This was a Hugs and Kisses quilt that used various Island Batik blues and greens. I used the Accuquilt Go! to cut the pieces: Die #10 from the ‘Corners’ 8″ Qube collection paired with Die #5 from the 8″ Qube set. It made piecing the Hugs and Kisses very simple. Each Hugs or Kisses block uses 4 mini blocks composed of 1 Die #10 and 2 Die #5. Then the blocks are arranged to form a Hug or a Kiss. I added sashing and borders and the quilt was a flimsy!
Unfortunately, I didn’t count very well and I had too many green blocks … so I cut some pinks and purples and I’ll show you that quilt next week (if it’s finished!)
One person that saw this quilt called it my “Sea Hawks” quilt. I’m not a sports fan … but I know lots of people that are and I get that it’s the colours of the team!
Hobbs 80/20 is in the middle and I used Odif 505 spray baste to hold the layers together.
I was zoom quilting with my sister and cousins at the beginning of the month. I wasn’t sure how to quilt it, but I knew I wanted an all-over pattern. My cousin, Terry (machine quilter extraordinaire! ) suggested these curly c’s that go every which way and back-track on themselves. I gave it a try, I must admit, the back-tracking was not fun, but it was well worth it in the end and I LOVE the look! I’ll be using that random pattern again! Thanks, Terry for your fabulous suggestion!!!
I was Featured
Andree from Free Motion Quilters featured my Studio 180 Wedge Star Quilt with Island Batik Sandalwood fabric collection. You can read about it HERE.
A few years ago, Patti participated in a Stay at Home Round Robin … she diligently sent me photos of her progress … then decided she was DONE. She can’t remember if she put it on the “Free” table or put it somewhere else … but it was out of her hands … she was done with it!
Fast forward to the present day …
Patti is on the “Comfort Quilt Committee” for our guild (Boundary Bay Quilter’s Guild). She was given a quilt that was donated for the cancer centre. She absolutely HAD to show it to me … Can you see why????
And here you can really see Patti’s started SAHRR …
The lady that picked up the discarded SAHRR added lots of her own fabrics and made a super beautiful quilt …
Sew, You Never Know!
IB Blog Hop is Over
Island Batik has had a blog hop over the last 3 weeks. Did you see it? It featured Studio 180 Tools and new fabric lines.
I was given the “Sandalwood” collection, designed by Kathy Engle for Kari Nichols of Quilting Renditions and the Wedge Star Tool. You can read more about this quilt, the fabric and the tool HERE. It was a lot of fun to make! I was especially thrilled when I had PERFECTLY pieced star centres (well, on most of them!)
And here’s the back and a close up of the quilting.
If you would like to see a recap of all of the quilts from the hop, (without visiting each blog) visit Island Batik’s blog HERE.
Are you going??? This Quilt Show is known to be one of the best!!! It’s in Red Deer. On Friday, May 12 & Saturday, May 13.
Exhibition Hall, Westerner Park
4847 – 19 St. Red Deer Alberta T4R 2N7
I’m super excited about this show. My friend, Carmen, who owns Prairie Spirit Alpacas, will be there with her Alpaca/wool pressing mats …. If you see her … say “hi” and tell her that you “know” me! 😀.
PLUS: she will be selling a lot of my patterns!
PLUS: she will have this quilt there … It’s made with the Baby Stars pattern in Island Batik fabrics and the batting is Alpaca fleece. It will be a super super warm quilt!!! It was quilted on my domestic Janome M7. The Alpaca fleece certainly gives the quilting great texture! The fleece was doubled for this quilt, but I think it would have been just as good, if not better, with a single layer!
And this is my Friday Finish!
This is the original Baby Stars, it’s the picture you’ll see on my pattern … photo credit: Jerry Khiev, Island Batik.
Let me know if you buy a pattern, a mat, or some wool … buy some alpaca batting if you want to try it!
Retreat
I just came back from a 4 day retreat! LOTS of fun!!! I’ll tell you all about it on Sunday!
At the beginning of the year, when I got my first 2 Island Batik boxes for 2023, I had a “Surprise” package:
I didn’t know what fabric collection was hidden inside the wrapping!
This is what I found when I opened it: and yes, I ohhh and ahhh’d over it! I LOVE these beautiful fall colours!
The collection is “Sandalwood” designed by Kathy Engle for Kari Nichols of Quilting Renditions. And the collection is paired with 2 yards of Dijon (from Opulent Oranges) and 2 yards of Mocha (from Neutrals).
I also received the Wedge Star tool from Studio 180. So many options to play with!
And as an ambassador, I was also able to get the extra Technic Sheets that accompany the tool. Studio 180 also has a plethora of videos that go with all of the tools and several of the Technic Sheets! So, if you have a Studio 180 tool and are not sure how to proceed, visit the videos for clear instructions. HERE.
I followed the directions and started making the stars … sewing and trimming …
My first 3 blocks and then the start of the “Twisted Wedge Star” on my Prairie Spirit Alpaca/wool pressing mat.
One thing that I was totally amazed at was how, after all the sewing and trimming most of the blocks had PERFECT centres. If you know me at all … this is totally amazing! I was SOOOOOO excited!! It’s no wonder that I LOVE Studio 180 tools!
It was SEW much fun to make all these blocks that I didn’t take the time to photograph many progress pictues!
All in all, I made 6 Wedge Stars and 6 Twisted Wedge Stars. I used all 20 of the fabric skews in the top! The back used 3 of the skews and the Dijon yardage that was paired with the collection.
When the top was pieced together, I pulled out a batt of Hobbs Batting 80/20 (I buy this by the roll and I receive lots of Hobbs batting as an ambassador I LOVE Hobbs batting! and sandwiched the quilt using 505 spray baste!
And the quilting began … NOTE: many people think I have a long arm … I don’t !! I quilt on my Janome M7. I had my husband take pictures fo there is some proof! (grin)
Schmetz Needles, Microtex Chrome 70/10, was used for the quilting. I know that a LOT of people think that you need a larger needle when quilting batiks, but you don’t. These needles work great!
You can see the Aurifil Thread 2370 (Sandstone) that I used to quilt this quilt.
Here is the final quilt:
And with the fall colours, the only place to take a ‘fall-ish” picture was pinning the quilt to the wood pile. I didn’t think the rose coloured tulips or the ornamental cherry blossoms would look great with this quilt! This wood pile will be cut and split in the near future … all ready for next winter!
The back and close-up of the quilting:
Quilt Stats:
Size: 43″ x 57″
Fabric: Sandalwood Collection, with Moocha (sashing & borders) and Dijon (in some blocks & backing)
Backing fabrics: Dijon, Berries Gold Oc re, Pine Leaves Cone Gr, & Rock Yellow Amber
Binding: Various greens from the Sandalwood Collection for a scrappy binding.
If you are interested in the Sandalwood fabric line, it can be found at the following stores. Many many other stores carry Island Batik and specifically Sandalwood fabrics, but I’ve kept my list to Washington State and Oregon – stores within my driving distance! The fabrics should be shipping soon!
Creative Union Fabric, Port Townsend, WA
Creekside Quilts, Gales, OR
Will-n-Bee’z, Salem, OR
To find stores that carry Island Batik fabrics, check the store locator HERE.
One Canadian Store that carries many of the collections seen in this blog hop is Lori’s Country Cottage. I visit it almost every time I visit my sister!
Lori’s Country Cottage, Sherwood Park, Alberta, CANADA
These little bags are April’s One Gift a month from Days Filled with Joy … I started them in April, finished in May. They both use Island Batik fabrics from different collections.
These are January and February’s gifts … since I made 2 in February, and March’s slipped away from me … That’s 5 gifts that I’ve made in 4 months … I figure that’s OK!
May’s gift of the Month won’t be posted until later this month as “days filled with Joy” has a lot on her plate.
Blog Hop
To see a recap of Week 1: visit Island Batik’s blog HERE.
Week 2 of Island Batik’s Blog Hop will start on Monday. My day is Tuesday!!!
Are you determined to finish a bunch of UFOs and to NOT increase the number of quilts or projects on your UFO list???
Congratulations on making that choice!!!
Let’s Get ‘er Done!
So, we’ve all got this list of UFOs to do. And we have the list of “NEW Starts in ’23” … Are you feeling overwhelmed?
We’re a third of the way through the year! Do you have a third of your UFOs done? It’s OK if you don’t, this isn’t a challenge where you have to get one done each month, but it does help.
So, let’s take one of your UFOs. It won’t get done sitting in it’s box, or stashed under the bed, or in the back of the closet. Get it out!
Decide what do you need to do? Can you start where you left off? Do you need to figure out where you left off? Whatever it is, DO IT!!!
Your UFO will get finished the same as everything else … one stitch at a time. Take the time to do at least 15 minutes of stitching today … if you can stitch for 30 minutes, then that’s even better!
Let’s get at least ONE UFO done before the end of May! Sound good?
My Brother in Law, Dale, LOVES puffy quilts! He Loves bright and cheerful quilts. I gifted him the puff quilt that I made for the February Island Batik challenge. Obviously, their little dog, Brûlée, loves it as well! You can read more about this Puff quilt HERE.
Stitching Stuff
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!
I missed 1 days this week because I was travelling, so that was a total of 3 days missed so far this year!
January – March: 90 / 90
April: 27 / 30
Total: 117 / 120
Percentage: 97%
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!
May IB challenge : Sandelwood and the Wedge Star tool
June IB challenge (The luscious teal and green 10″ stack)
Xs & Os.#1 & #2. – cut with Accuquilt dies
Quilting: These are all sandwiched and ready to quilt …
IB Catalogue Quilt (not shown)
Nutcracker
Bird Panel
Current Blog Hop
Island Batik Blog Hop: Tool Craze: This Blog Hop starts TOMORROW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My day is May 9
Each Ambassador was given a 1/2 yard of each fabric in a collection, along with coordinating fabric, as well as a Studio 180 tool … It’s going to be fun to see what each person creates!
If you visit Island Batik’s blog, HERE, you have an opportunity to win some awesome fabric. These fat quarter bundles are soooooo beautiful!!!
Here’s the list of who’s participating in the blog hop this week:
This is my Melodic Mystery. Meadow Mist designs has a mystery quilt each year! I LOVE her patterns and the variety of quilts is amazing! Although I had the top done in time for the parade, I didn’t have it quilted … so I didn’t enter it into the parade. You can see the post with the parade HERE.
It was totally made from my stash. I used to collect Kansas Troubles, so it was easy to pull out a few charm packs and coordinating fabrics.
Here’s a picture of the quilting on the back. I did use Silly Moon “beanie” for the orange peal quilting and “rocket” for the straight line quilting … the rest was FMQ. Hobbs 80/20 is in the middle.
Cheryl has 7 mystery quilts and the clues are still available on her blog. You can check them out HERE. She will be hosting another mystery quilt starting in July 6. It will be called “Malted Mystery.” I’m pretty sure I’ll be joining in!
Trunk Show
In my last post, I told you that I had done a trunk show in person, in Hope, BC. I also mentioned that because my husband was helping to hold up the quilts, I didn’t get any pictures. Well, Maureen saw the post and immediately sent me a bundle of pictures! Thank you Maureen for being so willing to share your photos!
I started with some of my older quilts (not shown), then what my husband calls the “Bonnie Hunter years” (first 3 quilts – although I showed more of them.) Then a collection of Island Batik quilts with an Irish chain thrown in (from a class I teach). And I finished with several mini quilts.
I did a trunk show in Hope B.C. It was a lovely group of ladies!!! It was fun to meet them! My husband helped hold up the quilts, so I didn’t get any pictures of the actual trunk show. Thank you HOPE for inviting me!
One of the ladies at the meeting had participated in the Stay at Home Round Robin and brought her quilt for me to see! So fun! It was fantastic to see it in person! And so much bigger than I had thought! I loved looking at all the different fabrics that she used! Thanks, Charlene!
One Gift a Month
This month’s gift is a Drawstring Gift Bag with a Divider. You can go to Days Filled With Joy for information and the link on this cute bag. I’ll definitely be making one!
I’ve picked out the fabric … just need to start cutting … I might make 2 … without the divider.
Stitching Stuff
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!
I missed 2 days this week because I was travelling.
January – March: 90 / 90
April: 20 / 22
Total: 110 / 112
Percentage: 98%
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!
This is my finished Bonnie Hunter Mystery: Chilhowie. I used scraps of Island Batik to make this. Interestingly, I still have a LOT of scraps left!!!
Quilt Stats:
size: 78″ x 78″
fabrics: Island Batik scraps from many collections
batting: Hobbs 80/20
Quilted and Pieced with Aurifil thread #2600: Dove Grey
Wild Quilting: anything goes.
When you make a quilt as busy as this one, it’s a great quilt to do wild or graffiti quilting. It was a LOT of fun to quilt!!! I demonstrated wild quilting at a guild function … it was fun to have different people tell me what to quilt next. And yes, I did have a page full of motifs that are appropriate for wild quilting!
We were at Over The Rainbow Lodge on Camano Island for almost a week. It’s a beautiful place to retreat! And, since we’re an established group, we’re booked in until 2030!!!! WOOHOO!!!
I think all 12 people that attended the retreat enjoyed themselves … lots and lots of sewing and laughter!
We took turns cooking supper and had fabulous gourmet meals!!! DELICIOUS!!!
As I was preparing this blog post, I realized that I didn’t get any pictures of the food, the snack counter (TONS!), or of the 12 people sewing in one room and having fun!
I didn’t get a picture of each of the projects that people were working on … there was a great variety and a LOT of creativity happening! Here’s a few pictures of what was happening:
Pillow cases, kits from quilts, jelly roll quilts, quilts using templates, hand sewn hexi quilt, tiny tiny pieces, 3 yard quilts, scrappy quilts, coordinated quilts …. so many different things happening!
I know someone is going to ask … the dog chart was found on Pinterest and Kandy used 5″ blocks to make the quilt.
What did I work on?
I attempted to quilt my Melodic Mystery, but it was difficult on a smaller machine, eventually I gave up. The Black & white photo is of an Island Batik catalogue quilt and the top is completed! The blocks for the X’s & O’s were completed and the top is almost done. I just need to add the border …
The Melodic Mystery is made with Kansas Troubles fabric. The other 2 quilts are Island Batik fabric. The X’s & O’s were cut with Accuquilt
Are you determined to finish a bunch of UFOs and to NOT increase the number of quilts or projects on your UFO list???
Congratulations on making that choice!!!
Let’s re-visit Procrastination!
OK … this is me … today
This week I’ve been SEW busy, I honestly can’t believe where the time has gone!
First, it was working with the hosts of the SAHRR to choose the winners, contact the sponsors and just get everything organized. Finally, on Wednesday, the last piece was put into place. (see the list of winners below).
Then, I was attempting to finish 2 quilts before I leave for the retreat. Neither will get totally finished.
Next, I need to gather all the junk wonderful fabric and supplies that I want to take.
Project #1: cutting fabric, counting blocks, making sure that I have enough pieces (baby stars #2)
Same for Project #2. (X & Os)
Project #3 is ready. (haven’t touched it since I went to the last retreat!) (UFO – wallet)
Project #4 I need to figure out what thread I’m going to use for quilting … (Melodic Mystery)
Project #5. …. Really Gail, do you NEED to take 5 projects? But I will take the Island Batik catalogue quilt … just in case I run out of things to do!
This retreat has us doing our own cooking … so there was baking involved … and gathering food items.
I need clean clothes to take to the retreat – so there’s laundry to do …
So … what do I do now?
First, I need to take a deep breath and realize that I can’t do everything!!!
Prioritize what NEEDS to be done.
First, I can’t possibly finish the 2 quilts before I go. So they will have to wait.
My laundry must be done. I can’t take dirty clothes to a retreat when I’m surrounded by other people!
Do I really need to do the baking? Can I buy what I was going to bake? Of course I can!
Do I need to gather food items? Yes.
Do I need to prepare projects for the retreat? Absolutely!!!
My Tally Sheets
I finished 1 UFOs this month. It’s my SAHRR ’23!!! I’m in LOVE with this quilt! (it used Island Batik fabrics, Aurifil thread and Hobbs batting). You can read more about it HERE.
4 NEW starts were finished this month. The Little Green Apple Clam-Up bags, the bags for the guild, the Ruler Quilting Quilt and the Bargello Quilt. All used Island Batik fabrics, except for the bags for the guild.
If you want to keep track of your own progress, please feel free to download the 2023 Template.
Here’s a list of the winners! Congratulations to each one! And a special “Thank YOU” to all of the sponsors! We couldn’t have done it without your generous gifts!
Island Batik fat quarter bundle: Mari @ Academic Quilter
Island Batik fat quarter bundle: Julie Ann @ Quilts and Costumes
Island Batik fat quarter bundle: Janice @ Sing Read Sew.com
Hobbs Wool Batt: Bernie @ Needle & Foot
Aurfil Thread: Heather F
Oliso Mini Iron : Laura Kate @ Daily Fiber Fun
Pattern from For the Love of Geese (Denise): Dawn at Quilting by Dawn
Prairie Spirit Alpaca Pressing Mat: Diann at Little Penguin Quilts
Gift Certificate of choice from Chris: Carol @ Quilt Schmidt
Fat Quarter Shop Gift Certificate: Gretchen from Gretchen’s Little Quilts
MSQ Gift Certificate from Roseanne: Joy at The Joyful Quilter
And again, the picture of Roseanne, Anja, Gail & Emily doing the draw! We had the list, a random number generator and a fun time!
Roseanne (top left), Anja (bottom left), me (top right) and Emily (bottom right) got together by zoom to choose the winners. We had the list of participants, the linky parties they joined, the list of prizes and a random number generator! It was fast, fun and great to “meet” each other!
Not all winners have responded to me (I contacted them either in their email, blog comments or IG accounts) and they have until Monday evening to do so. If we haven’t heard from them by then, then we will be drawing for more winners. Here is who I’m waiting to hear from: (please email me at quiltinggail@yahoo.ca). Thank you! All other winners have been notified.
Janice from Sing Read Sew.com
Laura Kate – Daily Fiber Fun
Diann at Little Penguin Quilts
If you know Janice, Laura Kate or Diann, please tell them to contact me! Thank you!
One Gift a Month Challenge
Days Filled with Joy is hosting this challenge. March’s gift is a Round Quilted Pot Holders. See HERE for the tutorial. And no, I haven’t started to think about what fabric I’m going to use!
Now that March is almost over … I’m sort-of wondering if I’ll make this gift? I made 2 in February – so does that count? LOL!!!
Stitching Stuff
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 – February: 59/ 59
March: 26 /26
Percentage: 100%
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!
In the last 2 weeks, I’ve used 6 yards for the bargello quilt, 12.5 yards for the free motion ruler quilting quilt. and 2 yards for the “Little Green Apples”
No further fabric purchases since my last report;
Fabric Used the past 2 weeks: 20.5 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 51.5 yards from non-IB: 20
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 3 yards
Net Fabric used: 48.5 yards
Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.
To Do Tuesday
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.
The To Do list from last week: I didn’t get a lot ticked off on my list … maybe this next week!
Quilt Melodic Mystery.Not Done
Quilt Gardenia.Not Done
Quilt ChilhowieNot Done I started this – did a short demo of wild quilting at a guild function.
Quilt Bird Panels.Not Done
Quilt NutcrackerNot Done
Start April IB project.√ DONE
Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing). Not Done
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √ DONE
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
This week’s list:
The purple text items are my priority. If I get beyond those, I’ll be extremely happy!
Pack for the upcoming retreat!
Quilt Melodic Mystery.
Quilt Gardenia.
Quilt Chilhowie
Quilt Bird Panels.
Quilt Nutcracker
Finish April IB project.
Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing).
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
The May/June issue of McCalls Quilting is now on the magazine racks!
The quilt arrived at my house the same day that I found the magazine in the grocery store!! This is a picture of the quilt that I took in mid-October, the day before it was sent to Colorado for it’s photo shoot.
Island Batik fabrics are used for this quilt! Wild Blooms is the colourful fabrics and will be available in stores in May. The rich dark blue is “Ravine” and is perfect for setting off the star!
If you want the pattern for this quilt, it is included in the magazine!
Quilt Stats:
68″ x 68″
Hobbs 80/20 is in the middle
Quilted with Aurifil Thread
The back is “Ravine,” an Island Batik basic.
I was Featured!
Jennifer, from Inquiring Quilter featured my SAHRR quilt! I was thrilled to see that 4 other SAHRR quilts were also featured! See THIS POST for more details
This month’s challenge is to make something of our own choosing. I had SEW many ideas! The hardest part was choosing exactly what I wanted to do! I often do at least one extra Island Batik project each month, but this is a little different. I didn’t want the project to be suggested for a blog hop, but I wanted it to be something I’ve been wanting to do! SEW, I decided to do 2 different projects.
#1 Bargello Quilt
I was given a 2 1/2” strip set of Prairie Dreams. Isn’t it beautiful???? Island Batik also included 2 yards of Chalk and 2 yards of Slate.
I had recently seen a number of different bargello quilts. I wanted it to have a random, scrappy look, so I arranged the strips in a manner that I thought was fun. I added (2) 2 1/2” strips of Chalk and a 6 1/2” strip of Slate. Sorry, I forgot to take a picture of all the strips sewn together.
Here’s a picture of some of the strips at the beginning.
The strips were sewn into a loop. Then, I cut strips of various widths from 3″ to 1.” Then I arranged them on the design board, and “unstitched” one portion of each loop. Amazingly, I only had to re-sew one strip where I “unstitched” the wrong one!
Here’s a close-up of the walking foot quilting. I just did a ‘straight-ish’ line through each block.
If I was to make this quilt again, I would make the smallest cut 1 1/2” or 2″. The 1″ cuts were a bit small (for me!)
Binding: Island Batik “Slate”, Thread: Aurifil 2785
#2 Ruler Quilting
I’ve been wanting to improve my ruler quilting and have had the Jewel Quilt book for quite some time with good intentions to follow the book’ ‘s directions and make this quilt.
Prepping the fabric: I started out by cutting all of the fabric, using Island Batik solids with a different colour-way for each side of the quilt. Ghost is the only ‘non-solid’ that I used, but it reads as a solid. Then I sandwiched them with Hobbs Batting 80/20.
Side #1
Side # 2
grey
ghost
turquoise
green
pink
red
cobalt
dark grey
fuchsia
orange
After sandwiching each of the segments, I pressed them on both sides using my Prairie Spirit Alpacas pressing mat. It made them super smooth!
Marking the blocks: I tested a water soluble marker and then marked the blocks.
Here’s a picture of some of the first individual blocks in progress:
This project used a LOT of thread. No, not a full cone, but I use this thread a LOT … it’s my favourite go-to and it goes with just about every single fabric!
I used Aurifil Thread #2600, Dove Grey for all of the quilting. Schmetz Needles: 2 Microtex 80/12 were used for the quilting and binding. Why 2, you ask? Because about 3/4 of the way through, I could hear that ‘thud’ that indicates you need a new needle.
It was actually pretty easy to use the rulers on the small pieces. Sort of like your sample sandwiches when you’re learning to quilt. HOWEVER, once the blocks were quilted, they needed to be assembled in a quilt-as-you-go manner. This involved HAND sewing. UGGG!!!! My hands can only handle hand sewing for about 15 minutes – so sewing the blocks together took a LONG time.
Here is a picture of the scrappy binding being sewn on … only one Schmetz Needles Microtex Chrome 80/12 left … guess I might need to go shopping! (grin)
Here is the finish on one side … If you look closely at the grey segments, you’ll notice that the upper and lower segments are slightly different than the right and left segments. I had to add some variety!
And the finish on the opposite side. It’s totally reversible!
And some close up pictures!
I must admit, that I’m totally amazed that I quilted this quilt!!! It was certainly easier to do once I marked the fabrics. Generally, I’m a “no Mark” person and a “just go for it” person. But, it was certainly worth it!!
Yesterday was World Wide Quilting day … or International Quilting Day … or if you’re in the USA it was National Quilting Day. Whatever … a day to celebrate quilting.
The SAHRR ’23 has come to an end. For those that want to link to the Parade, the linky closes Monday at midnight. See THIS POST to link up. Later in the week the co-hosts and I will be meeting to randomly choose the winners of the generous gifts provided by our sponsors. We will all announce them afterwards.
One Gift a Month Challenge
Days Filled with Joy is hosting this challenge. March’s gift is a Round Quilted Pot Holders. See HERE for the tutorial. And no, I haven’t started to think about what fabric I’m going to use!
Stitching Stuff
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 – February: 59/ 59
March: 19 / 19
Percentage: 100%
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!
In the last 2 weeks, I’ve used 6.5 yards for the SAHRR and the same for Baby Stars … for a total of 13 yards.
No further fabric purchases since my last report;
Fabric Used the past 2 weeks: 13 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 31.5 yards from non-IB: 17
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 3 yards
Net Fabric used: 28.5 yards
Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.
To Do Tuesday
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.
The To Do list from last week:
Sandwhich Gardenia√ DONE
Melodic Mystery: Sandwhich √ DONE
Chilhowie: start quilting. √ DONE
Quilt Bird Panels.Not Done
Quilt Nutcracker.Not Done
Finish March Island Batik Challenge.√ DONE
Work on Little Green Apples blog hop project. √ DONE
Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing) Not Done
Bind SAHRR ’23√ DONE
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √ DONE
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
This week’s list:
The purple text items are my priority. If I get beyond those, I’ll be extremely happy!
Quilt Melodic Mystery
Quilt Gardenia
Quilt Chilhowie
Quilt Bird Panels.
Quilt Nutcracker
Start April IB project
Finish Mystery Quilt (making and writing)
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
TGIFF is Thank Goodness Its Finished Friday. There is a linky party every week.
You can link up your FINISHED project here. The link opens at 2 PM (PST) and will remain until midnight (PST) on Saturday, March 18. I can’t wait to see your finishes!!
Earlier this week, I showed you a picture of my finished SAHRR ’23!
I’m in LOVE with this quilt! It was so fun to host the SAHRR with 5 blogging friends! I couldn’t have done it without them!
My blog post with the Parade of all of the finished (or almost finished) SAHRR can be found HERE. I started this quilt in the fall, and with the recent finish, it counts as one of my completed UFOs! YAY!!!
Quilt Stats
Size: 48″ x 58″
Pieced and Quilted with Aurifil Thread #2311 – Muslin
Hobbs 80/20 batting inside
All pieced blocks and appliques were cut with Accuquilt dies
Go! Birds (BBQG guild)
Rose of Sharon. (BBQG guild)
Qube 8″ dies (my collection)
Fabric used: Baby Bloomers collection (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton) along with solid white
This quilt was finished quite a while ago for Island Batik’s catalogue. Quite awhile ago, I designed it, made it and sent it to California for it’s own photo shoot. Jerry Khiev of Island Batik always does a fabulous job with the photography and makes the quilts look fantastic!
This was made with the Bamboo Blooms collection by Kathy Engle and to quote Island Batik’s Instagram post, “Inspired by the classic Asian motifs, the line features mums, cherry blossoms, and ginkgo leaf designs in a vibrant color palette of pink, magenta, blue, turquoise and green that are sure to make a statement.”
It truly is a fabulous and fun collection.
Bamboo Blooms is available at the following stores. The stores may have Strip Sets (2.5″ strips), Stacks (10″ squares) or yardage.
A Royal Quilt Shop: Longs, SC
Appletree Fabrics, Auburn, MA
Cotton & Chocolate: Sim Valley, CA
Creations Quilt Shop: Clouquet, MN
Pine Tree Quilt Shop: Salem, NH
Sew N Bee Cozy-AK: Seward, AK
Swifty Stitches-CA: Carmichael, CA
Quilt Stats:
Size: 44″ x 44″
Cut with Accuquilt 8″ Qube dies
Pieced and Quilted with Aurifil Thread
Free Motion Quilted on my domestic Janome M7
Hobbs 80/20 batting is on the inside
Quilt Pattern is available with both regular rotary cutting and Accuquilt directions. Please email me if you are interested (quiltinggail@yahoo.ca)
Bea announced this annual blog hop in mid January and here’s what she has to say about it, “The theme is supposed to mean that you look at your shelf of quilt books and find an old one or one you haven’t used in a while and “dust it off” and then make something from the book, it could be that you like the block of a quilt but not the 80s colors or maybe you like the colors but not the quilt or the size or whatever, the book is just supposed to INSPIRE you to make something.”
By the way, I don’t know if any of you follow Bea Lee (@ Bea Quilter) but she is a fabulous designer! If you have any Accuquilt dies, she has a plethora of them and most of her designs use them! She’s well worth following!
Anyhow, back to the blog hop. I’m sure this is one of the first books that I purchased after I graduated from nursing school and was newly married. I’m sure I’ve looked at it several times, I’ve never made anything from it … until now!
This book was published in 1979. And the promise of an 8 Hour quilt was appealing.
I had a 10″ stack of this beautiful Island Batik fabric collection called “Constellation” and I’ve been dying to open it and start to use it! I was also given 2 yards of “Ice” that co-ordinated with this stack and I used it as well.
True to how I make quilts, I didn’t follow the directions … I made rectangles using the 10″ squares and squared them to 9″. I also did not sew a 3/8″ or 1/2″ seams … I sewed a 1/4″ seam. I didn’t miter the corners of the borders and I didn’t use muslin. I also did not ‘envelope’ the quilt … I sandwiched it in my usual manner.
However, this was used for inspiration for a quilt for this blog hop!
I have no idea if this quilt took me 8 hours to make! I usually work on a couple of projects at the same time, but I do know that the top was put together easily in an afternoon … along with other projects being sewn! It was quilted and bound in an afternoon … so it might have taken me less than 8 hours!
Close-ups of the quilting. I used Silly Moon “Twinkle” for ruler quilting the stars and meandered between them.
Quilt Stats:
Size: 42″ square
Fabrics: Island Batik “Constellation” and “Ice”
Piecing and Quilting: Aurifil #2600 (Dove Grey)
Quilting Rulers: Silly Moon “Twinkle”
Batting: Hobbs 80/20
Binding: Fabric: “Harbour” and Aurifil 2775 (Steel Blue)
I actually have 23 finishes for today! What???? 23 you ask???
Well, yes. The guild has requested that members make small bags for our guild show in 2024. I went through some of my stash and found fabric that absolutely does not go with any other fabric that I have. I cut out the bags, marked the opening lines and used the bags as a ‘leader and ender’ project. It actually didn’t seem to take long to make them as they were done while I was working on other projects!
Scissors
Do you have good sewing scissors? I used to, but over the years, they have become “not so good.” Maybe from cutting paper patterns when cutting out fabric? Maybe someone ‘borrowed’ them without my knowledge. Whatever the reason … they are not like they should be.
One day in January, I was teaching at Essem and they had received some scissors. The price was very good and I thought I’d give them a try! Well, they are absolutely FANTASTIC!!!! They cut through fabric, like butter. So very smooth and very sharp!
I don’t see the scissors on the website, but I know if you contact them, they can send you some!
I’ll be Teaching
On March 25, I’ll be teaching “Hugs and Kisses” at Essem. Phone or email them to reserve your spot in the class! You can read more about this quilt HERE.
Winner of Island Batik Fabric
When I posted my February Island Batik Puff Quilt, (see HERE), I said I would have a give-away.
Today, I used a random generator and it chose #33, which is Carol. I have sent her an email and the fabric will be shipped to her within the next week.
Are you determined to finish a bunch of UFOs and to NOT increase the number of quilts or projects on your UFO list???
Congratulations on making that choice!!!
Do you Procrastinate????
Procrastination is how I often approach UFOs. Hmmm … unfortunately, it doesn’t work very well! And the UFOs sit there (or hide – in some cases) and don’t get done.
SEW … how can I move along and avoid procrastination? One of the most common ways to help avoid procrastination is to set up small goals, or tasks.
Here is one way that it can be tackled:
Pull out ONE UFO, just one. It could be the one that just needs a little bit of work, or it could be one that needs a LOT of work. The rest of the UFOs can rest and take a vacation, for now!
Then, set your mind to work on it for 10 – 15 minutes a day. That’s all. Once I’ve worked on it for 10 minutes or so, I can put it aside and work on my latest “this is fun to do” project.
SEW … I want you to pull out ONE of your UFOs and work on it for 10 minutes today. That’s all, just 10 minutes. Then tomorrow, work on it for 10 more minutes!
I PROMISE you will see progress!!!
My plan is to finish the SAHRR ’23 (just binding to do) and the KT quilt – that is being made and written for an upcoming mystery! Those are the items I’ll work on for 10 – 15 minutes a day!
My Tally Sheets
I finished two UFOs this month. 1: the Naturescape Lone Star and 2: the Sweet on You quilt. You can read more about them HERE and HERE. (These used Island Batik fabrics, Aurifil thread and Hobbs batting).
6 projects were started this month. One project started in January was finished and 1 that was started in February. They are both Gifts of the Month projects. I also started and finished the “Dust Off a Quilt Book” project, but I can’t show you that until the blog hop on the 7th.
If you want to keep track of your own progress, please feel free to download the 2023 Template.
Quilting Gail 