Long Arm Action!

Back in January, I made a goal to quilt at least 2 quilts per month on the long arm machine. In just the last weekend, I did #22 and #23, so that means I am right on target for achieving my goal. Hooray!

I loaded a special quilt for a Frienzie on Sunday afternoon, then quilted it that evening. Since I plan to write a full post on it later, I will just provide a little peek at it now.

These are all batik fabrics, as is the backing, which you can see in the upper left corner. It's definitely a bright, cheery quilt.

I bound the quilt on Monday morning, then loaded another quilt that afternoon, and then quilted it! Gosh! Two quilts in two days! What kind of animal am I?

Earlier in November, my friend Pam asked me to quilt this for her, and I decided I needed to stop procrastinating and "get'r done!" So I did. The blocks are all from her husband's Aunt Margie. They must be orphan blocks, and Pam simply sewed them together. Pam seems to think that Aunt Margie was practicing some new techniques on a few of these blocks - curves, applique, etc. So the look is really random, but for Pam and Charlie's families who knew Aunt Margie, I am sure this will be a special keepsake.

 

 Pam didn't need me to bind this, so it was super easy to fold it up and take it to her this afternoon. 

It feels good to have an item checked off my to-do list. 

It also feels good to know that I am on target to meet my goals of quilting 24 quilts this year.

I only have 93 more stored in my closets yet to quilt. *yikes!*

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Changing It Up: A Guest Blogger

 Today you are in for a treat as Frienzie Pam has written up a little story about fabric she was gifted from the belongings of her husband's Aunt Margie. You have met Pam before; I've share some pictures of the Frienzies, and Pam wrote a blog post a good while back and this one even earlier about her church youth group doing quilted projects. Click the links if your curiosity gets the best of you.

Without further ado, Pam will take it from here...

Framed Fabrics 

In 2019, I was the recipient of the quilting supply collection of my husband’s late aunt. When I first got the “stuff” I took some quick pictures and laundered the fabrics. Aunt Margie had stored the fabrics in plastic storage boxes, sorted by color. She also had some sample or orphan blocks. I made these random blocks into table runners and a small quilt flimsy. Then, I just stuck the boxes in the closet of my sewing room, and forgot about them.

Recently, I was reading this blog and Jayne introduced the sew-along. I decided to participate. I pulled out the tub that contained the green fabrics and made my selections. I chose the green tub because it was on the bottom shelf and easiest to get to. While sorting the fabrics to make my selections for the sew-along, I found three fabric pieces that appeared to be dyed. They had the initials of Aunt Margie in the corners.

I vaguely remember when my mother in-law and her sister, (Aunt Margie) went somewhere and dyed fabrics together. They were in the same quilt group. I wish I had paid more attention and asked more questions. I think these are the prints that I have inherited. I decided to have them framed. I like the results and wanted to share them with you.  I am very pleased with the final product.

        

I know that I should probably do a deep dive into the other plastic storage boxes. Who knows what other treasures are hidden amongst the scraps! If I find any other treasures, I will let you know!

          In the meantime, I have been on Pinterest looking at various fabric dying techniques. I have found Shibori, Batik, Tie Dye, and Silk Screen Printing so far. I have no idea how my prints were created. I welcome your comments!

 Thanks, Pam! This is a very cool discovery for you in Aunt Margie's collection. I love that you wanted to share here! I think Aunt Margie and your mother-in-law must have been a pair of very adventurous ladies for their day.

Happy Quilting, Friends!