Tag: Works in Progress

26 Projects List – March Update

Finished 2013 Projects:

  1. Corner Store: Finished on 1/1/2013 YAY!
  2. The Garden. Finished on 1/5/2013 YAY!
  3. Stepping Stones: Finished on 2/14/2013 YAY!
  4. Fabric of the Year 2011: Finished on 2/27/2013 YAY
  5. Calm: Finished on 3/14/2013 YAY!

I still think the next projects on the list will be harder, especially since I haven’t worked on them, except for the Aqua-Red Sampler. They are older, in some cases, or VERY unfinished. I am still hopeful.

Still WIPs

  1. Aqua-Red Sampler – Frances  is working diligently and I started the foundation piecing tutorial.
  2. The Tarts Come to Tea: I still haven’t worked on this since April 2011, though I did think about working on it. Does that count for something? I really do need to get back to the quilting. I am mad at myself for making such good progress and then getting sidetracked. I thought quilting the Whole Cloth quilt would get me back in the swing of quilting, but apparently not.
  3. Pointillist Palette #4: Fourth is a series of 6 quilts; needs tiny square patches sewn together. Mrs. K. gave me more PP fabric and I won some from a giveaway. I still think it is a sign that I need to work on this. Leaders and enders.
  4. See: needs satin stitching. Small, also a possibility for finishing. I really have the feeling I came so close to working on this project this month.
  5. Self Portrait: started in 2006 at a class at Quilting Adventures in Richmond, Virginia. I like the piece, but don’t know where to go from where I am. Mouth? Hair? The attitude I need to have is that I can’t ruin it; there is always more fabric.
  6. Under the Sea: class project; like the design, but not the colors much.
  7. Flower Sugar Hexagon: I thought about sewing more hexagons together. Although not difficult, sewing Y seams is a bit of a chore, so I get tired of doing it after awhile. I could, perhaps, use leaders and enders to get this piece moving?
  8. Young Man’s t-shirt quilt: have cut up the t-shirts and am still in the process of applying fusible. He cleaned out his drawers and found some more t-shirts to add to the quilt. Oh Yay! <– just a bit of sarcasm. He asked me again for another quilt, so I think this one is next in line. I plugged in his heating mattress pad, though, which should keep him quiet for a bit longer.
  9. New: FOTY 2012: top, finished, though I can’t decide if I need a quilting border. Working on the back.

I still have a few more WIPs than I do finished projects. Again, I have made progress on clearing out old projects and I am pleased.

Ready for Quilting

  1. Original Bullseye: At the quilter
  2. New: Wonky 9 Patch: needs basting, quilting and binding. Not on original list
  3. New:* Super Secret Project #2: At the quilter. Not on original list
  4. New: Super Secret Project: At the quilter.  Stay tuned. ;-) Not on original list
  5. Infinity blocks: blocks sewn together into a quilt top, borders on. Back and binding made; ready to be quilted.
  6. A-B-C (A-Z) BAMQG Challenge –At the quilter. Due April 1.
  7. New: Sparkle Pink – At the quilter.
  8. New: Swoon – At the quilter.
  9. Spiderweb: Top is together, binding is made. This is at the quilter.

Please note that even if you combine the two lists above, I do not have 26 projects on this list anymore. That is something, IMO.

In the Finishing Process

Abandoned

Nothing so far for 2013

Hunting and Gathering

  • Spin Wheel: really not started, but supplies gathered. Cutting fabrics as I go. TFQ does not consider this a UFO and made some good points to that end, which is why I have moved it to the Hunting and Gathering section. She says, and I have to agree, that quilts are not ‘projects’ until the sewing starts. OK. I’ll go with that.
  • Windmill quilt: Still hunting and gathering.
  • Stepping Stones #2 using Bonnie & Camille fabrics Bliss, Ruby, Vintage Modern: made two test blocks, but still in the thinking stage while I decide on the background colors. I want the contrast to be good.

As I mentioned, I am still trying to think of a new focus for this list for 2013. I feel that I made progress on the most ancient and difficult projects and I want to honor that. I won’t give up working on the projects on this list, but I also will not allow the list to prevent me from starting new projects in 2013. What else?

Last update for the 26 Projects List

*New – Project started after I started working on the 26 Projects list

Star Sampler: 8″ Blocks

Green Basic Star
Green Basic Star

We have started the 8″ blocks this week. We are doing 4 each week and one of them will be a Basic Star. Being honest, I did the green one as a test when we started talking about the project.

Four 8" Blocks
Four 8″ Blocks

I was able to finish the other three blocks this weekend. I am pleased with them. I have added a couple more lavenders. I am not sure about them, but I will use at least a few more pieces so they don’t look odd.

I chose the blocks this week and they are Basic Star (top, left), Hourglass Star (top, right), Four Patch Star (bottom, right), Four Patch Variation (bottom, right).

We have 40 total of these blocks to make and I might make some of the Basic Stars in advance.

I have been doing some prep of the 4″ blocks, cutting the backgrounds and the corners in readiness for when I need some leaders and enders.

Ribbon Star

Ribbon Star Parts
Ribbon Star Parts

I finally got this block together. I made it differently this time; I used half square triangles instead of rectangles and squares. I don’t like the look of so many seams, but I couldn’t get the piece together in the correct size doing it any other way.

I am not giving you the pattern this time, because even in EQ, it wouldn’t come out right. I don’t want you to be frustrated either.

The other thing is that TFQ and I had a disagreement about the grid of this block. I drew it on the same grid as the other Sawtooth Stars. I found, though, that she was right once I started to make it. It is really a 9 patch. I shouldn’t have disagreed. She is usually correct about such things.

Ribbon Star Finished
Ribbon Star Finished

Finally, this is the last 12″ block.

This is the last 12″ block.

Star Sampler: 12″ Blocks

Star Sampler: 18 12" Blocks
Star Sampler: 18 12″ Blocks

All, except one, of the 12″ stars finally made it onto my portable design wall. I finally finished the back of FOTY 2012 and was able to take the pieces and parts off the design wall.

Star Sampler blocks
Star Sampler blocks

While I was waiting for space to open up, I layered the blocks one on top of the other on my smaller design wall, so I could keep track of the blocks. This is unsatisfactory as I like to see what I am working on, compare fabrics I am considering for use against what I have already used and get a sense of how many times I have used a fabric. That doesn’t work well when I have to layer the blocks.

It couldn’t be helped, though, as the blocks are large and there are a lot of them.

Also, take a look at the original Quilt-a-long instructions. You can see all the posts on this topic by searching the tag “Star Sampler.”

FOTY 2012 Back

FOTY 2012
FOTY 2012

I have finally finished the back of FOTY 2012.

I decided to show the front again, one more time, as I don’t know how long it will be before I have it back from the quilter finished.

I have used another Philip Jacobs prints for the back. It turns out I had two pieces that worked well for opposite corners. I was surprised, though, to find the yardage in two pieces as I usually don’t cut up large pieces until I need it. Still, I may have bought it on sale and was only able to get to large pieces rather than one. Alternatively, I could have bought a piece and then decided to buy more. I don’t remember.

I was pleased to take the parts for the back off the design wall. I like the front of this quilt so much and it was great to see it one more time.

FOTY 2012: back
FOTY 2012: back

My only concern with the front is the border. I didn’t put one on and I am pretty sure it doesn’t need one, but still, I wonder.

Star Sampler: Basic Star

Star Sampler: Basic Star
Star Sampler: Basic Star

This block might be a little bit disappointing for you after the wonders of all the other complex blocks. I am posting it rather than just quietly putting it in the quilt, because I think it is a good example of how to use special fabric effectively.

Yes, I have used the Martha Negley fabric in small doses in other blocks, but I really wanted to show off as much of blooms as I could. Perhaps I could have fussy cut a little better, but I wanted to use the fabric in a reasonable way and I liked the off center nature of the fabric in the large square.

I can always make others in the 8″ size, if I want to use more of different sections of the fabric. Here’s the Basic Star pattern.

Also, take a look at the original Quilt-a-long instructions. You can see all the posts on this topic by searching the tag “Star Sampler.”

Star Sampler: Shelburne Star

Star Sampler: Shelburne Star
Star Sampler: Shelburne Star

This block was kind of a pain to make, but the effect is really good. I am glad it came out well in terms of contrast, because if it had been a pain and looked bad, I would have been really disappointed.

I think it was a good choice to use the background fabric in the center of the larger star around the smaller star as it sets off the smaller star.

If you’d like to make one of these, here is the Star Sampler: Shelburne Star pattern. You can also find it in EQ7. Check out the Oh My Stars! Flickr Group to see all the other renditions of the final project. You can see all the posts on this topic by searching the tag “Star Sampler.”

Star Sampler: Wheel of Time

Star Sampler: Wheel of Time
Star Sampler: Wheel of Time

Don’t you like the name of this block? I think it provides ‘scope for imagination’ and evokes mystery. That is one of the things I like about vintage blocks. They, often, have great names.

I thought that background fabric in the middle might look like the viewer was looking through the block to the background, but I don’t think I achieved that semi-goal.

If you want to make a block like this, review the Star Sampler: Wheel of Time pattern, which can also be found in EQ. Also, take a look at the original Quilt-a-long instructions. You can see all the posts on this topic by searching the tag “Star Sampler.”

Star Sampler: Background Information

I was somewhat unclear, apparently, about what I was doing with the Star Sampler, the general idea of this piece and how it came about. Apparently, I just started babbling on and posting a zillion blocks. I thought you all just mind-melded with me and knew what was in my head! 😉

So sorry! Thanks to Mrs. K for pointing this out to me.

Really, what happened is life. I went about, in a leisurely manner choosing my fabrics and cooing about them, then all of a sudden it was time to start and things heated up at work and I had several weekends in a row out of town and WHAM! I needed to get myself in gear.

The idea for doing the Star Sampler started when TFQ and I talked about doing a project together. The idea of doing a project together came up, I think, when I saw the announcement for Easy Street, the recent mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunter. Both of us were a little leery of doing a project when we didn’t know what the end result would look like. We both kind of wanted to know what direction we were headed.

Due to the distance and our crazy schedules when we are together, we decided to leverage technology and work on the same project, but in our own spaces, using our own tools and fabrics. We have worked on quilts together in the same physical space and I expect we will again, but this time, we are using the same pattern and doing the work on our own.

We looked at books, Flickr and various blogs to try and find a project we both liked. We used a joint Pinterest board (great tool, BTW) to keep track of our ideas. We eventually chose the Oh My Stars Quilt-a-long. The rest of the universe did it in 2012, but we just found it and since the directions and information are still posted, we are able to do it. We chose it because we both like Sawtooth Stars, there was enough scope for both of us to stretch our creative wings, use fabrics we liked and a wide variety of blocks.

Sheila is the owner of Thought and Found blog and the creator of the Oh My Stars QAL. She seems to post regularly to her blog. I have been hanging out there a bit more, but mostly referring to the layout or the block information. She set up a Flickr group for the QAL and I have been posting photos there even though everyone else is finished. It is a great group for inspiration, even if you are just looking for color combos.

The quilt is made up of of 12″, 8″ and 4″ Sawtooth Stars. Sheila includes patterns and tutorials for each of the Sawtooth Stars needed to complete this quilt. Scroll down on the first page of the QAL information to see the blocks. We are using many of the stars she lists, but we also went through EQ and created a group of stars that we wanted to make so some of the group’s stars will not be in our quilts.

Star Sampler Layout (Thought & Found blog)
Star Sampler Layout (Thought & Found blog)

One of the attractions for me of this project is the layout of the blocks. This is not your typical straight set. This layout makes the viewer work for their view. It is interesting and the viewer is rewarded for their work in looking at the quilt for longer than the typical 30 seconds.

I am toying with the idea of sewing the 4′ blocks to the larger blocks before I have finished all the blocks. There are a couple of reasons. First, I don’t have enough space to store the thousand (ok, it isn’t a 1,000, but sometimes it feels like a thousand!) blocks I am making and they would be easier to store in larger chunks. Second, I might like to take a chance at some random color choices near each other. Third, I am not sure I can face a bunch of single blocks needing to be sewn together. I need to think about it some more before I decide.

We are keeping ourselves to a strict schedule so this project doesn’t take forever. I have already posted bunches of blocks and I will continue to do so. You can also see my Flickr set for these blocks. TFQ has a Flickr set also. She said I could link to it, so take a look and comment.

I hope this clears up the mystery of this project and I would encourage you to join in.

 

Star Sampler: Gypsy Dancer

Star Sampler: Gypsy Dancer
Star Sampler: Gypsy Dancer

I feel like this block came out really well. It is pretty, but has a delicate feel, too. The purple is from an ombre print, so I don’t have much of it left. I’ll have to use it judiciously.

If you’d like to make this block, I am posting the Star Sampler: Gypsy Dancer pattern. This project is from the Oh My Stars Quilt-a-long from the Thought and Found blog. Join in the fun and make some blocks.

Star Sampler: Chevron Star

Star Sampler: Chevron Star
Star Sampler: Chevron Star

One of the things I like about this block is that there are two sets of Flying Geese units in it and because of the way they are colored, they look really different and do something really different to the look of the overall block.

I realized around the time I made this block that I am going to the same fabrics over and over. I need to broaden my palette. It isn’t easy, but I have to try.

If you would like to make one of these blocks, I am posting the Star Sampler: Chevron Star Pattern. This whole project is based on the Oh My Stars Quilt-a-long from last year.

Star Sampler: First 12

Star Sampler: First 12
Star Sampler: First 12

I know there are a lot of posts about this project, but we are working on it fast and furiously. This post is a milestone, I think, because I have 12 blocks made and you can see them all together.

One of the things I like about seeing them all together is I can see what fabrics I need to repeat.

I also like seeing them because it makes me feel like I have been making some progress. I *know* I am making progress, but it is great to see the progress.

I actually have an additional 4 blocks made, as of this writing, but I am experiencing a shortage of design wall space right at the moment so you will have to wait until that clears up to see them all.

I have to say that I am tempted to start sewing all the different blocks into chunks just to get them in some kind of order. The layout is pretty clear; it would just be a matter of deciding what goes where. I’ll need a lot more 8″ squares before I can make any real progress in the layout, though.

Star Sampler: Football Star

Football Star
Football Star

I am very surprised that this block is called Football Star. The name seems so unlike the actual block; the name doesn’t reflect the look of the block at all.

As leaders and enders, I am trying to make progress on the 89 4″ star blocks that are needed for this top. It is working pretty well and I have 7 finished and one in progress at the moment. I have also cut a bunch of pieces to make more blocks as I go along.

We only have a week or so more before we have finished the 12″ blocks and start on the 40(!!!) 8″ blocks.

If you’d like to make one of these, here is the Star Sampler: Football Star pattern. You can also find it in EQ7.

Star Sampler: Mrs. Lloyd’s Favorite

Mrs. Lloyd's Favorite
Mrs. Lloyd’s Favorite

This is my second attempt. The first attempt used a nine patch in the same violet as the four patches and triangles.

I probably would have used a different color for the four patches, but I decided to make it a little different and keep the violet.

Mrs. Lloyd’s Favorite pattern, in case you want to make one of these.