What I Quilted This Week

Last week I spent all week quilting my projects.  I got several quilted and didn't feel guilty about it.  This week I worked on customer quilts.  I had 13 things to do for others at this time last week.  I quilted 1 for Alyce, 2 for Geriann, and 2 for Carolyn.  That brings me down to 8 things to quilt for others.  Here are some pictures of what I quilted this week...

This is Alyce's quilt.  It is for her future great granddaughter (someday).

 



 

Very simple and "modern".  I quilted the words that are in the white fabric on the blue strips.

"Create"

 

"Play"

 

"Imagine"

 

 "Dance"

 

 

"Wish"

 

Here it is all quilted.  I also did the binding, but forgot to take a picture before she picked it up.

 

This is one of Geriann's.  I call it her "fish" quilt.  I drew a pantograph of circles (bubbles). 

 I still have to finish the binding on this one.

 

Here's a closer picture so you can see the circles I quilted.

 

This is Geriann's second quilt.  It is paper dolls.  So cute!

 

Here's a close up so you can see the quilting.

Here's a picture of the back of the quilt.  I quilted it in bright pink and green. 

I just finished the binding tonight on this one.

 

Here are Carolyn's table runner and table topper.  I put them both on the machine and quilted them at the same time.

 

Here's the table topper closer.

 

Here is a close up of the table runner.  I still have to finish the binding on both of these.

 

 

I have a quilt on the machine for Wounded Warriors now.  I will take pictures tomorrow of it and post next week.  I have one more charity quilt to do.  I may do it after the Wounded Warriors quilt. 

I still have 2 more quilts for Lori, a lap quilt and a wall-hanging for Carolyn, and two snowmen quilts for a new customer to do.  Guess I will be working on those this week.  I hope I get them finished so I can quilt on some more of mine. 

I finished piecing a disappearing 9-patch today.  It still needs borders, but the center if finished.  I started it yesterday.  So easy to do.  Still sewing on the Urban Pods quilts. 

That is it for now.

Happy Quilting!

New Quilt

Saturday I decided to start a new quilt.  It is called Urban Pods.  The pattern uses the Quilt Curve Ruler.  I also decide to use the fabrics I bought in Moldova the past two years on this project.  I would like to offer a class using this ruler at the shop.  We have ordered rulers, but they have not come in yet.  Should be here this week.  We have several patterns at the shop already, but the rulers were back ordered.

Here are some strips I cut from the fabrics I bought in Moldova.  The lightest blue on the far left I bought 2 years ago.  The white, pink, and blue with yellow I bought last year.

 

Here is the pattern I am doing.  It is called Urban Pods.  It uses the Quick Curve Ruler.  I did not take a picture of it, but you can find it at this blog:  www.sewkindofwonderful.blogspot.com

 

Here are my pieces all cut out, ready to be sewn together, by my sewing machine.  I think I cut enough for 2 quilts.  Which was the plan.  The fabric from Moldova is twice as wide as what we get here in the United States.

 

It is an easy, gentle curve to sew.  Not too bad.

 

This is my pile that is sewn together ready to be pressed.

 

 

Sewing a few more pieces.  One side has already been sewn on this block, now doing the other side.

 

See, easy curve sewing.

 

The end of one curve sewn.

 

Here is my pile that is ready to be pressed.

 

These are the first four I did as a practice run.  It seems easy enough.

 

Press toward the center piece.

 

Front side pressed.  It looks a little wonky, but that's okay.  They will all be trimmed later.

 

Here's my pile of pressed blocks.  I will trim them later.  If I trim now, I will want to put them together, so I need to wait.

 

As I pressed, I had some company.  Here are my faithful companions this summer. 

Lady is on the bed, napping (of course!).

 

Licorice is on the floor, also napping!  They are always close by, no matter where I am in the house.

 

 

As I work through this quilt, I will post more pictures.  I will try to post some pictures of the ruler.  You use it to trim the blocks, too.

 

 

Happy Quilting!

Terrie

 

It's Summer

Yesterday marked to official first day of summer.  We have been out of school for almost a month.  Summer vacation seems to go by really fast.  Why is that?  I don't feel like I have done a whole lot.  Summer plans never seem to get accomplished.  But, what plans did I have for this summer?  Quilt as many quilts as I can.  Prepare for the Moldova Mission trip.  Go to summer PBiS training.  Well, I guess I have done one and are still working on the other two.
I have been quilting a lot this last week.  Monday I finished a quilt for Lori.  I think I have quilted a total of 12 of her quilts over the past year.  I still have 2 of hers to do and she is working on another one.  After I finished Lori's quilt, I quilted a baby panel that is my next UFO on my small quilt list.  I had 3 sets of flannels that I was going to quilt to make baby quilts.  I bought one yard for the front of the quilt and about 1 1/2 yards for the back of the quilt and binding.  I quilted all three of those.  Then I quilted a Chevron quilt that I made to put on etsy to sell.  I finished quilting it Friday.  So, I got several of my quilts done last week.  Now I have to bind them.  Binding is sewn on 3 of them.
Next week I have to focus on other people's quilts.  I have several small projects for Carolyn to finish for her.  There are 2 wall-hangings, 2 table runners/toppers, a pillow case (finished last night), and a quilt.  I have 2 quilts for Geriann to quilt.  And, a lady brought in 2 quilts for me to do that she needs for Christmas.  Plus the Lori's 2 quilts.  That makes 11 quilts for others to do.  I also have a Quilts of Valor quilt to do and a quilt for the ladies at church to quilt.  Now I am up to 13.  Wonder how many I can get done this next week.  I guess I should set a goal, but I won't.  It would be nice to get half of them done, even better to get them all done. 
Well, it's almost time to go to church.
Happy Quilting!
Terrie

April

April is here and almost over.  It has been a busy month.  Our church presented an Easter Pageant and I have spent several Wednesday evenings during their practices in the nursery, so those who can sing could sing while I took care of their babies.  Then, the two weekends the pageant was presented, I helped in the nursery.  I am thankful for the time the choir practices to do these pageants and the message of Jesus that is presented.  It takes time though.  Takes away my free time, but that is okay.  Just less sewing and quilting time. 
Now that the pageant is over, Track is in full swing.  We were scheduled for meets on Thursday and Friday of this past week and we have one on Monday.  Thursday's meet was cancelled because of thunderstorms after we got there.  Friday was great weather for a meet.  We had a good meet.  The kids did very well. 
Today, I actually got to sit down and sew.  I worked on the quilt guild's Mystery Quilt blocks.  I finished several today, but still have several to do.  Here are some pictures of the blocks.

The first month was Four-Patch Blocks.  We had to make 32 of these.  I have these completed.

 

 

The second month was Double Four-Patch Blocks.  We had to make 38 of these.  I have these completed.

 

 

 

The third month was Triple Four-Patch Blocks.  We had to make 44 of these.  I don't have all of these completed yet, but I am closer today than I was yesterday.

 

 

 

The fourth month (this month) is Double Nine-Patch Blocks.  We have to make 24 of these.  I have one completed, but have several started.  I have about 20 of the Nine-Patch center finished. 

 



 

 

We have one more set of blocks to do next month and then we get the reveal.  Since I am presenting the Mystery Quilt, I have to finish early with my blocks so I can get the quilt put together before the big reveal.  I have cut the blocks for Part 5 already and have started them.  I cannot show those yet...next month I can show those.  I hope to have those together before our next Guild meeting, which is the second Monday of May.  This quilt is a scrappy quilt...anything goes.  It will finish at 83 1/2" x 101 1/2".  The blocks are 6" finished.  As you can see, there are a lot of blocks.  We are working to use our stash and I thought this quilt would be a good one to use up fabric.  My plan is to use only my stash to make this quilt.  Not going to purchase any fabric for this quilt.  So far, so good.  I hope I have border fabric and don't have to purchase.

 

Well, I'm off to sew some more blocks or go downstairs and quilt.  I have a customer quilt on the machine at I really want to have finished.  So, I'd better get to it.

 

Happy Quilting!

End of March Already!

I can't believe it has been 2 months since I posted anything.  I was going to post weekly, kind of journaling my quilting.  It seems my quilting life has taken a back seat to my Track life.  Yes, Track has started.  Our first meet was last Monday...cold, snow, and all.  Yes, I said snow.  We had a few flurries at the meet, but it snowed pretty good on the way home.  It was cold, but that meet is always cold.  The girls did pretty good.
I have also started beading.  Beading...taking needle, thread, and beads and making jewelry (mostly bracelets).  I have made some scissor fobs to sell at the quilt shop.  I have sold a few.  I am out of the lobster claw hooks that I like for the scissor fobs, so I haven't made any for awhile.  I have to wait until next week when I go to St. Louis and look for some.  I have made some bracelets.  I have gotten several ideas on YouTube on how to make them.  I also have some books.  It has been fun.  It is easy to take with me, as long as I have a place to sit and stitch, preferably with a table to sit at.  I think I see jewelry on everyone's Christmas list this year.
I have been working on my UFO Challenge quilts that are due next month.  I have one quilted, but cannot find the binding (if I made it), so it sits unfinished.  Either have to get some more fabric or look harder.  The second one is taking a long time to quilt.  It is a Trip Around the World.  The squares are about 2" and I am quilting my flowers in every other one.  The others I am trying to quilt with a different design in each color/fabric.  It is just taking me a lot longer than I thought it would.  I need to go quilt tonight.  I want to have it quilted before I go to St. Louis next Wednesday.  I have an away Track meet Tuesday, so can't quilt that night.  That means I need to finish it by Monday night.  I wanted to have Alyce's quilt quilted by then, too.  That way I can work on the bindings while I am in St. Louis.  I will be there Wednesday - Saturday for the AAHPERD Convention.  I am excited.  I have not been to one since I was in Graduate School.  Then it was in New Orleans.  This is the first time that I know of that it has been in Missouri.
I keep loosing stuff.  I can't find my book The Loyal Union Samper Quilt that we are making a quilt from on the second Saturday each month at the quilt shop.  I lost Alyce's quilt top, but I found it.  Guess I will go look some more and then go down stairs to do some quilting.

Happy Quilting!

Friday

It's finally Friday.  It has been a long week.  We were back in school after being off for 3 weeks...2 weeks for Christmas Break and 1 week because of snow.  They kids were ready to get back to school.  I have almost all new classes this Semester.  Most of the classes I teach are Semester classes, so they change completely.  It was a good week, but I didn't get much done in my quilting life.

Tomorrow is our 3rd Saturday Sampler class at the quilt shop.  We are ready for that.  We are also having a "Pre-cuts" class.  It will be different each month.  I did get a sample done for our project for next month.  I will be able to show it tomorrow.  The class tomorrow is using a Layer Cake, which is 42 - 10" squares.  We are cutting them with the Half Hexie ruler and then making a quilt.  Don't know why I have not taken a picture of that quilt.  I will have to do that tomorrow.  I will also take a picture of next month's quilt.

I have not had much time to quilt this week.  I loaded a quilt on the machine this week.  I think I was able to quilt 2 nights.  This is a large quilt...97" x 97".  I am doing a simple pantograph on it, so it is going fast.  The trouble is, the pantograph is not very wide, so it seems like I have to advance the quilt a lot.  The quilt is made from 2 1/2" strips.  It is one of Bonnie Hunter's designs called Scrappy Trip Around the World.  It is the second UFO I need to have finished for the CRS Quilt Guild meeting next month.  It is on my large UFO Challenge list.  I had trouble finding batting big enough for it.  Finally found a package of bamboo batting I had bought several years ago that was large enough.  I worked on the binding tonight for the small UFO Challenge quilt due next month.  I think I can get them both done.

What's on the machine

I have also been doing a little bit of sewing when I get a few minutes.  Sewing some large pinwheel blocks together to make Disappearing Pinwheel blocks for a future Pre-cuts class.  Just using fabric from my stash for them, but a Layer Cake will work for it.

I also worked on some of the pieces for the Celtic Solstice quilt, which is Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt this year.  This one is going to take some time to finish.  There are a lot of pieces in it, especially for the large quilt.

I will try to post more pictures of what I am working on in the future.  I would like to work on the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler quilt this weekend.  Maybe I can cut some blocks tomorrow during class, after I get everyone started on their quilt.

Until next time...
Happy Quilting!

Sunday Thoughts

Had a good day at the quilt shop yesterday.  We started our Elm Creek Quilts class.  Everyone wanted to do The Loyal Union Sampler Quilt.  We did two blocks!  They now have homework, so maybe we can get a row done this month, or close to being done.  Here is a picture of the first block we did.

 

The second block had Y seams!  Those are not fun and everyone decided it was a good practice block and would probably do another one.  I did not take a picture of our second one.  Next month I will post more.

 

I came home after the class and worked on a sample for February's Pre-Cut class.  I have it ready for the borders to go on.  January's Pre-Cut class will be the Half Hexagon quilt using a Layer Cake and yardage for the border and binding.  That class will be next Saturday, January 17th.  I think we have some new people coming to do the Pre-Cuts class and to start the new 3rd Saturday Sampler quilt.  That will start next weekend, too.

 

Today is a quiet day.  I need to get my Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilt out and count pieces.  I don't know how many of each clue I have made.  I have been sewing them as Leaders & Enders, so I have not kept up with the numbers.  Time to count and see how close I am to having enough for the quilt.  I know I need more.  I have not done any of the last section before the reveal.  I will have to cut fabric for that.

 

I wanted to get another quilt on my machine and start quilting it last week.  I got a quilt out, one that is on my UFO Challenge list of Large quilts.  It is 97" x 97".  Pinned it to the leader, but did not have batting big enough for it.  I thought we had a king size batting at the shop, but we didn't.  I cut backing fabric and pressed it.  I finally found a package of batting downstairs that is big enough for it.  I took it out of the package.  It is SO wrinkled!  I laid it out and sprayed it with water to help get the wrinkles out.  I sprayed it again today.  Hopefully tomorrow it will be ready to go on.  I am going to do an easy pantograph on it called Chantilly Lace.  It should quilt pretty quickly.  Will have to wait until after school tomorrow to start quilting it.

 

Tomorrow we go back to school.  We have been out for 3 weeks.  Two weeks for Christmas break and then last week for snow.  We are starting a new Semester, so I will have different students in every class, except one.  I am ready to get back to it, I think.  I will miss having so much time to quilt.  My days have been filled with quilting and thinking about quilting.  Now, I have to think about teaching and coaching is not too far away...about 2 months.

 

We also have a Quilt Guild meeting tomorrow night.  The Current River Scrappers Quilt Guild meets the second Monday of each month.  It will be good to get out and see everyone.  I hope we have lots of Show & Tell.  I love to see what everyone has been working on.

 

Well, I need to get off of here and work on the Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilt.  We are going to be starting a Mystery Quilt with the Guild tomorrow, too.  It is a really neat quilt.  I am anxious to show everyone Part One!  I may post it here, too, so you can join us if you want to.

 

Happy Quilting!