Well, I didn’t finish ANY UFOs this month. None, Nada, not a one …
However, I did finish 3 new starts … I finished my October Island Batik project … which you will see in October. I also finished the Pinktober quilt for the blog hop happening in October to honour breast cancer patients. My day is October 13th. As well, my gadget quilt was finished. It was a fun quilt to make. You can read about it HERE.
I have 2 more UFOs to finish before the end of the year and 3 new starts … for me, I think it’s doable! I hope!
Earlier in the month, I posted my September Island Batik project using a Studio 180 tool, Corner Pop, along with a few other tools that I own. I LOVE Studio 180 tools! You can read more about this quilt HERE.
This has been a super fantastic blog hop with ambassadors using new fabric collections and a Studio 180 tool. Every quilt has been totally different and amazing. This is the lineup for this week.
Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
January – Aug: 209 / 242
Sept: 24 / 25
Total: 233 / 267
Percentage = 87%
Stash Report
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
No shopping, but the quilt I made for the Gadget blog hop used 2 yards of fabric for the backing. You can read about it HERE.
I was contacted by Ellen this summer. She sent me a Quilt Keeper and asked me to blog about my experience with it.
So, who’s Ellen? Ellen Taurins is a quilter who originally designed the Quilt Keeper for hanging her own quilts. She’s obviously a very clever lady!
The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was the quality of the product! It is superb! It is extremely well build and very professional looking! I hung a variety of my favourite Island Batik quilts and took pictures. Don’t they look lovely hanging on the back of the door?
There is a video HERE that will explain how easy it is to use.
The Quilt Keeper will fit any regular door! It comes with foam inserts should you need to adjust it at the top (I didn’t). It’s very easy to hang and switch out the quilts. It actually took me longer to fold each quilt than it did to hang it! So simple to use! If you’re looking for a way to store some of your quilts and show off some of your quilts – this might just be what you’re looking for!
Ellen has a facebook page where you can see many more pictures of the Quilt Keeper! There’s even one with a Christmas quilt and a red bow … makes me think it might make a wonderful Christmas gift for a quilter in your life! Or for yourself!
Oh me, oh my! What a blog hop this promises to be!!! Gadgets, gadgets, gadgets … I have a few! Do I need to pick just one??? Carol, from Just Let me Quilt, organized this blog hop and I signed up right away!!!
But before I started, I decided that I needed to actually define what a “gadget” is. According to Mirriam-Webster a gadget is “an often small mechanical or electronic device with a practical use but often thought of as a novelty.”
Hmmm, to me, I have always considered a gadget something that makes my quilting easier. Sometimes the “gadget” is electronical, sometimes mechanical, but always is practical and useful. Hence, I’m going with my own definition of “gadget.”
I will show you the gadgets that I used for this project. I doubt this will make me the Queen of Gadgets, but even I was surprised at how many I actually used!
Gadget #1
EQ8
I used EQ8 to design this quilt using Island Batik’s “Pumpkin Spice,” a signature collection for Sarah Fabian, designed by Kathy Engle. I had received a 10″ stack, along with a 2 yard cut of “Celery” (which I used for the background) and a 2 yard cut of “Bluegrass” which I used for the binding.
And yes, just in case you were wondering, I recently upgraded from EQ7 to 8. A tiny learning curve, but lots of features I really really like! Well worth upgrading! Wish I’d done it sooner!
Gadget #2
Prairie Spirit Pressing Mat
Initially, I used the Prairie Spirit Alpacas alpaca/wool mat to press the 10″ squares prior to cutting them. The mat worked like a charm. The creases came out easily without the use of water. I continued to use the mat for all pressing as I assembled the quilt.
Gadget #3
Accuquilt Cutter
My Accuquilt Cutter was given to me as an Island Batik Ambassador. When I received the cutter, I was given the 8″ Go Qube dies. Of the Qube 8 dies, I used #3 for the larger half square triangles (shown); #1 for the 4.5″ squares, #6 for the centre of the square in a square and #5 for the outside of the square in a square. The 2.5″ strip cutter was used for 2 of the borders.
Gadget #4
Shape-Cut Ruler
I use this ruler to cut the 3.5″ and 5″ strip sizes of “Celery” (background) I needed for using in the Accuquilt.
Gadget #5
Cutting Gizmo
This is used to quickly separate units when I chain piece. I chain piece a LOT, so this is used LOTS!!!
Gadget #6
Magnetic Pin Cushion
Picks up the pins when they are lying near the machine, or fall on the floor. It also keeps the pins from spilling onto the floor!
Gadget #7
I received these Klips for a project that is due in October. They are WONDERFUL!!! When webbing a quilt together, I find that you have to “anchor” one end or it gets twisted around. (Picture on the right). The Klips are a great width and hold the pieces together very well! I also use them when holding the binding in place. (picture on the left.)
Gadget #8
Hera Marker
I used this marker to mark the center of the block. It leaves a crease or small groove in the fabric. It’s quick and easy and the marks are usually gone by the time I’ve finished quilting it!
Gadget #9
Quilting Rulers
I used a variety of Silly Moon rulers. Mostly 3 different sizes of Beanie (curves) and Rocket (straight lines).
Gadget #10
Tweezers
I use tweezers to pull up my bottom thread when I’m quilting.
Gadget #11
Seam Ripper
I was really really hoping that I wouldn’t have to use this gadget! But alas, I don’t think there’s been a single quilt in my quilting life that the seam ripper hasn’t been used at least once! Those curves were suppose to meet in the middle! It’s extremely obvious that they didn’t!
Gadget #12, #13 & #14
Rotary Cutter, Cutting Mat and the Gipsy Gripper
The first picture is trimming the quilt. I absolutely LOVE the extra stability that the Gripper provides. The 2nd picture is cutting the binding. I cut my binding at 2.25″, so the shape cutter doesn’t work for that.
The Finished Quilt
Quilt Stats:
Size: 48″ x 48″
Fabrics: Island Batik “Pumpkin Spice”, Celery (background), and Bluegrass (binding)
I made a quilt for the current Island Batik Blog Hop and I used Studio 180 rulers along with the “Flourish” fabric collection.. You can read about this quilt HERE.
It was a LOT of fun to use the Studio 180 Corner Pop ruler to make this quilt! However there were a LOT of little triangles that were cut off the corners. They were all exactly the same size!
I HAD to do something with them! With no concrete plan in place, I used them as leaders and enders while I finished a few blocks, webbed the quilt and put on the borders.
They became these little 3 3/4″ blocks, with 4 of them shown on my wonderful Prairie Spirit Alpacas Alpaca/Wool mat.
I set them on point with 3 3/4″ squares of Dots-Brown Brownie and used the same fabric for the setting triangles and the borders.
And they became 2 little table toppers that will be used on bedside tables.
Fabric: Island Batik, all from the Flourish collection. The light orange is Vertical Vine – Orange, the darker orange is Dots-Brown Brownie and the pinwheels are various fabrics from the collection. The binding is a combination of Vertical Vine-Multi Brown and Floral Leaves – Multi Brown.
Go to Island Batik’s blog to enter the Rafflecopter for your opportunity to win a fat quarter bundle of Honeycomb or Cheers! Click HERE. And, you can also see all of the quilts from this week’s hop!
I received this fantastic fabric collection: Flourish by Kathy Engle, along with 2 yards of Dots-Brown Brownie and 2 yards of Vertical Vine-Orange
And the collection of 20 half-yard cuts of Flourish s to be paired with Studio 180’s Corner Pop tool.
I browsed through the Studio 180 Blockbuster blocks for a block that used the Corner Pop ruler, plus some of the other Studio 180 rulers that I have. I found Blockbuster #52, Sparkler and Blockbuster #17, Salem Star. I drew the blocks in EQ, changing them slightly and came up with this quilt:
One requirement is that I use 30 units using the Corner Pop ruler! No problem!!! This quilt has WAY more Corner Pop units! The Salem Star has 160 Corner Pop units and the Sparkler Star has 80 Corner Pop units – for a total of 240 units!
And, of course, true to how I work, the colours in each block would change. This quilt used 18 of the 20 fabrics in this collection on the front. But, knowing how I work, I knew at this point, I would divide the blocks into 2 fabrics and go from there.
Before I started cutting, I visited online instructional videos at Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Design YouTube channel to learn more about the corner pop ruler. I did not need to review the Tucker Trimmer video or the V-block video as I have used them several times!
I was so excited to get started making the 10 Salem Star blocks that I forgot to take any pictures! {groan} Let me tell you, there was a LOT of trimming, but I must admit, the points came together perfectly! And, if you know me at all – perfection is not my claim to fame!
I used a lot of the Vertical Vine-Orange in each block, with Dots-Brown Brownie in the corners and the border.
Here’s the 10 Salem Star blocks completed:
Here I am, using the Corner Pop ruler to cut the large corner of the Sparkler block. The Vertical Vine-Orange looks very faded in these to pictures.
Here is the Prairie Spirit Alpaca / Wool mat making pressing the blocks perfect! Using the mat and trimming the blocks makes for perfect blocks! I’m amazed!
This picture shows a truer colour of the Vertical Vine-Orange. As well, it shows the completed corner using the V-block ruler. And pressing on the Prairie Spirit Alpaca/Wool mat = crisp seams!
The 2nd trim on this block … looks like I need to adjust the ruler just a smidge!
More trimming! The first picture is using the Tucker Trimmer ruler and the second picture is using the Corner Pop ruler.
Swirling those centers of the pinwheel block. I love the look of the tiny pinwheels and I really LOVE the ease with quilting over that area without dealing with lumpy seams!
Here is a close-up of some of the quilting. All quilting is done on my domestic Janome M7.
Here is the completed quilt with Floral Leaves-Brown for the binding.
When I make Island Batik Blog Hop quilts, I attempt to use ALL 20 fabrics in the quilt. Well, there were a couple of orange fabrics that blended in too much with the background and corner triangles, so I used them on the back, with a few other fabrics from the collection!
Here’s a close-up of the quilting from the back:
A Give-away!
I’m giving away this little bundle of fabric that is left-over from making the quilt. If you live in Canada and would like to receive this bundle, leave a comment or email me. In your comment (or email) tell me what you might make with the fabric … At the end of the Blog Hop, I will put all of the names in a hat and my husband will draw the winning name.
This blog hop is to celebrate National Sewing Month. ?? National ?? the hosts are in the US and I live in Canada, so I’m declaring it International Sewing Month. Works for me!
My mother taught me to sew at a young age. By the time I was in Grade 8 and taking Home Ec, I was pretty bored with making an hair kerchief and an apron. My next project was a skirt with a zipper in it. The teacher put the zipper in to demonstrate the insertion. When I got the final marks for the project, she gave me 2/10 for zipper insertion. WHAT???? Unfortunately, I had NO assertiveness skills at that time and didn’t argue with her. When it was time to choose courses for Grade 9, I definitely knew that Home Ec was one course I wasn’t going to take! By the way, I had the same teacher for cooking and was not impressed with having to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for our first project! Can you blame me?
I made this V-neck top! It was a quick easy project! Even though I haven’t been sewing garments for a LONG time! It’s a nice cool top for the warm summer days!
There are PRIZES!
That’s right! Lots of prizes that you could win! Click on the Rafflecopter and follow the prompts!
Look at this beautiful Naturescape pre-cut that I received from Island Batik! Along with 2 yards of Glacier and 2 yards of Large Netting-Pineneedle. PLUS, 4 spools of Aurifil Thread:
50 wt: #4250: Variegated Flamingo
50 wt: #2890: Very Dark Grass Green
40 wt: # 2410: Pale Pink
40 wt: # 2770: Very light Delft
I’m dreaming of what wonderful quilt I can design with these beauties!!!
And, I also received this stack of fabrics “Positively Pink,” Breast Cancer Awareness with coordinating yardage for the Pinktober Blog Hop.
Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
January – Aug: 209 / 242
Sept: 4 / 4
Total: 203 / 236
Percentage = 86%
Stash Report
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
Quilting Gail 