December

Again, I've missed a couple of months... Nothing to report on the UFO list, but I did sew some projects....and have more that I'd like to do before the end of the year.


My DD and I sewed 2 tops - one flannel, one cotton. We're trying to take all of the scraps and piece the backs for both from them.


I've also been working on placemats. About 20 of them... I have the "fall" side blocks done. They just have to be sewed together. Then, I need to create the "winter" side. I have a great idea for that, so we'll see how they go together. I want to get them done by February. Shouldn't be a problem.


I downloaded the template for All People Quilt's 2017 UFO challenge. I have a great idea. I'm going to make a couple of lists...one will be books and for that month, I need to make a project from the book specified. One is for ideas but nothing started. One would be a true UFO list. That's my idea... we'll see when I start looking at what I have and what I want to sew how those lists develop. I'll post either later this month or in January. I have other non-sewing UFOs, so maybe there's a list just for that...

September

I guess I took the summer off ... well, at least from my blog... I did quite a few things. I don't remember if they were related to the UFO challenge. I have been working that list, just maybe not in order... for now, let's see what I've accomplished since June...
In non-quilting projects, I finished a cross stitch project. They are quilt blocks from a blog called Quilty Stitches. Took me a few months and now the stitching is done. I'll post when I finish it.


I made 1 baby quilt.

The print has pink and blue bears. The baby is due in September and is a girl. The mom wanted neutrals...and a little pink. I think I nailed it. The pattern was a Moda Bake Shop and something like Jungle Path...I modified it slightly...

 Close up of the center blocks and quilting. I love loops and stars! The focal fabric had some stars so it fit well.

 The back was my usual scatter type block. I love making these blocks as I get rid of so much fabric...and I think they are fun.

 Close up of the back with the quilting. See how many different fabrics are incorporated?

 I like to bind my baby quilts with the satin blanket binding. This one, I machine bound back and front. It was giving me fits so I intentionally sewed a couple of times around...trying to make it look like a design choice...


I also made 1 shirt. I actually don't have a picture of it - so this is the first one I made (minus the pockets). This one has Chargers fabric (and it was at the time they were leaving so you can't believe the ribbing I took with this one...good thing they are now staying!).

The shirt above I made last summer by taking a class. The shirt I just finished has Padres fabric. I think I did a better job on the Chargers...but guess what? My DH wears both of them! I have 4 more to make - all fabric purchased, just need to cut them out...

I worked on the shirt at a sit and sew class on a Friday night. A couple of weeks later, my daughter and her friend came to the same class...

 Here's my daughter working on a quilt that came as a kit. We took 3 of them with us... She's got 1/2 of her blocks done. I'll show you my progress below.

 This is my daughter and her friend. She made a pillowcase that night so we were excited.

 Here's what I made... I got most of the blocks done that night and by the end of the weekend, I had the entire top finished. Here's the blocks on the design wall working on the layout. We had a limited number of options as the pattern was done a specific way - but I didn't like that layout...


I also made a table runner from a kit I won. No picture of that one yet...as I think I can quilt it myself.


I also have a small quilt I made using Thimbleblossom's Round and Round as inspiration. No picture of that one either as I think I can quilt it myself too...

Lastly, I'm working on placemats, 6 of them. I had some fabric from a project I made last year. It's specific fabric for a specific person...and they requested placemats. I want to get them done before next weekend. They are double sided...but are turning out pretty cute. I have to trim them and bind them so I think I can get them done this weekend!


And that's me caught up.  And September UFOs? According to the list, it's #12 for September.

I only have 1 number 12 - The Colorist. Hhmmm, that's a difficult pattern and I'm not sure I have all of the fabrics I need for it. It's a round rainbow quilt - really cool... so probably not happening...but maybe I can get some of those other projects quilted...

2016 UFO Challenge - catching up through June

I can't believe it's been nearly 2 months since I posted an updated. I've been busy outside of the house and when home, didn't spend my time in front of the computer. For the entire month of May, I didn't sew one stitch - not even on the long holiday weekend...


I have been sewing this month and have a "finish" to report. I finished my Nordic Snowflake quilt top. Ok, it's only the top, but still it's a finish!


I just finished it last night, so I have to take photos and then I'll post them. The top is 72" square and turned out really nice. I paper pieced a dala horse into the center and boy, was the a trial. I must have sewn it twice by the time I completed the block....lots of ripping and resewing. It may me realize it's been a long time since I paper pieced and I need to do more as I'm very out of practice. Still, the top looks fantastic!


June's number is 10 - which means,........antique kites and Amanda's Dino quilt. It's over halfway through the month, so I'm sure I won't get either done. I have a block drafted for the kite block and I plan to use my scrap box - which is nearly full. I have a photo for the Dino quilt. Since it's for my daughter, I'll see if she like the design or would like something else. I did use the dino panel fabric for decoration in May so that was fun.


I'm also doing some cleaning and organizing this summer so we'll see how far I get on the list in the next couple of months. It is nice to be sewing again!! Next post will be at the beginning of July - or sooner - and I'll have photos then!

2016 UFO Challenge - March Update and April start

Well, technically, March was a fail... I don't have any progress on the two March projects. The Nordic stars is still sitting in a pile... fabric and pattern waiting. I didn't do anything on Pickle Dish #2. I did complete the February quilt top Burgoyne Surrounded. It's 57" square...and I may measure the rest of the fabric to use as the back...although I'd really like to make a 4 block version which is predominantly red... we'll see.


I spent the month making hats for my cousin. She's going through another round of chemo and needs summer hats. She sent me two patterns to use and I made about 10 hats... I'll make her more, but I had to stop for a week and get my sewing machine cleaned...


I also made a couple of potato bags to make baked potatoes in the microwave...I also want to make some microwave bowl potholders. I found a couple of patterns for this and after heating up leftovers at work last week, these are going to the top of the list! Plus I have some placemats and coasters to make too...


The April number is 1 - which for me means Baby Quilt and Hawaiian Runner #2. The baby quilt is for someone I work with and has to be done before the beginning of May if I can... The Hawaiian Runner would be similar to two I made for a friend. They have little girls and boys holding hands and a great print - that I found more of in a shop and bought some extra! I made the runners for the twin beds in her guest room. I wanted to make one for me...so maybe having two smaller projects for this month - I'll make some progress. I also need to get in gear and make shirts for my husband. He's been very patient...and I could use some of the leftovers for the baby quilt...

2016 UFO Challenge - February update, March start

I've been thinking about this post for a week, but thought I'd wait until March 1 to also post what projects are up for March. First, February update...


My projects were placemats and Burgoyne Surround. I did very well on the placemats - I was able to complete 8 of them! I'll get pictures posted soon - they turned out so cute! They will be a gift for an occasion in April, so it's cool that they are done. I made progress on the Burgoyne Surround. I'm going to use the pattern from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine February 2014 issue called Tone it Down - only I'm not going to make mine scrappy. I'm going to try and make two small quilts - one with a red background and one with a teal background... Both are using Bonnie & Camille's new fabric line...there was a quilt run that started last Friday and I bought the fabric during the run. We're down to 10 local stores, so I completed it in two days. I only bought tools and some fabrics for specific projects...and a couple of gifts.


March's number is 3:

Nordic Stars / Dala Horse and Pickle Dish #2. Well, cool. I also picked up some fabrics for the Nordic Star pattern. It was in American Patchwork & Quilting's December 2013 issue called Nordic Snowflakes. I have the most gorgeous red batik so use...I used it as a small border on the Hawaiian quilt runners...and I found more during the quilt run! The Dala Horse - well I think I have a pattern. I was actually going to combine them into some kind of a quilt - so we'll see - or I may make two small quilts.  I finally got the first pickle dish quilt done early this year. It was quilted beautifully. I thought of making a 2nd one before the quilting... this one would be smaller and I'd quilt it myself. Here's the 1st one...

At this point, I don't plan on getting this quilt done in a month. The first one took me several months...just to foundation piece the arcs!!


So first 2 months down, and only 2 projects done...but you know what - I still feel like I'm making good progress!!


I have also been working on my latest Swedish Weaving afghan during the week. It's really extensive having both vertical and horizontal rows. I'm almost done with 2 skeins of yarn...and only 1/2 of the horizontal and 1 vertical rows are done...it's looking really good!

2016 UFO Challenge - January update, February start

Since it's the beginning of February, I thought I'd start with January status update and jump into February projects. When last I posted, I had completed the top to my Ombre Dutchman and was using all of the leftovers for the backing. I don't have a picture of the backing, but it is complete. AND I did have the entire project sandwiched together and had two lines of stitching into it...and then pulled it apart and made a hole in the back... Yesterday I ripped part of the back apart and fixed the hole (the good thing is it happened in a small block so I just replaced the block). I have the 3 pieces waiting for me to rebaste. I didn't baste close enough so I'm going to start all over...


The good news is - I found my little red and white top, got a backing made, quilted it and bound it... (not crazy about how I finished the binding, so I may redo that). I have it draped over my Grandma B's treadle sewing machine. Here's what it looks like when you walk in my front door...

... and here's the entire quilt - top:

and back:

I love both! I tried something new with the binding...in that I used a decorative stitch as the last stitching on the top. I don't hate it, but I don't love it either. I'll probably pull it out and resew.


Onto February. Per All People Quilt's 2016 UFO Challenge, February's number is 5:

Burgoyne Surround and Placemats!


As I was piecing the back of my Ombre Dutchman, I decided to do Leaders & Enders per Bonnie Hunter (Quiltville). I don't have an exact link, but search her site and you'll know what I'm talking about. Anyway...I started piecing together red and white squares to make strips. Last spring, I pieced 8 stars to make placemats that are like American Flags. I'm starting with those 8 placemats... I had to buy more red fabric last night as it's taking more than I had cutup..and the reds I had on hand were not right...I also found some great white on white fabric. During the Superbowl game today, I intend to sew! So, without knowing they'd be next, I'm working on placemats!


As far as Burgoyne Surround, I have a couple of patterns, including the one used in a previous American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine (All People Quilt) challenge (I think 2014?) I just have to figure out what color palette I want to use and how big I want to make it. I'm thinking of making just a small table topper to see how I like making it...


Great projects for February! I'm feeling good about my January progress - and think I can do well on February!

January UFO Challenge Progress - Ombre Dutchman / Mini Red & White

I thought I'd check in as January is almost over. I haven't done a lot of quilting, but I have progress on my 2 UFO Challenge projects.



First - Ombre Dutchman - I have a completed quilt top! I love it! The directions were a bit misleading as sometimes I think the pattern referred to making 1 block instead of 2 per color... At any rate, I was able to make my 4 HUGE blocks for the quilt - can I say it again? I love it! Here's a picture of the top:


I needed a bit more of the white backing, so I had to add to a couple of the left over triangles to make them bigger and be able to use them. Here's a close up of a couple of the blocks:



I just love how I arranged the ombre blocks. The top is about 48" square.


I've been working on the back. In my true fashion, I've been using up the leftovers from this project. There's a 1/2 yard of pink ombre and the left over white triangles. Oh, and using the left over ombre triangles. I've got a gray batik that I'm using also, so we'll see what happens. I've got the bigger blocks together in a cool double pinwheel block. I'm working with the small extra triangles that are in a hourglass layout. Hopefully, I can get everything pulled together for the back.


Second - Mini Red & White - Sad to say, no progress on this one at all to date. I haven't even looked for it to tell the truth! There is hope -  since it's so small - that I just may still get it done in January. It's just second to the Ombre Dutchman!


I have been working on a new Swedish Weaving pattern and a cross stitch pattern...something easier to work on evenings after work. When I get further along, I'll post something.

2016 Beginnings

Last year, I made an effort to get all of my UFOs complete. And by UFOs, I mean completed tops into completed quilts. I was able to complete this goal - but I missed doing so in 2015 by a day.


Also late last year, I made a list of project ideas. Some were works in process but not quite a top. Some were ideas of quilts I had seen. Some were patterns I bought that I'd like to make. Here's my original list:

It's getting a little dog-eared as I add to it or just look at it. I did complete some of these projects - those that have an "X" next to them! My motivation has been lacking...I'm still trying to get my living room back in order after Christmas (the tree goes in this room so everything gets put away or shoved away to make room). Well, this weekend I decided enough was enough - I need to just pick a project and start. I decided to start on a project from V & Co that she calls "Ombre Dutchman". When I wrote my list, I didn't have the pattern in front of me, so it's called "V & Co flying geese (kitted)". I decided to start with this as I bought a shrink wrapped "kit" of five 1/2 yard cut ombre fabrics. I had also set aside some white on white fabric. Yesterday, I started pressing and cutting - but hadn't washed the ombre fabrics so I did that last night. This morning I started cutting the ombres.


Before I get to that, today I was web surfing while watching football. A Quilting Life is doing a "Quilt Your Stash" for 2016. I've been working from my stash for a couple of years... In reading her web post, she talked about All People Quilt 's 2016 UFO challenge. Others have done this...you make a list of 12 projects. Every month they pick a number and you work on the corresponding project. They have a pretty form here:allpeoplequilt 2016 UFO Challenge form. I printed it out and started adding my list to it - only I need 2 forms! I did cheat as I knew the number for the month (2) and I knew which project I was going to work (Ombre Dutchman). Other than that, I added the list in order (well, except I missed the first item on the list...which became #10 on the 2nd list). Anyway, here's my new list to work from:

Since I had two lists, I'm going to try and work two projects. I'm starting the Ombre Dutchman. The mini red & white may be a finished top - I have to pull it out and determine if I like the size or not...It's a good, easy project, so I'm happy with what I'll be working on this month - especially 10 days in. Now onto the Ombre Dutchman...

I did something a little differently in cutting squares and I think it worked really well. I noticed that the selvedges were pretty substantial on these fabrics. In folding them, I folded the fabric short of the selvedge. This way, when I cut - and I cut a little backwards - I'm maximizing the fabric and needed one less strip... Here's some photos of what I'm talking about... I folded back one corner so you could see the selvedge - fabric is dark blue on that edge and the selvedge is a light blue:

 Here's the same fabric, just with the fold in place (the color matches on this one):

Usually, the fold and the end of the selvedge would meet. Here I am cutting with my slotted ruler (LOVE this ruler!). I'm making 4 inch strips and I can only make two since I broke off the 12 inch edge of my ruler (I've been known to use that edge and cut, but decided not to here...). I've cut two strips:

 Here's my two 4 inch strips. I lifted my ruler and rotated my mat so that the selvedge edge is on the right and the fold is on the left. I LOVE these rotating mats too!

 Now I'm going to line up my slotted ruler with the 8 slot as close to the fold on the right as I can...

 I know, hard to see...so here's my attempt at a close up. The lighting today is really bad... The slot with the 8 is just barely to the left of the fold from above:

 After cutting at the 8, 4, and 0 lines, my waste is on the right, my cut squares are in the middle, and the left is the folded ends left over - that are over 2 inches so I can cut squares again...

 Here's the folded fabric unfolded...

 After cutting the squares above, this is the total waste from the two strips:

I was able to get 10 cut squares from this strip...and only had to use 3 strips instead of 4 for the quantity I need. With fabric being so expensive, it's nice to minimize the waste.
I cut four of my five fabrics this way. I've got my white squares cut and I'm ready to start marking to make 1/2 square triangle blocks.


The pattern is a free one and can be found here:
Ombre Dutchman


I'm using a similar color palette - blue, green, lime green, and gray...

Star Surround QAL (by Happy Quilting), Never Again #2

This is the last quilt I've finished this year...and actually the last UFO I had in 2015. Time to get some sewing done so I have more UFOs!


I started this quilt as part of the Happy Quilting's Star Surround Quilt A Long (QAL). I love Melissa's patterns and actually had downloaded and completed a QAL after the fact since I loved the pattern. I happened upon this one in time to do the QAL in real time...except I didn't complete my quilt in the time period. I took this one to the LAQ along with the Pickle Dish quilt. They are very similar as they both have double batting and very dense quilting.


Never Again refers to me never wanting to hand bind a double batting quilt again...too hard on the finger!


Anyway, here's the top:

This is another quilt that I pulled the fabrics all from my stash. I'm always drawn to blues when I look at fabrics. This one is blue and green leftovers from a variety of projects. I LOVE the fabrics! Here's a close up of one (or more) of the star surround blocks:

You can see the quilting in the closeups. Basically, the LQA marked a big X through the center of the quilt, put in some parallel lines and then quilted in between them. I love this - and will try and do something similar on smaller projects. I have the straight line part down!


Now for the back where you can really see the quilting.

and a little close up

I bound this in the same fabric as the Pickle Dish - I actually made one long binding strip and then cut off from the first quilt...and luckily had just enough for the 2nd quilt. Otherwise, I may have had an extra strip...which would have been ok as I would have cut them into 2.5" squares that I use for a variety of projects.


And there you have it - the last quilt finishes of 2015!


I'm still trying to finish my latest Swedish Weaving afghan - should be done this weekend. I'll post that and some other projects I completed this fall. I have to get a couple of things documented so that I can send them to their new home!


One last thing... here's a link to Happy Quilting's Quilt Along page.:
Happy Quilting QAL Listing
This is the Star Surround. I've also done the original one...and have my eye on two others to make from this list! If you like it, try one of her patterns - she's really good at both the written directions and the photos!