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.

DWR Backing Found in my Stash

November 4, 2009 10:59 pm ⋅


After measuring my quilt top last night, I got to worrying about the batting. I typically use Warm & Natural in my quilt tops, but when I buy it by the yard, it’s only 90″ wide. My quilt measures approximately 94″ x 104″ – so I’m going to have to buy a king batt. I’m currently leaning toward Quilters Dream Cotton – Request.

That got me worrying about the backing. I called the LQS to check to see how wide the backing are – and shoot I can’t remember now – but I did validate that even the narrowest wide backing (is that an oxymoron?) will be wide enough. The bolt sale lasts through Saturday, so I can get the backing on sale.

That was this morning early. Fast forward to about an hour ago and a flash of inspiration struck me. About a year ago I bought a bolt of 60″ wide 100% cotton shirting for next to nothing. I pulled it out looked at it and decided that it would be perfect for my backing. Although I’m not looking forward to seaming the backing, I can take comfort in that it is fabric out of my stash and no additional purchase was needed.

Since I was on a roll, I pulled out my thread box and found both a partially used and a brand new spool of thread. The color is Camel. Since I really like this color, and would hate to run out of it before the quilting is complete, the next time thread goes on sale, I’m going to buy at least one maybe two spools of it.

I might just have this quilt on the frame by this time next week. Still have to finish seaming the 4-patches. I’m not sure what I did this evening, but it wasn’t a whole lot of piecing.

Posted in: dwr

It Is the Last Row!

November 3, 2009 10:34 pm ⋅


I just finished attaching the last row of rings to my Double Wedding Ring quilt! No, it’s not ready for the frame — I still have 4 patches to seam on the last two rows and then stitch the seams on the outer 4-patches, which are only going to be 3-patches. No sense in making them 4-patches and giving me 2 more corners per ring to miter around when I finally get to the binding.

Now I’ve got to measure the quilt to see how much backing I’ll need and start thinking about thread color for the quilting.

This is what I’m planning on quilting in the background. It’s a stencil by Gloria Hartley that I bought years ago.


I will also need to do some sort of quilting in the pieced arcs and 4-patches. I’m leaning toward outlining the arc, but not the individual pieces. I do want to finish this in this lifetime, preferably by this time next year.

Given that some of the quilting will be on the off white background and some on the colored pieces, should I use two different color threads? Or is there something which won’t look odd in both places. I suspect my thread color may influence my backing choices.

Posted in: dwr

What’s On My Design Wall? – 11/02

November 2, 2009 7:46 am ⋅


This is what I believe to be the last row of my Double Wedding Ring. Last night I finally sewed on the previous row, although I still need to sew the 4-patches. The row is far enough along so I now know I need an extra blue arc for this last row.

Check out what other quilters have on their design walls by following the links over at Patchwork Times.

Posted in: designwall, dwr

November 2009 Quilting Goals

November 1, 2009 7:13 pm ⋅

Since I didn’t do so well on last month’s goals, it’s more of the same.

* Keep up with the SBS BOW

* Finish the hand quilting on Josh’s Quilt

* Finish piecing the DWR

* Complete Finishing Instructions for large Kansas Spirit BOM

* Keep Scraps Cut Up
Posted in: dwr, Josh's Quilt, KTS, monthly goals, SBS

Stash Report Week # 44

November 1, 2009 7:30 am ⋅

This week was a wash. A couple of SBS blocks (although not the one due tonight) were completed and one FQ inbound.

Instead of quilting Saturday, my DH and I drove down to Independence, Kansas for the Neewollah Festival, specifically the Marching Band Festival. We heard some great music. The day was absolutely perfect for the drive and festival. It cooled off after the sun went down, but I had my trusty picnic quillow with me. It was a great seat cushion until I needed it to keep warm.


So here’s the report

Fabric Added this Week: .25 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 282.333 yards

Fabric Used this Week: .25 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 77.761 yards

Net Stash: +204.572 yards

See how others are doing over at Patchwork Times.

Posted in: Stash Busting Report

Review of October 2009 Quilting Goals

October 31, 2009 11:38 pm ⋅

The month is over, so how did I do? Well, not as good as previous months, but it could have been worse.

* Keep up with the SBS BOW – Done
* Finish the hand quilting on Josh’s Quilt – nope – two thirds of the last block remains
* Finish piecing the DWR – nope – one row is ready to attach and the last row needs putting together
* Hand quilt 2 rings on DWR – obviously not
* Complete Finishing Instructions for both sizes of Kansas Spirit BOM – The smaller quilt instructions have been turned in!
* Machine quilt borders on Josh’s Quilt – obviously not
* Make at least 4 make-up SBS blocks
* Decide on the quilting for Jeremiah’s quilt – didn’t even look at it.
* Work on Ladder to the Star sashings – finished and got the center completed
* Keep Scraps Cut Up – did this, not that there was much to do

I also made a pineapple block to try out a new-to-me technique.

Posted in: dwr, Josh's Quilt, KTS, Ladder to the Stars, monthly goals, pineapple, SBS

Playing Hooky

October 29, 2009 8:19 pm ⋅


Well, not really. I had a day of PTO (paid time off) today. The plans I made last week included sewing all day and perhaps going down to Heritage to get the backing for my DWR. Then over the weekend I got an e-mail from Quilter’s Quarters in Leavenworth, Kansas saying that Earlene Fowler, who writes the Bennie Harper Mysteries would be in the store for an informal book signing. So my plans changed to include the drive up to Leavenworth.

By the morning my plans had changed again. #1 I still don’t have the DWR finished and #2 it was rainy and overcast all morning. Since the DWR still isn’t finished, I don’t have the finished dimensions, so I don’t know how much backing I’ll need. And with the rain, I didn’t want to drive for an hour to the book signing. So, instead I spent the morning working on my 6″ Arizona block, ripping out various pieces because I kept sewing my HST facing the wrong direction.

By noon I think I had had it. Even listening to Voyager by Diana Gabaldon wasn’t soothing me (Jamie and Claire are preparing to sail to the West Indies). So, my DH decided I needed to get out of the house and do something besides go to the grocery store. (Not getting out of the house can become one of the pitfalls of working from home if you are not careful).

So, off we went in the drizzle to Leavenworth. I got to meet Earlene Fowler, she signed my copy of Bennie Harper’s Quilt Album (my husband gave it to me the Christmas after it came out), and while I was in the store I picked up a FQ purple to try with my SBS blocks (it’s too dark) and the Little Gripper.

On our way out of town we stopped at The Bargain Factory – a closeout/liquidation store – because I saw a sign that said “fabric”. Didn’t bring home any fabric (didn’t really think I would), but DH got a couple of pieces of music and a new lunch box.

Even with the rain (it poured on the way home) it turned out to be a great break and just what I needed.

Posted in: Uncategorized

Blue and Brown SBS Swap Blocks

October 29, 2009 10:44 am ⋅


The Blue & Brown Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler blocks will be back in the next couple of weeks. I think they are due to the hostess tomorrow or Saturday. Mine were sent off in early September.

Anyway, when I made my blocks, I made the five to swap and one to keep — except for G10 – Arizona. I ran out of the background fabric. I decided go ahead and make the block so I’ll have a complete set when they arrive. I think I like the original better than the new block, but in the long run I doubt it will matter much.

Posted in: SBS

What’s On My Design Wall? – 10/26

October 26, 2009 4:30 pm ⋅


These are the melons for the last planned row in my DWR. One I get the previous row attached and these into a row and attached I’ll make my final decision. The melon on the bottom doesn’t have it’s corner squares yet because I’m not sure if they are supposed to be red or blue.

Right now I’m seaming the corner squares for the previous row. When I get these two rows attached, I’ll finish up the borders on Ladder to the Stars.

Check out what’s on everyone’s design wall by following the links over at Patchwork Times.

Posted in: designwall, dwr, Ladder to the Stars

Stash Report Week # 43

October 25, 2009 7:46 am ⋅

Last week was mostly piecing what I already had cut. So just a little bit out — enough for my SBS BOW and the rest of the cornerstones I need to complete the row of rings I’m working on for my DWR.

Even though I saw some great fabrics as the show yesterday, I didn’t buy any. I even walked away from music FQs that I had not seen before!

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 282.083 yards

Fabric Used this Week: .25 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 77.511 yards

Net Stash: +204.572 yards (162.583 was received as gifts)

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

Posted in: dwr, SBS, Stash Busting Report