challenges

I saw a needlework piece at a needlework shop..so took a pic of it and then began trying to figure out how to make it work as  a quilt...

So, here are some pics..

So here is the block design I drew up.

The block would be 18 x 18.  This is 16 x 16.  The dark outer color would be the background.  The Star type block would be a Main Fabric, and the blank square would be a complimentary plain fabric.

This would be a full quilt with each of the Star blocks would be one of the blocks above.  It is out of proportion, but it was suggested to me to make the quilt be outside of the borders.

My challenge is the wings on either side.  It needs to look like you are looking at the kimono from the back, and that the front is opened.  So the wings should have the fabric at angles that show the 3D look.  

         

I tried a sample piece and don't see the outer wing as being angled enough.  It has taken a few days of thinking, but I think I know how to change the look.  So will wait til after Valentines Day to work on it.

Table Runner Experiment

I have wanting to learn how to free motion quilt for quite a while.  According to all the books and articles I have read, practice, practice, practice is the key to learning how to do the task.  Since I am in limbo between projects, I decided to put together a simple table runner and see what I can do.  And  so I made the table runner.

I will say that getting to play with the walking foot tool is fun.  Good thing, there is a small instruction sheet on how to hook up the free loop tool.. haha.

So I went for it and I was more impressed by the skill needed to accomplish something that looks good.  So there are going to be lots of pot holders in my future as I learn this skill..haha..

I also got to practice the other skills of making the binding perfect and gluing the edges down to reduce having to use pins on the binding, which are always the death of me.  I usually spend more time cussing because I have snagged my finger on another pin..

And naturally, Gracie had to bless the material first.

Anyway, here is the table runner.

This is the free motion quilting.  I see the long stitches, the short stitches, the side step direction ending in a point cause I didn't know where the heck the piece was headed.  I can also see I will have to move my machine from its small table to my big cutting table, so I have room to maneuver fabric.

The bright orange fabric is the backing and enough left over for the binding.  The binding is glued in place,  so just need to sew on the decorative stitch I like.

The finished piece.

Scarves Are Done

I didn't take enough pics, but saw the cutest pattern on line from Sew 4 Home. It was a basic neck scarf for a man. What I liked about it was that they have you make a small zippered bag and then see it on one end of the scarf. The bag is made from ribbed sport nylon .. I think that is the right verbage for it. Anyway it was clever. The length was 60 inches. For me, that's not long enough, but the person I made it for is small framed, so it should work. I changed my copy of the length of the pattern to 72 inches, because I think most people would find that length more suitable. 

Anyway, here is the one pic I took of it. Note the zippered pocket. You can wear the scarf with bag showing or reverse scarf and have bag next to your body. My friends has a large dog she walks daily, so bag could hold keys, bags for poop scoops, or whatever. 

Another blanket project

I was playing around with some templates I picked up when I was in South Dakota last July.  Want to make a crib quilt and have lots of flannel sitting in the stash drawer.  So thought I would make some test blocks to see how they look.  I really like the look, so will go ahead and make the blanket out of them.

Finished the lap quilt top

I finished up the lap quilt top.  Will send it out to be quilted after the new year.

It is 52 x 52 inches.

Backing and binding will be the same green as the background color.

Ok..came back all quilted, so finished the binding and got it sent off..Came out great.

New Project Starting

I have begun my next project.  It is called a Shimacho Quilt.  I am making a slightly smaller version than the pattern calls for.  I had a stash of Asian type fabric I have been saving for a special project.  This will work perfect for what I have in mind.  The person getting this will like it I think.

So..here are a few photos of the idea.

What the finished piece should look like… I like how the borders form a negative space

The sample shows all the fabrics from my stash.

The green cloth will be the borders (in white on the pattern) and will be the full background front and back and side borders when the whole thing is done.

The overall look..pattern, planned idea, cloth

The King Size quilt is finished…finally

I finally sewed the last thread on the king size quilt I have been making for our bed for the past year.  I learned a few things in the process.

1.  I had Terri, the long-arm quilter leave the excess fabric on the blanket.  Then, per something I read on line, I trimmed the outer edge down to one inch from the fabric edge.  I sewed the binding on, putting raw edge to the line Terri sewed around the perimeter of the finished quilt.  I measured out ⅜ inch from the line I sewed and trimmed the edge back to that.

 

2.  Using water soluble glue, I glued the binding down on the back side, ironing it to set the glue. Glueing it down meant that I did not have to deal with pins as I tried to sew the binding in place.  The first time the quilt is washed will remove the glue from the quilt.

3.  Since my hand stitching has much to be desired, I used a decorative stitch to sew the binding down permanently.

It is now on the bed!!