March UFO Done - OMG Finish and APQResolution

This quilt has spend a couple of years on my UFO lists but, happily, I can report that it is finished.  This quilt was for my OneMonthlyGoal and my APQResolution2018 lists and my #2018FALQ1.  I bought the pattern years ago (probably 10) but who's counting.  It took me a long time to find the fabrics for the loon and I think they are nearly perfect!  And then, I just hesitated or procrastinated or was too afraid to start the technique on my own.

The pattern is from Joan Shay whose technique is called Petal Play Appli-bond©.  This pattern is  called Loon and Water Lilies.   More about her technique and patterns are available at her website.  

You use HeatnBond©Ultra Hold and use this between two layers of one fabric.  The HeatnBond allows you to attach the pieces and they can hold there shape(like the petals) or hang loose(like the feathers) or twist the like reeds.  For instance, the petals are bonded once, then you press for a few seconds and curl them!  They hold their curl.   Joan also sells something called AppliBond needles which are able to go through the HeatNBond and fabric - they seem to have a three-pointed needle (I am imaging that leather needles are like this).  I do love that I had this bright pink in a number of shades and blended them with the flowers.  The feathers, however are my favorite part.

So, this completes my OMG and my APQ Resolution for March.  YIPPEE!

Linking up to:  Elm Street Quilts/One Monthly Goal

Quilt stats:
"Loon on a Lake"  22x33
Pattern:  Loon and Water Lilies by Joan Shay

Next months project will be up soon.   I expect it may be finishing a piece I am working on today in Paula Nadelstern's class.  It is a great class - take it if you ever get the chance.

Fancy Forrest Deux - OMG February Finish

I love this quilt!  It is the second time I made it, using many of the same fabrics from the first but a few changes.  The pattern is Fancy Forrest by Elizabeth Hartman and I just couldn't help myself.  I changed a few things.  I wanted my thistles to be purple and I wanted Frances the Firefly (not butterfly) to have a bright yellow bottom - all lit up - like fireflies are!

I was cutting it close with this thread when quilting!  I made it - although truth be told - I did have another similar looking spool (same color) in my stash.  Must be one I really like!

The back was a fabric I stashed for awhile.  Of course, it wasn't big enough so it has its own border.  I didn't use my printed labels as this is for a baby and I didn't want the label to be a problem. I will sign somewhere discretely or put a small label on this side when I know who is getting it.

 I did quilting with my Westalee ruler set on my Bernina 440.  It allows you to do straight lines and other lines with a little more precision.  I had fun figuring out little ways to enhance the critters and the thistle.

I liked giving Hazel the Hedgehog some spikey hair.

Frances the Firefly just got some curves added to her wings.

I am pleased it is done and think I know where it may go.  That is the really nice part, knowing the quilt will have a lovely wee one to smile at it.   If I hadn't set this goal, I am sure it would not have been done.  Thanks for the encouragement!  This quilt was on my list for OneMonthlyGoal, 2018APQ Resolution and 2018FalQ1.  So great to have it done.  

Linking up:  One Monthly Goal

                     2018FALQ1

Free Fall Quilt Along

I am a member of the 2017 New Quilt Bloggers and found a new pattern to do.

First, it fits into my goals of using up fabric that I already have.  In fact, I had been gathering my batiks to do a quilt with half square triangles and ran into this.  Funny thing, I was pulling a blue/purple combo from my pile and had a fall pile leftover.

Second, I needed a new project that excited me.  I have a lot of UFOs I am working on but was looking for something new.

Serendipity!  You can find the instructions for this quilt along at mmm! Quilts.  There is a button too on the right side of my blog.

I thought I'd link up to Sew Fresh Quilts and her Let's Bee Social Group today.

Scrap quilting

This is a project from the UFO list last year.   I had  some leftover flying geese and scraps from a Block of the Month quilt I made a few years ago.   I am making a table runner with it. I saw a pattern called "Elegant Runner" by Terry Albers in Fons & Porter's Easy Quilts, Fall 2012.  I put it in the bag with the scraps and this uses her pattern.  Of course, the dimensions are all different, but the idea is Terry's.

                  

Some lessons I learned:

1. There is never enough fabric in your scraps in the colors you need
2. Thangles can help you squeeze half square triangles ⬕ out of fabric that is too short to do it the normal way.
3. Keep on working with what you have

So far I have:

1. Flying geese assembled into four pieces with some border fabric
2. 4 stars made with thangles and
3. more scraps

The plan is to make the the 8" block be surrounded by some of the leftover fabric and maybe a black inner border to finish the table runner.   

More work on the spring fling quilts.

I have made some progress on the quilts from the weekend.

The toile quilt is quilted and its binding cut.  I expect it will be done by the end of this week.  The fabric did most of the work, so the quilting was simple, just in the ditch for the horizontal and vertical strips and also across the big diagonal lines.  It was quick and done in a few hours yesterday.

The Fancy Forrest quilt is put together and the backing and binding are washed.  Ironing, sandwiching, quilting and binding are to be done.  Again, I am hoping by the end of the week.

A friend stopped by yesterday and I had made 2 fabric buckets with sheep who knit.  I thought I took pictures, but they are now both with happy knitters.  I'm glad they are enjoying them, but sad that I didn't get a picture.

This week, I will also work on digging out my next UFO, a peasant blouse.  I got the fabric years ago and we are approaching the right weather for a lawn cotton blouse, so the timing is good.  I sued to make a lot of clothes, but it has been a long time.  I find getting blouses with patterns I like a little difficult so I'd be thrilled to work up one that I like and possibly make a few more.

Fun, fun, fun!

In 2 weeks our annual spring fling quilting weekend occurs.  We go near Keepsake Quilting in NH and I can't wait.

I am beginning to line up my projects - ones not on the UFO list - but ones I'd like to begin or quick quilts for the weekend.  Sometimes I use the weekend to design or work out what I am doing, but  I did much of that on EQ7 and I can do a little more and I'll have a pattern made, complete with printouts of its finished look.  Its really great to do something like this for me.

1. I learned how to scan in fabric for EQ7
2. I learned how to make multiple copies of a quilt and change an few things on each one
3.  I printed out some basic info on the cutting that will help me figure out the next steps in the design process.  
4. I will have a plan and can get right down to it when we arrive in NH

The other great thing about this is that it is good preparation for my desire to make some patterns.  I look forward to a little time each week with EQ7 and to be in better shape to write patterns by the end of the May.

A snow day and some progress a week ago....

Last week we had another snow storm.  It was much less fierce than expected, but I enjoyed a day inside.

I worked on my French Swoon quilt and here's what I did.

1. Tested the backing one more time for colo-fastnestand decided that it was fine (washed in warm with a piece of the white in the same wash which came out clean).
2. Ironed the backing fabric, however, it will need piecing - actually - I will make a strip with a leftover block or two and some scraps to make the back long enough.
3. I made the binding for the quilt.

Some other things I accomplished included

-searching for fabric scraps from this quilt (and realized I gave some away,

-organized my ufo projects for the year so they were all in a basket

-put away some fabric I had washed/some more sewing desk cleanup

-picked out a small quilt to work on and found a back for it (I'll post it at the end of the week)

-organized some things for my EPP class on Friday

Not bad for a week's work!

Le Millefiori and English Paper Piecing

Truth be told, my exciting project for the year is not on the UFO list.  It is new (begun in November) and slow.  It is hand piecing and fussy cut and complex, so a lot of time is spent picking fabrics, cutting and prepping the pieces before I work.


It is based on the book Milliefiore Quilts by Willyne Hammerstein and is a gorgeous quilt.  The cover quilt is the one that I am working on.  There are Facebook groups and pinterest pictures of different versions of this quilt, which makes it even more fun.

I have completed one round and love the process.  I am still trying to figure out if I love the way that I am doing the English Paper Piecing.  I am using glue, which makes one part of the preparation just zip along.  I started using the 3/8" templates, but am using the templates with the 1/4" seam allowance as I find the 3/8" seam allowance too much for the smaller pieces.  I have gone through a variety of threads but am now using mettler embroidery weight thread with thread heaven for my piecing.  It nearly disappears and I have many fewer problems with it than with the others I tried (Bottom Line, Masterpiece and Aurifil).  Right now I am using a stitch called "the flat back stitch".  There are many explanations of the stitch, but you can see a video here at DIY addict.

I am now on my second rosette and enjoying the process a bit more.  I think I have gotten more comfortable with the pieces and the flat back stitch.  There are two Facebook groups for the Millefiori -La Passacaglia quilt and one for the New Hexagon Book-Millefiore group.  They are wonderful resources for learning more about the process.

I'll post on this as I complete rounds.  My plan is to make a smaller quilt and I think I have narrowed the size on the layout page.  I will soon figure out exactly the rounds I need to and make more plans for this fun quilt.  It's exciting to begin something like this and I am enjoying the planing process.  To say that I'm nervous about completing the edges would be an understatement, but I have plenty to do before I get there, so I am not focusing too much on that (ok, maybe that's a lie).

Begin as you mean to go on

On the last day of 2015 I finished a Diva Frame Wallet.

 I love the little wallet and think I learned a few things:

1. Do some prep work - I cut out the project.
2. Find the missing pieces - I found a zipper that would work.
3. Pick it up again and make it.

As I begin this year of quilting and occasional other crafts, I want to set a few goals for me:

1. MORE - quilt and knit more
2. SMARTER - learn to use EQ7
3. SHARE - resume my blog and begin to work on creating some 4 lessons/patterns 

I saw two blogs referring to this goal and one intrigued me.  The one I selected is a group of folks who will commit to finishing 12 projects (how could I have so many) through the year.  First you pick your 12 projects, then the monthly number is assigned and that's the one you work to finish.  You can find this challenge at All People Quilt.

Tomorrow, I'll post my list and a picture of the first project I'm tackling.

Cathedral windows

So, here's what I am teaching today.  This is a class in cathedral windows, that mixes machine piecing and handwork.   I use Lynne Edward's book Cathedral Window Quilts.  Really, what I should be doing now is working on a report for my church's annual meeting but this is more fun.  

This is a small piece, with little purpose except to practice the technique.   I started another piece in a batik; I'll post after I get a bit more done.  Off to teach...