Best of 2017

/ quiltinggail / 12 Comments

Meadow Mist Designs is having a Linky Party.  Participants are to post their 5 best posts of 2017.

In 2017, I posted 109 posts, with a total of 17015 visitors!  I found that number hard to believe, but I do have a number of followers, so each visit adds up. They come from 69 countries all over the world.

Here’s the main picture of 3 of the top posts:

July 17 Update: a quilt for “C”

Quilt 14

No finishes – but lots of pictures BBQG Show quilts

IMG_0561

 

Warning: the pictures are large and the slide show takes a while to upload.

 

 

 

 

Pictures of Gifted quilts with post on the 2017 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop

Gifted quilts 1-2

The other 2 top posts were

Tutorial:  Glue basting your quilt  

Glue 2

PHD in 2018   You can still join us if you want!

PHD in 2018

An honourable mention (yes, I know this makes 6) is the post with “Sarah’s Finish“ – the quilt made by a talented 16 year old!

Sarah's Quilt 1

This post is linking to: Meadow Mist’s “Best of 2017 Linky Party”

 

 

 

SaveSave

End of Year Report

/ quiltinggail / 7 Comments

As promised, I said I would show you this quilt once it was gifted.  It spent a bit of time in transit and I found out this week that little E now has her quilt.

IMG_1134

PHD in 2018

PHD in 2018

I’m going to be working on my PHD this year.  Are you going to join me?

PHDs are Projects Half Done … and I aim to get half of mine DONE.

Check out this post HERE for details.

 

On Ringo Lake

IMG_1257

Here is the start of Clue 5.  If you want to join in this Bonnie Hunter mystery – there is a button on my side-bar.  You can always download the clues to do the mystery at a later date.

I find that doing the mystery quilts are a fantastic way to learn new and faster techniques.  Her mystery quilts are like taking a course in making the quilt.  The directions are superb!

Stash Report

I will continue doing this in 2018.

Nothing bought – but I did finish my charm pack runner,  candle mat & co.   img_1249.jpg

These are my 2017 year end numbers:

Fabric Used this Week:     1.5  yards  
Fabric Used year to Date:  172.5  yards
Fabric Added this Week:    0  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date:  62 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017:   110.5 yards  

UFO tally

My 2017 UFO record.

January 2 July 0
Feb 0 Aug 1
Mar 0 Sept 2
April 0 Oct 5
May 2 Nov 1
June 4 Dec 0

Linking to:

To see what other’s in the quilting world are working on – click on the following links:

Happy Quilting
Gail

Merry Christmas

/ quiltinggail / 4 Comments

3 Christmas Wall Hangings

“Do you see what I see?”  This one was hand quilted by me … probably in the late 1990’s … I’m guessing.  It was a panel & I had to make the tabs for it.

IMG_1252

“Stained glass, nativity scene“, was made around 2006 … It was made before I started keeping a recored of what I made. It is a reverse appliqué.  All of the black is one piece of fabric..IMG_1250

Poinsettia .  The label on the back says “2009-2015”  It took forever to make!  I usually had each piece reversed the wrong way and usually needed to re-do it.  Pretty frustrating when you’re sewing with tiny stitches (for ease of removing the paper when it’s done.)

IMG_1256

Have a Merry Christmas everyone!
Gail

SaveSave

SaveSave

A Friday Finish

/ quiltinggail / 10 Comments

IMG_1246IMG_1248

 

 

In November, I showed a picture of a table runner, in progress, that was being made with a charm pack that I received from Benartex fabrics. (See HERE).  The charm pack called, “A Moose for Christmas” is super cute.  I ended up making a table runner, a candle mat and 2 coasters.  I think there are only two 5″ squares left over.   It was fun to play around with the half-square triangles!

Link-ups

To see what others in the quilty world are working on wander over to these blogs:

Happy Quilting
Gail

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

Getting ready to start my PHD 2018

/ quiltinggail / 13 Comments

My list is ready …

I pulled out the quilts and took pictures of what’s in the tote. This is the tote that I use for my “big” machine (Janome 8900).  It’s usually only used when I’m going to a retreat.  It’s full quilts that are ready to be pressed, sandwiched and quilted.  2 of them have backings ready.  These are the first 7 that will be quilted.

There are 8 quilts in progress on top of my filing cabinet and 6 in bins on the top shelf of the closet:

Then – there is the 4 mystery quilts I’m working on – 3 with the guild. (no pictures yet) and the Bonnie Hunter mystery.

Then there are 3 baby quilt projects for the guild …

That’s a total of 28 projects … Which will be enough to complete my PHD!  However, I do reserve the right to switch things around and finish some other project(s).

Interesting … these are only half of my UFOs.  As I contemplate the projects that I’ve listed here … the ones on the filing cabinet are the ones that I have the least interest in finishing.  So, I should start on them first, right?

Now, I’m going to need motivation and encouragement to get these done, so I can complete my own PHD! (see details HERE).

Unfortunately, I realize that I have at least 3 other projects that I want to get done this year.  One is a t-shirt quilt, another is a quilt for my son (requested a few years ago) and I also need to repair his very first quilt.  It’s falling apart. Literally.

PHD in 2018  

If you want to join in the fun finishing PHD (Projects Half Done), you can see the details HERE.  Add the link to your blog, Instagram, or Pinterest board and you can join in the fun!

Stash Report

I did this last year and am pleased with the amounts that I used.  This year, (so far), I used 171 yards of fabric and bought 62 yards.  I definitely used up way more fabric than I bought!  And that’s a good thing!  Sew … I’m  going to keep doing my Stash Report.  I found that when I was tempted to buy with no purpose, I would often think, “I have to report this on my blog.”  And, sometimes, it worked and I wouldn’t buy any fabric!

Planning Party

Yvonne, from quiltingjetgirl is having a Planning Party.    I emailed Yvonne, just to make sure that it was OK to join the 2018 Planning Party while I host “PHD in 2018”.  She said, “yes.”  I first met Yvonne in the spring when she was one of the hosts for the “2017 New Quilt Blogger’s.”  This group experience where I received valuable feedback about my blog and met some awesome quilters as well!

Link-ups

To see what others in the quilty world are working on wander over to these blogs:

Happy Quilting
Gail

Sewing, sewing …

/ quiltinggail / 9 Comments

On Ringo Lake:  Clue 4 is DONE!!!  (it was an easy clue)  And bit’s and pieces of Clue 1, 2,  & 3 are done … still sewing away at them!  I’d sort of like to get them done so I can possibly get at least one UFO done & increase my fabric used numbers a bit!  And also decrease the numbers of UFO’s I’m entering into 2018 with.

I do know that I need to get the Christmas decorations out and decorate the tree … hopefully in the next few days.

PHD in 2018

PHD in 2018

Are you going to join me?  Check out this post HERE for details.

 

 

Stash Report

Nothing bought – nothing finished!  So my total stays the same!

Fabric Used this Week:     0  yards  
Fabric Used year to Date:  171  yards
Fabric Added this Week:    0  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date:  62 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017:   109 yards  

UFO tally

UFOs completed:

January 2 July 0
Feb 0 Aug 1
Mar 0 Sept 2
April 0 Oct 5
May 2 Nov 1
June 4 Dec 0

17 UFOs completed!  There are 27 UFOs left to complete

To see what other’s in the quilting world are working on – click on the following links:

Happy Quilting
Gail

PHD in 2018

/ quiltinggail / 75 Comments

No finishes this Friday … I’m not sewing very much and am trying to catch up on Bonnie Hunter’s Mystery “On Ringo Lake.”

PHD in 2018

That’s right!  I’m going to be working on my PHD in 2018.  I’m hoping I can accomplish this!  Do you want to work on yours?  You can join me if you want!

When I was working, I would often be asked when I was going to start working on my PhD … I would answer with something vague … I had no intent on doing that much academic work for what? Maybe prestige? I was already at the top of the pay scale – so it wouldn’t pay for itself!   BUT  now that I’m retired, I figure I’ll work on my PHD.

In the quilty world, PHD is affectionately called “Projects Half Done.”   I have looked at my UFO list for 2018 and it’s not a pretty sight.  56 UFO’s!!!!  (I did start 29 projects this year and only finished 8 of them, PLUS, when I cleaned up my sewing room and sorted through my fabric, I found a zillion more UFO’s … they are included in the “29” projects from this year. I also have 4 mystery quilts on the go – none can be finished until 2018.

Sew … I figured I would work on my PHD this year.  To accomplish my PHD in 2018: I have made my rules:

  1. to finish Half of my UFOs.  This includes quilting, labels and binding.
  2. to finish EVERY quilt or project I start in 2018 (except for 1 – the Bonnie Hunter mystery that starts in Nov. and runs into the next year).
  3. I will post a picture of each UFO in progress and completely finished.

These are lofty goals …

It means that I will need to finish 28 UFO’s and not start any new projects!!!  Ha!  Not start any new projects?  That’s a dream … but maybe ….   (My one exception will be the 2018  Bonnie Hunter Mystery that will carry into 2019.)  Can I do it?  We will see.

 

 

There are 8 projects in the boxes on top of my filing cabinet and at least 6 project bins on the top shelf of the closet … that’s 14 to start with …   I’m not too excited to work on any of the projects on the top of my filing cabinet … so I will work through those first!

Now – if you want to join me in completing your PHD in 2018:  Put your name in the comments and a link to either your blog, Instagram or a Pinterest board that you have set up for this purpose.  I will create a page at the top of the blog and will enter your name and your link.   Periodically, throughout 2018, we will examine how we are progressing on our PHDs.     Now – you must follow my rules to get a Quilting Gail PHD certificate!

  1. You must finish half of your UFOs.  This includes, quilting, labeling and binding.  If you want to quilt by cheque, you can, that’s your choice.  But the UFOs must be totally FINISHED.  (Exception – if you have more that 60 UFO’s – you can make the number that you finish to 28 (you don’t have to complete more than me!). Edit: you must have a minimum of 12 UFO’s to complete.
  2. Every project started in 2018 must be finished.  The only exceptions would be any projects (like BOMs or Bonnie Hunter’s mystery) that carries on into 2019.
  3. You must post 2 pictures of each UFO: One of unfinished project / in progress and one of the finished project. (Either on your blog, Instagram or in Pinterest).
  4. You must add your link to the comments on this post.

Screen Shot 2017-12-14 at 11.23.08 AM

The certificate is already prepared … it might get some tweaking prior to presenting them, but it’s in the works.

SEW – the big question is : Will YOU work on your PHD in 2018?

Link-ups

To see what others in the quilty world are working on wander over to these blogs:

Happy Quilting
Gail

 

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

Broken Toe

/ quiltinggail / 22 Comments

My big toe on my right foot is broken – in 2 places.  Groan.  That is my machine-driving foot.  Yes, I can use my left foot – but it’s not as good as my right foot.  However, I have managed to start the “On Ringo Lake” mystery!  When there is a will, there is a way!  Here is 10 of each of the first 3 clues done.  Many many more to do!  They just won’t all get done in a day!IMG_1219

If you want to join in the fun – there is a link to the mystery in the right side-bar.  If you want to see what others are doing – there is a linky part on Bonnie’s blog.  Click HERE.

Stash Report

Nothing bought – nothing finished!

Fabric Used this Week:     0  yards  
Fabric Used year to Date:  171  yards
Fabric Added this Week:    0  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date:  62 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017:   109 yards  

UFO tally

UFOs completed:

January 2 July 0
Feb 0 Aug 1
Mar 0 Sept 2
April 0 Oct 5
May 2 Nov 1
June 4 Dec 0

There are 27 UFOs left to complete

To see what other’s in the quilting world are working on – click on the following links:

Happy Quilting
Gail

Quilting Withdrawal

/ quiltinggail / 29 Comments

I have been away – without Internet connection and have done absolutely no sewing in the past 3 weeks!  Yes, I am going through quilting withdrawal!  At least it will be an easy fix!

A creation like this was on our beds each night!

IMG_1675

SEW …. How do I know I was going through quilting withdrawal?

  1. I didn’t get to talk about quilting on the cruise …I would mention that I was a quilter and I would get polite smiles and comments like “my ancient great grandmother was a quilter.”
  2.  THEN, on the LAST day,  the LAST time I was in the elevator, just before we got off the ship and one lady mentioned that she hadn’t met a quilter on board and there were THREE of us in the elevator!  GROAN – missed opportunities!
  3. My sewing machines are feeling neglected … I can tell – there is dust near the needles!  (Dust on the top is normal around here!)  And – they are calling out to me … SEW, SEW, SEW
  4. When I did have Internet connection, (for about 10 minutes in each port), I diligently downloaded the clues to the new Bonnie Hunter mystery.  I think I must have read each clue at least 4 times …
  5.  I’m still debating about the mystery … not whether or not I’m going to do it – but which colours I will use …. usually by this stage, I would have both clues in progress ….
  6. I’m really missing my quilting buddies … a LOT!  It seems like ages since we’ve sewn together
  7. I’m a bit annoyed that I have laundry and more laundry and even more laundry to do …
  8. I’m annoyed that I have to go to the gym before I can sew (my own rule!)  And aren’t rules meant to be broken? unknown-jpg

Stash Report

Fabric Used this Week:     0  yards  
Fabric Used year to Date:  171  yards
Fabric Added this Week:    0  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date:  62 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017:   109 yards  

UFO tally

UFOs completed
Jan:           2
Feb:           0
Mar:          0
Apr:          0
May:         2
June:          4
July:          0
Aug:          1
Sept:          2
Oct:          5
Nov:         1
Dec:          0

There are 27 UFOs left to complete

Linking to:

Happy Quilting
Gail

Last Trunk Show of the Year – done!

/ quiltinggail / 6 Comments

I was invited to the Fraser Valley Quilter’s Guild to do a trunk show.  I did one in the morning and one in the evening.  A HUGE thank you to those that held up my quilts!  I’m sure they have sore arms/shoulders today!

Here’s a couple of the quilts that I showed.  The first is a Bonnie Hunter mystery from ~ 2009, that was finished in 2015.  I altered the pattern quite a bit – but the inspiration is from Bonnie.

IMG_1880The 2nd was a block of the month from A Great Notion … I showed it because I knew that at least one member of FVQG had done the same class as me.

IMG_1849 copyThis last picture is of the quilts lined up on 4 tables in front of the stage.   IMG_1909

Link-ups

To see what others in the quilty world are working on wander over to these blogs:

Happy Quilting
Gail

Labyrinth Completed

/ quiltinggail / 22 Comments

UFO: Labyrinth

I was happily working away on my Labyrinth quilt while I was at the retreat.  When the quilting was done, I, as normal, trimmed off the batting and extra backing.  The there was a HUGE loud swear word that came out of my mouth.  I had somehow gotten a corner of the quilt under what I was trimming and I cleanly sliced a wedge about 2″ x 7″ out of a corner (sorry, no picture) … GROAN … A lot of people came to my rescue and provided me with a ton of suggestions … ♥ quilting friends ♥ calmed me down and gave me viable solutions.  I hand stitched the wedge into place.  You can’t see it in the border, but it does show on the back.  One suggested I add an additional label over the wedge once I know who it will be gifted to.  I am just very thankful that it was in a corner and not in the middle of the quilt!  Here’s a picture of the finished quilt, followed by close-ups of the quilting:

Labyrinth 1-1

More Retreat Photos: Works in Progress

Here’s a few more pictures of works in progress at the retreat.

Design Wall

IMG_1215Benartex had a contest on Facebook and I entered a quilt that I had made years ago with their fabric.  No, I didn’t win.  I didn’t even come in the top half.  But that’s OK.  Just for entering, I received a very cute charm pack.  It’s called “A Moose for Christmas.”  It’s in the process of becoming a table runner.  This is the first design / fabric placement layout … there’s likely to be many more before I start sewing it together.  It’s fun to work with these fabrics because they are  so very cute!  And the colours suit me and my house.

Stash Report

broken wagon

I fell off my fabric diet wagon this weekend.  In fact, the wagon broke.

I went into one store and managed to leave with only buying a few notions.  But the 2nd store, Needle & I, I went into buy micro brushes.  They are intended for applying IMG_1216adhesives etc.  but they are fantastic for cleaning your machine.   They were on sale … so was some fabric and I looked at the fabric and quickly looked away.  And then I was chatting with the gals in the shop and I looked some more and then the wagon broke!   In my defence, the neutral fabric is for backing a quilt!  The colour is not true in the picture.  The top fabric is actually a beige/cream and the bottom is a pretty blue.  A VERY pretty blue.  A lovely lovely blue.  Did you know that blue is my favourite colour? unknown-jpg

Fabric Used this Week:     8.5  yards  
Fabric Used year to Date:  171  yards
Fabric Added this Week:    8  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date:  62 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017:   109 yards  

UFO tally

2017     UFO’s completed
Jan:           2
Feb:           0
Mar:          0
Apr:          0
May:         2
June:         4
July:          0
Aug:         1
Sept:         2
Oct:          5
Nov:         1

27  UFO’s left to complete.  (3 UFO’s have  been given away)

Linking to:

Happy Quilting
Gail

 

 

 

Retreat FUN!

/ quiltinggail

The retreat was a blast!  It was fun, fun, FUN!!!  There was an overdose of belly laughter:  SEW good!!!  And the food was fantastic!  The weather was good and many enjoyed walks through the trails and fall leaves!

I did work on the 4 projects that were my priority … but no pictures – yet!

Here is a picture that was taken after we all said “one, two, three, squirrel nipples” – no wonder we were laughing!

IMG_1173

Machines were humming and hands were stitching.  There was everything from improv to traditional to hand appliqué, machine appliqué, and everything else in between.  Gypsy wife was started or in progress at a January retreat and the top was completed at this retreat!

Here is a slide-show of pictures that were taken by a few of us:

There was a lot of learning taking place, not only with sewing, but an impromptu tutorial on “Air drop.”  (Pic below!)

IMG_1191

Link-ups

To see what others in the quilty world are working on wander over to these blogs:

Happy Quilting
Gail

Off to a retreat …

/ quiltinggail / 22 Comments

Yes, I’m off to a retreat … from today until Thursday.  I LOVE quilting retreats!  Here is all my sewing stuff – do you think I have enough?   I still need to pack my clothes – but hey, at least I have my priorities in order – right?IMG_1167

Everything is packed up – so I can’t show you up-to-date pictures of what I’ll be working on.  But these projects are in line:

And there are a few other projects also tucked in.  I will be lucky if I finish an eighth of what I am taking!  Or maybe 1/16 th!!!

I did buy some fabric this week – but it’s going to be used to back quilts at the retreat.  So – it doesn’t count.  And, nothing got finished this week.

Stash Report

Fabric Used this Week:     0 yards  
Fabric Used year to Date:  162.5  yards
Fabric Added this Week:    0  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date:   54 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017:   108.5 yards  

 

UFO tally

2017   Completed
Jan:           2
Feb:           0
Mar:          0
Apr:          0
May:          2
June:          4
July:          0
Aug:          1
Sept:          2
Oct:           5 (all baby quilts – 1 gifted, 4 to be donated)

30  UFO’s left to complete.

Linking to:

Happy Quilting
Gail

Mystery Quilts

/ quiltinggail / 8 Comments

 

No finishes today … but am working on 3 mystery quilts that the guild is doing.   The one on the left is the jelly roll mystery and the 2 on the right are the beginner’s mystery. .   And, since I can’t work ahead of the group – all 3 of these quilts will end up on my UFO list in January.

On Ringo Lake

This is the name of Bonnie Hunter’s fall mystery.  She has the colour selection out for her mystery that starts at the end of November.  I haven’t decided exactly what colours I’m going to use – but I know the chocolate brown will make the cut … but it will all come from stash.  If you want to participate in Bonnie’s mystery – go HERE.  There’s also a link on the side-bar of this blog.

Link-ups

To see what others in the quilty world are working on wander over to these blogs:

Happy Quilting
Gail

 

 

Oct 30 report

/ quiltinggail / 5 Comments

2 more UFO baby quilts finished

These 2 baby quilts were quilted very quickly.  That’s easy to do when they’re already sandwiched and ready to quilt.  And they are small!

I estimate that they used approximately 3.5 yards each.  Along with the baby quilt I showed on Friday – I figure that’s 10.5 yards of fabric …

The 4 Christmas placemats used about 2.5 yards … so a total of 13 yards this week.  WooHoo!

Trunk Shows

I presented 2 trunk shows at a guild last week.  It was a lot of fun to show my quilts and talk about my quilting journey.  In between the afternoon and evening meetings, I taught at their “Between” session and demonstrated binding by machine.  I will write a tutorial on machine binding, soon.

Anyhow, one of the ladies asked how I could exist without buying a lot of fabric.  I told her that not going through the door of fabric stores, not shopping online and keeping an account on this blog has helped a ton.  Also, having a frequent look at what I do have – well, that helps as well.  One thing that I haven’t included is the fabric that people give me … their scraps … Even when I try to refuse, somehow the bag comes home with me. Groan!

Stash Report

Fabric Used this Week:     13 yards  
Fabric Used year to Date:  162.5  yards
Fabric Added this Week:    0  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date:   54 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017:   108.5 yards  

A Happy Dance for a net use of over 100 yards of fabric

UFO tally

2017   Completed
Jan:           2
Feb:           0
Mar:          0
Apr:          0
May:          2
June:          4
July:          0
Aug:          1
Sept:          2
Oct:           5 (all baby quilts – 1 gifted, 4 to be donated)

30  UFO’s left to complete.

Linking to:

 

SaveSave

Friday’s Finishes

/ quiltinggail / 12 Comments

The 4 Christmas placemats that I took to demonstrate binding on are done … and no, I did not get them completed while I was teaching everyone how to do it. They got finished this morning.

IMG_1141-1

I also finished up a UFO baby quilt!  This is pattern, by Anita Grossman Solomon, is from a 2006 Quiltmaker magazine. I think I made this UFO when the magazine first came out … so it’s an 11 year old UFO!  You actually make 3 quilts at the same time.  The other 2 quilts were gifted a LONG time ago.  This one had such a plain centre, I wasn’t sure what to do.  But this giraffe outline – quilted with a contrasting colour was a perfect finish for the quilt.  If you want to make this quilt, it is now a free quilt on Craftsy.  Click HERE.

IMG_1142-1

And here is a close up of the giraffe.

IMG_1146

Link-ups

To see what others in the quilty world are working on wander over to these blogs:

Happy Quilting
Gail

SaveSaveSaveSave

Oct 23 Report

/ quiltinggail / 7 Comments

 

Design Wall

Am preparing a few Christmas placemats for a binding demo / class later this week.  Later, the guild will be donating them to Meals on Wheels for Christmas.  Here’s a picture of one of them and it will have a flange binding on it.  These placemats will help my fabric numbers, but since I started them yesterday, they definitely are not UFOs!IMG_1139

2 quilts finished (on my last post)

I finished the quilt that needs to be gifted before I show a picture.  It was a UFO and I bought the backing and fabric for the appliqué.  (Which I included in my purchases a few weeks ago.) It used a total of 4.5 yards of fabric.

The other is a simple flannel quilt that has already been donated to the guild.  It used 4 yards of fabric.  It also was a UFO that was languishing in the baby quilts bin.

Total yards used this week: 8.5 yards.

Stash Report

Fabric Used this Week:     0 yards  
Fabric Used year to Date:  149.5  yards
Fabric Added this Week:    0  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date:   54 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017:   95.5 yards  

UFO tally

2017   Completed
Jan:           2
Feb:           0
Mar:          0
Apr:          0
May:          2
June:          4
July:          0
Aug:          1
Sept:          2
Oct:           2

33  UFO’s left to complete.

Linking to:

Happy Quilting
Gail

2 Quilts finished

/ quiltinggail / 9 Comments

I finished 2 baby quilts.  Both UFO’s.

The one shown is a simple quilt made from flannel squares.  Simple quilting: just diagonal lines across the squares.  I was tempted to keep it! It’s so nice and cosy!   This one has been donated to the guild.  The other quilt will remain a secret until it is gifted.  But I do think it’s very cute!

IMG_1136.jpg

Link-ups

To see what others in the quilty world are working on wander over to these blogs:

Happy Quilting
Gail

SaveSave

Quilting 2 at once

/ quiltinggail / 17 Comments

IMG_0552Yes, I’m quilting 2 quilts at once.  Each on different machines.  On my Janome 8900, is the labyrinth quilt that I posted about in March.  Really? It doesn’t seem like that long ago.  I’m still deciding what to quilt – so for bits of time, it’s just sitting there.  Then, on my Janome 6500, I’m doing outline quilting on the quilt that is using this fabric: IMG_1108

I have not been through the door of any fabric store – sew it’s been super easy to not buy any fabric this week.

Stash Report

Fabric Used this Week:     0 yards  
Fabric Used year to Date:  141.75  yards
Fabric Added this Week:    0  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date:   54 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017:   80.95 yards  

UFO tally

2017   Completed
Jan:           2
Feb:           0
Mar:          0
Apr:          0
May:          2
June:          4
July:          0
Aug:          1
Sept:          2
Oct:           0

36  UFO’s left to complete.

Linking to:

Happy Quilting
Gail

Glue Basting

/ quiltinggail / 12 Comments

There are no quilt finishes today – However, I do have a quilt glue-basted.

I had a couple of inquiries as to how I baste with Elmer’s School Glue, so I thought I’d show you.   A few years ago, I saw a post that someone sprayed with diluted glue to baste their quilts.  I tried it.  Well, it didn’t work for me … the sprayer got plugged up and by the time the glue was diluted enough to go through the sprayer – it was diluted too much and wouldn’t stick.   Then, I was at the dollar store one day and saw a jug for paint and a 4″ paint brush.  I bought them and tried it out.   I dilute the glue (1 part glue / 4 parts water) and paint it on.  If it’s not diluted – it’s like a rock to sew through.  1 to 4 ratio seems to be just about perfect.  Enough glue to stick – but not too much.

Here’s my process:

  • Place flannel sheet on top of the bed  (to protect the bedding)Glue Basting 2-1
  • lay out the quilt (bottom, batting, top)
  • fold top back by half
  • lightly paint the batting
  • press with an iron
  • repeat on the other side
  • repeat on the back
  • Quilt when it’s dry.  (I usually let it set for at least 12 hours).

 

The above pictures were taken with flannel. Glue Basting 2-2 You don’t see the glue or moisture when you use flannel.  When using cotton, it shows up – big time!  You can definitely see where the moisture comes through.  This is OK.  It usually disappears by the time it’s dry.  If the glue is super heavy or not diluted enough – you’ll still see it after it’s dry.  This is OK – just take your time quilting it and it’ll wash out.  (If you don’t wash your quilts before giving or using them, then don’t use this method.)

This process makes the quilt quite stiff, which is actually very nice for quilting!  However, as the quilt is manipulated through the machine, it does loose it’s stiffness.

I have not used this method on any quilt that is larger than 50″x 50″.

Link-ups

To see what others in the quilty world are working on wander over to these blogs:

Happy Quilting
Gail

 

SaveSave