Quilting and Stuff by Knitnoid

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

SBS Block Due 10/25

October 24, 2009 9:20 pm ⋅


A10 – Bachelor’s Puzzle

Today S, T & I went to the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo here in Kansas City. It was the first time I attended the event since it moved up to the KCI-Expo Center.

They had some great quilt and garment displays and of course vendors. I nearly made it out without buying anything.

The very first booth got me — although I made it through the entire show and circled back to make my purchase.

It was the Bo-Nash booth with the Bo-Nash Bonding Agent. Apparently it can be used to baste quilts instead of the quilt basting spray. It also came with a tube of vinyl/leather repair, so I’m going to try and fix my car seats. I’ll let you know how it works after I use it.

Posted in: notions, SBS