A Beach Theme

January 20, 201514 Comments

As some of you know, I am working on this BOM, by Roxanne,

over at Quilt, Scrap, Stitch. I felt like I needed something light

after completing and quilting Lily of Rosenberry last year.

This seems to fit the bill and it seems that the theme for

this year is one dealing with beaches and water.

This is what the BOM looks like, although the house in the

center left panel has been changed to a boardwalk scene. I

really fell in love with it and decided I needed to create it.

Here is what one of the blocks look like. I can’t wait until

the whole piece is together and quilted so that I can add a pair

of sunglasses as an embellishment.

This is the first block in another BOM I have decided to

participate in this year. Yes, I am crazy! Quilt ArtDesigns

is hosting a free BOM this year and the theme is “Oceans.”

It fits my theme perfectly. I was a bit apprehensive because

I am not a fan of paper piecing. Tearing out all that paper

drives me crazy.

I have figured out a way to avoid all the paper tearing though.

I used 2 layers of freezer paper, ironed it together, to make it

stronger and not so water absorbent. Then I ran it through

my printer and printed off all the templates for the Turtle

block. It is kind of the same method quilters use for applique.

Then, I ironed the templates onto the fabric I had chosen, cut it

out and sewed it together. Sounds fast but sometimes the paper

came off, especially the smaller pieces. Not to worry though, just iron

it back on again.

In this photo, you can see what the back looks like. I kept all the

paper on until I had to sew the whole thing together.

This is what the completed block looks like. I did keep the freezer

paper on the 19 sections that make up the block but next time,

I think that I will take it off. I do have some paper tearing to do but

I am still working out the kinks in this system.

Overall, it was a lot of fun. It felt like I was working on a puzzle and I

love puzzles. I did struggle with choosing the right colors for the turtle

but in the end, I just had to push myself a little to get started.

There are 109 pieces in this turtle,isn’t that crazy? I am wondering

how hard it will be to stitch through some of the pieces that have

multiple layers of fabric. That thought will have to wait until a

later day and time.

Have a great week.

Fabric Postcard Exchange

November 27, 2014November 27, 20141 Comment

Brandy (at www.brandylynndesigns.com)

has organized a fabric postcard exchange

once again. You can sign up online (although

the date may be over now)and she sends you

an address that you send your fabric postcard

off to, while you anxiously await a fabric postcard

from someone else.

And I am planning to participate this year. The

theme is “Snowflakes” and here are 2 fabric

postcards that I am working on.

I love the color of the blue fabric and the metallic silver snowflakes. I am

undecided as if I need to add more embellishments or not. I did

stitch around the snowflakes with metallic thread. Maybe some

swirls are needed?

I like the snowflakes here too but it definitely needs something.

I can’t help myself, I have to stitch something on this one too.

And I had to show you one that I made after Remembrance Day. I

think that it is a great way to use up those Poppies. What else

do we do with them?

And the words were stitched on my Janone 6600.

This one won’t be sent off with the other 2.

A little twist in the road here. Dale made this huge quilt.

I really like the colors in it. It even has some metallic fabric

in it-a little bling never hurt anyone.

She wanted a swirl feather, designed by Sharon Schamber.

This quilt measures in at 120″ x 120″ -whew!

I used a light grey polyester thread on the top and backing.

It does show up nicely without overtaking the piecing.

A close up of the panto we used.

And the backing. The stitching really shines on this side.

No pun was intended there, they kind of slip out

of my mouth sometimes.

This next quilt was made by Susan. She did a phenomenal

job with the piecing. I have never seen a quilt lay so flat and

square.

Because it is a traditional Log Cabin, Susan decided that she

would like feathers on it. What a great idea! I love feathers.

You will have to wait until next week to see the whole quilt.

It is finished but close ups look so much better.

Have a great week.

A quick quilt binding tool?

September 17, 20137 Comments

During the summer, I bought this binding gadget believing the line that it was a quick way to make binding.

I was impressed that it had 3 different slots for 3 different sizes of binding – 2 1/4″ up to 2 3/4″ in width.

Binding gadget

The gadget looked promising but when I tried it out, I was sorely disappointed.

I had to fold the fabric before it went through the slot and then you had to keep

checking that it was folded equally on both sides. So, what a waste of time and money!!

While I was playing with my new binding gadget, I made enough binding for 2 quilts:

a cute baby quilt and the Cathedral Stars quilt, pattern by Bonnie Hunter.

This panel came from Fabricland-yes, I can feel the shudders coming from you all!

Baby boy quilt.

I think it is cute. What about you?

Fire truck on the baby boy quilt.

What is a baby boy quilt without a fire truck?

Here is the Cathedral Stars quilt-all done.

Bonnie Hunter’s Cathedral Star quilt.

Due to time restraints, I did a panto but it wasn’t that quick

due to its immense size. I think 90″ x 90″. I decided to use a So Fine golden thread-as it

blends well with all the different shades of brown, cream, red and gold. On the backing,

I think I used the same thread too.

Close up of quilting.

“Quirky” was the name of the pantograph I used due to its cirucular shape. So many

points and square shapes within the piecing that I thought it could use something

circular quilted onto it.

Border of the quilt with “Quirky” as the panto.

This next quilt was pieced by Helen. It is even more massive than my own: 120″ x 109″. Whew!

Helen’s massive quilt.

That was one BIG quilt! Helen wanted a pantograph named “Flirtatous” but didn’t like the

size in relation to how big her quilt was. So, off to Staples I went and enlarged it. It took

me a while to figure out the pattern due to its enlarged size but in the end it turned out well.

Close up of Helen’s quilt.

I think that the original pattern was maybe 12″ in width and I enlarged it to 22″ in width, so it

is quite bigger. Hoping that she likes it.

I used a variegated thread on top-Sticks and Stones. For the backing, she chose black to

match the color of the backing but what a nightmare for me. It is difficult on a good day

to get the tension just right but when you have black thread on the back and a lighter on

the top-well, some issues arise.

So, please consider that when you are thinking of the fabric and color for your backings.

There is an upcoming quilt show this weekend and I am trying to finish this wallhanging.

Christmas wallhanging.

This has been hanging around my house for several years now and finally it is almost done.

I love the fact that there are different 3D embellishments within this walllhanging.

My snowman.

For instance, I love the buttons on this snowman. I just realized that he is blind and is

missing his eyes. And the owl is pretty cool too.

My horse and his bells.

And, of course, I love the bells on the horse but don’t ask me what the bells are attached to

on the horse.

Snowflakes

And I love snowflakes too. These are crocheted-by me and have a little bit of silver sparkles

on them. While they were drying I added some to make them more shiny. And there are

some crystalson the wallhanging too. A little bit of bling never hurt anyone.

I will try to get some photos of the Quilt Show for you too.

Ruth

Stitching Impressions

All aspects of longarm quilting

Tag: embellishments

A Beach Theme

Fabric Postcard Exchange

A quick quilt binding tool?