Quilting and Stuff by Knitnoid

Author Archives: Pam

I made my first quilted item as a visual aid for a math project in 7th grade. Over the next 25 years quilting was hit or miss, but quilting took over all the other crafts I've done in 2003.

QA Wednesday

October 27, 2010 7:00 am ⋅

Maybe I need to put on my list of things to do is write the  Quilter’s Accountability post each week.  I  didn’t get much done last week -and I can’t tell you why.  So, let’s go back to the previous week’s goals:

  • Quilt on the DWR – at least one hour a day – I’ve gotten distracted and it shows
  • Piece the backing for the Row Quilt – Done!
  • Attach the backing and quilt top to the HandiQuilter leaders – Done !
  • Quilt the Row Quilt – Done!
  • Piece the Sept & Oct KVQG BOM – still not done — maybe I’ll get all three blocks done by the Nov meeting?

So on to the goals for this week.

The DWR is self explanatory — I want this quilt done by our wedding anniversary at the end of November.  2 rings won’t get me there — I think I need to quilt one ring a day, but I don’t think that’s realistic.  This quilt is on several of my UFO challenge lists, so if I miss our anniversary I would like to get it done by December 18th – the last day to turn in finishes for the UFQ project at Heritage Fine Fabrics.  This is the last quilt on that list.  It is also on my list for the Finn’s End of Year UFO Challenge & one of my on-line e-mail lists.

The Cream & Green quilt is on two UFO challenge lists.  I have until the end of the year to finish it.  There are twenty blocks, so I need to do at least two blocks a week to get it done.  Additionally, I’ve decided I’m not thrilled with the way the quilt came out on the first six blocks I’ve quilted .

If you click on the picture you should be able to enlarge it to see the quilting on this block.  This was done with just a few registration marks.  Needless to say the quilting is not consistent on all of the blocks. I could go with it, but I tried something different tonight which I like better.

I’ve drawn out the quilting on a full sheet label (contact paper could work as well) and put it on the block to stitch around. I’ve done this in the past, so I’m not sure why I didn’t consider it this time.

Check in next week to see if I got any of this done, and follow the links on Bari’s blog to see what others are planning to accomplish.

Posted in: goals

New Year’s Eve UFO Challenge

October 25, 2010 10:45 pm ⋅

Finn is having a New Year’s Eve UFO Challenge. No prizes, just the satisfaction in seeing how many projects collectively the participants can get done by the end of the year.  I’ve listed three as my challenge number.  Admittedly, two of these quilts are on other UFO lists, but I’m all for all the support I can get to see that I get these quilts done.

#1 – The Double Wedding Ring

This is from a couple of weeks ago.  I think I have one more ring to quilt and I’ll be half way through the quilting. (I’ve just about given up on having this quilt finished by November 29th, so the next date would be December 18th).

#2 – Cream & Green Quilt

This is the other quilt on one of my other UFO challenge lists.  The blocks are from a swap I participated in the Fall of 2006.  I’m quilting each block and sashing then setting them together.  There are 20 blocks and this one is due December 31st.

#3 – Compass Lone Star

This is another quilt-as-you-go project.  I need to get the background quilted and then start adding the pieced borders.  The plan is to have a border of LeMoyne Stars and who knows what else — I’ll have to pull my pattern and see. This quilt is not on any UFO list –this year.  Both it and the Cream & Green were on a list 2 years ago and as you can see I didn’t get them done.

Come join the challenge.  The button on my side bar will take you to Finn’s blog for more information.

Posted in: UFOs

What’s on my Design Wall

October 25, 2010 6:59 am ⋅

It’s something new — sort of .  My  Blue Ridge Beauty blocks which I started back in May in Bonnie Hunter’s class.  I’m making this roughly twin size.  I’m winging this as far as block placement goes.  I’m starting at the top of my stack of blocks and sewing them according to my layout diagram I printed from EQ7.

This was my leader/ender project, so now it’s time for a new one. I’m leaning toward Color Play in Volume one of Sew Scrappy Better Homes and Gardens Creative Collection magazine.   (I looked for a link on the BH&G website and couldn’t find one. This link is the first one that came up when I did a web search).

I’ve gotten as far as dumping my 2 1/2″ precut squares on the ironing board.  I can’t decide if I want to let it be “anything goes” and just sew a lighter square to a darker square (probably the fastest way to get started) or pick a “theme”.  The quilt in the magazine used green, red, yellow and blue prints, stripes and polka dots.  Regardless of what I decide, I’ll have to buy the sashing and border fabric.  I don’t have 3 1/2 yards of a “solid” in any color — well, maybe bright yellow, but I don’t think that’s the answer.

See what’s on others’ design wall by following the links over at Patchwork Times.

Posted in: Blue Ridge Beauty, designwall

Stash Report

October 24, 2010 8:21 am ⋅

This week there was more fabric in than out.  The week started off with quilting the Row Quilt, but both the backing and bind was counted last week.  Monday night was Guild where Sally Collins was our guest speaker.  Between seeing her exquisite quilt and the Guild auction in the spring,  I decided to try my own hand at making a mini quilt.

Mini blocks just don’t take  a whole lot of fabric.  I’ve got the fabric cut for another dozen of the 1″ stars — well into strips.  If I cut the actual pieces, they might end up in the trash they are so small!

Mini quilts also require fabric with tiny prints. This required shopping.  I have more than enough fabric to complete my mini quilt, but I want variety.  So, over the next few months I’ll need to pick up another 4 or 5 FQ.

Saturday I got to meet Mary of Quiltn’ Grandma’s Blog.

Mary was in town visiting her son last week and on Saturday while he was at work we went to the Sewing and Quilting Expo and to Peddler’s Wagon in Parkville, MO (do not trust Yahoo! Maps for this store).    That’s where I picked up the white and cream fabric for my redwork snowmen.

So, here’s this week’s damages:

Fabric Added this Week: 3.5 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 154.011 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 0.257  yards
Fabric Used to Date: 86.901 yards

Net Stash for 2010: 67.11 yards

Check out how others are doing over at Patchwork Times.

Posted in: Stash Busting Report

The Row Quilt is Finished!

October 19, 2010 6:38 pm ⋅

Last week I prepped the binding so I could start putting it on when I got home from Butler Sunday afternoon.  I took a nap when I got back, so I only got the binding attached.   I finished sewing it down (on the machine) during my lunch break, then tossed it into the wash.  I pulled it out of the dryer as I was leaving for quilt guild  (what an amazing program by Sally Collins — I think I want to do a small/miniature quilt now).

This evening, just before I lost all daylight, I  had my husband hang the quilt on the gutters — I’m no longer allowed to do this since I fell off the ladder in the spring cleaning the gutters.

Since he was out there with me, here’s a picture of the backing –ignore the stuff in the garage:

Finally a closeup of the quilting — it’ won’t win any awards, but I’m very happy with it:

Cross a UFO from 2005 off my list!

Posted in: finish, RowQuilt

What’s on My Design Wall

October 18, 2010 7:11 am ⋅

It’s a blank wall today.  The Row Quilt is on the sewing machine so I can attach the binding and of course the DWR is in the hoop for continued hand quilting.  There are a few pieces of Blue Ridge Beauty on my sewing table to use a Leader/Enders and I think there are only 20 block left before I can start playing with layouts

See if anyone else has something on their design wall by following the links over at Patchwork Times.

Posted in: Uncategorized

It’s Quilted!

October 17, 2010 9:50 pm ⋅

This afternoon I drove down to Butler and used the HandiQuilter 16 at Rocking Chair Quilts to quilt the row quilt.

The batting is Warm & White.   I used Güttermann 100% cotton 50 wt in the top and a Superior prewound bobbins (1 1/2) in the bobbin.  The quilting is an all over free form flower — the same one I used on the baby quilt I practiced on a couple of weeks ago.  Now to get the binding on it.

Posted in: RowQuilt, Seven

Stash Report

October 17, 2010 6:19 am ⋅

This past week I made the backing (from stash) and binding for the row quilt, quilted on my DWR and did a bit of cleaning in my sewing room.  I was looking for my Timtex.  Finally found it but also found my missing Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler Block and the music motif quilting pattern.  Managed to get two boxes out of my sewing room.

No new fabric this week, but I did buy a batting and thread for the Row  Quilt.  I also made the backing and binding for the quilt so that’s a chunk of fabric out.

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 150.511 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 10.125  yards
Fabric Used to Date: 86.644 yards]

Net Stash for 2010: 63.867 yards

Check out how others are doing by following the links over at Patchwork Times.

Posted in: RowQuilt, Stash Busting Report

Another Top

October 15, 2010 11:36 pm ⋅

Friday evening I finished sewing the rows together on Star Struck.  When I started this quilt back in May my intention was to go borderless. The top currently measures about 64″ x 80″ which is roughly the size I aim for when I’m not making the quilt for a specific bed/space.  originally I was going to use the gold accent as the binding, but I think it’s too light.  Now I’m leaning toward a darker blue.   I just have to decide if borderless is still what I want.

 

Posted in: Star Struck

QA Wednesday

October 13, 2010 4:00 am ⋅

Another week has gone by and I’ve met most of my quilting goals.

  • Quilt on the DWR – at least one hour a day – perhaps 2. – 3 rings quilted since last Wednesday evening
  • Start assembling Star Struck into rows. – Done
  • Fix the Row Quilt. – Done

The picture above shows that I’ve turned the block in the Row Quilt.  Additionally, I’ve trimmed threads and pressed it.  It was a bit crushed after being folded up for 5 1/2 years.  At the moment it’s hanging on a hanger waiting for me to attach it to the leader.  Monday’s post shows the progress I’ve made on Star Struck.  As far as the DWR – I can’t say for certain I quilted 1 hour each day — but I have quilted on it each day.  As I write this I’ve completed 2 1/2 rings since last week.

So what’s on tap for next week.

  • Quilt on the DWR – at least one hour a day – perhaps 2 (I’m beginning to sound like a broken record)
  • Piece the backing for the Row Quilt
  • Attach the backing and quilt top to the HandiQuilter leaders
  • Quilt the Row Quilt
  • Piece the Sept & Oct KVQG BOM – the meeting is Monday!

Check in to see what others are planning for this week by following the links over at Bari’s and check back with me next week to see if I get this done.

Posted in: goals