Weekend Stitching

I've been getting some cleaning and organizing done in my sewing room this weekend.  Despite that, I have gotten some stitching done.  

My husband wanted a little zipper bag.  He wanted one with the zipper slanted.  

zipper bag

zipper bag with business card in it

I wasn't sure this bag would hold what he wanted in it (credit card, DL, $$$) so I made him another one, just in case.

2nd zipper bag

Hubby loves the zipper bag with the slanted zipper.  I lined these with fusible interfacing, to give them more body and hopefully help them take more wear and tear since hubby will be using this as a wallet.

After making the zipper bags, I decided that I needed to organize my zippers.  I have a LOT of zippers.  I started collecting them for a wall quilt that I want to make (it's been on my to do list for about 15 years now).  I also started collecting zippers for the project bags that I make.  I had to divide the zippers up into 3 different boxes: one for smaller than 12", one for 12"-18", and one for 20" and longer.

While organizing (and looking for something) I found a project from many years ago.  My little quilt guild had a sew-in, back in 2016, and made walker bags. The first one I started, I stitched the velcro and the ties on incorrectly.  Instead of fixing the mistakes, I just put that one aside, and made 2 more (properly).  I'd totally forgotten the messed up walker bag until I found it today while looking for something else.  I decided to fix my mistakes and finish it.  I don't have a clue where the pattern is, so I just winged it. 

finished walker bag

Not to bad for just winging it.

Jennifer of Elefantz designs posted a new, free embroidery design on Friday.  Well, I'm making some mug rugs for the Missouri TOGA in June, and thought this design would go with one of the mugs I'd bought for the exchange.  I made the design smaller, to fit the size I wanted.  I've already started the embroidery.

Grace embroidery

I traced this off using Frixon pens in different colors.  The colors will help me remember what threads to use, since I'll be working on this while waiting for my client at his doctor's appointments this week.  It will be easier than trying to follow the pattern.  I'm using part of a cloth napkin that I'd cut the design off of.  No need to waste fabric.

I have other things that I should be working on, but I'm taking a break from those projects.  I needed a change of pace. 

What are YOU working on???

Walker Bags

My little quilt guild, Wego Quiltin', is making walker bags for the Illinois Veterans.  We used to make lap quilts, but, they get lots and lots of those. 

On Saturday, we had a sew-in.  I finished 2 walker bags.  I would have finished a third, but, I sewed the velcro on the wrong side, and didn't figure it out till I had the lining attached.  One of these days I'll unstitch all of it, and finish that one.  I use a tiny, tiny stitch with my vintage machines, so, I hate to rip the stitches out. 

Here are my two finished walker bags.

1st walker bag

2nd walker bag

There were a total of 23 walker bags turned in at last nights meeting.

stack of finished walker bags

We'll be making these for a few more months.  We will take them to the Veterans Administration in November. 

I finished the embroidery on the 2nd block of my Be Attitudes blocks.  I started block 3 yesterday.  Here are the first 2 finished blocks.  Remember, they still need buttons for eyes and Santa's hat.

first two Be Attitude blocks embroidered

I'm enjoying working on these blocks, but, I think I'm using them to avoid working on my projects that have 'due dates' on them.  I'm just not motivated to start on those. 

More projects, etc.

I just keep stitching, and cutting.  I don't like cutting, but, I went ahead and cut out 2 more Red, White and True quilts.  Here is the one I already started, for the quilt along...

1st Red, White and True quilt

first step for the Red, White and True quilt along

I need something to work on at the Quilts of Valor sew-in on Tuesday, but, I don't want to cut out the borders for one top (all it needs is the borders) (Oops! no pictures of the top, sorry), and I don't want to work on the other quilt top that I've started (I'll get back to it).

Well, now I have 2 more Red, White and True tops to start stitching on Tuesday.

2 new Red, White and True quilts

All the strips are cut out, but, I still need to finish cutting the 4.5" & 5.25" squares.  Since I don't need them yet, I figured I could finish those after I get these strips all stitched. 

At my guilds sew-in, a week ago, I didn't get to one project.  My other guild is making walker bags for the veteran's homes.  I had 2 cut out, so, I stitched them this afternoon.  Both are the same fabric.

1 of 2 walker bags

I added pockets, and made them bigger

a pocket for a magazine, and pockets for bottles, etc.

I REALLY need to finish thread basting this.

twin sized Churn Dash

quilting lines marked

This one is half basted, but, all the quilting lines are marked.  I don't know how people can baste on the floor.  My knees just wouldn't take it.  I use my dining room table. 

I have also gotten a bit more stitched on the Frog Churn Dash, but, I don't have any pictures of what I did.  I'm liking it better and better, as I stitch on it. 

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Back in April, I told you that we got a new dog, Ratchet.  I also told you that he has heartworm.  He's been going thru treatments for the heartworm.  It includes 3 injections, in his back.  They had to shave his back for the injections (and to be able to see if there is any inflammation, etc).  His first injection was the end of May.  They shaved one side of his back then.  The next 2 injections were earlier this week, one on each side of his back.  You can see the darker area, where he had his first injection.  We think it is darker due to sunlight (a dog with a tan). 

Ratchet's shaved back

Ratchet

The hardest part is keeping Ratchet restricted for months in a row.  He either has to be crated, or, locked in one room, with one of us.  He can't come upstairs, or, even go for walks, other than to potty.  Activity can cause the dead or dying heartworms to act like a blood clot, and kill him. 

The vet's office just loves Ratchet.  They spoil him rotten when he is there, and fawn all over him.  One of the vets came in on his day off, just to be there when Ratchet got his injection. 

We are hoping that his next test (end of July) will be clear.  If it is, then, hopefully we will be able to start taking Ratchet for walks, and getting him back in shape.  Ratchet had been in pretty good shape, since he is a retired weight pulling champion.  We got him AFTER he retired. 



Well, I guess it's time for me to go get more stitching done.  I think I'll work on some hand quilting.  I need to finish my guild challenge mini quilt.

guild challenge