Last Frankfort Girls Gathering of '23

All the gals came together on Friday for one last meet-up of 2023, and we were here at my house. How nice to host one last time this year. Each time we are together, I am impressed more and more by the closeness we share and the genuine love we have for one another. This group is special, and I am so fortunate to count them as friends.

Supposedly, we get together every other Friday morning to sit around the dining table, stitching away on some hand project and enjoying fellowship and light refreshment. Do you see any handwork going on in this picture? I don't think any of us took a single stitch. We did have an extra helping of fellowship and refreshment, perhaps. *wink* 

It was a wonderful morning. We talked about so many various subjects - quilting-related and otherwise. We solve many issues over our coffee and sticky buns! *wink-wink*

Here are three quilts for show and tell. The first is made by Sheryll who offered the quilt top to anyone in the group who wanted it. She said it wasn't her style, and she just didn't feel the need to go about finishing it. I believe Helen grabbed it up. 

Sheryll made the quilt along with her guild's block of the month project awhile back -years or months, I don't recall. I love it in all its brown and pink glory, but I resisted the urge to claim it as I have enough on my plate without taking on one more quilt. And, I thought, wouldn't it be nice to make it myself? I have a nice supply of brown and pink fabrics in my stash - I enjoy making quilts, so I could see this becoming a possible goal at some point in the future.

Another quilt by Sheryll is this panel quilt of a primitive Santa and various primitive scenes and motifs. This very much exemplifies Sheryll's style - plus, she loves and collects Santas!

The final quilt shared was by Becky, who followed along with an InstaGram account who conducted a little a sew-along. A quilter named Taryn with the handle @reproquiltlover imitated an antique doll quilt she'd come across, and offered to assist followers to make one of their own. Called the Scrappy Stars Stitchalong, she'd post direction and suggestions for blocks; it was fun watching participants share their interpretations. If I'd not been so busy with holiday obligations I would have possibly joined it. (Remember the last post in which I vowed I'd do more sew-alongs!) The instructions will always be there, so perhaps one day...

So, that was our last gathering of 2023, and this is my final post for 2023. We had a small celebration earlier this evening, but hubby and I are enjoying a quiet evening now as we await the midnight hour. 

Farewell, 2023! It's been a fun ride! I have high hopes for a grand New Year!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Secret Santa Sewing

Only one truly secret bit of sewing for me this year and that was for one very special granddaughter! What fun to sew for her!

Way back in the spring or summer, daughter Erin handed off a little stack of fabrics that she suggested would be suitable for little outfits for baby Cate. This stack intimidated me a bit as they were much more loosely woven fabrics that the normal quilting cottons I am accustomed to sewing.

The light fabric on top has already been made up into a little sleeveless dress, but I think I waited too late to make it as it was no longer sleeveless weather and she was nearly too big for the size I made. 

The dark blue on the bottom of the stack is what I made for Christmas. When Erin gave me these fabrics, she specifically said she thought the blue would be perfect as a little pair of overalls. Yes! And I think I absolutely delivered on that request!

The loose weave of the fabric gave me some problems, but nearly every single seam was given some sort of finish to prevent raveling. I zigzagged some, folded others, and pinked even others. In the few months that this will fit Cate, it oughtn't give out from frayed seams.

The other problem I encountered was the need to sew snap strips on the legs to simplify diaper changes; always avoid the fuss of undoing the whole outfit if possible, right? The snaps were easy enough to acquire through Amazon; they were delivered in short order.

The picture here sorta' shows the stiffness of the snaps, but on the baby it should look perfectly normal. I am waiting on a picture of sweet Cate wearing her new overalls. I expect one to be forthcoming any day now.

So just one fabric remains to be stitched for our girl - the pastel stripe. To me the fabric says 'jumper' so I will probably go that route. I need to get cracking on it! Our Cate is growing, and there is only a yard of fabric - no time to waste!

I might not have a pic of Cate wearing her new duds, but I do have Cate pics - by the hundreds! Let's just go ahead a share one here. *smile*

 

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Santa's Helper?

Some quilters get rather bent out of shape when asked to mend something for someone, and I admit to having acted this way a time or two. However, in the days following Christmas, when my sister asked if there was a way to repair a stocking, I was totally in "yes, I can" mode. 

I've spent so little time in the quilting room these last few weeks, that an easy, almost mindless mending job suited me to a tee.

The stocking in question is this 35-year-old panel stocking that my sister stitched together for her daughter (my niece) Abby. 

Now, this is a special stocking, let me tell you. Not only is Abby a very special daughter and niece, the fact that Sandy (my sister) actually sat at a sewing machine to make this takes it to a whole new level of special. I can count on one hand the number of times I have seen her sewing, that's how rarely it as occurred.

Take a look at the toe of the stocking - at some point however many years ago, it was hung too close to a roaring fire, and the tip got singed. It was still all attached, but it looked unsightly and it was very precarious for any amount of weight dropped into that stocking would have surely ripped it wide open.

I put on my Santa's Helper hat and spent a very relaxing hour or so breathing new life into this stocking. And I think I did okay. I couldn't exactly match the fabrics, but my stash of Christmas fabrics contained one that suited the job.

I used a seam ripper to take apart the entire toe end of the stocking. Then I cut away the really tattered, burned parts. I traced a rough pattern onto my replacement fabric, then 'eyeballed' the placement enough to cover the toe.

After finishing both sides, it seemed that I really should quilt the fabric so that the new stuff was attached to the original. I grabbed a little ruler and drew out a grid on which to make my quilting stitches.

This side of the stocking had more burned areas, so it needed a larger patch than the other. It looks passable, with the front and back stitched back together. I sure don't want anyone judging it, but for the few days per year that it will be displayed and used, it will suffice. 

A humble little stocking needed a humble little repair. And now it is good for another 35 years, right? Just don't hang it too close to a roaring fire!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Checking My List

Santa has taken care of his list, so now I will check and double-check my list - that one I make each January with goals for the year.

 

I found this cute cartoon on several Instagram and Facebook accounts. I thought it would be apropos here for this post, since I do have several goals that are NOT going to be met.

Overall, in 2023, I have made fewer quilts and quilted fewer quilts. It disappoints me that my numbers are down, but when I examine the reasons why, I can't say that I have any regrets. Two factors played into my shift in focus: a granddaughter and a winter house. My attention has been happily diverted to two very exciting alternate interests. 

Below are my '23 goals which I posted on January 6. Each item is more fully explained by clicking back.

My long arm goals were good in that there was a push to do them all, but mostly I just worked on achieving the first one. I did quilt most of the new quilts made, but not all. I consider this progress, and I still have lots of room for growth on the long arm machine.

Alpine was both pieced and quilted this year!

I finished 5 of the quilting goals - 2, 3, 5, 6, 7. Number 11 covers 7 more quilts, all shown here (if it's updated; I'm behind on doing that). Many of the "numerous quilts" consist of baby quilts, which are super fast, but still they count, right?

Existing stash - a jelly roll quilt.

Perhaps most disappointing is that I did not get Lake Effect to the completed flimsy stage. I am so close, too. I am taking it with me to Florida; hopefully I will be reporting progress from the sunny south.

Lake Effect - it's getting there!

 For yet another year, I am hoping to come up with a quilt for using the Winnemucca fabrics. I just want to make a good choice, so I am dithering over that. I also seem to be really conflicted about finishing those Blockheads projects. Oh my. Please, stop me if I ever say I'm doing another quilt-along!

I am definitely in the planning stages for my 2024 Goals. I hope to have them ready in early January.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Merry Christmas!

 May the blessings of Christmas be with you today and always!

 

Have a truly blessed day!

Festive Churn Dash

That cute little churn dash block from yesterday's post is now stitched up with 8 others into a happy, festive little table topper. I am just loving it!

All the fabrics are from the existing stash. The red setting fabric was from my friend Kay's sewing room. The backgrounds were just random fat quarters collected over the years, and the three browns used for the churn dashes are scraps from quilts made over 20 years ago.

The inspiration for this little quilt (pictured below) is one I've saved and come back to time and time again. I don't think there's any one specific reason I have been so taken with it. I love the cute little dashes; I love that it's on point; I love brown and red together. To me it simply screams "make this!" 

And so finally, I have!

I've added a tag onto the picture indicating that I do not know the source for this quilt; likely it was saved from Pinterest or Instagram, my usual two sources for inspiration. If any reader knows the source, I'd sure love to acknowledge it, so let me know.

I see that my churn dashes are evenly divided whereas the inspiration quilt has smaller center squares separating the corner triangles, making the churn dashes look chubbier. I might return to this and make another one with that chubbier churn dash. 

I do love the churn dash, in whatever form it appears. A couple of years ago, I was in a major churn dash frenzy. Click here to see the exchange blocks project of the the Frankfort Girls. The quilt from those blocks is pictured below. Also, click here to see True Blue, a large churn dash quilt. And click here to see a navy and poison green example. 

I'm sure I've got a scrap piece of batting for my festive little lovely; I will do a stash dive for backing. The binding has to be brown, like the inspiration. I can see this being finished off in short order.

Only two more sleeps till Christmas!! 

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Christmas-Time Sewing

This time of year is so packed with shopping, decorating, cooking and baking, family gatherings and all other manner of Christmas preparations. It is no wonder, then, that Sharon and I have had precious few days we could get together for sewing. We did manage one last session before Christmas - this past Wednesday.

Sharon put the finishing touches on these gifts for a Pioneer Woman fan. These fabrics are from the Ree Drummond/Pioneer Woman line at Wal Mart, and Sharon has made two place mats and a small table topper.

They are as simple as can be, but so exquisitely pretty! I just know her friend is going to love them!

While Sharon made these table accessories, I made two more Scandinavian Stars (pink, this time!) and then I proceeded to make 9 churn dash blocks. I have saved a picture of a little quilt I've wanted to make for years, so I just decided that I should go for it. Make the blocks!

I cut out all 9 blocks, but just made this first one. It measures 4.5 inches and will be set on point with red setting blocks. I hope to find a few pockets of time in the coming days to finish it.

Happy first day of winter! Are you ready for these long dark nights ahead? Here's a thought for us to ponder.

"May you find peace in the promise of the solstice night, that each day going forward will be blessed with more light." ~unknown

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Fun Little Quilts

The Frankfort Girls had our Christmas brunch and gift exchange on Friday morning. I always look forward to this event for the extra special fellowship that the Christmas Spirit brings. We have a wonderful meal at a local woman's house - the most darling little cabin decorated perfectly with primitives and family treasures. 

Afterwards, we headed over to Terry's house for gifting and relaxing. While our usual every-other-Friday gathering is set at 9-noon, we always gladly allow this special event go long. It is almost as if none of us want the love and fellowship to end. 

You saw the gifts I took when I shared my red and white Scandinavian Stars. Inside, everyone got a holiday kitchen towel, an ornament, a small candle and a tasty homemade treat. I drew Sheryll's name in the gift exchange (and interestingly, she had my name, too!). Sheryll is a master of wool applique who loves red, so I gifted her a bundle of red wool from Sue Spargo's store that I visited in July. I don't have a picture of Sheryll's bundle, but below are a few shots of the shop; there are wool bundles scattered throughout these pictures.

Now to the fun little quilts referenced in my title today. I wrote a few weeks ago about the little quilts at Becky's house. Who knew that she was making one for each of us?! Oh my goodness, the time and detail she put into these! They are just as darling as can be.

Becky tried to create a little quilt specifically suited each of us, and she was so very spot on with her fabric choices and designs. What a labor of love, and we all are so very lucky to have a Becky creation!

Now, I will close by sharing more fun little quilts - the beautiful handwork of Sheryll, who as I mentioned had my name in the gift exchange. And recall that I gifted her wool for her wool applique. Just feast your eyes on these lovelies!

Two sweet table runners or wall hangings. At least, that's how I will probably use the one that says 'welcome.' Below are a couple close ups of the detail. What masterful workmanship!

Yes, I get to sew with some very talented gals, and they truly do inspire me to stretch my sewing and quilting horizons. I've learned so much from them.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Spruced-Up Guest Room

Son Adam was here for about 3 weeks and left a few days ago. He lives in Oregon, so his visits home are very infrequent. We had a lovely time with him here, and are tossing around the possibility of going out to see him this next summer. Very early planning stages on that idea, though.

Anyhoo, with him here and now gone again, I needed to do some straightening up in the guest bedroom. It is now ready for the next round of guests who will be coming in on Christmas Eve.

This iron bed is very old. I slept in it as a child and I remember my parents getting it out of a grandparent's house. I don't recall the precise circumstances, but probably there had been a death or someone was moving. One of those situations that involve belongings are parceled out to family.

Anyway, I have been lucky enough to get to hang onto it over the years, and I always love how great it looks dressed with quilts. These blue ones are especially nice, don't you think? The one spread out on the bed is a Thimbleberries pattern called 9-Patch Criss Cross; it was hand quilted by my grandmother. My best guess as to when I made it is mid-2000s, give or take a year or two. Folded at the foot of the bed is another Thimbleberries pattern called Snowflake, or my personal name for it Snowflakes at Dusk. It was the first quilt I made after I retired in 2009, and I only just quilted it earlier this year.

The quilt rack on the side was handed down from Sheryll, one of the Frankfort Girls. While downsizing her bedrooms and sewing spaces, she offered this for the taking. I really did need one, so YES! Folded on top is yet another Thimbleberries quilt - Christmas Lily - also quilted by Grandma. It will soon be going on our bed. 

Hanging in front is English Elegance, taken from a quilt-along in Better Homes And Gardens American Patchwork and Quilting. All the issues in 1999 contained steps for making it, but I didn't actually make it until a few years later. And I see in the link that Grandma quilted it for me!

The wall hanging is a cheater panel that I hand quilted ages ago. I gave it to my mother-in-law probably 25-30 years ago. She hung it in a guest room that she decorated as a "Mesa Room." It had a decidedly southwest feel in its color scheme and furnishings. Both of my in-laws have been gone now for many years, and we got this back when their belongings were parceled out.

I love my old quilts, and I love my new quilts! Mixing and matching them works every time.

Happy quilting, friends!