Friday, June 25, 2010

Quilt it OUT-?




This top was a yard sale rescue, I moved a couple of the stars around and then added white borders. (I couldn't match the blue)
Happy to say it is now quilted and bound. This top has personality (nice way of saying not a flat top) In the spirit of 'quilting it out', I think I did a pretty good job.
I have always been blessed to have lower expectations so when a piece turns out OK, I am happy.


This is well worth sharing- FYI, I can quilt it out- sometimes I just choose not too~

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzoL7ddTEnA

Humorous Quilting Video set to Cathy Miller's song 'You Can Quilt That Out,' depicting the life of a longarm quilter. Video made by Mavis Rosbach, Quiltbird Studio, for "the Buzz on the Longarm Biz' class originally presented at the Georgia Quilt Show October, 2008.
www.quiltbirdstudio .com
www.singingquilter. com
The fabric I used on the back was from a bolt I have had for over 10 yrs. Thought I would never get to the end of it. This quilt made good dent and now I can brag it is off the bolt and down to a folded piece and some scraps.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

string blocks- quilt group

This top is 64 x86 and will be a donation quilt when finished. Made with 8 1/2 practice blocks.





Tonight's class was a follow up on strings. The gals turned in 14, and whipped up another two to make two sets of 8.

String blocks can be pieced on paper or fabric. (you don't have to use a foundation but it really does help keep the block stable)

Strips can be any size, cut straight or not.


Marge brought a couple of hers to show. I really like how using a solid as the center strip makes this block look more complicated.

After seeing these beautiful utility quilts I could see the ideas just start taking off for some of the newbies.

How cute would this be in kids prints!!











I even heard someone suggest Christmas fabrics. I can't wait to see who makes the first top!

-cw

Monday, June 14, 2010

Another Wedding Quilt-

Good friend, Mary M let me pull from stash to donate towards this lovely gift.

I love having friends that share my passions. Another friend asked if we could make a quilt for an up coming event.

I think this turned out just lovely. Mary M sewed the top in record time. She then had to come over to my place to quilt it-- I supervised)



Tuesday, June 8, 2010

String Block Quilt class June-2010



Whether you choose to piece your strings on paper or fabric, I think you will find this is a fun block to sew to use up your scraps.



Some may prefer foundation blocks cut from old sheets. Other may like newspaper or phonebook pages. I have tied both and lean towards paper (I like the mess it makes when you tear it off!)


If you are sewing to a fabric foundation, use a normal stitch length.


(On a paper foundation, use as short a stitch as you can, it will perforate the paper and make it easier to remove)


Center your first strip face up on the diagonal of your square.



Place your second strip right side facing the center strip. Line up the edges of the fabrics and sew using a 1/4" seam. Press open if you like. I usually just finger press and go on. Continue adding strips until the block is the size you want.


Make your blocks in any combo you like. Try going lights on one half, darks on the other. Or alternate Red White and Blue strips. Whatever you can think up, will look good. Only rule is start in the center on the diagonal.


For this class the challenge is to make at least 2 donation blocks (8 1/2") from the scraps provided. Feel free to mix in your own Red Whites and Blues. We will use the blocks next class to make a small top.


For you own fun, experiment using different size blocks to start with. Piecing with strips can be done on any shape you like, any size you like. Save the pieces you cut off, we will use them in a later project.


String quilts have been a traditional way to use up scraps for many years. Please bring a picture or better yet a favorite string quilt to share next class time.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

New Grand baby is here- June 3rd 2010

Best Daughter-in-law ever, Kelly and favorite Oldest son, Mike let me hang out in the delivery room to be one of the first to meet their new daughter.
Breely Grace was born at 12:55 am. June 3rd, 2010.

She weighs in at 8lbs and measures 21 1/4"

I am so proud to be part of the welcoming committee.

Brother, Lane and Sister, Karlee will have to wait until after breakfast to see their new sister. They got to spend a little time waiting with their mom and dad for the big event but got sent home for bed a couple of hours before the delivery.

Kelly did all the real work but Mike got to cut the cord. Grandma just stood back and tried not to cry. It is all so amazing. She smiled when I held her! I think she knows I have plans for her to learn to quilt with me.