Five Shadows

First up for this week was deciding on designs for the borders for Curve It Up.

The borders according to the Curve it Up pattern by Sew Kind of Wonderful ended with the blue border above. Borders being the white, turquoise, and blue. My sister in law wanted a larger quilt, so she selected the yellow for a wide final border to make a queen size quilt.

I did a simple echo of the curves for the turquoise border.

For the blue border I continued following the lines of the seams. And then in the yellow border I repeated the curves in the two inner borders. I was adding pebbles/circles in-between the two lines of stitching when the bobbin ran out. On changing the bobbin the tension went all crazy. After much fiddling with the tension & rethreading everything, I had to walk away. I’ll get back at it later today. As of now, I plan to repeat the curves one more time, and then do matchstick quilting out to the edge. Those plans may change!

My Flower Power quilt is all bound and ready to display!

This was a free quilt-a-long hosted by Helen Godden. I used hand dyed fabric from Colorways by Vicki Welch. The sashing, back and binding are Moda. The quilt measures 25″ square. Black thread, Aurifil – until I ran out, then I switched to what I had on hand, an old Guttermann, and then Mettler. Having used all three brands on the same project, I can say Aurifil gets my vote. The others create way too much lint.

It’s allergy season here in the Midwest. Poor old me, and two of my children suffer greatly at this time. While having a sleepless night, I dug through some fabric looking for something to go with some embroidery blocks I had been working on. I pulled out a Moda precut – 10″ triangles they call Slice. What I didn’t know at the time was there was a pattern included with the pack of 48-10″ solids. The pattern is called Splash, and I thought would be perfect for my nephew’s baby boy. But I’ll make some alterations.

The pattern makes a 72″ x 78″ quilt. I figured if I cut the triangles in half, I will have a 48″ wide quilt and enough triangles for two baby quilts. The flying geese blocks are constructed for the two quilts, and waiting for the background fabric to complete them. Time to shop!

While digging in my fabric, I also found 2 more Moda Slice packs, but they did not come with patterns. I went to Moda Bake Shop where they have free patterns for all their precuts. Apparently Slice was not a popular precut as there are no patterns listed for the triangles. Basically Slice was just a Layer Cake cut on the diagonal. Anyway, I’m having fun with my Slice packs. Here is what I did with a Color Me Happy Slice pack.

Again, I cut the triangles in half. They are paired up with various white-on-white fabrics to create HST and placed to give this on-point look. The quilt measures 48″ square and will go to my niece’s new baby girl. My shopping list is growing! I need a back and binding for this quilt.

I finished the two items on my to-do list, plus started quilting the final border on the Curve It Up quilt – until the tension problems, again, just like two weeks ago. Bummer. An I started three new quilts, not on the list. So! That is sewing progress!

Last To-Do List:

1. Quilt Turquoise & Blue borders on the Curve It Up quilt. ✔️
2. Flower Power – finish quilting and bind! ✔️

This Week’s To-Do List:

1. Finish yellow border on Curve It Up quilt
2. Shop again for background and backs – baby quilts in progress.

Linking to To-Do Tuesday hosted by Home Sewn by us.

Our State is doing a soft opening. That means I actually went out into the world 2 times this past week.

My first trip was with Hubs to Menards for Baltimore Oriole bird feeders. We have been excited to have them back in our yard this Spring. So day two of their visit, we ran out and bought feeders to encourage them to stay for a while. We have had up to 7 males and 2 females coming to the grape jelly and oranges we have put out on the new feeders. They don’t seem interested in the nectar feeder, although I’ve seen them check it out. The grape jelly is the most popular spot.  Sorry no pictures! My son has the camera right now.

The second trip out was to the local quilt shop, Edwards Sewing Center. I needed thread for a border on the Curve It Up quilt.

The variegated turquoise from the King Tut line of Superior Thread is what I settled on for the border. It’s called De Nile. That’s kind of funny!

I did decide to do some quilting in all the white space of the quilt. And as you see, I went with meander with little loops. I think it fills that space up nicely and looks great over all. More photos coming once finished.

While shopping at Edwards, I hoped to pick up more of the blue Moda Grunge I used in the border for the binding. The shop had almost every blue but the one I need! The owner said she will order a bolt! Hope is comes in soon!

I went with black Moda Grunge for the sashing for the Flower Power quilt.

It is sandwiched and ready for a little more quilting. Then I’ll bind it in the same black fabric.

Over the weekend, I finished 4 more masks for my daughter. She returned to work on the 11th and she has to wear a mask. She’s all set as I had already made a few for her.

That’s my happy week! How was your week?

Last To-Do List:

1. Quilt Curve It Up sashing, hopefully start on borders. I need blue thread. ✔️
2. Shop for blue thread (and a few other supplies.) ✔️
3. Select fabric for Quilt As You Go sashing for Flower Power quilt  ✔️

This Week’s To-Do List:

1. Quilt Turquoise & Blue borders on the Curve It Up quilt.
2. Flower Power – finish quilting and bind!

Linking to To-Do Tuesday. Check out the other quilters over at Home Sewn by Us!

This past week I had too much trouble with my sewing machine. Read about it here if you have any interest in frustration. Once I finally got the machine up and running I did finish quilting the blocks on the Curve It Up quilt.

Here are a few -

Curvy Geese. So simple and one of my favorite.

Fancy Fans

Spools. The quilting is simple. I’m wondering if I need to go back and at least echo in the white spaces.

Here is what I decided on for the sashing -

The blocks are 16″ square, room for 4 repeating “v’s” in the sashing.

I’m working towards getting brave to play with Pauline Rogers’ quilt-as-you-go technique.

I’m reading her book and plan on using this method to finish my Flower Power quilt.

Last To-Do List:

1. Finish quilting blocks on Curve It Up quilt ✔️ and moved on to the sashing
2. Figure out how to stitch together Flower Power blocks quilt-as-you-go style ✔️ I’m reading Pauline Rogers’ Quilt As You Go Handbook

This Week’s To-Do List:

1. Quilt Curve It Up sashing, hopefully start on borders. I need blue thread.
2. Shop for blue thread (and a few other supplies.)
3. Select fabric for Quilt As You Go sashing for Flower Power quilt

Linking to To-Do Tuesday hosted by Home Sewn By Us.

I was so close at completing my April goal, but then my machine did all the acting up you don’t want to see. Threads breaking, tension problems, eye lashes on bottom, tight stitches on top. I cleaned & oiled the machine, changed out the needle, rethreaded everything several times, replaced the bobbin, filled a new bobbin, changed out top thread. And it just got worse. This went on for 2 frustrating days.What was I missing? Finally I just walked away.

Several days later, I go tackle the problem again. Rethread everything again, put in a new needle again, work with top and bobbin tension again, and tada! It is finally running smoothly after an hour or so of fiddling! I have no idea what exactly was the issue with the machine, I’m just glad it finally cooperated!

My May goal will be to finish quilting  Curve It Up, pattern by Sew Kind of Wonderful.

Here are some close ups of a few blocks -

Rail Fence

Churn Dash

Saw Tooth Star. Blocks are 16″ square.

What’s left to quilt is the Saw Tooth Star above, sashing, and 3 borders.

Sure hope the machine is happy this month!

Linking to One Monthly Goal hosted by Patty of Elm Street Quilts.

This week I continued to follow along with Helen Godden’s Flower Power Quilt-A-Long. Here are the blocks.

Cone Flower, Block 5

Fuchsia, Block 6

Chocolate Lily, Block 7

Iris, Block 8

And the final block, Sunflower, Block 9. I plan on attaching them by the Quilt-As-You-Go method using Pauline Roger’s book.

I did a few more blocks on the Curve It Up quilt. Here is a sneak peek.

I’ve got to keep moving on this quilt. My One Monthly Goal for April is to finish quilting the blocks!

Hubs and I have been watching 2 Great Horned Owlets in a park near us. My son & DIL spotted 2 adult owls back in March. We all got curious and started looking for a nest. Hubs spotted a dead tree that would make a great place for an owl to nest. He was right!

Here you see one of the owlets in the nest.

Last week the 2 Great Horned Owlets flew up into a tree above their nest! One parent was in a near by tree! Photos taken with my cell phone through a spotting scope. So, not the best. But I’m super excited to share these with you!

Last To-Do List:

1. Quilt Curve It Up – this was my goal for April. I better get going on it! ✔️
2. Keep up with Helen Godden’s Flower Power Quilt-a-long. ✔️

This Week’s To-Do List:

1. Finish quilting blocks on Curve It Up quilt
2. Figure out how to stitch together Flower Power blocks quilt-as-you-go style

Linking to To-Do Tuesday with Home Made by Us.

Goals changed for me this week when I was asked to take on a few unexpected tasks.

First I was asked to repair a friend’s bear. I had no idea what I was getting into, here is what the bear looked like when I picked it up.

The bear is missing the paw on the front right, and the paw on the back is starting to rip.

I dug in my fabric stash and found a mottled cream close in color. First I kind of criss crossed with thread to hold the stuffing in place. Then I doubled the cream fabric and placed a piece of batting under it, and stitched it all in place.

Not perfect, but better! That stitching was hard on the fingers! Note the back paw is repaired also, stitching showing.

My friend called during the several days I had the bear saying her other bears missed him. I assured her Bingo was making new friends and looking forward to getting home. I told her I’d share a photo of him with his new friends.

Bingo & friends.

Later in the week I was asked to make a few more masks. I used Pauline Rogers’ Sasher Tools to make the ties for the masks.

I bought this set and her Quilt as You Go book to work on a UFO.  They came in handy these past few weeks in making the binding type ties for the masks.

All done.

As for quilting, I kept up with Helen Godden’s new quilt-a-long, Flower Power.

Poppy

Daffodil

Daisy

Cone Flower. I’m using Vicki Welsh‘s hand dyed fabric. I’m enjoying these FMQ flowers. Sadly, I didn’t touch my Curve It Up quilt.

Last To-Do List:

1. Quilt Curve It Up – a few more blocks  ✗ Didn’t touch.
2. Follow along with Helen Godden’s Flower Power Quilt-a-long  ✔️

This Week’s To-Do List:

1. Quilt Curve It Up – this was my goal for April. I better get going on it!
2. Keep up with Helen Godden’s Flower Power Quilt-a-long.

Linking to To-Do Tuesday hosted by Home Sewn by Us.

Last week, with Easter just around the corner, I switched from mask making to Bunny and Chick bag making for my two grands.

Here is the fabric I used, and a free online pattern I found.

Pink will be for a bunny, and the yellow will be a chick.

Bags constructed, but not filled with candy. I decided to line the bags. I used a Pigma marker to draw the chick eyes & beak and bunny eyes, nose & mouth.

Filled with candy, aren’t they cute!?

Now I’m hopping down another rabbit trail. Helen Godden announced a free quilt-a-long on her Facebook page. I’m following along on her Flower Power free motion quilt-a-long. She will be demonstrating FMQ on 9 different flower motifs.

Tulip. I’m using hand dyed fabric from Vicki Welsh. I think Helen is showing a different flower motif ever 2 days.

And, I actually sat down and stitched 2 more blocks on the Curve It Up quilt! I’ll show pictures later. I do have to go back and do background, which I think I’ll do once I have the pieced blocks quilted.

How is your week going?

Last To-Do List:

1. Finish treat bags for Easter  ✔️ finished and delivered!
2. Quilt Curve It Up – a few blocks  ✔️ 2 blocks!
3. Still have organizing to do in the sewing room!  ✗  And still do!

1. Quilt Curve It Up – a few more blocks
2. Follow along with Helen Godden’s Flower Power Quilt-a-long

Linking to To-Do Tuesday hosted by Home Sewn by Us. Go take a look at what everyone is doing!

Here’s my plan for April. I pulled out an oldie.

I made this quilt as a class sample back in 2014 using the Curve it Up book by Sew Kind of Wonderful. I never quilted it. Back in January 2019 my sister-in-law said she would love another quilt from me. So I showed her some finished tops. She selected this white, blue and yellow Curve it Up top saying it would like nice in her guest bedroom which is painted yellow. She wanted it to fit a queen size bed, so she purchased the marbled yellow for an outer border.

So now you see how far behind I am in finishing this quilt for her! I just keep letting other things hop in front of it. I better stop doing that and get ‘er done!

When I pulled the partially quilted top out, I found I have quilted just 3 1/2 blocks. Above is the 4-patch block with only 2 sections quilted. I have a ways to go!

Wish me luck! And creativity for how to quilt each block!

Linking to One Monthly Goal hosted by Patty of Elm Street Quilts.

In 2019, I followed along with Jacquelynne Steves, Happy Little Things BOM. I choose to use hand embroidery for the flower in the center of each block. I used scrap whites for background fabrics for the flowers.

The rest of the quilt was pieced using a Fat Eight pack of Carolyn Friedlander’s Friendlander line of fabric. This was purchased from Crimson Tate quilt shop in Indianapolis, IN. Finishing this quilt was my OMG for March.

Scrappy binding using up bits of the fabric pack.

The back is pieced from the fabric pack too!

Quilt measures 30″ x 36 1/2″.

It’s my new Spring quilt hanging in my living room.

Linking to One Monthly Goal hosted by Patty of Elm Street Quilts.

When you think you have finished a quilt, and then find the label in the mess on your cutting table!

Yes! this happened to me this morning!

I thought I was ready to take a final photo of Bat Moon Rising. But first, I was looking for something on my cutting table. I admit it is a mess. Actually my sewing room is a mess. Started projects & UFOs are out of control! Of course I found things I forgot I even had purchased! And when picking up that blue bag in photo above – there was the bat label that was supposed to be on the already bound Bat Moon Rising Quilt!! Gah!

So, sew, time to attach that label! Then photo the quilt!

44 1/2″ x 48 1/2″ adapted from Sew Kind of Wonderful’s pattern Bat Moon Rising found in their book Mini Wonderful Curves.

Back and label.

All that said about my messy sewing room, I think I should take this next week to get things under control! Clean out, organize. Then maybe pick one unfinished project to work on.

I hope all are calming down and learning how to navigate through the Covid19 pandemic. Hugs and prayers all!

Last To-Do List:

1. Project Quilting 11:6 Challenge – finish and post ✔️ Finished and posted.
2. Bind Bat Moon Rising  ✔️ Bound & ready to pack & ship.

This Week’s To-Do List:

1. Clean and organize sewing room!
2. Select one UFO to work on
3. or make much needed masks (local hospital is putting together kits for making masks and asking for volunteers with sewing experience. I’ve requested a kit, but not sure how many they have or how many have volunteered. I find out tomorrow, Wednesday.)

Linking to To-Do Tuesday, hosted by Home Sewn by Us.