{Post 1,008} GFG Ready to Hand Quilt

The quilt top is basted and ready for hand quilting, and I went ahead and made then sewed the binding to the front.  The bright yellow thread is the basting.

I made my daughter a Kindle case.  I shall take pictures later.  I actually made two.  The first one was about 1/2" too narrow.  She requested a pocket on the back for the charger cord.  After I made the too-small one (not too small on purpose) we realized it would not be a good idea to have the charger stored with the Kindle, because it would be easy to crack the screen with a sharp-cornered smaller object being stacked up with it like that.


So when I made the new, larger one (same fabrics), I made a flat pocket for the back for her to put a credit card, license, etc. in if she wanted to.  It turned out very nicely.


I also sewed the vertical seams on these blocks:

Due to my recent I Spy and men's recycled shirt obsessions, I have not sewn with Thimbleberries in quite some time.  This top (above) is the first in a while.  Well, second if you count the apple pie quilt top, which I am happy to say is going to a good home on Monday.

Toodles!

~Joan

{Post 1,007} Grandmother's Flower Garden Sorta Finished

My Grandmother's Flower Garden wall hanging...finished?  Sorta--meaning the hand piecing is finished.  This was nearly finished for so long.  Don't know why it got put on the back burner so to speak.  I hope to get the borders sewn on this AM.  I think I will do a couple.  Maybe a thin one then a wider?  Hmmm...

This Thimbleberries green is one of my favorite greens.  Off to audition borders, then on to the basting and hand quilting.  


We are taking a l-o-n-g car trip next weekend, so it will be nice to have something to be hand quilting on the journey.  More incentive to get this bordered and basted, yes??


~Joan

{Post 1,006} Last Post for a While

I will be out of town for the next few days, so I won't be posting.  ANOTHER new project started today.  I saw a lovely Le Moyne star project someone else was working on.  I didn't want one quite so small (her stars finished at 3"), so I dug out an older quilt book and made this one tonight:

Yes--it is hand pieced.  This will be my in-the-car project for, well, a really long time!  


I just eyeballed the seams (as opposed to marking them).  The block came out the perfect size--5-1/8" square.  Each star will be with a cream background, pinks and browns.  I don't have a layout in mind, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to make a hundred stars or so before I decide!


~Joan

{Post 1,005} Northern Comfort Blocks Finished x 48

Since I was so close to having all the blocks for 8 rows finished, I went ahead and made the last 3 so I could take it off the design wall and start webbing...tomorrow!


Here are the blocks laid out:

It calls for a 2" border then a 6" one all around.  That will make the finished size 62" x 77" or thereabouts.  Large enough, I'd think, for a throw for a single guy.


~Joan

{Post 1,004} Northern Comfort

Last year while we were visiting in OH, I found a quilt book in JoAnn Fabrics that I really liked.  There were several quilts in it I wanted to make.  Yes, I'm on a start-a-new-project kick.  It's as if hand-sewing (bindings, etc.) does not count.  I want to be at my machine!!  I think I need a comfy chair down in the sewing room to sit and do hand sewing in.  


Anyway...I started a Northern Comfort quilt today and have made quite a bit of progress.  The original quilt only has 36 blocks.  I probably will add another row around the perimeter at least.  As is, it will measure 61" square.


Here is the progress from the first 9 blocks:

To 19 blocks:

To my final count of completely finished 28 blocks:

Except for 2 cuts from bolts, this is all from scraps.  It calls for 2-1/2" strips.  I even used up some 2-1/2" squares that I found in my pre-cut fabric drawer.  I keep 4 clear plastic shoe boxes on top of my bolt storage for scraps that are fairly small (smaller than a FQ).  


I really like this!  The blocks are 8-1/2" square unfinished.


Off to finish laundry and make some more blocks.


~Joan