Last week was quite busy.

It started off with quilting the deadline quilt #1. Let’s just say my vision and quilting skills don’t quite match up yet. I haven’t decided if I’ll rip the quilting out or not, But it’s purpose was served. I needed a new plan.

I looked through my list of quilt tops in the 60 x 72 range and came up with Simply Squares – and I had the backing fabric.

Not quite the same size, but close enough to be the backup quilt. I’m happy to report that I liked the quilting this time and learned that if I can’t find pre-wound bobbins in the “right” color, go with another color.  I spent more time changing and winding bobbins….

I’m still attaching the binding or I’d have a better picture. Then there are all those thread ends which need to be hidden.

After I finished quilting this quilt, I quilted Deadline Quilt # 2.

Seven has given it her seal of approval. Eventually I’ll post a full picture of the quilt, but not quite yet.

While I wasn’t doing actual quilting, I did a bit of piecing.

All the flying geese are made for the Aiming for Accuracy Quilt-Along quilt. The other string is on my sewing table partially pieced together.

This week my plan is to finish binding Simply Squares and get the borders on A4AQA. But of course we all know how plans go.

Check out the links over at Patchwork Times to see what others are working on.

This week I quilted 3 quilts, so normally that would mean 3 backings used. However, I haven’t convinced myself that I’m not going to rip the quilting out of the first quilt, so I’m only counting backing for two.  But then I bought more fabric.

This is for my next quilt. I picked it out a month ago, but knew I couldn’t begin to work on it until I finished the quilting on the quilting this week, I still won’t start until I get the binding on at least one of the quilts — and I really would like to finish Aiming for Accuracy Quilt-Along. It just needs the borders.

The fabrics are Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Black, Maywood Shadow Play Ash Gray (the flash washed it out) and Paintbrush Lady in Red Scallop Paisley.

I’m not planning on buying any more fabric for a while — although I did see a sheet that might just be perfect for the backing for the A4AQA….

Now the numbers:

Fabric Added Since Last Report: 9 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 164.037 yards

Fabric Used Since Last Report:  8.5 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 93.274 yards

Net Used for the year -70.763 yards

See how others are doing with their stashes over at Patchwork Times.

Yesterday I finished up the center of the Aiming for Accuracy Quilt-Along top. For a vague plan — “I have enough pink and let’s use some of my florals” I think it’s coming along nicely.

The original design calls for an inner border of pink, alternating pink and floral squares and an outer pink border, finishing at 58 x 80. I’d like my quilt a bit wider so have come up with the following plan:

With the left and right borders and adjusting the spacer border the quilt will finish at 65″ x 83″.  I’m off to make some flying geese.

There are any number of things I should be working on.  The borders to Truddi’s quilt or fixing the quilting in Josh’s quilt.  But instead I pulled out the Aiming-for-Accuracy-Quilt-Along to try to get caught up. I still lack a few pieces in the bottom half of the quilt, but I’ll deal with those another day.

Today I’m going to quilt the Deadline Project. Deciding how I’m going to quilt a top is frequently the hardest part of the quilting project.  Except when it’s the execution of the quilting, deciding on colors, picking the fabric, precision piecing or the binding.  In other words, each quilt has its own challenges. In this particular instance it’s the quilting design.  I first made this quilt 6 1/2 years ago and it’s still not quilted because I haven’t figured out exactly how I’m going to quilt it. At least heading into the shop later this morning I have a rough idea.

Check out other design walls by following the links over at Patchwork Times.

It’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve reported my statistics. I’ve been shopping — but with the exception of the above 1/2 yard cut, for backing fabrics, one which will show up as “used” next week and the other as “used” by the end of the year.

Since I last reported I used or gave to Sydney, fabric for the border and backing of Sydney’s latest quilt, fabric for 3 cell phone bags and the Deadline Project quilt.

During this time frame, I made a trip to the Goodwill Clearance Center where I picked up a few shirts, a length of fabric and a couple of FQs; bought border, sashing and backing fabric for Deadline Project, bought a backing for another deadline project and the 1/2 yard of Halloween fabric.

So, by the numbers.

Fabric Added Since Last Report: 21.95 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 155.037 yards

Fabric Used Since Last Report:  9.812 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 85.024 yards

Net Used for the year -70.013 yards

See how others are doing with their stashes over at Patchwork Times.

I have several quilts which need to be quilted sooner than later. Last night the plan was to dig in the stash and find backings for these two quilts.  One will be quilted on Monday, the other later in the week. The Red and Blue stars I found in the fabric I brought from Momma’s.  At the time (nearly midnight?) I thought it should work, but it’s not doing it for me.  But I had it.

I could find absolutely NOTHING for the brown quilt. I might have been able to do a pieced backing, but I wasn’t feeling it and quite frankly, didn’t want to mess with it in the time I have. (I need to get borders on another quilt & catch up on the A4AQAL) So, today at lunch I took off for one of the LQS – Creative Hands in Belton. I found the brown and white fabric on the 40% off rack. Score!  Then when I came home and had better light I realized I really do like the red and blue stars.

At one point between not wanting to piece the backing and going to the store I thought about finding a sheet for the backing. I know there are pros and cons to using a sheet, but I figured if I can use a tablecloth, I could try a sheet.  But I forgot that plan.

But after work when we were out running errands, we stopped at the Kmart going out of business. I found a hot pink sheet on sale. I thought it would be perfect with the pink and black quilt that has recently been moved up in the queue to be quilted. (Sheet on the left quilt on the right). I’m pleased with how well the color works.

While I was digging for backings, I cleared most of the flat surfaces in the sewing room (or at least got it down to something manageable) and put away all the fabric which had been laying around. Finally I pulled the fabric for Lesson 12.  I’m a bit behind since Lesson 15 was released this week.

Last night I finished my latest quilt top.  The one from this collection of fabrics.

There are several deadlines associated with it. The first one I met. Now to get it quilted so I can meet the second deadline.  But first I’ve got to figure out what to use for a backing.

J is for Jacob’s Ladder this month’s block of Dorothy Young’s alphabet block-of-the-month.  If you wish to quilt along, join the group by clicking on the “Join Now!” button.

Click to join apocketfullofmysteries.

Last week I quilted Syd’s latest quilt — this time with butterflies.  Well, they sort of look like butterflies if you squint and are looking at the quilt right side up – but look at it from the side they look more like flowers.

Check out what others have on their design wall by following the links over at Patchwork Times.

This morning I attended the Quilters Guild of Greater Kansas City‘s quit show.  The quilts were wonderful. No pictures since I didn’t take my camera.  They also had numerous vendors.

At one booth I found the Quiltsmart Cell phone Bag.  I bought a panel of the interfacing, came home and made the black and white with red lining.  It went together quickly.

Syd dug through my fabrics and came up with fabric for two. I think she plans to give them to her friends.