A little bit of progress

I do so much better with a deadline.  Sunday is a "Sewcial" day at the library, so I needed to get my squares sewn together.  It will be easier to cut out the twister blocks at the library where there is lots of room  (and no clutter).  I went from this - rows sewn in pairs

 

To this!!

I used a lot of leftovers on this one.  The first border is a grey marble that I picked up at a garage sale.  I can't wait to see what I can use up on the back.  I will be using the large twister template on this quilt on Sunday.  I sewed 90 squares (9x10) and used 6" for the border.  The border is just wide enough.  Next up is sorting "leftovers" to make some twister runners.

Progress Report

I managed to get my squares arranged and started sewing them into rows for the large twister pattern.  It doesn't look too exciting.  I think it will look better once I have the blocks "twisted".

My trusty assistant- asleep on the job again.  He had to walk across the pieces several times before he decided to rest.  I guess he didn't like my color placement.





Tina found the perfect fabric for the border of the pink quilt. Too bad I only had about 4".  I found some from a seller on eBay.  It arrived today, so I am good to go with that project.

I have the rows to the twister all labeled and hanging.  I hope to get the top sewn together this week...between all the games and practices.

This is what I worked on most of the weekend.  It is pure color goodness.  There will be 48 fabrics in the jelly flops this time.  How could I choose which 8 to leave out?  I wanted to take a photo when I had them all lined up on the table, but I was TOO lazy to go find the cameral last night.  The lighting would have been bad also

As I was cutting the jelly flops, I put the scraps into a glass jar.  I wish this jar would have been larger.  They are squished a little too much for the full effect.  This is my kind of spaghetti. 

This is what is left of 72 yard of fabric. No wonder I was tired.

Perhaps spaghetti is a current theme.  This is one of the exhibits in Devos Center in Grand Rapids Art Prize.  Is it wrong that the first thing I thought of was...I remember that line of fabric.  It was good for a laugh.

Sorry this is sideways.  This was a tree that was on display.  It was beautiful with all the copper tubing and glass.  

I took a picture of this peg display from the side to show how the artist did an amazing job with the gradiant shading.  

I also thought these glass bowls were amazing.  We weren't able to see a lot of exhibits, but the ones we saw were worth the drive.


Thanks for stopping by and check back with Judy to see what other are working on this week.

I am gearing up for a scrap cutting marathon with all the new shows that will be starting on TV this week.

Planning

In just about one month I will be retreating in Shipshewana.  It is crazy, but I like to do a lot of sewing leading up to a retreat.   I have been doing a lot of sorting and organizing in preparation also.  It is such a tough decision deciding what I want to take.  If I didn't have 50 or so projects already started, I could start something new and be guilt free.

Tina wants to sew a twister quilt at the retreat.  While cleaning, I found a pile of leftover 10 1/2" squares that I used for a backing.  This made me think that I should do a twister quilt also.  So, I trimmed up my leftovers to 10" and started adding more fabrics from the scrap pile.  I was very surprised how much fabric this took.

I am pleased with the color selections.  Some of these fabrics were gifted to me.  Do you see any fabrics you recognize?  The white with the red flowers that is on the bottom second from right was gifted to me many years ago from group member named Cookie.

This will be one of the "bonus" project I take.  I have several other set aside, but I haven't decided which ones yet.

Tomorrow I am off to Grand Rapids to take in Art Prize.  I am anxious to see the exhibits and especially Ellen's quilt.  Here is the link to Ellen's Quilt.  If you visit Grand Rapids, make sure you vote for her.

Library Retreat

I didn't get a chance to post last week for design wall Monday because my Internet is down.  At my house, that is sort of like breaking a leg.  I haven't done any sewing since then, so I thought I would just post last week's progress.

I feel so fortunate that we are able to use our library as a retreat center.    We have our very own closet where we keep all our supplies for the group.  It is very spacious plenty of lights and outlets, and we each have our own table.  The only thing we have to bring is fabric and a machine and we are ready to retreat.  I was very focused at the retreat (which is so unlike me).  I was able to get all the blocks made and sewn together.  I didn't bring enough of the white (but thankfully I still have some), so I couldn't finish the outside sashing.  Perhaps this week I will get those pieces added.

Eleanor worked on trimming all her blocks to the same size from a Bonnie Hunter workshop that we did a while back.

 Tina worked on sewing her curtains.

Tammy worked on making a bag for her daughter-in-law.

Ellen worked on making some pillows and an art quilt.

Unfortunately I didn't get my camera out until the end, so I  missed photos of the rest of the projects (sorry!).  I am so bad about remembering to take pictures once I get sewing.  I hope to get working on some more Farmer's Wife blocks this week.  Angie completed hers at the retreat and she did an amazing job on the blocks.



I am still looking for information on my new toy.  Check it out and let me know if you have any information about it.

Stop back over to Judy's to see what other are working on this week.   

Cut Glass - #26

I tried to sew this block on my little Janome, so don't judge me by my block.  I have tried, but I simply can't get the precision on that machine that I can get on my Viking.  It is a good machine, but the pressure foot is just isn't the same as my Viking.  I will be remaking this block if I want to put it in my FW.  It did not come out square.

Don't forget, if you are still working on your precision, you can cut your pieces a little larger (say 1 3/4" strip) and trim them down with your favorite method.  My favorite method is the square up ruler from Eleanor Burns.  Char did the hard work and cut all my triangles.  I love that girl!

Color 1- Orange

• 3 - 2 1/2" squares

Color 2 and 3 (red/White)

• 24 - half squares cut with 1 1/2" strip and easy angle

 

Sew together the half squares (24) and square up to 1 1/2".  Sew the half squares together in pairs and then into 4 patches.  Check to make sure all your 4-patches measure 2 1/2".  Before I pressed the seams open, I trimmed the ends at an angle to reduce the bulk.  Join the 9 units together to form a 6 1/2" block.

This is my very wonky Cut Glass Dish block that does not measure 6 1/2".  

FW #38 Four Winds

I wanted to get the last of the blocks for August posted...since it is already September.  I am still trying to catch up on my household duties and schedule since my quick trip to Memphis.  

Before we get started cutting, if you don't like the take-away method, substitute squares and half squares for the rectangles OR use 1 1/2" squares and sew on the diagonal of the rectangles.

Color 1 (my red- darkest)

• 4 - 1 1/2" X 2 1/2"

Color 2 (my pink- medium)

• 4 - 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" 
• 4- 1" finished Half Squares (1 1/2" strip with Easy Angle)

Color 3 (my blue dot - medium)

• 26- 1" finished half squares (1 1/2" strip w/EA)

Color 4 (my light blue)

• 10- 1" finished half squares (1 1/2" strip w/EA)
• 4 - 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" 

As I am typing this post and counting the pieces, I noticed that my block has a problem- UGH!  I hate it when that happens.  I may just leave my block with the little error. 

Start by using the take away method and trimming off the corners of the rectangles.  Take care to get the angles going the correct direction.  Cut the 4 pink and the 4 light blue all the same (pieces all face up)  Trim off 2 corners of the red rectangles in the same manner.

Sew the blue dot triangles on the corners of the rectangles.

Sew the half squares and square up to 1 1/2"

8- light with blue dot

2- light with pink

2- blue dot with pink

I pressed all seams open.  Arrange the blocks, take a break and, have a beverage.  You are probably out of patience by now.

Sew together the red rectangles with the pink rectangles to make a 2 1/2" square.  Sew 2 pink/blue dot, and 2 pink/light half squares to 4 blue dot/light half squares.  Now sew the remaining 4 half squares to the light rectangles.  Have you visited the seam ripper yet?

Sew together the units into 3 1/2" squares.  

See how my reds don't match with my pinks.  I didn't do a very well, I am sure yours will be better.  

Now join the 4 units together to make a  6 1/2" block.  TAKE SPECIAL CARE LOOKING AT YOUR PINK PIECES.  THERE ARE 2 OF EACH KIND.  MAKE SURE THEY GO ON OPPOSITE SIDES.  This picture is INCORRECT!  

I will post my finished block after I visit the seam ripper for a little afternoon entertainment.

I am not going to ask you if you enjoyed this block.  The first time I made this block, I used all half squares.  It can certainly be done either way.