More Tarts Progress

After finishing The Lobster project, I had to decide what to work on next. The Tarts have been on the side burner (not the back burner!) for a few weeks, so I spent a whole afternoon machine quilting parts of it. I finished a checkerboard and I quilted one whole large corner block. I felt so exhilarated. I really felt like I had crossed some kind of barrier to finishing. I feel like I am nearing the end.

Tarts - Tea Kettle quilted
Tarts – Tea Kettle quilted

Don’t get me wrong! I do NOT feel exhilarated by machine quilting itself. I feel exhilarated because I am making progress. I am nearing a point where I can put the binding on and call it done….finally.

I am really running up against my limitations as a machine quilter with this project. I want to do some free motion quilting, but I am not good enough. Any but the most gentle curves are too difficult and not satisfying using my pseudo walking foot method. I would need a lot of practice for the kind of FMQ I want and I am unwilling to do the work.

Tarts: Lime Green Round Teapot quilted
Tarts: Lime Green Round Teapot quilted

I crossed another barrier by quilting the lime green round tea pot.

Up until this point I had only quilted backgrounds, not wanting to ruin the teapots and tea kettles. I might be over that fear after quilting this one.

You can see some gentle curves in this quilting. That is about the extent of what I can do with the machine quilting method I am using.

And there is some bad news.

Tarts: burn
Tarts: burn

I burned the quilt. Well, really the quilt got burned. I don’t know exactly how, but I think the quilt was shoved up against the light I have behind my machine for too long. The burn is worse on the back, but does go through to the front. It might look ok in the grand scheme of things, but I’ll have to consider what to do.

Despite the burn, I like the style of this quilt and am thinking of recreating the quilt, “He Tried to Make it up to Her”. I have been thinking about all the different kinds of fusible I have. After contemplating the feelings around the Tarts, it occurred to me I could remake ‘He Tried’ and then have Colleen quilt it. something to think about.

Finished: The Lobster

The Lobster top finished
The Lobster top finished

The Lobster table runner did not take very long to finish. I struggled with the piecing of the Sawtooth Stars for some reason, but eventually got them together and was able to finish the top. As you can see, I added a border to contain the blue.

The Lobster back finished
The Lobster back finished

I also made a back and a binding and will take this piece to Colleen to quilt.

I cross this off my to do list with a great amount of glee.

Starting on the Lobster

I have had this project on my list for awhile. I show the original drawing in one post that also calls this piece part of a CQFA placemat challenge. I discussed working on it after I did some stitching. I showed it at a CQFA Art Walk. It seems that 2019 is the last time I worked on it.

The piece is small and I kept chiding myself for not just doing it. The muse, however, is a fickle mistress and she was not interested in this piece for a long time.

The Lobster with potential blocks
The Lobster with potential blocks

Finally, she allowed me a flash of inspiration and I ran with it. I have started piecing it into a table runner. I need more table runners for my buffet and I thought this would make a good one for summer. Also, I could admire my lobster more frequently.

I always like the Sawtooth Star block and thought it would work to make the table runner a little longer. I put some pinwheels inside the Sawtooth Star’s center just to make it a little more interesting.

I may add some pointed ends. We’ll see.

Remembering September 11

I still feel strong emotions when September 11 rolls around. As I implied last year, what has changed?

Fireball, 2001
Fireball, 2001

I made two quilts to commemorate the lives lost during the destruction of the Twin Towers. The first one was Fireball, which is what I could see as I sat and watched TV.

It is chaotic, reminds me of smoke and flames. This is a small quilt, maybe 12×12, and I was able to channel the pure emotion into this piece as I made it very quickly. I was doing woven art pieces at the time and this is one of them.

What Comes Next, 2001-2002
What Comes Next, 2001-2002

The quilt I really wanted to make took longer. I wanted to plead for something different than what we got. I wish something different than a 20+ year war could have come out of that. people just want to fight when they are attacked; they don’t want to talk.

This is a hard post for me to write. I force myself to do it every year, to get the message of What Comes Next out there, so, perhaps, people will think and do something different next time.

Diagonal Nine Patch = Big Hit

We attended a wedding and a baby shower in Tahoe a few weeks ago. My niece and her husband came up from San Diego so we were able to celebrate them and their baby.

I gave them the Diagonal Nine Patch. I was super gratified at how well the quilt was received. My niece did like the storage bag I made for the quilt very much. She said she might keep it and use it for her own purposes. 😉

I was worried that the baby’s dad wouldn’t like it, but he pointed out the quilting thread color right away and really liked it. I was very relieved.

One of the other nephews said he thought this quilt might be my best ever! I didn’t tell him I got the design from Peggy! I am glad this quilt was a success. The happy couple received three quilts total.

Essential Tote Mostly Cut

Essential Tote cut out
Essential Tote cut out

As mentioned in the Super Sew Day post, this is another project I cut out – mostly. I am still waiting for one of the fabrics to arrive, so I can cut out the exteriors.

I have one of the fabrics, but was waiting for the other to arrive so I could wash them together. I am trying to conserve energy while it is so hot here in California. Even where I live, which is often covered in fog, it is 86 degrees, which is down from the 91 it was earlier. I am definitely thinking of getting solar panels for my house.

Hindsight Echinacea Glow
Hindsight Echinacea Glow

The fabric I am waiting for is the Hindsight Echinacea Glow** from Anna Maria Horner. I thought I had a large enough piece in this colorway, but I think I only had a half yard or FQ, which isn’t enough. I ordered it for next day delivery and here we are a week later.

I also haven’t cut the pockets out for the inside. I was going to skip them, but I know I will regret it, if I do, especially if these bags become favorites. I have to think about adding a leash and maybe some penholders as well.

Natalie, of SHH, has a YouTube channel. One of the videos is a walkthrough of the Essentials Tote. I don’t know if this is a how-to make the bag video or what. I haven’t watched it yet, but will check it out.

You can buy the Essential Tote pattern (print and PDF) from Sew Hungry Hippie. I wasn’t going to buy the pattern, but I did. I couldn’t stop thinking about that vinyl pocket on the outside of the bag. I probably could have added a vinyl pocket to another bag…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**Obviously, you should shop at local fabric, knitting shops or quilt shops. However, if you can’t, please know that I use affiliate links. I may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s link in my post. There is no additional cost to you for clicking or purchasing items I recommend. I do not recommend items I don’t like. I appreciate your clicks and purchases as it helps support this blog.

Black & White Storage Bag

Diagonal Nine Patch Storage Bag
Diagonal Nine Patch Storage Bag

I made a drawstring bag as a storage bag for the Diagonal Nine Patch.

I used the Jeni Baker/In Color Order pattern. As I have said before, this pattern went together very quickly. The hardest part was choosing the fabrics (or finding pieces large enough!)

I keep buying black and white stripes so I have a lot right now. I used it for another project, then though it would work on this one as well. My niece loved the bag.

I got the idea for the storage bag form SIL#2.  She makes a storage bag for every quilt she gifts. Once she mentioned it, this pattern came to mind and I knew I could incorporate some orange,which is my niece’s favorite color. Everytime I use this pattern, I wonder why I don’t make more of these bags.

Project Bags in Process

Project Bags cut & ready to sew
Project Bags cut & ready to sew

As I mentioned, I spent part of Super Sew Day cutting out Project Bags. My idea for these bags is that they will allow me to collect pieces and parts, such as thread, templates, fabric, of projects so everything is together when I am ready to sew.

Partly, this project and the process has to do with organization. If I have a few minutes and am not at the machine, I can gather some fabric or find the pattern and templates for a future project. This uses my precious time well.

The way I have organized them helps me keep all the pieces with their fellows. This works especially well when I am making more than one at a time.

Yes, I have plenty of ziploc bags and other, purchased containers for projects, but this allows me to use some of my fabric stash. It also makes my space prettier.

More Month 13 Hearts & Cones

La Pass Month 12 Rosette
La Pass Month 12 Rosette

Progress on Month 13 continues. Aside from continually having to go back and cut more pieces, this month seems easy.

I think using the Hearts & Cones method makes the process seem easier.

I keep having to go back and cut more pieces because of the shift in the BOM shipping schedule for Month 13. Because this month included Parisville, Pink Door could not ship as normal. My practice is to wash all the fabric, then cut and baste at Sew Day (first Saturday of the month). I couldn’t do that this time, so I cut and basted some pieces so I could be ready to sew in the evening while hanging out with DH, then I would go back and cut more for the next night. I got off track and, apparently forgot to cut the rest of the star points.

Traveling with La Pass

View from Tahoe Ridge to NV
View from Tahoe Ridge to NV

Recently, we took a long weekend and visited Lake Tahoe. Our nephew was getting married. We tacked on a few extra days to make it a long-ish weekend. The YM flew in to see his cousin get married. That means we got to spend a few days with him as well. It was really great to have more than a day to catch up and get more of a sense of how our YM is doing.

Without a Trace/Take a Stand tote filled with La Pass
Without a Trace/Take a Stand tote filled with La Pass

I wanted to take La Pass with me on the trip so I could work on getting Month 13 finished. Month 14 had been shipped and I needed to get back on schedule. As shown, my pieces were in hearts and cones, so I needed a bag that would keep them flat during the drive and general chaos of travel. I also needed space for my Sew Together Bag and my Inside Outside Pouch, which contain various tools and supplies for La Pass. Eventually, I landed on the Without a Trace/Take a Stand Tote. Since I fixed the zipper and sewed the zipper tab closed, I have been looking for a use for it.

Unlike my trip to Portland earlier this year, travel was much easier with the rosette not yet sewn together.  I keep working on combining the smaller pieces into larger sections. Once each rosette is fully complete, it is a bit of a hassle to transport until I remove the papers.

It was a bit of a tight squeeze, but worked. I am really pleased!

Super Sew Day

Super Sew Day view
Super Sew Day view

I spent the last three days at Sew Day, well, 2.5 days as we started Thursday at 1pm. Saturday was the busiest with about 16 people. Thursday was the least busy with about 8.

Month 14 basting/cutting in process
Month 14 basting/cutting in process

I arrived a little early so Mary and I could set up the tables, irons and food. We had help from Sue S and some others. Then we started sewing. I started off basting La Pass Month 14. Yep, Month 14 is here and Nope, I haven’t finished Month 13. Like Month 1, however, Month 14 is the outer right of Month 13, so I can sew them together at the same time. It makes hand sewing a little easier that I have not finished Month 13 yet.

My station is on the other side of the sewing machine in the first photo (above). That is Friend Julie’s machine in the bottom right of the photo. She joined the guild and I was able to convince her to come to Sew Day. I am almost more excited about what she got done than my accomplishments! 😉

Julie's Kitchen Sink quilt
Julie’s Kitchen Sink quilt

She worked on finishing her Kitchen Sink quilt, which she started in a BAM class with Maria Shell. She had already quilted most of it, but did a little more quilting then made and attached the binding.

I think the quilt looks really good and quite cohesive. The colors are fun and interesting, too. There is also a lot to look at. This is one of the projects on Julie’s September to do list and I am excited she made such great progress.

Another project on Julie’s September To Do list is her Japanese houses. She worked on making the back, which turned out really well, but could be another top! I forgot to take a photo, so you’ll have to go look at her blog for more info and a view.

I had a little more basting to do when I arrived on Friday. I had left one of the fabrics in the dryer at home. After I finished the last few small pentagons, I started cutting out other projects.

First I worked on cutting out pockets for the Brocade Peony UCAB. Remember I cannibalized the pockets I made for that UCAB for my improved UCAB? I was able to finish all the pieces and parts for the pockets on Saturday, I think.

Sew Hungry Hippie Essential Tote order
Sew Hungry Hippie Essential Tote order

As soon as I finished the pockets, I started cutting out the fabrics and vinyl for the Sew Hungry Hippie Essential tote pattern. I was able to cut out all the pieces except the exterior, because I am waiting for another piece of AMH’s Glow to arrive and I forgot to wash the other AMH fabric (left) I bought. I wanted to use that Spanish Rose vinyl (photo left) and I wanted to use it with Anna Maria’s Glow colorway. I know it is a shocking pink. I just bought it recently and I want to use it while I am excited (and not horrified) about it.

I didn’t mean to make two of these totes, but now I am. The webbing won’t be super comfy, but it is glitter webbing and super fun. One good thing is that I used up most of my regular vinyl with all of these projects, so now I can switch completely to glitter vinyl. Yay!

Once I finished cutting what I could for the Essential Totes, I started cutting for the ByAnnie Project Bags. I need more holders for in process projects. I know I am a glutton for punishment since I started making 5 of these. Yes, FIVE. I am a lunatic.

I had to lay out the cut pieces on a free table, clipped together, so I could be sure I had cut all the pieces for each different bag.

I was able to finish cutting out all of those Project Bags pieces on Saturday before lunch. As soon as I finished lunch, I started quilting the main panels.  Somehow quilting at Sew Day is less terrible than quilting at home. I quilted four of the main panels, which leaves one left to quilt, then I’ll be done and ready to put them together. I kind of wanted all the quilting done at Sew Day, but we don’t get everything we want.

Maria's eggs at Sew Day
Maria’s eggs at Sew Day

A lot was going on at the event. I don’t know why Maria had eggs next to her sewing machine, but she did. I didn’t get a chance to ask.

You can see Patti and Anna talking in the background. Their table was pretty full, though people moved around the room quite a bit so it looks pretty empty in this photo.

New Mary came and got her door prize bag. There was a lot oohing and aahing over the contents. That made me feel good.

Sue S' grandson's quilt top
Sue S’ grandson’s quilt top

Sue S has a grandson who is interested in quiltmaking. He has made a quilt, which we were pleased to having hanging on one of the design walls at Sew Day.

I was impressed with the sophistication of the design. It is all half square triangles, but the design is quite elaborate. I kind of want to make that design in different fabrics.

He joined us for Sew Day via FaceTime and got to see what we all were doing.

Maria basting her Plus quilt
Maria basting her Plus quilt

Maria basted a quilt on the wall. I tried that technique a few years ago and it didn’t work for me, but she was very successful. I love the quilt, too. She did a nice job choosing fabrics.

I came home on Friday exhausted. It was a result of walking back and forth to the cutting table all day. That was hard. I took a break from my daily walk on Saturday and didn’t feel the exhaustion as much, though I was still tired.

All in all, I am pleased with what I accomplished. I don’t know that I can cross anything off my to do list, but I’ll soon be able to do so.

Various & Sundry 2022 #9

Admin
I am working on updating all of my old posts that link out to my old Blogspot blog. I went through 2007 the other day and updated a bunch of links. I used to create really clever titles. Hope I am not boring you now.

Projects, Classes, Patterns & Tutorials

Help Uvalde
Help Uvalde

If you want to help the people affected by the shooting in Uvalde, here is one way. Click on the photo to see it larger.

My friend and I did some paper folding the other day. In the course of teaching her to make a Mette Ring, she told me about the Woven Stars she makes at Christmas. I found a tutorial, which she said was the way she makes hers.

Vanessa of Crafty Gemini has a new mini-bag club with cute patterns. The early bird pricing is over, but you can still join and get your holiday gifts finished.

Vanessa also has a video on 3 tips for zippers to go along with her new club.

If you want to see a quick video on changing the look of zippers, I found a post on IG.

Another friend, Mary C, finds all the good quilt-a-longs. Mostly I admire her work, but I signed up for the Harmony and Light QAL. Sign up is free through October and I wanted to look at the pattern. Not sure I will actually sew it, but you never know. Also, I have a long to do list and need to get it whittled down.

Tips from Quilting Daily about your sewing machine.

Double Pointed Needle Keeper by Nome Knitter
Double Pointed Needle Keeper by Nome Knitter

You may have seen that I took a knitting class. One of the items I learned about was a double pointed needle keeper. I found a tutorial for making them from The Nome Knitter.

Not that I would ever do it, but I liked the horizontal FMQ sampler lessons provided by Lori Kennedy. The reader quilts she posted are interesting and exciting.

Sherri Noel has a tutorial for a simple needlebook. The needlebook shows a lot of optional embroidery so get out your Perl Cotton.

She also has a tutorial called Bento Lunch Bag. I like the shape, though probably wouldn’t use a lunch bag. The inside of the bag is not shown.

AllPeopleQuilt Pool Noodle Basting
AllPeopleQuilt Pool Noodle Basting

AllPeopleQuilt had an IG post about basting using a Pool Noodle. I haven’t tried this technique, but thought it might be worthwhile to watch the video and try the technique.

Interesting collection of 12 patterns for $72 from Swoon. It’s a good deal even if you don’t want to make all of the bags.

Need to jumpstart some UFOs or WIPs? Take the My Creative Corner3 10 Day quilting challenge. Start with the PDF.

Tools, Books, Fabric, Notions & Supplies

Renaissance Ribbons are fantastic. I have found them hard to use, thus hard to justify buying. Tula talks about her new Tiny Beasts ribbon in a recent video, but also how she uses ribbon. I used some of her tips on my A Place for Everything v.2.0 bag and LOVE the detail. It makes me so happy to see the ribbons there. It also gives me ideas about how to use ribbon going forward.

Articles, Tips and Other Information

Did you know there was such a place/organization as the San Francisco School of Needlework and Design? No? Me either.

Friend Julie has finished her Orange Bullseye top. You can see the full top and some details on a recent post.

Friend Julie’s August Cornucopia post is up and has some interesting links.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

**Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops. However, I use affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item when you click on an item’s 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.

26 Projects 2022 #8

Last month I wrote “I started this list as reminder of everything I had started or wanted to make, but also to show how much I had a accomplished“. I need to remind myself of my accomplishments as I embark on another finishing jag. I may have a lot to do, but I have also accomplished a lot.”My mind has been focusing on all I have to do rather than giving equal weight to what I have accomplished.

I realized after that post posted that I was adding things to my to do list quite regularly, but not making progress on the to-do list. It is great to add new things, but I also need to cycle through the projects that have been on the list for awhile. For some reason this is hard, but I will make an effort.

Finished 2022 Quilt Projects

 

Finished 2022 Small and Non-Quilt Projects

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

Doing Good

In Process or To Make
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, because I just lose steam.

Quilts (machine work)

  • Lobster – This will soon be turned into a tablerunner for the buffet. The piece is on the design wall and I just need some time to map out the blocks that will make it longer

Quilts (Handwork)

I decided that some of my quilts 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 worked on this project again while I was waiting for La Pass Month 11 to arrive. I need to lay it out and figure out the bottom so I can put the border pieces on
  • La Passacaglia – I am up to date on this project and waiting for Month 13 to arrive.

Small Projects

Most of my progress involves thinking or just cutting. I don’t have a bag in process at the moment.

  • Ultimate Project Organizer – another project from the Crafty Gemini Organizer Club, also on my list, but not yet started
  • Retreat Organizer – another project from the Crafty Gemini Organizer Club, also on my list, but not yet started. Recently, I saw one of these made up and I am not so nervous about it
  • Rose Petrillo bag – I found the pieces for this bag cut out, but not sewn.
  • Superbloom tote using Hindsight fabric – not started
  • Westchester shirt – this is a Crafty Gemini pattern. I bought the fabric at PIQF in 2018. I have the pattern pieces cut out and ready to sew. I was held up by the supply list which wanted a Jersey needle. SIL #2. I have finally given up on doing this shirt on my own. Mary C is going to look a her calendar, let me come over and hold my hand while I finish it.

Ready for Quilting

    • Orange You Glad

In the Quilting Process

In the Finishing Process

    • Nothing at the moment

Still UFOs
I still have UFOs. Who doesn’t, after all? A project in the ‘UFO’ category means I am stalled or it is waiting its turn to be worked on. The list is a lot shorter and the projects are newer, for the most part.

I am annoyed that some of these are still WIPs. I just need to work on them!

  1. Handbag Sampler – this is still the forgotten project. It should be on the UFO list. The blocks were teaching samples when I taught a sampler class some time before I started writing the quilt class sampler tutorials. I found one block recently, but otherwise I don’t actually know exactly where the blocks are hiding. I crawled up in the far reaches of my fabric closet to see if I could find them and they weren’t where I thought. I am sort of mystified as to where they could be. I haven’t even found a picture of all the blocks. WTH?
  2. Pointillist Palette #4: Fourth is a series of 6 quilts; needs tiny square patches sewn together. No progress.
  3. Self Portrait: started in 2006 at a class at Quilting Adventures in Richmond, Virginia. After a brief burst of inspiration, I am stalled on this again. As one of my oldest (I am pretty sure) UFOs, 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.
  4. Serendipity Lady – I am still planning to take this piece to be framed. It might need a bit of quilting first.
  5. 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 was facing was a problem until I thought of BIAS TAPE. I am going to make the words with bias tape, perhaps different widths, then I won’t have to  satin stitch everything. Red Scribbles and Friend Julie helped me come up with this solution. Now I just have to do it!