Quilting and Stuff by Knitnoid

Category Archives: Challenges

Sorting Through the Quilt Tops

January 2, 2021 1:38 pm ⋅

This morning I started working on the piles of fabric stuffed here and there.  So it follows that I pulled out all of my quilt tops, right?

It all started with me trying to answer the question, where can I put these backings.  The green at the top left I purchased this past summer with no idea what I’m going to use it for. But at 75% off you don’t worry about things like that.  The blue floral next to it I purchased for Shimmer, which is still in pieces. The peach is the left over wide backing. There are also several other leftover pieces.  They are just too big for me to put them into the scrap users system, but the really can’t live here. On the right is my Wonky Broken Dishes and backing. That needs to be one of my next quilts that I quilt, so I left it out.

I’ve sorted and reorganized my quilt tops.  This box contains completed tops and the backing fabric. I’ll have to make the backings, but I won’t have to worry about it being used for something else before I get that far. 10 Tops.

The second box contains this pile.  On the left 2 Quilts with their wide backings, a pillow top sandwich that I’m machine quilting, 2 vintage tops, nearly cut off is Baubles and Beads. It’s backing is either in the project box or wrapped on a bolt on the other shelf.  I’m not sure if I’m going to use the background fabric or the plaid that I bought for Atomic Starburst.  The right pile is backing which is not matched up to a top.  I just remembered I have the backing I originally bought for the RWB Wonky Broken Dishes that I need to put in this box.

In these boxes I found some Sunbonnet Sues which were given to me. I’m passing those along to my Guild.

There was also this partial “backing”. This was the left over backing to Eeyore.  As it currently measures 44 x 70, I think adding a more inches to the width and I’ll have a new quilt top.

Finally, I’m taking this quilt center off my list of UFOs by passing it along to a fellow Guild Member.  It was passed along to me in 2009. The blocks were from a block swap if I remember correctly. It’s just not me.

Now, to get the binding on the quilt.

 

Posted in: Final Countdown, UFOs

2020 Final Countdown, Task Three

January 1, 2021 2:04 am ⋅

The 3rd task of the Challenge is Take stock/organize/deal with unfinished projects.

I’ve kept a spreadsheet of my projects for the last 12 years.  The thought was the numbers would go down.  And I suppose they have to a certain extent. Today I updated the Tops to be Quilted and Quilts in Progress tabs. But I don’t think that’s really what Shelly had in mind.

As I was comparing the spreadsheet to the blog, I found 1 or 2 projects, I’m going to pass on to my sister, and a couple I’m going to pass to one of my Guilds – when we are able to meet in person again.  But the most tangible thing I’m going to tackle is getting the binding on this quilt.  I quilted it in October, so it’s time.  Check back in the next few days to see if I get it done.

Easy Breezy = 89

Posted in: Easy Breezy, Final Countdown, Moda U

The Final Countdown, Task Two

January 1, 2021 1:12 am ⋅

Task Two  of the Final Countdown is clean up the fabric storage and stray fabric piles. So why didn’t I post this on Wednesday?  Because I was trying to decide which pile to tackle.  I have 4.

Up first, primarily large backings loose on the fabric shelves.  They really don’t have a home, which is why they are on top of the boxes.  But those boxes are full after my buying spree when a LQS went out of business this summer. The boxes themselves are in pretty good order since I misplaced a piece of fabric after that buying spree cleaning up.  All the boxes were emptied and the fabric refolded and sorted.  I think all that is left to refold is the KTQ box and the 30’s reproduction box, but given they have their own boxes, there is no hurry to do that. As for the backings, maybe in the box of tops even though they don’t have tops yet?

Another obvious choice is the longarm.  In the foreground is a bag of scraps which will be given to a Guild Member who makes them into pet beds for the local shelter. The bag of brights contains the fabric and blocks for the Mississippi Quilt Association BOM I’m doing.  There are 2 more blocks to go. I suspect that bag will just get moved around the room to get it out of the way until the top is done. The KTQ fabrics will shipped off to my SIL for a BOM as soon as I have the first set of pattern written up. With any luck that will be next week. Looks like there are a couple of Christmas fabrics which I might be able to squeeze into the Christmas box. The pile of batiks is for one of the quilts I’m currently working on.  It will get moved around until the top is finished.

What I really needed was a challenge to clear my sewing table. There’s another backing, parts and pieces of a quilt top I finished, some of the blocks for the batik quilt, and way under there is the leftover fabric from Frolic that I’m going to use to make the backing wider. It’s been sitting there for months.

 

Of course, what really needs work is the area in “the hole”.  I’m not sure I can even identify what all is in those piles from the picture.

 

I think we have until January 7th to complete our tasks, so maybe I’ll make the most of this 3 day weekend and knock a few of these piles back into submission. Look for an update next week.

 

Easy Breezy = 89

Posted in: Easy Breezy, Final Countdown

2020 Final Countdown, Task One

December 29, 2020 7:18 pm ⋅

 

Shelly over at Prairie Moon Quilts has hosted the Final Countdown for many years. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve participated, but I thought I’d try it again. Maybe I will be the catalyst I need to start documenting my quilting again.

Task one – Clear off your main work surface. Yes, that is a current picture.  I had a head start since part of my Christmas was a new cutting mat.

As you can see, it wasn’t too bad. The box was put back on the shelf, the bag of pieces slipped into the drawer, the rulers put away, and the pipe cleaners & snips put in a box with the rest of the wreath supplies I’ve purchased over the weekend.

This is the wreath I made this morning.  I have stuff for Mardi Gras and Easter wreaths as well.

Now the next step is to finish this section of the wedding quilt. Then it will be on to making more HSTs.

Easy Breezy = 86

Posted in: Easy Breezy, Final Countdown, Mesh Wreaths, Quilts, Wedding Quilt

40 Day Challenge – Day 40

July 14, 2020 1:16 am ⋅

Day 40.  I have one of the pieced borders done. Although I have enough HST to get all but 6″ of another border done I hit a wall when I discovered that I do not have enough fabric for the inner and outer border. At that point I started second guessing myself a 3rd or 4th time on how I plan to do the borders.  All I know for certain is that I need 1 3/4″ inner border before the ribbon/barber pole border.

Possible color options are light gray, dark gray, black, neutral, or a blue.

I have to buy more fabric in every situation except for the neutral – and I think it causes the border to float too much.

A brief recap of the last 40 days:

  • Bound 7 quilts
  • Added a label and delivered an overdue quilt
  • Caught up on my Star Studded BOM
  • Quilted & bound the log cabin quilt
  • Hemmed 8 pairs of pant for my niece’s wedding
  • Made 5 pillowcases
  • Completed the center of Frolic

The challenge kept me going and I’m pleased with what I accomplished. If I can figure out my border situation I’ll be able to knock the rest of the list out in the next week or two. I cannot plan on keeping this pace up.

 

Posted in: 40 Days - 2020, binding, Easy Breezy, Frolic, Mending, pillowcase, Star Studded

40 Day Challenge – Day 39

July 12, 2020 9:54 pm ⋅

I’m crossing off the Baby 4-Patch Stacked Posies quilt as it has been bound. It’s not washed, but I will do that when I finish the larger quilt and get it bound. I bought enough fabric to bind both quilts and have put the remainder in the bag with the larger quilt. I’ve got some quilting to rip out of it before I can get it quilted and bound.

That just leaves Frolic.  I mentioned yesterday my border calculations were wrong.  I spent the better part of the morning working on a new border design.  This is how far I’ve gotten on the new border. Its just under 2/3 of one side. Before I can much further I need to separate the HST I sewed together for the other border (I’m running out of fabric) and take a count of what I have and what I need. My L/E project can be the extra HSTs needed to complete the border, then I can use Easy Breezy when I get them all made.

 

  • Bind Baby 4-Patch Stacked Posies – 7/12/20
  • The blue, black and white quilt is my Frolic the goal is to finish the top. Started with 5 blocks I need 41, 16 side setting triangles. 4 corners and the pieced borders for my enlarged quilt.
    • Center complete – 7/11/2020
    • Border redesigned – 7/12/2020
  • Bonus #1 – Pillowcases:
    • Allietare
    • Narragansett Blues
  • Bonus #2: Pillowcases for quilts already completed
    • Christmas Crazy 8s
    • En Provence (2)
    • Carolina Chain
  • Bonus #3: Quilt, bind, label and make pillowcase (2) for Frolic.
Posted in: 40 Days - 2020, Baby 4-Patch Stacked Posies, Easy Breezy, Frolic

40 Day Challenge – Day 38

July 12, 2020 1:09 am ⋅

The center of Frolic is complete.

Up next the borders – just as soon as I figure them out. I thought I had them worked out but I questioned the math. The recheck confirmed my math was wrong, so now I need to figure out the borders.

Also today I made a run to the quilt shop to pick up fabric for the binding on the Baby 4-Patch Stacked Posies. I suspect I’ll find the original fabric as soon as I finish the binding.

It’s late, so I’m headed to bed.

  • Bind Baby 4-Patch Stacked Posies
  • The blue, black and white quilt is my Frolic the goal is to finish the top. Started with 5 blocks I need 41, 16 side setting triangles. 4 corners and the pieced borders for my enlarged quilt.
    • Center complete – 7/11/2020
  • Bonus #1 – Pillowcases:
    • Allietare
    • Narragansett Blues
  • Bonus #2: Pillowcases for quilts already completed
    • Christmas Crazy 8s
    • En Provence (2)
    • Carolina Chain
  • Bonus #3: Quilt, bind, label and make pillowcase (2) for Frolic.

Easy Breezy – 11

Posted in: 40 Days - 2020, Baby 4-Patch Stacked Posies, Easy Breezy, Frolic

40 Day Challenge – Day 37

July 11, 2020 1:05 am ⋅

3 days until it’s all over and I feel like I’m not going to get the last to items off my list.  Today was all about cutting more fabric. I have all of the gray and white HST units that I need for my inner border, and I have cut the additional sashing pieces for the 2nd half of the quilt.

Just to say I sewed on the top, I attached the sashing to the middle row and to the bottom corner triangle. Perhaps tomorrow I’ll be able to knock the rest of the center out.

The search for the binding fabric goes on.  It was not with the pillowcase.  The pillowcase was found in the linen closet. Of course knowing this, I’ll search again.

 

  • Bind Baby 4-Patch Stacked Posies
  • The blue, black and white quilt is my Frolic the goal is to finish the top. Started with 5 blocks I need 41, 16 side setting triangles. 4 corners and the pieced borders for my enlarged quilt.
    • Center blocks, setting triangles and corners completed 7/7/2020
    • 3 rows assembled 7/8/2020
    • Row 4 attached, Row 5 assembled 7/9/2020
  • Bonus #1 – Pillowcases:
    • Allietare
    • Narragansett Blues
  • Bonus #2: Pillowcases for quilts already completed
    • Christmas Crazy 8s
    • En Provence (2)
    • Carolina Chain
  • Bonus #3: Quilt, bind, label and make pillowcase (2) for Frolic.

Easy Breezy – 11

Posted in: 40 Days - 2020, Baby 4-Patch Stacked Posies, Easy Breezy, Frolic

40 Day Challenge – Day 36

July 10, 2020 12:26 am ⋅

Yesterday was the last day I could hang the top on the design wall.  I had run out of space horizontally. So here is the top on my ‘design bed’. The last row is not attached, nor is the sashing which goes between the last two rows.  The good news is when this row is finally attached I will be past the halfway point of the center.  I also have half of the blue and half of the black borders pieced. Ironically, I’ll need the gray border first and since that was not part of the original design, I haven’t even cut it.

This is my backing fabric.  The background fabric is a 108″ digital printed fabric.  I absolutely love the colors and think it is perfect for my Frolic — other than it is about 8″ too narrow for my enlarged quilt. I decided as much as it pained me to buy a wide back and then still have to piece it it was perfect and I would worry about that “tomorrow”. Well, it’s not quite “tomorrow”, but it’s close enough that when I ran to the shop today to buy fabric for the inner border and binding, I looked around to see if I could find anything I could add to the backing. I bought two pieces because I didn’t know which would work best and decided this stripe is the answer. I will piece a few stars to go on the back, but 3 is a far cry fewer than the 15 I’d need to run them down the length of the backing.

The last few days I’ve been using the pieced border as my leader/ender project, but I need to pin together (one corner) the units in the right orientation and haven’t done that, so I pieced the last Easy Breezy block I had cut out. That brings the total to 11 blocks. I think I want 182 blocks, so I have a ways to go.

As for the baby quilt, I still have not found the binding fabric.  I think my sister was present the last time I saw it, so maybe she can remember what box I shoved it into.

  • Bind Baby 4-Patch Stacked Posies
  • The blue, black and white quilt is my Frolic the goal is to finish the top. Started with 5 blocks I need 41, 16 side setting triangles. 4 corners and the pieced borders for my enlarged quilt.
    • Center blocks, setting triangles and corners completed 7/7/2020
    • 3 rows assembled 7/8/2020
    • Row 4 attached, Row 5 assembled 7/9/2020
  • Bonus #1 – Pillowcases:
    • Allietare
    • Narragansett Blues
  • Bonus #2: Pillowcases for quilts already completed
    • Christmas Crazy 8s
    • En Provence (2)
    • Carolina Chain
  • Bonus #3: Quilt, bind, label and make pillowcase (2) for Frolic.

Easy Breezy – 11

Posted in: 40 Days - 2020, Baby 4-Patch Stacked Posies, Easy Breezy, Frolic

40 Day Challenge – Day 35

July 9, 2020 1:33 am ⋅

Yesterday I got a second wind and finished the corner triangles. Today, I started assembling the center – and ripping apart the borders I am using for my leader/ender. When I get to the end, I want to be able to put the borders on the quilt, but I’ve tweaked the borders.  Adding 16 blocks and using the original borders brings the quilt to approximately 102″ square. But I really would like an even larger quilt. I bought enough backing to increase the quilt to 120″, but that is really more quilt than I want and would have required another 20 blocks.

 

 

This is what I’m planing on doing. But of course now instead of the HST on each round facing the same way, they turn in the middle. I had 1 blue and all 4 of the black strings of HST pieced.  Of course, I haven’t even cut the gray HST as that’s what I’ve added, plus a 1″ narrow border between each row of HST. It should end up around 110″.  I’ll still have to do something to enlarge my backing as it is only 108″.  I’m thinking about a column of pinwheels down the center of the back. So even more piecing is in my future before I can even load it on the machine.

Since there is only a week left — I really thought the challenge went to the 17th. I need to check to see exactly when I started – I did a brief search for the binding fabric for the baby quilt.  It wasn’t “on the surface”. I hope it’s in one of the two boxes of tops waiting to be quilted. If it’s not, I’m up a creek.

  • Bind Baby 4-Patch Stacked Posies
  • The blue, black and white quilt is my Frolic the goal is to finish the top. Started with 5 blocks I need 41, 16 side setting triangles. 4 corners and the pieced borders for my enlarged quilt.
    • Center blocks, setting triangles and corners completed 7/7/2020
    • 3 rows assembled 7/8/2020
  • Bonus #1 – Pillowcases:
    • Allietare
    • Narragansett Blues
  • Bonus #2: Pillowcases for quilts already completed
    • Christmas Crazy 8s
    • En Provence (2)
    • Carolina Chain
  • Bonus #3: Quilt, bind, label and make pillowcase (2) for Frolic.
Posted in: 40 Days - 2020, Baby 4-Patch Stacked Posies, Frolic