Week 8

The year just seems to be flying by...one week at a time.

This week I only completed one project.  A new bag, only I made 2 of them.  One will be at the store, and one for me.  The fabric is the new French General line from Moda.

I wonder sometimes what holds me back from getting more accomplished.  I know this last week I was busy with church callings, worked extra hours, didn't sleep well enough so I didn't feel well on Saturday, tried to keep my house clean enough between times, and laundry.  (Plus, a little wasted time when I am too tired to work on a quilt).

I also realized today that I feel a bit like a lone wolf.  There is not another person I know personally or locally that will quilt a full-size (queen-size or less) quilt on their domestic machine.  I have taught the class for close to three years, yet I haven't heard if anyone has really taken to doing it.  I love being able to quilt on my own machine.  I try to improve my skills, and I still get nervous quilting for customers.  However, that being said, I would love to be able to connect with someone else who machine quilts.  We could encourage each other and share our challenges and ideas.

Then, this evening, I stumbled onto a blog that mentioned a Free-Motion Quilt Challenge.  Complete with a tutorial (for February only) on how to do feathers by Diane Gaudynski.  I have seen her work and her website before, but it has been a while since I looked at it.  I love this tutorial and I really want to spend some time practicing this technique.  The blog which provided the link (Feb. 18th entry) is quilting these feathers on satin.  WOW!  I am inspired and determined to find/make the time to work on this quilting method.  I'll have to make sure to check out enough books on CD from the library so I can relax while working on it.

Are you a domestic quilter?  I know some long-arm quilters that are fabulous, too.  I just know that a long-arm machine isn't in the plan for several years (if ever?).

Hot-pad count:  11.

Next projects:  an apron for the store, 2 customer quilts, challenge quilt, enough said ;)

Keep on Sewing!

Free Motion Quilting Project

I've just added a new button on the side bar (right side).  It is for the Free Motion Quilting Project.  I am hoping that anyone looking for help with their free motion quilting would enjoy this resource.  Let me know what you think about it.

Keep sewing!

Week 7

We had this cute cupcake fabric at the store.  I kept eyeing it, but left it there...until there were only 2 yards left.  Then, I bought it up, and added some coordinating fabrics, and now I have 6 10-minute runners.  So, on Monday, I sent them in the mail to 5 lucky recipients.  The sixth will be delivered locally.

It was Valentine's Day this week.  I made crepes for breakfast, as is my custom, and had the table set nicely for the boys.  I gave chocolate and fruit snacks this year.  Fun!  The best part was when my 17-year-old said, "I was hoping for crepes this morning."  It is nice when a tradition is something everyone looks forward to.

My sweetie gave me "Dove" chocolate.  My favorite.  I'm hiding it away so I can snack on it slowly while quilting.  I always seem to need chocolate while quilting.

I am also listening to "The Help" while working and quilting this week.  I wanted to see the movie, but missed it.  I will rent it after I am done listening to the book.

Hot pad count:  10

Upcoming projects:  One customer quilt.  I'm not sure I'll work on anything for me in the next few days.  This is a busy time, and not much time for sewing, but it will come back around before too long.

Happy Sewing!

Week 6 - My oldest UFO!

This week I completed my oldest UFO!  Confetti throwing and celebrating is appropriate!!

I started this quilt at a Retreat held probably 8 years ago (as far as I can remember...)
I finished it later that year, but had not learned how to quilt yet, so the top sat...unfinished...for a long time.  A couple of weeks ago, I stayed late and used the longarm machine at work.  I quilted it and then, last week, I bound it.  I am so happy to have it finished.  Here is a close-up of the quilting.

I quilted loops and hearts in a meandering pattern.  Not too fancy for a not too fancy quilt.

Next, I made these pillowcases for my sister who loves most things French (also Texas).  This is from the Etchings line, and is a street map of Paris.  Of course, I used French seams.  I've been to Paris with her once, and I'm so glad I went.  If I could figure out how to travel without getting sick, I'd love to go again!  There are some fun French-type fabrics out there, but I didn't want it to be pink, so I was glad to find this instead (on our shopping trip last week).

My hot pad count is now up to 9.  I crochet when I'm too tired to do other things in my sewing room.  I also quilted a Valentine's runner for a friend.  It was super cute!

Upcoming projects:  One quilt for a customer.  Borders on my spool quilt.  Quick runners out of birthday fabric.  Contemplating next UFO to finish, and work on the Challenge quilt top.  Lynn's is so cute, the recipient is going to love, love, love it!  Mine won't be as cute, but it will be nice.

I've been looking around at blogs, and there are some good ideas out there. I think I'll stick to just getting things done each week.  I try not to buy new fabric, but some of it just jumps up and down and begs to be taken home.  Working at a quilt shop is dangerous to my pocketbook :).

Please let me know what you are working on.  I'd love to hear from you!

Keep on sewing!

Week 5

It seems I am getting later and later each week.  However, the week isn't over yet, so anything goes!

I had seen some big pillows at a store, and thought they would be fun to have on our bed, for sitting up to read, crochet or play on my phone.  However, I thought I might be able to do it for less than the $25 per pillow they were charging.  I checked at the local store.  They had pillow forms 50% off, the fabric I wanted (velour - for texture), was 40% off, the zippers were 40% and 50% off with coupons, and I had a coupon for an additional 20% off my total purchase.  Plus the pillows were bigger at 27 inches square.  I saved around $11.  Then, it only took me about an hour to make these:

And I love them!  They are soft, and comfortable, and easy to toss off for sleeping.

After I made the Whoopsy Daisy quilt (see last blog entry), there was plenty of fabric left over to make a doll quilt.  So, I backed it with a minkee remnant, and bound it with fabric from my stash and came up with this:

I think I am sending it to my husband's niece.  I think she will like to play with her dollies with it.

I started a new quilting class, and changed my method just a little bit.  I think it might lead to more success for my students.  I've been learning about tension while quilting, and I also have to remind myself to slow down just a bit.  The next class in this session is this weekend, so we will see if it keeps helping my students to learn this new way.

Next week, I'll share my shopping adventures with you, along with a very funny story.  Until then...

Keep sewing!