Quilting Record

I am sure that others have done this before. I am sure that others have done this faster but for me this was a quilting record.

Normally the process of a quilt for me is buy the fabric and allow it to sit in a box for a few years while I ponder the pattern, find the time, and get the courage to make the first cuts. When I finally cut the pieces then that needs to rest, a bit like dough needs to rest before you bake it. Well, then slowly over the weeks or months I assemble the pieces to begin to look like a quilt. After a year has past and the quilt is still not finished, I might add a border, find some fabric for the backing, and finally a year or two after beginning and five years after buying the fabric, I quilt it. Then a few weeks later I finish the binding. So five or so years after purchasing the fabric, I have a finished quilt.

Now for the quilting record. Pay attention to days and timing. It might go a bit fast. I should have take photos along the way but I was too busy setting the quilting record that I didn't have time to pause and document that even.

Friday afternoon my husband said that some former teammates were going to be in town the next week and coming for dinner on Thursday. Friday afternoon I was in the attic looking for some fabric to make a zipped pouch, just to be creative. There I spied some fabric, this was a puppy dog print in double wide jelly roll. The fabric had been around for a few years. Last year I had looked at it thought of making a quilt for our teammates baby but didn't do it before his birth. So I decided I had almost a week, I could make a quilt.

Friday afternoon I began cutting and sewing. Then my husband says, "I need to go out of town on Thursday so they will come on Tuesday." I had two less days for my already quilt record but I was up for a challenge.

Saturday I sewed and finished the quilt top. Next was to quilt it. I might just finish this on time. I managed to have it quilted by Sunday and sewed the binding on. All that needed to be done was hand sewing the binding. I know I could make it faster by machine sewing the binding but I just have not done that much so I opted for the hand bit.

I worked on the binding on Monday. Tuesday morning I still have half of the binding to finish. I took it with me to a friend's house and while we sat and chatted, I sewed. I still had a bit to finish but managed to finish around 4:00 so I had time to make dinner before they arrived at 5:00.

I did it began cutting on Friday afternoon and by Tuesday afternoon I had a finished quilt.

Do you want to see the other record that I set?

My scraps from this project. There was some of the yellow backing but that was left from another project so it doesn't totally count as scraps from this project. You know what that will go in my sewing machine cover pocket and be used when I need to check the tension.

I did it. In just four days I made a quilt. It might take some time until I set another quilting record.

How long does it take you to finish a project?

Beth

Unfinished Projects 2016 Edition

In 2015 one of my goals was to reduce the number of unfinished projects that I have. I kept a list of the projects here. It is time to update the list for 2016. I pulled out the box and went through the projects.

1. Fall table toppers/runners - One of these has been quilted and just need the binding. The other one needs to be quilted or finished in some way. That is one of those projects that would take an afternoon if I just sit and do it.

2. Good Night Moon - When my mom visited in autumn, we bought some border and backing fabric. I even sewed the border on the quilt top. I just need to quilt it.

3. Sugar bag quilt - I have to finish the sashing and then quilt. I bought some fabric and I think it might be for the binding. That is why you finish things right away because you forget what you were planning to do or you keep a detailed notebook of sewing projects which I had at one time.

4. Le Petit - Another one that is ready to be quilted. I need to find some backing for this and that means finding a fabric store as the one I went to previously has closed.

5. Amish Spools - I found a piece of backing so now I just need an afternoon and I think I can finish quilting this.

6. Prayer Flag - I think I am just going to finish this and forget that it is not sewn correctly. Just a reminder that only God makes things perfect.

7. Give Thanks bunting - This is a bit of a project. I need to look at what I have done and figure out how I am going to finishing this project.

8. Jesse Tree ornaments - I actually have more of these cross stitched so it is a matter of finishing the cross stitch and then sewing them together. This might be the project in the bin that is the oldest.

9. Summer House quilt - this is one that I began last year. I love the bright and cheerful colours.

10. Name pillows for my children - These are just pillows with their names on. I have made these for nieces and nephews and need to make them for my children. I have J's ready to be stuffed. I need to make Miss K's.

That is the list. Just 10 projects. When I look at the list, I have matters for a number of these and most of these could be done in a day or two. In most of these it is a matter of sitting down and doing it. My first goal is to finish the name pillows. I am halfway done that and then it is something to cross off. I think at the same time I should begin working on the cross stitch considering that is the oldest project in the bin, first in, first out.

The goal is less projects at the end of the year. On your mark, get set, sew, finish.

Beth

February Review

I can't believe it is the end of February already. I am continuing to work on some of the goals for the year and striving to be intentional.

I worked on my Unfinished Projects and finished one project this month and worked on a fourth. I did begin a new project, Summer House. I have four charm packs of Summer House fabric and I am making a quilt from that. I am almost finished my I Spy quilt. I just need to finish the binding.

I finished the binding on a block of the month quilt, which I did not do each month but rather waited until I had all the blocks and allowed them to sit in the sewing room and then quickly finished al of them in a few weeks. It really would be easier if you did the block each month when it arrived. This quilt is called Pennsylvania Dutch. I picked it based on my Pennsylvania Dutch heritage which is mainly from my dad's side of the family (my mom can correct me if there is any of that on her side as well).

I think we did a good job on hospitality this month. We had a some guys over for dinner and also a couple over for Stuart's birthday. My kids enjoy company because I will often make dessert on those evenings.

I think I might call the movie our outing for the month. I am ready for spring and nice weather so we can go on some more outings.

I might squeeze a quick hike in this afternoon. The weather is nice and so we will put on our hiking boots and go for a nice long walking -- all three of us.

I didn't do any knitting this month. I think I was busy finishing projects and working on other goals.

I have gotten rid of more things this month. Every now and then we get a plastic bag in our post slot that a charity is picking up clothing or other donations. It is easy, fill the bag, and put it outside for pick-up on a specific day. I had made it a challenge to put at least some things in each bag that we receive.

As I think about March, knowing that the weather will be warmer and the days a bit longer I do want to do more walking and exercise. I have been doing a 60 day T-Tapp challenge. I will measure on the 10th and see how many inches I have lost.

I found someone that will do machine quilting and that person is local. I love the piecing but do not enjoy the quilting. I have decided that I will continue to learn how to quilt on my machine but at the same time send some of the quilts to get machine quilted. My goal is to take two quilts to get machine quilted in March. These are two on my unfinished projects list.

I have my theory portion of the driving test scheduled for March. I have been studying and I am praying I pass the first time.

Those are some of my goals for March. What do you have planned for March?

Beth

January in Review

I can't believe it is the end of January already. It feels like it was just yesterday that I was thinking and writing down my goals for the year. Since it is the end of the month, I will just review what I have done towards those goals.

We had two different people over for meals this month. One is a family that has befriended us since arriving. I had promised their daughter I would make enchiladas and so we had a fun Mexican feast night. I tried two new recipes and both of them were keepers -- one was Mexican rice and the other refried beans. We also had a couple over that are in the small group. It was fun to have them here. We also have Bible study here once a week though the past two weeks have been leaders meetings. I did bake cookies for them last night.

We took an outing this month to the Museum of Science and Industry. Now I want to think about what we will do next month. The snow and cold has make it a bit difficult.

I worked on my Unfinished Projects and finished two projects this month and worked on a third. I didn't even begin a new one.

I finished my Walk in the Garden quilt. This was made with homespun fabric. I finished the quilting and then sewed the binding on. I had quilted this so maybe that is why it took me so long. One reason to finish projects when you begin them and not 12 years later is you won't risk losing fabric. I couldn't find any of the plaids or stripe fabric for the binding so I just used a navy. It works and looks nice.

This is a square quilt and really thin. I think it is because it has cotton batting/wadding. I think I originally made it to be a wall hanging. Right now it is just on the pile of quilts.

I finished my jean quilt. This was made from old jeans that I have collected. It was all sewn together and even had the backing and batting pinned. I had started to quilt it and had issues with my machine. I spent a few days ripping out some of that old quilting and then quilted it. I just wrapped the backing around and made that the binding. I am sure there is some technical name for what I did.

This quilt just cost me the batting. The denim were saved from old jeans that we had worn out. The backing is the last of my fabric from my days working overseas in manufacturing. I was able to get sample yardage from the vendors at times and that is where I got this. I love the quilt. It is nice and heavy because of the denim which feels good on the cold mornings.

I also did a number of shares for the I Spy quilt. I am having fun with that one.

I am continuing to blog regularly. What do you want to see or hear about? Tell me otherwise I will just keep posting what I can think of but I wold enjoy some ideas.

I am tracking what I purchase and bring into the house as well as how I use things. This is all part of my goal to have less things in the house at the end of the year. I think I got rid of over 100 items this month.

I did pick up my knitting one time and knit one row but then ripped what I had done. I can't say that I knitted this month. That is okay. I had other things happening.

We didn't go on a hike this month unless you count putting on our boots and going up the sledging hill. That might just count as we had two snowfalls that were enough for sledging.

I am learning to flex and give myself goals that I can achieve. Not everything for the year can be done in a month.

February is a short month but I should be able to get some things done in these areas. I am also working on some goals that were not on my original list. (I didn't share my whole list.)


Beth

2015 Unfinished Projects

2015 is the year and not the number of unfinished projects. One of my goals for this year is to have less unfinished projects at the end of the year. These projects are generally sewing projects.  I went through my things and organised them into a box so I would know where they are and then work on them. I name them just for my own reference sometimes it comes from the fabric or maybe the pattern.

Box of unfinished projects

1. Walk in the Garden - Winner of the longest held unfinished project. This is a wall hanging/lap quilt that I began a long time ago. I remember working on it in my apartment in Taiwan before we were married. This might be the oldest unfinished project I have. I had seen it in a magazine and decided I could make it. That is true but could I finish it? As I look at it I can tell that it was one of my first quilts as the corners are not matched. I started hand quilting this because back in the days when I started this that was the way you did it. Machine quilting was not really considered quilting.

At this time I have just three corners to finish quilting and then sew the binding on. It is almost done. I might have a celebration when this is done and begin a new project.

January update - This was finished in January. Insert loud clapping and cheering.

2. Denim quilt - This is one that I began within the last five years after a few years of collecting/keeping old jeans. When I pulled it out to see what has been done, I realised that it really should not be difficult to finish. I started to machine quilt it but it needs to be pulled out because the machine was acting up and the tension was off. I have no idea what colour thread I used so I will just start over. It is all pinned and ready to go. I know the pins probably should not have sat in the quilt for all these years.

January update - I finished this as well. It is my new favourite quilt.

3. Sugar bag quilt - I wanted to make a quilt and include some old sugar bags that I had. I felt that to add to the look it needed to have vintage looking fabric. I think this needs some border added, then to be quilted, and binding.

4. PA Dutch Quilt - This was a block a month quilt. Every month I received the fabric and instructions to make a block. I did it the first month and then each month the envelope sat in the sewing area. I did a massive sew all the blocks month and put the quilt together. I had someone machine quilt it. Now all it needs is the binding which sounds easy except it is about a double size quilt.

I finished the binding on this in February. I am thrilled to have it finished.

5. Amish Spools - Years ago my mom had her laundry room decorated with wash day things. I made some cross stitch quilts to hang in there. Then I made some small pieced Amish or solid colour quilts for my own bathroom. I have no idea where those quilts are today but with the leftover scraps I made a nine patch lap quilt which I think is in storage and then I made a Spool quilt. Well, the spool quilt is here and needs to be quilted. That is on the project list. I can't decide if this one should be hand quilted or just do it on the sewing machine.

6. Good Night Moon - I love children's books. I used to collect children's books long before I had children. I think most of my collection is now in my children's rooms and they think of them as there books. I love fabric from books. We have two Hungry Caterpillar quilts. I have some Little Golden Book fabric and even Bernstein Bears fabric. I bought Good Night Moon fabric last year and pieced this quilt on a friend's machine when I was feeling deprived of my sewing machine. Now it needs to be finished.

7. Autumn table topper/runner - I know this is pieced and I even have matching backing fabric. I just need to quilt it and put binding on. It should be easy.

8. Le Petit - I think I named this after the fabric. This is deep in the box. It is pieced and needs to be quilted and then the binding on it.

9. Prayer Flag - This is one that is named after the fabric. I don't really like the name but have not bothered to rename it. This one I made a mistake in cutting and piecing it. I need to decide what to do. I might just need to finish it the way it is and call it good.

10. Give Thanks bunting - I found a cute idea and wanted to make it. I have this partly finished. I think I need to cut circles for the letters. Maybe this would be a good project to learn how to cut fabric with the Silhouette.

11. Jesse Tree Ornaments - I started cross stitching these years ago -- I remember working on them while we were in Ukraine. I pulled them out and realised I have about 18 finished so that is only 7 remaining. Then they need to be sewn up as ornaments. It would be great to have them finished for next year.

12. I Spy Quilt - I think this is the newest addition to the unfinished projects. I thought it would be a way to use up some of my fabric but I am afraid I have had to buy more fabric to finish it. Thankfully there are people that sell I spy squares so I didn't have to buy yards and yards to get the little fun things I want. I have 8 squares finished and based on the fabric I have I can make 8 more squares.

I finished the I Spy quilt. That was a lot of novelty prints. It is a fun quilt to have for the kids to look at.

Sorry I don't have photos of the other unfinished projects. I didn't want to disturb the box where they have been resting for the past year or years. I will try to keep you updated and show photos when they are finished.

Twelve Unfinished Projects - Can I finish one a month? Can I control my urge to start new projects? I could start a new one but I need to finish it so I don't add new things to the unfinished list. I am working to be intentional and finish these.

So tell me how many unfinished sewing/craft projects do you have? Please tell me I am not the only with unfinished projects.

2015 Projects

1. Summer House Quilt - I began this and have about 20 squares finished.

Beth

November's Project

I have had a project hanging over my head. Something that needed to be finished but it just wasn't happening. It wasn't that it was difficult. It might have been a bit time consuming. So at the beginning of November I decided that I was going to take 15 minutes a day and sew binding on a stack of quilts that I had machine quilted (meaning someone else quilted them on the machine) and I needed to sew the binding on so they would be finished.

I knew that this was an easy project to begin and stop. I decided to make it a priority for November and see what I could get done. I mentioned my project here.

The sailboats was the first one I finished. I had already finished about half of the binding so it didn't take me long to finish this one.

Then I worked on what I have called Bright & Bold. I have no idea where I bought the fabrics. It must have been half yard pieces or maybe even a yard. This is the 2nd quilt that I made with these fabrics. I wanted to be able to see the large print. For me one of the hardest parts of making a quilt is deciding on the pattern and making those first few cuts.

I sewed some big rick rack along a few of the seams just to give something different and to break up the lines. That quilt took be about five days to sew the binding on. I didn't have enough of the backing so I ended up cutting stripes of the fabric and using that so the binding is all the different fabrics.

I have always liked Amy Butler's fabrics. This was another fat quarter bundle and again it was big prints and I didn't want to lose that look by cutting it into small pieces. It is just simple squares.

I wanted to make a coin quilt. This was a charm pack. I have to say that it is amazing what you can do with a charm pack. It is a cheap way to get certain fabrics when you can't afford a fat quarter bundle. I am not sure what I am going to do with this quilt. It looks like a nice baby girl quilt. Too bad the latest baby was a nephew. I guess I will just need to give it to the next baby girl that I know.

I ended up piecing the back. I think just because I had some extra squares.

I finished those four quilts and then I began the binding on this quilt. This is about a single bed size so it is larger than the others. I got about 1/4 finished this month.

These quilts are mainly lap size and just joined the pile of quilts in the living room. So if you come to visit on a cold winter evening, you can curl up with a quilt and I will offer you a nice hot drink.

I want to finish the red and yellow but I am not going to keep this as a project in December. I do have an idea of another 15 minute project for January. You will have to wait till then to find out what January's 15 minute project will be.

Do you have a project that you can work on for 15 minutes a day and make some progress on finishing it?

Beth

Slow and Steady Finishes the Quilt

I have a stack of quilts that were quilted but need the binding. I do the binding my hand. I know you can do it my machine and have on one or two occasions but I like it done by hand. Forget the fact that they are machine quilted. Forget the fact that I have a number of quilt tops pieced that need to be quilted. Right now we are focusing on getting the binding on the quilts that have been quilted.

So or maybe I should say sew 15 minutes a day on the binding during the month of November. Yes, I push start and begin to sew. Don't ask how many times I can be interrupted within 15 minutes. I get my 15 minutes at least. One day it was 24 minutes. I must have been sewing right along that day.

Three days into the month and look was I finished.

I admit that 90 percent or so was already sewn on so it was just a bit to finish. I then got another quilt and machine sewed the binding on so I can continue my 15 minutes a day.

Slow and steady does finish the race and also the quilts. I wonder with 15 minutes each day how many I can finish this month. Check back at the end of the month and I will show you what I got done.

Beth

Q is for Quilts

Q is for quilt. 

I enjoy piecing quilts -- finding fabrics that match, planning the pattern, and then putting it all together for a quilt top. I have done some hand quilting and have learned to machine quilt but my favourite part is the piecing.

I remember cutting up scraps of fabric and sewing them together. It has a bit of an old fashioned feel because I look at it and remember that was a skirt or that was a dress. I don't think that ever got finished as a quilt.

One of the first quilts I made and finished was a baby quilt for a friend. I actually bought a McCall's or Simplicity pattern. The things that I have learned since that quilt.

I took a quilting class with my mom and a friend. We made sampler quilts which is just a quilt with various blocks and you are learn how to make the different blocks. It was in that class that I learned to use a rotary cutter and that has totally changed my quilting. My grandmother had an Amish friend,  Anna, who did the quilting on a number of my early quilts. My grandmother would then sew the binding on for me. I was spoiled.

One of the easy or maybe I should say easier ways to make a quilt is using charm packs which are five inch squares pre-cut in coordinating fabrics. You can use a few packs and make a quilt or even with just one pack you can make a nice lap quilt if you add some extra fabric.

Buying a fat quarter pack gives you a number of fabrics that coordinate and again it is amazing what you can do with just a fat quarter pack. I think this fabric was called California Dreaming. I love the bright colours in this quilt. I still have some scraps from that so maybe I need to make something else with that fabric.

This is one of my husband's favourite quilts. It is in our living room. He told me yesterday that he wants to adopt that quilt. I think he likes the coffee theme as well as the colours. That was just a simple square with rectangles around the edges. I had someone machine quilt it for me. 

I have a box of fabric for more quilts. Sometimes the hard part is deciding what pattern to use for the fabric and then that first cut as you are committing to that pattern. It is hard to visualise what it is going to look like. I recently made a quilt top and didn't like it that much until I saw a photo of it.

Quilting is my creative outlet.

Beth
#abcblogging

Sew a Needle Pulling Thread

A sewing box just for Miss K

Often when I get my sewing machine out, Miss K wants to sew as well. I love the fact that she wants to do it both for learning the skill and also for just her desire to try things. She doesn't find much that she isn't willing to try.The challenge is often how to adapt it so that she can do it. I need to put it on her level, something that she is able to do. 

I saw a few ideas online and decided that I needed to create a sewing box for her. I filled it with things that I thought she would enjoy and also be able to use.

An embroidery hoop gives the stability to the fabric which reduces one thing that she needs to do. 

I gave her some counted cross stitch fabric that I am not using. The holes in that make it a bit easier to poke. We used embroidery thread as well. The counted cross stitch needles are a bit bigger so it makes it easier for her little fingers.

Cutting fabric or ribbon seems to be one of her favourite things to do it. I included some scissors and both ribbon and old fabric that she can just cut up as much as she wants. I get the Hoover out when she is done.

She was working to sew a button on and then did some free sewing as well.  I think she did a great job.

The basket includes
an embroidery hoop
counted cross stitch fabric
embroidery thread and needles
buttons
ribbon
scissors
a zipper just to play with

This has given Miss K an opportunity to sew and work on building her sewing skills.

Beth

Week in Review - March 21, 2014

We have had a celebrating week -- last Friday it was Pi day, then Monday was St. Patrick's Day, and 3.21 is Down Syndrome Day. We had Corned Beef for St. Patrick's day. I think I make the corned beef so we can have leftovers and have corned beef hash for breakfast. We can't forget the 1st day of spring.

This week we had a family outing to get fingerprinted. It was all scanned and no more black ink. We need to get visa photos. Things are moving along. The transitional living just might be coming to an end. Actually it will just move to a new place as we will arrive and need to find a house. God will provide.

We are almost finished our Mystery of History Volume 2. Just two more lessons and we will be done. I have done almost zero activities. Some days I am thrilled with as much learning as we are doing this year considering everything.

We are continuing to work through Latin together. We begin our time with playing memory. I won today. I admit sometimes I don't try as hard as other times.

I have been enjoying the Star Chronicles. It is amazing to me how much Bible truths there are in the constellations. Did you see the giveaway?

Bob finished his flute lessons this week. He has really enjoyed the lessons. We are planning to look for a teacher when we move. I have enjoyed listening to him practice.

This was the last week of art class. His Seuss inspired art is hanging at the art store for a contest of the class. I found a Seuss inspired piece upstairs.

Bob wanted to make a cake. I did the easy thing and bought a mix and let him make it. I figure a mix is easy and gives him the confidence to try again.

I am taking a break from Math-U-See with Miss K and bought Horizons math. I bought the workbook and have been just using that but this week found the teacher's manual on the giveaway table at co-op. That is a blessing. She is beginning to make progress in her math.

Her memory is incredible in some areas. She can remember that we had ice cream for dessert at someone's house months ago so surely she can learn her math facts.

Miss K was working on cutting. I have the Kumon Cutting practice book and I love it. I cut the binding off and so every few days I give her a page to cut.

This was a week for me to finish projects. I finished a scarf that I was knitting for Bob. It was a basic ribbed pattern and if you look you will find mistakes but it was a good knitting practice project.

I also finished piecing a quilt. I borrowed a friend's sewing machine and did the quilt top. I had found Good Night Moon fabric. This is the split 9 pattern which is easy but looks so complicated.

That about wraps up our week. I am sorting and beginning to pack. Hopefully I will have some time to do that this weekend.


Beth

My computer has a cozy

I have been wanting a computer case for some time. I have looked at the cases on Vera Bradley but wasn't sure I wanted that kind and didn't have the money to spend. I tried to make one but didn't like the way it fit. I kept looking and hoping that I would find something that I liked. Then I looked at a sweater that I bought at Goodwill for $1.88 and thought maybe I can try to felt it. The sweater had a small hole and I didn't wear it that much but I did like the color.

Three times through the washer and dryer and I had it felted. Then I cut it apart. That was a bit nerve wracking but I get that way sometimes when I start to cut fabric hoping that I am cutting it the right way and that I am going to like what I am making. I measured my computer. I realized that this will give a little bit and also that I wanted a tight fitting case. I sewed it up and now I have a computer case.



I have to say that was fun. I wonder what else I can felt and what I can make then. I have the sleeves from the sweater remaining. What can I make with two sleeves?

My Christmas Stack

Piecing fabrics together is a creative outlet for me. I love finding fabrics and then finding a pattern that works for that fabric and then sewing it together and seeing how it comes out. I have learned to machine quilt and am working on improving that. I don't mind the machine part in fact that is a bit relaxing. I don't like pinning and working to keep it so the back does not get wrinkled. I don't mind sewing the binding on. I usually do it by hand and it is something I do in the car.

So one of my Christmas gifts this year to my mom and sisters-in-law was a quilt from my stack. Here is what was on that stack.

This was made from some Christmas Charm pack I had bought years ago. I used the Disappearing Nine patch pattern. I love the look of that pattern. It is very easy but looks complicated.



I was shopping in The Country Store one day and found this bundle of fabric. I loved the colors and kept the fabric waiting for the perfect pattern. That is a typical problem for me. I have to find the perfect pattern or I am afraid to cut the fabric.





This was a half yard bundle. I loved the bold and bright look. Again, it took me some time to figure out the perfect thing to do. I knew I didn't want to cut this fabric into small pieces the prints were a bit big and I didn't want to lose the brightness. This was so easy just sewing strips together. I did add some rick rack to just give it a bit more design.

This quilt is from a collection of fabric called California Dreaming. I made it when we were thinking that we would be moving to California. It is the same pattern as the fabric from the Old Country Store. I do love the colors (the picture is a bit washed out). We are not moving to California.



This was made from a charm pack or two of Nature's Notebook fabric. A great blue and white fabric.

This was made using some scraps that were left from the other quilt. This would look great in a blue and white room.



This is from a Fresh Squeezed Charm pack and a solid fabric used as the sashing. I love the bold look of this quilt. My husband loves orange so I was thinking he might want to keep this quilt but he is waiting for me to sew the binding on the Java quilt that I have.

I have two other quilts that I finished. I need to find pictures of those.

California Dreaming, both Nature's Notebook, Christmas Charm Pack, and Fresh Squeezed are still in a stack here at my house. If you would like to purchase them, just let me know.