An Old, Used, Worn, Torn, Loved Treasure

Found this in Mother's things yesterday...double bed size..1" blocks, straight line quilting and very determined to stay together.

Don't know how old this is, but Mother did not quilt...my Grandmother & G Grandmother did, so this could be easily 100 yrs old...sure looks it...

 I am definitely not the one who can save this, but would love to be able to bring it back to it's glory...

It is too fragile to wash right now, and so stained that it might not be worth it...

But I hate to see the gorgeous colors disappear...

I thought I'd take it to my quilting group for suggestions...

Have any of you run across this problem before?

Leaf Pattern out of Painter's Duct Tape

I bisected/sewed the rectangle into quarters and used painters duct tape to fashion a leaf pattern for each quadrant.  I will use the same shape in each of the 4 patches, only a little bigger.  I can stick pieces of duct tape together, draw the pattern and then cut.  They adhere to the flannel well and I can use the same one several times before it gets too ragged, then I make another one.

I'm still not sure what I will use for the borders, but may just "wing" a wavy line in the middle of each strip....

Can't wait to see how I do it.....

Ready to Hand Quilt - Whoop

 I am ready to Whoop! it up with a quilting hoop... see Sarah's blog for more Whoops!...

My flannel top was ready and all I needed was a back and batting.  My back is made with a larger paisley print stripes with white stripes on either side.  It compliments the front and is looking good. 

I  used embroidery thread and basted  the sandwich together while I listened to an audio book.  I can no longer crawl around on the floor, so I use a chef's table made of metal I bought from Sam's.

 

 

 It rolls around and is tall enough so that most of the fabric does not reach the floor.  It has enough surface area on the top and is smooth with rounded edges so that I can smooth the fabric down, baste the area on the top and then slide/shift the fabric to a new area. I only work on it 20-30 minutes at a time and then have to sit and do other things, but this really works for me

It also serves as a holding area for my batting...and I don't have to unload it to use it..  *Please ignore the mess and shoes...I find I have to take them off when I use my foot petal..I have more control that way.*

My flannel quilt is now ready to be HQed...I have decided on the design, which will be a simple one, with a few curves here and there...maybe I can show it to you later on in the process...

 Look good now,,,you won't see this again for a couple of months....

But I won't wait that long for the next post, I promise.....See Ya....

Christmas Butterfly

I have finished with the Christmas Butterfly except for the buttons for the eyes..Those I will have to find..I want them to be small black buttons, either the 2/4 hole kind or ones that are like a round ball.  Hopefully I can find some in my stash or one of my friends will have some.

It's roughly 46" x 26"...To repeat myself from other posts, I used the remnants of my Christmas Tree Skirt to make this.  Even with cutting the strips down after sewing them together, they still make large wings.  I hand fashioned the body, kinda free style (drawing is not in my skill box) and kinda "winged it" from there. 

I would like to keep it, and may do so, but my Christmas Skirt went to my DDIL, and this matches it...so we'll see....

This is supposed to be a table runner...to me it is a little long for a wall hanging, but what do you think?  The back is done, but I can still make several tabs on the back to hold a dow stick..I don't want to ruin the front with stitching and am trying to decide whether to do that or not.  It could be hung with small clips on the top..

Be sure to check out Sarah's Whoops for this week. They are great!

Sewing D4P blocks

4 done, 2 in process and 4 more to go...that will give me the 10 needed...

These are coming together much better and faster than the blocks for the first D4P quilt I made....

Hopefully when the time comes, I will be able to get a picture of the top/finished project for you.

Unexpected and Lovely Idea

I met with our quilt group last Monday.  One of the members brought a lot of 5" squares she received while at Market...She suggested we use them in a scrappy D4P quilt to be given to the local Habitat for Humanity.  We agreed and eventually had them grouped and some given to each one (about 10 blocks for each).  I was the last one in line, so to speak, so I was honored with not only my 10, but the rest of the blocks...so I will see how many I can make in two weeks.  Can't remember if it will be a twin or double size...we will see how many blocks we have at our next meeting...

Here are the very beginnings of my blocks

We have yet to find out from the local H/H as to when the residence will be completed, but decided to go ahead and start on the quilt...worse case scenario is we give it to some one else who needs it...
It's nice to have a group that is small enough to decide on a project this quickly, and yet have enough people to be able and willing to do it in a timely manner.

Finished Wounded Warrior/Zigsaw Quilt Binding & Quilt

 You have seen the top before, but now this is ready to go, as soon as we receive the labels from the WW group.

It is quilted with variegated thread with a dark blue backing,,same color as binding.  This is one of the few I did not HQ. 

So glad it is done....it really was a challenge to put together.  I plan on using the pattern again, maybe in 3 -4 months. 

Whoop! In the Middle of......

....my Christmas Butterfly table runner....

I have quilted my wings to the rest of the sandwich and am in the process of sewing/tucking the black border.  I will be adding a body afterwards.  I need to decide what type of quilting I will have on the white background.  I have a solid red backing and used red thread to quilt the wings.  

I really don't want any more color other than the butterfly...Probably a white thread would be good, even if it will show up on the back...

I hope to finish the black edging this weekend...I am going out of town, but will have some time tomorrow evening to sew...

In the meantime, be sure to check on Sarah's blog for more Whoops!

See ya......

Flannel Top Finished- Whoop!

Here is a Whoop for me and a Finish as well...the flannel top is done.  56" X 76"  with two finished borders of 2" each.  And enough blue left for another day. I have plans for it already.

The red will be the binding color.  But that is in the future...

I enjoyed chronicling the progress of this top here, as well as on Sarah's blog...I started on Jan 5th, two weeks ago.  Wish all my tops were this easy. And it was, even with all the mental decision making....

I like this pattern..I am thinking about using the same idea with another set of fabric ...maybe the dimensions of the blocks might be slightly different, but not too much...that will be later in the year, when I am ready.

Look at all the people who are Whooping it up on Sarah's blog this week...See you there...

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...