Flannel Quilt: Thinking Process for Borders

Regarding my flannel quilt:

I admit it,,this is kinda a way of procrastinating..

But you've heard the saying, "Measure twice, cut once"?  Well, I am adding another phrase to it..."Think carefully".  Sometimes, actually a lot of times, I just go with the flow when deciding on fabric, design, placement, etc...I wait until something seems right.

Well, so far, I haven't gotten that "right" feeling about these borders.

And I am telling you now...there will be no pictures showing the final solution on this blog...However, I have progressed somewhat.

Ok, enough hemming and hawwing...here is the situation..

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  Basic size of middle design = ~ 65" x 59"

1st Border is shown as finished 2", using  the same fabric as is within the red blocks.  I have almost decided to put one fabric on top and bottom, the other on the sides... this way I am certain to have enough for that border.

 Second border is supposed to be 5" wide in the blue....and I Love the blue!

There is No Way that's going to happen with this amount of fabric...

 

I even brought back some remnants of the blue I had when cutting for the 4-square blocks: 

blue is 4" x < 4"

They are called my "Last Resort Squeezing in Inches" pieces..

Hopefully, without going into a Math/Number discussion,  here are some choices.

1) Keeping the 1st border 2 1/2"(cut size) and (after very careful measuring) cut the second border either that same size OR a 1/2" bigger.

2) Making the 1st border a little bigger, and have a blue/white second border with blue still the predominant color. (ex:white on corners)...This will insure I have enough blue with a little white to fill in what is needed.

Either way, I figure the size of the quilt will be slightly smaller than the pattern, which is okay with me.

So here I am..Using most of the day playing around with the fabric, making sure...Because Once I Cut....It's Cut...

 

Liked the top...LOVED the finish!

Started on 6/22/12.

First Finish on 2013: 

Rainbow Quilt...Disappearing 4 Patch

Roughly 47" X 47"

Made with Rainbow Charm Pack from Keepsake Quilting circa 2006.

Bordered by Stonehenge, binding by Sale Fabric....

It pays to wait for the right design to come along..

I like to show you the tops of quilts as I finish them.  But when I finish the entire quilt (usually HQing) I feel the need to show it again.  This one took awhile to finish because other things pushed it aside (quilty things as well as life).  Luckily, most of the items I make do not have a time frame. 

I am keeping this for awhile...love the range of colors and am so glad they were all included in a charm pack...I would have never been able to choose them from bolts....

Now, as a promise to myself after finishing...need to get a leettle housework done...

Step Back Whoops Move Forward

ASSEMBLY: 

I worked on my flannel quilt. Got all the blocks done and in rows.  My progress can really be seen.

Unfortunately, so can several bad waves & wrinkles.  I am not a perfectionist by any means, but I think the best thing for me to do is to rip out the two loonnnggg seams, straighten the edges, and try again.  It should lie(lay?) better and I will be happier with it.

But it is coming along. 

BINDING: 

The violet binding is on a quilt and I am hand sewing the final edge for it. 

 I have binding cut and ready for the wall hanging, but realized that I will need to put corners or a sleeve on the back before I add the binding. So glad I realized that before I skipped a step. 

 I read somewhere that I can cut 2 squares (size variable), fold each into a triangle and place each into a corner with the folded side out and hide the edges under the binding.  You would then see the folded edge and be able to put a dowel stick for hanging.  For a small wall hanging, it should be enough.  And I can take the stick out if I wanted to use it for a table runner. (pictures later).

So I am ready for a Whoop, Whoop on my progress thus far...and maybe next time I will have the top done, borders and all...

Progress Report

I went into town yesterday early...my car needed a little loving care/recall strokes.  They shuttled me to a near IHOP and I had a nice leasurely breakfast, came back, got the car, and headed to the local LQS. 

There I saw a perfect Sale Fabric for my binding (had to buy 2 yds).  Came home and realized that it would work with two of my bindingless projects.  I worked on one yesterday and cut the other this morning. 

If I had thought, I could have cut/sewn them both yesterday as one continuous length and saved me another cutting...hindsight... 

In the meantime, I cut more units for my Flannel Quilt.  They look really small in comparison, don't they?  They will have a 2" border all around that will (hopefully) bring them up to size.

I'm still looking for a backing for my Butterfly table runner...I have a red that would work, but somehow, I feel I should still look around for just the Right One...know what I mean?  A binding has to go on that one too...don't worry, I won't use the same one again......although.......

And I have a few more leaders/enders done....

So that is my progress in the last few days...slow but steady. And this is the beginning of another day...rainy as it is....

Flannel Quilt Discovered and Started!

BTW, I am back with Sarah on her blog, just Whooping it up today.  Check out what other people are doing.

I have an older stash of flannels.  They would be in second or third grade if they were human. There is not a large variety and I have been a long time deciding on a pattern.

I finally found one....in my pattern notebook...

It is a series of 4 block rectangles hopscotching next to some larger rectangles.  

I don't want to show you the pattern because I may not have enough fabric for the entire quilt...I may need to tweek it a little...The borders are a little iffy.  As it is, I am using two fabrics for the larger block, other than just the one.

Here are the other fabrics...

One of the problems is the red....It is supposed to be used for the outside border as well as part of the main body of the quilt.  And I may not have enough, so I may have to punt.

I decided to finish what I can and, if need be, lay it aside and look for another border...I do have an idea, but need to see how everything turns out first... Hopefully, I won't have to wait until next winter season to come about to finish this...

Since the main section consists of larger blocks, it should be quick to put together.  As you can see, I have one set of blocks started already.  Even as slow as I am, I should have more updates and pictures by the end of next week.

Progress Report #2

My Butterfly is trying to come out of his cocoon.  I have it basted onto the background fabric and am slowly sewing everything together.

I am ready to put the binding on another lap quilt and should be showing you that next time also...

I know, Promises, Promises...

New Year Greetings! Progress Report #1

Hope you welcomed in the New Year with a new bobbin, a new inspiration, and a firm resolve to tackle all the UFOs you didn't last year.

My 2013 list on the side will grow longer as time progresses...Last year, I had goals already figured out the first of the year...this year...well, I have some in my head, but I'm not quite ready to commit..

I have decided to try and strengthen my weak area of sewing....applique... I have a couple of simple items I plan to make and then will start a project I have been wanting to do for several years.. I am not going to keep you in suspense, really...  Just let me say that it is a wall hanging that a boy might enjoy... regarding insects...

And it may take me an entire year to do it!

In the meantime, I have two projects (almost three) that need binding, one that needs finishing, one still at the leader/ender stage, and several in the wings...so to speak.

Now for the Progress Report:

I really could finish this in one day.  Whenever I am "winging it", I have to get my nerve up for the next step.  I so don't want to forget something (such as the rounded corners of the wings, which you cannot see).  I am now ready to add the stablizer to the back of the wings, just wide enough to be able to tuck the black border under as I am sewing the edging.  I still have to decide where to cut the wings so they are hidden under the body, cut the size of the table runner, placement of the butterfly, and how to construct the all important antenna...

What to do with Leftovers......

 Leftover fabric, that is....

Remember this Tree Skirt I have been blogging about..almost Forever?

I started out with these...

And used only the bottom two strips for the skirt...

So what to do with the upper pile of strips?

I realize if I don't come up with something soon, the collection of strips will disappear into the back shelf  void.

I snipped off the narrow end...the fifth section of each strip..it would be invisible anyway... and started playing around with them.  I thought right away about some type of table runner...scattered over a white background.  I am not any good at "scattered"....so I started bunching them up together...

And came up with this....

The angle is weird, both sides are equal, really they are...

 and it may end up being a wall hanging instead of a table runner, but it is definitely the beginnings of a Christmas Butterfly.....

There are 14 strips on both sides...The body in the middle will be a little bigger after sewing because of the seams, but it definitely has possibilities...

Now, should I sew each set of strips together and see where that leads me, or sew each strip to the white underneath.....I am leaning toward the togetherness angle.

Or maybe a Butterfly Angel??? Just typed the word "angle"....////  Nah, I'll stay with the Butterfly....

I'll make the wings and then decide whether it goes on a table or a wall....

I love these Sew by the Seat of Your Pants ideas.....

Finished Top...Wounded Warrior aka Zigsaw Quilt

Finally, I have finished this top! It will be donated to the Wounded Warriors in April.  Our quilting group will buy the batting, probably early next year and we supply the backing.  So it will be awhile before this one is completely finished. 

I went back and forth between the two names depending which context I was talking about...Hope I did not confuse you too much...

Would like to put a border on it, but with the WW size restrictions, it seemed better not to have one.

Size:  Min - 65 x 75
           Max - 72 x 82

..and it is roughly 68 x 78, which would only allow a maximum of a 2" border around all the sides.  I had to add another row and column to get it within the minimum size. Hopefully, the binding will add a little closure to the quilt.

I can see this design as a lovely children's quilt...Maybe after awhile I'll make one...At least after my eyes get readjusted.....

....And That's Not All....

In a nice little zippered container, I found all of these. I have run across oodles of scissors while looking through my mother's things...Most of these show the wear and tear (and dullness) of years past.  I know that a lot of them (some not shown) are of recent vintage, but at one time or another, Mother used them.  Some are not worth keeping, but I hate to throw them away.  Some of them,,,ie: left hand upper corner black handled spring loaded one (with notched end), and one on the right next to it, as well as the one on the bottom left, pointing upwards, I really like.  Can  people who sharpen scissors do anything with the rust, etc. on the blades so they will cut again? Are the new sharpeners geared for older scissors? I don't know.

Do any of you have suggestions as to how to clean these?  I thought about using fine steel wool on some of them, but am afraid I'll mess up the cutting edges.  I could google, and probably will, but would love to hear how ya'll would handle this situation.

BTW, slow as slow I am, I only have two more blocks to go before finishing the rows on the zigsaw quilt....

Attention Grabber.....or Lack Of....

I had to post today....

The end of an era....12/12/12.....Last time....My DH celebrated his birthday one year in the past on 08/08/08; Just last year we had the final time of slash lines 11/11/11...Ahhh, memories..

I have been working, a lot of things going on..

But now to quilting...sewing...piecing....

Yesterday evening I sewed on my 7th row on my Zigsaw puzzle and proceeded to kit up about 4 blocks for my final row, which I will get to right after this post.

In spreading the top down on the floor to double check the placements, I noticed this for the first time....

Somehow I had missed seeing the leader/ender piece while sewing on the earlier row. Now that's Concentration! I have one more 4 piece block for my Wash Day Stars quilt than I thought.

Yes, I haven't pressed my final seams down yet..otherwise I would have noticed it earlier. I do like to press as I go, but I was tired and, I guess, lazy, so I haven't done the final pressing on that particular row yet. 

Now, hopefully, I can remember to cut this little block off before I sandwich and quilt it on....

Completed Project!

Christmas Tree Skirt.

1)  Just showin' you that I do finish what I start....99% of the time....this is roughly 4.5-5 foot diameter circle..

2)   I am starting on my 5th row of my zigsaw quilt...I have pieces of 4 blocks pinned together to sew...which will probably be after Thanksgiving...

 3)  I have my 2-squares laid out so I can start matching the 4-square blocks to be sewn as leaders and enders...

4)  Added on:  Also note my Main Projects for 2012 list on the left....All are done that I expected to be done...my Wash Day Quilt is still a background project, hopefully may be done in 2013...

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!  

Cleaning, Cooking, Corresponding, Chaining.....

Hi,

I am a glutton for punishment...we are having company for Thanksgiving, some people that seldom come over...I want my sewing room to look, if not pristine, at least somewhat organized...So I am moving things around....Thank goodness a lot of shelves are on rollers...and then hopefully I will rearrange the shelves so they will look somewhat presentable...

I'll be cooking tomorrow or the next day after I get back from sewing.  Grocery shopping is on my list tomorrow as well as mailing these....

In the meantime, I now have 3 rows sewn together on my Zigsaw Quilt...

 

I have the 6 squares in the 4th row packaged up and ready to sew when I go to my quilting group.  The 7th one in the row I will have to design myself, as I am adding a column and row to the design..No biggie, but I have found that it is easier to work with when I have the squares already done that go next to it.

And finally, I am continuing sewing blocks for my Wash Day quilt.  This is one that is on the back burner on the stove in the barn in the far pasture....So far....I am using these as leaders and enders.  I need bookoos of them,(over 200), enough for a queen size..and then I have to cut and ready the blocks that go between these...I only have around 25-30 done so far.  

Yes, you see some near duplicates,,,that is because I am just getting started and trying to keep to a system...there will be more variety when done, I hope....

So that is what I have been doing the last week or so....

How about you???

Washed and ready to use...

I washed some fabric that was found in a cardboard box in mother's garage.  Most of it can be used in quilts.........

 

These also, although there are a couple of  large pieces that may end up being curtains.....

Don't you just love the one in the lower right hand corner!  The background is really kinda a yellowish color....

  And a couple of them will end up in my new plaid quilt that I plan to name  I Must Start Soon....

Progress Report:  I have 21 squares finished (need 56) on my zigsaw quilt, although I don't have 2 of the rows put together yet.  I am still looking for my 10'" or 12" squares so i can do some trimming.  They are around here somewhere. 

Alzheimer's Quilt - 2012

A few months ago, my DIL brought me some  Group T-shirts from last 6 years of the Alzheimer's walks  they participated in.  They have lost 2 members of their family to this disease.

I made this quilt for her mom (in picture on right).  They presented it to her at the end of the walk.  This is the one I couldn't talk about because as remote as it may seem, some of the relatives might, just might, have peeked...

It turned out well,, roughly a large queen size (86 x 80). 

The group won the plaque for raising the most money.  This picture will be on the plaque...

Great group of people!

Somewhere.........

Looking forward (?!) to going through this during the next few day (weeks,,,,etc).

This is the second of who knows how many more loads I get to look through, mail (during holiday time???, may wait) and savor. 

Somewhere in this load is a vintage Baby Lock serger (20 yrs old, + or -).  Mother used it, but packaged it up in original box (I think... foam inserts are in there, I opened it only far enough to see the top of the machine and closed it back up).  Don't really need a serger....we'll see what happens...More on that later.

 I found the missing cord/foot petal for one of the sewing machines, as well as both their top covers.. So think they are complete, kinda...

There is also the inevitable fabric, linens, vintage (now) sheets, etc..I am hoping that I have the strength to lay them aside for a calmer time and not just.....well, you know....

Left at her house: a Baby Tailor , or Tailor Made, (can't remember the exact name). small Singer sewing machine...Need to look into that also...

From Chaos City, I remain....

Not so Quiet Quilter.....