Friday, October 28, 2016

Vintage Finish - Trip Around the World

Another vintage finish for this week - this was a twin size Trip Around the World Block that the owner desired to be sized up to a King size quilt!  It was a bit of a challenge because a king size quilt is pretty much a big square, so I needed to add a lot more border to the sides than to the top and bottom.

I started out by adding an 8inch section to each side using a matching piece of vintage fabric I scavenged from another top of my own.  I like that one much better without all the purple borders - and they matched this quilt perfectly!  Then I added more borders with three different reproduction prints.  The purple and orange floral is my favorite - it's just a happy print.

After I got the borders on came the ordeal of basting this huge quilt.  I used my dining room table, carefully centering the top along the edge of the backing and batting.  Then I pinned, carefully moved the quilt, pinned more, and so on until I got it done.  I did well - no wrinkles on the back side at all!


It took several days to do all the quilting.  I finished this one off using a meandering pattern as well.  I used a light purple 50 wt Aurifil on the top and tan on the bottom.  It worked out just great!
I used the last border fabric for the binding as well.  See the yellow and brown diamond at the top?  It's a different little touch to this quilt.


I'd love to know why the maker of this quilt added it.  I've never seen one like it.  It gives it a little more pizzazz.  I'm not sure if I would put it at the top of the bed or the bottom. I guess you could go either way!

On a king size bed you'll see that purple strip on the top of the mattress instead of the side.  It matches perfectly so I think it will look nice.

I'm glad to have this project done.  Next on my list is the Pineapple quilt I am making as a special order.  I nearly have the top together, so will hopefully get it quilted tomorrow.  My list is long for November, so I have to keep moving on!

I've got another vintage finish coming up later, but not next week.

Linking up with Myra for Finished or Not Friday on her blog - Busy Hands Quilting.  Come by and see what everyone else is working on!


Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts

Friday, October 21, 2016

Vintage Finish - Double wedding ring

Did you ever have a quilt that you just could not get excited about?  Something you couldn't sink your teeth into and work on with total joy?  One that had such issues that you just knew it was going to be a total disaster no matter what you did with it?  This is the story of one of those quilts!

This is a project that was passed on to me by my friend who has an alteration shop.  She had a customer come in with a stack of the pieced rings for a double wedding ring quilt - just the rings, no wedges or centers.  My friend decided to applique the ring sections onto a background fabric, then piece the squares into a queen size quilt.  When it landed in my lap I was not excited about it at all - I was really stuck on the fact that it was not being sewn together the "right" way.



After I machine appliqued some of the blocks, I grudgingly admitting that sewing these the traditional way would have been torture as the rings did not lay very flat and were not all the same size, plus the fabrics were not all quilting cottons, this is truly a scrap bag quilt.  After we ran out of the first background fabric and had to substitute a second fabric, I was even less enthused about how this was going o come together.  Finally we got enough blocks prepared to make a large enough top to fit a queen size bed and I had to grit my teeth and just start putting the blocks together.

As I sewed, I found that the look of the quilt really started to appeal to me, and when I finished the top I was surprised to find that I really loved the way it came out!  I decided to quilt it in a simple meander and when I was done found that I can say I wholeheartedly approve of the result.  It's traditional, and modern at the same time.  The alternating background really gives it a fun look, and you really can't tell that the blocks are not all the same size.
I have enough blocks left to make a matching lap quilt for the owners daughter, and a couple of pillows as well, so that's my plan for this rainy fall day!

 I ended up liking this project so much that I had to add it to my "bucket list" of quilts to make for myself.   I am on the lookout for a batch of these rings that I can buy to make my own quilt in the same way!  I'm sure that eventually I will find a nice batch of them at the right price.

What did I learn from making this quilt?  That sometimes thinking outside the box can have fabulous results.  What do you think?

I'm linking up with Myra at BusyHandsQuilts - join in and see some great projects!

Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts

Saturday, October 15, 2016

Pumpkinfest with Island Batik!

Welcome to another fun challenge from Island Batik!  I love fall, so it was really a pleasant task to create a quilt inspired by the lovely browns and oranges I received in my bundle.  I wasn't inspired to make a project with a pumpkin, but I was inspired by a kaleidoscope quilt I saw.  I haven't made one since I was a very new quilter.  The first one I made was used to cover a window in our house.  I made it using templates - I didn't own a rotary cutter yet, so cut out each piece individually with scissors!  I can't find a picture of it, but it had the dusty pinks and blues that were popular in the 80's.  I was very intrigued by the illusion of curves in a quilt made with all geometric pieces and have always thought I would like to make another one someday.

For this quilt, instead of using templates and a pencil to mark my pieces I used my rotary cutter and rulers to make fast work of this part of the process.  I used the Triangler ruler by Anka's Treasures to cut out the triangles, and calculated the corner pieces.  I had an enjoyable afternoon putting pieces on my design wall and rearranging them until I cam up with an arrangement that I liked.

Isn't it pretty?  So the next step was sewing.  The center block was super simple, but the rest of the blocks got a little challenging for me, and I used my seam ripper several times when I realized I had sewn the wrong set of triangles together!

I used my mini design board to make one block at a time.  This is one of the corner blocks.
After sewing the triangles into pairs, I would then sew pairs into half block units.  This would be where I would get into trouble every time.  I would somehow sew the pairs backwards and not notice until the whole block was together!  This one I got right, though!

Then the two halves get put together.  Watch those seams in the center - if you sew accurately they come out looking good!

 Here are the nine blocks sewn and ready to be assembled.  I figured out my borders, then added the first round.  I ended up with a point that was cut off pretty badly.  I'm not too much of a  perfectionist about this, a few threads off isn't bad, but this one was definitely off!

I took out my stitching for a couple inches before and after the point and adjusted my stitching line on the point so it looks a lot better now:
Still slightly off, but within my tolerance level!  (See the pretty prints!  I loved working with these!)

I finished sewing the second border on and called it done:

Pretty!  I am calling this quilt Autumn glow.

I quilted it with three lines 1/4 inch apart around all the circles I could see.  I added some angled lines in the same way in the outer border and bound it with the bright orange to finish it off:

This beautiful wall hanging is available in my Etsy shop:  Autumn Glow Wall hanging.  As much as I love it, I have an abundance of fall quilts!  I am inspired to do more playing with kaleidoscope designs after making this, it's sure a lot easier with today's tools!  Thanks to Island Batik for providing the lovely fabrics for this challenge, and the inspiration  Several of them look like they are from the Dotalicious line - fun prints that work for a variety of projects.  Make sure you keep a look out for these at your local quilt shop!



Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Folk Art Traditions


I am so happy I volunteered to help Suzy with this blog hop!  I really enjoyed making this table runner from her new book - Folk Art Quilted Traditions, and am totally thrilled with how my project came out!

I loved how detailed the instructions were for the applique blocks.  I chose this one because I loved the little heart shapes at the top of the flower.  It was really quite easy to put this block together because of all the wonderful tips in the book.  I picked up some great pointers that I can use on future projects as well.  The instructions were easy to read and follow, and though the blocks are very detailed, I think just about anyone willing to take their time and be careful could make them.

Here's a picture of my block in progress.  All the applique pieces for each block are clearly labeled for easy assembly, which was super helpful!  I used machine applique for my block.

Several of us have made the table runner, and each one looks quite different.  I used several different Island Batiks for my version - including my favorite Egg White background!  The directions were great for the runner as well - it was a piece of cake to assemble.  


Here is my block in the finished table runner.  (Block number 5 in the book)  I would love to make a quilt with all the blocks someday! If you like applique, you will definitely want this book for your library!   There are several other one block projects, as well as larger quilts to make.  If you would like to try your hand at a project, you can win a free copy of the book from Suzy as well as some Island Batik fat quarters.

Just enter here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here is the schedule again, make sure you check out all the posts to see different blocks and projects from the book:

Monday, October 10
Connie Kresin Campbell - http://www.conniekresin.com/

Tuesday, October 11

Wednesday, October 12

Thursday, October 13
Maryellen McAuliffe - http://teachpany.blogspot.com/

Friday October 14
Adele Mogavero - http://adelemogavero.com/

Saturday October 15 - Final Wrap-up

I hope you've enjoyed this look at Suzy Webster's book - make sure you ask for it at your local quilt shop!

Monday, October 10, 2016

So Many Irons!

I bet I fooled you with that title - actually I only own one iron.  The irons I'm talking about are all the irons on my fire these days!  I have so many pending projects that I am actually a little scared to list them all.  It's a bit paralyzing to tell the truth.  What I've decided to do is just concentrate on what is in front of me one day at a time.
This is the next project to be quilted.  I was not thrilled with project from the very start.  I felt like it was a shame to applique those wedding ring sections to the squares and really procrastinated on working on it because I thought it was going to be awful.  And then, two different backgrounds?  What in the world was this going to look like?  I finally pushed myself into putting the blocks together, and guess what?  I love it!  I'm going to be on the lookout for a pile of those unfinished sections in the thrift shops so I can make one for myself.  

There are so many fun fabrics in the wedges - I'll take a few pictures as I quilt it to show you later.  This quilt is just going to get an overall quilting design on it - I'm thinking loops and hearts at the moment.  I got it basted today, so hope to have it finished by friday - the owner of the blocks is going to be very happy, I think!  

Today is Show and Tell day on the Road Home Row Along!  Visit Seams to Be Sew for links to the posts - and sign up for the giveaways!  

Don't forget the Folk Art Quilted Traditions blog hog, either.  Today's post are:


Enjoy!

A tip for Organizing your EQ7 Files - EQ25

I don't know about you, but I am not an overly organized person.  Not only are my paper files a mess, but my EQ files get a little crazy as well.  Mostly because I end up with a bunch of unrelated projects all stuffed together into one file.  Then, when I go to find a certain quilt I was working on I have to open up a whole bunch of projects to find that one quilt that I want to do something with.  There is an easy way to take those projects and make a new file so you can find them easily.

Start by opening the original project file.  Click File and select "Create Copy Project"

Name your project and save it.  Now make sure you open the new project and from there, you can start getting of the unwanted quilts and just keep the ones you want in that particular file.  Just open the sketchbook and delete the quilts you don't want in that file.  You will still have all the original projects in the original file, so don't worry!

You can do the same thing with unused blocks, but in this case you might have to delete a lot of various color variations of the same block.  If you want a really clean slate (and if you are e-mailing the project you probably do), you can choose to compress project file size under the file menu.  If you choose this option you will delete all unused blocks, fabrics and thread.  You can always add more fabrics, blocks, and thread in later if you like.

Now don't forget to clean up the original file and remove the quilt copied to the new project!

Maybe now I can get those project files organized so I can find what I am looking for quickly.  I hope it helps you as well.

Make sure you check out QuiltShopGal to see more posts on Electic Quilt today!

Don't forget to enter at the Electric Quilt Blog for this month's prize - HandiQuilter is this month's prize partner and they will be giving away a copy of EQ7 there.  Plus, use the #EQ25 on social media to be entered for additional prizes - only a couple more months to enter.

Sunday, October 09, 2016

Folk Art Quilted Traditions Blog Hop

One of the privileges of being an Island Batik Ambassador is getting to cheer on our fellow Ambassadors projects!  Suzy Webster has just published a wonderful book and we are going to spread the news with a blog hop.  I had a great time creating my project, and I can't wait to see what the other participants have come up with.

This starts tomorrow, so make sure you get hopping right away!  Of course, you will have the opportunity to win a copy of the book, and some fabric, too.

Here is the schedule:

Monday, October 10
Connie Kresin Campbell - http://www.conniekresin.com/

Tuesday, October 11


Wednesday, October 12

Thursday, October 13
Maryellen McAuliffe - http://teachpany.blogspot.com/

Friday October 14
Adele Mogavero - http://adelemogavero.com/


Saturday October 15 - Final Wrap-up

Saturday, October 08, 2016

Finishing up The Road Home Row Along

Sorry I have been an absentee blogger this week.  Blame it on too much to do and something had to give.  The good news is that I defeated the Windows 10 update and seem to be able to use my laptop again - it even talks to the printer -woohoo!

I was excited to win a Calibre Art Cutting mat from Bea Quilter's giveaway for the Road Home!  It is seriously an awesome cutting mat!  It is two sided - one side is marked in inches and one in centimeters.  I can tell you honestly, that this mat has no chemical smell whatsoever, and is a dream to cut on.  I love it!

I am participating in another blog hop starting Monday, but wanted to remind you that all the rows are available now for the Road Home Row Along.  We got tripped up by the website we were hosting the rows on changing their web-site this past week, so if you had any trouble downloading a row, make sure to try again.  Most of us will have our rows available for the next few weeks, so don't forget to download your favorites.  If you have any problem with my row, leave me a comment with your e-mail address and I would be happy to send it to you directly.

Here is the complete list of participants.  Make sure you check out Show and Tell day on Tuesday to see some quilts made with a variety of the rows.

September 6
Allie-Oops Sweet Happy Lifecreates Harrisville, MI Sunrise Coast
Cynthia’s Creating Ark
creates Adelaide South Australia
Kissed Quilts
creates Grand Coulee, Washington
Renee’s Quilting Addiction
creates Alberta, Canada
September 8
Sew Incredibly Crazy
creates Colorado
Patchouli Moon Studio
creates Central New Mexico
Seacoast Quilter
creates New Milford, Connecticut
3 Patch Crafts
creates Bulgaria
September 13
Tweety Loves Quilting
creates Edinburgh, UK
Quiltscapes
creates Heber City, Utah
Seams To Be Sew
creates Idaho Falls, Idaho
Pine Valley
creates New Zealand
September 15
bdieges designs
creates Road to Tehachapi (CA)
Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
creates Worcester County in Central Massachusetts
Cloth and Paper Studio
creates North Georgia Mountains
Patti’s Patchwork
creates Toronto, Ontario Canada
Quilt in Piece
creates Amanzimtoti, South Africa
September 20
Beaquilter
creates Denmark
Heleen Pinkster
creates Netherlands
Seams To Be Sew For Batts In The Attic — date may change
creates Hollywood/LA
Rebecca Mae Designs
creates Northern Maine
September 22
Words & Stitches
creates Beaches of California
Quilt Art
creates Africa
I Can Quilt 2
creates Baltimore, MD
Any Pattern
creates Port Angeles, Washington
September 27
Creatin’ in the Sticks
creates Dodge City, Kansas
MooseStash Quilting
creates Alaska
Patchwork Breeze
creates West Michigan Shoreline
Sue Griffiths Featured At Just Let Me Quilt
creates Northern Rivers Region, NSW, Australia
September 29
Quilted Fabric Art
creates Burlington Vermont
Westend Quilter
creates Manitoulin Island, Canada
Pamela Quilts
creates Oregon
Quilt Fabrication
creates Silicon Valley, CA
October 04
Just Let Me Quilt
creates Las Vegas, Nevada
Linda Robertus
creates Netherlands
Elm Street Quilts
creates North Carolina
Sarah Quinn Featured At Seams To Be Sew
creates Outer Space
October 06
Cheryl LaPlant Featured At Quilt In Piece
creates York, Maine
Miss Loreen’s Schoolhouse
creates New Hampshire
Bumbleberry Stitches
creates Oklahoma
Needle in a Hayes Stack
creates Mojave Desert

Wednesday, October 05, 2016

Quiltsy Handmade Does the Monster Mash

Thanks to TheBattyQuilter of the Quiltsy Team on Etsy for this fun video!