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.

Trip Goodies, etc!

I went on a 2 week trip.  What a great trip!  I started off by visiting a friend in Texarkana.  What a great few days we had!  When I was there, I saw a lovely 1940's buffet that she was selling.  Guess what came home with me?

1940's buffet

I had a great desk in that corner, but, the desk didn't have any storage, just a few tiny drawers.  Everything was stacked under the desk.  It was very 'crowded' on that desk. 

desk that was in that corner

Here is the cute desk, empty.  I'll have to find a new owner for this desk, since I don't have room for it. 

empty desk

What an improvement now....

new space

I still have room in the buffet for more storage.  This area will be a 'work in progress' for a bit, till I decide what I want out and what I want hidden.

Next, I visited my aunt and uncle, along with my cousin, her son, and all of his family.  Oops!  I kept forgetting to take pictures. 

The reason for the trip was to be at my step father's 80th birthday party!  I was his 'surprise' guest.  Boy was he surprised, when I walked in!  I don't know how it was still a secret from him, since most everyone else in my hometown knew I was coming (mom, in laws, BFF of 40 years, brother & family.....).

mom and Melvin, the birthday boy

I visited friends in Tulsa, on the way home.  What a great trip!

Of course, I visited a few shops on the trip.....Can't miss out on the shopping!  I was really good, and didn't get much this time.

sewing thread holder, tiny painted iron and vintage sewing box

vintage hankies and cute wooden shoe

just a few pieces of fabric, and a vintage needle threader

I think these are button hole scissors

a few patterns

a baggie stuffed with doilies

a couple of cute pot holders

vintage magazine and crossstitch

small table topper that matches my aqua machine

I did get some big scores, too!  I found a jumbo ziplock bag full of pre-cuts for $5.  Of course I grabbed it.  All but one piece of fabric came from Hancock Fabrics (sadly, now closed).

pre-cuts for $5 total

I also found a couple of quilts.  The first one I found in Little Rock.  Yes, it is pink (not my favorite color) BUT, if you look closely, you'll see why I had to have it.  TEAPOTS!

teapot fabric

signed on the back

And, my biggest score was a vintage quilt at a garage sale in Tulsa, only a couple of blocks from where we used to live.  I didn't even open the quilt until I got home. I just saw the corners. 

price tag I saw

corner I saw

what I saw when I got home

Someone had put a new binding on this, but, it's not a good binding.  I'll be replacing it when I can find material in one of the colors that is in the quilt (maybe the green).  Other than a few small stains, it is in great shape!  All hand pieced and hand quilted.  This is a large quilt (at least full sized).

When I got home, there was a package waiting for me.  I had participated in a HST exchange with Treadle On.  These are the blocks I made, sitting on the machines that I made them with.

2 sets of HST's

other 2 sets of HST's

These are the blocks I received.  Sorry, I haven't had time to set them out, so, you can't see them very well.  They are grouped by 'maker' (9 different makers). 

first 2 sets

2nd 2 sets

I have more of these, from other exchanges with Treadle On, and with different TOGA (Treadle On Gathering and Academy) groups.  Now to finally put them together into a quilt (or several).  Each block is 6.5" and is signed with the exchange it is from, the maker and their location, and what machine the block was made on.  I have blocks from all over the USA and even from a couple of different countries.  All blocks must be made on either a treadle or a hand crank sewing machine. 

Last night, was my little quilt guild, Wego Quiltin'.  We had an UGLY Fabric exchange back in January.  Last night was the 'reveal' of projects.  Oops!  I forgot to take pictures of all the great things people made.  Lets just say that we had everything from quilts (duh!) to sun dresses, bottle holders, tea cup/ teabag holders, purses and bags, placemats, zipper bags, etc.  What a creative group!  Not everyone that participated could attend, so, we are all bringing our projects back to the July meeting.  Maybe I'll remember to take pictures then.

Here are the items I made.  I brought 2 UGLY fabrics, and took 2 UGLY fabrics home.  The first UGLY fabric is a Thimbleberries fabric (she was tired of Thimbleberries).  The placemats will be for Meals on Wheels.  This quilt guild collects about 100 placemats each year, to be handed out near Christmas.  We try for holiday on one side, and neutral on the other side. 

UGLY fabric is folded on top of placemats

Ugly fabric is folded on top of project bags

As for my project bags, I gave 2 away on the trip, and I have 3 of them filled with projects.  That is half of them.  Hmmmm..... I might have to make a few more project bags......

This week is FULL.  I have 2 different quilt guild meetings, a quilt guild class, and Ladies Crafting on Saturday.  That is just he sewing things planned this week.  I was supposed to be at Quilts of Valor today, but, I'm just too tired! 

What have YOU been up too? 

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!