{Post 1,137} Start of Spool Quilting

Finally got the backing pieced for my spool quilt.  It's been a long time since I made a quilt this big.  OK--now that I think about it, maybe not that long (look here).

The difference is that this one has a row of pieced blocks in it.  And I might have forgotten to carry a one, making all 3 rows of the backing 10" too narrow, which meant I had to add an 11" piece to each length of fabric.  Maybe.

Here is a picture as I rolled the quilt top onto the frame.  This is the back of the quilt.

Here are two shots of the machine quilting.  I've only done two passes, but I am making the motifs fairly large.  I don't want a densely quilted quilt.  

Have you ever considered how confusing quilting vocabulary can be? 

~What are you making?  A quilt.  

~Can I see it?  It doesn't look like a quilt.  Isn't there usually puffy stuff in it?  This is just the quilt top.  

~Now I'm quilting my quilt.  Usually I piece them and have someone else quilt them.  

Most people who say they quilt really don't quilt at all.  They piece.  But we all know what they mean, right?

Here is the machine quilting on my quilt that I pieced along with 6 friends' contributions :)

In the top picture, the flash lightened it up some.  Most of these in the borders are Thimbleberries, with a few exceptions.

I used Pajama Quilter's wonky feather pattern.  I am doing it all-over, no special inner border treatment.  Sam sent me a great idea for the border, interlocking S feathers.  I'm not sure my skills would make it look good enough, so I'm opting to go with what I know I can do well.  This is a caramel colored thread.

{Post 1,136} Baby Pictures

A few pictures from the Baby Whisperer (that would be me).  Of course, these don't convey the love and cuddliness of the little nipper, but here you go...

Shortly after his appearance:

Next morning pictures:

With handsome, rugged Poppa:

At home in the kitchen with Grammy Jo (doesn't that sound like a cooking show?):

Emily looking radiant as usual - day 2:

"All is right in my little world...Grammy Jo has me!"

God has, indeed, been so good to us.  9 lbs. 3 oz. and 19-3/4" long at birth.  Growing like a weed already.  Grammy Jo gets daily updates!

{Post 1,135} Border of Spool Quilt FINISHED!!

My b-friends are THE best!!  Thanks to my friend, Sam, who I have actually met in person a couple times (once at my house, once at hers), I have the perfect solution to the "I-want-them-to-look-mitered-but-don't-want-to-take-the-time-to-piece-extra-length" border corner.  Seriously.  

Normally when one miters a border, they make extra length, fold the quilt center at a 45-degree angle (pause for me frantically searching for a degree mark on my keyboard--there ain't one), then mark, sew, and cut the border fabric.  Another scrap generator.  

Sam suggested (and even emailed me a hand-drawn pattern in PDF) that I paper-piece huge HSTs and put them on.  So without further ado, I present:

That is exactly the look I wanted, I just didn't want to generate any more scraps.  Mission accomplished.  I am in the process of piecing a backing now (in which I get to use most of my 20 spools from the first potential border).  Such a win-win-win situation.  Three widths of fabric is about 4" too short for the backing, so I'm inserting the 6" spool blocks to supplement.  I am even including the last 3 spools for which there was not room on the front of the quilt so that I use every. last. one.

~Joan

{Post 1,134} Secret Sister Gift

This past Sunday, I got a gift from my secret sister.  It is right up my alley!!

Upon further inspection:

How cute are these?  An assortment of bright-colored yoyos, a l-o-n-g piece of yellow grosgrain ribbon, large buttons, a set of bright fat quarters, and a new bright green drinking cup!  Insulated to avoid water rings!!  Whoo-hoo!  I feel like I won a lottery that I didn't know I entered.

Special thanks to whoever my prayer sister is this year.  What a great gift!  

There might have been two small Snickers bars on top of everything else, but I can't be sure.

~Joan

{Post 1,133} Shopping Excursions

Last week we were in FL for the birth of our first grandson. My b-friend, Ruth, had told me about a pharmacy that housed a quilt shop.  I had two opportunities to go.  The first time was rushed.  The second time I perused every pattern and book I was interested in.

I bought some fabric.  While that might now seem earth-shattering, keep in mind that I still have over 100 bolts at my house.  Skinnier bolts, but still bolts.

Here's the loot with explanations after each picture.

I bought this pattern for a specific quilt.  I had the pattern in my basket when I saw a fabric I HAVE to use for a Christmas present.  Email me for the URL for my secret blog if you're not a blood relative or even remotely related (and being my daughter's husband's brother's wife's sister counts--that's been tried already!).

From left to right...tiger fabric that along with a set of tiger pillow panels I bought recently that will be in my Etsy shop.  I got them to make for my SIL but my daughter told me in no uncertain terms that he would hate them.  Got it!

A piece of light tan fabric with inspiring lovely words on it to be used for a tote lining or something similar.  I rarely buy anything for stash, but this is one time I did.

The two orange 1/8 yards are for the pattern lying on top of them that I did NOT purchase at this store.  The pumpkins are paper-pieced, and I just don't have much variety amongst my beloved Thimbleberries.

This is a neat pattern for a cosmetic case/small tote.  The two back ones on the pattern use screen and the front one uses vinyl to see what is in the bag.  I make lots of these for gifts.  Another neat feature is that there is no zipper.  The top is kept closed by inserting a length of a metal retractable carpenter's tape measure so that the rounded sides are facing each other. 

The fabrics are for making my avid-knitting daughter a tote bag or purse.  She pinned a pattern that I will be attempting to make for her.  If you look on my Pinterest boards, it's under sewing projects.

This pattern was what made me go back the second time to the store.  I enjoy Atkinson Designs patterns because they have such wonderful directions and are practical.  The Tag Along Tote is small (I think 6" x 8" x 2") and has a patch pocket as well as a diagonal pocket on the front.  It can have a zipper along the top (mine will).  I got the three sewing-themed fabrics to make one and one to sell.  The one on the left has threads running across it.  The one with cones of thread is for the lining.  The light blue with pins scattered is for the patch pocket and part of the handle.

The reason I made a second trip was that I didn't realize until I had to leave the first time that the patterns were all a jumble.  There might have been one or ten of the same ones, but they were all mixed up on the display rack.  That meant I must return and look through them one at a time!  I bought the cosmetic case and Tag Along Tote the first trip, all else on the second.

As I perused the books, I knew upon first glance which ones I would find interesting and useful.  This one just has my name written all over it.  I like each and every one of the patterns, but the following two are my favorites.  You will see these in future blog posts:

As I was leaving the second time there, I heard a noise behind a wall.  There was another room of fabrics back there and a longarm quilter at work.  I took some pics on my phone, but wished I had my camera there.  You know, I'm on a mission to improve my quilting.  Got a little inspiration there in Pensacola.

Thus endeth another post.  I've been a postaholic lately, so make sure you don't miss one.  I know how vital they are to your lives!

{Post 1,132} Corner?

Here's a tentative corner for my spool quilt.  I was going to do a mitered corner, but since it'll be hanging off the bed, I don't think it's vital.  I paper-pieced a 13" square on the diagonal.  I have about 4' more to piece on both outside borders.  I am not putting a border on the top where it will be going over pillows.

I have another post today about my shopping excursions from our recent FL trip.  I am not a shopper, so this is truly noteworthy, hence the word "excursions" and not something menial, LOL.

{Post 1,131} One Border On, Two To Go!

This shows about 2/3 of the top...another 1/3 is hanging behind the design wall.

Trying to decide how to turn the corner.  I do have an idea!