A Reveal!

Sorry I've been away from blogging for awhile. I hosted 2 women's events this week, and we got called to Columbus for an unexpected day of babysitting for our granddaughter, consequently tending to details here at JQR sorta' fell way down on my to-do list.

With that all behind me, let's get back to talking quilts.

I've been slow to restart my quilting gears this year what with that 3-month snowbird getaway. Finally, now in mid-May, I’m getting back into the groove and at last, I’ve got some projects and finishes to share! 

First, let's focus on the quilt that waited all those long 3 months strung out on the long-arm frame - Floral Explosion. I put in on the frame before Christmas with the hopes that I'd be able to quilt it and take it with me to Florida. The tension on my machine had other ideas, though, and I could foresee problems, so I left it. Just walked away all through the holidays and then all through those snowbird months.

 

I didn't even really try to address the tension issues for a good long while after we returned to Ohio. Troubleshooting tension requires tremendous focus which I was sorely lacking.

There comes a point in time, however, that one has to engage the 'mind over matter' mentality. I had so many quilts to get done! Baby quilts especially. I needed that machine to work properly. 

Yes, it was as aggravating as I expected. It actually took me a couple of sessions before I finished the quilt. I am not entirely happy with the results, but done is better than nothing, and a finish is something to celebrate.

I admit to having some ambivalence toward this quilt. There are definitely so many things to love. I love all the happy florals. I love the simplicity of the big 9-patches. I love that I shopped the stash for borders and backing. I love that I used a layer cake (below) with very little waste.

But for the poorly-managed tension, the quilt would be perfect. Alas, I will use it here for my own purposes, and ignore how dreadful the back of the quilt looks.

Details on the quilt: I bought the layer cake in 2022 at Mae-Lynne Makers while on retreat. Last year, at the '23 retreat, I made the 9-patch blocks and constructed the quilt center. (In re-reading that post, I mention that I wasn't planning to add borders; I am glad I had a change of heart on this!) This post focuses on border issues. The borders, backing and binding are all from existing stash, and are similar to the happy, spring-like flowers represented in the layer cake. The backing is pieced, and the binding is hand-stitched. The size is 67"x75". Nice for draping over the back of the couch.

I am happy to report that since correcting the long-arm tension, I have successfully finished 2 more quilts. I love how the quilting looks - both top and bottom threads appear to be perfect! It sure is satisfying to complete the quilting process when all systems are working properly. 

And, yes, I will definitely be sharing both finishes in upcoming posts! 

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne

Visiting Marilyn

A little over a week ago we - DH and I - took a drive with my mom down to Peebles to have a visit with her uncle, my great uncle. Last November, he took a pretty serious fall and at age 94, you can imagine how slow the healing process has been.

Anyway, a pleasant, springtime front porch visit does a world of good for anyone, but for both Uncle John and Mom, I think it was the absolute best medicine for shaking off the winter doldrums.

 

Now, to get to the point of this post! You’ve met Marilyn before - go here and here and here to read some earlier posts featuring Marilyn. I want you to see the pretty quilt hanging on the wall in their family room. It’s a Lori Holt pattern and it looks so cheerful in all its glorious spring colors. Isn't it spectacular?!

Her sewing room is as neat as a pin - I’m so envious! Not wanting to be intrusive or presumptuous, I only took one picture of it. One of the features I especially liked were these shelves where fabrics are folded onto cardboard. She said that was a lot of work and could be accomplished in other ways. However, she does recommend being able to see your fabrics, and not having to dig them out of tubs or drawers. This definitely has merit, and makes me consider how I might accomplish this in my own sewing room.

Another thing I like about her space is that she has wood flooring, not carpeting. Mine is carpeted, and it is just so hard to clean. Sewing creates so much thread, lint and dust; I know it would be better to be able to dust-mop hard floors. 

Not much to show you, but a tiny glimpse into Marilyn's quilting. I always look forward to seeing what she's working on!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne

Remember That Little List?

Awhile back, I made a brief list of WIPs and UFOs that I hoped to tackle for the week. Let’s see how I did.

☑ First on my list was to finish the blocks for Tag Sale and get going on the quilt top construction. I can happily report that all the blocks are made and I am sewing rows and columns together.

☑ Next on the list was to finish the little wrap-dress for Cate. Yes! I did indeed finish it, and it has been delivered to her. I now need to get some bloomers made with the leftover fabrics.

 

 

☑ Third on my list was to do some long-arming, and I am happy to report that I did finish the spring flowers quilt that was on the frame. I have attached the binding and am ready to hand-stitch it down. I will share it in full when finished.

 

Fourth on the list was to get some baby quilts worked on, but I really can't claim any progress here. I don't have proper backing for the 2 tops that are sewn, and I have too many things cluttering my cutting table to cut out yet another one for a baby girl expected in August. So we wait on baby quilt progress.

☑ Last on the list was to work on Lake Effect, and yes, I did! Whoopee! I need to join the leafy vine at all 4 corners of the applique border. So I fiddled around and got started on one. I am totally inventing this - in other words, the pattern is a mere suggestion at this point. I know I can do it.

Making that list really did help me keep my focus on the essential tasks at hand. I might not have addressed every iron in that fire, but I made headway on most of them. 

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne

Recent Show and Tell Beauties

Last Friday morning, the Frankfort Girls met at Sharon O.’s house and we had several quilts to share for show and tell. As per usual, Jan was the busiest of our busy bees! The first 3 shown here are all from her.

Looks great, but Jan said it was a bear to make; the directions were poorly done.

This is made with panels from last years Ohio Shop Hop.

EPP pattern purchased from Annette Williams of Sewing the Good Life.

Helen also had a finish. Remember at the retreat when she was so very frustrated cutting out the red and green trees for Alpine? Well, take her out of a talk-filled room and into the quiet confines of her home and she can work miracles! I'm showing you the quilt right-side-up and upside-down, so you can see that it looks like she also made white trees! *grin*

Now for one bit of older business: A few weeks ago, we had a show and tell which I failed to mention; it’s a beauty and really ought to be shared. Terry finished this pretty churn dash quilt with all the gorgeous blues! My eyes are telling me I need to make this! Look at the movement created with the placement of the stars. Love it.

These sweet girls truly do continue to inspire me to stay busy and keep on creating! 

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne

New Dress For Cate!

Maybe as much as a year ago, DDErin handed off three pieces of fabric from her small stash. She thought I would be more likely to have time for making clothes for Cate than she would. I've just finished the third and last piece - the middle stripe, below. The top one became a little dress; the navy on the bottom became a pair of bib overalls.

The pastel stripe became this darling wrap-dress, below. While in Florida, I shopped specifically for a suitable lining to pair with the stripe, and it turned out better than I'd ever have imagined. They look great together. But this wasn't the pattern I'd originally intended to make.

Yes, I changed my mind. That's perfectly acceptable, right? Originally, I thought I would make an option on this vintage pattern, but in the midst of planning that one, I I saw an adorable wrap-dress on the world-wide web, I just knew I wanted to try one. It turned out as cute as can be. Click to see the pattern I bought on Etsy.

Here’s a clearer pic of the lining fabric with the fabric Erin chose.  I'm quite pleased with the combination. And - the best part - I have enough of both pieces left over with which to make some bloomers. Now to find a pattern for those...

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne

Hello May!

Speeding through 2024, we have arrived already in May! Wheee! Such a lot of fun awaits us as the weather continues to improve and outdoor activities take center stage.

I’ve compiled my collage of April highlights - on time for a change. As I review all my activities of the past month, I realize that my focus was all about reconnecting with family and friends. We returned from Florida on March 31, so April became a time for catching up!

TOP ROW: Early April gave us some mighty blue and sunny skies. The trees hadn't yet begun to leaf out. The first thing we planned was a dinner with our girls and my mom; Great-Grandma Jeannie read to a very entertained Cate. On the 8th, I was at a quilt retreat and we were in awe of the eclipse! Here, two quilters - Helen and Sharon - gaze up at the sky as the eclipse was just underway.

MIDDLE ROW: More fun with friends - The Frienzies met for lunch, crafts and games at Pam's house. Near the end of the month, all my siblings and our mother were together for a family member's celebration of life. Minimal sewing occurred in April, but I did get one entire quilt top finished - begun at retreat; finished here at home - Paris Flea Market Find.

BOTTOM ROW: The only other quilting of note was beginning Tag Sale with my little collection of (mostly) Bonnie and Camille fabrics. We got to have a whole weekend of Cate when she was here this past Friday through Sunday. What fun she had with her Pappaw! Last, on the final day of April, I finished the little wrap-dress. You'll be hearing more about it tomorrow. *wink*

I have plans for May, but have not itemized or prioritized them, so I suppose I will be firming all that up in the next few days. 

This afternoon, I will be re-introducing myself to the long arm machine!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne