Saturday, January 31, 2015

quilt in a day....

This lap size quilt was easy to put together with already assembled framed squares.  I tend to pre-cut lots of fabric in standard sizes of 5"x5"squares, 2" strips and 2.5" strips so that I can sew when in the mood to sew.  That is what made this quilt in a day possible. Plus I am giving my shoulders a rest from larger quilts and will be working on lap size quilts for a while.


Now in the shop.

Linked to:







Sunday, January 25, 2015

Friday, January 23, 2015

another quilt top finished.........

This is another design I've had in mind for a while.  Got the top finished today and hope to have the back done, quilted, binding done and in the shop by Monday.


Linked to:










Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Wednesday and Thursday link ups

I am currently working on another quilt top.  Too late to photograph it for today so I decided to link my latest finished project to the following:




Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Full size - framed squares - farmhouse quilt.........done

This is the largest framed square quilt I've done yet.
Full size 
approx. 72" x 90"

Now in the shop.

linked to:




The back is a full piece of print that I really like.  I have that print in green, which has been used up, blue which I still have and this muslin color.  The fabric is "Prairie Vine" by Kim Diehl for Henry Glass & Co. I really like her designs and have bought several pieces.........so far.




Saturday, January 17, 2015

another framed square quilt...biggest one yet

This weeks projects were: 
more quilt bags, 
quilt bag labels and 
another framed square quilt top.
DONE.........

Linked to the following:


 This quilt top is the biggest framed square design I've done so far measuring 77" x 97", before quilting.


 Came across this wonderful twill tape from The Ribbon Retreat.




Thursday, January 15, 2015

too many WIP's

I keep a calendar of things I need to get done, chores, appointments, sewing, quilting, projects, etc. The daily to-do list keeps growing. I jotted down 3 more things last night to add to today's lineup and there is no more room............ugh.  Then I prioritize and move, click and drag, some items to the next day or week. This process is better for me, paper lists get too messy with the scribbles and post-it notes are too much. An online calendar is the best method of organization for me. That is until I see that my quilting WIP's are overtaking my day. I've found that I am in several stages of completion on several projects; framed squares waiting to be made into a couple of quilt tops, two rolls of binding ready to be used on quilts waiting to be made, my new found project of making pieced quilt bags, quilt labels and more projects not found in the photos below.  It's good that I find sewing as my therapy or I would be stressed from all the WIP's waiting to be completed.  Oh, housework, let's not even go there :).

Linked up with::



needle and thread Thursday


all this WIP will become.....


...more framed square quilts...


...and quilt bags.

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

quilt bag

I had been wondering how to wrap/package my quilt that has been sold to a local customer when I came up with the idea of piecing serging together precut squares to make a drawstring tote bag.  Another way to use up the fabrics that represent the farmhouse way of living.
  
"use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without".


I like this bag so much I just may make several and have them ready to wrap/package all my quilts.




Linked to:

Friday, January 9, 2015

....and SOLD

This quilt sold within 
3 hours of posting it in the shop......


another kaleidoscope scrap quilt/project DONE....

After making several quilts I usually have enough scraps that I can make another kaleidoscope project.  This one seemed to take longer than usual.  Oh well, it's DONE.  I even have my new quilt label on there.

Now in the shop.

Linked up to the following:











Thursday, January 8, 2015

wip - quilted

Woke up to temps in the single digits here in the Ozarks. At least the SUN is shining. Grabbed some coffee and restoked the wood stove to warm the bones. NO outside photos for me today. 

Spent yesterday fabric shopping with a friend.  I was able to get this quilt quilted late afternoon and into the night.  Plans are to add the binding so that I can get it finished up and added to the shop....today. Already have another quilt in mind. That is after I refold all the fabric I bought yesterday.  Yes EQ I did purchase your fabrics and should have that mailed out by the weekend.  






Wednesday, January 7, 2015

w.i.p.


Still a WIP
got the back done and loaded on the 
Gammill longarm quilter yesterday
after I put together a simple tutorial.
Today I plan to fabric shop with a friend
and maybe get the quilting started on this project.


Linked to:


Tuesday, January 6, 2015

1.6.15

1.6.15
linked to:


Kaleidoscope Tutorial

1.6.15
Kaleidoscope tutorial


We recycle printed pages or copies that we no longer need. Starting with an 8.5" x 11" piece of  recycled paper and I use the backside or blank side to draw an 8.5" square. Then draw a line from one corner, diagonal, to another.  Measure a 1" space or 1/2" on either side of the diagonal line. Use a fine point sharpie or pen for this so your lines stay strong when you make your copies.

Print as many pieces of the the drawn pattern or template as you will need to complete a pillow cover, table runner or quilt.  Trim off the excess 2.5" piece, this piece becomes kindling in our house.



Taking that 8.5"x 8.5" square start with your center piece.  I have used up all my muslin scraps. So this time I used black prints that have been cut into 1" strips.   Place the black strip right side facing up centering between the lines. Be sure all your fabric strips are long enough to hang over the edge of the paper  just a bit. 


  

Now place the next scrap piece right side of fabric facing down lining up with the edge of the black piece. This is where you use your evenly trimmed scraps to build your squares.


Stitch 1/4" from the edge using a very short stitch.  You want alot of needle perforation.


Stitch all your blocks with your first two pieces of scraps. This part is the hardest since you have to keep the two strips of fabric lined up with the line. The next steps become easier. Once all the first two pieces are stitched on either side of the black, or center, strip press all your blocks. Ironing/pressing is the important step here or your blocks will not come out even. Continue stitching the strips and pressing until all your blocks are done.  

Turn over and using your rotary cutter and mat trim off excess fabric using the paper square as a guide. 

Those excess scraps are getting used in a different project in my house.  That project will be posted later.



Now here's where a good movie will come in handy as you tear off each and every strip of paper using the stitching as your perforated guideline.  Fold the paper back, score with your finger and tear. This is where short stitches help with removing the paper. I typically leave the paper on until I get ready to stitch the squares together to keep the pieces squared up.  


Lot's of steps so far but well worth it when you lay out your pieces to decide how to stitch them up. The only guide I use is....not to match any fabrics.

Below is the result of parts of several days and evenings plus late nights of watching TV while sorting scraps, stitching, pressing and tearing off paper strips. 


Today I stitch up the block pieced back, again made up from scraps or leftovers from other quilt projects.