4/19/11

Quilt Update

Baby quilt

Close up...great detail in the fabric!


Definitely a "boy" quilt!

Close up of the borders


Back of baby quilt


My version of "Water for Elephants"!!

The wind is blowing and the temperature is rising...happy spring! Okay, I admit that I am a little tired of this wind! We have lost a few shingles off the roof in the strong wind gusts, so hoping the wind dies down just a bit. As for the temperature, well, let's just say 80s are plenty hot for me and today is supposed to be in the low 90s! :o

Quilt update: Whew, finally finished the baby quilt I was working on and got it delivered! (photos above) It was a hit with the parents and grandparents! The newborn baby had no comment since he slept most of the time we were visiting! So I have been back on the wedding quilt...and time is ticking down! I am having motivational issues with this one and need to push myself harder to get it done in time! Here's hoping that I can get enthused about it again and get er done!! To try to speed the process along, I will either use Fusi Boo batting or try using a basting spray...I will let you know which one I use and how it works out.

I am still working on the Blue work embroidery project, and apologize for not posting photos of it yet...I have to rinse out and iron the panel that I have completed and then will photograph it for you.

It is still spring cleaning time, so I am going to have to get back to cleaning out closets...which is actually pretty exciting for me now! Why?! Because I am thinking about all of the great quilt fabric I will have when I finish cleaning out and cutting up old clothes!! Also, I am rescuing zippers and buttons...my button jar is filling up and you would be amazed at how many zippers you can rescue and reuse! :) Sewing green is so much fun!

My Janome is running great...except for the fact that I have broken 4 needles so far!! I don't usually break that many needles in 2 years! I have decided that I am used to my industrial Singer, which can handle more thicknesses of material at a time, and have to watch out for that with the Janome...it is not quite the beast that the Singer is. Overall, I am still loving my Janome!! Fast and easy bobbin filling...love the stitch regulator (which is something this wild, go fast quilter needs)...the needle threader is my new best friend and I am no longer noise polluting, because the Janome is super quiet!! :)

Well, time to get back to tackling this wedding quilt! Have you ever worked on a project that you had to muster up all of your will to get it finished?? Tell me about it!! I need your inspiring stories to keep me going!

Happy Sewing and Quilting!

4/8/11

Camping, Double Nine Patch & Burda patterns...


Camping!


Double Nine Patch Block


String-pieced top


Tulip wall hanging


Several double nine patch blocks


Got Scraps??!! My overflowing scrap bucket!


String pieced block for another quilt


Camp visitors!


String-pieced top


Well, hubby & I just got back from a few days of camping, and other than the first stormy night we had a great time! We camped not too far from home, near our kids and grandbaby...and all but one sick son made it over to visit us!! It was a much needed and nice break for us. I did take my bluework project and finished a panel and started on panel #2! I love to take sewing/embroidery/quilting projects camping! I seem to get a lot done as there are few distractions!

Currently, I am working on a baby quilt...oops, baby was born this morning...and the top is made, so just need to baste, quilt and bind! I am also still working on the double nine patch wedding quilts...photos of the blocks above...that quilt has to be delivered by the end of the month, so I had better spend more time in the sewing room this month!

For all of you who sew clothing, I just picked up some Burda patterns http://www.burdastyle.com/?show_burdafashion_message=true this morning at Hancocks for $2.49 each...they are normally price between $12-20, so right now they are a bargain! I have a friend who makes all of her own clothing and she really likes these patterns, so I thought I would give them a try! I bought several so I can make a summer wardrobe...or at least attempt to! Have you ever used Burda patterns? Tell me what you think!

Oh, I finished the top of the string-pieced quilt (see photo above)...now it just needs quilting...although, I am thinking of adding a couple of borders to it...work in progress. There is also a photo of a tulip wallhanging that I did several years ago in a class...it is hand appliqued.

Well, back to the sewing room to get these quilts finished and make some clothes! I will post photos when I am done!

Happy Sewing & Quilting!