Sister Quilts

A couple years ago I bought charm packs to make quilts for my sister and myself. I finished mine in 2015, and finally finished hers last night. I started it the week before Christmas, and while I had a feeling I wouldn't get it done in time for the holiday, I did manage to finish the top so I had something to wrap.

 

The one I finished last year was originally intended for her - but it went so well with my living room colors, I kept it for myself. Her quilt is on the left, mine on the right. I took her quilt top to the fabric store, and had a little trouble finding a print that would complement all the colors of the top. Turns out I picked the same fabric as my backing, but a different colorway. 

 

Here's a link to information about the moda fabrics I used:

http://blueherondolls.blogspot.com/2013/11/new-fabric-i-couldnt-help-myself.html

 

Addendum: Now that this project is done, I broke down and took the Bernina in for some routine maintenance. Out comes the old Viking, which I haven't used in a long time...and it still sews!

A Couple New Quilts

As I recently had the house to myself, I decided to finish a couple quilts. The first was made for the young daughter of a friend. I used (for the most part) fabrics I had on hand. I used a pattern I purchased for an online benefit: https://www.facebook.com/MysteryQuilt

The second was a quilt made from a charm pack I started sewing together in December of last year. I'd intended this one to be for my sister, but it goes so well with my living room that I'm keeping it for myself. She'll have to wait for hers, which will be made from the fabrics I'd originally intended for myself (see them here: http://blueherondolls.blogspot.com/2013/11/new-fabric-i-couldnt-help-myself.html).

A Fast & Friendly Quilted Potholder Tutorial

I've been keeping an eye out for some fast and easy gift ideas for Christmas. There's a blog post on Craftsy - a tutorial to make quilted potholders, which would be a great way to use scraps of fabric (Lord know I've got plenty of those!)  A lot of mine are pretty ratty looking, so I could always make some for myself, too.

 

But first, I need to finish a couple Santa dolls. So... I'm going to go work on them now while I have a moment.

New Fabric (I couldn't help myself)

Well, I did it. I bought more fabric when I promised myself I wouldn't. I could tell you it's because these charm packs were on sale at Green Fairy Quilts, and that may have played a small part. Mostly, it was because I thought these collections were bright and cheerful. I've had them for about a week, and I think they'll make up really cute simple lap or twin size quilts.

Then today while checking my email, I saw that Craftsy was offering another free quilting class. Of course I signed up for it. I learn new things with each class I take, and the teachers are all really good. This mini class is called Piece, Patch, Quilt: Basic Quiltmaking Skills with Gail Kessler. I doubt I can get something done before Christmas (too many other projects), but that's sort of what I had in mind.

This charm pack had me thinking of my sister, so she may get something in the distant future:

 

And this one appealed to me.

The color schemes of both are pretty similar, huh?

 

Incidentally, Craftsy is offering another free class called Professional Family Portraits, and as I just purchased a REALLY NICE camera, I signed up for this one as well. My new camera is a Canon EOS 7D, and I'm just starting to find my way around all the cool features. Even in the basic Auto mode, the photos are fantastic. I got the "For Dummies" book for this specific camera and I've got a DVD tutorial coming soon.  



Three Quilts!

I've monopolized the kitchen with my sewing stuff for an entire week, but I'm glad I did because now I've got three finished quilts. I should not be allowed to piece any more quilt tops, because I have  three others waiting to be finished, and lots more fabric.

The first quilt was Fiona's birthday quilt. This was my gift to Fiona on her 2nd birthday (she's 3 1/2 now!)  It took me quite some time to choose the "Simple Courthouse Steps" block for her quilt. The fabric used is from a fat quarter bundle by Riley Blake, called "Fiona's Fancy." You can see the three color ways in this post, Fiona's mommy picked the pinks. I chose lime green, chocolate brown,and pale yellow for the sashing and borders. The backing and binding are a hot pink print. 57 X 74 inches in size.

The second quilt was one I started in early 2012 after signing up for Jenny Doan's Quilting Quickly course on Craftsy. So it's about time I got this one done. It's made from a jelly roll - loulouthi fabric collection by anna maria horner. 48 X 71 inches in size. I underestimated how much fabric I needed for the backing, so I had to add some strips of other fabric, which you can see HERE.

The third quilt was started almost exactly one year ago, from a fund-raiser Mystery Quilt pattern called "Jack of Hearts" by Heather Spence. I made two quilt tops using this pattern, and finished one of them last night. Read more about this pattern HERE. This quilt is 63 X 63 inches, and as the actual quilting was in a simple grid pattern, it went fairly quickly. I'm very please that the quilt top was made using fabric from my stash. I did have to buy the backing, which is the same print as the binding shown here.

More than I can chew?

Have I bitten off more than I can chew? Hopefully not. I've been diligently working on the actually quilting portion of Fiona's birthday quilt the past several days. I'd considered taking it (or shipping it off) to someone so I didn't have to wrestle with it, but thought it'd be a good challenge for me.

Of course, I had to move the sewing machine downstairs and set up the card table next to the kitchen table in order to make this happen. I hope to get it done in the few days. 

 

I love my Bernina (Artista 165), but it's not technically a quilting machine. At the time I bought it, I only sewed garments and dolls. I've done a little free-motion embroidery on this machine with some success (I am the limiting factor). However, I've noticed some tension issues with this project. And some skipped stitches. To be fair, this machine is LONG OVERDUE for a tune up, so that may be the problem. I've changed needles, rethreaded, removed fiber bunnies, with some improvement. I've even (gasp!) adjusted the bobbin tension a little.

New Craftsy Classes - an on-going obsession

I've just signed up for a couple new Craftsy classes [as if I had all the free time in the world]: Quilt-as-you-go Patchwork Bags which looks fun and easy:

And Hand-Embellishing Knit Fabric [thanks to my friends Christine Shively and Ute Vasina for turning me on to this technique]:

 

Thankfully, I have access to these classes forever, because I'll not be getting to them any time soon. Still so much on my to-do list:

 

On-going Lifebook lessons

Fiona's birthday quilt

Hoffman doll

Helper Doll for the ODACA Luncheon

Cecelia doll for Marti

Santa doll for Mike

Other Art Journaling projects

Several unfinished quilts

 

 

There are tons of free patterns, too:
Free Quilting Patterns at Craftsy                                                      
Free Sewing Pattern at Craftsy

Belated Christmas

Today we're celebrating our Christmas since we worked the holiday. Sometimes it's nice to have an extra couple days to get things done.

While my goal this year was to make hand-crafted gifts for most of the family, I only accomplished two projects. The first was a set of six quilted Christmas placemats for my mom. I started these earlier in the year when I signed up for a Craftsy class (Quilting Quickly by Jenny Doan). It was also my first attempt at free-motion quilting, too. Boy, that takes some practice!

 

The second project was a Santa doll for my brother and sister-in-law. I used Gail Wilson's "Linsey-Woolsey Santa pattern. He's about 13 1/2 inches tall. For his robe, cape and hood, I found some fabric scraps (from curtains, I believe.) It frayed quite a bit, but I like the texture and pattern. I made the cord for his belt, using a gadget called the Diva Cord Maker.

 

What am I, Crazy?

So I've been stressing a little about the many concurrent projects I've been working on - some with deadlines, some a little more open-ended. So what do I do? I signed up for another!

Here's how I rationalized it: 

1) I can use up some of my vast fabric stash. 

2) It's for a good cause - a fundraiser. 

3) It's not a huge quilt, so it should go fairly quickly. 

4) If it turns out, maybe it can become someone's Christmas gift.

Click on the pink flower to visit Heather's website for more information about this project. The Mystery Quilt project is offered twice per year. A Facebook group allows many of the participants to share their fabric selections and progress photos.

I honestly have no idea where I saw the original link that pointed me to this project. Maybe it was on a blog post somewhere, maybe Facebook. But wherever it was, it took me to an Heather Spence's Etsy page, where for $15 I could sign up for the project:

Heather's program is a fundraiser to help cancer patients pay their medical bills. This fall she is offering one quilt in a 'beginner' or 'advanced' style. The first of five "clues" will be sent via email on October 5th. Each clue includes steps to finish the quilt. The quilt is in the modern style, using only squares and rectangles made up of three fabrics. The beginner quilt finishes at 62 X 62 inches and the advanced quilt finishes at 63 X 63. The advanced quilt is a variation of the beginner quilt.

The name of the quilt is "Jack of Hearts" named after our little recipient, Jack (who just turned 5). A very large tumor was found in his brain in April of 2012. Jack had surgery in May to remove the tumor, which was found to be benign. He is undergoing therapies to help bring back motor function. More info in Jack can be found at www.helpjack.org.  

The first fabrics I chose were entirely from my stash. I'd kind of hoped for a slightly darker tan, but this should do. I've done the cutting, and have started sewing as the clue directed.

It went pretty fast so I decided to pick more fabrics from my stashm except that I didn't have a "dark" color that went with the floral and the yellow, so I had to buy a bit more. And a new cutting mat. 

BOM ~ October

I just finshed the last two blocks for the Craftsy Block of the Month course. These blocks taught us how to paper piece (I've also been working on a quilt for granddaughter Fiona, which uses paper piecing) - what a great way to make precise blocks!

This first block is called the "Friendship Circle" block. 

This block is called the "Circle of Geese."

I used a very bright and happy fat quarter bundle called "Fresh Flowers" by Deb Strain for Moda. I think next month (November) we'll probably be learning how to sash our blocks and assemble the quilt. I really want to finish this project, but I think the tough part is still coming (the quilting part).

BOM ~ September

It took me some time to get started on the September's blocks for the Craftsy Block-of-the-Month course, as I had to order a Drunkard's Path template. These blocks were a bit more labor-intensive than some of the others, because of the curved piecing.

The first block was the chain block. I didn't really have any trouble sewing the curves, and I attribute that to making cloth dolls (lots of curves there!).

The second block was to be Cleopatra's Puzzle, but I chose to make this variation, which is basically Cleo's block with the center four squares rearranged a bit. Of course, after I took the photo I noticed some misalignment of the circle in the center. I have since unpicked that section and fixed the eye-sore.

Only two more blocks to go!

The tough job of choosing a quilt block

I'm having the hardest time settling on a quilt design for my granddaughter Fiona's birthday quilt. As a brand new quilter, I just don't have the repertoire of blocks in my pattern stash or brain.

I saw a pillow on Craftsy made using the Simple Courthouse Steps block. The link to the pattern/template was included, so decided to audition this block to see if I liked it. I'd never tried paper piecing before, and it went together pretty well.

The fabric used is from a fat quarter bundle by Riley Blake, called "Fiona's Fancy."

BOM ~ August

 Just finished Crafty's August's blocks. Both went pretty fast. This one is called the Ohio Star block.

 The second block was the Double Star, which required a bit more cutting. Fun, though, and it went together pretty well. I wanted to make the most use of what fabric I have left, so I did a little piecing. I can hardly find the pieced ones!

Sixteen blocks so far, four more to go. 

BOM ~ July

Yesterday I worked on and finished the July blocks for the Craftsy Block-of-the-Month class. Left is a traditional Dresden, and right is a modern version. I chose to hand sew the pieces to the background fabric, as I find it relaxing. The project would have gone much faster if I'd chosen to machine sew them.

Fourteen blocks so far. There will be 20 when the class is over.  I'm using a fat quarter bundle called "Fresh Flowers" by Deb Strain for Moda.

I'd intended to work on my Hoffman doll this weekend, but got sidetracked with this project. Well, I did apply some paint to my doll, so I guess I'm not a complete procrastinator. I'm planning to use one of my many unfinished dolls for the Hoffman, so that gives me a bit of a head start. 
I've also got to finish a pin doll for Carole, one of my students. That project is very nearly done - she just needs some hair and a pin back. 

BOM ~ June

June's blocks have been posted on the Craftsy website. Left is the Greek Cross and right is the Octagon block. Both are 9-patch blocks, and were pretty quick projects. I'm using a fat quarter bundle called "Fresh Flowers" by Deb Strain for Moda.

Here are all the blocks thus far. Picture them with plain white sashing between.

BOM ~ May

I just finished the May set of blocks for Amy Gibson's free Block of the Month class on the Craftsy website.  They went pretty fast. This months blocks were variations of the Log Cabin. I messed up a bit on the wonky one on the right, but it's all a learning experience for me. 

I'm using fabrics from a fat quarter bundle called "Fresh Flowers" by Deb Strain for Moda. Again, here are all the blocks thus far in no particular order.

BOM ~ April

Just finished the April set of blocks for Amy Gibson's free Block of the Month class on the Craftsy website. This month we learned English paper piecing. All the hexagrams are sewn on by hand. I had a bit of a struggle with the block on the right, arranging and rearranging hexes until I had a design I liked. Part of it was the busy background fabric, but I'm running low on the prints with the white background. I may have to buy more. I'm using fabrics from a fat quarter bundle called "Fresh Flowers" by Deb Strain for Moda.

And here are the blocks so far, in no particular order:

Fencerail Quilt Progress

I've sewn a little more on my fencerail quilt this week, adding borders and backing. I think I might actually finish this project! The size is smaller than a twin, but would be a good size to curl up with on the couch and read or watch movies.

When I bought my backing, I was thinking my borders would be narrow. After deciding on a wider orange border, my backing wasn't large enough. So I had to do some piecing. The brown stripe looks a little more slanted in this photo than it does in person.

I've done some stitching in the ditch to secure the quilt sandwich layers, but haven't decided on an actual pattern for the blocks and borders. This is going to be the tricky part for me. 

And while I've sworn off buying any new fabric (and use my stash instead), I couldn't resist this fat quarter bundle, called Fiona's Fancy by Riley Blake Designs: