Sewing With Frankfort Girls

 Friday morning I was supposed to host the Frankfort girls here for our 9-noon session. However, Mother Nature had other plans. We live back a very long lane - one that we must depend on neighbors to clear for us, as we don't have a blade for the job. Terry lives on a long lane, too, but there's a blade in her family, so we traded.

It will be my turn at the end of the month. I think by then, the snow will be over for this season - oh, I hope so!! I love the snow, but I also love that we live in an area where seasons change; the time has come for winter to wind down. I am ready for spring.

I have three UFOs to show you. One is completely amazing - and finished. The other two will be finished soon.

This little quilt is Terry's. She was piecing this the last time we sewed together. This top is now in flimsy stage; her plan is to quilt it soon. Those are some tiny blocks with even tinier pieces. Looks great. Terry has such an eye for good color combinations.

This is from Sheryll. She intends to finish it for our UFO challenge. So far, the piecing is completed.

And for the completely amazing portion of our morning, this finished UFO from Sheryll wins the day. It is a Kim Deihl pattern, and incredibly, I have this bookmarked in my copy of the book in which this pattern is featured. Sheryll had a total for us on number of pieces and parts; I wish I'd written them down. It was quite an astounding sum!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Snowbird Stars Progress

I haven't been setting any records, but I am finishing a few stars. Slow and steady, as they say.

My collection of stars for the Snowbird Stars quilt is growing. I just love them! Take a look.

Isn't it going to look fantastic? I am now trying to decide what I am doing as far as setting squares go. I was thinking I would use one consistent fabric, but now I am considering a variety. The fabrics in this line are all just gorgeous, so I know I can't go wrong.

The pattern is Christmas Confetti by Thimbleberries. The fabric is Snowbird by Laundry Basket Quilts for Moda.

 

 

 

I have run out of my neutral background, so last evening I decided to see what the stars would look like done with light stars on a dark background. 

 

See what I mean about this fabric line? Every combination I've tried has look fantastic. 

Sharon's Snowbird Stars

When we met for sewing on Tuesday, Sharon already had her star parts cut out, so she went straight to sewing and finished 15 stars. Quite an accomplishment! She made 5 stars of 3 different color combinations, so I will just show you the 3 different combinations rather than all 15 stars.

I seriously believe that no color combination will disappoint. Every single star - Sharon's here, and mine from the last post - is just as scrumptious as the next.

The pattern calls for 30 stars, so we have a ways to go, but what fun to see these beauties coming together. And to finally be using this gorgeous fabric. I'm anxious to get back to the sewing room.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Snowbird Stars Started

I think you know that Sharon P. and I are joining in a March project. Each of us had purchased a little stash of Moda's Snowbird fabric. Not wanting to just gaze at the beautiful blue fabrics, we decided that we'd get in gear and use it in a quilt. Our quilt choice is Confetti Stars from an old Thimbleberries book. Yesterday, when Sharon was here to sew, we began our quilts. I will show you mine in this post, and Sharon's tomorrow.

Aren't the blues in this line just gorgeous? I loved it from the first time I laid eyes on it. I finished 5 stars. Sharon finished 15. I will show you some of her in the next post.

I had to spend some of my day yesterday getting ready to teach the SPARK! class. I regret that I didn't take a single picture at the class. What?!? I know. How incredibly forgetful of me.

The class went well. All six of my beginning quilters - well, make that 5 beginners; the 6th student was the high school home ec teacher who thinks she needs a refresher. Ha! - were enthusiastic and willing to try. I had a great time.I hope they did, too.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

A Label Tutorial

I don't know that I have ever done a bona fide tutorial, but that's what you are getting today. I spent my entire professional life teaching, so I guess this should not come as a surprise.

It's a well-known fact that I am a Pinterest junkie. I recently saw a really easy method for labeling quilts. (This is the pin that inspired me.) I think I am not alone when I say that I know I should label my creations, but rarely do I actually do it. Any methods I've seen have required more effort that I am willing to expend.

So for me to actually label the last 2 quilts I've finished is a really big deal. And I thought perhaps you'd like to see how easy it is. If you click here you can see the link to the idea that I saw on Pinterest. I am doing mine just a little bit differently, but the result is the same.

 The process is simple and probably doesn't really need explaining beyond these pictures. First take a length of freezer paper and a length of muslin fabric. Iron the shiny side of the freezer paper to the fabric, and cut to size - I have used a 3" square. In step 4, with the paper still on, fold the fabric on the diagonal. This is the space where you will write your label.

I am doing a rather sloppy label for demonstration purposes. I need to get a finer point pigma pen. Be sure to leave enough edge to sew into your quilt. Remove the paper after writing; press for a crisp fold. In step 7, place the raw edges of the label on the corner before attaching binding. I pinned mine in 2 or 3 places. In step 8 you can see the finished label that I put on the baby quilt from yesterday.

Easy-peasy!

Now, you have no excuse not to label your quilts from here on out. I am going to make the effort to do this on all my future quilts.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

A Finish on the First

Finishing the baby quilt on the first day of March certainly gives me great hope that I can keep momentum going through the rest of the month! I am very pleased with the finish, and will only be able to show it folded at this point. The baby is due in a couple of weeks, so I will show it in full after it has been given to the new family. *wink*

It is made with half a jelly roll in "race quilt" fashion. I made one just like it for Sharon's grandson Flynn a couple of years ago. Click here to read about it; you'll have to scroll way down to the bottom. This one is backed with brushed cotton flannel to make it soft and snuggly. I did have a bit of trouble with that flannel shifting; I will keep that in mind the next time I quilt on flannel. Next, I need to get it wrapped and off to Grandma Judy, who will deliver it for me.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Welcome to March

It amazes me how time is flying by. While we seem to be stuck in perpetual winter here in Ohio, I know that Spring will come. I hear songbirds; the days are longer; and seed catalogs fill the mailbox. March brings Spring!!

Today, though, looks like winter. Here are some shots from around our house.

This afternoon, I intend to finish that baby quilt I have had on the list for ever-so-long. It is ready for machine quilting. I talked to Grandma Judy this morning and the due date is March 17. I will be ready as of March 1. How's that for determination?

Then this evening, I will cut out Snowbird Stars. Sharon will be sewing with me on Tuesday, I expect, and this is the project I think I will focus on.

Hope you are all having a great Sunday!
Happy Quilting, Friends!