Catching up

This is where I am so far with the D9P quiltalong hosted by Freda at Adventures of the Empress of the Universe. Take a look at what is being done at the Flickr site.  I still have a few units to add and some rearrangements to make before I start sewing this top together.

In the meantime, I have finished sewing Bella's baby sister's quilt top together.  I have the backing for it and I think I am going to use that satiny feeling blanket binding just for the texture.  This is very different from the extra bright one for the grandson due in May.  Now I need to quilt them both.

In a completely different direction, I finished the mini spider web top.  I did a few new things for this quilt.  The spider web, the Dresden plates, and the piano keys are all new for me.  The top and bottom borders are from a cotton linen jacket that was a size 18.  Now that I am a size 8, I thought it would be nicer to use it in a quilt rather than keep it around to grow back into.  It was too nice to throw away, and I liked the colors so I kept it.

Lastly, I finished my addition to the first round of the 2013 Improvi-Robin.  Take a look and see what is going on this year.  Most of us from last year joined again, and we added a couple of new people.  You can see below that block I received.  The rules for this Robin encourage improvisation.  I really enjoyed playing with this start.  All the rest of them are going to be just as much fun.

I am still working on the Criss Cross string quilt.  I spent some time cutting strips to measure today for another couple or rows. I figure if I have units cut and ready to sew, I can sew a unit or two when I have a few free minutes. It won't be fast, but it will get done.

Tomorrow, I will be working in the studio while Tom watches the Super Bowl. I will post what I get done.  Until then, joyful quilting everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

Quilting days

This is my sister, Kim, her first time quilting a quilt.  This was also her first large quilt.  Isn't it beautiful.  It is the largest quilt my frame will handle.  Kim is a natural free motion quilter.  This quilt is going to look stunning on her bed.
I finished quilting the D9P and got it off the frame just before Kim got here yesterday.  This is the quilt I made with the charm packs, Fandango by Kate Spain for Moda.  It is my first charm pack quilt.

I finished binding it this morning and attached the label.  I delivered it this evening to Robin, who has been my singing coach all year.  Saturday is the big recital where I make my public singing debut in which I actually have a couple of solo parts.

The last thing I did today was to finish this AAQI quilt.  It is 9" x 11".  I quilted it with triangles in each of the orange and gold wedges and micro stippling around the outside.  Now, I have three ready to register.

Tomorrow, my sis is coming to finish quilting her quilt.  I have an appointment with a quilter who I really respect about the next steps for my iris project.  Tomorrow night, I have dress rehearsal.  It is also my daughter's birthday.  Busy days.  Ain't retirement grand!
Joyful quilting.
Miki

In search of quality fabric on sale

I put all the cut up pieces of the D9P on the design wall.  I played with them for a while, and I think this is how they will be sewn together.  One of the things I don't like about working with charm packs, when I am working with more than one, is the number of repeated fabrics.  For some reason, it really bothered me with this project.  I like the way it looks now, but I was really struggling with it.  Now, all I need is to sew it together and find some border fabric and backing.  No easy trick for someone on a budget.

I set off early this morning to go to SewExpo 2011.  I wasn't going to go because I really don't have money to spend, and it was a bit of a hassle to get there and find parking.  I decided to go at the last minute because I foolishly believed that since sewing machines would be at special show prices, so would fabric and thread.  Boy, was I naive.  The prices were outrageous at almost every booth.  I enjoyed looking around, seeing all the new fabrics and quilt ideas, but I didn't buy much.  I did, however, meet Ricky Tims and buy his book about convergence quilts.  Now that I looked up the Amazon site for the book, I wish I hadn't purchased it at the expo.  It is $5.00 cheaper on Amazon.  Live and learn.  I did get to talk to Ricky for a few minutes about his Rhapsody quilts.  I have the start of a pattern for the background pieces.  He gave me some good advice.  Maybe I will do this after all.  Of course, that would mean purchasing fabric.  I will just have to keep scouring the sales.



A new D9P

I have been piecing this top as a leader and ender project, but today I decided to finish putting together the nine patch blocks.  Here they are on the wall, just before I sewed them together.  Now, I have cut them all again and am playing with placement on the wall.  I am trying to decide whether or not to put sashing between the blocks.  So far, I am liking the look without the sashing.  I will have to find the fabric for the borders no matter which way I go.  I used most of three charm packs for this part.  This photo does not do the colors credit.  Sorry about that.

The other thing I did today was to cut all the leftover food fabric into 2.5 inch strips.  I found a great pattern in Kim Brackett's Scrap-Basket Surprises.  The pattern is called Market Baskets.  I thought it was apropos.  It is all made from 2.5 inch strips.  I am excited about making another quilt with these fabrics.  Tom has already planned a place on the wall for it.  Now, I just have to cut the strips into the right sizes.  I also need to find enough light colored fabric for the ground.  I was going to use the potato chip fabric, but I don't have enough.  Looks like I am going to have to find some fabric sales.

Joyful quilting, everyone.

Happy Valentine's Day

This is the mug rug I made for Tom for Valentine's day. I used a foundation pieced pattern by Carol Doak. I really like the way this little heart turned out. The heart block is 6". I added strips to make it 9", just the right size for Tom's favorite mug and a small snack.

Today was a finishing day. I finished quilting the D9P for Mary Ann. I have the binding machine attached and will hand sew it down this evening. For a photo of my pin cushion while I was unpinning the quilt from the frame, check out Tom's Facebook page. I really like the colors in this quilt. They don't show up well in this photo, but it is a very warm quilt. I also finished up this months preemie quilt. My intuition quilt is still on the design wall. All the blocks for the chemo quilt are pieced and the sashing cut. The blocks for the new D9P are partially stitched together. I have begun putting together the fabric for my Coming Home quilt (a new design of mine), my tea party quilt (another design of mine), and the American Hero quilt. I have the design done for the February Alzheimer's Art Initiative quilt. There is never enough time in a day.

Finally, here is the UFO I started about 30 years ago. The lace is from an old dress. The center piece is from a dress made in the Roaring Twenties. The beaded piece on the lower right is also from an old dress. I cal this piece For Madame. I obtained all the embellishments from a very good friend who went by Madame. She collected and sold vintage clothing and jewelry. When there was something that was not otherwise salvageable, I bought them for my collection. If I was to do it all again, I would use a different fabric for the third border, but I will work with what I have. I think I have found some fabric for the next couple of borders. I think it may end up about 36" x 36".

A Quilting Day

I finally got the D9P on Priscilla. I decided on a line and loop quilting pattern. I tried to do feathers at the top, but they were a disaster. I will decided tomorrow whether to rip them out or just hope Mary Ann knows they were done out of love. Someday, I will get them right.
I used Superior Threads King Tut thread for this quilt. Who knew thread could be so wonderful? It gave me the best tension I have had with Priscilla (my Juki and Little Gracie Frame, for those of you who may have forgotten). I love the look of the variegated thread. I am going to have to take a more serious look at thread. This is all so new to me. I am so thankful for my online friends who have pointed me in this direction.
I nearly finished the quilting on this lap quilt today, but had to stop to go watch Bella. Tomorrow morning, I will finish the quilting. By tomorrow evening, I should have the binding atached and stitched down. Mary Ann's birthday is at the end of the month, so I am planning on getting it into the mail on Thursday or Friday. I really like this quilt and hope she enjoys it, as well.
First thing this morning, I made a little valentine surprise for Tom. I will post a photo of it tomorrow. Until then, joyful quilting.