Slow Stitching Sunday

I'm slow stitching today.  This is my Be Attitudes quilt, that I've been (very) slowly working on for almost 3 years now.  I won this set of blocks from another quilter.  All that was needed was to do the applique on them.  I decided that I wanted to hand stitch them, not machine stitch these blocks. 

I started these blocks with December, and I'm working backwards on them.  This is the 7th block (June) that I'm working on now.

7th block

I had to take some stitching out earlier today.  I started stitching around his arm in dark olive green, but, it wasn't showing up, so, I ripped it out.  The photo below shows the green thread that I had been using.

red shows up, the green above didn't show up

What's an 'Oops!' now and then. 

Speaking of 'Oops!', I mailed the pink Churn Dash baby quilt off on Friday morning.  The mother went into labor on Thursday evening.  Well.....I got a call from the daddy not long after I'd mailed the package.  'Oops!'.  The doctor was wrong!  Instead of a baby girl, it was a baby BOY!  The baby shower was for a girl, all pinks and grays.  Baby Weston is healthy, so, that is all that matters.

I was at the thrift store when I got the call.  The thrift store was having a 40% off sale, so, I quickly headed to the baby clothes, and picked up lots of BOY things.  They will get there the day after the pink baby quilt ;).

Well, after chatting with the new mother, I have some ideas for a new, baby boy quilt. 

I'm thinking that this might be incorporated in the new quilt

I'll be off to the quilt store tomorrow, to see what fabrics I can find to go with the picture above, and to the copy store to get that blown up. 

Other than a bit of sewing at the quilt shop on Tuesday, I haven't sewn at all this week.  Things kept happening, that kept me out of my sewing room.  I'm enjoying my 'slow stitching' today.  I think it was just what I needed.

Churn Dash Baby Quilt

I finished the Churn Dash baby quilt.  I used pink Realtree camo flannel for the Churn Dash blocks.  The background fabric is a dotted print (it doesn't show up very well in the pictures).

speckled Minkee on the back

I used most of the extra fabric to make 2 flannel/satin blankets to go with the quilt.

flannel on one side, satin on the other

Yes, the satin is washable.  I took these pictures after I'd washed and dried everything.  I even pre-washed all the fabrics before I made anything.

I had some scraps left, so, I decorated a couple of burp rags.

matching burp rags

This is what the background fabric looks like.

background fabric

All of these are for my BFF's newest grandbaby, which is due in a few days.  I'd better get these in the mail.

I tried a new technique for finishing my binding ends.  Chris Lynn Kirsch showed this on her blog. It is called 'No-End Binding'.

trying the No-End binding technique

This was a great way to do the binding ends.  I'll be using this method again.  Thanks Chris!

Other than on Tuesday, when we went to Sewing, Etc. to stitch, I haven't gotten much sewing done this week.  I just haven't been in the mood.  I've sat in my sewing room and organized while watching movies.  Hopefully I'll get in the mood quickly, since I have several projects that really need to get done.  Some of them I haven't even started yet.  Sometimes when I have so many projects due, I find it hard to even get started.  I think it becomes a bit overwhelming.  Do you ever get that way?  What do you do about it?  

New Machines

I've really been trying to put myself on a sewing machine diet, but, it isn't working. 

On Monday, I was trimming my Clue #5 blocks from the Sapphire Star mystery, and decided to take a short break, after trimming half the blocks. 

I headed to the computer to check my email.  Another onion (Treadle On member) that I've known for several years had sent me an email, asking if I knew of how she could find new homes for some of her treadles.  Was I interested?  Did I know of anyone who might be interested?  I told her that I had plenty of treadles and wasn't interested, but I'd try to help her.  (See, I said 'NO' first). 

Judy sent me pictures of the treadles she was trying to sell.  Oh My Goodness!  She was trying to sell a lovely White in a parlor cabinet, and a Singer in a Drawing Room cabinet.  I've wanted a Drawing Room cabinet for YEARS now.  I'd had a chance at one earlier this summer, then the lady backed out.  Her hubby decided that she needed to keep that cabinet after all.  :(

I asked Judy how much she wanted for the treadles (hoping that it would be way above any price that I could afford).  Nope, she mentioned a terrific price for the pair.  SOLD! 

I've wanted a Drawing Room cabinet for years now.  I'd passed one up, not long after I started collecting vintage machines, and I've regretted it ever since.  Well, I have one now!  When you see the pictures, you'll understand why this cabinet is so special. 

The Drawing Room cabinet came with a 1919 Singer 115 sewing machine.  The presser foot had been taken off, to be used in another machine.  Judy called it a 'parts' machine.  So far, the only part missing is the presser bar.  I can take one of those off one of my 'parts' machines in the basement.  This machine turns so nicely, and is clean and well oiled, with lovely Tiffany decals.  It looks very much like the Singer 15 hand crank that is my main machine (at the moment). 

1919 Singer 115

lovely decals all over

missing presser bar should be where the red chopstick is

There are some attachments that came with this machine, too.  Two of them are pretty bent up, but, I can bend them back in place, I think.

Singer attachments

Now for the lovely Drawing Room Cabinet.

Singer Drawing Room Cabinet No. 32 Embossed

Swoon!  The next pictures will show the different doors open, and inside the cabinet. 

with side doors open, showing the drawers and the treadle irons

with the front center doors open

with the front and back doors open

side door open showing the treadle irons

back of Drawing Room cabinet (doors closed)

with the machine

One of the cool features of this kind of cabinet is that the machine goes down into the cabinet.  It doesn't fold over, like in most cabinets, you push the machine down, and, using hydraulics, it goes down.  There is a small button on the front of the cabinet, and you hold the machine with one hand, and push the button with the other hand, and the machine pops up.  (make sure to keep your fingers out of the way).  The last photo shows the machine sitting down inside the cabinet.

machine sitting down inside the cabinet

See why I love this style cabinet???  This cabinet is now the first machine you see when you come in my front door.  Poor Victor has been moved out of his spot of honor.  Don't worry, I'm keeping Victor and his cabinet. 

I can put almost any of my full size Singer machines in this cabinet.  They may have to take turns.


Remember that I said I got TWO machines.  The other machine is a White VS (vibrating shuttle) VI in a parlor cabinet. 

1903 White VS VI #1399942

look at the lovely decals on this machine

The White also came with some accessories. 

box of accessories and a few extras

I also got several bobbins, and lots of needles.  Did you notice the 2 business cards in the picture?  Take a closer look.  See the phone number in the top right corner of the bottom card? 

business cards that were with the bobbins and needles

When was the last time you saw a phone number like that?  I was a kid when those numbers were used (and only in rural areas at that time). 

Now for pictures of this lovely parlor cabinet.

White parlor cabinet

open, with the machine

showing the drawers built into the doors

top of closed cabinet

detailed embossing on side of cabinet

Even the back of this parlor cabinet is decorated.  They included vent holes, for air.  The vent holes in this cabinet are in the shape of hearts.

see the vent holes on the back?

up close

See why I couldn't resist either of these treadles?  Monday, the 13th, was my LUCKY day! 

Saturday's Stitching

My large quilt guild, Pride of the Prairie, had a sew-in on Saturday.  It's fun to go to the sew-in's.  There are still lots of people on vacation, so, the turn out was smaller than usual, but, the raffle quilt committee was there, working on kits for the next raffle quilt. 

raffle quilt committee, cutting fabrics for kits

some of the cut fabrics, waiting to go into kits

Those little fabric pieces (and many more that were cut later) will be turned into paper pieced pineapple blocks.  There will also be flying geese.  This is going to be a fun, bright quilt.

I forgot to get pictures of Linda and her project, but, I did get pictures of my project for the day. 

Remember Kevin's Mystery quilt, Sapphire Stars?  Well, I'm way behind on that quilt.  Actually, I'm making 3 of these quilts, 2 scrappy, and one 'controlled' (only 7 different fabrics). 

I stitched all of the Surprise Clue for both of the scrappy versions.  I don't have the fabrics cut for the controlled version, for this clue.

2 sets of scrappy 'Surprise Clue' units

With those done, I started on Clue #5, with the scrappy versions (once again, the controlled version isn't cut out yet).

stitching on Clue #5

This is where I got by the end of the sew-in. 

Clue #5, partly done

I did a bit more stitching last night. 

Clue #5, a bit further along

Yes, I know, I ironed my pieces the wrong way.  I noticed this after I'd already ironed the units.  With 192 units ironed the wrong way, I wasn't going to go back and fix them.  They will work. 

2 of these 3 quilts will be for Quilts of Valor, but one of the scrappy versions will be for a (late) wedding present, and I need to get it finished before October. 

I hope you have a great Sunday.  There won't be any 'Slow Stitching Sunday' for me, since I'll be trimming these units, for the next step in Clue #5.  Gotta get these done! 

Stitching Progress

I've been trying to get several projects closer to completion this week.  After not getting much sewing done this summer (the sewing room kept turning into a nursery), I'm trying to play 'catch up'. 

My little quilt guild is trying to make 14 quilts for the Naperville 360 boys and girls homes.  This same guild made 8 quilts and gave them for Christmas 2016, but, those boys have all moved on.  I've got 2 quilt tops finished, waiting to be basted and quilted, for the boys.

The first quilt, I made the top back in January 2017 for 'I Love Pre-Cuts' blog hop. 

Spritely quilt top

Since we need twin size quilts, this top wasn't large enough.  I used the leftover scraps from this quilt to make a couple of borders.  Now it is large enough.  I need to baste and quilt this.

Spritely with added borders

I also made a pillowcase to go with the quilt.

matching pillowcase

The next quilt, I was going to add another border to, but, I decided that it was large enough.  I've cut backing, and it's waiting to be basted and quilted.  I'll make a pillowcase for it later.

flannel circles

The circle blocks were already made when I got them.  They just needed to be stitched together.  I still have some of the circles left, to make into blocks.  Not sure if I'll use them in the pillowcase or not.  There was extra fabric scraps with the blocks, too.  All of it was $4 at a thrift store.  Now someone's hard work will be appreciated.

My BFF is going to be a grandmother (again).  Her family is practically part of our family (we've been BFF's for over 40 years now).  I get to be the '3rd' grandma.  The baby is due later this month.  I finally got the quilt top finished.  I just need to baste it and quilt it.

pink camo churn dash quilt top

Yes, pink camo was requested.  Her big sister loves camo and turquoise, so, be looking for something in those colors soon.

Of course I couldn't just make a quilt, so, I pulled out some satins, and made some blankets to match the quilt. 

camo & gold satin blanket

polka dot and dusty rose satin blanket

this is the true color of the polka dots

Babies also need burp rags.  I used some of the scraps to make matching burp rags.

matching burp rags

Sorry about the colors.  I took pictures inside, after dark, and I just couldn't get the colors to come out well. 

I'm hoping to get these quilt tops basted in the next few days, so that I can start quilting them.  Machine quilting is my least favorite part of quilting. 

Tomorrow, my large quilt guild has a sew-in.  Hopefully I'll get lots done on some other projects during that time.  I'm WAY behind on some of my projects (due dates are fast approaching). 

I hope you are getting some sewing in, too.

Flocks of Flying Geese

My little quilt guild is very small, so we don't have the budget to pay for speakers each month.  Instead, several of us teach different quilting techniques at the meetings.  It works really well.

This month was my turn.  I'd decided months ago to teach several different methods of making Flying Geese. 

I've searched out quite a few tutorials on different ways to make Flying Geese. I finally settled on using Martingale's How to sew flying geese - 4 techniques for my handout.  I liked Martingale's tutorial especially since it also had charts for different sizes of flying geese (saves lots of time not having to do the math). 

I made samples of each technique.  I added hand written notes for corrections or to make a technique more simple or include 'bonus' half square triangles. 

The 1st method, Traditional Technique: Classic Flying Geese from Cyndi Walker has an error in the instructions.  She tells you to cut the large square in half, to make 2 triangles.  You should cut the square in half, TWICE, to make 4 triangles.  Not a problem.  I just added a note to the instructions. 

Traditional Technique

The 2nd method is Flip, Flip, Finish: Flippy Corners Flying Geese from Cathy Wierzbicki.  This is my usual method.  I added a note to this on how to get 'bonus' half square triangles with the wasted corners.  I love saving those HST corner units.

Flip, Flip, Finish with bonus HST's

The 3rd method is Fast and Furious: Four-at-a-Time Flying Geese from Carrie Nelson.  I used this method (from another blogger) to make the Flying Geese for the crocodile for the Peter Pan quilts.
I used directional fabrics for all of my examples so that everyone could see what happens when directional fabrics are used (some go one way, some go the other way).  I also added notes to this method, to make it easier to stitch and get the scant 1/4" seams. 

Fast and Furious: Four-at-a-time

The 4th method is Paper-Pieced Geese: The Ultimate in Accuracy from Karen Costello Soltys. 

Paper-Pieced Geese

I'd found another paper pieced template a while back (yes, I know, there are thousands of them online and in books).  This one was a free daily pattern that I'd saved from last year.  You can sign up and get the daily pattern (only available for a while before it can't be downloaded, this one isn't available anymore, sorry).

Block of the Day paper pieced Skewed Geese

There are quite a few more methods out there, but, I was getting tired of making examples (and running out of time).

I did show a few tools to use for making Flying Geese.  One is the Flying Geese x 4 ruler.  I have the original version (patent pending 2000) and the current version ruler, too (I love garage sales and thrift shops ;)  These rulers show how to make Flying Geese in several different sizes.

Flying Geese x 4 ruler

I showed how to use the Quilter's Rule Quick Quarter ruler, for marking sewing lines on my corner squares.  I also showed 2 different Bloc Loc Flying Geese rulers.  Another product that I showed was Sew and Fold on a Roll Flying Geese border/Braid border.

Quilters Rule, BlocLoc & Sew and Fold paper

Earlier this summer, Quilt in a Day had a special on a Flying Geese ruler and pattern, Modern Migration Quilt.  Of course I added this to my pile of ideas.  This is on my 'to do' list.

Quilt in a Day ruler & pattern

I had one more way to show how to make Flying Geese.  In July, at my large quilt guild, I loved the way the speaker made her half square triangles.  I really wanted to take her class, but, I was going to Michigan that afternoon, for the Michigan TOGA, and just couldn't fit the class in.  The speaker was Annette Ornelas of Southwind Designs. 

some of the patterns I purchased at guild

Annette showed us how to make straight line piecing look like curved piecing.  After that program, I just had to show one more technique.  I pulled out some of the patterns, and tried her method.  You get a 3D effect with her method before you stitch the curves.

Annette's method, before stitching the curves

Great idea even before using the rest of her method.  Here is what it looks like when you stitch the curves.

Annette's method, before (left) and after stitching (right)

See why I had to add in this one last method?  Way cool!  Several of us purchased quite a few of Annette's patterns, and are planning a sewing day together, in Sept, to play with the patterns. 

I am supposed to teach these methods to another friend, later this month, then I'll figure out a fun way to use all of my Flying Geese in a project. 

I'm always on the lookout for new things to teach at guild.  If you have any ideas for programs, techniques, etc, please let me know. Thanks!