The little quilt in the 2nd picture was made with left-overs from the quilt on the right. The one on the right was finished in January. You can see a close-up of the quilting HERE.
The “Left-over” quilt has not been washed yet – so it’s not a wrinkly and cozy. It’s 45″ x 45″. The backing and black border were also left-overs from another quilt. I did not have enough fabric to bind it in one colour. SEW, I used both green and red fabric to bind it.
That’s correct! I’ve got 2 finishes! That leaves me with 8 UFOs and 2 new projects to finish before the end of the year for PHD in 2018!
This Kangaroo quilt is done, done, done. The label is on and it’s ready to be gifted! There is pinky minky on the back. Last week I talked about how easy it was to quilt. And, I mentioned that I did not like the mess it made when it was trimmed. When I was putting the binding on, I also found another dislike: it’s HOT!!! It’ll be nice and cuddly in the winter. If it wasn’t going to be gifted soon, then I would have put it aside until it was cooler!
Edit: This quilt was a panel, contrary to some beliefs, I did NOT appliqué it. Just added the borders onto the panel!
I have an embroidery machine. It’s OLD and the hoops are small. At work, I was told that I needed to learn to use the embroidery machine. A big one. It’s nice. But I don’t have it at home. I can work my way around it and have designed several things, using the designs that are build in.
But I wanted to try appliqué in the hoop, on my machine. There is a real cute pattern at Sweet Pea, an Australian company. It’s a free pattern. “Learn in the Hoop.”
My sister, Lynn, is starting to quilt!!! Finally!!!! She has taken a class at Lori’s Country Cottage near Edmonton. Here are pictures of her homework from the first 4 classes, from cutting to a flimsy:
This picture is perfect for my husband … he’s always working with tools of some sort and figuring things out! Continue reading
Whoohoo!!!! Another UFO is finished!!! This makes # 17 of the year Done, Done DONE!!! Only 11 more to go for my PHD in 2018!
With travelling, working at Quilt Canada and my job, it’s been a bit of a struggle to get back into sewing / quilting.
This is my 2nd year participating in the “New Quilter’s Blog Hop.” I’ve learned LOTS about blogging, making changes and adding things.
There are 32 participants in the Blog Hop and we are divided into 4 different weeks for presenting out blogs. Each person in the group suggested names and logos for the group. The name “In Stitches” was chosen and the logo is
My Stats for March are a bit disappointing. But that’s OK. I’ve only completed one quilt this month …
I did think about pulling out a project or 2 that are closer to completion, but I wanted to stay focused on what I’m actually working on.
Sew, I’m actually OK with my numbers! Really, I am!
No shopping – nothing added. Yes, I was at Tradex at the Creative Festival and I only bought 2 sided fusible pellon. No fabric. To be honest – I didn’t take a good look at the fabric and so I didn’t buy any. I did see a quilt panel that was fractured at the Quilted Bear booth and the same panel that was not fractured at the Needle & I booth. They were both wonderful! Beautiful colours and great quilting. But I was only tempted to admire, not buy!
Fabric Used this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 94.1 yards
Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 14 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017: 84.1 yards
For the past 2 months, the guild Quilting 101 class has worked on baby quilts. We choose a simple pattern and made 7 quilts. It was good learning … how to make large half-square triangles, How to trim them easily and then arranging the blocks. This month we did quilting with the walking foot. Organic waves. I thought it was fun to quilt! Unfortunately, I only have pictures of the one I did. Next month, the group will be putting binding on and I will try to get more pictures of the quilts then.
Silly me, I went ahead and put the binding on this one – so I’ll need to find another project to demonstrate binding next month. That shouldn’t be too hard! .
This quilt finishes about 37 x 37″. The 2nd picture is from the back with the sun shining through … fun.
The white Ohio stars are done. About ¾ of the black ones are done. And about ½ of the red string triangles with black and white “wings” are done. I need to make a zillion more “wings”, but they are not as tedious as the hourglass blocks to make. (In my opinion).
Then there is the assembly of the quilt, then adding borders, then quilting, making and adding the label and then binding. Believe it or not … I think I see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. It’s just a glimmer.
All of the straight line “in the ditch” quilting has been done. I think I have decided what to do in the big negative rectangle spaces: a feather arch. The big floral-type squares will likely be a flower made with what I call “C”. And the checkerboard section … who knows.
I used guild fabric for the above pink quilt – so nothing deleted from my stash. No shopping, so nothing added!
Fabric Used this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 94.1 yards
Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 14 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017: 84.1 yards
My finish today is a little quilt (17″ x 22″) that I started when we were in Quebec. The first picture is a me & the setup at the campground outside Montreal. The 2nd picture is the little one a few days ago … I had tried quilting it on my featherweight … that had worked out OK, except that I didn’t have the right colour of thread – so I took most of the quilting out.
Here is a picture of the finished project, hanging on the clothesline under the overhang – since it is raining today!
Yes, I’m still working on piecing Orca Bay #2. When I was looking for the pictures of sewing in Quebec, I found this picture of Orca Bay #1.
To see what other’s in the quilting world are working on – click on the following links:
Summer Envy is complete! Including label and binding! The quilting was pretty quick – just an easy swirl. I used 6 ½ bobbins of thread and while watching 7 episodes of “When Calls the Heart” on Netflix. Season 3 is now available in Canada. And – just for the non-Canadians reading my blog who have watched this series: the Mounties (also called RCMP: Royal Canadian Mounted Police) do NOT wear their red serge outfits for normal work, only for special ceremonies.
The binding is the left-over trimmings from the back of “On Ringo Lake.” It is a perfect match! (Probably because it’s from the same fabric line! ~grin~ )
On Ringo Lake and Summer Envy were both completed this week! WhooHoo!!! That makes for a total of 12 UFOs completed this year. And 2 big quilts this week! (Yes, I did complete a retreat bag, but that was started this year, so it’s not a UFO and doesn’t count towards my PHD in 2018!)
I went shopping yesterday … just for some med-heavy weight interfacing. I’m out and there’s a sale on. Of course, I had to check what else is in the store and ended up buying 1 ½ yd of flannel for backing and ½ yd for accent. This is for a baby quilt that I NEED to make. I hope the baby is a girl, ’cause I bought pink. If the baby turns out to be a boy, I will have to
go shopping again, uh, shop my stash!
Fabric Used this Week: 40.25 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 92.1 yards
Fabric Added this Week: 1.5 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 10 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017: 82.1 yards
To see what other’s in the quilting world are working on – click on the following links:
We had a bit of snow Saturday night & I wanted to get a picture of ORL on the snow yesterday. You can tell we didn’t have a lot of snow as the grass is showing!
This is UFO #11 for this year! I’m HAPPY! And, the 16 yards for the top and the 7 yards for the back all came from my stash!!!
Please, please tell me: Since I used 23 yards of fabric – all from my stash – why oh why are the bins still full?
Quilting: “Like Gina’s Comma” – will be an easy quilt to quilt – spirals and spirals and
spirals. Gina is my daughter and I made the quilt below for her in 2015 using a jelly roll called “Comma” by zen chic. The coloured portion fits the top of a queen sized bed. She asked that the borders be wide and plain and she requested spirals all over. I liked how it turned out. “Like Gina’s Comma” is the same pattern, using “Nature’s Chorus” by April Cornel.
Here is a picture of the quilt just starting the quilting … and a picture with the trimmings from On Ringo Lake … I might use it for binding. Time will tell.
Piecing: I’m debating between finishing “Ode to 30’s.” A quilt that I started around 2009 or earlier. [Is anyone from Krazy Kwilters following my blog and can you tell me?] Anyhow – when I started it, I didn’t realize what 30’s fabrics were and chose a pretty fabric and tons of coordinating fabric to go with it. I’m not too fond of the pattern anymore, so, I won’t be making all of the little blocks – I think I’ll just finish the 12″ blocks, maybe make some other 12″ blocks, sash them and call it “done.” There are a few crap-lique (appliqué) blocks that I’m not keen on doing.
My other option is to work on Orca Bay #2. I gave away my first Orca Bay to a very loving home, but I’ve since realized that I want one of my own. And, of course, I want to make it bigger than the 75 x 85″ that the original pattern calls for.
Sew … the debate is on … stay tuned to find out which I choose.
To see what other’s in the quilting world are working on – click on the following links:
The binding is going on “On Ringo Lake.” It should be finished later toady!
Yes, the binding is glued down and has dried – so it’ll be an easy finish! I hope!
It snowed last night, so if I hurry, I might get a picture of the quilt with some snow!
And once On Ringo Lake is finished – that will be 11 UFOs. AND there will still be 1 ½ weeks left in Feb.! My initial goal was to complete 3 UFOs in the first few months of the year and then complete 2 a month for the rest of the year. If I keep this up – I should be able to get more than 28 done! Which will lower my UFOs for next year! WooHoo! But, I should quit talking, about what might happen and get on with what is happening! (More quilting!)
There was no pop-up store at the retreat – so I wasn’t tempted to shop. A couple of the ladies drove out to Hamels in Chilliwack … now that was tempting! And another group went to A Great Notion in Abbotsford … I stayed at the retreat and sewed and resisted temptation! The Charming Bag used 2.6 yards of material
Fabric Used this Week: 2.6 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 41.85 yards
Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 8.5 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017: 33.35 yards
To see what other’s in the quilting world are working on – click on the following links:
These photos were taken by our guild photographer, Irene Hamilton. She’s one talented lady! She had posted these on the guild’s Facebook page and gave me permission to copy them, giving her credit for the photography.
The slide show with pictures I took can be seen in Wednesday’s post HERE
My 10th UFO is finished! Woohoo!!! And it’s just past the middle of February! I may be able to get 28 UFOs done this year … if I keep going at this rate!
This is a picture of the “Charming Bag” – a front view and a side view. It uses Soft & Stable or a foam as the base. It is a fairly large bag – which is wonderful! And the foam helps it to sort-of stand up. You can get the pattern at Fabric Expressions. They also have kits available. Check HERE.
Remember this picture?
Here’s what I got done:
To see what other’s in the quilting world are working on – click on the following links:
I’m off to a retreat again! I am so blessed to be able to attend retreats! They are a lot of fun! And I get lots done. Usually, as long as I sit and sew! Ummm …. ya right … hmmm : there’s the visiting, the eating, the games and all sorts of other distractions!
As usual, I’m taking way more than I can possibly get done! Here’s what I’ve packed and am dreaming of completing. All, except for one are UFOs.
This was a quilt that was languishing on top of my filing cabinet. I was not wanting to deal with it because I had to piece the back. (See HERE.) Well, it got quilted this week. I had to make an adjustment to one of the corner blocks … the flying geese are suppose to be pointing into the quilt, not at this angle. I realized it when I was quilting these 4 corner blocks. Thankfully, it was an easy fix as I hadn’t quilted the border yet. It was fun to do the quilting in the negative space.
This is a pattern by Carol Doak … it was a mystery quilt in 2012/13 … but I didn’t do it as a mystery. A friend had shown me how to paper piece without sewing on the paper and I figured this was a good quilt to try it out on. I started this quilt in 2014. I’m not a huge fan of purple, but I do like this quilt!
My husband helped me sandwich 5 quilts over the last couple of days. I spray baste and since I’m using Hobbs 80/20, I have some pins in each one. (I find that with the big quilts – the batting shifts way more than when I use warm and natural – but I like how the Hobbs drapes).
From Top to bottom they are:
I’m thinking that if they are sandwiched and the labels made – they may get quilted. Ha! Ha! Ha!
No shopping = no fabric added!!! And 2 finishes this week : the Charm Star and the Carol Doak purple quilt.
Fabric Used this Week: 15.5 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 39.25 yards
Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 8.5 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017: 30.7 yards
To see what other’s in the quilting world are working on – click on the following links:
Another baby quilt for the guild is Done, Done, Done! This quilt has been sitting in my “to-do” pile since last fall. The guild had a “Baby Quilt Kit Making” day. It’s always fun to go and kit up fabric that is not my own! I made a couple of kits, but I brought this one home with me. While I was at my sister’s, I realized that I needed an Easy Angle to make the half-square triangles. I had cut strips that were 5″ wide and didn’t have enough to sew squares in half … My sister phoned her neighbour to ask if she had an Easy Angle. She did! BONUS! I quickly put on my parka, my mitts, my extra leggings, extra socks and went over to her house to get the ruler. It made short work of the half square triangles.
This is UFO #8!!!!
Did you see my Quick Machine Binding Tutorial? You can find it HERE.
To see what other’s in the quilting world are working on – click on the following links:
Well, as much fun as it was being at my sister’s. I’m glad to be home. It was -20 C and snowing when I left Edmonton. +9 C and raining when I landed in Abbotsford! (Need I say more about that?)
My sister is working very hard on her physio. It takes her about 5 hours a day to run through all the exercises and leg elevation ice treatments. And she has hourly exercises as well. She’s a busy gal! I know that my sister will be well taken care of with me gone. She has a friend (who is a quilter), that is willing to drive my sister to appointments – so now that she’s well on the way to recovery – it’s about all she needs now.
And the Super Bowl is on today. I’m not a sports fan. There will be eating and yelling downstairs, but I’ll be happily listening to the hum of my sewing machine.
This was finished before I left my sisters. I gifted it to her. She then said, “why do I need to learn to quilt if you are going to give me everything I need?” Ha! She’ll catch the bug and be addicted pretty soon. 
The button is now on the Necessary Clutch. I realize that I should have put the magnet in before I sewed the flap together. Lesson learned. Anyhow, my husband and I tried threading thread through under the magnet. That did”t work. So, he got out some epoxy glue … it seems to have done the trick. It should hold since it can glue steel, glass, wood and a million other things together.
So far this year, I have completed 7 UFOs. That is way more than I expected by this time of year! Now, I do realize that I took a lot of small projects to my sister’s – so progress will slow down now as I work on bigger projects.
As I compiled the following list, I was thrilled and excited and overwhelmed by the progress that each participant has made. You have all worked extremely hard! Well done ladies! Here’s Snoopy doing a Happy Dance in the snow!!
I haven’t been diligent at adding up my fabric used. So, here’s a list to make sure I’ve got it correct.
Fabric Used this Week: 3 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 23.75 yards
Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 8.5 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017: 9 15.25 yards update: my math was out the window with “9” yards … sheesh …
To see what other’s in the quilting world are working on – click on the following links:
I finished 2 mouse pincushions. I started them several years ago with scraps that I had been given by a friend. One was intended for me and the other for my sister. I brought them with me to my sisters and finished them. Yeah! Another UFO done. That makes 5 UFOs completed for my PHD in 2018. One UFO for February!
My sister is a research scientist – so she picked the one with “atoms”. She only had 2 glass pins for the eyes – so I’ll add the “eyes” to mine when I get home. They are more like flying mice as they refuse to stand up … oh well.
Edit: My sister said that she just wiggled the aquarium gravel around to make the mouse stand up. (I put aquarium gravel in a little pouch to give the mouse some weight … I really didn’t want a flying mouse pincushion!)
This weekend, I will provide links to all of the bloggers that joined in the PHD in 2018. I had planned to do this at the beginning of each month, but working on an IPad mini is not easy, so it will have to wait until I get home and work on my computer.
While I’ve been at my sisters for the past 2 weeks, I have been working on Leaders and Enders and have about 40 4-patches done. I love making progress on a project without doing a lot of mindless work!
To see what other’s in the quilting world are working on – click on the following links:
Linky Tuesday @ Free Motion by the River
WIPs on Wednesday @ Esther Quilt Blog
Let’s Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
Midweek Makers @ QuiltFabrication
Happy Needle and Thread @ My Quilt Infatuation
Can I get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom Quilts
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts
Sherry @ Powered by Quilting
Quilting Gail 