Beginning Machine Piecing–Class 4

Last night was the fourth session of our Beginning Machine Piecing class. One of the students had something come up at the last minute so was unable to attend but the other two were there.  First they showed the homework from last week.  Last week we made Square Dance and Log Cabin blocks.

After that, we started on half square triangles to make Friendship Star blocks.  They each got one finished and at least one more started.

Towards the end of class each of them tried out the HandiQuilter Fusion.  Neither had ever worked on a longarm before so I think it was interesting for them.

Melinda

Pizza, Patchwork and Puzzlement

I taught a class on Saturday night and we had a great time.  It is a mystery class that we do about once a quarter.  The mystery features a country each time and since it was close to Cinco de Mayo, I chose a Mexican theme.  Unfortunately, for some reason, I did not get a lot of photos of the evening.  By the way, we start at 4 in the afternoon and finish up at midnight!

As you can see, there was a lot of chain piecing going on.

Here is another photo of quilters hard at work.  The margarita glasses were unfortunately used for Diet Coke!

As some of the quilts get closer to being finished, I will try to get photos.  I picked out a black background and 9 different bright batiks – the quilts will be beautiful!.

Melinda

Challenge Quilt for Allatoona

Today is the monthly guild meeting. The program for today is our Challenge Quilts.

We chose the challenge requirements several months ago and I started my challenge on Saturday night and finished it last night – nothing like waiting until the last minute.  I did get it done though.

I am happy with it.  It will be fun to see what the other members come up with for their challenges.

Melinda

Design Wall Monday–April 30, 2012

Here is what is on my design wall today.  The center is a 10 inch Honey Bee block – it just doesn’t have all the corner applique on it yet.  The challenge requirements were to draw from 3 bags.  The first was to decide what block needed to be used – my block is Honey Bee.  Next was to choose two colors – I got turquoise and yellow.  Last was to choose a type of fabric and can you believe I drew my favorite – polka dots.

The rest of the rules are that the measurements have to be at least 14 and no more than 30 inches on a side.  The blocks can not measure more than 10 inches and you must include at least 3 blocks – of any kind.   I don’t think I am finished yet – I think I am going to add some wonky stars to the top or top and bottom.  Of course it has to be quilted and bound and is due tomorrow – you know what I will be working on this afternoon and evening.

For more design walls, go to Patchwork Times and check out all the other ones.

Melinda

Stash Report–Week 18, 2012

Lots of activity this week – both in and out.

First the in.  Backing for the Vintage Modern Quilt 4.0 yards, Charm Pack of Cocoon .75 yards, Binding for Vintage Modern .75 yards, Charm pack of Mama Says Sew .75 yards, Swap fabrics for Bright Spectrum swap 10.0 yards, additional swap fabric because of duplicate the first time 1.0 yards, fat quarter bundle of Dots from Missouri Star Daily Deal.  Total in was 20.75 yards.

Now the out.  Swap fabrics cut and ready to mail 10.0 yards, Vintage Modern quilt top 3.0 yards, Vintage Modern Backing 4.0 yards for a total  of 17 yards.

Used this Week: 17 yards
Used year to Date: 123 yards
Added this Week: 20.75 yards
Added Year to Date: 123.5 yards
Net Used for 2012: –.5 yards

For more stash reports, go to Patchwork Times.

Melinda

Beginning Machine Piecing–Class 3

First we looked at and admired the homework from last week.

Next we made a simple block that Alex Anderson calls Square Dance and then moved on to Log Cabin.

Can’t wait to see the homework from this week.

Melinda

Getting Ready for Another Swap

I joined a bright charm swap.  There are 56 total people (some like mine signed up for 2 colors).  Each of us are getting 5 different fabrics of the assigned colors.  I was assigned red and green.

These look pink but they are red.

and green.

56 x 5 = 280

280 x 2 = 560

That is how many charms I will be getting back – I guess I better start cutting.

Melinda

Mama Says Sew

Look what I found yesterday!

It is a charm pack of the newest Sweetwater line – mama said SEW!

The precuts are not available yet but I managed to get my hands on this one charm pack at a local shop.  I LOVE this line.

Melinda

Design Wall Monday–April 23, 2012

I have something new on my design wall.  It is a sample I am making for Tiny Stitches.  The fabric is Vintage Modern and the pattern comes from Missouri Star Quilt Company and is one of their layer cake video patterns.  I used the idea for a quilt during retreat but forgot the directions and ended up making a variation instead.  It turned out OK but I thought I should make the real version.

I already found one block turned wrong.  I don’t know what I would do without my camera to check things out.

I love the colors in this quilt.  I bought 4 1-yard pieces of Ruby by the same designers for the back.  There wasn’t enough on any of the bolts to us as a one fabric back so I will just do a giant four patch.

I didn’t get any polka dot blocks done this week – I am sad but hope to work on them later this week.  I have some customer quilting to get done first.

For more design walls, go to Patchwork Times and check them all out – it is one of the highlights of Monday for me.

Melinda

Stash Report–Week 17, 2012

I donated 30 yards of fabric for the Quilts of Valor project so made some headway in the used category.

Used this Week: 30 yards
Used year to Date: 106 yards
Added this Week: 9.25 yards
Added Year to Date: 92.75 yards
Net Used for 2012: 13.25 yards

I added 6.5 yards this week – 2.5 of Kaffe and 4 yards of solids.  I also have a layer cake of Vintage Modern which works out to about 2.75 yards.  The Vintage Modern is for a shop sample.  I need to get backing for it also.  Hopefully it will be reported as used soon.

I am glad to be going in the right direction, using more than adding.

For more stash reports, go to Patchwork Times.

Melinda

Tissue Case

Look at the cute little tissue case I made yesterday.

It is from the most recent Quilts and More magazine.  They always have cute little projects.  If you decide to make it, you have to read and reread the pattern as it is somewhat confusing but it works out if you can follow the directions.

It is cute, isn’t it?

Melinda

Stitches South

Lynda and I went to Stitches South this morning.  Last year we bought two kits and unfortunately still haven’t made the projects so we were determined not to give in this year.

Here is the result of not giving in.

Now I need to get on Raverly to get the pattern.  I bought square needles to give them a try for this shawl.  So much for not buying anything new.  Oh well!

Melinda

Beginning Machine Piecing–Class Two

Last night was the second class of Beginning Machine Piecing.  The first thing we do is put the homework up on the design wall.

Didn’t they do a wonderful job on the first blocks.

We then moved on to nine patch and nine patch variation blocks.

There was a slight mishap on the middle nine patch variation but it was late and there will be time to fix it this week.  Next week we will be working on log cabin blocks.

Melinda

New Additions to Stash

Good thing I donated the fabric yesterday because look at what came in the mail yesterday. First I opened up the monthly package of Kaffe 1/2 yards.

Then I have to admit that I signed up for another monthly shipment – this time solids.  Oranges were the first to arrive.

Wonderful oranges.

Melinda

Piecemakers and QOV

Yesterday was the monthly meeting of Piecemakers.  The goal for the day was to make at least one QOV quilt.  Nancy had found a pattern at the Georgia Quilt Council convention a couple of weeks ago and asked us to bring 3 1/2 inch strips of red, white and blue.  She supplied gold and many blocks were made.  My contribution was to go through my stash and fine fabrics for borders and backing.  I came up with about 30 yards so my stash report next week will look good.

I forgot to take a photo of the stack of fabrics I took but you can see one of them as the borders on the quilt top we were finished.

I had at least 2 or three fabrics that were large enough for backing.  Yea!

After the meeting, we went for Cuban food – yum! and then I worked on our taxes.  Since we owe some, I have been in no hurry to finish.  I got them done last night and will do a final review today before sending them in.

Melinda

Design Wall Monday–April 16, 2012

I was able to get 8 more polka dot blocks done this week.  Looking at these, I think I need to use more green.  I have about 28-29 done.  The quilt calls for 50 but I think I want to make 56.  I guess I better check out the Farmer’s Wife book for six extra.  Maybe I will wait to get all 50 done first so I won’t accidently duplicate or closely match one of the current ones.

The middle block on the bottom was the biggest challenge.  The whole block is 6 inches so the small flying geese making up the center star ends up measuring 3/4 inch by 1 1/2 inch.  I am proud of myself for getting it done so well.

For more design walls go to Patchwork Times and check them all out.  I always have fun on Mondays looking at all the inspiration.

Melinda

Stash Report–Week 16, 2012

No change this week.  I didn’t really get well until about the middle of the week and the only sewing I did was on my polka dot blocks – you can see them tomorrow.

Used this Week: 0 yards
Used year to Date: 76 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 83.5 yards
Net Used for 2012: -13.5 yards

For more stash reports, go to Patchwork Times.

Melinda

Another Quilt I Want to Make Someday

 

This is a quilt made by Michelle’s daughter several years ago.  Michelle brought it to retreat to put the border on and complete it for her daughter.  I love the bright colors and the way she mitered the corners of the border.  Michelle is a wonderful quilter and it will be fun to see how she quilts this.  The little block on top of the quilt is not part of the quilt, it is another project Michelle was multi-tasking at the retreat.

Melinda

Swoon

Have you made a Swoon quilt?  I want to make one and I keep on collecting inspiration photos but so far I haven’t actually stitched anything. As usual, I can’t decide what colors I want to use.

Here is a block that was done by Sue at the recent retreat.

I like the use of batiks in this block.  I can’t wait to see her whole quilt.

Melinda

Beginning Machine Piecing

Look at the wonderful fabrics that the students have picked out.  This is going to be a fun session.

Melinda