Like the pouch I talked about after Christmas and back in November, this pouch is made using the same Persimmon Pouch pattern, still FREE from Sew Sweetness. I made this one and Julie’s at the same time. I used Soft & Stable* for the lining.
I used the Soft & Stable as a foundation piecing base and sewed scraps to the base. The Soft & Stable* makes for a good base and I liked not having to quilt the sides separately.
I also used some of the artist fabric I had in my scrap pile to keep the idea of the set of items going.
Mom’s Persimmon Pouch inside
Mom’s Persimmon Pouch amazing end finishing
*I use affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item you click on. 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.
I feel like posting all of my donation quilts really makes me see that I have accomplished something good in the world. When I feel down, I can go and look at them. I made 14 donation tops last year. You have seen them all throughout the year, but it is nice to have them all in one place.
Total: 13 donation quilts
Ends n.7 Donation Quilt
This is Ends n.7. I made it from two half yards of burgundy (with visible pink undertones) fabric and the ends of the Triple Star quilt. Finished January 2019.
Green Strips donation top
Green Strips donation back
Green Strips donation quilt is made from a yard of Kona Cream and 19 blocks that I made from strips found in my scrap bin. This was inspired by Alison. Finished January 2019.
Green Thing donation top
Green Thing donation back
The Green Thing donation top was finished in February. I used leftover pieces from the Green Strips donation top and a lot of scraps from my green scrap drawer.
Purple Strips Quilt
Purple Strips donation top
This may be the second in the series of strip quilts. We’ll have to see if I do anymore. I have more scraps, so it is a possibility. Tim suggested the grey as the background and I think it works well.
Finished: Improv Donation Top
Purple Improv Donation Back
As I did with the Green scraps, I made an Improv donation quilt with purple scraps to further clear out that bin.
Ends n.8 – Bonnie & Camille
Ends n.8 (Bonnie & Camille). I made this from the edges of the back of the Stepping Stones n.2 quilt.
Spiky 16 Patch n.3
Spiky Star donation quilt n.3
Spiky Star donation quilt n.3 -back
I made these blocks in 2018, but just got around to put them together in March. Frankly, they were in the way on my design wall and I needed the space.
Red Strip Donation Top- Finished
My first Red Strip Donation top was delivered to Tim so he could quilt it and enter it as a triptych with the purple and green versions. He dealt with the backing.
Red Strip (Chunk) Donation Quilt
This started out as a second Red Strip Donation Top, but as I didn’t have enough strips, it became the Red Chunk Donation Top. This is the second quilt I finished from the scraps in my red scrap drawer. You can obviously see that I did use some yardage.
Orange Strip Donation Top: finished
I don’t have as many orange scraps as I have other colors, but I have enough. It is surprising how little fabric it really takes to make a quilt. I wonder what the least amount of fabric one can use to make a quilt – not a mug rug, but real sized quilts that can cover humans? The orange strip quilt came out really well and I am pleased with it. I definitely have an orange that I like. The consistency worked well to pull the whole piece together.
Orange & Green Donation TopOrange & Green Donation Back
I used up the green plain blocks I cut for the background of another quilt and then didn’t use. They were laying on my sewing table bugging me and I wanted them out of my hair. I was in orange mode, so I cut some plain orange blocks and made a quick donation top.
Orange Improv Donation Top – almost finished
I finished the Orange Improv donation top and back for Tim to quilt.
I always have in the back of my mind that I would like to make 30 donation blocks per month-360 in a year. This year’s achievement is 115 blocks. So far, I have made a good effort, but haven’t quite achieved that goal.
We are taking a break today from your regularly scheduled end of the year/holiday extravaganza that is the blog,. I want to show you that quilted things are not just pretty. They can also be useful.
Half Moon Modern Chubby Charmer Finished
Remember my Half Moon Modern Chubby Charmer? This is a bag I worked on for a long time, mostly, because the fabric was so precious I couldn’t think of a ‘good enough’ project for it.
Fortunately, I still like the fabric and still use this bag.
In fact, this bag does double duty as present transport during the holidays. To do that I have to clean it out. I actually use the large pockets for my collection of pie servers and knives. You might think dishing up pie is easy, but with 40 people who want to try everything, 7 desserts and two gluten free diets that will make people sick if wheat wafts past them, I need multiple implements and a strategy. That strategy includes knives (BIG knives) for cutting recalcitrant crust and pie servers since you don’t serve with a knife.
One of the attractions of the Chubby Charmer is that it is big. Big enough to bring a quilt to show and tell. And big enough to bring my pie implements, a mixer, a metal bowl, plastic bag with whipping cream (unwhipped) and 25 small gifts to the Christmas Eve celebration and some back home again.
Chubby Charmer pocket contents
In order to use this bag for a non quiltmaking purpose, I had to clear it out. All the large items went on the floor, but I needed the pockets, too. All the small things went on my desk. Later when I had a few minutes to look at them, I was sort of amazed and shocked at the variety and non-variety.
What I was most interested in were the multiples of things:
in that cool aqua pouch is a selection of pens. More than one.
3-4 nametags?! I guess I can share with a friend or really want people to know my name.
Two chocolate bars: emergency and backup emergency, I guess.
3 ATCs, because you never know when you are going to need a random ATC.
Out of date meeting and exhibit flyers. Good for nostalgia, I guess.
Multiple post-it notes. You can never have too many pens or post-it notes.
I put most of the stuff back in, if it wasn’t out of date or spoiled. I did spread out the nametags among other various bags. Better to have one than none.
What’s in your guild bag and do you use your bags for other, non-quiltmaking purposes?
I finished Mom’s Scissor Cozy on November 17, but couldn’t post about it until today. I had trouble on both of the cozies with the tips.
I am not sure how to remedy that except to eliminate the batting near the edges. i don’t know if that would work, but I’ll try it if I make this pattern again. It’s a cool shape.
This isn’t very Christmas-y, but I knew my friend would like it. I cut this one at the same time I cut the other Persimmon Pouch. Same pattern. Same FREE pattern.
I used the fabric leftover from some pillowcases I made for her.
Dia de las Muertos pouch end
I wasn’t able to get this zipper to behave as well as the one in the first pouch, but the pouch still closes and I think it looks fine.
I still love the way this pouch finishes! It is so clever.
We are celebrating with friends and family today, so I am not going to write much. Just a wish that you have love and friendship in your life whether you celebrate this holiday or not. Back soon!
Need a break from the holiday frenzy? Paper folding is very soothing. It doesn’t require machinery of any type and you can fold at the cafe while drinking some coffee or hot chocolate and staying away from crazy family antics for a few minutes.
I spent some time folding a Mette Ring the other night when DH was watching football after he spent a day at the mall. I had found the pattern some time ago and decided it would be a good way to do something and stay off my feet, which were tired and sore.
bone folder (optional, but highly recommended if you are using thick paper)
Make 18 units. Directions below makes one unit.
Use one piece of paper
Turn paper over
Use one piece of paper.
My paper has a lavender front (right side) and a white back (wrong side)
Start by turning the paper over so the back faces up.
Fold the paper in half
Fold square piece of paper in half
Fold the paper twice
Open up the piece of paper and fold it in half the other way. You will have a cross made of folds on the paper. If you are a quiltmaker, you will see a four patch.
Fold corner down
Fold two top corners towards the center on the diagonal
Fold bottom up to meet the two corners
Fold bottom up to meet the two corners. The edge of the paper will be even with the original folded center line and the break between the two triangles from the previous fold.
Turn the piece over
In the above photo you have two rectangles. They are just made from folds.
Turn the piece over.
Fold the bottom rectangles
Fold the rectangle-bottom section back onto the triangle portion so the right sides of the paper are together and you can see the wrong side.
The next part is a little tricky, but only to explain. The basic idea is to fold the topmost rectangle in half lengthwise.
Fold the top rectangle in halfFold rectangle in half
Fold the top rectangle in half lengthwise wrong sides together. N.B. In the bottom photo, I flipped the unit over so I could show you how the folds look.
Fold the bottom rectangle up
Turn the piece over again. The opening between the two triangles will be on top.
Fold the bottom back on to the triangles
Fold the bottom rectangle up, covering part of the opening made by the diagonal folded corners/triangles
Turn the piece over again, so the larger rectangle is on the bottom.
Fold one corner down
Fold one corner down
Fold other corner down
Tuck the corners under the smaller rectangle
You will need to move the thin rectangle out of the way. Fold the two corners down and on the diagonal so the back of the paper is not showing
Tuck the corners under the smaller rectangle
Tuck the corners under the smaller rectangle. See an additional image on Mette Pedersen’s site.
Fold the thin rectangle back up. You will have a shape that looks like a paper hat
Fold the piece in half vertically
Fold the piece in half vertically along the opening between the two triangles.
Tuck tabs into the little pocket
Tuck tabs into the little pocket
Tuck one leg into the next leg in the little pockets formed by the second folded corners
Now: go practice. It took me at least a ring and a half to really get the hang of folding the units. These make great gifts and tree ornaments.
*I use affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item you click on. 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.
The newest clue (#4) came out on Friday. I got up early that day so I could get 1,000 things done before I had to leave the house, so I downloaded it almost as soon as I got up.
My head started to swim when I started to read the clue. It is not written in a well organized manner for my brain. It is written in a friendly and conversational manner. When I went back, more fully caffeinated, I was better able to process what she wanted readers to do.
The clue necessitated a hunt through all of my cool fabrics for the correct color. I don’t have exactly what she suggested, but I have two fabrics that I think will work.
Clue 4 Frolic fabric possibilities
Bonnie asks for aqua, but the two fabrics must have contrast. I needed something a little different. I really want to use the bottom dots. The color is a little lighter than it looks in the photo. Sadly, I think it is too medium and won’t provide enough contrast, or any, frankly, to use. I have about a yard and a quarter so I think I would have enough for all of the strips.
I think I will use the top fabrics. I am not sure what that color is called. It could be aqua, but I always think of aqua as more blue and that is definitely green. I will also have be very careful about the blues I pair with the greeny aquas so that there is enough contrast.
This is the part I dislike about a mystery. If I knew what the pattern would look like I could choose with confidence. I made my choice, though, and will move forward.
I wanted to choose the fabrics early in the week, so that I could be ready to cut whenever I had the chance. I haven’t had time to do anything more, e.g. actually sew, because I have been decorating and wrapping gifts. I have to wrap gifts as they are covering my ironing board.
I plan to cut these pieces using Bonnie’s Essential Triangle Tool*. You might remember that Julie bought this for me for my birthday this year. This will be the first opportunity I have had to use it.
*I use affiliate links and may be paid for your purchase of an item you click on. 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.
Cheryl agreed to help me with a few projects, so the other day I received a large-ish box from her. At first I didn’t realize it was from Cheryl as it seems like boxes are arriving at our house 3 times a day. The YM is sending stuff here, DH and I plus gifts from out of town relatives are also being sent here. It’s crazy.
Anyway.
In addition to stuff from the project on which we are working, were three community quilts.
Cheryl’s Community Quilt #1
Cheryl’s Community Quilt #2
Cheryl’s Community Quilt #3
She asked me to bring them to the meeting in January. I am happy to do so, especially since that means I will have something to show! HA!
Clearly #2 and #3 are related. Also, #1 and #2 are in the same format as the Color Group Donation Quilt I worked a few years ago. I can’t say whether she was inspired by (or even remembered or saw) that quilt. It isn’t as thought that layout is novel in Modern Quiltmaking circles.
So, these will be the first three quilt tops for the 2020 BAM Community Quilt Project. YAY!!
I don’t think I really had a good tag for this post, which means I will probably never be able to find it again. 😉 It is all about zippers.
I am faithfully following the pattern for the Poolside Tote. This is the third Poolside Tote I have sewed. I am not sure why, but I always have trouble with different parts.
This time I struggled with the facing. I also wondered about the zipper. On mom’s version and on my knitting bag, I just used slip pockets. On this version, I cut zipper pockets, which I didn’t remember. I guess it forced me to make pockets with zippers.
Zipper pocket
The directions for the pockets were pretty good. I didn’t have much trouble except for lining up the stitching. One side is hidden, so I leapt that hurdle. The only question I had was about the size of the zipper. The pattern called for a 10 inch zipper and that just seems weird to me. It seems too small. There are holes at the ends and no directions for zipper tabs. Obviously, I can make my own zipper tabs, but I just wonder why the designer asks for such a small zipper. I wonder if a 12 inch zipper would be better?
Are there rules for the size of zippers one includes in patterns??
This is not the end of the world. The zipper works fine and nobody will put something so small in the pocket that it will fall out if the bag falls over. This is just a puzzle about which I am curious. I might try the bag again with a 12 inch zipper.
Along time ago, Friend Julie and I started cutting Windmill shapes for each other. It’s possible that the last time I posted about this project was in 2012. Last weekend, I decided that it was time to sew them together. This project is coming off the Hunting and Gathering list.
Windmill first sewn blocks – layout 1
The blades sew together very quickly once I got the placement correct.
My first layout, shown left, was kind of a wonky looking zigzag. I was starting to change the layout to the one shown below, so the upper right hand corner blocks are in a different layout. Check the bottom. 😉
The zigzag layout has its charms. Then I texted Friend Julie and she called the pieces blades, so I started thinking about them in a kind of fan format.
Windmill first sewn blocks – layout 2
I rearranged the blocks into that format. I am not sure about this quilt in general. I think I might need to use all warm colors or all reds and pinks or something. I think both layouts look strange.
At some point, I decided to cut background fabrics, so that the foreground blades would be highlighted. The idea works; I am just not sure if I like the whole effect.
Also, I have a lot of these blades. I think I can make at least two quilts.
With the 3rd clue finished, I can now start playing with layouts. I had to take a look a En Provence in order to see if I could get an idea of what the block and layout might look like.
Frolic! Layout Play
I believe there will definitely be some kind of chain effect going. Bonnie loves those kinds of arrangements and I have to say they can can be very effective for a cohesive design.
I doubt it will go straight up and down like I have arranged it. The four patches will probably be on the diagonal again, like the En Provence larger units and sashing. I think these four patches and HSTs will probably act like sashing.
In En Provence, the 4 patches were on point and only two HSTs connected them in the middle. The other ends were connected by Peaky & Spike blocks. I kind of expect some Peaky & Spike blocks to show up, but we will see. Maybe more HSTs in a different color?
Frolic! Layout Play
If the 4 patches connect in some way, as in an Irish Chain type setting, I don’t know how that would be. The extension of the layout above looks weird because the blues and the raspberries in the 4 patches connect and I doubt Bonnie would design a quilt that way. I am not her, so perhaps they will and she has a master plan to make them look awesome, but I think the connections, as I have laid them out look a little weird.
Frolic! Clue 2 finished
I don’t have much of an idea yet what those rectangular segments will be, but I am guessing part of the block. I looked through the reveals of the past several years and didn’t see any units using that shape. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.
It is kind of fun to speculate. I am now eager to get the next step and play some more.
A week or so ago, we celebrated Winter at my guild. There was a short Sew Day where I worked on Frolic! Clue 2, then a potluck lunch and a swap and socializing.
BAM Mega Donation Fabric 2019
BAM Mega Donation Fabric 2019
BAM Mega Donation Fabric 2019
In between all of this fun and excitement was fabric. We hold our Sew Days in a church hall. On the side of this room are 4-5 old pews. The room used to be the church sanctuary. Normally, we store our bags and other Sew Day paraphernalia there to keep it off the floor and reduce tripping hazards.
On the Winter Party/Sew Day at least 3 of the pews were filled with fabric. The guild had been given a donation of fabric by a longarmer who was closing her business. She donation only about a quarter of her stash to the guild. People at the party were allowed to look through the fabric and take what they wanted. I stayed away, having plenty of fabric of my own. Plenty of the members took a few pieces or filled up grocery bags with their selections. The rest will be used for our community quilt project.
This was kind of startling in a number of different ways. Will my unused fabric end up like that? Why get rid of all of her fabric? Doesn’t she want to sew anymore or did she keep her favorite pieces? I know I will probably never know the answers to these questions. I will have to think about what I am going to do with my fabric and make sure my DH knows so it doesn’t all go to Goodwill. What happens to your fabric and supplies when you go to your next adventure?
