I am almost there with my Christmas quilt. I will be able to finish off the quilting portion by tomorrow night. I am working on the sashing quilting now and it's just straight lines so it shouldn't take much longer. Then I will likely do a large looping stipple in the small red boarder, sew on the binding and hand sew it down and done! Should be all finished before the end of the week.
I will be so happy it's done and then to start on the snowmen quilt for my dear friend. I will only be piecing that one. She is a long arm quilter and will likely do something fantastic with it as usual. It is going to be absolutely gorgeous when she is done.
I then have my fall harvest quilt to finish and my prayer flag quilt to complete. The prayer flag quilt is being mostly hand stitched so it is taking a bit longer than usual. With the Fall Harvest quilt, I will be doing some machine fillers on it and then some beading afterwards. That one too, will take some time.
I also have an earthy quilt partially pieced which is quite quick to put together and then some edge to edge loops or stipple will complete that one off.
Baby quilts still have to be done for the guild as well. They are quite small because they are used for the NICU and need to fit easily in the incubators. Usually they are about 25 inches by 25 inches. I would like to make up two or three of those before October.
As you can see I am quite busy with my sewing. Doesn't leave much time for anything else but I love it.
I will post pictures as the work progresses on each of them so stay tuned.....
Blessings to all!
Tuesday, 30 July 2013
Sunday, 21 July 2013
Sunday July 21, 2013
I have been stitching away on my Christmas quilt. It is taking a long time to do and I must admit I am not really crazy about my stitching. But I suppose it is all a learning curve.
I have about half of the blocks done now and then I will do the sashing. Not really sure what pattern I will do for that but at the rate I'm going with it, I will have lots of time to figure it all out.
Once that quilt is finished I am going to start cutting and piecing Ruth's quilt. I found a cute pattern that I will take ideas from and got the fabric I want to use on it. I am a bit nervous about it because all her friends had embroidered the snow men blocks and I don't want to ruin it. It will be cute though when I do get it done I'm sure.
This is just the idea I'm thinking of. The actual blocks I have are on muslin where here they are on a dark blue.
So there are the blocks and there are twelve of them and this is the fabric I will be using for the sashing strips and blocks. The fabric is variegated from dark to light to dark. The shades match perfectly with the embroidery. I think it will be very pretty when done.
Now back I must go to finish off that Christmas quilt so I can get started on this one.
Hope all are having a great day!!!!
I have about half of the blocks done now and then I will do the sashing. Not really sure what pattern I will do for that but at the rate I'm going with it, I will have lots of time to figure it all out.
Once that quilt is finished I am going to start cutting and piecing Ruth's quilt. I found a cute pattern that I will take ideas from and got the fabric I want to use on it. I am a bit nervous about it because all her friends had embroidered the snow men blocks and I don't want to ruin it. It will be cute though when I do get it done I'm sure.
This is just the idea I'm thinking of. The actual blocks I have are on muslin where here they are on a dark blue.
So there are the blocks and there are twelve of them and this is the fabric I will be using for the sashing strips and blocks. The fabric is variegated from dark to light to dark. The shades match perfectly with the embroidery. I think it will be very pretty when done.
Now back I must go to finish off that Christmas quilt so I can get started on this one.
Hope all are having a great day!!!!
Monday, 1 July 2013
Share the Joy
Love this little quilt. It's Share The Joy by Deb Strain for Moda. The pattern is so pretty and I just love the feel of the fabric.
I finally got the quilt sandwiched and I am just getting ready to ditch stitch around it to secure it. Not really sure of the pattern of quilting I'm going to do yet but once it's ditched I'll think more about it.
I have been doing this quilt since last Christmas and now it looks like I am finally going to have it done for this Christmas!
Sorry, no pictures yet but I am charging my camera and I will check my old computer too. I am pretty sure I have a picture of the top there.
Love these stars too. I think I am finally getting the hang of the seam allowance now. Mind you my new machine stitches like a dream so I'm sure that is a big help.
The day here is gorgeous and sunny. Temps are mild and the humidity, thankfully, is low today for a change. Seems these old joints really aren't too fond of humidity. May take a trip to the store and pick up a few things but otherwise I am using this day off for quilting.
HAPPY CANADA DAY!
I finally got the quilt sandwiched and I am just getting ready to ditch stitch around it to secure it. Not really sure of the pattern of quilting I'm going to do yet but once it's ditched I'll think more about it.
I have been doing this quilt since last Christmas and now it looks like I am finally going to have it done for this Christmas!
Sorry, no pictures yet but I am charging my camera and I will check my old computer too. I am pretty sure I have a picture of the top there.
Love these stars too. I think I am finally getting the hang of the seam allowance now. Mind you my new machine stitches like a dream so I'm sure that is a big help.
The day here is gorgeous and sunny. Temps are mild and the humidity, thankfully, is low today for a change. Seems these old joints really aren't too fond of humidity. May take a trip to the store and pick up a few things but otherwise I am using this day off for quilting.
HAPPY CANADA DAY!
Found the picture of the top. It's now sandwiched and I will start the ditching to secure it in a few minutes. I just love it.
Sunday, 30 June 2013
Another Creation Started
I have decided to send my last top out to the long armer. It's so beautiful, I just couldn't see spending all that time on it and not having it done by one. It will be gorgeous when finished I just know. I sent it to my dear friend Ruth who does this professionally and she does such wonderful work. I can't wait to get it back! But she is terribly busy and it could take a bit of time yet. I am on pins and needles waiting....but it will be worth it.
I have already started a new one and will do it slowly over time. It won't be as large as the last one but it will be very nice when it's done. This one I may quilt myself. I have my new machine and the slider as well which will make things go a lot easier. Also going to try the new Machingers Gloves and see how they work out too.
I also have a new computer and do not quite know how to add pictures to it yet. This Windows 8 seems rather daunting and so much more complicated. Why do they do that....change things so often. I do realize they are trying to perfect all the time but I guess they haven't figured out that nothing is perfect in this world and never will be unless it was created by the Divine......I will try to post pictures of the new quilt later. May have to fire up the old lap top and see if I can get them there.
It's a long weekend here in Canada....July 1st....and I do get one more day of rest....hehehehe....that means quilting. Have been thinking of looking into a long arm machine for myself. It seems to me that if I do this, by the time retirement age comes around, I could have the knowledge and some experience accumulated to make it a little retirement type business. It would keep me busy and bring in a bit of income too. Very serious considerations on this matter. Will keep you all posted.
Must be off and get those blocks done today. As I said I will try to post up a picture of them as soon as I can figure out this crazy system. Hope your day is grand.
I fired up the old lap top and here are the pictures of the new quilt top beginning.
I have already started a new one and will do it slowly over time. It won't be as large as the last one but it will be very nice when it's done. This one I may quilt myself. I have my new machine and the slider as well which will make things go a lot easier. Also going to try the new Machingers Gloves and see how they work out too.
I also have a new computer and do not quite know how to add pictures to it yet. This Windows 8 seems rather daunting and so much more complicated. Why do they do that....change things so often. I do realize they are trying to perfect all the time but I guess they haven't figured out that nothing is perfect in this world and never will be unless it was created by the Divine......I will try to post pictures of the new quilt later. May have to fire up the old lap top and see if I can get them there.
It's a long weekend here in Canada....July 1st....and I do get one more day of rest....hehehehe....that means quilting. Have been thinking of looking into a long arm machine for myself. It seems to me that if I do this, by the time retirement age comes around, I could have the knowledge and some experience accumulated to make it a little retirement type business. It would keep me busy and bring in a bit of income too. Very serious considerations on this matter. Will keep you all posted.
Must be off and get those blocks done today. As I said I will try to post up a picture of them as soon as I can figure out this crazy system. Hope your day is grand.
I fired up the old lap top and here are the pictures of the new quilt top beginning.
I also have a star block to go with this but no photos as yet. They will be a surprise. I will post new pictures once I have completed the top. It is going to be a lap size...no big one here although I was thinking about it. I plan to quilt it myself so I am limiting the size this time. Have a great day everyone..................................
Saturday, 13 April 2013
Finished Quilt Top
The top is completed now except for a decision on whether to put a three inch plain white border on it. That would make the drop a bit longer. Hmmmm.....can't decide on that yet. I may have to just look at it for a while.
The other decision is the quilting....do I quilt it myself or should I send it to the long arm quilter??? It is pretty large and would really play havoc on my wrists but it is so expensive to send it out.....again, I will have to look at it for a bit before I decide on either one of those questions. But I do really love it and can't wait to have it quilted up and on my bed......
The other decision is the quilting....do I quilt it myself or should I send it to the long arm quilter??? It is pretty large and would really play havoc on my wrists but it is so expensive to send it out.....again, I will have to look at it for a bit before I decide on either one of those questions. But I do really love it and can't wait to have it quilted up and on my bed......
Monday, 1 April 2013
Welcome back to my blog. I haven't done this for such a long time now and really should keep it going. I have been very busy with my quilting and knitting to the point of obsession and it seems that's all I do these days. But I do love doing them.
I have so many tops done and really do need to get at the quilting stage, but it seems when you get going on one another pattern flashes before you and the next thing you know you are in you stash sorting through fabrics trying to put together the inventory for another top. I am just going to have to get down to it and get at those finished tops and that's all there is to it. Can't sell them if they aren't done.
On my latest creation I have to complete thirty blocks that are 14 inches each. So far I have twenty done and will work on some more today. It's a process and if you follow my little trail here of pictures you will see what I am doing.
I can't wait to see this one finished. It will be so nice on my bed this summer.....light and soft for the heat that will soon enough be on us all.
All the little pieces cut and placed ready to sew together. This is the first process.
I like to arrange them in the order they are to be sewn. Makes it all less confusing for me too.
I now begin to sew them together in order and do chain sewing to make it go so much faster.
Once I have the first two strips attached, they are put together with the other two strips.
Now they are put together with the other half of the block.
Again I chain sew them together to make it go so much quicker.
Now clip them apart and finger press the seams all facing inward to the dark fabric.
When I am working with smaller pieces, I find it better to finger press rather than iron it. The iron distorts the fabrics and with smaller pieces that distortion can really make your blocks uneven and wonky. I will press the final block with lots of steam, but I mean PRESS not iron. Tap the iron down and very little pressure on the fabric.
As you can see here all the seams are facing toward the darker fabric. This way the dark won't show through on the lighter side of the fabric.
And here is the finished block. Now I must tell you this was my first preliminary block and I have changed it since. I decided, once I had a bunch of the smaller blocks together, to put all the same colour together. The prints are all different on them but the colour shades are the same. So it is blue with blue, green with green and purples with purples. An afterthought and I think it will look nicer and softer that way.
So this is where I am with it so far. I now have twenty full blocks completed and just ten more to go. Then it will be all sashed together. Off I go to do some more......Happy Quilting!
I have so many tops done and really do need to get at the quilting stage, but it seems when you get going on one another pattern flashes before you and the next thing you know you are in you stash sorting through fabrics trying to put together the inventory for another top. I am just going to have to get down to it and get at those finished tops and that's all there is to it. Can't sell them if they aren't done.
On my latest creation I have to complete thirty blocks that are 14 inches each. So far I have twenty done and will work on some more today. It's a process and if you follow my little trail here of pictures you will see what I am doing.
I can't wait to see this one finished. It will be so nice on my bed this summer.....light and soft for the heat that will soon enough be on us all.
All the little pieces cut and placed ready to sew together. This is the first process.
I like to arrange them in the order they are to be sewn. Makes it all less confusing for me too.
I now begin to sew them together in order and do chain sewing to make it go so much faster.
Once I have the first two strips attached, they are put together with the other two strips.
Now they are put together with the other half of the block.
Again I chain sew them together to make it go so much quicker.
When I am working with smaller pieces, I find it better to finger press rather than iron it. The iron distorts the fabrics and with smaller pieces that distortion can really make your blocks uneven and wonky. I will press the final block with lots of steam, but I mean PRESS not iron. Tap the iron down and very little pressure on the fabric.
As you can see here all the seams are facing toward the darker fabric. This way the dark won't show through on the lighter side of the fabric.
Saturday, 23 June 2012
June 23, 2012
Another warm but a little cooler day today. At least the humidity is down and it feels much more comfortable.
Started my packing and did a fair amount. I don't have anymore boxes so I have been cleaning out closets and drawers trying to rid myself of those things "I might need one day". So much is just nonsense and of no use or value so out it goes.
I have three weeks until the big moving day so I am in no great rush. It's been too hot to rush at anything. I cleaned up my old altar and cleansed so much of it with salt water and bay leaf and packed it away. I did leave a few pieces I still need and really do want left out for now, but I must say it is looking pretty bare.
So many memories are being found among my clothes in my dresser. Old cards from friends on holiday, pieces of hair from the grands, ribbons from special occasions and little bits of joy picked up here and there. It really is difficult to let them go. So for the most part I have kept the dear ones and let some of the others go.
Saved up some old T-shirts to cut into strips for a new bathroom rug. I may do that later tonight and what ever is left I will toss.
Packed most of my knitting things away except for the socks I'm working on and also got some of the fabrics put away too. I will need more boxes to do much of anything else with the fabrics. I hope to get a pantry style cupboard to put most of the fabric in once I'm moved. It will make it so much easier to find things and know just what I have.
I am looking forward to this move. I feel I must move on from here for some reason. Yes, it is being sold and I really don't have a choice, but still something inside is telling me to move on. This new place will help the knees, ankles and hip by not having any stairs to contend with and it is so close to everything and in walking distance. It is a bit farther from work but not a bad walk in good weather and the bus is right at the corner.
All in all I am looking forward to it. I will be closer to my friend Pat who is so wanting to learn to quilt and she is only two blocks away. That will be fun too.
Here is a picture of my latest quilt I finished last week. Wanted to get it done before I moved. It will look so nice on the sofa I hope to get in a couple of weeks.
Well back to work again. So much to do. Have a wonderful day.
Started my packing and did a fair amount. I don't have anymore boxes so I have been cleaning out closets and drawers trying to rid myself of those things "I might need one day". So much is just nonsense and of no use or value so out it goes.
I have three weeks until the big moving day so I am in no great rush. It's been too hot to rush at anything. I cleaned up my old altar and cleansed so much of it with salt water and bay leaf and packed it away. I did leave a few pieces I still need and really do want left out for now, but I must say it is looking pretty bare.
So many memories are being found among my clothes in my dresser. Old cards from friends on holiday, pieces of hair from the grands, ribbons from special occasions and little bits of joy picked up here and there. It really is difficult to let them go. So for the most part I have kept the dear ones and let some of the others go.
Saved up some old T-shirts to cut into strips for a new bathroom rug. I may do that later tonight and what ever is left I will toss.
Packed most of my knitting things away except for the socks I'm working on and also got some of the fabrics put away too. I will need more boxes to do much of anything else with the fabrics. I hope to get a pantry style cupboard to put most of the fabric in once I'm moved. It will make it so much easier to find things and know just what I have.
I am looking forward to this move. I feel I must move on from here for some reason. Yes, it is being sold and I really don't have a choice, but still something inside is telling me to move on. This new place will help the knees, ankles and hip by not having any stairs to contend with and it is so close to everything and in walking distance. It is a bit farther from work but not a bad walk in good weather and the bus is right at the corner.
All in all I am looking forward to it. I will be closer to my friend Pat who is so wanting to learn to quilt and she is only two blocks away. That will be fun too.
Here is a picture of my latest quilt I finished last week. Wanted to get it done before I moved. It will look so nice on the sofa I hope to get in a couple of weeks.
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