Special Gift and August NewFO's

Remember this sewing machine that I am holding for Pat, at least until it can get a ride from Chicago to North Carolina?

Pat's White Rotary sewing machine that I'm holding

Well, Pat sent me a wonderful gift yesterday.  I've told Pat that my Spartan Hand Crank is my favorite sewing machine.  Pat has a Spartan, and is now considering turning her's into a hand crank, too.  Well, this is what Pat made for me.

wall hanging made by Pat

This is Pat's first attempt at applique.  I think she did a wonderful job!  Sew Cute!  This is hand quilted, too!  THANKS PAT!!!!!

Cat Patches 2012 NewFO Challenge

 

 

 

I didn't get much sewing done in June or July, due to graduations, weddings, getting the last son ready for college, and my legs acting up.  Well, I finally got some sewing done in August.  Everything I sewed was done on a hand crank.  My poor Janome is going to feel slighted. 

I am in the group, Treadle On.  We are having a TOBE (Treadle On Block Exchange) this fall.  So far, I've gotten 3 sets of blocks sewn.

1959 Singer Spartan (192K) hand crank

TOBE blocks sewn on 1959 Singer Spartan (192K) Hand crank

Each set of blocks is supposed to have 12 HST's in it.  I sewed 16 HST's so that I'd have extra blocks for me.  I still have to sign the blocks before mailing them.

1921 Singer 66 (Redeye) hand crank

'Red' blocks sewn on 1921 Singer 66 'Redeye' hand crank

Yes, I chose red fabric to match the red and gold decals on this machine. 

1948 Singer 15-88 hand crank

sewn on 1948 Singer 15-88 hand crank

I also started the 'How far will you go? QAL (see button on side).  I made 4 of the first block.  I haven't had time to try any of the other blocks.

Yep, sewn on my trusty Spartan hand crank

QAL block 1, 4 blocks made

I took a paper piecing class back in May, but, I didn't have time to practice.  Well, there is a Thursday sew-in at a LQS, and, several of the ladies are very good at paper piecing.  I found a pattern early Thursday morning, and, with lots of help from Jo, Jan and Linda, look what I got done so far...

2 paper piecing blocks, one shown from the back

Jo suggested that I make a second block (since I already had another copy printed) so that I could reinforce what I'd learned.  Lots of 'unstitching' as I learned how to do this.  This will eventually turn into part of a Singer sewing machine, like this one on KT Quilt's blog.  Yes, I have a link to the pattern, thanks to KT.  Hopefully I'll show the finished block for Septembers NewFO party.

Now for a NewFO, but, it isn't my NewFO, it is my youngest son's project. 

Connor's Renaissance Fair shirt

hand embroidered sleeve hem

all hand stitched by my youngest son

No, I didn't teach my son how to make clothes.  I DID teach him the basics of hand sewing, many years ago, and, I taught him how to sew on a machine when he was 12 (he made a quilt that year).  Connor has worked on this, off and on, while working at a summer camp this summer.  I think he's done a great job! 

A Win! and finally some sewing!

I Won!  I won the monthly box for July, from Chris over at We Love Quilting!  Go to her site and enter her monthly giveaway!  I've won twice now.

Lots of fabric!  Aren't these cute!

2 bags, pens, key ring and mirror

folding Omnigrid cutting/ironing mat, thimble, nail file, lotions, seam ripper and cutie scissors

postcard pattern & Clover heart shaped yo-yo maker

cute spider on a stick for one of my plants

My son already has the cute little clear mesh bag to hold his sewing notions for college.  He is taking my vintage Kenmore sewing machine to college this week.  I've had it serviced (first time since the early '90's, bad me) and Michelle sent me a manual for it, so he'll know all the ins and out of the machine.

Kenmore 158.13200 from 1973-74

I gave him a lesson on all the knobs and stitches and how to wind/load the bobbin earlier today.  He is wanting to make Renaissance Fair costumes.  He made his only quilt on this same machine when he was 12.  This machine was my mother's until she gave it to me after I got married (mom HATES sewing).  My father used this machine to make seat covers for the VW bug we turned into a truck for my grandfather in 1974.  Lots of family history in this machine.  3 generations have used this machine so far.

After not getting to sew in July, I finally got some stitching done Sunday night during the Olympics (can't miss the Olympics).


http://theelvengarden.blogspot.com.au/p/how-far-will-you-go-qal.html

Jess is having a Quilt A Long, and, I decided to quilt along with her (like I don't have enough UFO's already).  She just started this on July 27th, so, she is only on block 2 now.  I am making 2 full sized quilts with her QAL.  At least one of these quilts will go to Quilts of Valor.

4 versions of block 1

sewn on my 1959 Singer Spartan hand crank

 I made 4 blocks, 2 each in 2 different colorways.  The background fabrics are different for each quilt, but, the other fabrics will be the same.  These were fun and quick.  Sewing 4 blocks didn't take much longer than sewing 1 block.  Check out Jess' QAL, which shows the finished quilt.  (sorry my colors show up washed out looking).  Now if I can just figure out how to load these pictures on Jess' flicker page for the QAL.

Also, I entered my oldest son's dorm quilt in the Quilting Gallery's latest contest.

 

Christopher's quilt

  You can read about this quilt (and the other one I'm making for youngest son) at this blog post.  No, I haven't finished the 2nd quilt top yet.  Youngest son gave me 6 more months to get it finished, thank goodness!  I'll get back to work on it AFTER I drop him off at college this weekend.  Gotta check out a few antique stores on the way home, since my SUV will be empty by that time.