All In A Row - A Parade

On Saturday, I shared with you the finished quilt top that Terry did of the Kim Diehl pattern All In A Row, and mentioned that I would pull all our different versions of this quilt together for one post. As there's no time like the present, it seemed like a good idea for today.

 

Above is my version, with the borders done correctly. I removed them multiple times before getting them right. Read all about that aggravating day here, if you like.

 

The version above is from Sharon O. Hers is quilted and bound. Lovely.

 

Sheryll has quilted, bound and entered into a quilt show her version of the pattern. 

 JoAnn made the first quilt for what was to become our quilt-along. She altered it by making the blocks larger. We all loved it so much that we came up with the idea of making our own at the retreat this past spring.

Of course, this is Terry's that she shared with us just this past Friday when we were all together. 

For some reason, I am unable to locate a picture of Jan's version of this quilt. She definitely made one, as we all kidded her about having it done before the retreat. If possible, I will get her to bring it out for me to photograph.

Isn't it interesting to see the variations of a single pattern? All of us seemed to stay with the scrappy and reproduction fabric look, which is so well-suited to this pattern. It might be fun to make one using a totally different theme to see how it translates. Maybe red and white? Maybe Christmas? Kaffe? Possibilities are endless, for sure.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Hugs and Loves

Maybe we all feel this way about our sewing machines?

I found this little clipart on Pinterest a couple of weeks ago, and decided to save it for a time when I would be unable to post.

Well, I am away for the weekend with my mother, so here ya' go! Have no fear - I did bring my little bag of 2.5" squares and will be stitching some 4-patch blocks in my free time. Never let a moment go to waste, right?

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Show And Tell From Frankfort Girls

Today's post will truly be a feast for your eyes, dear readers. *smile*

Yesterday morning we met at Sharon O's for yummy muffins and coffee, and an added bonus was an impromptu quilt show from a few of the group! Wow! We have been industrious!

Our hostess Sharon showed us this crocheted rag rug that a friend of hers made. Sharon says it's too pretty to walk on so she has it in a spot where no one ever walks.

Terry has been ultra-busy, as the next few items come from her. Above, is a sewing room wall hanging that she was binding. Isn't this a perfect depiction of we quilters and our stashes?

Just in time for Thanksgiving, Terry has this pieced pilgrim wall hanging.

The quilt above is all Jo Morton - both the pattern and the fabrics. I was swooning over it; I just know I have to make one for myself.

This quilt should look familiar. Back in April at our Canter's Cave retreat, this is the quilt several of us made. It's called All In A Row by Kim Diehl. Terry's top is now completed, and beautifully so, I might add. Maybe in some future post I will pull together all our versions of this quilt and show them together. Stay tuned for that.

The quilt above has an interesting story. It's Terry's quilt, but Jan had significant input on it. Terry had the panels for each block which were originally black and white line drawings of fall scenes. After Jan saw them, she offered to color them. So she did! Yes, with regular ordinary crayons, Jan colored and blended quite beautifully every block. Click on the picture and zoom in. It is really rather remarkable. Jan said that after each block was colored, she sandwiched it between paper towels and pressed with a hot iron (NO MOVING OF IRON!). This removes the wax but leaves the color. Cool. And now Terry has a fall quilt top.

Now we will see some finishes from Sheryll. Above, is a little table-topper that will soon be embroidered in the white areas with Christmas-themed scenes or symbols. This is not the only one she's making; she had another with her, as well.

The way this presents itself is fascinating. I see the Monkey Wrench blocks, right off. Others see the "woven" look of the white backgrounds. Either way, it is a wonderful little scrappy quilt.

Yet another little quilt from Sheryll. So simple, yet so lovely. Again, I was swooning.

This sampler quilt is a guild project that Sheryll has completed. Each month members were given the pattern for a block. Members were encouraged to interpret the coloring or theme however they liked. This patriotic theme looks great. Sheryll did mention that one block dissatisfies her. Can you guess? The maple leaf in the lower right corner. She says she might pick it out and turn it so that it is standing up.

Show's over, Peeps! Isn't is great to sew with such a prolific group of quilters? I am a very fortunate gal, no doubt about it!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Erin's Diamonds - Progress Update

Even though I have not blogged much about my continued hand quilting on Erin's Diamonds, I am continuing to make slow but steady progress. I've more accurately calculated that there are around 360 diamonds in this quilt plus all the half-diamonds that create the border. I estimate that I have quilted around 144 diamonds. I don't profess to be a mathematician, but that is getting pretty darn close to half, right?

This picture shows the antique frame in our dining area. The bay window affords me just enough space for the frame and still access the garage door on the opposite wall. The bay window also provides wonderful natural light for daytime stitching. I accomplish so much more when I quilt in the daytime, as opposed to the evening. I ought to fetch my Ott light from upstairs and use it in the evenings.

The photo above was take several days ago as I was just beginning to fill in that bit of purple. It is finished now, and Thursday evening I rolled the bars to a new section. I will set my chair on the left side - where the bright reds and oranges are - and work my way across.

This closer picture shows some progress on the purple. Actually, the rows on either side of the pastel purple were also only partial quilted. That 6-8" section across the quilt was just too far out of reach from either side of the frame.

If I could arrange to do 2 hours of quilting on this every day for a week, I think I could finish it. That is not very realistic, however, because this weekend we will be away from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon. Perhaps I can make up for those missed hours and still try to finish by next weekend. The painter - DH - is moving right along with his work in the front room and will soon be breathing down my neck to have access to this space! I must push myself to get it done!

Happy Quilting, Friends!

More Great Bargains

Rather than to go into the full-blown background on Terry's stash sale, just click this link back to the post I wrote in September. I made some purchases that first time around and shared those with you here at this link.

Terry did not clear out as much fabric as she had hoped she would, so she held a second sale about 2 weeks ago, and advertised it to a somewhat wider audience. In the intervening weeks, I'd made some mental notes about pieces I could look for to enhance a few projects I have ongoing. Here are my latest additions from Terry's generous sale.

Believe it or not, some of this has already been used. The navy stripe on top has been used for the borders of the Veteran's quilt I made for JoAnn's Florida guild. Click this link and scroll to the bottom to see the finished quilt top. It worked perfectly for the border. And I have just a bit left over to use for 2.5-inch squares or some future whim that strikes my fancy.

The bottom red fabric will enhance a quilt I worked on at the 2015 Canter's Cave retreat. It was a kit called 19th Century Reds, and I miscut some yardage. This will hopefully replace the boo-boo. It is a pretty big piece of fabric, so there is a good chance it will serve as backing, as well.

The navy blue piece - a very old Thimbleberries - will be used for a border on a UFO. Ages and ages ago (like late 1990s), I hand-pieced a whole bunch of scrappy navy and neutral churn dash blocks - or are they monkey wrench blocks? - I've used both names. After aging for 10 or 15 years, I sewed them into a quilt top, on point, which is currently enjoying a new aging process. I was lacking just the right navy for the border. Well, folks, we have a winner. I think I will select one of the neutrals for a narrow inner border, then add the wider navy outer border. Wonderful plan.

I bought one additional fabric that is not in this grouping for I'd already put it into the bin with the project it is going to enhance. It was a neutral stripe, and when I get around to working with it, I will be sure to let you know it came from Terry's.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Another Baby Quilt By Erin

My daughter Erin has made another baby quilt, this time for her friend Hannah who is expecting a baby boy in January. (Click back here to read an earlier account of Erin's baby quilt production.)

Isn't it pretty in its subtle simplicity? The chambray and white look great together. Erin is getting quite good at piecing, isn't she?

A couple of weeks back, she brought it to my house for quilting. We pinned the layers and she marked the quilting lines.

I stitched the first diagonal line across the quilt, then she sat down and did a diagonal line. We had some issues with puckering, largely because the backing fabric she selected is not true quilt fabric; it was more of a gauze-like fabric - very drape-y and loosely woven. And picking out stitches was NOT an option! The stitches just got buried in that gauzy fabric.

So she left it with me to tackle at a later time. I worked on it a week ago Monday when Sharon and Dee were here to sew. I couldn't show the work at the time because the baby shower would be upcoming and we didn't want to take a chance on ruining any surprises.

That's all in the past now as the baby shower was on Sunday afternoon. Here are some follow-up shots of the quilt and the glowing mother-to-be upon receiving her gift. How nice!

Simple diagonal quilting was all Erin wanted on this, and I think that was the exact right call. This looks just smooshy enough for a baby to cuddle in, wouldn't you agree?

The binding which is visible in this picture was a cinch to add. Looks like momma Hannah is pleased with her baby's new quilt.

Happy Quilting, Friends!

Hello, November

Gosh. November 1st. Time is so tricky, isn't it? We think life is just chugging along in rather ordinary, mundane fashion, then WHAM! Something as simple as changing the month on the calendar makes you wake up and take notice that time is flying by!

In the sewing realm, I begin to get a panicky feeling as year's end closes fearing that I have accomplished so very little in the year; this often finds me refocusing on finishes. That is holding true this year, for sure. I am in the very final stages of completing the last of the commissioned quilts I've spent much of the year working on, and when that task is finally finished, watch out! I am going to charge ahead into projects like a madwoman!

But first, into any seamstress' life, some mending must fall. DS brought me two pairs of pants last week that were in need of patching and repairing. The first pair is a pair of corduroys which are so threadbare that he always wears shorts under them for fear of having a blowout, much like what may have happened here.

The lighter thread in the patching above is from the last time I mended these pants; this time around, I found an iron-on patch in my sewing kit, put it on and then zig-zagged all around it - several times over. Still, the fabric is so worn, it won't be long until he has to finally throw them out. "But I love these pants!" he tells me. Sorry, son, there comes a time...

These jeans had not one ripped out belt-loop, but two. I cut a piece of denim to use behind each hole, and proceeded to zigzag the dickens out of them. We'll have to see how long-term this fix is.

So, plans for November...get all the commissions finished and delivered; deliver the Veteran's charity quilt; put the binding on two quilts I've had waiting in the wings for months; continue to hand quilt Erin's Diamonds; get back to Lorraine and put on borders.

How's that for a start?

On the remodeling scene, the dining room is finished, and I have actually returned some things to their spots. However, DH has moved on to the front room, and all that furniture is now in the dining room; returning things to their proper places will be in limbo for awhile. That's okay, though, because I love the new wall color, and I even like the wood trim painted white. Initially, I wasn't totally on board with that, but I've come around - it looks good.

Hope your November is productive!
Happy Quilting, Friends!