stitching time was short last night.  I did read a while before I went to bed to relax but did not sleep well.  I kept checking the clock to see how late it was...last number check 4:37...not good.  Our neighbor is putting on a new roof, and as happy as I am for him, I wish he could have done it somewhere else, far, far away.  They started the hammering at 6:30 AM...

Anywho...above is one of the heart/comma appliques stitched.  Did it this morning.  Going to do the other 3 after I go up and shape the roll dough in the bread machine.  Three of my loved ones are coming home this afternoon, and I want to welcome them home with a fantastic meal.

~Mama Joan

Twelve More Blocks for Hearthside Memories

Today has been somewhat unproductive for me.  In spite of a 2-hour nap this afternoon, I was ready to go to bed at 8 PM.  I pushed myself to stay awake (and now it's nearly 10!).  I culled already-cut units to piece the 12 blocks I added to Emily's Hearthside Memories quilt above.  She is in GA with my hubby and does not know I've started this for her.  I hope she is pleasantly surprised when I give it to her...soon!!

Heading upstairs now to hand blanket-stitch the appliques and then get some sleep.  My three campers come home tomorrow.

~Joan 

Hearthside Memories with Applique in Place

I added the applique of hearts and green "commas" as well as the skinny black inner border.  If you look closely and compare this picture to yesterday's, you will see that I changed the direction of the top right 4-patch.  Before I changed it, the green square was touching the green triangle.  That just would not do.  It was not that way when I laid it out on the design wall.  Not sure what happened, but it's good now! 

Hope to blanket stitch the appliques tonight and cut out some of the blocks for the next round.  22-1/2" square now.

I considered leaving the applique off, but it looked so plain without it. 

Off for supper with my son, Luke!

~Joan

Another Quilt Gift Started

My Emily (remember--the one who didn't want me to make her any quilts for when she was married?) asked me to make her two more quilts.  I am posting them here for posterity.  I enjoy looking back and seeing the progress.

This is called Hearthside Memories.  There are a couple challenges.  I sort of lost most of the directions.  It was a 5-part installment in a magazine with a grand finale at the end (where else would it be?).

Here is it so far.  The middle...10" square...

Then add on the next blocks.  This is 20" square.

Stay tuned--the next step is appliqueing hearts and green comma-shaped things in the tan blocks between the triangles and adding a one-inch black border.

You can see the one in my own kitchen here (just click on the former word "here" to go to my other blog).

~Joan

Gift Quilt Completely Finished

This if officially the crinkliest quilt I've ever made!  It absolutely ripples with quiltiness.  I think it shrunk 6" both ways from the quilting, washing, and drying.  Good thing it started out a good size!

I put the borders on Emily's similar quilt and pieced the backing today.  That will be my next quilting project.  Rachel has already ironed the binding for me, so I'm good to go!

~Mama Joan

Julie's Small Stars

Julie is one of my e-friends.  She just bought $100 worth of fabric from me.  I read her blog daily.  She is working on a quilt made of little star blocks (these measure 4")...so I made a few to send with her box of fabric.  Hope she is surprised!  Pleasantly surprised, that is.

~Mama Joan

Emily's Pineapple Blossom

Susanna and I went to one of Bonnie Hunter's workshops last week and I started piecing these blocks for Emily.  Today I finished out to the pieced triangle border.  This is a big quilt!

I am going to ask her which of my red fabrics is her favorite and put that on as an outer border. 

~Mama Joan

Judson's Baby Quilt

Here is the baby quilt, washed and dried.  Don't you love the way a quilt crinkles up and gets all quilty after it's washed and dried?  I do.  It's about 36" square, which is in my target size for a newborn baby quilt.  This was the row-ectomy from my Texas Braid quilt.

Just found out...my Susie and I are going to Bonnie Hunter's trunk show Monday night and her workshop on Tuesday.  It's about 2-1/2 hours from our house. 

Of all the things...it's a Pineapple Blossom workshop.  Now where have I heard of that pattern??  The workshop was completely booked when I checked into it a while back, but the hostess just emailed me that there were some cancellations.  Emily said she would like the same quilt, so I'll piece one for her.

~Mama Joan

Pineapple Blossom Bonus Triangles

If you look closely at the red part of the HST in the above picture, you will notice that the red half is actually made of two different red fabrics.  When the pineapple blossom blocks are sewn, one places a 3-1/2" square on the corner and sews diagonally.  I double sew and keep the part most would dispose of. 

The result of my frugality is this nifty pieced inner border on the quilt.  Try it--you'll like it.

~Mama Joan

Lickety Split Baby Quilt

It is Wednesday, but you probably already knew that.  Wednesdays around here mean church visitation, youth choir practice, visiting with my dear elderly friend, flute lesson, church service, etc., etc.  As I was thinking about all that this morning, I wondered if a friend who delivered a baby boy last Wednesday (her second child) would be at the service.  Then *snap* a thought hit me.  Don't worry--it didn't hurt that much.  I.  had.  not.  made.  her.  a.  baby.  quilt.  You see, I make I Spy quilts for the first baby in a family.  After that I make a non-I-Spy...they all vary.

Fortunately, I had to take two rows off a Texas Braid quilt I made for myself and my husband.  It is yet to be quilted.  I like to make my baby quilts between 36-40" square.  I cut my rows of TB in thirds, which happened to be 36" long.  Since they started at 12" wide, 3 of them = 36"  !!  I love it when a plan comes together.

Here is a pic of just the top, which took about 20 minutes to cut and then sew into this piece.

I like to use up strips of batting, so here I am piecing them together.  I use a long, wide zigzag stitch.  I had to use 5 pieces to make a 40" square piece, but it only took about 10 minutes to piece.  Definitely worth it.

This is a close-up of stacked hearts I machine pieced in all the dark rows.  I keep trying to make "feathers" but they all look like hearts.  But that's OK--it's a baby quilt!

Here in the cream I just did small loops.  I like it!

Here is a pic of the whole quilted top.  I had just cut the binding strips when "lunchtime!" was called down the stairs.  One of my favorite words.  Now I'm headed back down to put the binding on.  I'd like to deliver this Sunday if I can.

~Mama Joan

The Piecing is Done...on to The Quilting!!

You'll just have to trust me that this is truly square.  I could not get any helpers to hold the corner out straight, so I just pinned up the top left corner, right to the wall.  I am eager to get this finished and put away for some reason.

My daughter changed her wedding date to August 13 (which happens to be my anniversary), so I have a little time.  I do have 4 bridesmaids and a flower girl dress to make, and I have promised to help arrange flowers, so I have a lot of work to go before then!

This measures about 60" x 68".  I like it!!

Red or White?

These are the twenty Pineapple Blossom blocks I pieced for my daughter's volunteer wedding planner/coordinator.  I was curious as to whether I would like them sashed the way the pattern said or differently. 

Here they are sashed the way the pattern dictates...

Here they are with red where the red bricks intersect...

I think I'm liking the original pattern.  What about you?

This will be a throw (nearly twin-bed size).  Hope she likes it.

Winter Warm for Emily

I've been a busy bee the past couple of days.  These fusible applique quilts go together so quickly.  The original name for this pattern is Winter Warm.  Those were the words that were supposed to be at the bottom of the quilt.  The friend that made mine substituted my last name, which I found enchanting.

Here is Emily and Steve's quilt top...soon to be hand quilted by me.

Isn't that snowman A. D. O. R. A. B. L. E.???