Commentary about works in progress, design & creativity
I saw a star made with lots of triangles. I used that as my inspiration for my most recent BAM BOM blocks, Birds in the Air.
This grouping is made up of 12 blocks. I may not arrange it this was, but I am enjoying looking at it.
We distributed the schedule for finishing the tops made from these blocks, so I need to get serious about making more blocks, or not.
Others have made blocks for my stepdad for the Quilts of Valor quilt.
I think they have done a great job making the blocks look lively (not boring). The placement of the colors in a limited palette is really good.
In the category of TMI, I had some dental work done yesterday and spent some time clearing out my email inbox, but otherwise laid on the couch and was a potato. I did get some stuff done over the weekend, which made me happy.
I got some fabric as a gift a week or so ago and decided it would work really well for my next White Strip donation top.
The White strip blocks had been laying around not inspiring me. With the new fabric in hand, I cut it up at SueS’ Sew Day. With that done, I was able to sew large and small squares to the strip blocks to come up with these larger blocks on Saturday.
Most of the blocks have been sewn so I need to start chunking. I was able to use almost all of the gift fabric, which is great.
This is a very different look for the white strip tops I have made in the past. This top will also straddle two series of quilts, Color Strip and Sidewalk.
I made my goal of 30 blocks this month plus some! I am not stressing myself out over the goal, but I do want to celebrate when I can.
I finished the EBTM bag on Saturday at the special Everything But the Machine Sew Day. Mine was one of the seven that were finished.
As mentioned, I wasn’t sure about this bag, but as I worked on it, it grew on me. I was glad I chose good fabric.
I think I might replace my fabulous Tupperware boxes, companions since I started quiltmaking, with this bag. We’ll see. Making the switch will be hard. I am used to my various storage containers.
The bag has a handle as well as a suitcase sleeve — called a Trolley pocket in the pattern. I know a lot of people know what trolleys are, which I do, too. We don’t use that term in my area. We use wagon, streetcar and cable car for the various versions.
I am pleased with the fabric I chose as well. I wasn’t sure about the grey poppies, but they tone down the pink a bit.
Several people omitted the suitcase sleeve, but I put it on as there is a chance that I would hook it on my rolling sewing machine case. I made sure to check that the sleeve was big enough.
I kind of like the pocket even if I don’t slide the bag over a suitcase handle.
The pocket has an internal zipper pocket, as you can see. The pocket used an interesting double tube construction, which I would love to play with a little more. I also like the internal zipper pocket, though it might be a pocket where items go to hide.
Under the suitcase sleeve is another slip pocket. I used vinyl for the slip pocket. It has a bit of fabric on the top for binding. It was very easy to make. That section, however, was tricky to sew, because of the thickness. I had my travel machine, too, rather than my new machine, which probably could have handled the thickness with no problem.
I used MaryC’s method for the handles, which is to make a short handle that doesn’t move, can’t be adjusted or unclipped. I did take the opportunity to rivet the handle to the bag. Riveting is still fun!
I realized later that I forgot to sew a label on it. It isn’t too late. I can do it by hand.
I had a lot of various troubles with the pattern, so having Mary lead us in making this was great.
I quickly made the Bow Tie block before the meeting deadline last weekend.
This is not a favorite block design, however I am, again, being a good guild citizen and making all the blocks.
I used the Mini Simple Folded Corners Ruler** and it went very quickly.
We are nearing the end of the BAM BOM, so I need to get serious about my blocks. I need to re-make the Friendship Star wreath and see whether I need to make more blocks.
**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.
MaryC came to the last Sew Day with a new bag, the Everything But the Machine bag.
Those in her sewing gang were also industriously working on their own versions. Many others were interested so the guild is planning a Sew Day where everyone works on their own versions of these. I didn’t really want to make one, but as a good guild citizen (President), I signed up.
At first I thought I would make one for my mom, but she said very firmly last time I visited that she didn’t need any more bags (this was before the backpack conversation). I thought about others for whom I could make one and came up blank.
The week before the Sew Day was shaping up to be busy. It was a lot of ‘fun’ busy, but still busy and I was concerned I wouldn’t get the pieces cut out. I couldn’t get them cut out if I hadn’t picked fabric.
As the day got closer, I really needed to decide on fabric. I finally decided I would use some really nice fabric, some fabric I loved or that I had been ‘saving’. I also thought I would use some fun zipper pulls and make it for me. Someone else might like it, but I also thought of ways that I could use the bag. I think I realized that I often don’t make bags for myself, because I don’t know how I will use them.
I did want to finish cutting out the 1,000 pieces for the Urban Sea backpack, but once I did that, I looked through my fabrics and started cutting. I actually was able to cut everything out very quickly. When you are able to use a rotary cutter and ruler, the cutting goes quickly!
I am using Pristine Poppy from the old, old, old Notting Hill collection by Joel Dewberry. I made the Oxbow Tote out of another colorway from that line. Both lining and exterior are the same print in different colorways. I am using some of the zipper tape I bought by the yard at Sewlarium.
I still have to interface the pieces, but am pretty much ready to go.
I made these Zip It Ups for the guild board. They are working so hard and I wanted to thank them. I know it wasn’t necessary, but I did it anyway. I consulted with MaryM when I visited her. As mentioned, I told her my plan and after some discussion, I ended up making this pattern instead of my original idea.
This pattern has been updated to v.2, but I used Mary’s copy of the original. The v.1 ByAnnie patterns are not as detailed, but I was able to make them with no problem.
I thought they could use these portfolios for their guild work, but they are welcome to use them however they like, obviously.
I used ribbon to cover the zipper tape. I decided I was wasting the beautiful Renaissance Ribbon I have purchased by not using it, so I chose some very lush patterns to cover the zipper tape and vinyl edge. I need to use these ribbons more. They are wonderful.
We had our Board meeting at a restaurant in July and I handed them out. It was really fun and we got our work done as well. I am really pleased.
**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 am thinking of making something with the pink 16 Patch blocks, but I haven’t decided what yet. Also I don’t have enough and have moved on to Color Strip blocks.
Yes, I am back to making Color Strip blocks in white and pink. I finished the white set I started awhile ago. I want to make another Sidewalk quilt. I wasn’t up for starting it, so I began making pink Color Strip blocks. I chose pink, because the pink scrap drawer is too full.
I finished the second Wheelchair Quilt in time to hand it in at the meeting on Saturday. Now I am done with wheelchair quilts for this drive.
I have some 9 inch squares and am thinking of making some kits with the leftovers as I don’t need them hanging around. We’ll see.
The guild Pillow swap is today. I was assigned to swap with Christine. Since she wouldn’t be at the meeting, we swapped at Sew Day.
Pillowcases were an option so we swapped pillowcases. I found some flannel fabric while I was with Mary in Ashland. I almost bought some for myself and made more pillowcases for us at home. I resisted.
The cases in the photo above and to the right are the pillowcases I received from Christine. DH will have a fit since he thinks we already have too many pillowcases, but what can I do? As President, I need to be a good guild citizen.
I like making pillowcases. They are easy to make and useful.
I powered through the chunking of the Sidewalk #6: Green and was able to finish. I wanted to get one of the Wheelchair quilts up on the wall, so I needed to finish the Sidewalk quilt.
I really need to make the Half 16 Patches more colorful. The alternating white squares in the blocks means the quilt is primarily white which maybe isn’t so great for a donation quilt. I thought about using a color for the 8.5 and 4.5 inch squares, but am pretty sure I don’t have enough of any one color and am not sure scrappy would work with this design. I’ll have to think about it some more.
The back took longer than I expected as I used a lot of smaller pieces. Still, it uses up a lot of greens that I probably won’t use. Also, I get to add to my ‘Fabric Used” spreadsheet and up the number of donation quilts the guild gives away.
BAM is collecting wheelchair quilts for the veteran’s hospital in Palo Alto. We had planned a sew Day, but our Sew Day had to be cancelled, so I made one top at Super Sew Day and am working on another one.
We are all working to the same pattern from Sunshine Linus.
Both quilts use some Moda fabrics I won as part of the UFO challenge. As per the pattern, I cut the fabric up into 9.5 inch squares and sewed them together.
I had enough squares for at least one other, which I am working on now.
I didn’t include a back for the first one, but will sew a back for the second one. I have to sew this together first.
Someone else will quilt it. I didn’t cut off the corners as I thought the longarming would be easier if that step was done after quilting.
I have been collecting various blocks using 2.5 inch squares for forthcoming donation quilts. I finally had enough of the green half 16 patch blocks to make another Sidewalk quilt.
I started putting the blocks together in chunks on my small design wall, but couldn’t look at the whole thing until Cool Four Patch Fun was off the large design wall. I did a fair job spreading dark and light greens across the quilt. I don’t think this will take me very long to put together. I might have it done for the next meeting.
There is a lot of white in this quilt design. I think I need to try one where the large center blocks are a different color. White isn’t great for a donation quilt and I am sure I can find enough of whatever color to make a good looking quilt.
The 1-2-3 Mosaic table runner is finished. This is a project I worked on myself from start to finish. No longarming this time.
Amazing, right?
I quilted the small piece using a wave stitch, as shown, on my new machine. I have wanted that stitch for a long time and really like it. I need to ask some questions of the dealer, but it worked fine the first time out.
The back shows the quilting really well. It is simple, but I am pleased.
I also used the stitch lettering to make a simple label.
All in all, finishing it myself made it a very quick project. It is sitting on my buffet now.