Last Finishes of 2016

Woohoo!  I finished both Baby Bear Paw quilts this afternoon!  The pattern is from Sew Fresh Quilts Quilt Along.  No, I didn't put the 'Bear' blocks into either of these baby quilts, since I couldn't figure out how to make rainbow bears. 

Baby Bear Paw #1

Baby Bear Paw #2

I pieced the blocks on my 1927 Singer 15 hand crank sewing machine.

1927 Singer 15 hand crank

Due to my elbow injury, I switched to my 1939 purple Featherweight to sew the blocks into rows, then a quilt top.

I machine quilted both quilts, and attached the binding on my Janome.  There is something to be said for needle down, and an electric machine. 

up close of machine quilting

Each quilt is the same, except the backing.  The backings were different colors.

both quilts, showing both backings

up close of quilting from the back

I put a faux piping binding on both quilts.

faux piping binding

I will get to deliver both of these quilts to their new owners in January.  I'll try to get some pictures, if the parents allow. 

Now that these are done, I'll be taking a few weeks off from sewing, to rest my elbow, and hope it heals.  It is getting better, but, very slowly.  I'm still using it too much (had to, to get these done).  The last present that is due, will be made in February.  Thank goodness my mother doesn't mind.

Only a Bit of Stitching....

I've taken a few days off, because of Christmas.  My family thought that the presents should be 'wrapped', not just handed out, so, I was busy.  I have gotten some stitching done, but, not as much as I need to get done.

I finished the machine quilting on one of the Baby Bear Paw quilts.

first Baby Bear Paw quilted

I'm working on machine quilting the 2nd Baby Bear Paw quilt.

only center rows are quilted

I've started on making the binding for both Baby Bear Paw quilts.  It will be a faux piped binding, with stripes and purple as the faux piping accent.

I got a great ornament.  Not sure if it will go on the tree, or, stay in my sewing room.

sewing machine ornament

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! 

Things Finished and Unfinished

I did get one thing finished.  I made a table topper, for a Christmas present.  I still need to mail it.  I machine quilted it. 

table topper

up close of the machine quilting

backing, showing the quilting

I injured my elbow 2 days after I started the Pat Sloan Machine Quilting Challenge.  That was over a month ago.  After it started getting worse, not better, I finally went to the doctor.  He diagnosed me with Tennis Elbow.  I've either been wearing a brace, or, hubby has been taping the elbow (much more comfortable).  Because I've now been very limited on what I can do, I've not gotten much sewing done. 

Sewing binding doesn't hurt (thank goodness), so, I've been getting some binding done.  I've finished the Signature quilt, along with the table topper above.  I'm also 3/4's done with the Happily Scrappily Irish quilt, that I got back from the quilter the day my elbow started hurting.  I couldn't even hold the quilt up, to look at it.  It was too heavy. 

I have 2 baby quilts that I have to finish by the first of the year.  These should have been finished several weeks ago, but, I've been stitching super slowly, trying to keep from hurting my elbow even more.  I finished the blocks, with sashings attached to 2 sides, this afternoon. I really wanted to finish the quilt tops on my hand crank (it doesn't hurt to hand crank, but, is starting to make my arm really tired, as of this afternoon) :(. 

blocks stitched on 1927 Singer 15 hand crank (shown)

2 quilt tops worth of blocks

I had hubby move my hand crank (I'm not allowed to lift anything with my right arm) and set up Betty Sue, my Featherweight.  I'll finish these quilt tops with Betty Sue.

1939 Singer 221 (Betty Sue)

These blocks are from the Bear Paw QAL.  I'm only using Bear Paw blocks, not the 'Bear' blocks for these baby quilts.  I already have 2 different colors of Minkee for the backing (purple and green).  I'll be seeing both of these babies in early January, which is why I really  need to finish these quilts. 

I still have 2 purses to make, too.  I haven't even tried to cut them out (using a rotary cutter for very long is uncomfortable).  Some of my Christmas presents may just be really late.  At least straight line machine quilting doesn't hurt, since my elbow sits in a nice position when I do it.  Flat is fine, but, turning my hand causes pain. 

Guild fun!

Last night was the Holiday party with my little quilt guild, Wego Quiltin'.  The Holiday party is always fun, but, this one was extra fun.

For the last year, this quilt guild has been making quilts for an organization that houses boys, ages 13-17.  The boys usually only stay for 18-24 months.  They work with DCFS to find relatives to take these boys, or to find them foster homes, if that doesn't work. 

Last January, the guild decided to help these boys by making quilts for all 8 of the boys.  8 different members signed up for a month, and, when their month came around, they brought block kits, and members went home with kits, and brought back the completed blocks to the next meeting.  The person who signed up, then took the completed blocks, and finished the quilts.  Nancy, who works for the organization, came to our Holiday party, and picked up the finished quilts.  Of course, we had to show her each quilt before we sent them home with her.  The person pictured with the quilt, is the person who headed up that quilt. 

Jinny with quilt she finished

Jo with one of her two quilts

Phyllis with her quilt

Jo with her other quilt

Myriam's quilt (she couldn't make the party)

Thelma and her quilt

Gwen and her quilt

Marilyn and her quilt

We played a fun game at the party.  We each brought 5  - 5" charm squares in polka dots.  We had LOTS of fun polka dot fabrics.  We played Left Right Center.  Jo won all the polka dot squares, and will bring a completed quilt to a future meeting. 

We also presented our Exchange gifts.  In September, we drew names, and made either placemats or table runners for the person we drew.  Each person had listed what their preferences were (item, colors, etc).  I didn't get pictures of everyones presents (I was handing them all out) but, I have pictures of what I made and what I received.

I drew Jo, and, she didn't want placemats or a table runner.  She wanted a wall hanging for her 'shop', preferably using her favorite colors, turquoise and purple.  I think I filled her request.  I used her wall hanging for some of my practice with Pat Sloan's machine quilting challenge.

front of quilt

center panel, quilted

up close of corner quilting

backing

I even added a matching label (I'm not good at labels)

Jo was pleased with her wall quilt.

I received placemats from Phyllis.  My dishes are either red, green or white (yes, I have several sets).  Phyllis made reversible placemats that would work with all of my dishes.

front of placemats

back of placemats

These will be fun to use.

Marilyn and Kandy also made everyone gifts.  Marilyn made sacks with pockets, that hold sugar cookie mix, recipe, and a rubber spatula (who doesn't need a new rubber spatula).  Kandy made us all pot holders.

pot holder and front of cookie sack

back of cookie sack

We took pictures of everyone in the guild that was there.

guild members with the quilts in pillowcases

I've been a member of this quilt guild since the very first meeting, 13 years ago.  This is the most fun quilt guild, and, since we are small, we really get to know our members.  If you aren't a member of a quilt guild, I suggest you join one or start one.  I get so much inspiration from these ladies.  Because of this guild, I've learned so much about quilting, new techniques, and many other things. 

Today, I'm off to a Quilts of Valor sew-in.  Later in the week I have another quilt guild meeting (larger guild), and ornament exchange at church, and the Ladies Crafting with church, on Saturday.  A really busy week. 

I have been stitching up a storm, too.

chain stitching Bear Paw blocks for 2 baby quilts

some of the completed Bear Paw blocks

I still have 4 placemats to bind, for this Friday.  I'd better get busy.

Have a great week!

Stitching, Planning and Learning

I've been busy stitching, and working on projects. 

I finally straight line quilted my son and daughter in laws Signature Quilt, from their wedding (May 2015).  Yes, I should have gotten this done ages ago.  I made the binding, and attached it to the front of the quilt this morning.  I just need to stitch the binding down, on the back.  Hopefully, some of that will happen tonight, while watching NCIS, and the following shows.

back of Signature quilt

I don't think I'll add a label to this quilt, since it already has all of the signatures on the front. 

I need to make binding for another quilt.  Erica quilted my Happily Scrappily Irish quilt today.  I'll get it from her at quilt guild, on Thursday. 

I have been working on Half Square Triangles, too. 

HST's, ready to be stitched into blocks

These are for 2 baby quilts that I need to make.  I'm late, as usual, since both babies have been born.  I do have an excuse for one of the quilts, since he was born more than 6 weeks early.  He is still in the hospital, and will be for a while longer. 

I still have these Triangulations left to stitch.

Triangulations still to be stitched

I'll be making Bear Paw quilts (minus the Bear blocks), for these babies.

I went thru my Christmas list, to see what I still need to make.  I found that I don't have as many things to make as I thought I did (thank goodness).

I have 2 more purses to cut out and stitch.

fabric for one purse

fabric for the other purse

I also need to make a table topper. 

table topper kit

I also need to make a fleece tied blanket (no picture).

If I get the time, I need to make some placemats, too.  I've had the fabric for quite a long time now, but, haven't gotten around to making them.  We'll see how much I get done on the other projects.

Pat Sloan is doing a 'Teach Me to Machine Quilt' challenge, using her new book 

Pat Sloan's new book

 I've been wanting to work on my machine quilting skills for a while now.  About a decade ago, I took 3 different free motion quilting classes.  They were boring, and I never practiced.  Now, with encouragement from a blogging friend (thanks Deb), I'm finally going to make time to try again.

Pat Sloan suggests that we use panels to practice on.  Well, I picked up several pillow panels last weekend, for a quarter a piece.  I've spray basted them, and, I have 5 of them ready to work on.  Pat suggested using baby quilt panels, but, I'd rather start a bit smaller, and work my way up to the baby quilt panels (yes, I have a collection of those, too). 

Pat suggests that we practice for at least 10 minutes a day.  I practiced for over an hour today.

1st panel to practice on

up close, after more than an hour

back of panel, showing my work, so far

Not too bad.  So far, I've only used the walking foot, and straight line quilted.  After I finish all the straight line quilting on this pillow panel, I'll put the darning foot on and try free motion.  Frankly, free motion scares me.  I don't like the look of stippling, and, back when I took my classes, that was all they taught you. 

I have my Janome set up in the sewing room.  It's sitting on a table in the middle of the room (in the way, really), since I don't want to move my other machines, and, the table is better at supporting the quilt sandwich.  My sewing room is very hard to move around in now.

Janome 4800QC

I haven't used this machine since last Fall.  The only thing I ever use it for is some machine quilting (straight line only) at times, and sometimes for some of the special stitches it makes.  I decided to use this machine for the 'needle down' feature. 

I've been listening to an audio book while I was machine quilting.  I listened to Harry Potter #7, while machine quilting the Signature quilt, and, I've started Eragon, for while I practice machine quilting.  We have all four books, so, I shouldn't run out of listening material any time soon.

Eragon audio book

I'll be doing lots of practicing over the next few weeks.  We are suppose to finish one panel before we move on to the next one (5 panels in all, at least).  You'll be seeing if I get better or not, over the next few weeks.  I really want to get better, since I asked for a ruler and ruler foot package for Christmas. 

Wish me luck, and, if you have any suggestions or links to short machine quilting videos, please send them to me.  I'm NOT on Facebook, so, I don't know if I can watch anything there. 

Some finishes

I got some things finished this week. 

I've been working, sporadically, on 4 different purses.  I finished all of them this week.

OU #1

OU #2

  
 I also stitched up 288 Half Square Triangles this week.

288 HST's

I pulled some fabrics to start some baby Bear Paw quilts.  Since I can't figure out how to make rainbow Bears, these will just have the Bear Paw blocks.

As usual, I'll be making my HST's using Triangulations.  

I also picked a few more raspberries off the bush today.

November raspberries

 Fresh raspberries in November is just weird (but yummy).

I have LOTS on my 'to-do' list.  Most of them were on the list in October.  Hopefully I'll get lots done on all of them.  

What are you working on????