WIP–What About That Quilting?

July 12, 2011July 12, 2011 Elizabeth E.15 Comments

Thanks, Lee! and here we go again. To return to Freshly Pieced, click *here.*

Q: What do you call a quilt that is pieced, quilted, bound–but no label?

A: Work In Progress, I guess. But it feels good to get this far. I’m going to write the label on this in Pigma Micron Pen, so it won’t come unattached. I’ve been trending that way on quilts that are gifted, and this one will be gifted.

I have another quilt that is at this same stage, but before I show that (check back here on FSFriday for a reveal) I want to get that one labeled. I’ve collected a few more quilts from friends to photograph for my magnum opus–my journal about my quilts. Jen of Stitch Hack and I were talking about a list that her grandmother kept, so she wrote back and told me that her grandmother had quilted (hand-quilted) over 2,000 quilts in her lifetime!

The big WIP is the quilting of the dotty quilt, based on Everyday Best, by Becky Goldsmith and Linda Jenkins of Piece O’ Cake Designs. I’ve titled mine Come-A-Round. I had sent it to the quilters for anchoring the quilt together and now I’m doing detail work. But okay–I need your vote. Here’s the dilemma: I began quilting the leaves and stems in green, and like any good sewer loaded the bobbin with green to match. After doing this, I switched out to white (who knows why?) and now I have what my husband calls “green branches” on the back of the quilt–but only along the bottom side.

It’s on the back, but the rest of the quilting is in white. I tried to unpick a bit today, and I can see that if I do choose to unpick ALL of this, it will take me the better part of a day to get that done, setting me back a day. So, what say you?

Option #1: Keep moving: Leave it alone and chalk it up to experience.

Option #2: Cope. Flip the quilt upside down, make this the top and put a humungous quilt sleeve on it, that would partially cover this.

Option #3: Sigh. Be obsessive. Unpick and re-stitch, but watch a good movie while you do this.

Reality Check: Even though I am fairly skilled, I’m doing this free-motion by hand, so I know I’ll never win any prizes. But I do want to enter it into the local quilt show, and would like to put my best foot forward. I’ll be curious to see what you think.

Creating · Quilts · Sewing

Red & White Challenge

June 8, 2011June 10, 2011 Elizabeth E.9 Comments

Yesterday I wrote about Temecula Quilt Co and how the owner has a Red and White Challenge going on. {Details are •here•} Bring your Red and White Quilt into the shop by September 15th, or if you are too far away, send a photo. Head to her page for more info.

BUT I WANT TO PLAY!

Do you? While I was there I purchased six fat quarters of red and six of Kona Snow white from her (she graciously wrapped them up for me in cute little papers). I’d like to share with you, so we can get started on a quilt to show in October. Sheryl has more red and white available on her website, but if you live far away–or already have your own stash–any of the deep reds will work for this exchange. And yes, I prewashed all the reds for you.

So, I’m organizing my own little way for you and I to play together, no matter where we live. What I propose:
• leave a comment in order to get a free fat quarter of red and a free fat quarter of white. By signing up, you agree to finish your block and get it back to me by August 1st. Pinkie Swear you will do this–please don’t sign up if you won’t complete it by the first of August.
• make an 9″ block (should measure 9 1/2″ so as to include the seam allowances) using only red/white fabrics; you may select your block pattern from the blocks below. I’ll include the pattern when I send it to you.
• make another block for yourself (if you want)
• send me my block by AUGUST 1ST!!
• And as a thank you, I will send you a block in return. So you get two free blocks for making one–and for taking the red and white challenge with me. This should get you started, so you can participate in the Quilt Challenge. I only bought six, so don’t waste time!

About the blocks: I looked through a lot of quilts that were hanging up in New York City, and chose a few. I drafted them using my software (I use QuiltPro), and have printed them out, paper templates included. Choose the block you want to make and it will be in your little package of fun that will be coming your way. Be honest with yourself. If you are just a beginning quilter, choose one of the easier blocks. I don’t mind if we have duplicates. If you want something fun (you only have to make two), try one of the more complex blocks.

I will be making a 9-patch based block for you–a surprise!–but it will coordinate with yours. If I have no takers by June 20th (because you are all traveling, or having a baby, or don’t feel like a red and white, or just want to relax this summer), I’ll withdraw the challenge.

I’ve already had some replies:
First participant: Rhonda, making Jacob’s Ladder
Second participant: Sara, making Churn Dash
Third participant: Leisa, who hasn’t said yet which block she wants (Flying Geese Nines?)
Fourth quilter is Lisa G, who wants to make Swirling Star
Fifth quilter is Sue, who has her eye on Double-X
Sixth quilt is Katie H, who wants to make Shoofly.
Thanks all–looking forward to seeing your blocks in a couple of months. I’ve got my design all planned out, and hope to start slicing into the red/white fabrics tomorrow.

I took the Swirling Star block from this quilt. It looks amazing all made up and put together, doesn’t it?
P.S. I’m sure most of these have other names; I looked them up in Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns.

Quilts · Sewing

Quilt Night–June version

May 28, 2011May 28, 2011 Elizabeth E.Leave a comment

So why did we have June’s Quilt Night in May? Next Friday is the last day of school for most of the teachers in our group, so we thought by jumping it ahead we might be able to avoid Zombie Quilt Night.

Yes, this could have been us last night. I had my grandsons for the weekend–which was fun, but tiring–and the others were teachers and tired professionals who came just by themselves, or with a hand project. When someone asked Tauni what I was working on–I had brought down the sewing machine and had the Lollypop Tree block there, but at that moment was sitting over in the comfy red leather chairs visiting with Jean–Tauni glanced at me and said “Small talk.” I laughed. Yep–that’s about all I was good for. But in my defense, Jean was headed to DC and since I had lived there for a year, I was giving her tips for her visit.

Others had been productive; here’s some of their achievements:

This is Connie’s quilt for a friend–all done with machine applique (a lovely line of zig-zag stitching around everything). Connie said she chose a quick pattern this time for a quilt, and Lisa and I burst out laughing. You ought to see Connie’s complicated quilts!

We recommended using some dye absorber if the recipient ever decided to wash it.

Laurel had been very productive with making these large (20″?) stars of multiple dotty fabrics.

Here they all are together (line-up was done digitally on my computer).

Tauni had finished this quilt top, and then when Jean arrived. . .

. . . got her second quilt back. This was a friendship group challenge–to make a chubby log cabin block with modern and/or Kaffe Fassett fabrics. My blocks are still in the bag!

Lisa’s first project of the night was to fix her daughter’s “promotion dress.” Slight dressmaking adjustments. Then she put the borders on this wonderful quilt, made from a Bonnie McCaffrey block.

Lisa was the first to go, as she had “a date with the pavement in the morning” (she’s a marathoner). The rest of us lovely zombie quilters slowly packed up and the night was over. Who knows what July’s quilt night will bring? It’s scheduled for the 4th of July weekend!

Happy Quilting!

Sewing

Sewing ADHD

May 16, 2011May 28, 2011 Elizabeth E.Leave a comment

I’m convinced I have sewing ADHD. Yes–in all likelihood I could easily be diagnosed with this myself, or so say some of my relatives. But I’m so easily distracted now by all the possible projects that I could sew.

Here’s a case in point: Wallet-to-Tote On The Go. Sew, Mama, Sew is putting a series of tutorials on their blog for summer sewing, and this one has caught my eye. These little wallets fold out into . . .