Quilting

Happy Friday

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Happy Friday Penguin!

Yes, for me it’s a Happy Friday.

I’ve been working on Summer Solstice (a UFO from 2016) on and off this year trying to get ‘er done.   It’s a Judy Niemeyer pattern that is paper pieced and has set in seams.  Well … I got the top done – set-in seams and all!!!  YAY!!!   And forgot to take a picture.  GROAN!!!!   I sandwiched it and it’s now being quilted!

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Yes, I’m using a walking foot to outline the diamonds on the Lone Star portion of the quilt.  I have NO idea how I’m going to quilt them – or anything else on the quilt … but this is a start! I’m using Aurifil thread #2370.  Hopefully, this will be finished in the next few weeks and I can mark it “DONE!”  Just think how wonderful that will feel???

I was Featured

Screen Shot 2020-04-24 at 2.16.44 PM Jennifer featured my 5 June Island Batik challenges.  You can see them HERE and HERE.

 

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to:

PHD in 2020: July 1: Happy Canada Day

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Yes, today is Canada’s Birthday.  At 153 years old, we’re a young nation, but we are CANADA!

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I had NO UFO finishes in June … nada, nope not even one!  Hopefully, that number will change for July!

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I did finish all the June “Starts in 2020” … which helps me to NOT increase my UFO numbers!

PHD in 2020 Linky Party

Here’s a linky party for you to show your progress in your PHD in 2020! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs hosts a “Favorite Finish Monthly Link Up.”  Boy … I’m not sure which finish is my favourite!  It’s a toss up between “Sunshine” and “Winnie the Pooh.”  I think they’re both so darn cute!  I’ll go with “Winnie the Pooh.”

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Sewing with family by Zoom

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Quilt Canada was Cancelled

My sister (from Alberta), 2 cousins (from different areas of Ontario) and myself (from British Columbia) had planned to go together.   We were going to stay at my sister’s home in Edmonton.  Two days were planned for the show and classes (and shopping).  On the 3rd day, we planned to make the Retreat Bag from Emmeline bags as a project to work on together. Of course, with Covid – our plans changed.

About 1½ weeks ago, my sister set up an all day Zoom meeting for us all as we made the bag.  We had all gathered the supplies prior to the day.  It was a TON of fun!!!  It was great to visit with each other … sharing our love for fabric and the creations we were making!

Here’s Connie’s … made for when she goes on a real quilting retreat!

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And Terry … The speed demon, made 2, yes TWO bags during our Zoom time … she made both the small and the large bag!

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My sister, Lynn, made one bag during our time and the other right afterwards … both were kits from Emmeline bags …

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My bag was made from Shweshwe fabric that I bought last September when in Africa.

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Obviously, we’re all quite different in our fabric choices, but we all agreed that it was fun to do and plan to have another Zoom quilting day in the future.

Cleaning and Tidying

My daughter came in the sewing room (studio) the other day and said, “Mom, have you cleaned up or something? It looks so much better!”  That made me smile and determined to keep this up!  Plus, it is actually easier to work when I don’t have to move something!

Design Wall

Piecing:

Summer Solstice: These pieces are now sewn together … ready for the set-in seams … do you think that might be why I’m procrastinating???  Oh, yes, I KNOW that’s why …

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Quilting: 

Nothing being quilted right now!

Stash Report

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No shopping.  The zipper pouches that I made (you can see them HERE) were all made with Island Batik fabric, which I don’t count.  However, I did use about ½ yard of Shweshwe for the Retreat Bag, and ½ yard for the lining.

  • Fabric Used this week      1 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        191.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      20
  • Net Fabric used                    171.5  yards

Stitchin’ Time

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!  I switched from 15 minutes / day to 30 minutes/day in April!

  • 15 minute days:  January – May:  151 / 152
  • 30 min days/  June:  28 / 28
  • Total days in 2020: 179/ 180
  • Percentage = 99% 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

TO DO 

I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”

Last week’s list:

  1. Work on UFO, Summer Solstice     √   done 
  2. Finish watching a video on how to digitize an In the Hoop Zipper Pouch.  √   done 
  3. Make a Zipper pouch from my own digitized design.  √   done 
  4. Spend at least 30 minutes this week CLEANING/ TIDYING my sewing room.  √   done   

This week’s list:

  1. Work on  Summer Solstice:  get the top DONE
  2.  Quilt a baby quilt to practice some free motion feathers that I want to do when I’m ready to quilt Summer Solstice.
  3. Spend at least 30 minutes this week CLEANING/ TIDYING my sewing room.

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I did start # 27 in Starts in 2020 and I finished it.  I will show you in a future post!

No UFOs are finished …

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A great Laugh!

XIrc3ExcQ4qWhltQLymotQ_thumb_3883Tish, from “Tish’s Adventures in Wonderland” featured this quilt (see it HERE) … then she went to say that she enjoys visiting my blog because, and I quote: “I love visiting Gail’s blog because she really is one of the most organized quilters in knowing what status her projects are in.  Seeing her lists always reminds me to check mine. ”   OH Tish!!!   The only reason I have lists is that I NEED to decrease my UFO list and NOT make any more!!!  As for organization … well that is totally not very true! But, thank you for the high compliment!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to:

 

Island Batik July Free Theme: Projects 2,3,4 & 5

/ quiltinggail / 25 Comments

Project #1

6i+oUqltTRCi1drs8H4I6Q_thumb_3873You can see all the details HERE.

 

Project #2

In our first box for 2020, I received 2 yards of a beautiful batik!  I made this comfy top from an OLD pattern from the ’90s.

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Project #3, 4 & 5

I’ve been learning how to digitize various patterns for my embroidery machine.  I’m using Artistic Digitizer by Janome.  It’s a learning curve, but I’m loving it!

Recently, we were shown how to digitize an “In the Hoop Zipper Pouch.”  The top 2 were made from a program developed during the class.  The embroidery on the left was from a free pattern from Embroidery Library called “Delicate Magnolia.”  On the bottom, I attempted to use my largest hoop (for the Janome 500E), make a larger pouch and do the design from scratch.  My programing still needs some work!  I didn’t like how the decorative stitching turned out, so I resorted to sticking the hoop under my sewing machine and doing the decorative stitches there.  I used a variegated Aurifil poly #5844.  The colours went really well with the fabric, but don’t show up that well and in many parts blend in with it. Like I said, I’m learning.

The fabric used in these pouches were all from Island Batik.

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Thank you to Island Batik, Aurifil thread and Schmetz Needles for the supplies!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to:

Winnie the Pooh Quilt A Long: Day 16

/ quiltinggail / 13 Comments

Winnie the Pooh Quilt A Long

Day 16

Here’s my quilt … all quilted …

There are swirls in all of the white (background) areas as well as the sashing and borders.  Then on the heads, I used a ruler and quilted ½” lines.  The quilting threads matched the fabric – or was a close match.

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Here’s a close-up of Eeyore:

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And, as I posted this picture, I realize that I need to quilt the white of his eyes.  The weird area on the right grey part is just the shadow from taking this picture while the wind was blowing!

Thank you for sewing along on this Quilt Along!  If you’ve kept up, you now have a wonderful Winnie the Pooh Quilt top!

Here is a Linky Party for you to show your Winnie the Pooh quilt.  You don’t need to have a blog to post a picture.  But you do need a link to either an Instagram or Pinterest page.  I’d LOVE to see all the quilts that you’ve made!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Design Wall

Piecing:

I made a bunch of “DOVE” bags (simple drawstring bags) and some masks.  I’ve changed the pattern that I use for masks … my son’s girlfriend asked if I could replicate a mask she really likes … sew, I used it as a pattern, added a seam allowance and viola!  They’re a LOT faster to make and there’s no fiddling with those fussy pleats.

Summer Solstice: I’m back to thinking about working on my Summer Solstice quilt.  These are pictures from March and February … sew … I need to sew, not just think about it.

Quilting: 

Nothing being quilted right now!

Stash Report

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No shopping.  Dove bags used up about 1 yard of fabric and the masks used up about 1/2 yard …  Winnie the Pooh used 5.5 yards from my stash.  Stitchin’ Sunshine used 2 yards for the back. (See HERE).

  • Fabric Used this week      9  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        190.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      20
  • Net Fabric used                    170.5  yards

Stitchin’ Time

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!  I switched from 15 minutes / day to 30 minutes/day in April!

  • 15 minute days:  January – May:  151 / 152
  • 30 min days/  June:  21 / 21
  • Total days in 2020: 172/ 173
  • Percentage = 99% 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

TO DO 

I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”

Last week’s list:

  1.  Finish Winnie the Pooh    √   done
  2. Finish  “Stitching Sunshine”     √   done  You can see the quilt HERE.
  3. Prepare materials and make “Retreat” Bag.     √   done  I’ll show you the bag in a future post.
  4. Spend at least 30 minutes this week CLEANING/ TIDYING my sewing room.  √   done

This week’s list:

  1. Work on UFO, Summer Solstice
  2. Finish watching a video on how to digitize an In the Hoop Zipper Pouch.
  3. Make a Zipper pouch from my own digitized design.
  4. Spend at least 30 minutes this week CLEANING/ TIDYING my sewing room.

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I did start # 27 in Starts in 2020 and I finished it.  I will show you in a future post!

No UFOs are finished …

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to:

 

Winnie the Pooh Quilt A Long Day 15

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Winnie the Pooh Quilt A Long

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Day 15.

Time to add the sashing and borders.

The measurements for these are on the last page of the instructions.

I sewed the shorter (BS) sashing strips between Pooh & Piglet and then between Tigger and Eeyore.  Next, the RS, and 2 SB strips were attached.  The final border strips were attached.

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Come back tomorrow and I’ll show you how I quilted this quilt.  And, there will be a Linky party … so you can show off your quilt!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Stitching Sunshine

/ quiltinggail / 70 Comments
A while ago, Carla from Creatin’ in the Sticks mentioned a Stitching Sunshine Blog Hop.
She said, “It’s time for some sunshine in many ways.”  I agreed and emailed her that I’d like to participate.  This Blog Hop starts today!
Here is my “Sunshine Quilt”
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This was a pattern from an OLD Quiltmaker magazine, March/April 2007.  The designer is Robin Applegarth.
A friend of mine (Diane) made 2 or 3 of these quilts and was working on them at a retreat YEARS ago.  I fell in love with the quilts and knew I needed to make one in the future.  This blog hop was the PERFECT time to make this quilt.
I changed the pattern a little … but I basically followed the directions.
STATS:
  • This quilt was made from a variety of Island Batik fabrics …
    • “Coconut” is the background fabric.
    • The yellow sun is “Butter”
    • the orange part of the sun is “Nasturtium basics.”
    • the squares were from a variety of different Island Batik fabric collections.
  • Several different Aurifil threads were used.
  • Hobbs 80/20 batting.
  • I used the 2½” strip die for the Accuquilt Go! cutter to cut most of the 2½” squares.

Blog Hop

Make sure you visit my fellow “Stitching Sunshine” Blog Hopper … I know you’ll see some beautiful sunshine quilts!
Thank you Carla for organizing the blog hop!
And Thank you to the following for providing materials to make this quilt.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Winnie the Pooh Quilt A Long Day 14

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Winnie the Pooh Quilt A Long

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Day 14

Assemble the rest of the Eeyore block.

As you are sewing the EARS onto the sides of the face, there are 2 things to be aware of:

First: Sew them so the orientation is correct – not like this!

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Second … when you put the EARS next to the FACE, you will notice that it is ½” short.  This is OK.  Just line them up at the bottom … when you add the large white 6.5″ square to the top for the last  STOP step, that ½” difference will be cut off.  As you can see from the upside down ears, I added extra – but in the end, it was cut off … SEW, you don’t need to make the same mistake that I did!

And, here is the finished Eeyore block!  I love how his eyes are looking up and to the side!

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Winnie the Pooh Quilt A Long: Day 12

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Winnie the Pooh Quilt A Long

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Day 12.   I found Eeyore’s block took the longest to piece, so it’ll be broken into 3 days instead of 2 that we used for Winnie,

Following the directions:

  • Use the STOP method to make the MANE
  • Make the EYES
  • Sew the Pink EAR pieces (Ee) to the Blue EAR pieces (!)
  • Sew the MANE together (not shown in the picture below)

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Winnie the Pooh Quilt A Long Day 11

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Winnie the Pooh Quilt A Long

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Cut Eeyore’s Fabric.

Two adjustments to the cutting:

  • On the blue there should be 2 pieces 2.5″ x 10.5″  (E)
  • you don’t need to cut (d) 2.5″ x 8.5″

When I cut the pieces for Eeyore’s blue, I cut 3 strips of width of fabric then they were subcut into the amounts given in the pattern.

  • 4.5″
  • 2.5″
  • 1.5″

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Winnie the Pooh: Quilt A Long: Day 8

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Winnie the Pooh Quilt A Long

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Day 8.

Before you start cutting: 

Look at the ORANGE  G instructions.  Does it tell you to cut (2) 3½” squares?   IMPORTANT: If it does say 3½” – you have the OLD version that is not correct.  Go and download the Tigger and Eeyore pages of the updated version.  HERE.   All you need is those 2 pages … the rest of the old version is fine.

If it says 2 (3″) … then carry on and …

Cut out Tigger’s pieces.

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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What else is happening? PHD mid June

/ quiltinggail / 19 Comments

3CC52214-17FE-4618-8F68-1434FB2725ADWinnie the Pooh Quilt Along

… appears to be moving along smoothly.   I haven’t had any requests as to “how do I do this?”  And that tells me that the instructions are understandable!  I didn’t have any trouble following them, so I’m hoping that everyone else is finding the same thing!

I want to keep my other posts separate from the Winnie posts, so that’s why you’re getting 2 posts today!

I have a finish

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This was my #22 of the 2020 Start … and it’s now finished … Yes, I know, the binding in the top left corner is not finished.  It’s where I will put the label when I know the baby’s details.  It’s quilted with stars and loops … I started out to do 5 point stars, but many of them are 6 point … oh well, who’s counting?

This quilt, although it took me several weeks to make (because I was doing a ton of other things) is actually a quick quilt to make.  The HST started out as 7″ squares.  Were sewn down ¼” from the centre on both sides and trimmed to 6½”.  They finish at 6″ in the quilt.

Quilt Stats:

  • This quilt is 48″ x 60″
  • Hobbs 80/20 batting
  • Glide “Sterling” for the quilting, Aurifil #2000 for the binding

Tidying and Cleaning

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_3884I have a horrible habit of starting another project just as one project is finishing, or almost finished or is partly done.  And, consequently, NOTHING gets put away or tidied up.  Those of you that know me are nodding your heads and thinking “She is telling the truth!!  A recent conversation on my guild’s Facebook page talked about setting our phone alarms to remind us to clean up our sewing rooms.  I jokingly said that if I set my alarm to clean up, I’d likely ignore it and my room wouldn’t be tidied.   Well, the state of my sewing room and I had a clash this week.  It was SOOOOO bad, it was really bad … This picture is just a small corner of my sewing desk (2 containers – materials for the retreat bag, left-over backing, left-over border fabric, scraps … and who knows what else was hidden in there?  Anyhow,  I spent 2 hours tidying and vacuuming and dusting and putting fabric away.  What a difference it made … and I think I was able to work better afterwards!  SEW … you can see on my To Do list below, that I aim to work on my sewing room each week!

SEW … what do you do when Quilt Canada is cancelled? 

Quilt CanadaMy sister and 2 cousins were all planning to go to Quilt Canada together, which was scheduled for later this week.  We also decided it would be fun do a project together and decided on the Retreat Bag.  This is a free bag from Emmaline Bags.  We live in different communities in Canada and can’t be together.  (Ontario, Albera and B.C.) So, we will be making this bag together with a few Zoom meetings during the day!  (Doesn’t it sound like fun?)

Winner of Some of my Fabric

Way back in May, I offered some of the fabric that was left-over from the Island Batik Home Decor Blog Hop.  See HERE.  I used a random generator and Delaine of Onoway Alberta was chosen.  She quickly sent me her address and within a couple of weeks (yes, the post is s-l-o-w) she let me know that she had received the fabric!

Design Wall

Piecing:

I’m piecing binding for the Stitchin Sunshine quilt.  I will show you my quilt during the Blog Hop that starts on June 22.  (Just a week away!

Quilting: 

The Quilt for the Stitching Sunshine is sandwiched and about to be quilted.

Stash Report

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The quilt above used 4 yards (or more) … and I did go shopping for backing for a few quilts … I bought 10.5 yards of fabric … so that adds to the total.

  • Fabric Used this week      4  yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        181.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   10.5  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      20
  • Net Fabric used                    161.5  yards

Stitchin’ Time

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!  I switched from 15 minutes / day to 30 minutes/day in April!

  • 15 minute days:  January – May:  151 / 152
  • 30 min days/  June:  14 / 14
  • Total days in 2020: 165/ 166
  • Percentage = 99% 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

TO DO 

I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”

Last week’s list:

  1. Work on Winnie the Pooh  √   It’s not done, but it’s well on it’s way!
  2. Finish “Stitching Sunshine” project √   done
  3. Pick a UFO to work on … and work on it  NOT done

This week’s list:

  1.  Finish Winnie the Pooh 
  2. Finish  “Stitching Sunshine”
  3. Prepare materials and make “Retreat” Bag.  
  4. Spend at least 30 minutes this week CLEANING/ TIDYING my sewing room.

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No new starts since last week.  #22 of Starts in 2020 is done!

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How are you doing with your PHD in 2020?

Here’s a Linky Party for you to join in and share your mid-June Progress 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Linking to:

Winnie the Pooh Quilt A Long Day 6

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Winnie the Pooh Quilt A Long 

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Day 6.  Do all the “STOP” pieces for Piglet (see pattern directions).   Mark and sew Piglet’s triangles … remember to sew a thread width from the line – towards where you will cut.   Cut the triangles 1/4″ from the seam.  Remember to press all the seams open.

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Winnie the Pooh – Quilt A Long Day 5

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Winnie the Pooh Quilt ALong

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Today you’re going to cut the fabric for Piglet’s block.  This is such a cute block! (Well, they’re ALL cute!)

Helpful HINTS

 Cut the largest pieces first! 

Label each of your pieces … it will save you time later!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Winnie the Pooh Quilt A Long Day 4

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Winnie the Pooh Quilt A Long

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Day 4.  Assemble the Winnie block.  Make sure that you play close attention to the orientation of the pieces.   I did press all of the seams open, EXCEPT for the one at the base of the mouth.    I pressed that seam down towards the chin.

Now … you should have your Winnie Block done!   Here’s mine!

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One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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Winnie the Pooh: Quilt ALong Day 3

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Winnie the Pooh Quilt ALong

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Day 3.  Do all the “STOP” pieces for Winnie (see pattern directions)  Mark and sew Winnie’s triangles …

Helpful Hints

  • remember to sew a thread width from the line – towards where you will cut. 
  • Before you cut … check to ensure the placement is in the correct direction!

Remember to press all the seams open.

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  • ears (dark yellow V plus background A)
  • ears (yellow H onto corner of ears that don’t have the background)  I forgot this when I took the picture.
  • sides of face (yellow L plus background H)
  • nose (red B plus yellow A)

The picture to the right is of all of the STOP pieces for Winnie … and obviously not in the exact correct final position … there’s lots of pieces missing!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!  
Gail 

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