Stash Report: April 2 ’17

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Stash Report

A few little purchases this week:  2 spools of thread and a zipper and (in a very small voice) two 1/2 meter cuts of fabric.  So cute I couldn’t resist.  One to add to my black stash and the other to my white with black on it stash.  Tomorrow, I’m leaving for a retreat at Over the Rainbow on Camano Island … with almost daily access to their wonderful store!  EEKES … I can see trouble with my stash report in my future!

IMG_0559I did finish 2 table runners this week.   This picture shows the backs and I promise, I’ll post a picture of the fronts after one of them has been given away at the retreat.  I’m not sure which one I’ll keep and which I’ll give away.   I like them both.  Each of the backs took about  1 yard, binding about 1/4 of a yard and the fronts took about 0.75 of a yard each.  For a total of 4 yards used!

Fabric Used this Week: 4 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 23.75 yards
Fabric Added this Week: 1.1  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date: 16.5 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017: 6.85 yard

UFO tally

Although one of my fall table runners was in the thinking stage in 2016, I did not write it on my UFO list.  So it doesn’t count as a UFO finish. DANG!  Oh well.

I started the year with 38 UFO’s.

2017      Completed           Left to complete
Jan:             2                             36
Feb:             0                             36
Mar:            1                             35

Linking to

Happy Quilting
Gail

A Fix for Friday

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Friday’s Fix:

In my last blog post (click here) I showed a picture of a top that needed to be fixed.  Sometimes I can leave mistakes and call them ‘design enhancements’  but not this time.  I knew it would bug me forever – so fix it I did.  Personally, I think it looks way better and it’s the way it’s suppose to be.

IMG_0552

Two table runners done!

IMG_0559

 

Sorry, I can’t show you the front side.  One is for the “Fall Table Runner” exchange at the retreat and the other is one that I may keep or give away (not decided yet!).  And, since I haven’t decided which one will be for the exchange – you can’t see either of them.  I will show a picture of them after the exchange is completed.

 

Getting ready for an 8 day retreat

Yes, you read that correctly!  8 days!   It’s at a place on Camano Island called “Over the Rainbow  Lodge”   It’s a beautiful location with lots of room.  We have to do our own cooking, but that task gets shared amongst us, so it makes for a fun time.

I know that I am taking way way more than I will finish, but I’d hate to not be prepared.  And I wouldn’t want to HAVE to buy fabric for another project!  unknown-jpg

Here’s my list (so far)

  • Love Letters:  Quilt & Bind:  It’s a UFO from 2012!  Time to get it finished, don’t ya think?
  • Labyrinth Quilt:  the top is sandwiched, but I need to buy some backing … finish the sandwiching and perhaps get it quilted!  ??  maybe ???
  • Necessary Clutch – made with cork.  One of the gals at the retreat has made it before, so I’ll have help close at hand!
  • Irish Chain- with Kansas Troubles. A friend gifted me the fabric, knowing that I LOVE the warmth and cosiness of the line of fabric.  I started this in the fall, but momentum died.  I have no illusions about getting it sandwiched and quilted, but I’ll be happy if it’s a completed flimsy when I get home.
  • Charming Bag.  A friend convinced me to buy the charm pack in January and in February, she showed me her completed bag … so I’m challenged to get ‘er done!
  • And one more UFO – who knows which one I’ll put in?

Link-ups

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

Happy Quilting
Gail

Oops! I have to fix it!

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As I was getting the picture ready for this blog post.  I was happy to have a flimsy completed!  However, the picture showed me that I have a bit of unstitching to do.

sad face Do you see the mistakes?  I have no idea how the green squares on the left and right borders got there.  And there is a blue and white half-square triangles on each side that needs to be re-oriented (again!).  The sides should look exactly like the top and bottom … sigh …

Now, the search is on for the white fabric … where did I put it? IMG_0550

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

Happy Quilting
Gail

Stash Report: March 26 ’17

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This weekend, I helped a friend with a booth at Creativ Festival in Abbotsford.  As I predicted, it would be very hard to abstain from buying fabric.  I bought 1 meter of a really neat print that will be a perfect match for my cork wallet.  The cork is a bit of a weird colour. I did go through my stash and I, honestly, did not have anything that matched or coordinated.  I ended up with a piece a graduated batik – that I love.  I also bought a ½ meter of the fabric that protects your credit cards.  All for the “Necessary Clutch” that I hope to make at a retreat in early April.

Stash Report

Fabric Used this Week: 1.25 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 19.75 yards
Fabric Added this Week: 1.6  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date: 15.4 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017: 3.95 yards

UFO tally

I started the year with 38 UFO’s.

2017   Completed      Left to complete
Jan:           2                          36
Feb:           0                          36
Mar:          1                          35

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Happy Quilting
Gail

Sewing Quilts Faster

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The Process

People often ask me how I make so many quilts in the time I have.  Often big quilts, scrappy quilts with little pieces.  I always called it “Two at a Time.”  Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville has made this technique famous in the quilting world by calling it “Leaders and Enders.” Her book “Adventures with Leaders and Enders” is available at her website.  (Click here).  I did “Blue Ridge Beauty” as a true Leader and Ender.  When you need to make over 400 4-patches and over 400 half-square triangles, it can be daunting.  I did it one or 2 units at a time.  It took me 3 years – but once I had all the units together, it went together quickly.  And this is the result.  A quilt I love! L 'n E-6

When sewing scrappy quilts – especially everything including the kitchen sink (batiks, reproductions, modern, calicos, all colours, all prints etc) – all I do is have a plan, cut a bunch of scraps and sew them a few at a time, according to the plan.  All while I’m sewing on my main project.

My current plan is a scrappy double Irish Chain, using 2″ squares.   Many of these squares came from other people – the scraps they were going to throw away.  (I gather them from the garbage at retreats and sewing days and some people give me little bags of their scraps).

Leah Day has a free pattern that you can use.  (Click here).  Leah’s pattern uses 2 ½” squares as the base. And, true to me, I changed it.  I’m making it smaller, do not have the alternating white patches in the blocks, and have no idea how big the quilt will finish.  All I know is that it will have an odd number of blocks across and down. This will make the quilt symmetrical.

I have my unit pieces partially gathered and sitting by my machine.

L 'n E-3

I’m sewing them into different units:

  • 4 patches (kitchen sink variety)
  • background and a print (2 patch)
  • a strip of background, 3 prints, background (only partially shown)
  • a print on each end of a 5″x 2″ rectangleL 'n E-4

These units will get sewn into the blocks.  I have 4 blocks completed.

L 'n E-5

Link-ups

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

Happy Quilting
Gail

Stash Report Mar. 19 ’17

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IMG_0544

Yeah!!!  I have a finish!  A small finish, but a finish.  I took a break from the huge quilt and quilted this baby quilt.  I started it at a charity baby quilt day with the Boundary Bay guild.  It’s nice to have it finished!  I don’t have a BBQG label for it, so I’ll wait until I can put one on before I hand it in.

Most of the fabric for this quilt was from the guild, but i used my own fabric for the background – so that will be calculated into my report!

Stash Report

Fabric Used this Week: 1.25 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 19.75 yards
Fabric Added this Week: 0  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date: 13.8 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017: 5.55 yards

UFO tally

I started the year with 38 UFO’s.

2017   Completed      Left to complete
Jan:           2                          36
Feb:           0                          36
Mar:          1                          35

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Happy Quilting
Gail

SLOW progress …

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Shakespeare in the Park

IMG_0541This picture shows a little of the back and part of the top.  I have most of the big squares done.  Just need to finish 2 large blocks work on all the little squares, little stars and triangles that make up the border.  At this rate, I’m hoping to be finished by 2020!!!

unknown-jpg

 

Link-ups

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

Happy Quilting
Gail

Mar. 13 ’17 Design Wall

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I’ve been away and we now have company – so very little sewing is happening.

My Current Works in Progress:

Labyrinth Quilt

IMG_5425

This was a kit from Heart & Soul Quilts in Grand Forks … I changed the background fabric … need to add borders … Oops, I see a mistake … will need to take out a couple of blocks and change the orientation … glad I caught it now!

 

Shakespeare in the Park: 

img_0518     It’s being quilted … still … almost 1/2 done!  

BBQG Baby Quilt

img_0522

It’s sandwiched … need to quilt and bind it.  Hoping for a finish  in the coming week …

 

 

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

Happy Quilting
Gail

Stash Report: Mar 12, 2017

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Stash Report

Linking to Judy Laquidera’s Stash Report each week to keep me accountable!

Not a lot of sewing this week as I helped a friend at Creativ Festival in Victoria.  It was a fun time, but dangerous for my stash … although I did resist and only bought 1/2 yard of some cork fabric, a ruler, and some thread … 2 cones of Aurifil and some pre-wound bobbins.  And in 2 weeks, I’ll be helping her at Creative Festival in the Abbotsford Tradex.

Here’s a couple of pictures of her booth, The Steam Trunk.  It’s also an online store, so you can order any of the wonderful products she sells.  The Lone Star quilt in the left hand picture is made with Tim Holts fabric and is available as a kit.  It’s stunning!

 

Fabric Used this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 18.5 yards
Fabric Added this Week: 0.5  yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date: 13.8 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017: 4.3 yards (I’ve still used more than I bought, but it’s getting close!)

UFO tally

I started the year with 38 UFO’s.

2017   Completed      Left to complete
Jan:           2                          36
Feb:           0                          36
Mar:          0                          36

Happy Quilting
Gail

 

Monday’s Design Wall- Mar. 6 ’17

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My Current Works in Progress:

Shakespeare in the Park: 

It’s being quilted …

“Fall” table runner: 

Is sandwiched and still waiting for inspiration on how to quilt it.

BBQG Baby Quilt

img_0522

Last week I went a guild charity baby quilt making day!  What a lot of fun!  And, I managed to get this quilt top together … I had thought I would add a border, but if I do that the backing will be too narrow.  Sew … all I will do is add binding – after I quilt it.

 

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

Happy Quilting
Gail

Stash Report Mar 5’17

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Stash Report

Linking to Judy Laquidera’s Stash Report each week to keep me accountable!

I bought 3 meters of fabric to make some zipper bags … ones that can be coloured  unknown-jpg   It will be a fun, fast project.  (Once I get them started …)

Fabric Used this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Used year to Date: 18.5 yards
Fabric Added this Week: 3.2 yards 
Fabric Added Year to Date: 13.3 yards
Net Fabric used for 2017: 4.8 yards (I’ve still used more than I bought, but it’s getting close!)

UFO tally

Started the year with 38 UFO’s
Completed UFO’s:     Total to complete in 2017:
Jan:   2                                    36
Feb: 0                                     36

Happy Quilting
Gail

Friday … a little progress, a solved mystery

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Shakespeare in the Park  

img_0518I’ve started quilting this beast.  And a beast it is!

After I quilted about 3 blocks, I was totally unhappy with what I had done.  So, hours and hours later, I finally had those tiny, tiny stitches ripped out.  I then decided to quilt in the ditch … a huge undertaking when quilting with a free-motion quilt foot … There are 41 large blocks (snail tail & large stars) and I think I have about 6 of them done.  I have no idea how many small stars are on the outside.   Needless to say, I’ve got a long way to go!  Sigh … I will be glad when this quilt is finished.

 

A Mystery Solved

People often ask me about thread. (Ha!  As if I know much!)  I’ve always felt that it’s OK to use polyester thread.  The rumour that it cuts cotton fabric just never made sense to me. Nor have I seen any evidence of it.

Today, on Bonnie Hunter’s blog, (scroll down, down, down), she discusses thread and then goes on to talk about how polyester batting is what shreds fabric.  I had an ah-ha moment.  Yes, I’ve seen this. Even in my older quilts … I knew it wasn’t the thread when the fabric is shredded within the piece, not near the seam.  Bonnie goes on to say that she never uses polyester batting.

Link-ups

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

Happy Quilting
Gail

Monday’s Design Wall

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image

I went to a fantastic workshop this weekend. It was called “Zendoodling” with Wilma Brock.  It was a lot of fun and I learned tons!   Here is a picture of what I did at the workshop.  I did find it hard to quilt “small” … I’m so used to quilting big quilts, quilting ‘small’ is not an option for me!

My Current Works in Progress:

Shakespeare in the Park: 

Is sandwiched and I’ve quilted 2 snail trail blocks … only 23 left, 16 large star blocks and all the little star blocks and border … it won’t be done in the next few days!

“Fall” table runner: 

Is sandwiched and waiting for inspiration on how to quilt it.

Orca Bay:

No progress.

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

Happy Quilting
Gail

Stash Report – Feb 26, ’17

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Stash Report

Linking to Judy Laquidera’s Stash Report each week to keep me accountable!

Went shopping with the hubby … looking for a binding for Shakespeare in the Park.  But alas – did I take the quilt sandwich with me? No.  Did I take fabric samples with me? No. We had pics on his phone … who knows how accurate the colour is.  Probably pretty good, but it’s hard to say when you’re in a store and all you have is a tiny picture.  He ended up buying 5 meters of fabric – 4 of them “just in case” and one meter was because He liked it!  I’m starting to think that I should keep my fabric and his fabric separate!!!  Most of the additions to the stash this year have been his! unknown-jpg

Fabric Used this Week:        0 yards
Fabric Used year to Date:    18.5 yards
Fabric Added this Week:      4.4  yards (for backing)
Fabric Added Year to Date:  10.1  yards
Net Fabric used for 2017:        8 yards

UFO tally

Started the year with 38 UFO’s
This week I gave away a UFO to a friend.  But alas, I found another UFO. It was a kit from Heart and Soul Quilt Shop in Grand Forks. (Sorry, I couldn’t find a website, just a Facebook link).  All of this to say that my UFO totals remain the same!

Completed UFO’s:     Total to complete in 2017:
Jan:   2                                    36
Feb:  nothing finished yet …

Happy Quilting
Gail

Friday: I have a sandwich!

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Shakespeare in the Park  

Is now sandwiched!  It is HUGE! I couldn’t get a full picture of it on my living room floor. img_0486

I find that when I use Hobbs 80/20,  the spray basting doesn’t stick as well as when I use Warm and Natural.  And the backing will sometimes shift. So once this was spray basted (with 505) I pinned it.  I know I will be cursing all the pins when I go to quilt it, but at least it will not shift.

My machine is packed up – ready for a “Zendoodling” class tomorrow, so I won’t start quilting this until Sunday at the earliest.

Here’s a Helpful Hint:  If you look on the lower right corner of the picture, you will see that the corner is pinned to the front.  This seems to help prevent the extra backing from folding under and being sewn onto the back.

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

Happy Quilting
Gail

Monday’s Design Wall, Feb 20 ’17

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My Current Works in Progress:

Shakespeare in the Park: 
img_0465-2

The back got pieced together today!!

I didn’t take a picture because it is HUGE and is put away until I sandwich the quilt later this week.

 

“Fall” table runner: 

Sorry, no pictures because the result is a secret.  The table runner is for an exchange at a retreat at Over the Rainbow Lodge in April.  Once the exchange has happened, I will post a picture of the runner.

Orca Bay:

No progress.

 

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

Happy Quilting
Gail

Stash Report Feb. 21 ’17

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Stash Report

Linking to Judy Laquidera’s Stash Report each week to keep me accountable!

I did buy some fabric for the backing for Shakespeare in the Park … I wanted to use stash & figured I had enough … but alas, I was short about 3 meters and nothing, absolutely nothing in the stash would work.  So, my hubby and I went shopping.  He has a good eye for colour and we found the perfect fabrics to go on the back.

Nothing is finished, but as soon as Shakespeare in the Park is done – I will have used 23 yards!  And that’s just using the amounts given in the pattern.  I know I used more since I made it bigger!  However, the quilt is not quilted yet!

Fabric Used this Week:       0 yards
Fabric Used year to Date:   18.5 yards
Fabric Added this Week:     3. 5  yards (for backing)
Fabric Added Year to Date: 5.6  yards
Net Fabric for 2017:              12.4  yards  (I’ve still used more than I’ve bought!)

UFO tally

Started the year with 38 UFO’s
Completed UFO’s:     Total to complete in 2017:
Jan:   2                                    36
Feb:  nothing finished yet …

Happy Quilting
Gail

Friday … nothing totally finished

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img_0465-2

Shakespeare in the Park:  

The top is a flimsy!!  YEAH!  I think the blocks are all oriented correctly.  Will check it thoroughly when I go to sandwich it.  In the meantime, this is the layout for the back … it needs to be pieced together …

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

Linking to:

Happy Quilting
Gail

Monday’s Design Wall – Feb 13’17

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My Current Works in Progress:

Shakespeare in the Park: 

I am piecing all the blocks together.  img_0462-1This is NOT a fun quilt to do.  Since I used green and cream/white, there seems to not be a ton of contrast (which is weird, to me).  Thus, it’s super easy to get blocks turned around.  And I see that two star blocks  are switched in this picture .  Hopefully it gets fixed prior to being sewn in the quilt.  Sigh … there is no way to rush this quilt!!

Orca Bay:
img_0463-1

Very little progress since last week. I’ve been concentrating on Shakespeare in the Park.

 

 

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

Happy Quilting
Gail

Stash Report: Feb. 13 ’17

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Stash Report

Linking to Judy Laquidera’s Stash Report each week to keep me accountable!

I didn’t buy any quilting fabric this week!!

A lot of sewing happening, but nothing is finished – so my numbers aren’t changing from last week.

Fabric Used this Week:       0 yards
Fabric Used year to Date:   18.5 yards
Fabric Added this Week:     0  yards
Fabric Added Year to Date: 2.1 yards
Net Fabric for 2017:              15.9  yards  (I’ve used more than I’ve bought!)

UFO tally

Started the year with 38 UFO’s
Completed UFO’s:     Total to complete in 2017:
Jan:   2                                    36
Feb:  nothing finished yet …

Happy Quilting
Gail