{Post 1,683} Had My Doubts

After I complete a quilt top, the greatest challenge faces me.  What quilting design should I use, and what color thread? I purchased two different orange threads for quilting, one solid, and one variegated. I have some pumpkin quilts in the works. I planned to use one of them on this quilt, but they just didn’t speak to me. I used white. This is a machine quilting pattern I found years ago and have adapted to my own style. I L-O-V-E the texture it gives, but it is very time intensive. The quilt is made from muslin and upcycled men’s shirts. it measures 68” x 76” Very modern for me. I tend to lean towards the traditional patterns, but this is for our newly made-over living room, and it will help bring out the orange, blue, and brown in the rug (also pictured for your convenience).

{Post 1,682} Time Flies

I got together a big box of novelty prints (14 pounds’ worth) to send to a friend who makes charity kids’ quilts. While I was doing that, I came across a stack of triangles (4-1/2” cut in half) of I Spy prints. I had another small stack of bright yellow triangles the same size, so I started sewing them together. I ran out of yellow before I ran out of prints, so I grabbed some purple tone-on-tone. Same. The came orange, then blue...throw in a little greeen...

I didn’t have a plan originally, but here is what I ended up with. That gave me the idea of starting this as a Christmas gift. I will add another border or two.

I also came across a small stack of bright pink squares while I was hunting.  Same plan (no plan). Here is where that stands. I am using the pink and white 4-patches as leader/enders for my third spontaneous project.

Here is my third project. A table mat in the making.  Pieced, but not trimmed yet. This will also get a cream then colored border

{Post 1,681} Machine Quilting

I was gone at my daugher’s for over two weeks. I had a big customer’s top to quilt before I left (she knew I’d be gone) and then another customer dropped off two tops while I was gone.

Here is the BIG Thimbleberries’ fabric fall quilt that I just finished this AM. I think the texture will be fabulous after it is washed.

Here is the first of the other two. It is a baby quilt. Check out those sweet prints. The first picture is when it is on the floor, before quilting, folded in half. I love the block patterns, too. Here is the after the first pass on my frame. I am using a variegated pastel thread and wonky feathers quilting pattern.

{Post 1,680} Worth Waiting For?!?!?!?

I have been planning and hoping for a different sewing machine table. I had been using my former one for 22 years, as far as I can tell. It was originally an L-shaped table meant for a computer and printer. I used it for my sewing machine and serger, then my serger was sort of retired. Recently I asked my husband to remove the non-machine side to make it easier to get around in my sewing room, which is quite cramped.

I was surfing Pinterest one day and found a tutorial for making one’s own set-in machine table from an IKEA stock table that was relatively inexpensive. So we bought one in February as we were passing near an IKEA on a trip. Fast-forward to two weeks ago. This beauty entered my life. Well, it had entered my life in February, but was living in a cardboard box all this time. We finally set it free!

The above picture is obviously after I stained and applied multiple coats of polycrylic to it.

Here is my new set-up. I think I will like facing the door so I can be more interactive with those who enter. I am back here most of the time, as the left side of the table will serve as my desk. 

My former desk had a little space to the left of the machine bottom that acted like a little shelf. I had my bobbin rings, extra pincushion (that just holds hand-sewing needles and safety pins), extra empty bobbins, and my sewing machine feet (in the clear case). I needed a space for those things, so I added a shelf to a wooden crate I had used at a couple showers for holding desserts and such. I repainted it this afternoon, and voila! The perfect holder for the items that were displaced. I will be keeping my iPad on top of it when I’m not using it as well. The rice bowl on the top shelf has my walking foot, free-motion quilting foot, tweezers, and nail clippers in it. 

Here is the whole area. The door you see just past the bookshelf is the door coming into the room.

To the right of my machine is my magnetic pin cushion (don’t leave home without it!) and an antique coffee mug with the essentials...pen, small scissors, ripper, and my nail-cleaning stick. That is fingernail. Don’t ask!

I am going to let the top cure for another 24 hours, then use it like mad. I can use the time tonight to put all the items back in place that I had to move in order to stain and seal this wonderful unit.

{Post 1,679} Mini, Mini, and Mini

This is a mini of my SIL:

This is a mini of my son (behind her, while we were doing FaceTime):

And this is a mini quilt I am making from the leftover HSTs from a fall quilt I am making.

The first picture is one finished block. I realize it is not perfect. As small as the pieces are, it is close enough for me.  Each HST is 1-5/16” before piecing. The block will finish at 6-3/4” square. I am making 3 blocks for a little table runner to use up my orange HSTs.  I am out of things to sew here (except for a pair of my SIL’s work uniform pants that will be done later tonight.)

{Post 1,678} Baby & Quilt

My daughter and SIL are adjusting to having the baby soooo well. Here he is now...

He is so precious!!  Twelve days old. Time flies.

In other news, I am getting a lot finished on my Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt. I hesitate to sew on the bottom row of half blocks to finish it up. I will have to get it home and lay it on my bed to see if I want it larger first. I think I’ll need at least another row of blossoms for a pillow tuck.

But I just took this picture. 

{Post 1,677} Happy Birthday, Mom!!

I had the rare opportunity to spend my mother’s birthday with her. She has always been such a good mom and has given everything she has to raising my sister and I.  We had a little get together with me, my parents, my sister, and several of her children. Had a good lunch and played lots of games. Then one of her sons asked if he could stay overnight with me and my parents. Extra time for fun!!

Here is my mom, then me and my nephew.