Finished and Gifted

It was a really good week of quilting for your girl over here. Whenever I can work that long arm machine I am a happy camper. I delayed trying to fix a few problems she was having, yet when I finally did address them I found that they were minor. My dithering cost me a good bit of quilting time.

Remember I explained that I put a 6-inch extra piece onto the top of the quilt so that I could practice on getting my stitches just right? Look at how close I came at the bottom - If I'd used a 7-inch strip, it would never have worked! 

I did not have a particular backing set aside for this quilt, so I used a piece of fabric that honestly does not go in any way the fabrics in the quilt. Yet now that it's done, I really don't see that it was a terrible option at all. I actually think it works rather nicely.

I made the binding from the excess that I cut away from the backing, and stitched it up pronto. The longer I worked on it, the more I liked it. I gave it to DD Emma, who is going to gift it to a special little girl. And if they decide they want to use it as a picnic quilt, then I'm good with that, too.

Because I expect this quilt to take a lot of use and washing, I machine-stitched the binding. I was so glad to be finishing it so promptly. A real feeling of accomplishment!

I hope there is some momentum in here somewhere to keep me going! I have so many loved ones that I would love to gift quilts to. Every year I think I will work really hard to make that happen, and every year I fall short of that goal.

 

To see the flimsy in full, click here. I failed to take a picture of the fully-laid out quilted version on the bed. It was cool to read that post and revisit my thinking on it back then. I remember wondering why on earth I ever wasted my time on it. Ha! And now I'm glad I did!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne
 

Newsflash!! - I Used The Long Arm!

In what appears to be a most monumental hiccup in the universe, I have actually quilted a whole quilt in the last 24 hours. If this doesn't call for some massive celebrating, then I don't know what does!

Yes, I decided to at least clean, oil, change the needle, rethread top and bottom. I then needed to see about fixing the issue I'd been having (all the way to last fall!) - upper thread breakage. 

My guess was that I needed to loosen the tension knob. I did this, and I now have a fully functioning long arm machine. Yay!

Because I knew I might have to do some experimenting with settings, I wanted to use a quilt that really wasn't that special to me. I made this Good Life Tag Sale a couple of years ago, and had sort of earmarked it as a quilt suitable for a picnic blanket. I added a 6" border at the top. I planned to use this for testing the settings. It was a good idea!

I was also glad for that extra border for another reason, too.  Because I was a bit rusty, I needed that bit of practice space for recalling my muscle memory. 

 

Tag Sale is a pattern by Carrie Nelson that I have made previously. Good Life is a fabric line by Bonnie & Camille for Moda. I added random extra fabrics in to have enough for the quilt which is roughly 80" square. This version turned out to be so very busy! I typically like a little more orderliness, so that is why I designated this quilt as a suitable picnic or beach blanket.

I am so happy that I finally have faced this problem (which wasn't as huge as I'd been thinking it was), fixed the machine and finished a quilt! Now I can load on one that I'm super-duper crazy about!  

I will take the quilt out of the machine this weekend, figure out what to use for binding, then finish her up. I am so eager to get many more done!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne 

Tag Sale Reveal

Tag Sale has been finished for awhile; I've just never taken the time to bring you the update on this flimsy. After some finagling about borders, here is my completed quilt top.

I was somewhat slowed with finishing the borders. Rather than read through every single cutting instruction, I erroneously assumed that the borders would be the size of a charm pack - five inches.

Big mistake. Not 5-inch squares, but 5.5-inch squares were required. My careless assumption slowed me down. Not wanting to waste the charm pack I'd been intending to use, I went ahead with them and also cut a few more squares to make up the difference.

My entire reason for making this quilt was two-fold. First, I had a small collection of Bonnie & Camille fabric from 2017 (The Good Life) plus an even smaller amount of B & C fabric (Smitten) and no idea for a quilt in which to use them. Second, I'd been wanting to make the pattern Tag Sale again, having made it once before some 20 years ago.

So with my friend Sharon's help, I shopped for some complimentary fabrics (Maureen McCormick's Flower Power) - that's where the orange came from. (I rarely use orange!) And also some teal, green, and white. I simply hoped for the best. 

I won't claim to be entirely satisfied with my efforts. The quilt really looks much to busy for me. There's no place for the eyes to rest and the aqua/teal sort of overpowers everything.

I will go ahead and finish this quilt despite its excessive busy-ness. It will be a good quilt to use for everyday purposes. Possibilities: for use on the lawn when watching fireworks or having a picnic; to rest a baby on when playing on the floor; to wrap up in on a cool night around a bonfire. Definitely all sorts of options. 

So finish and move on.

Not every quilt has to thrill me.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne

Design Choices

Weighing out various options concerning a design choice can sometimes be all-consuming while at other times it can be blatantly simple and straightforward.

I made a design choice over the weekend and even though it was kind of a big deal, no dithering occurred. I just knew what had to be done.

 

Brief back story: I sewed these 36 haphazard 9-patch blocks while at the quilt retreat a couple weeks ago. They are for a pattern called Tag Sale by Carrie Nelson. Even though the pattern said to make the orderly, 2-fabric blocks, I figured it would be fine to go with a less structured look. So I made all 36 blocks and stashed them away to finish here at home.

 

 

 

Tag Sale is in this (much) older book Miss Rosie's Quilt Collection (2005). My original Tag Sale was a delight to make and I even hand quilted it. Making a new Tag Sale just seemed appealing to me - this time using a brighter, sunnier, cheerier fabric collection.

The Book

  

My Fabric Collection

On Saturday afternoon,  I returned my attention to Tag Sale. Almost immediately, I was regretting the decision to make my blocks this way.

I had not hesitated a moment when deciding to break away from the pattern, nor had I questioned the choice in the intervening days, yet when I sat down to continue working on Tag Sale this weekend, I just knew I should have followed the pattern.

And without a moment of painful decision-making, I proceeded to pick apart all 36 blocks and stitch them up properly.

I’m not usually prone to making such drastic decisions, but it just felt ‘right’ to change my mind with these blocks. I didn’t wallow in self doubt or self pity. I simply took ripper in hand and spent a few hours deconstructing. 

It's at this point I should insert a picture of my thread-covered shirt, pants, socks, floor and table. Alas, I didn't take that picture. But I imagine you quilters surely can envision it. *grin*

Ahhh, yes, this decision was exactly correct. I just know I am going to be happier with the finished quilt for having made this correction. 

I will confess that a couple factors played into making this deconstruction/reconstruction process somewhat more palatable than it might otherwise have been.

First, it was a chilly, gray day, and who wanted to do anything outside? Not me! Second, I had a super-long audio book on loan from the library which was due in 2 days. I still had 12 hours of listening! Picking stitches is the perfect activity for audio books. 

Finishing the re-sewing of those blocks completed, I've moved on to the next step - sewing the smaller 9-patches which will go into an economy block. Stay tuned for progress updates.

Oh, you might like to see my original Tag Sale. Can you tell how perfectly crinkly it is? It's been laundered a few times over the last 20 years, so it is perfectly soft and cuddly.

 

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Jayne

Tag Sale and Weathervane

On Monday Sharon was here for a day of sewing. Her new schedule for sewing makes Monday our day now; we had been sewing on Thursdays. Anyway, she brought some old fat eighths of a 3 Sisters line of fabric called Double Chocolate. Yeah, it's really old stuff, but still absolutely gorgeous. Sharon said she was "playing" - using beautiful fabric in a fun pattern, Tag Sale. She wanted to cut a bit, then sew a bit, and enjoy her day of sewing.

Sounds like a perfect recipe to me! Here's the pretty results of her day. Quilt blocks fresh off the machine, stacked and ready for more.

The red fabric in this line clearly needed to be featured - I mean, look at that color! Since Tag Sale (older pattern by Carrie Nelson) calls for 5 randomly placed little stars, this is how Sharon has decided to use the luscious red. Looks fantastic.

So while Sharon played with Tag Sale, I finished a quilt top that I'd been working on over the weekend. For simply years, I have had this fabric grouping set aside for a quilt. I did not buy the fabrics in this grouping at the same time; they just all ended up in my stash, and over time, found themselves coming together for some as-yet undetermined quilt.

Also, for simply years, I have longed to make a certain quilt in this book I bought in 2000-2001-ish.

Finally, the ah-ha moment arrived, where I just knew my grouping would work for this pattern called Lavender Fields:

I cut it all out on Friday night; sewed the first 2 blocks on Saturday; did a bit of chain piecing on Sunday. When Sharon came on Monday, I was ready to make the remaining 10 blocks! It came together so fast! I truly was giddy with anticipation as I added the sashing and cornerstones! Now it just needs its borders, which I plan to attach in the next day or so (it's supposed to be rainy, i.e., perfect!).

I am over-the-moon pleased with how this came out. It looks nothing like the pattern, Lavender Fields, but the fabrics work so well in this design. The fact that I only needed 12 blocks was a definite bonus, as was the fact that the pieces are so big. After than teeny little mini-quilt (see previous post), this has been a welcome change of pace!

I need to get cleaned up and head out to a speaking engagement! Yes, the ladies over at the Frankfort Presbyterian Church want to see my quilts and listen to me rattle on about them. Can you imagine?!? I have about 50 quilts and quilt tops pulled out to take - all to talk about in a 30-minute program. Hah! I think I might be over-prepared! *wink*

Happy Quilting, Friends!

It's Been Awhile!

Geesh! The lazy days of summer sure do take a turn when September rolls around. Every day seems to be filled with stuff to do, and unfortunately for me, that hasn't always included sewing and quilting.

I am behind in reporting 2 sewing days - one with the Frankfort girls and one with Sharon P.

The Frankfort ladies met at the other Sharon's a couple of weeks ago. We 5 have not all been together in some time, as summer travels and family obligations have taken precedence. So it was nice to see everyone all back together again.

No one had any show and tell projects to share, but I do have some WIP (works in progress) pics.

Sharon O., our hostess, continued work on her counted cross stitch Christmas stocking for one of her grandchildren. Such detail!! It will be so pretty when finished and hanging on the mantel!

Sheryll continued working on appliqueing the border and letters onto this project. I am not sure if it will become a wall hanging or pillow. I'm betting on wall hanging. I do admire that workmanship, though!

JoAnn continued to work on quilting her wall hanging. She has traveled so much this summer; but this will be finished soon!

Terry worked on this patriotic project. Again, I am unsure, but I'll bet it's a wall-hanging. Love the choice of fabrics she's using in this!

I continued to work on hand-quilting my Darcy Schnibbles. I've been working on that for quite awhile, but like the others, often these projects are set aside for just this one day every two weeks when we get together. If we have no urgency about the finish, then we have a ready project to grap and go.

A few days after my day with these girls, I went to Sharon P's house for a day of sewing. She had been industrious since our last day together! Take a look!

This pretty fall-ready quilt was a kit! She said it went together fast. Looks great, doesn't it? I was completely surprised to see it, as I assumed if anything were to be finished, it would be Tag Sale. Well, guess what? It's finished, too!

I think the flash altered the colors a bit, here. But I've shown other shots in previous posts about this Robin Pandolph version of Tag Sale. So glad to see two finishes!!

Well, that's what all my quilting buds have been working on. I will be back soon to show you what I have been doing. Yes, even though I've not done a lot, I have accomplished a couple of things....stay tuned!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

Sewing With Sharon

We have been rather sporadic with our sewing dates this summer, to say the least. If it's not one thing, it's another, and we just can't seem to get our schedules coordinated! We finally managed to make a date for Thursday. Since we are both in the same book club, Sharon just made a whole day of it and we went together.

The sewing: well, Sharon worked on Tag Sale and I worked on Great Granny squares. Actually, I did a bit more than that - I also made 2 pillow cases for Emma to take to OU, and a spectacular (if I do say so myself) dinner for the family to have while we were at dinner with book club.

Sharon had hoped to get all the rows completed on Tag Sale, but she still had these 4 seams to do when we had to leave. Since it's been awhile since I showed anything on her quilt, I will remind you that she is using 2 different lines of fabrics by Robin Pandolph for a wonderfully muted and relaxing quilt.

Dreamy, isn't it?

Here are the pillow cases I made for Emma. Totally the opposite of dreamy, muted and relaxed, wouldn't you say?

Do you recognize the fabric? Yes, I let her raid my Kaffe Fassett bin, and this is what she selected. I think they look great, and I honestly don't think I could have used the fabric for any other project with such wonderful results. She is beyond thrilled with them, and I have to say I am, too.

I will show you my new GG squares later. Also, in upcoming posts, I have a quilt tour through friend Sheryll's house, and an update on the Frankfort girls' bi-weekly get together. Stay tuned!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

August Already?!?!

Seems impossible that it's August, but yes, that's what the calendar is telling me. Geesh.

I am parading today. I sent a picture of Plan C to the Schnibbles Parade, and you can see it featured over at Pink Pincushion. Go ahead and visit; I'll wait.

Back? Some nice looking quilts, right? I have followed Sinta at Pink Pincushion and her sister Sherri at A Quilting Life since I first discovered quilting blogs. I remember being really surprised when I learned that they were sisters; I'd followed them for a good while before making that connection. Oh, good grief! I've just gotten an email from Sherri; she says they're NOT sisters! How on earth did I get that idea? My face is so red. I apologize for being the source of misinformation. Gosh, how does one correct a cyber error? Sherri and Sinta, I apologize! Readers, my apologies to you, too. How embarassing...

Well, let's take a look at what I've been up to today. After wa-aaay too long, Sharon and I had a sewing day today. She was really booked up through the month of July. We are recommitting to getting back on a regular schedule. She came to my house and worked on the last of her Tag Sale blocks. Remember, she was working on this at quilt camp back at the end of June.

Gorgeous florals. So soft and romantic. Here are 4 more.

I love watching this quilt come together. My own Tag Sale also has a rather cottage-y look to it, so I know Sharon is going to love hers. That tub full of Roman Holiday fabric that I've been reluctant to cut might just be headed to making another Tag Sale - for me!

I have the borders on my 9-Patch Criss Cross, but as I have not taken a pic of it, I will have to get that picture posted tomorrow. Too pooped to do it tonight. Gotta' get to my quilting and the Olympics!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

A Cluttered Workspace

I make no bones about it. When I work in the sewing room, all I need is a path to the sewing machine and a somewhat cleaned-off ironing board, my ipod tuned in to some good old classics like The Eagles or Journey, and my Ott-lite. Consequently, my sewing room looks like this at the moment:

Oh, dear, I can't believe I'm showing this mess...oh, well, there is my path from the door of my sewing room. Just go past the dresser with the open drawer, the pile of recent on-line purchases, and make a left at the 2 empty bins on the floor.

This is the view from my sewing chair. The closet on the opposite wall has DH/s summer clothes hanging on the left, and my quilt tops hanging on the right. The chair, aka 'The Thoughtful Spot,'  has two tubs of fabric stacked in it from last week when I was digging around for a particular red. Generally, that chair is clear for sitting and thinking great thoughts. In the foreground are the stacks prepared for my current project, Long Road Home.

Ok, so here's the reason why I bared my soul (and my messiness) to all of the blogosphere. About a week ago, I made a comment on a blog. The topic asked how quilters handle post-project clean-up. Obviously, my comment wanted to know "What cleanup???"

So, this blogger was offering a giveaway to 2 responders who shared their stories, and the random generator selected my number! How cool is that? Just goes to show that a cleaned-up sewing room would have gotten me nowhere in that giveaway!

Here's the most awesome part of all...the blogger was one of my favorite designers: Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie Quilt Company! I have had a quilting love affair with her since seeing "Tag Sale" made up and on display in a quilt shop. I tracked down the pattern, made it, HAND QUILTED it, and currently use it on my guest bed (when I can keep my two girls' hands off it!)

(Brief tangent: Erin, DD#1, told me as I was quilting it, "Mom, this is the prettiest quilt you've ever made." Awwww, shucks.)

So, Carrie, and Miss Rosie, I thank you not only for offering the giveaway, but also for the years of great patterns! I own at least 3 of your books and at least a dozen Schnibbles patterns.

I will post the giveaway goodies upon their arrival.

Please feel free to make me feel better about my messy workspace by sharing your own messy stories! I need validation!! lol

PS: Tag Sale is one of the quilts pictured up there in my blog header.

A Fun Comparison

Earlier this week I finished the borders on my April Schnibbles called "Tagalong." It was fun to do, and I really liked the Butterfly Garden fabric I used.

This is the old picture (before borders); I will save the finished picture for the Schnibbles Parade on the first of May. The Butterfly Garden fabric is by Kansas Troubles of Moda. Kansas Troubles specializes in creating fabrics that give the feel of sturdy, utility quilts made by our great-grandmothers from old shirts and dresses. They seem to evoke pioneer strength.

A little tangent: The Schnibbles line of patterns are the brainchild of quilting guru Carrie Nelson of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company. I swore I would not be taken in by these patterns, but alas, I am hooked. I suppose I've got about a dozen of them. The one that hooked me was "Darcy." I am a retired English teacher and a huge Jane Austen fan. Carrie's description on the "Darcy" pattern is a beautiful play on the famous first line of Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Delightful! It won me over.

Now, back to the fun comparison I want to talk about in today's blog post...

"Tagalong" is a smaller rendition of an earlier Miss Rosie full-size pattern called "Tag Sale." I first saw this quilt on display in Waynesville at the Fabric Shack. It was stunning. Sadly, their display must have garnered lots of interest because they had no patterns on hand. Eventually, I did manage to get the pattern, and later it came out in a book that Carrie released.

Here is my "Tag Sale." I loved making it. Both my daughters intimated that it was their favorite quilt of all that I'd ever made. (Makes me consider doing another one, just to avoid a fuss over who gets it!)

My apologies for the poor photo quality. This picture was taken with quite a while ago with my old camera. Perhaps I will  take a better shot of it because I would like some help concerning it...

I wish I could identify the fabric I used. I bought it as a large fat quarter pack at Creations in Chillicothe. The pairing of "Tag Sale" and this fabric just sort of happened. I needed to add about 6 fat quarters from my stash to get the entire top done. I love the floral cottage look. This quilt adorns the bed in our guest room.

Isn't it cool to see how different the same basic pattern looks when done up in vastly different fabrics?