Here’s some pictures of quilts from people who are unable to link to the Linky Party:
This is Robin’s – all quilted! The star points certainly pull out the pink in the focus squares. Lovely!
And here’s the back of Robins … she made some extra stars … plus you can really see the quilting on the back!
And here’s Deb R’s quilt … she says “I went with baby quilt size so there will be a total of five rows with one border around all. The border will be the flowered material (shown). Won’t it be a lovely baby quilt?
This is Donna H’s … the middle of the stars is from a Moda digital print. Donna says, “I didn’t fussy cut them so there are a wide range of hues. The 3 contrast fabrics are batiks that pulled some of the colours from the print.” I Love the variety of the star centres …
Here’s what Alice C says about hers, “I have really enjoyed it and learned a new technique with the flying geese. That was a cool way of doing it.” She has perfect flying geese!
Here’s Judy’s … I love the contrast between the dark and light!
Linky Party
Link up and show us your mystery quilt! It doesn’t matter if it isn’t completely finished! It’s just fun to see all of the different looks that fabric choices make!
Arrange blocks as shown below. Ensure that Contrast #2 goes in one direction and Contrast #3 goes in the opposite direction when matching seams.
Web quilt together. If you don’t know how to web a quilt, see my tutorial HERE.
Clue # 10b
Add Borders to the quilt. For a quick easy way to add borders, see my tutorial
And here’s my pattern tester’s quilt! Thanks, Barb! Same quilt, different fabrics. Different fabrics make for a very different looking quilt!
Watch for the Linky party on August 24-30 and show us your quilt top. If you can’t manage to link up – email me your picture and I’ll put it on the blog!
Are you following along with the Summer Mystery Quilt? You can see the latest clue HERE.
Design Wall
Piecing
#1. Country Panels: No work on it this week!
#2 It’s A Secret: you’ll see it in October! (And yes, I HAD to start something NEW to give myself a break!)
Quilting:
#1 Amish panels: I finished the quilting and when I went to put the binding on I discovered that the rows of swirls in the border were HORRID!!! So bad that I’ve spent more than a couple of days taking it out. That’s why it’s not finished, the quilt above isn’t finished piecing.
Quilting #2: Island Batik August is ready to quilt – but I have to fix the other one first!!!
Stash Report
I didn’t need any more fabric this week and I only finished my Island Batik project which used 1 yard of fabric for the backing.
Fabric Used this week 0 yards
Fabric Used this year: 70 yards
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 27.75 yards (my husbands amounts as well)
Net Fabric used 42.25 yards
Husband’s purchases: 0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!
Stitchin’ Time
I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.
I have stitched for over 30 minutes all days this past week. And, I’m including “unsewing” as part of my 30 minutes / day!
January – May– 180 / 180
July – 18 / 18
Percentage = 99 %
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
TO DO
Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.
Last week:
This week it was hard to get everything done. Like most people, I highly dislike unsewing. OK … if I’m honest, I HATE it!!! Its taken me ages to get all the horrid quilting out … and I’m not finished yet! GROAN!!!. I do have a personal policy of taking out the mistakes before quitting for the day … but more than a couple of days of unsewing is discouraging! It’s OK … it’s almost all done … and then I can start moving forward again!
Add sashing to Country Panels: not done
Finish IB August top √ done
Finish quilting Amish Panelnot done
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! sort-of …
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes√ done
This week’s list:
Add sashing to Country Panels
Fix Amish Panel , finish quilting, bind
Start quilting IB August
Finish Secret project (listed at KY book in my UFO tally)
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
I’m really enjoying our lovely summer days! It’s cooling off at night – so I think the weather is lovely! However, it’s so tempting to spend a LOT of time outside! The garden needs weeding, the tomatoes are ready for picking – almost every day!
I finished my latest project for Island Batik! You can read more about it HERE. This wall hanging used Hobbs 80/20 batting, Aurifil thread, Schmetz needles and of course, Island Batik fabric!
Are you following along with the Summer Mystery Quilt? You can see the latest clue HERE.
Design Wall
Piecing
#1. August Island Batik project: Moving right along!
#2. Country Panels: No work on it this week!
Quilting:
#1 Amish panels: Lots of quilting done … not quite finished.
Stash Report
I didn’t need any more fabric this week and I only finished my Island Batik project which used 1 yard of fabric for the backing.
Fabric Used this week 1 yards
Fabric Used this year: 70 yards
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 27.75 yards (my husbands amounts as well)
Net Fabric used 42.25 yards
Husband’s purchases: 0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!
Stitchin’ Time
I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.
I have stitched for over 30 minutes all days this past week.
January – May– 180 / 180
July – 11 / 11
Percentage = 99 %
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
TO DO
Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.
Last week:
I did work on a few projects and was not distracted by squirrels! And the studio got a cleaning for 30 minutes! However, I think that I need to spend more than 30 minutes this week – but I’m going to leave my To Do list at 30 minutes! ~grin~
Work on Country Panels: not done
Work on IB August project √ done
Start quilting Amish Panel√ done
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! √ done
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes√ done
This week’s list:
Add sashing to Country Panels
Finish IB August top
Finish quilting Amish Panel
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes
No further finishes. I started my August Island Batik project.
This is a “No Waste” method of making flying geese. And, once you do it, you will like it! Promise!
Step #1
Take the (72 ) 2 7/8” squares of Contrast #1 and mark them down the middle.
Step #2
Take (18) 5 1/4″ background squares
Lay the Contrast #1 squares on top of the background square with right sides together.
Line up the drawn lines of the Contrast #1 squares as shown in red in the picture. Sew a ¼” line on each side of the marked squares (shown in black in the picture.)
Step #3
Cut on the drawn (red) line. Press towards Contrast #1. You will have 2 pieces that are like the picture. (I know it’s weird, but bear with me!)
Step #4
Take a 2 7/8” Contrast #1 square and place it on each of the Step #3 pieces (as shown in the picture. Sew ¼” line away from the marked centres. (the black line)
Step #5
Cut along the centre (red line) and press towards Contrast #1
You will have 4 Flying geese from each 5 ¼” neutral square.
The flying geese block should look like this and there should be 4 flying geese blocks from each 5 1/4″ square.
Make 72 Flying Geese If you wish, label them “Flying Geese.” Set aside
Now … wasn’t that easy? And you don’t have any pesky waste triangles to worry about!
Thank you to all that offered your sympathy and concern for us surviving the heat wave. It is over and the temps are way more comfortable … around 30C (86 F). And it is cooling down at night! So sleep is possible!!! YEAH!!!
Although, in the wake of the heat wave, there are a LOT of fires burning in British Columbia, lots of lightening strikes … one town was burnt totally to the ground … the residents had less than 15 minutes to flee the town. Lots of sad stories …
But this blog is about quilting … so here goes …
The Summer 2021 Mystery Quilt fabric amounts and cutting directions have been posted. You can see them HERE and HERE.
I still don’t have a lot of energy, but Zoom sewing with Island Batik Ambassadors on Friday helped! I got a start on my August project … using a BEAUTIFUL line of fabric (Autumn Wings) and Studio 180 rulers. It’s a secret, so no pictures … sorry!
Design Wall
Piecing
#1. August Island Batik project: a bit of progress
#2. Country Panels:
I started working on another UFO … 2 different country panels that I’m putting together. I’m using the burgandy grunge fabric for sashing and a first border. But I don’t have enough … so I had to go shopping … More about that further down …
Quilting:
#1 Amish panels: 2 panels, put into one quilt top, sandwiched and ready to quilt. No progress on this. But the machine is threaded with the thread I want to use, bobbins are wound … just need to start.
Stash Report
I needed some more burgundy grunge for the 2 country panels that I’m putting together … so I went to Essem Textiles … and they just happened to have a skinny bolt sale on a “black dress” grunge and a “grey” grunge. I might or might not have bought them. Well, I can’t lie, of course I bought them … Sew … that adds 3 yards to my total of fabric bought!
Fabric Used this week 0 yards
Fabric Used this year: 69 yards
Fabric Bought this week: 3 yards
Fabric Added this year: 27.75 yards (my husbands amounts as well)
Net Fabric used 41.25 yards
Husband’s purchases: 0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!
Stitchin’ Time
I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.
I have stitched for over 30 minutes all days this past week.
January – May– 180 / 180
July – 4 / 4
Percentage = 99 %
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
TO DO
Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.
Last week:
Finish July Island Batik project. √ doneand blog post is almost ready!
Quilt and bind: Town Table Topper√ done
Start quilting Amish Panelnot started.
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! √ done
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes√ done
This week’s list:
Work on Country Panels
Work on IB August project
Start quilting Amish Panel
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes
No further finishes. I started my August Island Batik project.
A couple of blog followers have commented on part of my weekly “To Do” list where I say “Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS.” And most of the time, I am not distracted by them!
Squirrels are those enticing projects that just want to be done NOW. You can read a blog post about them HERE.
So … how do I manage to (mostly) avoid squirrels? Well, as I wander through many different blogs, I get several new ideas, see new patterns, see cute quilts, and see tons of things I just want to do. I know that you all feel the same way!!! Right? The temptation is there!
I will take a screen shot, download the pattern, or something so I can remember the fantastic idea I saw. Then, I say to myself, “If I still am really wanting to do this in a few days (or a week), then I give myself permission to do so.” Well, usually it works. Usually. As you can see in my tally sheet, there is a LOT more “Starts in 2021” than my monthly Island Batik projects … but for the most part … they get done!
Another UFO was finished the other day! The town Table Topper. Once I fixed the mistake (see HERE) and finished quilting, it didn’t take long at all.
Oh, it’s HARD to choose my favourite quilt for this month? Is it one of the two quilts I made as an Island Batik ambassador using Accuquilt dies? Or the Follow Your Own Path quilt?
It was hard to choose! I put all 3 into the “tiled” image and it made the one with red maple leafs the biggest … so I thought I’d let the program choose! But then I had 2nd thoughts … and decided that I’d go with the Follow Your Path Quilt … I wasn’t sure how it would turn out with the background and I was super pleased with the result … so that’s going to be my choice for this month! (You can read more about the quilts HERE and HERE.)
Mystery Quilt
The Summer 2021 Mystery Quilt has started! Fabric Requirements were posted on Saturday. (See HERE)
A serious heat wave. This is so unusual for Canada’s west coast! But our temperatures are over 41 C (translates to 106 F) and it’s not cooling off at night. No fun!!! It’s hard to have any energy to do anything … oh … and did I mention that our air conditioning is called a fan?
I have been working to get the Summer 2021 Mystery Quilt ready to roll. It takes time, but I was able to post the introduction on Saturday! You can read about it HERE.
Sew, even though not a lot is happening … here’s this week’s report:
Design Wall
Piecing
#1 Town Table Topper: This table topper is not finished, yet … On Friday, I showed the “unstitching that I needed to do … It’s now unstitched and the 2 offending blocks are switched around … but that’s as far as it’s gotten!
Quilting:
#1 Island Batik July’s project: Still in progress … 2 days of ripping out did not help my progress or my mood with this project!
#2 Amish panels: put into one quilt top, sandwiched and ready to quilt. No progress on this.
Stash Report
No shopping, no buying … nothing finished …
Fabric Used this week 0 yards
Fabric Used this year: 69 yards
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 24.75 yards (my husbands amounts as well)
Net Fabric used 44.25 yards
Husband’s purchases: 0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!
Stitchin’ Time
I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.
I have stitched for over 30 minutes most days this past week.
January – May– 150 / 150
June – 25 / 27
Percentage = 99 %
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
TO DO
Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.
Last week:
Finish July Island Batik project. not quite done
Finish piecing Town Table Topper√ done
Start quilting Amish Panel:Not started
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! √ done
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes√ done
This week’s list:
Finish July Island Batik project.
Quilt and bind: Town Table Topper
Start quilting Amish Panel
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Have you ever done a mystery quilt? They can be a LOT of fun. Yes, they take you out of your comfort zone, mostly because you don’t know where you’re headed. But you end up with a quilt that is maybe something you would have choosen, maybe not … but it’s all fun!
This mystery has 10 clues. The clues will be announced each Tuesday and Saturday. There will be a linky party at the end where you can show everyone your quilt. (If you don’t have a blog or IG to link to, you can email me the picture and I’ll post it.)
This quilt is 44″ x 59″ with one border.
** WOF is Width of Fabric
Fabric Requirements
These amounts are pretty close to the exact amount you will need. Please add additional fabric if you “want to be sure” that you have enough.
I am SEW very proud of the Quilt Guild I belong to!!! (Boundary Bay Quilters Guild). Whenever there have been urgent needs for quilts, the guild members step up. Just going off the top of my head, there have been quilts made for the Saskatchewan hockey bus tragedy, the shootings in Nova Scotia, blocks for the wildfires in Australia, banners for a public stabbing in Lynn Canyon, and the regular donations from our guild (baby quilts, comfort/cancer quilts and Quilts of Valour.)
Recently, the guild decided to donate quilts to local Healthcare Heros. They are doing such a fantastic job and working extremely hard! As a former nurse educator, I can only imagine what stresses they undergo daily!
There have already been a LOT of quilts donated and many more are in the line up. Unfortunately, I don’t know who made all of them, but I do have pictures of the ones previously donated to this cause … If you are in the guild and want your quilt acknowledged, please let me know and I’ll edit the post.
I have a LOT of finishes to show you. In January, I hosted a mystery quilt for our guild (Boundary Bay Quilt Guild). It’s a lot of fun for me!!! This mystery was written by Sue P … a member of the Peace Arch Quilt Guild. I did it as a mystery several years ago. I repeated it again this year. Thank you, Sue, for permitting me to share this quilt pattern with the guild! This post is dedicated to YOU!!!
I absolutely LOVE how the same design looks SEW very different with different fabrics and different layouts! And THANK YOU to all the guild members that sent me their pictures!
I made the Moorewood Mystery, designed and hosted by Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs. This pattern is extremely well written. The monthly instructions are easy to follow and very doable during the month! The pattern is available on the website. Thank you Cheryl for this unique and fun design!
This quilt counted as one of my UFOs because it could not be completed in 2020 … (my own rules as to what makes a UFO).
Quilt Stats
Size: 60.5″ x 72.5″
It is quilted with a beige thread – Aurifil 2000.
The quilting is simple swirls in the background and all of the coloured shapes are outlined. Nothing fancy … but I really like how it looks!
The batting is Hobbs 80/20.
The fabrics are Kansas Troubles that have been sitting in my stash for … um … well … ya … at least 10 years … I think!!!! And, for some reason, the container with the Kansas Troubles fabric is still pretty full!!!
And a closeup of the quilting:
I was Featured
Jennifer featured the quilt with all the ruler quilting on it. You can read more about it HERE.
Today is the day that Susan told us to add Log Cabin blocks. Again, I’m rebelling! I am not going to do the blocks all around the quilt. Just in the middle of the next round. This quilt is getting bigger than I had planned and this will keep the size down. The logs started out at 1.5″ wide strips and finished at 1″ wide. As you can see, I paired the colours with the white fabric.
Again, I continued to use a variety of fabrics from Island Batik’s Ohana collection.
Next week will be our final round!!! I’m loving the variety of quilts that are being made!!! Aren’t they wonderful? MARK you calendars for March 29th !!! I will have a linky party for everyone to show their final quilts or tops!
Make sure to visit all of the other co-leaders and link up to Susan’s linky party to show us your blocks! HERE
Island Batik’s blog hop “Create for a Cause” is over. I hope you enjoyed it!!! If you want a lot of wonderful eye candy – you can go HERE to see all of the quilts in one place!
As well, one of our ambassadors has put together a wonderful video that shows all of the beautiful quilts. You can view it HERE.
AND … just in case you forgot – I had a giveaway on my blog when I posted my “Create for a Cause” quilt (see HERE.) And the winner is …. drum roll … Donna H. She has sent me her address and I hope to get it in the mail soon!!!
Design Wall
Piecing:
I’ve started the Echo Lake t-shirt quilt that has been on my UFO list for … well, um … ah … yes … well … It’s about time I started on it!!!!
There’s a huge pile of t-shirts. I’ve cut some and I’ve learned 2 things.
Use a pressing cloth when ironing the interfacing on. Fortunately, I realized that the interfacing would stick to my iron if I didn’t use a pressing cloth!!!
It’s best to iron on the interfacing right after the shirt is cut. When I didn’t, the edges started to curl in. I’m cutting the shirts much larger than the logos so that when I lay it out, I can trim them down.
Quilting:
I’m working on my March Island Batik project. Sorry, no pictures yet!
Stash Report
I finished the guild’s Jan / Feb mystery quilt. I used Island Batik fabrics for the top, but I did back it with flannel from my stash. So that fabric will be included as “used this week.”
Fabric Added this year: 9 yards (my husbands amounts as well)
Net Fabric used – 2.5 yards
Husband’s purchases: 0 yards (which are added into my total amount of Fabric added this year). For those of you who don’t know … my husband often buys more fabric than I do … so, I’m keeping track! Unfortunately, he doesn’t sew!
Stitchin’ Time
I’m aiming for at least 30 minutes a day.
I have stitched for over 30 minutes each day
January – 31 / 31
February – 21 / 21
Percentage = 100 %
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
TO DO
Chris from ChrisKnits is hosting it “To Do” every week. You can check out her blog HERE.
Last week:
Well, I worked on everything that didn’t get done, but I was successful with a few things! And, even a little progress is moving forward!
Work on final round of SAHRRpartially done
Start quilting Moorewood Mysterynot done
Work on March Island Batik challenge √ done
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! √ done
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes√ done
This week’s list:
Complete final round of SAHRR
Finish March’s Island Batik challenge
Start quilting Moorewood Mystery
Cut all the t-shirts and iron on interfacing for the Echo Lake t-shirt quilt.
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
I organize the mystery quilts for the quilt guild (Boundary Bay Quilt Guild). Of course, I HAVE to make each mystery prior to presenting it to the guild. Our latest mystery was designed by Sue Pontifex (of Piece Arch Quilters) and I originally made it around 2013.
Here it is! It is an alternate layout to Sue’s original. And yes, I used Island Batik fabrics, Aurifil thread and Hobbs fusible 80/20 batting. The free motion quilting is a simple hook with flower petals around it.
Here’s the original one I made in 2013, following the directions!
Members of the guild that have made this quilt will be forwarding me their finished tops and I’ll put them all here on the blog. From what I’ve seen, there’s going to be some pretty fantastic quilts!
