In anticipation of entering projects into the Fair, I decided to revisit some of the entries I have made into the Fair, and especially my winners. This also came about because I was working on the Fabric selection post and came across Fresh Fruit, which I had forgotten had won a prize. I was reminded, also, that I have received prizes at a variety of other shows as well.
I didn’t win any prizes for this meager entry, but I did enter.
It is fun and easy to enter, which is why I try to enter quilts and bags into the Fair. I also love thinking about all the people who have exhibited something working away in their workrooms and garages on projects.
While this post is quilt related, I am climbing up on to my soapbox, so you may want to come back tomorrow if you just want to talk about quilts and what I am making and doing.
I want to thank PENAmerica for compiling this list and doing their best to let us all know.
Forbidden Words – top
The first word on the quilt is “Abortion.” I do not want to get into an essay on whether abortion is right or wrong, because in this context it doesn’t matter. Men cannot have abortions so this doesn’t concern them. It concerns women.
Forbidden Words – bottom
The last word (phrase) on the quilt is “Women in leadership”.
Women in leadership is a banned phrase on the U.S. Federal Government’s websites. Think about that.
There ARE women in leadership positions so WTH? Women have been ‘leading’ in jobs, organizations and projects for centuries. People can deny it all they want, but denial doesn’t change facts. If you eliminate everything outside the home, women have been in charge of their families for years. If you think that managing schedules, planning meals, vacations, house maintenance and keeping children alive is not project management, then I am not sure what project management is. I know women who have spreadsheets and color coded calendars to keep their homes running smoothly. This doesn’t even consider women in jobs that require extreme organization, knowledge and dedication not to mention previous educational efforts. Women are fully capable of leading, just as men are, so WTH?
This Federal Government list is a clear attack on women. It is also an attack on other groups, but it is first and foremost another attack on women. I am so angry! What have I done to deserve such treatment and why does one Administration get to decide?
In asking myself why I was reminded that women are extremely powerful. Women are resilient and create life. I know we can’t do it without men, but only one gender carries the precious cargo around until birth and then can feed the offspring.
Women also survive misogyny, the glass ceiling, and a myriad of other strategies used to keep us out of the limelight and off the main stages and we continue on. I know we will continue on, continue “acting as if”
Women are 50% or more of the population. Women contribute a lot to society, much of which we don’t get paid to do. We perform tasks despite no acknowledgement, pay or thanks.
There are no easy answers to this problem and I am absolutely not anti-men. I AM anti-men who create this list and think it is ok. We all must all treat people as we want to be treated regardless of gender, looks, job, origin, …all the things on the list in the quilt above. As Mark Lipinski said on April 8, 2026 “How you show up in the world MATTERS. Be present. Be kind. Be grateful. You are the gift to the world.”
Thanks to Lorraine Woodruff-Long and her team for their hard work and dedication in creating this quilt and planning for it to be seen.
*Photos are watermarked to prevent them being stolen off this website. Copyright is only claimed on the photo, not the image.
I have been slowly making progress on the Snap Trays I started a few weeks ago after Lynette showed her demo. After the retreat was cancelled, I slowed my roll as the need to get them done* was less urgent.
I spent a mini-Sew Day finishing the top stitching on the remaining trays. Most of them are in a flat state now waiting for me to install the KamSnaps.
I have installed KamSnaps in a couple of them, using my new hole puncher**. I am still concerned that the KamSnaps will come out of the holes, but I am doing my best to install them tightly.
I used the tray that Lynette gave me after her demo at the mini-Sew Day. I am thinking of making a rectangular snap tray that will be big enough for the current tray. I used the current tray as a thread catcher and think a rectangular tray would be good to keep my various tools such as seam ripper and snips close to hand. We’ll see. Let’s finish one thing at a time.
* Nota Bene: I am putting pressure on myself to make these for the next guild retreat. I have not been asked to do anything for the guild, beyond my current duties.
Every month when the number is pulled, I groan. These are projects that I theoretically want to finish, but groan when it actually comes to working on them. I don’t know why, especially since I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I actually finish one of them.
I have been contemplating UFOs recently as I see how easy it is to switch projects and put blocks away and move on. I am working on the Four Patch Fun quilt(s) and the 1-2-3 Mosaic. Neither are really feeding my soul, but I am determined that will not go into the fabric closet as UFOs.
I have a couple of projects on my mind on which I really want to work. I saw a portfolio/folder video for which there is no pattern, as far as I can tell. I would happily buy it if there were. The video shows enough detail that I can sew the bag. The issue is sizes, so I have been thinking about that.
I am also very interested in the quilt I designed for the Chaos with a Twist class. The next class is all about construction and choosing fabrics. I have that nailed and really want to start piecing.
Canvas Vue from Sewfisticated
There are also projects on the list I really want to make. I have an idea for how to use the Catalan Storage Cube and was really hoping it would be pulled this month. I also want to use the Canvas Vue fabric I bought from Sewfisticated to make one of the Joni totes.
I started Serendipity Lady in 2014. I haven’t worked on her since a CQFA Retreat in 2019. I also haven’t written much about it.
Serendipity Lady, 2026
She is the next UFO Challenge piece on which I have to work. The first step was getting her out of the closet. I didn’t have to find her as she was hanging flat against the back wall of the Fabric Closet. So, the first step was achieved pretty easily.
Serendipity Lady, 2026 -reverse
The next step was to rip off the paper that I used to stabilize the piece for the applique’. I was able to accomplish this task over the course of a couple of nights in front of the TV.
I have no idea what I used, but it was two layers and it felt like drawing paper. Some of it under the actual satin stitching was impossible to remove. This will be a wall hanging, so it doesn’t matter.
My next step is to quilt the piece.
Shock! Horror! I know. I have a plan and since it is small, I think I will be able to do it. I had planned to frame this piece, but I don’t know if I will do that or not at this point. One thing at a time.
The Warm Four Patch Fun quilt is moving along. I have the individual blocks sewn into small sections. The more I sew, the more the quilt grows, which is awesome!
It is fairly rote to chunk the blocks together, but it is very satisfying to see the piece come together.
I’d like to finish this quilt soon and get to the cool version.
SueG had good results in a class she took with Libs Elliott. Remember I took a class from her at QuiltCon? While I wasn’t excited about the class, I did think she was a good teacher.
Now I am taking her Chaos with a Twist class, which is a Zoom class, so I can do it from the comfort of my workroom. This class has about 4 sessions and after the first (non-intro) session, I am in love. This process creates super modern, super creative quilts out of basic blocks. It truly exemplifies why I love blocks. You have to take the class to get all the details. After going through Libs’ process I came up with the following design:
Chaos with a Twist – out of the box
We started out on paper cutting and pasting and drawing with pencil and the quilt above is what I came up with after putting the basic blocks into EQ8.
I moved blocks around and recolored some and came up with two versions of basically the same quilt top:
Chaos with a Twist #15
Chaos with a Twist #14
I like the circles on the edges better than the chevrons (above photo). Having them in black looks a bit like a black hole, so I tried some aqua. EQ8 didn’t really have the turquoise I wanted, but you get the idea.
I was annoyed at some of the students who were afraid of various parts of the process, but everyone has to go through their own process, right?
I want to start cutting fabric now and there are two more classes before we get to that point! I might just go for it and see what happens. None of these blocks are difficult to piece.
I am pretty excited about how well I matched the horizontal zipper tabs on this one. I also feel like this pouch has a delicate look to it.
Pink Echinacea I Spy – small
This pouch will house Purse Tab templates. Mary and I talked about these when we were riveting the other day. They could be used on the Oxbow Tote to reinforce the side, which was an area we decided would be detrimental to rivet, because it would cut the thread on the side seam.
Pink Echinacea I Spy – small – back
I also top stitched this one since I used the stick-on interfacing, like the other two.
I sewed a chunk of the 1-2-3 Mosaic table runner together. I think it looks great.
I wasn’t 100% convinced that the project was going to work out when I saw it on the design wall. After sewing this bit together, I am much more optimistic.
I think it looks a lot better sewn together.
I sewed it in between sewing all the other things on which I am working, but it still went together pretty fast. I’ll know soon if I need more blocks.
I am glad I didn’t make it wider as it will be the right width for the buffet when I put a facing on it.
I mentioned making multiple I Spy pouches when I talked about the Poppy I Spy the other day.
I made all three in assembly-line fashion, so they all got done at once and I made the same mistakes with all, which was forgetting the interfacing! 😉
Rose I Spy – medium
The lining fabric on this pouch is a Heather Bailey print. I only had a fat quarter, or only had a fat quarter left, and fussy cut it so the rose would show up when the bag was empty. The motif would also be a nice surprise when I take out the templates out of the bag.
Somehow the Echinacea print doesn’t clash too badly with the roses. At least I don’t think so. I like using different prints for the lining as it helps me associate a certain template with a certain pouch.
Rose I Spy – medium for the Newfoundland templates
This pouch will be used for the Newfoundland pouch templates. The Newfoundland is a little like the Sew Together Bag as it has an accordion section in the middle creating some organization. It has a similar feel.
I haven’t made the Newfoundland before. Now that I have been reminded that I have the templates, I will put it on my list to try.
I took four bags over to Mary’s house and riveted all of them. It was super fun rivet party! I kept riveting every spot I could find on the Oxbow Tote! Mary had to stop me.
The part of the bag I wanted to rivet were the handles. I don’t think the bag is in danger of ripping apart, but I like to think a couple of rivets will help keep it in shape for a longer time.
Oxbow Adjustable strap – riveted
I also took the opportunity to rivet the adjustable strap. I am never sure that the stitching I can do on my domestic machine will hold, so a rivet helps with strength.
I also think it makes the strap look more professional.
Mary just bought some rainbow hardware recently, which matched the hardware I used for the bag overall.
Kit Supply Tote
I also brought the Kit Supply Tote. That project has handles that are sewn to the outside of the bag and are not sewn into any seam. These types of handles always make me nervous. I am always afraid they will rip off. It is probably not sensible to think that, but I do.
I riveted the handles to the bag and feel much better about the handles now. I think they will stay put with the extra support.
Oxbow Tote -side pleat rivet
I really like the shape and size of this bag. In addition to the handle construction issue, it has another construction issue. That is the thickness of the sides that make a pleat. I was able to sew it, but still worried about it ripping apart. The thickness meant that we used the rivets with the longer shaft.
I was amazed at how they clicked together (pressed together?) and then stayed put.
Kit Supply Tote – side pleat riveted
This bag is not made with any hardware, so I chose a chrome finish to go with the glitter handles.
I am now a fan of riveting the handles on the Enigma pouches. I brought the two most recent Enigmas to be riveted before they go off to their new homes.
Nykky’s Enigma-riveted
Tim’s Enigma
I think that riveting the handles makes these bags able to handle more weight.
I tried to find other areas to rivet, but I had to admit it would be gratuitous riveting. 😉
After I did some Pre-Sew Day work, we were able to put together a total of two quilt tops in addition to the larger top that the rest of the group put together. I am much better at working on my own. I was pleased that Sue and Lee Ann joined me without me having to say anything.
Lee Ann was kind enough to take the blocks for this one home and put the quilt together.
Sew Day donation top
The blocks I made also became a quilt top very quickly, thanks to Lee Ann. The blocks are 8 inches by 8 inches, so the quilt ended up being about 40 in. x 40 inches, which is about the size I like to hand in.
I finally finished the green Enigma. I shouldn’t say ‘finally’, though it did take longer than expected. I felt like everything that could go wrong did go wrong and I am not sure why. Still, it looks great and I am not embarrassed to give it as a gift.
I still want to rivet the handles, but that requires a little coordination with my “rivet press dealer”. LOL! And I can give it without the rivets if necessary.
Tim’s Enigma – open
I am still planning on making a few more of these this year. I want to get over the drama I felt making this one and the pink rose one that I still need to finish.
The lining fabric is one I have kind of been saving. I had it in a pink/orange colorway, but think I used it for something. I really like the blue/green colorway and was looking for a special project on which to use it. I didn’t really try to match up the squares, but they sort of ended up that way, which was nice.
Tim’s Enigma – back, closed
Sara of Sew Sweetness’ quarterly challenge has just been announced. The challenge is to use some aspect of quiltmaking in your bag or pouch. This bag requires quilting on the bottom, so it qualifies. I may enter it as my entry. I don’t expect to win, but it is fun to participate.
One of the things I learned from testing new sewing machines was about the dual feed feet. I am in love with the HP2 foot available on the Janome M8 Continental and the Elna 792 Pro Ex. I came home from my session the other day and investigate the dual feed on my current machine.
Dual feed on Nykky’s Enigma
While it probably comes as no surprise to you, I was a little surprised. Not a lot, because I do encounter the dual feed mechanism periodically.
I went through the manual and came across some notes I made about needle position, so I must have used it before. I tried it out on one of the Enigmas on which I am working. The overall theory worked well, but the width of the foot was kind of a problem.
Also, the foot you see is, presumably, the quarter inch dual feed foot. I had to adjust the needle position because it doesn’t make a quarter inch seam out of the gate. It is possible it is a 5/8ths inch foot or something else, but my recollection is that I bought a 1/4 inch Acufeed/dual feed foot at some point.
Dual feed on Nykky’s Enigma
Anyway, I tried it out to replicate what I experienced on my testing session and I could sort of do it. The HP2 foot, a feature of the Elna 792.. and the Janome M8 is narrower and that works better for me on the Enigma bags.
The thickness is really a challenge and on this particular bag, attaching the side panels to the bottom in the zipper area makes for some additional grey hairs. You can see on the photo above that I worked with the current foot to make it work. I think the issue was that I could not find a button or feature that would engage the dual feed. Perhaps the 6600 doesn’t have one?
I spent the other day prepping about 20 blocks for the 1-2-3 Mosaic table runner. I want to get this off the design wall and it won’t happen magically.
I felt like I needed some additional blue blocks so I concentrated on those. Not all of the 20 came out the correct size so some went back on the board waiting for another round of fabric. I made enough of them to feel like I am nearing the finish line.
I spent some time rearranging the layout. I am happier with how it looks and will soon start putting some chunks together. The bottom looks darker than it is because the ironing board is shadowing the bottom corner of the design wall.
I have made the photo really large so you can see it more clearly.
I know there will still be some rearranging as I begin to sew, but I think I am pretty much ready to sew some chunks together. It will at least tell me what other blocks I need to make.
1-2-3 Mosaic blocks organized
As an aside, I finally made the travel board and am using it for this project. I cut up pieces, laid them out in order and then was able to sew them in an assembly line fashion. I haven’t figured out where to store this board, but while it is in use, it is very handy.
