May OMG Complete!

I did it!  I finished my May One Monthly Goal.  I had to finish up the quilting, trim and bind it and attach the label.  

Go visit Red Letter Quilts to see how everyone else did with their goal.

I had a little setback with the binding where I hadn't completely caught the edge at the bottom of the binding but caught it before I hand stitched the binding down.  I washed and dried it and while removing the threads I found a spot that wasn't sewn quite right near the binding.  I opened that up and repaired the spot then reattached the binding.  I rather catch these problems now than have the recipient find them!

Here it is.  A 3 yard quilt from Fabric Cafe called Step Up.  Made in honor of my boyfriends sisters 70th birthday.  I used the invitation to her surprise party as the label.

Making Progress

I've added borders to my Avignon Picnic.  This is a freebie from Moda Bakeshop.

Then I added borders to my Dorothy Young mystery Hugs and Kisses.

I also put the final border on this 3 yard quilt called Awareness Week.  This was a new start this year.

I've also been repairing a quilt for a friend.  Remember the gold in the before picture is the insides.

Before.

After.  Still have to quilt it.

Finally, I finished quilting this 3 yard quilt called Step Up.  Binding is in progress.  Goal to finish before months end for the OMG challenge.

Wow I've gotten a lot more done lately than I realized.

Swooze

Hugs and Kisses

This is a Dorothy Young mystery.  It is from 2009 or 2010.  I went with a red and white theme for what I think are obvious reasons.  It is about 38" square.

I am toying with the idea of a border.  The one I had in mind is a twisted ribbon border.  I am not sure I have enough of the red left.  If I do what color would I use for the back of the ribbon?  I was thinking the back of the red fabric but there is not enough contrast.  I could just do a plain narrow red border.

I have a bright pink from that fabric line but that doesn't thrill me.  In fact I have a light pink to go with but still not too sure about that either.

I do have a blue and can go with a red, white and blue theme.  I might even have a dark blue and could do a two tone blue.

This quilt is currently earmarked for charity.  What are your thoughts?

Thanks for your input!

Swooze

OMG May

Here I am with no OMG finish for April.  I am going to repeat my goal.  I have a swap getting in the way.  I am almost done with hat now so this lovely should be a slam dunk.

I started this in February as a birthday gift.  I must get it finished!

Hop over to Red Letter Quilts to see what others are up to this month.

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Come check back at the end of the month to see if I met my goals!!

Second Q2 Item Complete

This is the third of a set of supersize nine patches that I made some time ago.  It's a really fun pattern that you can find for free here.  This was also my second attempt at machine binding.

I like this better than the decorative stitch I did on the last one.

Swooze

First Q2 Item Complete

I had cut these microwave bowls out to give as a hostess/birthday gift back in March.  With my work schedule I wasn't able to complete them.  In the meantime I came across another fabric and was invited to another party by this person.  I decided to make her a second set.

My contract ended Friday. I've been getting things caught up around the house this week.  One of them was getting in the sewing room.  4 are for my friend and two are for me.  Hers will go in the mail tomorrow.

I've already moved onto the next item on the Q2 list.  Stay tuned for the update.

Swooze

Microwave Bowl Process

I love microwave bowls but I hate how long it takes to mark them.  When I made the last round I think that was the most tedious part.  Google any tutorial for them and you will see the process.

Here is how I do it now.  I cut the fabric and batting per the instructions.  I fold the batting in half and mark one inch from the center then 2" down from the edge on the fold.  I fold the batting in half in the other direction and repeat.

Can you see the marks at the top, bottom and side?

Here is what it looks like when open.

I lay the batting on the fabric square and fold the whole thing in half and sew my darts in each end. I refold it and sew the darts in those ends and continue on with the directions as normal.

Let me know if you have questions.

Swooze

Microwave Bowls

I found some wonderful fabric that looks like corks all in a row.  It reminded of a cork trivet that a friend made for me a long time ago.  She even made a second that we gifted to another friend.  

When I saw the fabric I bought it to make her some microwave bowls.  I had tried to get them ready the first time I saw her in April.  Then I was going to see her a second time and had run across Mardi Gras fabric so bought that to make her a second set but still had not sewn the first.  She loves New Orleans and all things Mardi Gras.

This past Friday I took the fabric and batting to my sit and sew.  I got all the fabric cut for 6 bowls.  I only cut 6 pieces of batting but need 12.  I marked my dart points on the 6 I had cut. Tonight when I realized my error I cut 6 more pieces of batting and marked those.  

I sewed the darts on 6 of the bowls tonight and will sew the other 6 tomorrow.  Then I will start trimming the darts and matching up sides.  I'd like to get these sewn and in the mail to my friend by Saturday.

Hope you are getting some time to sew

!

Hugs.

Swooze

Q2 Finish Along

I am joining another group of quilters declaring their list of projects that they would like to finish in the 2nd quarter of 2016.  Last quarter I only finished 1 of my items.  I'm going to list the majority of them again plus a few more.

Supersize 9 patch - binding

Feedback patches - binding

5 Strip Stacks - quilting

Step Up - quilting

Poppy BQ - quilting

6 Microwave bowls - piecing

Avignon Picnic - borders

Matchstick Marimba - quilting

Hugs and Kisses - border

Raising Cane - quilting


Baby BQ - quilting

This is a big stretch but doable.  My employment will be shifting so I may have a little more free time.

Click here to see what everyone else's goals are.

OMG April

I have a quilt I must finish so now is the time.  Check out Red Letter Quilts to see what everyone else is doing.

I started this quilt in January but work has been soul sucking.  I'm about to have more free time.  I need to quilt the borders.  Bind and apply a label.  Ship to the recipient.

Come check back at the end of the month to see if I met my goals!!

Swooze

Q1 Finish Along

My big plans were to :

• 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.

What I actually accomplished was to 

• bind one supersize ninepatch shown below
• added the binding on the other supersize ninepatch
• created the binding for the feedsack patches
• get the backings for the strip stacks quilts all ready
• Got my Poppy BQ quilt to the top stage

In light of the fact that I have been working 7 days a week in the office it is amazing I got this much done!  Next quarter will be much better!

Go to here to see what everyone else accomplished in their Q1 Finish along!

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!