Starting another lap quilt

I really didn't need to start another project.  I still have way too many projects left undone.  And, yet, I started another project.  More lap quilts will be needed for next year's Winter Sports clinic.  I've been wanting to make a quilt using plaid fabrics, and this seemed like a good time to do it.

I decided to use the left over backing fabric from the patriotic wall hanging that I just finished for contrast.  Then, I started cutting into two old sheets that I had gotten to use as backing fabric, an old dress shirt, and a quarter of a yard of a plaid print.  I also decided to use the triangle Accu Quilt GO template. 

So far, I'm liking the result.  I took two strips of fabric at a time to run through the Accu Quilt GO.

Cutting the triangles

I love how even the triangles come.

Nicely cut triangles

And, by sewing each of the triangles together...

First pair of triangles sewn together

And pretty soon, I had a bunch of squares finished.

Finished squares

I have a few more to finish, and then I'll start sewing them together.  I'm liking the way that this is turning out.

Fixing my (sewing) mistakes

When I was in JoAnn's to purchase the backing fabric, I noticed a pretty linen print that was in a "today's special" bin for 50% off.  Not sure what I was going to make out of it didn't stop me from purchasing two yards of the fabric.  Once I got it home and pre-washed, I started browsing through patterns.  I didn't have anything I really liked, so I went back to JoAnn's to buy a pattern.  Fortunately, the pattern only required 1 7/8ths of a yard.  I was good to go.

Or, so I thought.  Apparently, I've gained more weight than I realized.  I should have gotten the next set of sizes.  However, I've run into this with several of my existing patterns (which really meant that I should have known better), and so I decided to just add a bit here and there.

It turned out fairly well.

Almost finished blouse

It fit in all the places that it needed to fit, with one minor exception.  I hadn't taken the neckline into consideration when I added to the pattern.  The hole was definitely just a tad bit bigger than it should have been.  Perhaps by an inch on either side.  The question was, what to do about it?

Last night, I had an idea.  I went into my stash and found a lace that could be doubled over.

Sewing the lace in half

Next, I pinned a piece on each side, with the sewn side toward the seam line.

Pinning the lace in place

It is on, even, and closes up the hole by the perfect amount.

Problem solved!

I wore it to work today.  I think I actually like it better with the lace.  Not bad for making a mistake!

Finished the patriotic wall hanging

I have to admit that I had a lot of fun with this one.  Here is the finished wall hanging:

Finished Patriotic Wall Hanging

I tried something new--for me--while quilting this one.  On the left side, I quilted the words:  "Let Freedom Ring."

Let Freedom Ring

And, on the right side "The Land of the Free, Because of the Brave."

The Land of the Free, Because of the Brave.

I definitely will be quilting more text as time goes on.  It was much easier than I though it would be.

Finished the applique on the patriotic wall hanging

Tonight, I finished the applique on the patriotic wall hanging.  Geff enlarged a silhouette of the flag raising at Iwo Jima for me. 

And, this afternoon, I got it cut out and sewn onto the wall hanging.  I decided not to add an extra border.  Anything else seemed to be a little distracting.

Next up:  buy the backing fabric and start the machine quilting.

A little bit of filet crochet

When I was in my 20s, I discovered filet crochet.  Filet crochet uses the concept of open meshes and closed meshes to create a design.  And, typically, instead of yarn, a heavy thread is used.  I think this form of crochet appeals to my geekier side--it reminds me of the basic on or off state.

I subscribed to a couple of crochet magazines at the time, and several of them had patterns in them.  Some were bird patterns; some were floral; some were geometric.  I made five or six table runners before my wrist started acting up.

Several years ago when I was traveling a lot for work, I ran across one of the old magazines and decided to pick it up again.  The pattern I chose was a horse and carriage, and I decided to use a denim blue thread.  Unfortunately, it is still a work in progress.

Tonight, I was feeling very tired, so I decided to make some progress:

In progress filet crochet project

While I'm currently working on row 40, it is still difficult to see the image at this point.  The horse is facing toward the left of the image, with one of the front legs up.  The crochet hook is laying on the wheel of the carriage.  Several years into the project, and I still have a long way to go.

A patriotic wall hanging

A little over a month ago, I got a call asking if I'd be willing to create a wall hanging to be raffled off to raise money for a veterans group.  What could I say?

"Um, how big are you thinking?"
"Oh, approximately 3 by 5."
"Any theme?"
"Could you make it patriotic?"

Naturally, I said I would create one.

I've been thinking about it quite a bit, and on Saturday, I finally came up with an idea that I like.

Over the weekend, I bought some fabric and pre-washed it.  Last night, I started off with a stack of fabric and a vague idea:

Stack of fabric for a patriotic wall hanging

I started by cutting the various red and white fabrics into 2.5" strips.  Next, it was time to sew them together.

Two panels of red and white stripes

Tonight, I added some gold fabric to the top and bottom, and then sewed some stripes on to a piece of blue fabric.  Next, it was time to cut the strips into vertical strips with variable widths.  Then, I laid the strips out.

The original lay-out

The strips are now all sewn together.

The strips sewn together

Next up, I need to level out the top and bottom, and then add a slim border to the two ends.  After that, I'll add a border, and then it will be time to applique the center design.  So far, I'm happy with it.

Sofa pillows

A couple of weeks ago, I found this great fabric at our neighbor's garage sale:

Even though I'm trying really hard not to buy any more fabric, the fabric kept calling to me until I decided to go ahead and buy it.  Saturday, I bought two pillow forms.

Both pillow forms are 16" square.  Now that the charity quilt is finished, I decided it was time to finish up a project!

And, I decided for a change to not over-complicate the project.  The fabric is great as it is.  Plain squares with no embellishment will look fantastic on the sofa.  After cutting out four 17"x17" squares, it was time to pin them together and start sewing.

Soon, one more finished project.

Although, there is still plenty of fabric left...

The 2013 charity quilt is finished!

Tonight, I finished the 2013 charity quilt!  For starting on it later than I did the past two years, I still managed to finish it with over a month to spare.

The finished 2013 charity quilt

The back of the quilt turned out well, also.

A marbled fabric is on the back

This one is a little harder to give away than the other charity quilts--it would look great on the bed in the spare bedroom.  The spare bedroom quilt is definitely another story.  I started one for that bed several years ago.  I really need to finish that one some day.

Until then, I have another project in mind.  One that can be finished quickly:  pillows for the living room sofa.  A couple of weeks ago, I spotted this fabric at the neighbor's rummage sale:

Fabric to make pillows for the couch

Yesterday, I purchased two pillow forms from Hancock Fabrics while they were 30% off.  The next project will definitely be the pillows.

A good Memorial Day!

Today was a very busy day.  I slept in until almost 8, and then machine quilted for an hour (using up a single bobbin). Then, it was time to head to the VA Hospital to help serve meals to the veterans at the nursing home there and to take the opportunity to talk with them. 

And, a special shout out to all veterans:  Thank you for your service!

Once home, I again hit the sewing machine, once again using up a single bobbin (bobbin #2). After some laundry and housework, I went for bobbin #3.  I tried to finish bobbin #4 this evening, but my shoulders are simply tired out.

The good news is that the center area is now all quilted, as is the first of the four border panels.  And, I'm about a third of the way on the second border panel.  If I had to guess, I'd say that I have another bobbin and a half left to go.  This is a good thing.  At this pace, I should finish well before the mid-July deadline.

Starting the machine quilting on the 2013 charity quilt

Tonight, I finally started machine quilting on the 2013 charity quilt. 

Starting the machine quilting

My wonderful husband helped me sandwich (putting the top, the batting, and the backing together) the quilt last night, but I wasn't quite satisfied with the way that the backing puckered in spots.  So, tonight, we took the backing off and put it back on.

I am much happier with the backing now.

The machine quilting went smoothly tonight.  Instead of fighting with the machine, the quilting just sort of flowed.  I went through a full bobbin, and decided to stop for the night.   I am, however, quite pleased with the way that both the front:

and the back:

are looking.

May the rest of the machine quilting on this quilt go as well.

Finished the top of the charity quilt

Last night, I added the borders to the charity quilt:

Today, I found a pretty blue fabric that is 108" wide to use for the backing fabric.  I also picked up some thread.  With the batting already in the craft room (purchased when batting was 50% off at Hancock Fabrics), I am ready to start the machine quilting.  Considering that the quilt needs to be ready to head to Reno in mid-July, it is probably a good thing that I'm ready to start machine quilting!

Paisley Bird Quilt

After being inspired by the Denver Quilt Festival, I spent much of the evening last night and most of the day today at the sewing machine.  The top of the paisley bird quilt is now finished for the most part:

The top of the paisley bird quilt

I have definitely had fun with this one.  And, I'm always pleasantly surprised when the idea in my head looks similar to the end product.  Although, I'm still trying to figure out if it needs a border around the outside edge...

Regardless, I think there will be some more embroidered birds in my near future.

Denver Quilt Festival

Today, we went to the Denver Quilt Festival.  Wow.  There are some incredibly create, artistic quilters. As we walked around and looked at all the different quilts, wall hangings, clothing, and dolls, I was in awe.  The techniques, materials, and stitching were all amazing.

After looking at the finished quilts, we headed toward the vendor area.  There seemed to be fewer vendors this year, but the vendors that were there all had interesting items for sale.  My friend Sue had come with us, and one booth called to both of us.

All in all, it was very inspiring. 

I came home and sewed.  I now have all 20 squares finished for the paisley bird quilt.

Here is how the bird with all the french knots finally turned out:

Now, I just need to figure out the best layout...

Finished with the french knots

I finally finished embroidering the last of the centers for the latest quilt, which I'm calling the paisley bird quilt.  Here is the tail of the last bird:

Finished tail on a Paisley Bird

I've had a lot of fun with these squares.  I'm almost disappointed that I'm finished with the embroidery part of the quilt.  I will definitely be embroidering more of these birds.  While I'm finishing up the sewing for first the 2013 charity quilt and the sewing on this quilt, I'll likely do a few more of these for table runners and pillows. 

Each of the birds have their own personality.  I'm looking forward to seeing the personality develop on a few more of these.

Going a little french knot crazy

I've been working on another quilt.  This one has taken some time because I'm embroidering the center of each block.  I'm working on the center of the last square now.  And, tonight I think I've gone overboard on french knots.

French knots and blanket stitching

Normally, I don't have the patience for french knots, but tonight I'm finding it relaxing.

I may just have to create more of these once I have enough for the quilt.  I can picture a couple of pillows and perhaps a series of patterns.

Charity Quilt 2013

Once again, I've been working on a quilt to be donated to raise money for a special needs school.  This year, though, between having a long commute and working on a few other projects, I decided that I needed to keep it simple.

It took me a while just to find the inspiration fabric.  I eventually found it in a fabric store (Factory Mill Outlet) in Colorado Springs.  Then, I needed to figure out the design.  A trip to a quilt store in Pueblo triggered the design. 

I was soon sketching it out. Then, cutting it out.

I skipped a step, unfortunately.

And, unfortunately, it was a pretty important step: measuring.

I had cut up most of the inspiration fabric before realizing that I didn't have enough of the fabric to finish the quilt.  Because I hadn't bought the fabric locally and I didn't have the time for a run down to Colorado Springs, I had a couple of alternatives:  buy more fabric online, give up, or modify the design.  The design modification won out.

Here are a couple of photos of the quilt top, which is still in progress.

This first photo shows a close up of the inspiration fabric.

And, here is a photo of the top:

It isn't quite finished yet.  I want to add a border around the entire quilt, possibly up to 8 inches all the way around.  And, yes, the cream inserts are the re-design.

Back Again

I'm not really sure why I stopped posting for a while.  I was definitely still working on projects the past few months.

One of the projects that I was working on was finishing up some of the lap quilts for the veterans program.  The lap quilts were distributed to the veterans at the Winter Sports clinic in March.  Here are five of the finished lap quilts.

Two of these I started before I stopped posting.  The other three were ones that my husband designed.  All in all, I'm pretty pleased with the way that they turned out.

This lap quilt was a Stack-in-Whack quilt that another quilter had started.  It was pretty obvious that she had intended for it to be a full-sized quilt.  But, she never had a chance to finish it.  It was a pleasure to be able to finish two more squares, and then turn the start into something that could be used to keep someone warm.

It is also a reminder to me that life is short...