At a recent guild meeting, we talked about themes for the Fair challenge. One idea was an ugly fabric challenge. Been there done that. I am not a fan.
Diamond Test Piece
When I was rummaging for the Handbag Sampler a few weeks ago, I found a few small pieces and some blocks about which I had forgotten. One of the pieces was a diamond test I worked one before I made the Fabric of the Year 2010 quilt and to test a border idea for one of the Bullseye quilts. I also found a post about it. I thought it was older, but I guess 15 years is old enough. This test was made with ugly fabrics. I think the outer brown might be a Civil War print. Yuck.
I didn’t remember making this when I saw it and knew I wasn’t going to make it the center of a quilt. I decided to make it into a donation quilt. My mantra is “someone will like it” whether I like it or not.
Diamond test with borders
The color scheme was a bit depressing to me. That is one reason why I am not excited about an ‘ugly fabric’ challenge. I decided to pull out the greens. The more subtle greens in the background of the border print are hard to see, but the odd greens I found worked very well. I used a lot of green not only to make the quilt a decent size, but also to overwhelm the brown.
Diamond test with outer borders
The piece wasn’t quite big enough, so I found some browns that weren’t hideous and added some additional strips. I didn’t have enough to put on both sides. I used two different prints that are similar colors.
The brown borders are ok. And I’ll be able to say I used some brown. 😉
Diamond test back
The back was with the test piece. it started as that beige with the stripes around three sides. It was small, so I made it larger as well.
We talked about Hera markers at the guild meeting in July. I have a couple of Hera markers, but had never tried it for marking quilting lines.
Using the Hera
I had the opportunity to try it out on my most recent pencil roll. WOW! It worked really well and prevented me from erasing lines for hours (well, 15 minutes, maybe. 😉
One of the Hera markers I have is on one end of the bagmaking tool (in my mind) that I got from Modern American Vintage. I found out it was a Hera “marker” when I went looking for it on the Modern American Vintage site. It is actually called the Point Turner / Hera Marker Combo Tool.
Hera marker lines
I didn’t know, exactly, that the rounded end was a Hera marker. I might have if I had thought about it. I used that round end to smooth out the seams of bags after I turn a bag right side out. It works really well for that, especially in corners that are slightly rounded.
As it happens, it works really well as a Hera marker, too!
You don’t have to buy this particular tool to get the same/similar results. Modern American Vintage has beautiful dedicated Hera markers (no point turning). They are also wood, so you don’t have to worry about adding more plastic to the environment. You can get a Clover Hera marker**. They also offer a slim version**. I don’t know why you would need a slim version, but if you do they have it. Maybe for travel because it takes up less space? I like Clover as they provide quality products.
**N. B. : 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 website.
This is a different kind of Sidewalk design. I thought of this design after cutting some 4.5 x 8.5 rectangles for another another Rectangle donation quilt. Remember the first one I made last year?
I had cut enough rectangles to make another of those rectangle quilts. However, I saw that the size would work with this design as well. While I was on the sidewalk roll, I decided to try it. It will be super easy to sew together.
I knew that I wouldn’t be able to focus on cutting out a project or anything more complicated with the Community Sew Day project going on, so I brought scraps to cut. My scrap bin is more than overflowing and it was a good opportunity to fit in some scrap ‘processing’ time between working on the community quilt.
In general, I feel like I didn’t make much progress, at least from the amount of scraps in my scrap bin. What I cut doesn’t look like much, but the stack of 2.5 inch squares in the upper left is about 50 pieces and that isn’t nothing.
Sew Day leaders and enders
I focused on getting the blacks out of the bin so I can use them to enlarge the Black Improv top. I’ll use that as leaders and enders for a bit so that I can get it off the wall at some point in the not too distant future. I was able to make a few pieces while working on the blocks, so I am on my way.
Strips ready for Color Strip tops
As I cut, I also create strips that I will use for the Color Strip donation quilts at some point. The white bin in filling up again, even after I made White Strips #2 recently that I am going to have to delve into that bin again soon. The red and pink bins are not far behind.
You can see some of the random scraps as well, which will eventually become Color Improv tops. A white one might be next since I didn’t make one after making White Strips #2.
I always have a lot of questions when I do scrap processing. People lament their many bins of scraps. I had that, too, but had to get them all organized. It has taken me since 2011 to get into a routine where scraps go from leftovers from a project to quilts. It takes time and dedication. The joy comes from seeing how the Color Strip and Color Improv quilts come out. To date I have made 21 Color Strip and Chunk tops and 9 Improv tops. FROM SCRAPS!! That is not nothing. It’s a commitment.
I have been playing too many games on my phone at night. La Passacaglia is languishing. My needlepoint project is languishing and my hands are hurting.
It has been awhile since I made an EPP ball. I have two babies that would enjoy them, so I started two new ones. I thought it would be a good way to ease back into EPP and, possibly, La Passacaglia.
I found a few more charm packs while I was searching for the Handbag Sampler last week and decided to use one, Victoria Findlay Wolf’s Play fabric for the two balls. One of the reasons I chose that charm pack is that it included 24 squares, which is how many I need for two of the EPP balls. I didn’t want any leftover charm squares.
I was able to baste all of the pentagons I need for the two projects last night. I can start sewing tonight.
I saw a different binding technique, again, on Instagram. I tried it on a recent project and it works really well.I need to try it on a quilt or smaller project so I can get a better idea.
New binding technique – sewed
It is basically just matching up the edges of the binding, turning both pieces at an angle and pressing, then sewing them.
I found that I needed to have additional unsewn length in the binding for this technique. I was making a Hold Tite Folio which is already very small. I didn’t leave enough spare length as I was going to use a different joining method. I remembered this one and changed my plan at the last minute. I think it will be easier on a quilt.
I have to say that some of the recent binding tutorials I have seen on IG are brilliant. Mostly they have to do with joining the ends, which I have always found to be a challenge. That was not something I learned when I learned to make quilts. I don’t remember if it wasn’t taught or if I missed the class. I always teach joining in my classes.
We had a Sew Day on Saturday dedicated to making a group quilt that will be donated. Peggy has a pattern that uses different sizes of squares to make a quilt. I don’t know the name and I am not sure Peggy made it up. She probably found it somewhere. The directions were a bit confusing to start with, but easy once we got a few explanations and I drew some pictures.
Community Center block
We all brought a few squares that were the right size, so the quilt would be very scrappy. I made one center block and a couple of border blocks.
My center block didn’t look very nice by itself. The fabrics were scraps from various projects that were the right size. I wasn’t hopeful that my block would fit in.
The border block looked a bit better. While the motifs were quite different, I think having similar colors was better for a block.
Community border block
In general, though, the quilt went together well and the variety of fabrics worked out.
Community quilt top
The quilt looks like an HST quilt, but it didn’t go together that way at all. Unlike some methods of making HSTs, the bias was completely enclosed, so not a problem.
Peggy did a great job and the participants really stepped up.
The other day I mentioned finding some piecing. I thought I would let it languish for awhile, but I need the space on my design wall for other projects, so I quickly sewed it together.
April Cornell Poetry Collection donation top
I am pretty happy with the way it turned out. I had very low expectations and was rewarded with a better than expected outcome.
I was able to use all the pieces I found and only had to add a little bit of some peach Grunge I had laying around. I didn’t have much of it left and it was about the only color that went with these soft muted colors. At Julie’s suggestion I added a small strip of Tilde pink to get a little more length. I didn’t think it went with the April Cornell fabrics, but Julie said it picked up some of the darker pinks in some of the flowers. It is a little big strange looking for a top, but hopefully someone will like it.
April Cornell Poetry Collection donation back
The back was much harder. I really don’t have fabrics in those soft colors. I picked some that I thought sort of went with the quilt top. I would have preferred a sage or muted blue.
A long time ago, the Angel Family Mom mentioned an apron she used to wear at school (she’s a teacher), but lost. What she described sounded a lot like the Cafe Apron I made for my sister some time ago.
After looking up that project, I realized I bought the same pattern again. 🙁 I thought it was a different pattern and should have looked it up. Oh well. At least it wasn’t an expensive pattern.
Amanda Jane school apron
I bought the fabric and the pattern at Moonlight Quilters. I think I was inspired by the fabric, which doesn’t scream school teacher, but is school oriented. The motifs are subtle.
The apron didn’t take me very long to make. I estimate it took about 4 hours total. This time I used all the same fabric instead of different fabrics for the pockets, etc.
I got a call from the Angel Mama and she LOVES the apron. She said that she was wearing it around the house and it was just like the apron she lost. I was thrilled that she liked it. I threatened to make her one for home, but she said she had some Starbuck’s versions she used for around the house.
I am pleased that I was able to finish this in time for the new school year.
I am not mailing this pillowcase to my nephew. His parents are coming over for dinner tonight and I will just hand it over. I know it’s less exciting than getting mail, but I am saving myself a few cents.
He hasn’t really gone on any travel adventures despite his plans. I find that sad. He will be starting community college in the fall, which makes me happy. I hope he enjoys it.
July Projects Ready for Quilting / In the Quilting Process
Chain Link Top finished
Old Town top complete
Finished: Triumphant top
Handbag Sampler top finished
Projects In the Finishing Process
I had to change this from “July Projects In the Finishing Process” to just “Projects In the Finishing Process”, because the projects might linger here for a few months.
none yet
All the WIPs
WIPs are projects on which I am working. This means that I am past the cutting out of pieces stage, some sewing has taken place.
Country Revival – I have just started this quilt for my friend who is grieving her daughter. Photos soon.
La Passacaglia – I am working on the border, but need to work more and harder
Pantone Project – it has been nearly a year (where does time go?) since I worked on this. I need to get back to it.
Cut Out & Stopped
EPPic – this is mostly cut out and I have selected the main fabric, so we are closer than before.
Oxbow – SueS is organizing a Sew Day at her house to help us all finish our bags. It won’t be until the Fall so it gives me time to make some progress
Rose Petrillo bag – I found the pieces for this bag cut out, but not sewn.
Still UFOs
I still have UFOs. Who doesn’t, after all? A project in the ‘UFO’ category means I am stalled, it hasn’t been worked on in awhile 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 UFOs. I have to give myself credit for completing some of them last year.
I eeked out the last few blocks from what was left of my blue scraps. Most of the scraps went to the Blue Improv #2 donation top. Mostly they are too small for the blocks, so were perfect for an improv top.
I have also included some blocks I am making for one of the upcoming Sidewalk donation quilts. As mentioned before, they are half 16 patches. I am so used to making the 16 patch blocks that it feels weird to include these half blocks. Still, they make up really nice quilts, so I am trying to get over the weirdness by including them.
I updated the Tutorials page with the new Sidewalk tutorial and also a zipper tab making technique. If you make the Sidewalk quilt top and want to give me constructive feedback, please email me privately.
I added a pattern to the tutorial for the Sidewalk quilt. The first pattern is for the improv version. When I have time, I’ll create the half 16 patch version.
I talked a little about this pattern after the guild organizer swap. Christine found it and I think it is a fun pattern. It is only a video pattern. The link shows what to cut and then you have to watch the video to make the basket.
Need a reading glasses case? I found a free pattern on the Spencer Ogg site.
I can’t tell the size of this fabric basket tote, but I really like the shape. Finished dimensions are listed as approximately 16” wide at the top and 11” tall (not including the handles).
I have been kind of immersed in boxed corners lately. It occurred to me that there must be a list of calculations to use for boxing corners. Even better! I found a boxing corners calculator! The site talks about the formula and what each part of the formula means. Then it gives an example of a calculation.
Julie posted about Feral Notions on her blog, so I went to take a look. I really like their sparkly rulers. Those confetti rulers might make great gifts.
Moonlight Quilters purchases – July 2025
I bought some fabric for backgrounds and gifts at Moonlight Quilters
After working with Lynette on anchoring the lining to the bag exterior, I went looking for boxing corner templates. I have a ruler that works pretty well in certain circumstances, but not for the process Lynette showed. This was a “I know how to break Google” search, because I really didn’t find what I needed. The closest I found was Carol’s Box Corners ruler. I didn’t buy it because I thought it was too basic.
Latifah Saafir showed us some fabric by Emily Van Hoff while we were on Zoom together. I am thinking of making a giant HRT quilt with the HuRTy and this fabric was very appealing. It might be great combined with some Philip Jacobs giant flowers.
If you are a Bonnie Hunter fan, then you might want some of the fabric that was designed for her. Get it on Spoonflower!
Fabrics from Rhonda
I picked up some fabric from Rhonda’s stash at the last guild Sew Day.
I was contacted by Quilted Joy. They wanted to exchange links and they mentioned some older, but not ancient posts. They wanted me to link to a post called Cats in Pajamas Quilt, , which was really about cats. The post included the Elizabeth Hartman cats pattern. I was really confused, because I saw the links they mentioned were to some of my travel/quilt shop review blog posts. When I went looking for their address I found it is in Kentucky, so it was even more confusing.
Exhibits and Organizations
The Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association is hosting their 2025 quilt show on September 27-28. The theme is 50 years of quilted memories and possibilities. Hours are 10-5 Saturday and 10-4 Sunday at Club Sportiva, 521 Charcot Ave, San Jose 95131, $15 at the door, $12 in advance. There is free parking as well!
At the Fair, we womanned the booth across from other guilds. I went and talked to all the other people booth sitting, because I was on a mission to get new BAM members. One was the Pacifica Quilt Club. It is pretty close to my house, so I went to check it out when DH was at one of his meetings. The people were nice and the dues were low so I joined. I don’t know if they are my people, but it won’t hurt to go and see what they are making. They have an arrangement with Coastside Quilt Studio to host their BOMs on her site.
Or get some Mary Engelbreit “Engeldark” postcards** and send them to the !#$holes making you angry.
**N. B. : 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 website.
I finished the Handbag Sampler and it is now with Colleen getting quilted. I am pleased with the way it came out. I am even more pleased that it is done.
I am kind of amazed at the colors and fabrics I chose for this quilt. It is super bright and there is a lot to look at.
I rearranged the blocks before I sewed it together. I thought I needed to move some of the diamond fabrics away from each other. They were sort of concentrated at the bottom of the quilt, so I moved the Nosegay block to the top.
I have to admit that I feel slightly bereft finishing this quilt. I have others on my to do list, but this one seems like it might be the oldest.
