Take the (36) 7.5” x 7.5” squares from Clue #2, put the pairs right sides together. Mark the diagonal line. Sew a scant ¼” on each side of the diagonal line. Cut apart. Each pair will yield 2 Half Square Triangles. Press to the dark side. DO NOT SQUARE THEM UP!! I repeat DO NOT SQUARE THEM UP!!
In order to save your printer ink, I did not include the above pictures in the pdf. The pdf will provide you with enough information to complete this clue without the actual pictures.
Here is a pdf of Clue #3 if you want to have a paper copy.
It is with a heavy heart that I tell you about my friend, Carmen’s, devastating fire. This newslink has more details. Some of you may have Prairie Spririt Alpaca/wool pressing mats, bought the WARM socks or her yarn …
Carmen is OK. She’s mourning the loss of several alpacas, chickens and the alpaca guard dog, not to mention the barn and the winter’s supply of hay. There is a go-fund me page, if you’re inclined to donate.
Leanne, of Devoted Quilter is hosting a WIPS-B-Gone ’23 challenge. This fun challenge started October 1, 2023! It’s not too late if you want to join! It’s totally up to YOU as to how you want to use the challenge.
As I said in an earlier post, my sewing room is was a total disaster. So, I decided that the challenge for me will include DAILY cleaning/tidying and Sewing. The blue portion of the sewing machine is Tidy/Clean and the Orange is Sewing. The sewing room is looking better, my embroidery thread drawers are neat and tidy!
Cleaning???
Hmmm … the rest of my house is not being cleaned! Does that mean I’m sewing enough?
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 –September: 256 / 273
October: 15 / 15
Total: 271 / 288
Percentage: 94%
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!
I finished this Pattern Test quilt for Songbird Designs. It used 10.5 yards of Island Batik fabric. You can read about it HERE.
Yearly Tally:
Fabric Used since the last report: 10.5 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 169.5 yards from non-IB: 69
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 17.5 yards
Net Fabric used: 159 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 Dolist from last week:
Quilt and bind “Splendor” progress, but not finished
Make flange binding and Bind “Pin Dot Floral” Quilt #3 √ DONE
MAKE on “Monster Mash” project progress, but not finished
Cut out Malted Mystery FabricsNot done
Work on November IB challenge progress, but not finished
Quilt and bind “Dashing Through the Snow” Not done
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.√ DONE
This week’s list: (purple highlight is priority #1 , 2 & 3)
Finish Quilting and binding “Splendor”
Finish “Monster Mash” project
Cut out Malted Mystery Fabrics
FinishNovember IB challenge
Quilt and bind “Dashing Through the Snow”
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
One of my sweet followers sent me this meme on Instagram. I obviously fell in love with it! Thanks ioleene!
Now unlimited sewing supplies! That’s up my alley. On Thanksgiving weekend, a local fabric store (if you can call 30 minutes away, local) had a 50% off notions sale. I went over and bought a few goodies. Nothing too exciting … pins to use on my design board, iron-on 1/4” tape for helping with zipper insertion, some magnets and a few zippers.
Pattern Testing
I tested the “Starry Path” pattern for my friend and fellow Island Batik Ambassador, Brenda. She has this and another pattern available on her blog, Songbird Designs (click HERE).
And yes, I did change the pattern a bit … but isn’t it gorgeous? I used the “Wild Blooms” fabric collection along with solid white. The Half Square Triangles were cut with an Accuquilt die. Brenda’s pattern provides instructions for using Accuquilt dies. Hobbs batting (80/20) is in the middle. “Ghost” is the fabric on the back. The The custom quilting used various rulers and quilted with my domestic Janome M7.
Here’s some more pictures of the quilt: It almost looks like stained glass from the back with the sun shining through. In June, I showed you the unquilted back when I posted about Kelly Young’s book, “Perfectly Pieced Quilt Backs.”
Island Batik Ambassador
Have you ever considered applying to become an Island Batik Ambassador? They are accepting applications NOW. Here is the LINK. The application explains what is expected from Ambassadors and the benefits being an Ambassador. It’s a challenging program, but I absolutely LOVE it!
If you apply, just make sure you take my email off and put your own in! In the past, I’ve had a few people ask me to ‘vote’ for them or ‘put in a good word’ for them. It doesn’t work that way … each Ambassador needs to apply each year – even we don’t know if we’ll be accepted or not. But fill in the application if you’re interested!
I LOVE ❤️ using Accuquilt dies and this month is no exception. We received the “North Carolina Star” and were told to use it “to showcase our quilting skills and creativity.” It was suggested to use fall colours and to make any project that we wanted!
The North Carolina Star die is a “block on board.” This means that each of the pattern pieces are included on the die.
We were also told that we didn’t have to make the North Carolina Star, but could make anything using pieces from this die. I briefly thought that I could use the square (in the middle) and make a simple 9 patch quilt. But, that would also be called ‘cheating,’ in my opinion.
I have many different collections of fall fabric, thus it was easy to choose one. Autumn Wings looked promising!
I made a trial block:
The trial block will be made into a tote bag sometime in the near future.
I went to EQ8 and got a North Carolina Star block, but it wasn’t the same … it didn’t have the quarter square triangle sections and a few other details. In my attempt to draw the block, EQ8 and I had a disagreement, with EQ8 saying that it couldn’t convert my block to something or other. And, I admit, that my EQ8 skills are lacking. So I had to use the block in the library.
I came up with the middle quilt, but felt it was too busy … the quilt on the right was more to my liking.
I forgot to take pictures as I made the blocks! But I will tell you that I had the instructions right beside me. There are so many pieces and my seam ripper was occasionally friendly with me! 😁
Table Topper Stats:
Size: 27″ x 27″
Fabric: Island Batik “Autumn Wings” collection and Ghost (available anytime)
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!!!
Something New to Try
Leanne, of Devoted Quilter is hosting a WIPS-B-Gone ’23 challenge. This runs from October 1 to November 30th. WIPS is Works in Progress. And, for my PHD in 2023, I want them Gone. Do you?
I thought I’d give this a try … Leanne has several different trackers to choose from and they each have 61 icons for you to colour for each day that you work on a Work in Progress. It’s free!! It sounds like fun and if it motivates me further to get projects done, done, done – I’m IN!!! We’ll see how it goes! And, I have already downloaded the sewing machine tracker. But there are other trackers for you to choose from … the choice is yours! Are you going to try it as well?
My Tally Sheets
This month, I finished the “Pieced to Perfection” quilts (see HERE), the Dog pouches (see HERE) and the Shweshwe pouch (see HERE).
And again, no UFOs finished this month! Maybe next month!
Here’s my tally sheet:
If you want to keep track of your own progress, please feel free to download the 2023 Template.
Here’s my Task Sheetof my UFOs. This helps me keep track of what I’ve accomplished with my UFOs and what I need to do. I made a little progress on the wallet this month.
You can download your own Task list from Ms P Designs HERE.
Linky Party
Show us your progress with your PHD in 2023! Or show us what YOU are celebrating in the quilting realm!
September”s Classic Car colour is Mustard. Visit Patterns by Jen HERE for your free download of this month’s block …
Here’s my September block, followed by the rest of the monthly blocks. I’ve used scraps of Island Batik for all of my blocks.
September: Mustard
Are you ready for a Mystery Quilt?
I will be hosting a Mystery Quilt here on my blog starting Wednesday, September 27. The clues will be posted every Wednesday for 8 or 9 weeks.
When I originally made this quilt, I used a Kansas Troubles layer cake. I will be making this quilt along with you using a 10″ stack of Island Batik fabric: “Cheers” and Dandelion – plum.
The quilt will finish at 59″ x 59″
Fabric Requirements:
A 10″ stack (or layer cake) that has at least 39 squares. (Yes, you can use fabric from your stash if you wish) The pattern tester used 20 squares from a layer cake and 20 squares from a coordinating fabric that she cut herself. Both quilts look great!
Background: Fabric 1 ¼ yard or 1.1 m
Binding: ¾ yard or 0.8 m
I might have caught a bug!
A knitting bug! When I was in Newfoundland, my sister-in-law was knitting socks. It’s been a long time since I knit, but I knew it would occupy my hands during the airport waits and the flight home. So I went and bought the necessary supplies.
Now, I know that I struggle with hand sewing hurting my hands, but knitting doesn’t seem to be as bad! And it’s great to do while watching tv at night.
Yesterday, I went to Knit City in Vancouver. My friend, Carmen, that runs owns and runs Prairie Spirit Alpacas was there … A few items popped into my bag … including another alpaca/wool pressing mat! I LOVE my mat and figured that 2 on my ironing board would be just fine!
The variegated blue/teal will be a toque and a scarf and the green/beige/grey will be a Beanie with a polar bear on it.
Pieced to Perfection
Did you see all of the fantastic Island Batik quilts in the Pieced to Perfection Blog Hop? Visit Island Batik’s blog for a recap. Click HERE. Or … see them all on my Instagram: 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!
January – August: 249 / 266
September: 24 / 24
Total: 263 / 276
Percentage: 95%
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!
These zipper pouches used about 1.5 yards of fabric … You can read about them Here and Here.
Yearly Tally:
Fabric Used since the last report: 1.5 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 157.5 yards from non-IB: 68
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 17.5 yards
Net Fabric used: 146 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 Dolist from a few weeks ago:
Get “Splendor” Quilt to flimsy stage: FIX those mistakes !!!!! Mistakes fixed … progress, but not finished
Work on Pin Dot Floral Quilt. It is being quilted progress, but not finished
Cut out Malted Mystery Fabrics.Not done
Finish “It’s a Dog’s Life” project – completed and posted … √ DONE
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.√ DONE
This week’s list:
Get “Splendor” Quilt to flimsy stage
Finish quilting Pin Dot Floral Quilt #3
Work on “Monster Mash” project
Cut out Malted Mystery Fabrics
Get “Dashing Through the Snow” to flimsy stage
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Did you see my post earlier this week? The one with the Island Batik “Pieced to Perfection” quilts?
These were made with the fabric collection “Copper Patina.” These collections should be shipping to your local stores in October. To read more about these quilts and If you want an opportunity to win fabric from this collection make sure you comment on the original POST, HERE.
Coming Soon!
I will be hosting a Mystery Quilt here on my blog starting Wednesday, September 27. The clues will be posted every Wednesday for 8 or 9 weeks.
When I originally made this quilt, I used a Kansas Troubles layer cake. I will be making this quilt along with you using a 10″ stack of Island Batik fabric.
The quilt will finish at 59″ x 59″
Fabric Requirements:
A 10″ stack (or layer cake) that has at least 39 squares. (Yes, you can use fabric from your stash if you wish) The pattern tester used 20 squares from a layer cake and 20 squares from a coordinating fabric that she cut herself. Both quilts look great!
This is Week 2 of Island Batik’s “Pieced to Perfection” Blog Hop.
Lots and lots of beautiful quilts are being shown!
September 11 was my day to show my quilt using the “Copper Patina” fabric collection. I absolutely LOVED the teals in this grouping! Hobbs Batting, Aurifil thread and Silly Moon Rulers were used to create these quilts!
Here are pictures of my quilts and you can read more about them HERE.
If you want an opportunity to win fabric from this collection make sure you comment on the original POST, HERE.
Are you ready for a Mystery Quilt?
I will be hosting a Mystery Quilt here on my blog starting Wednesday, September 27. The clues will be posted every Wednesday for 8 or 9 weeks.
When I originally made this quilt, I used a Kansas Troubles layer cake. I will be making this quilt along with you using a 10″ stack of Island Batik fabric.
The quilt will finish at 59″ x 59″
Fabric Requirements:
A 10″ stack (or layer cake) that has at least 39 squares. (Yes, you can use fabric from your stash if you wish) The pattern tester used 20 squares from a layer cake and 20 squares from a coordinating fabric that she cut herself. Both quilts look great!
Background: Fabric 1 ¼ yard or 1.1 m
Binding: ¾ yard or 0.8 m
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 – August: 225 / 242
September: 10 / 10
Total: 235 / 252
Percentage: 93%
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! But not when I’m on holidays!
The 2 quilts for the Island Batik challenge used a total of 16 yards of fabric.
Yearly Tally:
Fabric Used the last week: 16 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 156 yards from non-IB: 66.5
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 17.5 yards
Net Fabric used: 144.5 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 Dolist from last week:
Get “Splendor” Quilt to flimsy stage: FIX those mistakes !!!!! Not done
Work on September’s IB challenge. √ DONE , blog post written and posted
Work on Pin Dot Floral Quilt.progress, but not finished
Cut out Malted Mystery Fabrics.Not done
Work on “It’s a Dog’s Life” project progress, but not finished
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.√ DONE
This week’s list:
Get “Splendor” Quilt to flimsy stage: FIX those mistakes !!!!!
Work on Pin Dot Floral Quilt
Cut out Malted Mystery Fabrics
Finish “It’s a Dog’s Life” project
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Paper piecing, also known as foundation piecing, is a quilting technique that involves sewing fabric pieces to a paper foundation. Precision, relative ease of use and design flexibility of paper pieced patterns make them a very popular choice among quilters. Show off the fabric from your assigned Spring’ 23 0.5 yard bundle and make an eye-catching paper pieced showstopper!
My assigned bundle is Coper Patina shown here:
Years and years ago, Carol Doak had a yahoo group with lots of paper piecing blocks. She recently started a Facebook group with lots of new patterns. This inspired me to make a Block of the Month pattern from years ago for this month’s paper piecing challenge.
I printed out the patterns and started making the blocks.
Chain piecing and paper piecing without sewing on the paper! I’ve never tried the freezer paper technique, but using paper straight from the printer works for me.
I paired a lot of the fabrics together and made the blocks on the left, with the centre star. The centre star used “Egg White” (a basic that is always available) and “Swirl Teal Jade” from the collection.
But I wasn’t happy (picture on the left). It seemed like a mish-mash of the fabrics and did nothing for the centre star.
So I started making more blocks using one fabric from the collection and Egg White. The picture on the right shows these blocks in progress. Yes, I’m much happier.
Here is the finished quilt with lots of custom ruler quilting.
Quilt Stats:
Fabric: 9 select fabrics from Copper Patina, paired with Egg White
Binding: Scrappy with select fabrics from Copper Patina
And there is More!
There was the ‘left-over’ blocks from my first attempt. I added the solid Black sashing and border, with Swirl Teal Jade for the cornerstones. I must admit, I like this way better than my first attempt with the Swirl Teal Jade star. Perhaps if I had used solid black for the star, I might have been happier. However, it’s too late now and I’m not going to do it over again! I’m happy with this one!
However, before I went with the black, I attempted to use some of the gold fabric in the collection for the sashing:
No! No! No!
Sew, out came my trusty seam ripper, I auditioned other fabrics and settled on the black.
Much better!
Quilt Stats:
Fabric: 17 select fabrics from Copper Patina, with solid Black
Size: 46″ x 46″
Pattern: BOM by Carol Doak plus “Tennessee” from 50 Fabulous Paper Pieced Stars (it’s the middle star on the left)
Binding: Scrappy with select fabrics from Copper Patina
I had wanted to take a picture of the 2 quilts together on the lawn, but with our drought conditions and brown scrubby grass, I went across to the neighbours rock garden and took the picture there.
*** Be sure to visit Britany at Bobbin with Brittany to see what she made with Copper Patina! ***
Nova Scotia: We stopped at a museum, Age of Sail Heritage Centre at Port Greville, and spent some time being awed by the plethora of things collected. Of course, my interest was mainly the fabrics / quilts and the old sewing machine! This is one place you could literally spend weeks at and still not see everything!
The majority of items were donated or on loan from locals in the area.
The first quilt was made around 1880 … almost 140 years ago! There is a picture of the whole quilt. I didn’t touch the quilt, but if you look closely, you can see some big stitch quilting.
I must admit, this lady in the rocking chair was a favourite of mine! She invited me to sit down and listen to her story … such fun! (Picture from Age of Sale Museum)
Although I don’t have any finishes to show you, I have finished a few projects. You will see them in future blog posts …
Sneak Peek
Here’s a peak into what I might be showing you on Monday for the Island Batik paper piecing challenge and blog hop!
Copper Patina is the collection
Paper piecing without sewing on the paper
A block and partial blocks …
I was Featured!
Both Jennifer (Wednesday Wait Loss) and Andree (Free Motion Mavericks) featured my covered composition book. You can read about it HERE.
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!!!
Slow Progress
Last month I talked about Celebrating the little things … When we celebrate the little things, the bigger goal becomes a closer goal. It is progress … and progress is good!
I must admit, when I look back at the sewing I’ve done in August, I’m feeling a bit discouraged. I had hopes to finish at least one UFO … but alas, with all that was happening around here and going on holidays, that didn’t happen. However, I need to take my own advice and celebrate the little things: the small amount of progress that I did make.
My Island Batik September project is moving along
I did a small amount of work on my Upholstery wallet (UFO #11).
Part of the Colour Challenge (UFO #10) is being done as a leader and ender
SEW, I’m going to celebrate this little bit of progress! These projects will be finished eventually!
Keep on Celebrating and progressing!
My Tally Sheets
This month, I finished the “Call Me” pouch, my housecoat/robe for August’s Island Batik project and the Composition Cover. You can read more about them Call Me HERE, Housecoat/robe HERE and the Composition Cover HERE.
I didn’t finish any UFOs this month.
Here’s my tally sheet:
If you want to keep track of your own progress, please feel free to download the 2023 Template.
Joan of Moose Stash Quilting is the organizer of this blog hop. Here’s what she had to say about this Blog Hop:
We all know that crazy and scary feeling of wondering what we were thinking, when we started or were in the middle of sewing something out of our comfort zone. Now’s the time to share them with us all! It always make me feel better, knowing I’m not truly the only crazy person out there!
The rules are simple, make your project, write a post and have it scheduled to publish by midnight EST, the day your scheduled.
Well, I OBVIOUSLY did not read the instructions. I took it to mean that we had to do some Crazy Quilting. Probably since I’ve made a few projects in recent months … You can read about these projects HEREand HERE.
I used a pattern by Karen Overton, The Quilt Rambler. You can access the pattern HERE and the Youtube video HERE.
I was inspired by a fellow Island Batik ambassador who made a crazy quilted book cover for the “Crazy Quilt” challenge. You can see Emily’s (Darling Dogwood) book cover HERE.
I used an Island Batik fabric collection called Wild Blooms. There is Hobbs 80/20 batting in the middle and Aurifil thread was used for the piecing and quilting. The button came from my button box and I think it might have been one of my mom’s buttons! That translates to “It’s likely OLD!”
I’m always asked about my quilting. I quilt on a domestic sewing machine, a Janome M7. I LOVE my M7!!!!
Here is mine:
The following pictures show the Back insert, the button applied, the zipper and vinyl pocket and the bookmark in the composition notebook!
Here are the rest of the Crazy Blog Hoppers
Be sure to visit each of them! I promise you’ll be inspired!
I couldn’t resist taking a picture of the animals reading amongst mushrooms and beautiful flowers!
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 – July: 209 / 212
August: 13 / 13
Total: 222 / 225
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!
My Housecoat / Robe took about 6 yards of fabric. I used Hobbs silk batting, Accuquilt dies and Aurifil thread, along with a multitude of Island Batik fabrics. For more details, see this BLOG POST.
Yearly Tally:
Fabric Used the last week: 6 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 146 yards from non-IB: 59.5
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 15.5 yards
Net Fabric used: 130.5 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.
So, this month, Island Batik has given us freedom to make whatever our heart desires. My heart has many desires, but unfortunately not enough time to make everything!
When I was at a retreat at Over the Rainbow at the beginning of April, one of the retreaters, Dana, was wearing her quilted housecoat / robe and it looked great. It is super scrappy and very beautiful!! I’ve been meaning to make my own for some time. I’m always cold these days, so a quilted house coat will be perfect for me. Pamela, from Pamela Quilts made a quilted jacket for the Island Batik Fly Away challenge and I fell in LOVE. You can see her jacket HERE.
Now blue and teal are my favourite colours, so that was an easy decision to make. I went through my old garment patterns and found a few housecoat patterns. I pulled them out and none of them would be good for what I wanted to do. BUT I had a silk robe (that was bought in China eons ago) that was perfect. Boxy sleeves, a rectangle front and back. So, with seam ripper in hand, deconstruction began. I made my pattern pieces from the deconstructed robe.
I started out with cutting Hobbs silk batting larger than my pattern pieces; wanting to leave extra room in case the quilting shrunk the pieces too much. I drew the 45o lines on the batting and then using, a Brilliant Blues gradations strip pack that I received in January, I did a quilt as you go and got the sleeve bases done.
My plan was to do the quilt as you go on the batting and then later line the housecoat/robe with rayon.
The housecoat/robe was basically designed as I went along …. After I had fun making the sleeves, I pulled out my AccuQuilt Tree of Life block and made it. It was quilted onto the back.
This picture is making sure the dark blue border around the Tree of Life is the correct width! I was turning the edge under 1/4” so that the other pieces could be added.
I was zoom sewing with my sister and she said that with having a Tree of Life, I needed something “earthy” below. These Prairie Dreams strips were left-over from a Bargello quilt that I made for our March “It’s All Up to You” Challenge. You can read about it HERE. I did it as a quilt as you go under the Tree of Life and slipped each piece under the dark blue border around the Tree of Life.
Then I made 10 Glorified 9 patches, made with the Accuquilt die. These squares use “Rice,” a lovely neutral, a variety of dark teals along with “Nautilus teal” from Claudia Pfeil’s Mystery collection that I received a few years ago. These are intended for the front of the housecoat.
And here are the pieces laid out on my design wall. Once I had them on the wall, I realized that the sleeves made with the Brilliant Blue strips was a “NO.” They are beautiful and I’ll use them in another project – they won’t be wasted.
I dug through my Island Batik stash and found the teal/gold print with turtles on it. It’s a piece I’ve been hoarding keeping for something special. So why not use it for my cozy housecoat? A much better fit, right?
The edge of the robe, the tie, and the back lining is made with an Island Batik rayon “Night Moves” that I received a few years ago in one of my boxes. The half stars above the tree of life were made with Studio 180 Wedge Tool using a blue fabric that was in a stash builder’s roll.
Housecoat / Robe Stats:
Fabrics: Variety of Island Batik cotton and rayon
Needles: Schmetz Microtex
Thread: Aurifil:
#2785: 50 (very dark navy) wide binding and hem
#4661: 40 wt (variegated mint julep) sleeve quilting
#4655: 50 wt (variegated storm at sea) Tree of Life quilting
So would I make this housecoat/robe again? The answer is “not this way!” If I were to make another one, I’d quilt the lining as I quilted the top and simply serge the inside seams. But that won’t be happening anytime soon! 🤪
August’s Classic Car colour is brown …. Visit Patterns by Jen HERE for your free download of this month’s block … it’s an easy one!!!
Here’s my August block, followed by the rest of the monthly blocks. I’ve used scraps of Island Batik for all of my blocks.
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 – July: 209 / 212
August: 6 / 6
Total: 215 / 218
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!
Since the last report: The Amish panel quilt used 7.5 yards of fabric and the Call Me pouch used 1/2 yard.
Yearly Tally:
Fabric Used the last week: 8 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 140 yards from non-IB: 59.5
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 15.5 yards
Net Fabric used: 124.5 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 Dolist from last week:
Finish August IB challenge. not finished … In Progress
Get “Splendor” Quilt to flimsy stage … not finished … need to fix an error and add borders … In Progress
Work on September’s IB challenge … I worked on it, it’s still In Progress
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.√ DONE
This week’s list:
Finish August IB challenge
Get “Splendor” Quilt to flimsy stage
Work on September’s IB challenge
Work on Pin Dot Floral Quilt
Cut out Malted Mystery Fabrics
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Just in case you’re not aware, a DrEAMI stands for “Drop Everything And Make It.” And I did. I put all the things I was working on aside and made this cute “Call Me” pouch. It’s a free pattern byAnnie and is super easy to make!
Our grand-dog is here and we go for daily walks. It’s too warm to wear a jacket and I HATE carrying my phone in my jeans … so I made this! I tried it out this morning and it’s perfect!!!
Island Batik fabrics were used: Nautilus Floral Baja, from the Mystery collection and Cherio – Bermuda from basics. Quilted and pieced with Aurifil Thread. The Annie’s Soft & Stable, mesh, vinyl and fold-over elastic were left-overs from a previous by Annie bag.
At the end of the month, Sandra, from MMM Quilts holds a link party for DrEAMIs. Since it’s the beginning of the month, I’ll have to wait until the end to link up!
A Mistake
When I finished my pouch, I went back to working on a few works in progress. There are 2 mistakes in this Splendor quilt … can you find them?? Time to get the seam ripper out! And then give this one a good press!
I finally got around to finishing my Trivet!!! It’s not a hard project at all, but when I put it on the back burner and leave it there – it takes FOREVER to get it done!!! I’m sure if I had put my mind to it, it could have been made in an afternoon!
My Trivet was made with fabric from the Island Batik collection “Winter Sky.” The inside has a layer of insul-brite and a layer of Hobbs 80/20. It was finished using a variegated blue Aurifil thread on the top and Aurifil #2000 on the bottom.
This trivet is for Joy’s One gift a Month! You can go to Days Filled With Joyfor information and the link to the tutorial.
This made me Smile
As I was out walking my daughter’s dog this morning, I saw this … and I had to stop and take a picture. I know I’ve seen it before, but sometimes I forget to take my phone with me. Today I had it!! Can’t you just imagine the fun thoughts that someone has about this fairy door and the variety of painted rocks next to it?
I was Featured
Andrée, from Free Motion Mavericks, Susan from Midweek Makers, and Jennifer from Inquiring Quilter all featured my picnic bag!
Quilting Gail 