10 Quilty Little Secrets

After reading Molli Sparkles and 13 Spools, I decided to make my own list of 10 Quilty Little Secrets.

1.   My favourite part of quilting is piecing the quilt.  If I had the money, I'd leave the quilting to someone else.

2.   I sew over pins.  If I take the time and put them in correctly, no problem.  Other days, I'm lazy, and I bend a pin...or two.

3.   Although I love the convenience of basting spray, I will often pin a quilt.  I find I get puckers in the backing when I use spray, no matter how much effort I put into smoothing.

4.   I need a pattern.  I'd love to be able to create something in my head, but I'm not there yet.

5.   I never hand sew my binding.  Machine binding all the way.  Who has the time?  Or the patience?

6.   I. Hate. Paper. Piecing!

7.   I have far too many UFO's/WIP's.  See #1, and I always see something new I want to make.  I need to stop looking at magazines and on the internet.

8.   I pre-wash all my fabric.  It's a chore, but I'd rather the fabric shrink at the beginning of the process rather than at the end.  I don't like to wash a finished quilt -- I like the crisp look.  The crinkled look makes it feel used.

9.   I forget to change the needle in my machine.  Thank goodness I break needles from running over pins (see #2) from time to time; otherwise, the needle would never get changed.

10.  What is the big deal with Aurifil thread?  I have recently tried Aurifil, and although it's a decent thread, it didn't impress me much.  And since it costs a lot more than Gutermann, I won't be using it unless I can find it on sale.  I use Gutermann thread because one of my LQS often has 50% off notions, so I stock up.  I have also recently tried the Essential thread from Connecting Threads.  I do like this thread, and at about $3 for 1,200 yards, we have a winner!!


What are your quilty secrets?

Sunday Stash - Bargain Lover Fat Quarter Club

I love when fabric arrives in the mail!  This week it was my Bargain Lover Fat Quarter Club collection from Sew Sisters Quilt Shop.

I love chevrons, but I'm not sure what to do with these.  Some of the colour combinations are not ones that I would choose.  It's hard to tell in the picture, but the yellow and orange at the top are both paired with green.

As I was working on my blocks today that I started at yesterday's Maritime Modern Quilt Guild Sew In (more on those in a later post), I had a brainstorm.  I've been struggling with what to make for two baby gifts that are needed in the next several weeks.  The vision requires me to think outside the box as I'm trying to re-create something I saw online, but trying a different technique as I don't want to make HST's.  I don't know if I can make the vision come to fruition.  It's time to get out the paper and pencil to do some calculations.

Here are the fabrics I'm going to use.  These were a previous fat quarter collection from Sew Sisters.

Don't you just love that smiling octopus.  And the whale.  And the starfish.  How cute are all those wonderful water creatures.

My camera didn't seem to pick up the colours very well, but those are Kona Ash, Cyan, Citrus, and Kiwi.

Linking up with Molli Sparkles for Sunday Stash.

I'm on vacation this week so hoping to get some finished tops quilted and off my WIP list.  There are lots more projects I want to start.



Finish Friday...the Fabric Bowl

At our last Maritime Modern Quilt Guild meeting, Jo over at Explorations in Stitch did a demo on making fabric bowls.  So I decided to give it a try.  Those who know me, know I don't do well without a pattern.  But I decided to give it a try anyway from memory.

I decided to stay small for my first attempt, and I am pleased with the finished product.  The sides are a little more angled out than I had planned.  I was so focused on ensuring I was sewing it so that the thread was catching both pieces of the cord that I often forgot to keep the bowl angled up.  Oh well...I'm still pleased with my first attempt.

Aerial view

I will use it tomorrow as a thread catcher at MMQG's Sew In.

Since I enjoyed making this, I will investigate a book purchase so I can learn more.

Since it's Friday, I'm linking up with TGIFF.  Leanne @ the Devoted Quilter is hosting this week.

Off to find a project to work on tomorrow at the Sew In.

Sunday Stash -- I'm a Winner!!!

At last week's Maritime Modern Quilt Guild meeting, I won the door prize!!  I never win and was very pleased with these seven fabulous fat quarters.

I don't know what I'm going to do with them.  Guess I need to starting searching the internet for some inspiration.

My friend Jenn over at A Quarter Inch from the Edge was recently Queen Bee in her online bee.  I really liked the block so thought I'd make her one even though I'm not in the bee.  The block is called Converging Corners.

I realize now that the colour in each section didn't end up being longer than the colour in the previous section.  Hopefully it won't be too noticeable once all the blocks are put together.

This is the second improv block I've done.  Could it be that Jenn is starting to have an influence on me???

I'm linking up with Molli Sparkles for Sunday Stash.

WIP...that Became a Finished Project(s)

I decided to make a skirt for my goddaughter T while she was visiting.  I found a pattern for making a reversible skirt at Blissful Sewing.  So I decided to give it a try.

It's not as easy as you'd think to photograph a skirt.

The pattern calls for the waistband to be one of the fabrics used, but I decided to use black as it's featured in both prints.

T has seen and tried on the skirt because I needed to make sure that the elastic was adjusted accurately for her.  And I didn't make the skirt as full as the pattern called for.  Good call on reducing the amount of fabric.  And the pattern called it spot on for the length of elastic -- waist measurement less 2 inches.

If you are looking for a skirt pattern, I recommend this one from Blissful Sewing.  The instructions are clear, and there are lots of photos.  I recommend you read the pattern from beginning to end first and make note of the measurements before you cut and sew fabric.

But then I wanted to make more skirts.  I didn't realize how easy and fun they'd be to make.  This skirt is not reversible as I didn't have a print to go with it.

I also found a skirt pattern that had leggings attached to the waistband.  But I didn't end up making it because the pattern called for cutting off the waistband of the leggings, sewing the leggings to the skirt, but then sewing the leggings waistband back to the skirt.  It just seemed like a whole lot of extra work.  I had already purchased the knit fabric, so I just made the skirt following the pattern above.  T can just wear leggings underneath the skirt if she chooses.

I made the knit skirt a little fuller than the other ones.  We'll see how that works out.  I hope it's not too much fabric.

So now I'm itching to go fabric shopping to buy skirt fabric.  Like I need another project to work on, with all UFO's sitting in my sewing room.  But the skirts are so fun and whip up quickly -- instant gratification.

Last night's plan was to close up the waistband on the purple skirt and to make a start on the second skirt.  But I was having so much fun that I ended up staying up late to make two skirts.  And now my WIP post has become a finished project post.

But I'm still linking up with WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

Show Off Saturday!!

The quilting momentum continued today.  Two quilt finishes!!!

First up is the Broken Herringbone pattern I found over at Play Crafts.  Spiral free motion quilting.  Talk about moving outside of my comfort zone.



I used Essential thread from Connecting Threads, size 50.  At $3 for 1,200 yards, it was worth a try.  I was very happy with both piecing and FMQ.  Will definitely purchase this thread again.

At a Q-Squared bee sew day last weekend, Jenn over at A Quarter Inch from the Edge was doing FMQ spirals so I stood over her shoulder to watch.  I think I like spirals!!  The key is remembering to leave enough room to get back out.  Hey, Scrapmaster, I'm starting to like FMQ.

Since I was in the groove with FMQ, next up was the Shattered Glass Block from the Undercover Crafter -- all over meandering.

I quilted in the white space to make the coloured strips pop.  I am very happy with the outcome.

Proud of today's accomplishments, so linking up with Show Off Saturday over at Sew Can She.

Shweshwe Adventure...Friday Finish

The plan was to have two Friday Finishes today, but my vacation day was temporarily hijacked by a work emergency.  But I am so very happy that my Shweshwe quilt is finally finished.  It's been two years since I bought the fabric in South Africa.

I wanted the focus to be on the fabric, so just simple stitch-in-the ditch quilting.  Every time I look at the quilt, I see a different pattern, so didn't want to take away from that.

Shweshwe Adventure

As I began to sew on the binding, the weather turned to thunder and lightning, and then the rain started.  A Friday Finish was in the home stretch, but I wouldn't be able to take a photo and share.  But I powered through and finished the binding.  As I was clipping threads, the rain stopped and the sun started to came back.  Grab shoes and camera and hit the backyard as fast as possible.  I wanted to get a few photos before the rain came back.

Shweshwe Adventure

I stressed on what name to give this quilt and finally settled on:  Shweshwe Adventure.  Shweshwe is the name of the fabric, and you can read all about it here.  And it was both an adventure to purchase the fabric and to complete the quilt.

My friend T and I were in South Africa for the wedding of another friend.  Picture this:  driving in a right-hand drive car, on the left side of the road, with no GPS, trying to find streets in Johannesburg which don't have street signs.  My apologies...some streets were labelled....embossed in the curb.  So very (un)helpful.  It was quite an adventure to find the store.  I think we drove around the same block three times.  But we finally found it...after having taken the scenic route to get there.  Thanks T for being patient.

Shweshwe Adventure

 
Now that it's finished, I want more Shweshwe fabric.  I wish I had purchased more and wish I had purchased some of the blue and the red fabric lines.

Linking up with Quilt Matters for TGIFF.  Check out her fabulous Modern Totems quilt.

WIP...The Last of the Library Projects.

It's been a tad warm in the evenings for sewing (but I'm not complaining -- just commenting).  Combine the warm weather with my newly acquired hot flashes...it doesn't make for a pleasant sewing experience.  But it's time to get some sewing done!!

I finished the quilt top for my fourth and final The Library Project hosted by Adrienne over at Chezzetcook Modern Quilts.  I wanted to try the Broken Herringbone tutorial posted by Play Crafts.

Broken Herringbone

I've been attempting to try new things to get out of my comfort zone.  I'm glad I tried this block, but it's not for me.  I didn't enjoy making it, and there is a lot of wasted fabric.  The horror!!  Now I have to find something to do with the scraps.  The tutorial was great in that the instructions were very detailed and clear, with lots of photos.

I was so very much done at six blocks.  The Squares (one of my quilt bees is called Q-Squared) had to convince me to make three more blocks so that I could actually make something useable.  It finishes about 40-inches square.

The purples in the photo don't show very well, but I guess that's the price of taking photos in the house.  One of the (many) downfalls of working full-time is that by the time I get any sewing done in the evening, it's too dark outside to take photos.

I've been hesitant to try improv piecing as I'm a girl that needs a pattern.  But I liked a block posted by Jenn over at A Quarter Inch from the Edge, so I decided to give it a try.  I did 8-inch blocks as indicated in the tutorial by The Undercover Crafter.

Shattered Glass Block

I did enjoy making these blocks, although it was difficult not to try to line up all the strips.  I did attempt to line them up in a few blocks...couldn't resist the temptation.

Now the dilemma...how to quilt???  Any suggestions?

Now that I have a collection of quilt tops, it's time to get focused and get them all sandwiched and quilted.  And then come up with some names for them.

Since it's Wednesday, I'm linking up with Freshly Pieced.

Fabric, fabric, more fabric, and even more fabric.

I haven't been very productive this week as it's been too hot to sew.  However, I have more than made up for the lack of sewing in fabric purchases.  I got a tad bit carried away, but...it was my birthday, and I deserved a treat, or two, or three....that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

First up is my first purchase from Connecting Threads.  A friend said there is no Canadian duty to pay.  And you if order $50 US or more online, shipping is only $7.99.

Of course, there had to be some orange.  I thought I'd try titanium needles as recommended by Scrapmaster -- I wanted to see what she loves about them.  I was disappointed with the brown fabric on the bottom.  It looked black online, but I was so very mistaken.  Oh well, lesson learned from ordering online.  The thread is $2.79 for 1,200 metres.  I've tried piecing with it this week, and I like it.  If it works as well with free-motion quilting, it may be my new thread choice.

If you look in the background, you'll see a quilt top on the design wall.  Stay tuned for the reveal.

Then I was playing around on Joann's website.  Why?  I don't know.  They don't ship to Canada so I didn't have a reason to be looking. But it was meant to be.  They were having a 50% sale on notions.  So a quick Facebook message to cousin A in Detroit to inquire if they were coming home to visit this summer.  As luck would have it, they were.  And so I quickly placed an order to be shipped to Detroit, and my gracious cousin brought my goodies when she came this week.

Basting spray is a minimum $16.99 for a small can here.  It was regular $12.99 at Joann's, so it was only $6.49 a can.  So four cans later.  And a new rotary cutter.

Happy Birthday to me!!

And then I remembered that my LQS gives 15% discount if you shop on your birthday.  So off to the store I go.

These lovely Kona half metres will be paired with some Kona pieces from my stash.  That's Papaya, Purple (although it does look blue), Kiwi, Cyan, Citrus, and Pewter.  I just keep adding to the list of things to make.  Think it's time to update my WIP list.

And my first purchase of Art Gallery fabric.  Oh...it is so very soft.  A quilt along I discovered at Fat Quarter Shop.  I wanted to try some new blocks.

And it continued to be a great birthday with a gift certificate from my boss.  LQS, here I come again!!

These will turn into Night Sky by Jaybird Quilts.  And to show QJ I'm learning my Kona names:  Leprechaun, Kiwi, Peapod, Sprout, Kumquat, Orange, Flame, Lipstick, Lilac, Crocus, Tulip, Surf, Water, Peacock, Pomegranate, Candy Pink, Carnation, Canary, Lemon, Sunny, and Papaya.  Sadly, they did not have Wisteria, Riviera, Bright Pink, or Black.  But one of the friendly clerks (who sadly knows me by name...okay, they all know me by name) is checking with their other locations to find the colours for me.  Thanks!!

No. More. Shopping.

Linking up with Molli Sparkles for Sunday Stash.

Shweshwe Quilt Top is Done

I finished the Shweshwe quilt top!!  What a relief to have it finished.  The plan is to get it sandwiched and quilted over the weekend.

Shweshwe Quilt Top 

I don't name my quilts, but I think this one will be named.  I have no idea whatsoever what that name will be.  But I feel that since the fabric came all the way from South Africa (and it took a lot of searching to find the quilt shop) and contains 512 HST's, it deserves a name.

But the most exciting news of the week is that I met Kaffe Fasset and Brandon Mably.  My quilt guild, Mariners Quilt Guild (plus Mahone Bay Quilters Guild and Mayflower Quilters Guild), hosted Kaffe Fassett (and Brandon Mably) for "Life in Colour: An Evening with Kaffe Fassett Lecture and Book Signing."

I had the privilege to pick them up at the airport.  That was so exciting, and I'm still on a high that I met them and had a conversation.  The lecture was informative and engaging.  We're hoping to bring them back next year for a workshop.



Brandon Mably, me, and Kaffe Fassett at the book signing 

But even more importantly, Brandon liked my orange quilt!!!  That's correct, it doesn't have a name other than orange quilt.



We had quilts displayed around the lecture hall.  Brandon said he liked the orange quilt over there, that he hadn't seen one with all orange.  After the initial shock, I proudly said, it's mine.  And after the lecture, he showed it to Kaffe.   I make things that I enjoy and don't care what others think, but it was exciting that someone of that caliber liked one of my quilts.  Now I feel this quilt needs a name, but oddly, Orange Quilt, seems to be the only thing that keeps coming to me.

If you have any thoughts on what I should call my quilts, please let me know.  I'd love to hear how you go about naming your quilts.

Linking up with Adrienne over at Chezzetcook Modern Quilts for the monthly update to The Library Project.

They are Done!!!

Two years.  32 8.5-inch blocks.  16 HST's per block.  512 HST's in total.  My Shweshwe blocks are finally completed!  I bought the fabric in July 2012 when I visited South Africa.  You can read about Shweshewe fabric here.  Here are some of the blocks:



Shweshwe Blocks

I was super productive today at the Maritime Modern Quilt Guild Sew In today.  The day started with a mere 8 blocks completed, and the day ended with all 32 blocks completed.  Give this quilter a gold star.

I handed in my MMQG block for the new guild banner.  We received the fabric Thursday night.  Thinking that Linda would be the first to have her block completed, I made it a point to get my block done last night because I didn't want to be the last person to hand it in at the August meeting.  Imagine my surprise...I was the only one with a completed block today.  Give this quilter another gold star.

Block for MMQG Banner

Have been slowing moving out of my comfort zone and trying some new techniques such as improv piecing.

The Jawbreaker pillow looked lonely, so voila...another one.



Jawbreaker Pillows

Next week is another opportunity to continue making sewing a part of my regular routine.  We had a great discussion today at Sew In about quilters being identified as traditional, modern, etc.  Do what makes you happy.  That's my plan.  I'm a quilter...end of...no identifier needed.  So give this quilter another gold star.

Sewing is Soooooo Much More Fun Than Working

It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be to go back to work after a week's vacation.  But after three days of work, I've decided sewing is much more fun.  Sadly, I did not win the lottery with my Mahone Bay ticket, so it's back to work tomorrow.

But I have been productive this week.  I made a nametag for this week's Maritime Modern Quilt Guild meeting.  I went outside my comfort zone.  A little improv piecing, free motion quilting, and no pattern -- the horror.  Measuring in at 4.5 inches, it even has binding.  And yes, my name is written in Sharpie.  Sharpie is just as good as any embroidery.  And then I wimped out and just sewed on some fancy ribbon because I couldn't figure out the best way to put the strap on it.

My poor Singer has a pretty crappy sewn cover...and that's a long story that we'll skip for now.  I have been holding on to a few pieces of fabric for dear life.  Not that I have anything to coordinate with them, or have any plans for them.  So, I broke down and finally made a quilted sewing machine cover.  I've had the pattern printed for eons from Quilty Creations.  It was very difficult finding a pattern that included instructions on how to make a hole for the handle.  The only thing is that the pattern does not take into account that the top of the machine is narrower than the bottom, so the top is a little loose and doesn't sit properly, but I'm pleased with the results.  And yes, that's a pocket on the front.  And I got creative again and fashioned a cover for the handle to soften the handle (somewhat) -- the machine is quite heavy, and it's hard on the hand.

And then because she's just so cute, I had to make a little something for my goddaughter in Ontario.  I hope little T likes it.  It's a reversible apron with pockets on both sides.

I'm impressed how quickly it came together, and it only requires three fat quarters.  I found the pattern over at Moda Bake Shop.  Can't wait to get it in the mail to her. 

Well, it's time to get to bed and get rested for another day of work.  It's another Sew In with Maritime Modern Quilt Guild on Saturday.  I need to decide what project I will work on.

Finish Friday...the end of Vacation Productivity

It's been an awesome week of vacation.  I went to see the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo with Eastern Passage Girl Guides on Tuesday.  And I sewed every day this week.  I can't believe the week has gone by so fast.  I'm trying not to think that Monday is only two days away -- I don't want to go back to work -- I want to continue to sew!!!  I'm hoping that the lottery ticket I purchased in Mahone Bay yesterday is a winner tomorrow night -- then I can stay home and sew every day.

I finished the second baby quilt -- the other half of the original plus quilt (see here on how one quilt became two).  Once the label is sewn on, it will be delivered.

 

 



 



I discovered the Aurifil thread works great on my machine -- but I had to use a 70/10 needle and double the usual tension.  The thread did not break using this size needle, except when I first started quilting and that might have been because I was going a tad too fast.  I am pleased with the results.  I would like to try to 40wt but can't seem to find it around here.

I also made two pillow using Jaybird Quilts Candy Dish pattern.

As you can see, today's photos were taken in the middle of the peony bushes.  It was a bit of a gray day, but I think I managed to capture the colours quite well.

Today, I whipped up a Jawbreaker pillow from Jaybird Quilts.

And finally...a new ironing board cover.  I fit the new one (including a piece of batting) right over the old one.  I went bright and cheery.  And although I steered away from my favourite orange, there is orange in the print -- I couldn't resist.

It's not easy getting a good photo of an ironing board, but you can see that it's bright.

It's Friday...so I'm linking up with Quokka Quilts.

First Day of Vacation Productivity

It's day one of vacation, and I've got two projects completed...and there are still more hours left in the day.

First up is my Michael Miller challenge hosted by The Modern Quilt Guild.  The first project went by the wayside as I realized I had cut some of the templates the wrong way.  Since we were only given a fat eighth of each of the six fabrics, I couldn't afford to waste any.  And I didn't enjoy cutting the templates.  I thought it would be a good challenge to try a new technique -- but if it's stressful and causing headache, it's not worth it.  So I changed direction.  The finished project is not what I had envisioned, but I am happy with it nonetheless.  Once I make a sleeve, it will hang in my sewing room.

And yes, that's FMQ in a star motif, although some of the stars are a bit wonky.

Then I decided to give the Aurifil 50wt  thread another try on my commissioned baby quilt.  I tried a few needles sizes and upped the tension on my machine.  My poor Singer didn't know what was going on -- it's never had the tension that high before.  All in all, it was a success, although I am not happy with the large holes in the quilting.  Although the tension problem was fixed, the thread continued to break on a regular basis, both while FMQ and using the walking foot.  I'll keep trying until the spool is done, but I think I'll stick with my trusted Gutermann thread.

Now it's time to sit back and read a book.  Wonder how supper can magically appear and the housework magically get done....