Oops! and Sewing updates

In my last blog post, I showed the 4 patch blocks I made using 1930's reproduction fabrics for a block exchange.  Oops!  I was supposed to use Civil War reproduction fabrics.  Oh well, now I have blocks made for a future exchange.  I pulled out some Civil War fabrics and made new (correct) blocks.  I still have to sign and mail them.

4 sets of Civil War 4 patch blocks

After I finished the 4 patch blocks, I finished the first of the Angels Among Us (calendar quilt) blocks.  This is the January block.  I still need to add buttons on each of the bird houses, bows to hang the bird houses on the line, and a button on the crown of the snowman angel's halo.  Sorry, the colors in the photo are bad, since I took it at night.

January Angels Among Us block

I'm also participating in another block exchange with Treadle On.  We are using our sewing machine attachments to make blocks using muslin.  I pulled out an attachment I found in the drawer of a Singer 201 that I got at an antique mall back about 9 years ago.  It is called a Monogram Embroidery Guide.

Monogram Embroidery Guide

I didn't have instructions for this foot, but there are video's on YouTube.  It fits on your regular sewing machine foot (vintage metal foot).  It guides your embroidery thread or ribbon so that you can sew it to your fabric.

the guide on my sewing machine foot

I played around with it on some scrap fabric, using a color that I wasn't going to use for the exchange.  I did try to adjust the tension, but nothing seemed to change, no matter what I tried, so I just went with it.  The foot also doesn't like to stay on well.  Here are my test pieces.

test pieces

I made 9 blocks (8 to exchange and one to keep).  I showed how to stitch a straight line, a curved piece and a piece with a sharp corner turn.

one of my finished blocks

I showed you my new sewing room closet.  Hubby finished the new, more narrow bookcase to fit under the windows.  It works well.  Now I can get the plastic tubs in and out easily.

new bookcase

Finally Some Sewing!

I'm still organizing my new (clean) closet, and I went thru my scraps and organized them by color.  I now have 16 plastic shoe boxes of scraps (1/2 yard or less is a scrap to me).  

Now that the scraps are organized, I finally got some sewing done.  I have 3 upcoming block exchanges that I'm participating in.  The Fall Basic is 4 patch blocks using 1930's reproduction fabrics.  I just need to sign the blocks and mail them now.  These are 6.5" blocks.

Fall Basic 4 patch blocks

I'd finished the Radiant Suns blocks while I was in Texas, but I still needed to make signature blocks for that exchange. We are supposed to use scraps from the blocks we have made so that everyone can tell which blocks we've made (since we aren't signing the Radiant Suns blocks themselves).  The signature blocks are supposed to be 6.5" square.  I made 48 signature blocks (one for each Radiant Suns block I made).  

24 of each of these blocks

12 of each of these blocks

12 of each of these blocks

I've been working on a leaders & enders quilt.  Years ago I wanted to make the Omigosh! quilt by Sue Garmin.  I started cutting fabrics for this June 1st, and started sewing strips together a few days later.  Sue suggests using 27 different fabrics in this quilt, but I know I have more fabrics than that so far, and I think it still needs even more fabrics.  I added fabrics after the Missouri TOGA (I got some at the quilt store there, and some off the raffle table, too).  I made all of the (480) half square triangles while I was at my mother's (using Triangulations papers).  I have lots of 1" strips cut and partially stitched together, and those strips need to be cut down into 1" pieces to make 4 patch units and 9 patch units.  I'm super please with what I've gotten done so far for this quilt.   This quilt is going to be for ME!  Usually, the only quilts I get to keep are ones made from blocks for block exchanges.  

I still need to get working on one more block exchange for 2022.  My Treadle On group is having an attachment block exchange.  I  need to play with my attachments and start making 6.5" blocks (on muslin) for that exchange.  I'm really looking forward to learning how to use some of my attachments.

My New Sewing Room Closet

While I was in Texas, helping my mother after her knee replacement, hubby built me shelves in my sewing room closet.  I knew he was doing this, and had to empty the closet before I left (my poor guest bedroom is crammed full of stuff).  Hubby built the shelves to fit Hefty bins.  Two of the smaller bins are the same height as a larger bin.  The center shelf was made to fit my various 12.5" project boxes.  Saturday afternoon, we bought enough bins to fill the shelves (with a few extras, just in case).

showing the corner where I can put bolts of fabric and stabilizers

main part of the shelves with some of my square project boxes

I have a short bookshelf under the closet window.  Hubby found out that it blocks one row of shelves, so he is building me a more narrow bookshelf to go there instead.  Below are photos of the current bookshelf and the problem getting bins on the shelves.  I can't move the bookshelf over any more, or I won't be able to use the closet door.

bookshelf under the closet window

bins don't slide in and out in that space

Hopefully these new shelves will not only help me organize my projects (which have been scattered all over the place) but also help me to keep the closet neater.  

I'm trying to 'relocate' projects into the new bins and label them.  Most of the bins are still empty, since I only got home Friday afternoon.  

This shelving project, and trying to get organized better, has finally gotten me to start sorting my scraps into colors.  For me, a scrap is anything that is less than a yard.  I bought lots of clear plastic shoe boxes at Dollar Tree this Spring just for this.  I've been refolding fabrics (mostly fat quarters and smaller) to fit the shoe boxes.  When I'm done, I'll take photos.  Since I have that lovely space for bolts now, I took all the bolts of fabric off the top of one of my bookcases, and that is where the scrap boxes will go.  Once the scraps are organized, then I can get back to some sewing.