September 2020 – Page 2 – Artquiltmaker Blog

Catch All Caddy

BAM had its first Zoom workshop the other day and I took it despite some challenges. First, we had to do some prep work, which I did, but I think I went a little beyond, because I had a presentation and wouldn’t be able to join until late.

The Catch All Caddy was a bag that was given away at the 2013 retreat. I think it was one of the best bags given out when bags were still being made for retreats. Since then people who attended that retreat bring them to Sew Day and workshops, using them to organize tools and carrying their other stuff. Everyone else is envious, thus Lynette decided to teach the rest of us how to make the bag.

I felt good about my progress Friday night when I finished for the evening.

FOTY 2019 Presentation and Disruption

I went into a presentation yesterday with the fabric in the photo on my design wall. This was not my intention and I was, frankly, embarrassed that I didn’t have more on the wall when I went into the session.

Life sucks sometimes and this is what I had to work with. Life throws curveballs sometimes and we have roll with them.

Fortunately, I have been in CQFA long enough that people know I am not a slacker and we had a good discussion regardless. Also Maureen was great. She was very encouraging and not judgmental at all, so I didn’t feel as bad after talking to her as I did before.

My curveball was a torn ligament in my foot, which resulted in lovely new footwear. it also resulted in me spending a lot more time on the couch with my foot up. It could have been much worse, but I can’t help still feeling somewhat disgruntled.

Remembering September 11

September 11 comes around every year. This year feels different. Victim deaths of the pandemic have surpassed September 11 victims by leaps and bounds, though perhaps not in the numbers of the victims of the aftermath of 9/11. Still, that day is seared into my mind.

I was home alone that morning as DH was out of town and I was trying to get the YM to pre-school and get to my job. If anyone says ‘September 11’, I think about my mom calling me and sort of screeching at me to turn on the TV. My mom doesn’t really screech, so this is probably my imagination. I also remember how turning on the TV made the whole situation real. I was in my house getting ready to go to work, getting my almost 5YO YM ready for school, minding my own business and as soon as I turned on the TV, the world was different – meaner, more revenge oriented, less tolerant and more violent. Everything changed that morning even though I didn’t know it.

I couldn’t process those planes crashing into the World Trade Center. I couldn’t process the passengers taking over the flight that eventually crashed in the field in Pennsylvania or the flight that eventually affected the Pentagon. I can’t help but think of how quiet the skies were for days after. Now that I think about, it reminds me of how quiet everything was at the end of March 2020 when everyone was sheltering-in-place. I remember watching TV for hours with DH (once he returned) and seeing the same images over and over. I think of the years of violence that make up our lives today.

I ended up making two quilts as a reaction to OR to do something to mark-commemorate-remember (I don’t know the right word. Send a message?) the day and my feelings. The first was done very quickly and sent off to Houston to be displayed in a commemorative display at Quilt Festival and Market.

Fireball is a reaction to all the fire that was shown on TV. It is a woven quilt and messy looking. The strips are raw edge so the whole piece reflects the chaos of the day and the aftermath.

The second quilt is also an art quilt. It took me longer and was my wish/prayer for the future. It is called What Comes Next. Clearly my wishes were not acknowledged because the things I wanted to come out of that terrible day were the exact opposite of what actually came out of it.

This quilt has similarities to my Blood and Oil quilt and the more recent, Down the Drain quilt. Someday I’d like to use those paper doll motifs again.

Black Windmill Top & Back

I finished the top, back and binding for the Black Windmill over the weekend. This baby is ready to go to the longarmer. I need to decide if I will take this quilt and Red Scribbles or if I will wait and put together another quilt before I made the trip? I’d like this one back at the beginning of October so the sooner the better my chances are. On the other hand, making the trip seems like a really long adventure. It is totally my perception. The length of the trip (15 miles???) hasn’t changed.

In terms of the back, I used a big leafy Philip Jacobs print and some older prints I unearthed when I looked through my backing fabrics a few weeks ago. The back doesn’t exactly match the front, but I thought the front was a little dark and wanted the back to be lighter. Also, I wanted to use up fabric.

The two middle half yards on the right are Mary Ellen Hopkins prints from the Dark Ages. They are awesome prints that I had been saving for something special. My stepdad’s quilt seems like a good opportunity to use them.

One of them, however, has fish on it and the fish look super grumpy! I didn’t notice that before I sewed the back and I hope my stepdad doesn’t take issue with them. In a way the grumpiness is kind of funny.

A Few Donation Blocks

I spent a lot of time over the weekend on cleanup projects: making a binding, making a sleeve, tidying, etc. In the process, I decided that some Bonnie and Camille 2.5 inch squares I was saving were going to be donation blocks.I dumped a bunch of squares into the bin I use for donation 2.5 inch squares. The bin overflowed, so I started sewing.

I made a couple of donation blocks. THEN I realized that I could use those squares to make another Traffic Jam donation quilt, so I started in on making 4 patches instead of 16 patches. I thought about unsewing the two blocks I made, but decided that would be stupid and will just move forward with the unsewn 2.5 inch squares for now.

Of course, this means I am now working on two donation quilts at once, the Traffic Jam and the Blue Improv Donation top. Not sure how I will work that out, but need to go with what is of interest at the moment.

Plaid Block Party Finished

Plaid Block Party completed - front — Plaid Block Party completed – front

I finished the binding on the Plaid Block Party last week. As I said in my last completed quilt post, handwork is somewhat delayed in the world of COVID-19. I have FOTY 2018 and the sleeve for Flying Around to complete as well.

In the meantime, I am very pleased with this quilt. I really like that Block Party block. Aside from being super easy, I think it looks great as well. I’d like to make another quilt with this pattern and have an idea of who the recipient will be.

Plaid Block Party completed - back — Plaid Block Party completed – back

My DH acted as quilt holder and didn’t quite have the wingspan to get it straight. I may not be able to get a better photo before I have to send it off to my cousin-nephew.

My goal was to use up my plaids, which, with the Plaid donation top, I have done. Yay!

Journey 2 Nebula Start

I did decide to join the Journey 2 Nebula project / Sew-a-Long (?) / Quilt-a-Long(?). As mentioned previously, this is a skill-builder for learning to use the Jaybird Quilts rulers, Hex N More** & Super Sidekick** (or Sidekick**) to prepare for the Nebula Quilt-a-Long. I am not planning on making the Nebula quilt, but I thought the skill-builder was interesting. I also thought it was a good idea to have a series of small projects so people could get used to using specialty rulers

When I gathered the supplies, I also got our non-Jaybird rulers that I thought would work. I borrowed the rulers from a guild mate because I didn’t want to buy them without trying them. Usually I jump at the chance to buy specialty rulers, but I am saving money and I have several rulers that do the same thing as the various Jaybird rulers. I am not adverse to buying one or more of them in the future, but we will see.

I did have to buy all of the patterns, but Pink Door had a bundle with a slight discount, so it wasn’t horrible, though I probably don’t really need the patterns for the projects. I certainly won’t need them long term. I count it as supporting a woman-owned small business.

This skill-builder was, I think, more popular than expected. There is a lot of grumbling about not getting patterns in a timely manner, not getting rulers and having the various fabrics (people seem to want the same exact colors as the samples) sold out. My patterns arrived on Monday, the day before the start. And, of course, there is no shortage of fabric at my house, so I was ready to go.

The first day was Tuesday and despite my plans to get the top of the Black Windmill finished, I started this skill-builder project. The first skill is diamonds – Super Sidekick** or Sidekick**ruler – and the project is the Seaside table runner. I am no stranger to diamonds after making the Fabric of the Year 2010 quilt. I had my strips prepared, read the directions and started cutting using thee Super Sidekick**. Julie of Jaybird Quilts (not Friend Julie) made a video as well.

It wasn’t difficult to use the ruler. There are pictures in the pattern and I was able to quickly cut two sets of diamonds for the table runners I want to make. Amy didn’t have the Sidekick, so, as I said, I used the Super Sidekick**. It is a big ruler, approximately 15×8.5 inches. I think the Sidekick** ruler would have fit my hand better, but beggars can’t be choosers.

I wondered the whole time I was cutting diamonds how the Super Sidekick** compared to the Split Recs Ruler **? I think they can both cut HRTs, but I didn’t’ try that. I’ll have to do some more research later.

Cutting diamonds with Creative Grids ruler

Cutting diamonds with Super Sidekick ruler

Once I was comfortable with the Super Sidekick**, I got out my Creative Grids Turn-a-Round Diamond ruler. This ruler, which no longer seems to be available, cuts both 45 and 60 degree diamonds. I had to line it up differently, but was able to cut the same diamonds with it. I didn’t know I was cutting 60 degree diamonds until I started cutting with the CG ruler. The Jaybird Pattern doesn’t say anything about that.

My 2.5″ strips vs. the Super Sidekick** vs. Creative Grids Turn-a-Round Diamond ruler all measured 2.5″ differently. I am not worried about putting the table runner together, but I thought it was interesting.

I did start to sew, but I didn’t get very far. Stay tuned for more info.

**I use affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.

Various & Sundry 2020 #12

Administration

I have updated a couple of the pages, which you may not always look at. I updated the Ends donation quilt page and the Glossary. The Ends page shows all the Ends quilts I have made so far. I was amazed that I am up to 9! I hope people like them.

Fabric, Notions, Supplies, Books & Tools

I have joined with a Dutch company called Creative Fabrica. They are a creative startup and if you use my link to buy something, I will get a fee at no cost to you. I will be posting about them once in a while using my usual rules of being honest, but kind about what I like and don’t like. They have recently posted on their blog about inspiring quiltmaking blogs and I am first on the list!!! There are other more famous blogs included, but mine is first!!! At the moment they are graphics and font heavy, but are working hard to move their craft offerings to a separate platform and increase their offerings. I hope it will be great. Yes, I am taking a chance, but what the heck?

Emmaline Bags is a Canadian purveyor of Bag Clubs and hardware. Recently I received an email about some zipper pouches that had finally arrived in their shop. They write “During the months of May & April, we were proud to know that the cost of making these zipper pouches paid for wages for many women working at the WORK+SHELTER production facility. ” If you are not up for making your own zipper pouch, perhaps one of these fair trade/fair wage pouches will suit your needs?

I clicked on a Hawthorne Threads newsletter. I was happy and sad to have done so. They have some fabulous fabrics. First was Pardon My French by Dear Stella. I don’t really buy very many novelty prints, but these are so happy! The flowers include gorgeous colors. The famous buildings of Paris is just a fun print and how can I not love the macarons? Next is Parapluie. While I am not much of a fan of the colors this collection (a bit too wimpy), I do like the Paris Map in Spring panel. Would that make a great board bag? Why aren’t there more prints with Ferris wheels? I didn’t know Hawthorne Threads had a collection of solids. I’d love to feel the greige goods on which they are printed. It looks like they have about 24 different colors.

If you were never able to purchase the Johannes Itten Color Star, Katie Fowler’s Foolproof Color Wheel** might be a good substitute.

The National Quilting Circle has a short video on the characteristics of rulers. It also gives some tips on squaring up blocks and how to cut different angles. this is short and basic, so it gives you a little taste.

Projects, Classes, Patterns & Tutorials

Anna Maria Horner’s Cadence quilt is available as a free download on the Free Spirit site. You can use a different large print than Hindsight focus fabric and it would look just as great.

Need to know about setting triangles and settings in general? Ebony Love has a comprehensive blog post about the topic.

Here’s another tutorial for a Scrappy Zipper Pouch from ColorGirl Quilts.

HolleyAnne from String & Story is hosting a Free Motion Quilting Academy. Cost is $197.

Thanks to Ronni, I found an article on how to do quilted lettering.

If you need another project, how about a Back-to-School themed block project? All the blocks can be seen on Patti’s blog, another one I found from Creative Fabrica blog post in which this blog was included.

Nicole of LilyElla has another Sew-a-Long starting, The Mini Maker Case. The previous Sew-a-Long was for the Undercover Maker Mat, which Friend Julie and I both made. The Mini Maker Case is a case made specifically for an Oliso Mini Iron. OMG! These mini irons are so cute. I even thought they were cute when I only knew about the pink and yellow options. I went to the webpage and saw that they also have turquoise and orchid! The latter don’t ship until the end of November, but still in time for Christmas, right?

I trolled through some of Sara Lawson/Sew Sweetness’ Pinterest boards and found a number of interesting things. There is a tutorial on making piping. It is pretty comprehensive and talks about materials as well as techniques. There are some good images as well, including one that shows selvedge and bias on a piece of fabric. As an alternative, I found another piping tutorial. Linked from the first piping page is another tutorial on adding piping to the handle of a cosmetic case. This tutorial could be used for your Mini Maker Case! There is another link to a tutorial on sewing the bottom of bag in the round.

I also like the round cushion tutorial. I think the basic idea isn’t very different from how I make the pet beds. I can see making one of these for one of my nieces. A stack of them would make a great decorative element.

I joined the Spencer Ogg FB group because I could get a free hand sanitizer pouch pattern (it’s now for sale). I never really thought about such a thing, but when presented with the option, I thought it would make a good gift. It turns out that there are tons of patterns for the same kind of thing.

Another gift is a lip balm/lipstick (if we ever need such a thing again!) carrier tutorial. The thing I like about this item is the way the D-ring is used. The site has an easy way to create a PDF from the blog post for the pattern, so you can save it.

If you are still sheltering-in-place, you might have time to start a collection of small gifts for the upcoming holidays or future birthdays, guild gifts, etc. DIY Joy has a post including 49 free small projects using your scraps. This post aggregates posts from different sites. Not all are great projects, but there are a few gems.

Xawam has a holder for woven ribbon posted on her blog. The post is in German and I didn’t find a tutorial, but you can get the idea and make one of your own.

Want to reduce your use of Saran Wrap/cling film? LilyElla has a pattern for reusable bowl covers. I think this is a great idea. We have some that are made from plastic, but are washable and reusable. Sadly, they are very poorly made and dying a quick death. The only issue I see with the LilyElla version is that one can’t see through them. Things go to my fridge to die on the best day, so I would have to figure out some fabric that I could, at least, sort of see through.

Other Artists

Ebony Love has left the Craft Industry Alliance. In her blog post, she explains why. She has some good graphics on what is racism, including implicit racism. I am not lecturing here, just providing a source of information. As a former law librarian, I appreciated the comments she made about the contract. I don’t know a lot about this situation, but it seems like she may be right in that the poster did not want to hear the answers. One of the lessons here is to read REALLY READ any contracts you sign. This is a good reminder for me to remember that another lesson is to assume kindness if there is any question.

Ronni talks about honoring finishes on her blog. What a great post that I haven’t thought about. She says she immediately starts a new quilt when she finishes one. I do that as well without truly honoring the finish. I have to think of how to do that.

Julie of Pinkdoxies briefly touches on a question from her husband, “don’t you ever get tired of quilting?”. While this is not the subject of the post, it is an interesting question and it stayed with me. I have so much interest in quiltmaking that I don’t think I will ever get tired of it, because there are so many aspects. There is always something new to try, someone new to meet, new fabric to enjoy. What do you think?

As a bonus, the post mentioned above shows some beautiful quilts.

Black Windmill – All the Blocks

I worked over the weekend on getting the rest of the blocks made so I could start to sew the piece together.

I admit that some of the greys used as foreground (not-black) are too close in tone to the blacks to be true backgrounds. I am going to leave them to add to the mystery of the pattern, if there is a such a thing.

26 Projects 2020 #8

Finished 2020 Quilt Projects

I got three quilts back from my longarmer at the end of July. Thus, I was able to get more finished, which feels great! I am still continuing to shorten my UFO list, which you have seen on various posts. Progress is always good.

Cool Windmill – finished March 2020 – I gave this quilt to its new owner and she was thrilled.
Warm Windmill– finished March 2020
Warm Windmill n.2 – finished August 2020 and sent off to my mom

Finished 2020 Non-Quilt Projects

This category covers bags, toys, aprons and knitting as well as other non-quilt projects.

I feel like I have made more of these small items, but I can’t find any others.

Gerre's Mega Pinnie Gift — Gerre’s Mega Pinnie Gift

Four Masks - early July — Four Masks – early July

Blue Improv Journal Cover - front — Blue Improv Journal Cover – front

Amy Butler Journal Cover – finished May 2020
Arty Running with Scissors Tote – finished March 2020
Blue Improv Journal Cover – finished August 2020
Boxy Clear Pouch – finished June 2020
Candy gift bag- finished July 30, 2020
Christmas Mette Ring
Cotton Candy Pouches
- Cal Cotton Candy Pouch – April 2020
- Chrysanthemum Cotton Candy Pouch – June 2020
- Green Cotton Candy Pouch – July 2020
- PJ Ivy Cotton Candy Pouch – July 2020
- Tulip Cotton Candy Pouch – July 2020
Face masks – ongoing
- Sunday Face Masks
Inside Outside Pouch – finished June 2020
Mega Pinnie for Gerre – finished February 2020
Mermaid Warrior – finished May 2020
Mette Ring – finished April 2020
Paper Wreath – finished April 2020
Sewing Stand – finished May 2020
Speedy Pouches – finished January 2020
Vinyl pouch – finished January 2020

Doing Good

Flame HRT Donation top - April 2020Donation top - April 2020 — Flame HRT Donation top – April 2020

Plaid Donation Top - finished — Plaid Donation Top – finished

Blue Spiky 16 Patch – finished May 2020
Blue Strip Donation Top -finished March 2020
Blue Strip #2 Donation Top – finished July 2020
Ends n.9 – finished August 2020
Flame Donation top/back – finished April 2020
Orange Strip Donation quilt – finished January 2020
Plaid Donation Quilt – finished June 2020
Traffic Jam donation top/back – finished March 2020
White Improv Donation Top – finished January 2020

In Process
The ‘In Process’ is used to denote projects on which I am actively working or are on the design wall waiting for me to stitch. I am continuing to try not to put away projects. I find putting a project away ensures I never work on them. I just lose steam.

Black Windmill

Small Projects to Make or in Process

Most of my progress involves thinking or just cutting.

One Hour Basket for organizing my decks of cards – Creative Strength, mindfulness, etc. I may switch to one of the Minikins projects for this purpose.
One Hour Basket for my stuff that tends to accumulate on the dining room table. I may switch to one of the Minikins projects for this purpose.
One Hour Basket for DH’s stuff that tends to accumulate on the dining room table. I may switch to one of the Minikins projects for this purpose.
Retreat Organizer – another project from the Crafty Gemini Organizer Club, also on my list, but not yet started
Ultimate Project Organizer – another project from the Crafty Gemini Organizer Club, also on my list, but not yet started
Officer gifts for January 2021 – have the pattern and the supplies. Need to start so these are ready and I am not scrambling at the last minute
Ultimate Carry All Bag – Bag-a-Long for BAM – I have the inisde pockets made and am struggling with the front pocket.
Westchester shirt – this is a Crafty Gemini pattern. I bought the fabric at PIQF in 2018 and just need to make it. The pattern comes with a video, so there is hope it will be wearable.

Handwork

I decided that some of my projects are in a different class because they are hand piecing or embroidery or beading. They take longer. Thus I created a new category and have moved some projects here.

English Paper Piecing Project– half hexies – I haven’t been working on this since shelter-in-place started.

Ready for Quilting

Red Scribbles

In the Quilting Process

In the Finishing Process

Still WIPs
I still have WIPs. Who doesn’t, after all? A project in the ‘UFO’ category means I am stalled. A nicer way of saying UFO is a WIP. The list is a lot shorter and the projects are newer, for the most part.

FOTY 2019 – this is now on the list since 2019 is over and I have the squares, theoretically, ready to sew.
Handbag Sampler – this is still the forgotten project. It should be on the UFO list. Too bad I don’t have one. The blocks were teaching samples when I taught a sampler class the time before I started writing the quilt class sampler tutorials. I found one block recently, but otherwise I actually don’t know exactly where the blocks are hiding. I have an idea and still have to crawl up in the far reaches of my fabric closet soon and see if I can find them. I haven’t even found a picture of all the blocks. Sad.
Lobster – I think I might make this into a tablerunner for the buffet. I think that will be a good and fun use of the piece even if the colors aren’t quite right for the dining room.
Pies and Points from 2016 Victoria Findlay Wolfe class. The last time I worked on it was when Julie and I had a playdate in April 2018. I brought this piece with me so I could cut more elements (Julie has a Sizzix). I lost my excitement about this piece shortly thereafter and still have to get it back. Thus, I had to move this to the WIPs area.
Pointillist Palette #4: Fourth is a series of 6 quilts; needs tiny square patches sewn together. No progress.
Self Portrait: started in 2006 at a class at Quilting Adventures in Richmond, Virginia. I am still stalled on this again. As one of my oldest (I am pretty sure) UFO, I put it on my blog and out into the Twitterverse and Diane suggested that I not consider this as a self portrait. I think that strategy is a great idea. I am now trying to think of a new persona for her.
Serendipity Lady – I am still planning to take this piece to be framed.
Who Am I? – This piece is still languishing. Perhaps having a larger design wall will help me regain momentum. The amount of satin stitching I am facing is still a problem.