I’m Here!

There has been a lot going on.  I’ve been sewing but also decluttering.  The bug has really hit me to get rid of stuff.  I joined a challenge to get rid of 2023 things in 2023.  You would not think checking off a box on a piece of paper would be so motivating but it has really captured my attention.  

I’ve been trying to keep a balance in everything by not being all or nothing.  I had to pull out the timer to keep me moving along.  I’m going through papers from my parents house that are of the memories variety.  I’ve made some decent headway but also find I have to stop after a time so that I don’t get overwhelmed.

At the beginning of the year I made 4 lists of the quilting variety.  Two are lists of flimsies that need quilting.  I have not made good progress here.  I have quilted one and started loading the next.  I need to find motivation in this area.  I made two other lists.  One is new things I’d like to start.  One started there and brought to flimsy.  The list I’ve really made progress on are the list of UFOs that are in pieces.  So far I’ve gotten 7 to the flimsy stage.  Here is some eye candy.

You saw Linda’s Irish Chain in black, red and white.  

Pfeffernusse.  I added borders.

Double 9 Patch.  This required a lot of sewing.

Bug Rail Fence.  I was going to make two but decided I want a different pattern for the remaining fabric.

Double Irish Chain.  I added borders.

The following two were gifted blocks.  I set them on point.

Split Decision.  I assemble the top and added borders.

This one is sort of a UFO sort of a new start.  I had lots of leftovers from my commission quilts.  I turned it into this Chiclets quilt.

I only have 4 left from my list.  I’m working on adding borders to one%. The other is very intense piecing of 1.5” HSTs.  The final project will be around 35”.  Here is a sneak peek.

I know if I root around I will find other in progress items.  I did pull one out last night.

Hope all is well in your world!

Happy New Year 2023

The commissioned quilts arrived in time for Christmas.  I’m awaiting pictures with their recipients.

I started quilting on my quilt.  I have a plan and sort of quilted myself into a corner of sorts.  I started with rulers and they’re a little too restrictive for the space.  I’ll do the rest free hand but am having a bit of a pouting session first.

In the meantime I’ve been piecing.  First I made Pokémon pillowcases for my son.  They were a cute print I found at Hobby Lobby.

Then I made a kitchen set for my daughter consisting of four owl cozies and three hot pads custom sized to her pans.  They are made of a cute gnome fabric also found at Hobby Lobby.  I added decorative stitches to the smallest hot pad.  On the last side it got hung up and it kept stitching on itself.  That was a mess to pick out.  I just removed the bad and redid that spot.  The others got simple straight stitching!

Right before the New Year a friend of mine gave me 24 blocks from a swap we had participated in.  Each person chose their own fabrics and pattern.  Each person was to make two blocks then pass the box to the next person until the box was returned tothe owner.  The book of patterns they chose had terrible instructions.  Peoples sewing abilities were sub par.  The boxes did not get passed correctly.  I never got my friends box and didn’t make any of the 24 blocks.  When she got her blocks back they ranged in size from 11.75” to 14”.  She was so disappointed.  I took the wrong ones apart for her and did some fixes.  She just couldn’t get past the fiasco and gifted the blocks and leftover fabric to me.  I told her I would finish the quilt and she resisted my offer.  A few weeks ago I went to work and fixed one last block.  Then I made 11 more.  This was after a back and forth trying to determine the size she wanted with her still resisting.  I took the completed center, shown below, to her to audition on her bed and audition borders.  Saturday the decision was made and I got the first border on.  Will get the second one on this week.

While working on the above and waiting for decisions I pulled out my scrappy red plaid double Ninepatch and continued piecing.  I need 150 of the small 9 patches which will make up 30 double ninepatch blocks.  The blocks will be set on point.   .I had a little cutting to do to have what I need for the small 9 patches.  I also have more sub cutting to do.  I hope to have it to top stage by the weekend.

I’m participating in a 2023 in 2023 decluttering challenge.  I have 150 items marked of so far.  On average I will need to have 168.5 items per month.  So far it’s been very motivating to check off the boxes.

How’s your 2023 going so far?

Swooze 

What’s Next and UFO Challenge

The quilts are boxed up and winging their way north.  It’s in the hands of UPS now.  They said Saturday delivery so we shall see.  I’ve really gotten to know my machine in quilting nine quilts in a row.  Now that I warmed up I decided to join a UFO challenge on the stashbuster io group.

The entry fee to join is $1 and 2 FQs.  If you’re selected queen based on a rolling list then you have one week to complete a quilt or pay a FQ penalty.  You also have to complete one UFO per quarter.   I think most people can not be crowned by simply finishing oneUFO each quarter.  The number of participants also determines how often your name will bubble up to the top.

Another unofficial challenge they do is the random UFO challenge.  You list your UFOs at the beginning of the year.  At the first of each month they draw a low number and a high number.  The low number is 1-12 and the high number is 13-?  Where the highest number was the number of UFOs the leader of the challenge has.  Last year it was 80.  She had a lot of finishes so will be interesting to see what high number she uses.

For lists of UFOs I made three lists of 12.  This way there will be 3 items randomly drawn to inspire me to finish that month.  One list is of tops that I have a recipient in mind for, the second list is of tops that I wanted to complete but it turned out I had 20 tops with someone in mind.  These two categories just need quilting and binding.  The third list is of piecing UFOs.  I was able to quickly list 9 and that was without really looking.  There is a cutting party going on to hurry and make more UFOs so they can be counted in 2023.  I’m going to cut to grow my list.

So I’m warmed up and ready to go.  I started loading one of my UFOs with  an intended recipient.  The top needs a good pressing and I have to cut the batt.   I’ve chosen my thread.  I sketched my quilting plan and need to load a bobbin.  My goal is for a 1/6 completion because I will be seeing the recipient then.

  I’ll be using that lime green!  More to come!

Quilting Progress #9

I’ve completed the quilting on the last one!  I met with my friend and handed it o er.  While she applied the bindings I sewed the labels on.  She too the last two home with her to do quality control.  I’m picking her up in the am. and we’ll ship the box off and grab a bite to eat.

I have been asked if I would do this again.  Yes!  My fear of “messing up” has really subsided.  Doubt really whispered in my ear but here I am!  9 completed quilts in time for Christmas!

Quilting Progress #8

I just pulled this one off and am loading the LAST one!

I spent around 6hours making and handwriting labels.  6 are applied.  My friend is binding #6 and I’m taking her the other two tomorrow.  I had set a goal to get them in the mail tomorrow but Tuesday is looking like the day.  I feel like I have time.

Quilting Progress #7

Yes.  Two back to back.  See previous post.  I want to place some long stitch lines in the skirt but will get it bound first.

I had a few wobbles but I don’t think the little girl will care.  Two more to go.  Hope to be done and ready to ship on Monday!

Quilting Progress #6

I just pulled this one off, taking a short break and loading the next one!

The last three are panels.  Chugging along!

Quilting Progress #5

I just pulled #5 off my frame.  #6 is in progress of being loaded.  Past the halfway point!

My friend is keeping up with my bindings!

Quilting Progress #4

This one went so much better and I’m really getting to know my machine.  Troubleshooting things will hopefully turn into prevention for future quilting.

Number 5 is in progress of being loaded now.

Quilting Progress #3

I finished the third.  It was a struggle with thread breaking repeatedly.  I consulted Facebook groups, YouTube, friends and every other source I could find.  I tried all the things.  I finally just finished it breaks and all.  Not my proudest moment.

I read a tip that said loosen the top and bottom tension.  I opted to loosen just the top by two full turns and then started stitching. It was surprisingly close and I was able to stitch quite a bit without a single break. I consulted with a friend and she suggested an eighth of a turn tighter on the bottom but it ultimately needed a full quarter turn. Stitches look great and I’m gonna try again, fingers crossed. The fourth quilt is in progress of being loaded.

Quilting Progress #2

I finished this one today.  It was almost done at midnight but I had to pick out and redo a row.

Quilted flames across the whole thing.  Quilt #3 is underway and I have 3 more ready to go.  The first 6 will all be quilted in cream.  The last three in a lavender.

Quilting Progress #1

I’ve quilted #1 of 9.

I have a friend that is going to bind them as I finish them.  All the bindings are ready to go!

I wish I had gotten right on the quilting like I did the piecing.  I did spend the month of November preparing all the backs and binding.

Quilt #2 is on the frame and well under way!

November OMG 2022

I have a commission of 9 quilts due next month.  My goal is to get them all quilted!

I do have quilting ideas but if you want to suggest for one or all please do!

Linking up with Patty at Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal linkup.