Five Shadows

I do like it when my plans for the week come together. And, actually, January has been a pretty good start to the New Year.

Last week I listed the following on my To-Do-Tuesday list

1. Sew back for son’s quilt. ✔️
2. Finish center sofa cushion.  ✔️
3. Working on Leah Day’s 2016 BOM.  ✔️

1.  The back for my son’s quilt is all sewn together and the batting purchased. I even used an extra block to make a label which is sewn into the back.

How about a little Label Making Tutorial for those that do not have alphabet embroidery on their sewing machines?

Here is the extra block I used to make a label.

I had to figure out wording that would fit into the cream diamond shapes.

But first, the block needed some prepping.

On the back of the block I ironed on Reynolds Freezer Paper with a hot dry iron. Shiny side will adhere to fabric.

The freezer paper will give stability to the fabric, keeping it from shifting while writing on the fabric with a fabric marker.

Since I do not have the best handwriting, I used a light box to trace the wording.

I selected a font on the computer and figured out what I wanted to document, and printed out the label spaced for the area I had available in the block.  I used font Symbol, size 36, printed Bold for the label. (above)

Often, I will practice with different size pens to find what is right for the label.

For this label I used Pigma Pen Graphic #1.

Here the light box is on, the printed label is under the block, and the words are being traced.

Once words were traced, I removed the block from the light table and used a press cloth, pressed the writing with a hot dry iron to set the ink into the fabric. Remove the freezer paper and the label block is complete! (Did you notice the date 2012? Yes, I’m that far behind in getting the quilt completed for my son and DIL.)

Now, Back to my other finishes for the week!

2.  I finished the center sofa cushion cover. It just took me a while to get to the store to buy more zippers, which was my only hold up on finishing the cushion cover.

I think covering the cushions will actually be the easiest part of the whole slip cover making process!

3.  My version of Leah Day’s 2016 Machine Quilting Block Party is complete!

I’m happy with how it turned out.

The backing is the same yellow print as the sashing and binding. Leah has a new BOM for 2017, but I’m not particapating this year.

I’ve decided to follow along with the Facebook group Sit Down Free Motion Quilters and their BOM. Yesterday I finished the block for January.

This BOM will have a mix of pieced and appliqué blocks with the free motion quilting part starting up later this year. Jeanne Harrison has posted videos on youtube for constructing this block, and also has many other videos on free motion quilting. Check out Facebook to join the group!

As this month comes to an end, it is time to think of a new goal for the month of February to link to Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal. You can see the goal I achieved for January here. I’ll be posting my new goal later this week.

2017 has started out well for me with my quilting and sewing goals. I have 2 finished quilts, a new BOM under way, baby steps on the slip cover, all are putting a smile on my face!

How about you, has January been a successful month?

Now for my weekly To-Do Tuesday List :

1. Next step in sofa slip cover. Buy muslin to sew up 3 pillows covers.
2. I have so many things I want to get to – I’m a little overwhelmed right now with which to do next! FMQ sampler is one.
3. Start a new quilt? or start quilting a finished top?

Catching up! Slowly I go. November and December blocks from Leah Day’s 2016 Machine Quilting Block Party are quilted! The next step is putting all the blocks together in Leah’s quilt-as-you-go method. I’ll be so happy to have this one checked off my list. Too bad I didn’t keep up with it, I fell behind in November.

Actually, Leah shared instructions back in September to start the quilt-as-you-go method, so I’m really behind since September, as I don’t have any of the blocks sewn together.

Another project I have going (bought fabric about a year and a half ago) is making a slip cover for my sofa. I’ve been working on covering the cushions this week. I got pieces cut out  - had to work up my nerve to cut into that fabric! Today I sewed 2 zipper closings. What in the world happened to that third zipper? Looks like I need to run to Joann’s for a third zipper.

And since I like hopping around from one project to another before finishing one. UGH! Why do I do this to myself? I also calculated out borders for the quilt I’m making for my son and DIL. Sadly this is another UFO as I got to one point in the piecing and just didn’t like the quilt. I’m convincing myself to finish it. Son and family will be in town next weekend, so I really need to got those borders cut and attached so I have progress to show them!

This is an old photo. The blocks are now finished & sewn in rows, and ready for borders. This quilt is Remembering Victoria from Elm Creek Quilts book.

How is your week going? Have you ever started a quilt for someone and just didn’t like it? How did you solve the problem?

How did I do on last week’s To-Do Tuesday List?

1. Sew cushion covers for sofa.  ✗  I should have said sew three zipper strips.  But I even failed at that b/c I only have 2 zippers. Oops! Need to run to Joanns for a third zipper.
2. Mark and quilt last 2 blocks from Leah Day’s BOM. ✔️
3. Plan borders for enlarged Remembering Victoria pattern from Elm Creek Quilts book. This quilt is for my son and DIL. She picked out the pattern and fabrics. ✔️ Got it figured out.
4. Pjs??? ✗ I really don’t like making garments, alas, not even really simple ones.

To-Do Tuesday List for this week:

1. Continue sewing cushion covers.
2. Cut and attach border to Remembering Victoria quilt.
3. PJs.

I’m linking to To-Do Tuesday and Linky Tuesday.

Last year I took part in Sandy’s One Block Wonders of Upstairs Hobby Room. This week I basted, quilted and bound the top I pieced back in March of 2016. I did walking foot quilting in a simple wavy stitch. I stitched down the center of each pieced row and then also stitched diagonally right to left following the center and edges of the ‘block’ as my guide line. The binding is scrappy, using strips from the line of fabric.

The top was made from Raindrops by Lonni Rossi for Andover Fabrics and Kona Snow for the background. The quilt is 60″ square. I used Warm & White batting.

Close up of quilting, using King Tut Quilting Thread by Superior Threads, 40 weight, Rainbow variegated color number 921. I used The Bottom Line by Superior Threads, 60 weight, color number 650.

There was a call for quilt donations for those affected by the Smoky Mountain/Gatlinburg fires. As I understand it, quilts will be collected through January 31st. Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild is collecting quilts. This quilt is heading there.

I’m still behind on Leah Day’s 2016 Machine Quilting Block Party. I have the last 2 blocks pieced but not yet quilted.

November’s block.

December’s block.

A new project for this year is making a slip cover for my living room sofa. I can check off making the piping for the cushions.

The piping is sitting on the fabric that will cover the cushions. Next up, sewing the cushion covers.

Maybe this should be a separate post, but, I have organized my quilting plans for 2017. I’ve organized my quilting notebook into the following categories: Quilts to Finish Piecing, Quilt Tops to Sandwich and Quilt, Quilts to make on my ‘Wish to Make’ list.

I’m particapating in One Monthly Goal  hosted by Elm Street Quilts. At the beginning of each month I’ll post which quilt I’ll focus on, taken from one of the three lists above, and then at the end of the month I’ll share how I progressed. Hopefully there will be 12 finishes by the end of the year!

I’m tickled to already have my One Monthly Goal completed and will move on to another. How are your goals for the New Year coming along?

How did I do on last week’s To-Do Tuesday List?

1. Finish pjs. ✗ Sigh. Didn’t touch them this week.
2. Continue thinking about that slip cover? OK, I’ll break it down into smaller tasks – this week make piping for the cushions. ✔️ Success!
3. Plan an attack on WIP from 2016. ✔️ I have my
4. Piece November and December’s blocks from Leah Day’s 2016 Sunshine Surprise Quilt-as-you-go BOM. ✔️

To-Do Tuesday List for this week:

1. Sew cushion covers for sofa.
2. Mark and quilt last 2 blocks from Leah Day’s BOM.
3. Plan borders for enlarged Remembering Victoria pattern from Elm Creek Quilts book. This quilt is for my son and DIL. She picked out the pattern and fabrics.
4. Pjs???

I’m linking to To-Do Tuesday and Linky Tuesday.

I got sidetracked this week with my quilting plans! I was going to pull out the huge roll of batting to cut it for the tree skirt. I hate pulling it out, unrolling it and cutting it.

So I thought, what if I measure all the tops I have waiting to be quilted* and cut batting for each while I have the batting out. That would save me some time by not having to pull it out multiple times, right? So I started measuring the tops, and then decided to create a chart to catalog tops, backs and batting size needed, all for easy reference.

 

Then I got sidetracked from THAT! Because, I decided to measure out some fabric for a few backs too.

Besides that lovely idea, I am working on a WIP (work in progress) BOM (block of the month) Timeless Tradition – started in the winter of 2015. I dropped out of the group, but since I’m making the quilt at the request of my brother, I do need to finish it. My goal is have it ready to gift for Christmas 2016. So, back to being sidetracked. In my stash, I found a fabric that would be great for the star points of the BOM. But it would also be great for a back of another quilt. See where this is going? I stopped measuring the quilt tops and looking for backs and switched to focus on which fabrics to use for star points and which to use for the back. After more digging in the stash, I selected the fabrics and even cut out the star points. (I plan on taking that project to this Thursday’s Curvy Quilters sewing day. So actually, that was not time wasted. See how this noggin works?)

The deep blue triangles and burgundy triangles (above) will be star points on some of the blocks for the Timeless Traditions BOM.

Now my handy Tops to be Quilted chart is organized with nine quilts listed. I still have table toppers to list. In a way, I’m actually ahead, because this is something I planned to do before the New Year, 2017. *I have saved these tops because I’m determined to quilt them myself on my domestic machine instead of sending them to the longarm quilter. 2017 is going to be my year to concentrate on  improving in free motion quilting, walking foot quilting, and maybe even learn some ruler ‘play’ quilting.

One of my goals from last week was to mark and quilt the October block for Leah Day’s Machine Quilting Block Party. I did accomplish that!

There are two more months and blocks to this BOM. Leah has already shared how to connect the blocks with her Quilt-as-You-Go method. It might be January before I start that process.

How did I do on last week’s To-Do Tuesday List?

1. Mark and quilt block for Oct Machine Quilting Block Party. ✔️
2. Complete Christmas tree skirt, sandwich and quilt. ✗ top completed, but still need to sandwich and quilt

To-Do List Tuesday for this week:

1. Piecing star points on BOM Timeless Tradition blocks.
2. Select, prep, cut appliqué pieces for 4 blocks of Timeless Traditions BOM.
3. Sandwich and quilt Christmas tree skirt.
4. Purchase November’s Machine Quilting Block Party pattern.

I’m linking to To-Do Tuesday and Linky Tuesday.

The Grow with Me Monkey quilt is finished and on its way to baby Emmett. Hopefully you can see the quilting in the photo: squiggles in the sashing and meandering in the pieced blocks. I also outlined the monkeys and rings they are holding on to with coordinating thread.

And look a mouth! My son noticed that I had forgotten to add a mouth, I used a black Pigma pen to draw the mouth and then stitched over it with black thread.

I really like how the name turned out. I completed the quilt with a flange binding, green print for the binding and white print for the flange.

Here is block 10 for the Machine Quilt Block Party.

I was a bit brain dead when cutting the sashing. I cut it at 2″ wide instead of 2   1/2″ wide. I was wondering what in the world I did wrong that this month’s block was so much smaller than all the rest. Dah! I had some ripping out and recutting to do to accurately complete the block.

I’m also sewing up a Christmas Tree Skirt for my daughter. This week’s progress:

My daughter asked for gold and cream prints. I selected 16 different prints and I sure hope she will be pleased with the outcome! I was hoping to have it sandwiched today, but decided to add another row to enlarge it.

I bought fabric to make pumpkins table runners, but have not gotten to them yet. They were kind of purchased on a whim.

I really have to finish up Christmas gifts before I allow myself to start yet another project. My goal is to complete the Timeless Traditions BOM for a Christmas gift this year. I’ve been working on for almost 2 years. Egads!  And of course the Christmas Tree Skirt, which I’d like to complete by Thanksgiving. Maybe I’ll get to the pumpkins and they can be Thanksgiving decorations – maybe!

Are you working on any Holiday quilting?

How did I do on last week’s To-Do Tuesday List?

1. FMQ and bind baby quilt.✔️ Quilted, bound, and delivered!
2. Select fabrics & sew Oct Machine Quilt Block Party block.✔️ Pieced.
3. Christmas tree skirt.✔️In progress.

To-Do List Tuesday for this week:

1. Mark and quilt block for Oct Machine Quilt Block Party.
2. Complete Christmas tree skirt, sandwich and quilt

Linky parties! To-Do Tuesday and Linky Tuesday

I’m working on 2 BOMs this year. It just so happens that both are paper pieced this month.

This is the last month for One Block Wonders hosted by Sandy of Upstairs Hobby Room.

Pattern is printed, and fabrics are cut.

On to piecing. I’ve made 4 blocks for a table topper. Borders will be added.

Hmmm, now to decide which layout to use for a table topper.

Which do you like best?

Or maybe, linear?

I’ve enjoyed participating in this year long BOM which started October 2015. Each month Sandy gave us a pattern for one block that we than used anyway we wanted. I mostly made table toppers and table runners, but I did also make on lap size quilt and have one prepped for sewing which will be lap size, but only a few blocks sewn. Funny thing is, it is also a paper pieced pattern! When I get the current table topper pieced, I’ll have 10 quilt tops ready to sandwich and quilt, I have one underway with some quilting, and that one quilt top to finish paper piecing.

The next BOM is Leah Day’s Machine Quilting Block Party.

Paper piecing underway, trimming the extra fabric to 1/4″.

Paper pieced units trimmed to 4 1/5″ square. Time to remove the paper.

Block all pieced and pressed. It’s ready to be marked, sandwiched, and quilted. This month Leah is going to teach how to put the quilted blocks together in the quilt-as-you-go method.

I have a non quilting new-to-me toy.

It’s a Zojirushi Bread Machine that makes a 2 pound loaf. I still have some tweaking to do to perfect the recipe. And then there will be so much to explore. The manual says you can make jam and cakes in it too. Sounds interesting, I’ll have to give those a try once I’m happy with my whole wheat bread!

How did I do on last week’s To-Do List?

1. Binding t-shirt quilt (picking up from quilter this week) ✓
2. Piece September’s block for the Machine Quilting Block Party. ✓
3. Download last One Block Wonders BOM pattern. Can’t believe we are already on the 12 month! ✓

I am so super pleased with how all the appliqué is coming together for the Bargello quilt! It is taking longer than I’d like, but all the pieces are constructed – outrigger canoe & paddle, and the turtle scene which is fused to the Bargello quilt.

This is the lower right corner, inside the borders, of the king size bargello quilt. The pattern for the Honu (turtle) scene is Someone to Watch Over You by Barbara Bieraugel Designs. I enlarged the pattern by 150%.

Now I need to decided if I am going to be match-y match-y with the thread with each motif, or use monofilament thread all over. Monofilament sure would make it easier, but would the sheen ruin the look of the quilt?

I love Misty Fuse! It is my go-to fusible. I like the feel of the finished product. And I find it very easy to work with when fusing appliqué pieces. Do you have a favorite fusible product?

I didn’t have the One block Wonders August block on my To-Do List last week, but I did finish piecing a table topper using the pattern! The block is called X Box.

I also finished the August Machine Quilting Block Party. I needed some time away from cutting out all the little pieces of appliqué for the Bargello quilt!

How did I do on last week’s To-Do List?

1. Bargello – finish constructing appliqués! ✔︎ All constructed and I’m so pleased with them!
2. Bargello – fuse and blanket stitch appliqués to quilt!  - Fuse! ✔︎ The Turtle Scene is fused in place and starting to stitch around them today!
3. Bargello – sew back of quilt together! ✗

To-Do List for this week:

1. Bargello – Top stitch all the appliqué in place!
2. Bargello – sew the back of the quilt together.
3. Bargello – Hopefully, deliver to the long arm quilter! I’m so excited about completing this quilt!
4. Bargello – construct binding for the quilt.
5. Down load September pattern on the 1st for the Machine Block Party.

I’m linking to To-Do Tuesday and Linky Tuesday. Hope your Tuesday is going well!

I’ve made some progress on May’s One Block Wonders BOM. I decided to make a table runner using 6 blocks from May’s design.

I altered the 12″ May Blooms blocks to 6″ to create a 14″ x 43″ table runner. The appliqué pieces are fused in place using Misty Fuse, but still need to be stitched down. I really do like how this is looking!

I just finished machine quilting, literally – just minutes ago – May’s Machine Quilting Block Party BOM.

Night time photo color is way off! That is a white background. And I still need to remove the marking for the quilting guide lines. Ugh. Horrible photo. Sorry. But hey! I’m now ready for the June block that will be posted tomorrow!

I also made progress on the t-shirt Hobo bag. The red is a t-shirt and the black batik is forming a pocket. The Batik is also the lining. The flip side is a made from a black t-shirt. More photos next time. Straps will be solid black and the batik.

All it needs is the shoulder straps. I could have finished it last night, but decided to make the straps adjustable. Daughter and I ran errands today, and my plan was to stop at Joann’s and see what kind of hardware they have. I forgot to stop! I was just down the road by a few blocks, and totally forgot. And later I was even across the street from Hancock’s (going out of business) and mentioned to my daughter that I want to stop in Hancock’s after we finished in the store she wanted to stop in at. We both forgot! Let’s hope I can remember tomorrow!

I really am a list person and should have had a list today to remind me to stop at Joann’s! How about you, are you a list person?

To-Do List for this week.

1. Start June’s Machine Quilting Block Party BOM
2. June’s One Block Wonders pattern should be available Friday!
3. Helping son pack and move.

How did I do on last’s week To-Do List?

1. Hobo bag – making progress!
2. Curvy Quilters meet Thursday, I’ll work on the BOMs. ✔︎
3. I’m adopting a WIP from a local lady. It is a Trip Around the World. I pick it up today to finish the top for her. I’ll share more next week. ✔︎ This project turned out to be an Amish Diamond in a Square out of prints that I am guessing are from the 70′s. I didn’t take pictures, but the top is complete and returned for quilting.

I’m linking to To-Do Tuesday and Connie’s Linky Tuesday.

King Size Bargello in the making! Here is the Wave 80″ square. Borders up next. Then some appliqué!

As it is a new month, I have downloaded and pieced May’s block for the Machine Quilting Block Party.

At my last Curvy Quilters sewing day I pieced the three blocks for Month 5 of Timeless Traditions. This BOM is on my UFO list.

All the blocks for this quilt are being pieced on my Featherweight sewing machine. There are 4 blocks of appliqué and also an appliqué border, so I will be switching to my Janome for that. I like using a blanket stitch for machine appliqué which is not available on the Featherweight.

Just wondering, have any of you Featherweight owners ever used it to machine appliqué? Straight stitch, perhaps?

How did I do on last’s week To-Do List?

1. Bargello quilt – keep doing the wave! ✔︎ 80″ square waves complete!
2. T-shirt quilt – borders, prepare binding, deliver to longarmer. ✔︎ Delivered to the longarm quilter!

To-Do List for this week:

1. Hobo bag made from t-shirts.
2. HST signature blocks – 24″ pillow with t-shirt back.
3. Setting aside Bargello to complete #1 & 2. Might get back to Bargello if time allows. If so – borders!

Linking to To-Do Tuesday and Linky Tuesday.

Leah Day is running a Mystery Block of the Month this year called Machine Quilting Block Party. Each month you get instructions to piece a 12″ block with borders, and  a video link where Leah teaches how she Free Motion Quilts the block. Since one of my goals for this year is to improve on my FMQ, I signed up for Leah’s BOM. Once all the blocks are pieced and quilted, Leah will teach how to attach them all together, quilt-as-you-go style.

March’s block:

April’s Block:

For my taste, these blocks are a bit too heavily quilted, but since the idea is to learn FMQ, I’m sticking with the plan and designs. It has been interesting to try out some of the motifs. I’m actually enjoying the process. I am interested in seeing how all 12 blocks will come together by the end of the year. Stay tuned, as I share each monthly block – and hopefully on time!

King size Bargello under way! After much math & fretting, I have decided on making 6 strip sets in 2 different color sets that once cut and sewn into a Bargello wave with equal an 80″ square for the top of a king size mattress.

Strip set one:

Strip set two:

The sets are ready to be cut in various widths, and repositioned for sewing back together for that famed Bargello wave. Fingers crossed all goes well!

How did I do on last’s week To-Do List?

1. Recover from what ever this flu-creepy crud is that is currently plaguing me! ✔︎ Yes, thank you Lord!
2. Keep plugging away on the king size Bargello. ✔︎ Strip sets all sewn and ready to cut.
3. Fit in FMQ March’s Block Party BOM. ✔︎ All caught up!

To-Do List for this week:

1. Bargello quilt – cut & position & sew that Bargello wave.