Thursday, January 30, 2014

Quilting in the snow


I'm enjoying a couple of snow days at home working on a quilt.  These are triangles needed to make a Lemoyne Star quilt.  Each block has eight different purples and violets. 

For each block I randomly pull 8 different sets of two triangles.   Then a white triangle is sewn to one of each set and the remaining 2 colored triangles are sewn together.

I chain piece all the triangles and sew a leader/ender set between sewing each block.  This helps keep each block separate. 


Each row contains five blocks, so I am trying to sew five blocks at a time in assembly line fashion in this order:

1.  Chain piece five sets of eight triangles into squares as described above
2.  Clip apart the squares and stack into five different stacks.
3.  Press the squares
4.  Clip the dog ears
5.  Trim all squares to be 4 1/2 inches.
6.  Lay out one block at a time into the positions they need to be in to make the Lemoyne Star.
7.  Sew the pieces together.

I'll do a post soon that shows the process of sewing the pieces together that has been the fastest and easiest way I've found.

Quilting isn't the only thing going on here.  I've got a pot of vegetable beef soup simmering as I write!  I love snow in the south!

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

WIP Wednesday

I've been muddling along in the sewing room, trying to make some headway, despite a crazy January!  Here's what's going on:

I've been wanting to try a "Wonky Star", aka "Maverick Star " using instructions from Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville.  I think it turned out really cute.  These fabrics were a gift to me by a blog reader and these pre-cut 2 1/2 inch squares were exactly what the pattern calls for.  Hubby was concerned that the star points were not the same size.... but I assured him that's the way they are supposed to be.


I'm working on a Christmas Log Cabin quilt.  I have a container of all kinds of Christmas fabrics that I want to make use of.  So, I went through it and chose lots of fabrics that have a small print.  I won't buy any more, no matter what.  This quilt will be made with what ever is in that container..


I have the strips laid out to use in sort of a leader and ender fashion.


I'm also working on a purple/lavender quilt using the Lemoyne Star pattern, sometimes also called a "Star Flower".

These two blocks are on display for me to copy, to be sure pieces are in the correct place.



The post in linked to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced HERE.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Cheddar Bow Ties "DONE"

I started this quilt in 2011 as a leaders and enders project along with Bonnie at Quiltville. I am so glad to call it "DONE".


I love how it turned out, especially since it was my first attempt at free motion quilting feathers.


I could have kept going and made a larger quilt, but I didn't think I could stand to make any more!  It finishes at about 70 inches square, so its a great throw size quilt.


That makes two recent finishes of old UFOs.  Feels good to finish them.  Its a lot of fun to start new projects, but its more fun to finish old ones

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Quilter's Daybook

Today I am... wearing black and white paisley bedroom shoes, grey cotton pajama pants, white 3/4 length sleeves top, and a pink hoodie sweater. Not going out of the house until Monday!


I am free motion quilting my Cheddar Bow Ties Quilt! A basic meander in the center, a small swirl in the 1 1/2 inch light colored border and after I finish this post, I am going to attempt my first free motion quilted feathers in the 5 inch wide yellow outer border.




What I SHOULD be doing.... putting away these Christmas decorations. I got all of the ones in the house taken down and put here on this bed, but plan to put them back into their containers in 15 minute time slots.


But, I'll be more interested in finishing this:


I hope to be back with more progress before the weekend is over!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Agnes

Because I have been making doll quilts, my hubby gave me a doll cradle and doll for Christmas.

Meet Agnes.
 
I made the little green and pink quilt for Agnes the day after Christmas. I think she looks warm and comfy!