I got the final borders on my Florabunda. I still have to get the backing pieced together then basting. I was looking through my supplies the other night and realized that I don't have enough safety pins to pin-baste this quilt. Most of my pins are in the maple leaf quilt that is waiting to be machine quilted. My choices are to take the time and machine quilt that soon (now?) before I can baste and hand quilt this one. Or, I can just thread baste this one. I think that's the option I will go with. Since it is National Quilting Day, I got all my errands out of the way, the guild newsletter has been sent to the distributor and corned beef is simmering on the stove, I think It's time to get a backing made and the quilt basted!
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Second Pair of Socks Completed, Florabunda Top Nearly Done
I have to admit that I'm really enjoying knitting socks. They're fun to make. They finish relatively quickly and they are very satisfying to make. Upon completion I have something beautiful and useful. And, I can get a pair completed in a few weeks.
On the quilting front, I'm dragging my feet and moving slowly. I ran into a problem and this is what usually brings a project to a halt. I had figured the lay out for the blocks, center block and sashing. When I started to trim the blocks to size, I found that the center block was 1" short of what I expected once I got the applique centered. So I had to do some figuring and run the idea past some quilting friends. Once I came up with a solution, I still had to draw it out to see how it would look. This meant that I have to make more of that checkerboard sashing, which I wasn't looking forward to doing.
But, I finally got to work and got more of the checkerboard prepared, got the yellow piping cut and ironed.
That was last week. This weekend I spent a few hours Saturday and a few more today and got most of the top together. Once I got going, it really didn't take too long. I think it takes longer to get my mind prepared for most projects than it takes to do the project itself. But, I'd rather be doing than thinking about doing.
This quilt looks different in every light - the purples are darker than they look here. This hasn't been ironed yet, but I was so excited to get this far that I wanted to snap a few shots and share. Now I have to do some more sewing to get the outer checkerboard prepared and attached. Then I have to decide if I stop there or add another border or not.
On the quilting front, I'm dragging my feet and moving slowly. I ran into a problem and this is what usually brings a project to a halt. I had figured the lay out for the blocks, center block and sashing. When I started to trim the blocks to size, I found that the center block was 1" short of what I expected once I got the applique centered. So I had to do some figuring and run the idea past some quilting friends. Once I came up with a solution, I still had to draw it out to see how it would look. This meant that I have to make more of that checkerboard sashing, which I wasn't looking forward to doing.
But, I finally got to work and got more of the checkerboard prepared, got the yellow piping cut and ironed.
That was last week. This weekend I spent a few hours Saturday and a few more today and got most of the top together. Once I got going, it really didn't take too long. I think it takes longer to get my mind prepared for most projects than it takes to do the project itself. But, I'd rather be doing than thinking about doing.
This quilt looks different in every light - the purples are darker than they look here. This hasn't been ironed yet, but I was so excited to get this far that I wanted to snap a few shots and share. Now I have to do some more sewing to get the outer checkerboard prepared and attached. Then I have to decide if I stop there or add another border or not.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Another Small Project
Winter time is motorcycle maintenance time in our garage. Over the summer, Wayne bought a key fob/patch with the name of the motorcycle club he belongs to embroidered on it. I thought it would look good on his tank cover.
I asked him to mark the cover where he wanted the patch and gave him a white pencil to work with. But, the white pencil didn't leave a lasting mark on the black vinyl, so he covered the area with masking tape and drew the circle on that. Then I used a pin to score the masking tape and tore out the circle so I could set the patch in place.
I set the patch in place with a glue stick and used a straight stitch to sew it on. I love my Pfaff! It does everything I've asked it to do, including sewing a double sided patch onto a fleece lined vinyl cover.
Looks pretty good!
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
In a Sea of Purple
I had some unexpected free time on Saturday afternoon. It was snowing out and I spent the day doing a few chores (house cleaning - ugh!) and having some quilt fun. I sat at my sewing machine on my brand new sewing chair (a Christmas gift) and sewed together more of those 1" squares that will the the checkerboard sashing for the Florabunda blocks.
I had taped a ruler to the machine bed to make sure that I had consistent 1/4" seams. When your blocks are 1" finished, being a little off will show, so I'm trying to be as consistent as possible. But, with the ruler taped to the machine, I was having a hard time getting to the bobbin case. This wasn't a terrible hardship, just a bit of a pain. So, I went on-line looking for accessories to my machine that I could attach to the throat plate with a screw that had an adjustable barrier to make consistent seam lines. When I couldn't find anything suitable, I decided that my old treadle machine came with every attachment available at the time.
So, I looked in the drawer and found just what I was looking for. I also found a "Quilt Wizard" foot that I had received as a Christmas gift a few years ago. This foot has a little guide that gives you a consistent scant 1/4" seam. It works wonderfully and I had forgotten all about it. My only complaint is that I cannot engage the walking foot when using this. I may have to perform some surgery on this foot to allow the walking foot to work, too. But, I'm happy that the purple sections are coming together. I may get to hand quilt this top yet!.
I had taped a ruler to the machine bed to make sure that I had consistent 1/4" seams. When your blocks are 1" finished, being a little off will show, so I'm trying to be as consistent as possible. But, with the ruler taped to the machine, I was having a hard time getting to the bobbin case. This wasn't a terrible hardship, just a bit of a pain. So, I went on-line looking for accessories to my machine that I could attach to the throat plate with a screw that had an adjustable barrier to make consistent seam lines. When I couldn't find anything suitable, I decided that my old treadle machine came with every attachment available at the time.
So, I looked in the drawer and found just what I was looking for. I also found a "Quilt Wizard" foot that I had received as a Christmas gift a few years ago. This foot has a little guide that gives you a consistent scant 1/4" seam. It works wonderfully and I had forgotten all about it. My only complaint is that I cannot engage the walking foot when using this. I may have to perform some surgery on this foot to allow the walking foot to work, too. But, I'm happy that the purple sections are coming together. I may get to hand quilt this top yet!.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Two Socks!
The socks are completed!
They were fun and pretty quick to do. I've been working on so many large, long term quilts lately, that I've really enjoyed the couple of small, quick projects I've completed. The details of the socks: Deborah Norville Serenity Sock Weight yarn, super fine of 50% wool, 25% bamboo and 25% nylon in Aquamarine color. This was the least expensive sock weight yarn that JoAnn's had to offer. I didn't want to sink a lot of cash into something I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy or use. I am quickly finding out that you can spend LOTS of money on yarn.
One funny thing I found this week was a posting from Judy Laquidara on her blog (http://www.patchworktimes.com/) telling about some completed socks using this exact yarn and at least one more reader of her blog commented that she just finished a pair, too. So I guess we're all in the New Aquamarine Sock club.
I'm trying hard not to go overboard, but I did go back to JoAnn's and get two more sets of double pointed needles, a cable needle and two more skeins of yarn. I'm getting bold because this is a little thicker yarn. I'm planning to try another pattern that I saw that has a simple cable running up the front. I haven't started yet. I'll keep you posted.
They were fun and pretty quick to do. I've been working on so many large, long term quilts lately, that I've really enjoyed the couple of small, quick projects I've completed. The details of the socks: Deborah Norville Serenity Sock Weight yarn, super fine of 50% wool, 25% bamboo and 25% nylon in Aquamarine color. This was the least expensive sock weight yarn that JoAnn's had to offer. I didn't want to sink a lot of cash into something I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy or use. I am quickly finding out that you can spend LOTS of money on yarn.
One funny thing I found this week was a posting from Judy Laquidara on her blog (http://www.patchworktimes.com/) telling about some completed socks using this exact yarn and at least one more reader of her blog commented that she just finished a pair, too. So I guess we're all in the New Aquamarine Sock club.
I'm trying hard not to go overboard, but I did go back to JoAnn's and get two more sets of double pointed needles, a cable needle and two more skeins of yarn. I'm getting bold because this is a little thicker yarn. I'm planning to try another pattern that I saw that has a simple cable running up the front. I haven't started yet. I'll keep you posted.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Socks and Other Projects
Just a little update on what I've been up to lately (but not necessarily in chronological order)...
First, I finished the sock and started on its partner. What's even more exciting is that it fits! What I'm a little afraid of, however, is that I won't like the feel on my feet. It is definitely different from the mostly cotton socks I usually wear. I'm reserving judgement until I get both of them done and wear them for more than the few seconds when I tried the first one on.
This is a thread catcher that I made some time before Christmas. I was having thread catcher envy from all the ladies who I went on the last quilting retreat with. They all had these beautiful thread catchers made with fun, brightly colored fabrics. I decided I wanted one made from Laurel Burch cat fabric. No, I don't own any of that fabric, but that doesn't stop us, right? You may have noticed that this particular thread catcher has no visible cats on it. I went looking for the fabric of my dreams, and came up short. The fabric I had in mind is no longer in print. And, when I went searching for it on the internet, I found it was more expensive than gold. So, I raided my stash and cut into some of that sacred fabric I had bought many, many, many years ago with no project in mind and was afraid to cut into. Irises are my favorite flower. This was a good project for the fabric because I'll get to see it often. And, frankly, I don't LOVE the fabric nearly as much as I did 20 years ago.
When I saw this at the Quilter's Gathering in November, I bought the pattern knowing I had to make one or more of these cute little bags. Here she is. Now I have no idea of what to do with it. It's a bit on the small size (about 9" from tip to tip and 5" tall) and because of the shape and stiff interfacing (Timtex) doesn't want to stay open. Currently I'm using it to hold my sock knitting, but it's a bit small for that because the needles stick out. Maybe with a floppier interfacing, it would be easier to stay open. Any ideas on a good use for a small bag?
First, I finished the sock and started on its partner. What's even more exciting is that it fits! What I'm a little afraid of, however, is that I won't like the feel on my feet. It is definitely different from the mostly cotton socks I usually wear. I'm reserving judgement until I get both of them done and wear them for more than the few seconds when I tried the first one on.
This is a thread catcher that I made some time before Christmas. I was having thread catcher envy from all the ladies who I went on the last quilting retreat with. They all had these beautiful thread catchers made with fun, brightly colored fabrics. I decided I wanted one made from Laurel Burch cat fabric. No, I don't own any of that fabric, but that doesn't stop us, right? You may have noticed that this particular thread catcher has no visible cats on it. I went looking for the fabric of my dreams, and came up short. The fabric I had in mind is no longer in print. And, when I went searching for it on the internet, I found it was more expensive than gold. So, I raided my stash and cut into some of that sacred fabric I had bought many, many, many years ago with no project in mind and was afraid to cut into. Irises are my favorite flower. This was a good project for the fabric because I'll get to see it often. And, frankly, I don't LOVE the fabric nearly as much as I did 20 years ago.
Another true confession... I am obsessed with boxes, bags and other storage things. I could spend obscene amounts of money at the Container Store. They don't have to have anything in them, but for some reason I like containers.
When I saw this at the Quilter's Gathering in November, I bought the pattern knowing I had to make one or more of these cute little bags. Here she is. Now I have no idea of what to do with it. It's a bit on the small size (about 9" from tip to tip and 5" tall) and because of the shape and stiff interfacing (Timtex) doesn't want to stay open. Currently I'm using it to hold my sock knitting, but it's a bit small for that because the needles stick out. Maybe with a floppier interfacing, it would be easier to stay open. Any ideas on a good use for a small bag?
Friday, January 6, 2012
Socks!
I've seen a few of my friends at quilt guild meetings knitting socks and I became intrigued. I've been reading a few blogs where the author has knit socks and I became obsessed. I've put off doing anything about knitting socks because it's been 23 years since I've knit anything. (I knitted a sweater for myself when I was expecting my daughter. That's why I know precisely how old that sweater is.) I don't have any knitting supplies (I gave them all to afore mentioned daughter when she dabbled in knitting a few years ago), and socks look reasonably complicated.
But I keep thinking about knitting socks (I'm obsessing, remember?). So I asked for some supplies for Christmas and my darling daughter complied. She got me a book and a gift certificate for supplies. I picked up needles and yarn before New Year's Eve and got started.
Here's a few shots of my progress:
Working on the heel flap.
Forming a heel.
Working down to the toe.
I'm really enjoying this, even though I've had to do quite a bit of ripping to get the pattern correct. But, I'm having fun!
But I keep thinking about knitting socks (I'm obsessing, remember?). So I asked for some supplies for Christmas and my darling daughter complied. She got me a book and a gift certificate for supplies. I picked up needles and yarn before New Year's Eve and got started.
Here's a few shots of my progress:
Working on the heel flap.
I'm really enjoying this, even though I've had to do quite a bit of ripping to get the pattern correct. But, I'm having fun!
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