Tree skirt

I never blogged about my daughter's finished tree skirt (or the wedding).  I finished the tree skirt binding just in time. The sad part of this story is that I only have one photo of the finished project. 

Even more sadly, this is the only picture taken of me and my DH.   It was snapped by my son before the wedding with my phone.  My dress was originally strapless.  I purchased some fabric and made the straps (special thanks to my garment sewing friends)

My hubby doesn't get dressed up too often, so it is a shame we don't have more pictures.

Which Border

I eliminated some of the prints from the last post and went looking through my stash for more border options.  I also started looking for the perfect backing (since that seems to be a tough decision for me).

What do you think of these border options?  I am certain of the red for the first border, but I am leaning toward one of the green prints on the left for the second border.  Leave me a comment and let me know which one is your favorite.

This pattern is from McCall's Quilting November/December 2011.  I think it would also make a great tree skirt.

Stop over to Judy L's to see what others are working on this week.

3 more sleeps and I will be off to a quilting retreat with around 80 other quilters.  I have my projects picked and packed.  I tried not to pack too much this time.  I am always afraid that I will run out of projects to work on, but this time I tried to be conservative.

Class sample

The old "unfinisher" me would have stuffed these pieces into a box.  I am determined not to continue down that path.  This pattern went together very quickly.  It is a little tricky on which way to cut the half squares.  Just remember the secondary colors  go the opposite of the primary colors.

When you are adding the sashing strips to the half squares, press them in half to find the middle.  Align the middles then pin together.  When you square these up, it is the small triangle that get trimmed down.

Sew the 4 quarters together.  Since everything is squared up, they should line up well.

Add the last 3 sashing strips.

Now for borders.  Decisions, decisions.....  Which outer border do you like?

Design wall (floor) Monday

I decided to move forward with my tree skirt.  I don't have the pattern any longer, but I am quite certain I don't have my colors in the correct spot.  This seemed like the best option with the pieces I had. 

I have also been working on a container of stocking pieces from about 10 years ago.  These were already partially done, so I am completing them.  I like the colors still, but I have a much better understanding of scrappy now.  

I have 9 stockings in the stack. 

I am still organizing and packing for the upcoming retreat.  I am so excited!!

Check with July L to see what everyone else is showing off this week.

Any ideas?

I don't think I have the layout quite right.

I pulled out this UFO to see I I could figure the pattern out.  I know it was in a magazine, but I don't have any idea which one.  I am sure I had a plan, but I don't remember.  Looking for any ideas on the layout.

Therapy

It truly was therapy shopping at the  fat quarter sale.  On the way there I decided I didn't really need anything so I was going to limit myself to 20.  Well I found 20 in the first bin.  So I just threw caution to the wind

I guess fabric is therapy for more than just me.

Transitioning to October Goals

I completely missed the month of September.  I did not set any goals and I rarely turned on the sewing machine.  As football, soccer, baseball and the play finish up for my kids this month I will ease back into my sewing.

I am gathering up some of my UFOs to finish at the October retreat in Shipshe sponsored by Ruth.  It is a great retreat.

I need to be careful that I don't bring ANY UFOs from a previous retreat there!  How embarrassing would that be to admit that another year has gone by and the project still isn't finished.

These are the things I am planning on taking to the Retreat

1. Bright/Black Log Cabin
2. Bright 4 patch quilt that I was working on here
3. This scrappy 4 patch quilt that has been hanging around for a lot of years.
4. My stockings that I started 15 years ago for my family
5. The last block to my swoon quilt
6. A new project (NewFO)

Since I will be piecing mostly this month, I doubt that I will have any finishes.  

Retreating

I was asked if I quit blogging.  Well, I haven't, but I haven't been doing any sewing.  It was great to have some sewing time with friends this weekend. I worked on several things, but none of them were from the UFO parade.

I finished my braided runner flimsy that I used to demonstrate at class.  I think it looks very Irish (ND) if you ask me.

I put together this tree skirt for a wedding gift next month.  I am pleased that I was able to use the blue snowman scraps, and I had the border fabrics in my resource center.

I pieced this pillow top from scraps that my good friend Dottie gifted me.  

I made 2 more swoon blocks in an attempt to make my quilt not so pink,

I worked a little bit on this jelly roll pattern that I plan to do a little demonstration on.

I guess I didn't take a photo of the other quilt top I put together, so I will save that for another blog post.

I have never posted from my phone before.  I hope it goes well