After seeing what Peggy did with a few of my coordinated donation blocks from last month, I decided to create some more for her to work with. Of course, that means going through my box and choosing the same colors. It doesn’t really matter to me which fabrics I use. It just matters that I use up the squares crammed in my little donation squares box. Black and grey blocks will be good for a boy.
I am also starting to work on more color strip blocks in black and grey. First, I’ll make some for the rainbow version I am planning and then for a grey version alone. I have a lot to do on those quilts.
I sewed the binding on to the Knitting Needles Case #2 on Tuesday night and was able to finish the piece. It is great! I really like it. It will be hard to give away. Fortunately, I have more of the poppy fabric so I could make another.
I love the way this closes up so neatly. The roll is so slim and convenient to carry. Of course, I haven’t crammed 100 needles into it yet!
I was very careful with the fabric, both on the outside and the inside. I wanted it to line up properly and be oriented in the right way.
I really wanted to see the poppy fabric. I decided to use the canvas for the pockets instead of for the inside lining. I used to have some of this fabric in cotton. I made a Petrillo Bag out of it. I should have looked to see if I had enough to cut the pockets out of it. It didn’t occur to me until I had already sewn the pieces together, so maybe I’ll make this bag again and use the cotton, if I still have some.
Finished: Knitting Needles Case #2: inside left
Finished: Knitting Needles Case #2: inside center
Finished: Knitting Needles Case #2: inside right
The inside came out pretty well. I sewed carefully because of the thickness, but really had no problems. I think the turquoise dot fabric goes very well with the Poppy print
Finished: Knitting Needles Case #2: exterior
The zipper, if a tiny bit short, went in very well and matches the fabric very well.
I plan to use the Poppy print for a Sheffield bag, but I may also make a Kit Supply Tote with it. I really like that fabric.
Ends n.16 went together very quickly. I actually worked on it at lunchtime the other day, then after work yesterday and I was done. Of course, I had everything out and available, which made the process go faster. Now it is ready for Sew Day next week.
Yes, I used that crazy turkey fabric from the pillowcases I made last fall. LOL!
I finished Lil Sissy’s birthday gift over the weekend and was able to get it off in the mail in time for her birthday, which was yesterday.
She writes a daily journal entry on a manual typewriter. While I plan to go back to Paris fabric for her soon, I saw this typewriter fabric and thought it might tickle her.
Typewriter Hackney – Top & Front
This Hackney is another large version and went together pretty well. I do better if I don’t have to break the process at the end, but needs must.
I am pleased with how well this looks. I struggled a bit with the top stitching on the top, but eventually got it right.
Typewriter Hackney – Top Inside
I used one of the Marcia Derse fabrics for the inside. I thought it was entertaining and would appeal to Lil Sissy.
The inside, again, has some elastic to keep pens and tools in place. I saw another one I made and was reminder that I put three or four strips of elastic on earlier versions to improve stability. I may have to do that again. Or go back to the top mesh pocket as per the pattern.
Typewriter Hackney – interior
I machine sewed the opening closed and I hope my sister won’t notice. I think it will be fine once she puts some stuff in it.
You can see that I added the flaps to the top. This keeps the needles in the bag when it is closed. The case rolls up, sort of, so the straight needles could fall out if there were no flaps.
Poppies Knitting Needles Bag – inside with exterior
I was also able to start putting the exterior together. One thing I did was add the snap and I also sewed the zipper pocket.
I was pleased that I had done inside zipper pockets before as I found the start of this step confusing to read. The pictures are good, so once I took a look at them, I remembered what I was supposed to be doing.
This is a good use of 8″ zippers. I think using a 9″ zipper might be better. I would have to trim it, but the assembly wouldn’t be as tight.
I had fun pounding the snaps into place. There is somethign satisfying about pounding. 😉 I checked the Tinberry/ZaudalCreates videos for the positioning of the various parts. I also used the Sew Sweetness video on how to use the Snapsetter. Using both helped me to get the snaps installed the way they should be.
Next step is to sew the pieces together and apply the binding.
I didn’t use up the taupe fabric I wanted to use so I started another Ends donation top almost as soon as I finished Ends n.15. I guess I am trying to make up for the fact that I don’t want to participate in making log cabins.
I used the Joel Dewberry poppy fabric in canvas from several years ago. I got a lot of nice comments on the fabric.
Yesterday, I got out all the pieces and worked on it. I need to get it done as someone has volunteered to take a package to Austria and mail it for me. This saves on postage.
I made good progress and have the inside piece with the pockets made. I should be able to finish soon
It was helpful to have the first one I made handy so I could see what the end result looked like. I often wonder how I made the first one when I read pattern directions. 😉
I also used the video, which I noticed had time markers with links in the description. Very useful!
I quickly made another donation top using some of the edges of the good quilts I have made in the past.
I wanted to use up some yardage (the taupe) that I won’t use for other quilts.I still have a lot of strips from the edges of various quilts to use up as well.
Also, there is a community quilt day next month where we will be making log cabin quilts. I don’t enjoy making log cabin blocks, so I decided to make as many quilt tops as I could to donate between now and then.
I didn’t make a back and thought I wouldn’t, but now I think I will.
Part of Super Sew Day was the meeting. We couldn’t meet at our regular location so we met at the church where we have Sew Day and combined it with an extra Friday to make a Super Sew Day.
We used one of the design walls as a screen, which made me smile.
Orphan block community quilt
Claire showed off some Community quilts she made using random assortments of orphan blocks. She was trying to get people to take some of the packets of orphan blocks she had put together.
She chose well for the blue and gold quilt!
Orphan block community quilt
A couple of my 16 patch donation blocks were in this predominantly orange quilt.
Claire used other leftovers to put the quilt together.
I thought the whole presentation was a good idea and the examples were well done.
I made a few more Scrappy Celebration blocks last week when I was off of work. I think they are coming out nicely. The colors are an interesting combination.
Scrappy Celebration D6
I really like the way this 9 Patch/ 4 Patch combination came out.
I was really good about making several of these blocks last week, but have been off my game on them since the weekend.
The Metro Twist is going. I need to make more blocks, so it is going slowly. I have some more pieces cut so I can sew more blocks; I just need some time to do it.
I am in a place where I feel like I have too many things going on at once.
I don’t know if I will actually make another one of these bags, but Mrs. K has graciously gifted me the full finishing kit for this pattern.
Yes, that is some Tula Pinkerville fabric. Do I sell the fabric and make a bag that matches the Running with Scissors folio I made for Mrs. K or do I make the bag as is?
Right after finishing the Brown Stitch Hackney, I started this Typewriter Hackney. I am pretty pleased with this gusset. I fussy cut it to highlight the typewriters and it is coming out pretty well.
Typewriter Hackney handle
Typewriter Hackney handle
I also added a handle, which is lined up almost perfectly through no effort on my part. The handle motifs line up with gusset if it is flattened against the gusset. I am probably making too much out of it!
A few weeks ago I talked about the Sew Tite Magnums**. I finally broke down and bought some. I thought my opportunity to use them had past because I had sewn the two halves of the La Passacaglia together.
Half Hexie with Sew Tite Magnums
Lately, as mentioned, I have been working on the Half Hexie Star quilt. I have large section to add in and started on it on Saturday night. As I struggled to keep the four stars in place so I could anchor then sew them, I remembered the Sew Tite Magnums. I tried them out and they work really well!
I think the length really helps to keep the layers of paper and fabric in place. It was much easier to anchor the four half hexie stars on which I was working into place using the Sew Tite Magnums.
Lindsay warned me that they are hard to peel apart. She was not wrong! Still they worth the trouble and the cost. They are not cheap, which is why I don’t have dozens of them.
**Obviously, you should shop at local quilt shops and small businesses. However, if you are too busy or can’t find what you need there, I use Amazon 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.
