Sewing or Blogging

I chose sewing!

About three weeks ago I cut out a queen size quilt with the goal of getting it topped and ready to quilt before my next sewing get together.  I have 6 rows assembled.

A week ago I decided to make a quilt for Ray's sisters 70th birthday so that took precedence.

On the agenda today is to make the backing for the Step Up quilt.  Assemble the BQ top.  Finish quilting the charity quilt on the Avante.  Load the step Up quilt.

Q1 Finish Along

This challenge took the place of A Lovely Year of Finshes.  While that was a monthly goal setting exercise this is a quarterly one.  I am going to declare what I hope to accomplish this first quarter and for each item I finish from that goal my name is entered for a prize.  I think that's right.  Read here for more info.


I am going to bind my two supersize 9 patch baby quilts.
I am going to bind my 30s feedback patches quilt.
I am going to quilt and bind my 5 Strip Stacks quilts.  2 primary colors and 3 pink and green.
Finally I am going to piece, quilt and bind my queen size pink and black Poppy BQ quilt.

Wish me luck!

Just One Thing

I am a member of the yahoo group Stashbuster.  They talk about their JOT or just one thing that they hope to or have accomplished.  I have been trying to follow this practice recently because I never seem to accomplish anything in the sewing room.

This past week I tried to sew the rows together of a quilt I am working on.  In a matter of a few days I had the top together.  I got Ray to run by the quilt shop to get more of the green I needed to complete the top and got it washed and ready to go into the top.

I've been stash diving and pulling backs for quilts I plan to quilt soon.  I ran across the purple I was planning to add to another top for the final border and got that top done.  I pressed its twin so I can quilt both of them at the same time when their turn comes up.

By doing JOT I have been more productive in this week than I have in a very long time!

Merry Christmas!

I haven't been sewing much unless I go to the church for their Friday night sewing group.  I have done a little bit of quilting but nothing to brag about.  I am now working 7 days a week and 6 of those days I am required to be in the office.  This will probably go on until March so I will do what I can when I can.  The lady that heads up the sewing group at the church was nice enough to extend the sewing time on January 1st so that we have a longer period to work there.  She did this for me.  I love that gal!  I am also going to take a class on the 3rd and not work.  It will be Bonnie Hunter's NYE mystery that she holds at Fabric Fanatics in Plano.  This will be my fourth year and is a gift from my best friend each year.

Merry Christmas to one and all.  I know my readership has waned over the years as my blogging has fallen off considerably..  I enjoy hearing from everyone that takes the time to comment.  I also wish you a Happy New Year for 2016.

Feedsack Patches

My goal to finish this quilt is almost met.  I just have to finish quilting the side borders and bind it.  I think I can get this done since it's a little one at 38x48.  If I can get the binding made and sewn on Sunday I should be able to get it tacked down by Monday...gulp.... It could happen!

Happy Thanksgiving one and all!

Hugs.

Swooze

Another Quilted

I've finished another quilt on my Avante.  I tried more complex things.  I had tension issues.  I got some learning in.

I only basted the top edge.  I didn't have issues with the other three sides.  I free handed a wave design across the top and down the sides as I went.  At first I was quilting the center then the sides.  At some point I quilted the sides then center.  I made it work but will try not to repeat that error.

I was pretty consistent down the sides until I got to the end.  I wasn't feeling my best and my corners ended weird.  I drew it out but it just didn't work.  I'll try turning it next time so the side borders are at top and bottom.  I need to take a small step back until I've had more practice.  

Someone suggested I make my loops bigger.  I like how they look but I get bored quickly!  I'll work it out.

Finally I need to pay closer attention when winding my bobbin.  The thread slipped out of the tension discs.  I think this was the root of my tension issues.

Next up is a little quilt I pieced.

Hugs,

Swooze

Four Patch on Point

I was gifted a baggy of squares.  I picked out the pink and the black and decided to make 4patches.  I have wanted to make a 4 or 9 patch on point quilt so here was my opportunity.  Now I am trying to choose a color for the alternate blocks.  The fabric is not necessarily what I will use (it's clothing in some cases) but is meant to nudge me in the right direction.  What color do you like host?  Should I try others?

Red.  Green.  Pink.  Black.  White.  

I will save my opinion until I hear others.

November a Lovely Year of Finishes

I have managed to set and meet a goal for three months in a row participating in this challenge.  I have decided to quilt a top I made as the ones I've quilted so far were pieced by others for Project Linus.  This may very well go there as well unless someone determines a better destination.  So will quilt and bind this by end of month.

To see what other goals have been set click here.

Quilting Update on Avante

I have had my Avante for two months now.  I played on her for probably 6 weeks.  Here are some pics if my work.  The first shows working on a pantograph.  Too rigid for me but I'll try again someday.

This is some of the ideas I saw elsewhere and ideas of my own that I toyed with.

Mire doodling playing with hearts and leaves and vines and stars.

I took my practice quilt off the frame and loaded my first quilt.  I started to baste it and hit the leader knocking the basket out that holds the bobbin.  I was stuck until I could get someone to come look at it or I could take it to someone.  My salesperson was in France so I asked someone in town to help me out.  We made arrangements for them to teach us how to re-time the machine.  They came over and had us fixed up lickety split.

I loaded the first quilt which I blogged about previously.  Here it is again.

I am pleased with the outcome but definitely needed to relearn some things.  I took the quilt to Wattafind in Mesquite and Jaqueline helped me figure out what I was doing wrong.  She explained some things and suggested some others.  Based on my blog I also got suggestions from Glen of Quikts and Dogs on some things to try.  With this new knowledge in my head I quilted this.

 

I am happier with this outcome.  Still lots of learning ahead.  I have another quilt loaded that I will use the same thread on then will be changing thread colors.  That in itself may present a whole new set of learnings.  Will report back on my adventures.

Quilts hugs!

A Lovely Year of Finishes - October Finish

I did it!  I managed to finish all eight of my microwave bowls.  And what is even better is the 6 that I gifted are now in the recipients hands in NY.  To see what others finished click here for the ALYOF finishing party for October.

First Quilt Completed on my Avante

I am documenting my first experience for future reference.  I started the quilt a little late w.  When I first loaded the quilt I hit my leader and threw my machine out of wack.  It was weeks before I was able to get it fixed.  When I started again I made sure to avoid the leaders.  I went a tad overboard.

As you can see my backing was a tad short.  I will let the binder decide how to address that.

When I basted across the top and down the sides I got little folds in the edges.  I don't think I was doing something I was shown.  This will be the first question I ask.  Also, when I was pulling my bobbin thread to the top at the end of a run my thread was not getting cut so the thread was getting dragged across the back.  Again, I missed something I was taught.  Question number two.

Overall the back looks good.  Tension was good.

On the front there were a few tension issues but always on the right side.  I think it was my top tension, not thread but quilt tautness.  Practice is needed to improve that area I believe.

Finally, my new quilt holder in training.  He did a fine job and peeked over the top to get his photo.  He's been my sons friend since they were 7 or 8.  His name is Dylan but I call him Dill Pickle.  Didn't he do a fine job?

If you know any of my answers please feel free to share!

Hugs,

Swooze

Quilt Retreat

I went to a quilt retreat this past weekend that started mid day Friday through midday Sunday.  The food, facilities and people were great!  I went with a group of 6 that I knew and met some new friends that I look forward to seeing again.

I took nine projects with me.  2 that I did not touch at all except to carry into the center and then out again when we left.  1 gave away as I discussed in a previous post.  1 I totally finished which was my microwave bowls and then 5 that I did something with even if it was to take out all the piece parts and sort out where I was (only 1 prokject like that).  I was pretty pleased with my progress.

Microwave bowls.

Tumblers cut with GO Cutter and some sewing done.

4 patches made with some gifted 3.5" squares.

I'm Booooored

I went to a quilting retreat in Wichita Falls over the weekend.  My friend overheard a young lady complaining that she was bored.  She mentioned it to me.  A short while later I saw this trio at the cutting table.  The girl was there with her mother and grandmother.  You could tell she was not happy.  I leaned over to  Grandma and said I hear that someone was bored while keeping my eyes on the girl.  The girl didn't really react to my comment.  I told her I had brought a project that she might like to work on.  That it was a minion pin cushion.

She perked up when I said this.  She asked her mother if it was ok for her to work on it and her mom agreed.  She followed me to my basket of goodies and I handed over the supplies and pattern.  I even told her that if she had questions to please let me know and I could show her pictures.  She went off with her new project in hand.

A while later I went to check on her and she was happily working away on the pin cushion.  I asked if she needed anything and she did not.  Not long after she came over asking for the picture.  I took my ipad to show her and grandmother seemed to be pretty involved.  I was concerned that the project was cutting into her time too.  I listened to the exchange between them and could tell she was offering guidance only.

The next day this is what resulted.  A cute pin cushion and a happy busy girl!  Best of all they live in the same town as I do and we exchanged info so I hope to sew with them again in the future!

Happy quilting!

swooze

A Lovely Year of Finishes for October

I may have posted this too late but I am going to play along just the same.  I made a few of these microwave bowls In the start of 2014.  I have had quite a few cut out since then but not sewn.  I am going to get them done this month!  They are intended as thank you gifts.

I made a second one and it cupped the bowl a lot better.  I will be using that one as my example.  Click over here to see what everyone else plans to finish this month.