The big sleeve

My quilt guild (Stray Threads) is hosting it's first-ever quilt show this month. Woo hoo! It is not only exciting for my guild, but for me too-- I've never entered anything into a show before, and this seemed like an awesome opportunity. As it turns out, the show is taking place the same weekend the baby is due (April 24-25), so I have a feeling that I may not even get to go. But I decided to go ahead and enter a couple of quilts anyway, one of which is my Star Quilt Along quilt from 2008, Tyger! Tyger! Burning Bright:


It's not a judged show-- more of a showcase of members' works. Since I love this quilt and am still so proud of it, it seemed like a natural one to enter. Of course, had I known at the time that entering it would require adding a sleeve to the already completed quilt, I may not have done it. But, because the forms were already in when the committee decided they wanted sleeves on all of the quilts, I bit the bullet and did it...


...all 85" of it. At least it didn't take too long. Less than hour to make it, and then a couple of hours to stitch it on. But, that's what I spent my sewing time on yesterday. Not particularly glamorous, but I'm happy it's done!

Another requirement for the show is to submit entries in a "securely closed and labeled fabric or clear plastic bag." Though I know a fabric bag would be best, I didn't want to have to take the time to make one. So, I headed to Bed, Bath, and Beyond and picked up a couple of those giant comforter storage bags. (I really wish they came in smaller sizes too.) Then I used some vinyl and single-fold bias tape to add a pocket for my contact info:


Simple but effective, I think.

The other quilt I decided to enter was a long lost UFO I was motivated to finish for the show. I think it deserves a post of its own, so I'll share it with you tomorrow.

Tyger! Tyger! Burning Bright

Finally! Schedules, weather, and the stars all aligned today, allowing me to take some pictures of my completed Star Quilt Along quilt.



I need to figure out a way to take better pictures of large quilts like this. Or find some additional quilt-holding hands. But we did the best we could with the two of us.


The majority of the back is pieced from what was left of the fabrics I used in the blocks. The one exception is the periwinkle blue flower print. I had to buy that to have enough for the back.

A couple of close-ups:


First I quilted the long diagonal lines through the green setting blocks. Next I free-motion quilted in the ditch around all of the colored pieces. I had never done that before and it took awhile before I was really consistently making it into the ditch. But by the end, I was feeling pretty good at it. My only regret is that I really should have used a clear thread to do that instead of the white, because my mistakes are really visible. Then I did a lot of pretty dense stippling over all of the background. Finally, I quilted my border pattern, finished all of the edges by hand, and then completed all of the quilting to the edge of the quilt. All of the quilting ended up using nearly 4 entire spools of thread! I used Superior Threads King Tut 40/3 cotton in White Linen (color 971), 500 yard spools. (Wonderful thread, by the way.) It took a long time to get it all done. But so worth it!


Yay prairie points! They turned out so wonderfully, I could not be happier. They were pretty time consuming though, so I doubt I’ll be making a habit out of them. Fun fact: one side has a different number of points than the other three. (I know this because I later found a prairie point laying on the floor. Sigh. I had been wondering why they weren't spacing out quite right.) This picture also offers a closer glimpse of the border design. I like how it sort of breaks up all of the stippling some and frames the quilt.

The label:


I’ve named this quilt “Tyger! Tyger! Burning Bright.” My inspiration fabric was the tiger print. The quilt has lots of stars. And I have always loved the William Blake poem. It just seems like a good name. (And even though the picture doesn’t show it, there really is a “t” at the end of “bright” in the label. It’s just hiding in the wrinkles. I double checked to be sure!)

Many thanks to the amazing and wonderful amandajean for hosting this super-fun quilt along. She is an inspiration!

Dear Baby Jane: M-13

Block number/name: M-13 “Lynette’s Diamond”

Date completed: October 4, 2008

Number of pieces: 12

Notes on block: So after having pieced the curves in G-7 and being unthrilled with the result, I went ahead and completed this one using Anina’s appliqué technique. Though I am happy with the look of the curves, I’m not wild about the center. I probably would have done better had I chosen to piece those triangles as opposed to appliquéing them. Ah well. It’s not so horrible that I’m going to re-do it.

I’ve been distracted this week and so have fallen behind again. Only two blocks though, so I should be able to catch back up in a jiffy. But—my Star Quilt Along quilt is now complete but for a trip to the washing machine. Woo hoo! Pictures and blog post to come soon!

Computery goodness!

Yay! My computer is fixed. Or rather, it has been replaced with a spiffy new one that actually turns on and off and works and everything. Huzzah! Last night I busily began installing the essentials, including the Dear Jane software, Electric Quilt 6, my super nifty scrapbooking software, and Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo X2. Best of all, I'm feeling ready to blog again.

Unfortunately, I don't have anything particularly awesome to share at the moment. But I can show some progress photos:


I've completed another block in Grandma's Country Album II. This one is called "Cactus Flower." After all these appliqued leaves lately, I'm definitely getting better at pointy points.


This pretty block in pink and chocolate reproduction prints is my first completed block for my guild block exchange. For this one, all of the fabric was included in the box. But there were lots of different options, and it was fun getting to pick out which ones to use. Based on the fabrics in there, this is definitely going to be a stunning quilt.


Quilting on my Star Quilt Along quilt is progressing nicely. I've never done so much stippling before! I'm on my third spool of thread now (I've only got one spool left... I think/hope it will be enough). It's taking awhile, but I'm pleased with how it is looking so far and the end is definitely in sight.

Also in progress are a couple of Dear Jane blocks (finally!) prepped and ready to sew. I've also finally completed all 126 blocks in my hexagon quilt and have just started putting together the "path" and connecting blocks (I have a whopping two blocks connected together thus far).

Tomorrow work begins on our backyard. We're getting it professionally landscaped. I'm really excited! It's is a tiny, tiny area (as is often the case in these newly constructed homes) so it will likely take only a couple of days. But it will definitely be a transformation.

Falling behind

Friday before last, my computer died. I think the Boy may have had a hand in its demise somehow, as it fizzled after he pressed the power button on and off like a gazillion times. Fortunately, the hard drive is okay so I won't lose any valuable data (like my fabric in/out spreadsheet!). But the Help Desk (aka, my husband) is still waiting on a part to come in. So-- very little blogging and no Dear Jane blocks. (I like to print them out, and the dead computer is the only one hooked up to a printer). I'm going to have a bunch of catching up to do... I'm already 4 blocks behind!

Meanwhile, I have been keeping busy. I completed another block in my Grandma's Country Album II quilt:


This one is called "Cockscomb Bouquet." I thought I would never finish appliqueing leaves! I still have to embroider the branches between the stems and the little berries. Overall, I think it is pretty. If I had it to do over, I would probably try and choose higher contrast flowers and maybe a more interesting fabric for the pot.

I've also started working on another block:



This last weekend, I finally managed to get my Star Quilt Along quilt basted. Yippee!!! Basting is my least favorite part of the quilting process. This quilt was a definite reminder as to why that is: crawling around on the floor for 3 hours, close to 500 safety pins, and very sore fingers, back, and neck. Ugh. But it's done. Sorry I don't have an exciting picture to show you. But it is currently sitting in my machine and getting quilted. I've got a good start on it, but there is still a lot to do.

Today is the first day of preschool for the Boy and I. We'll be attending the toddler class one day a week for two hours. It's all play-based, so hopefully it will be a lot of fun for both of us.

Star Quilt Along Top!

Yay! I finally managed to get my butt in gear and attach the borders on my Star Quilt Along top:


Next up: prairie points!

Star Quilt Along, Weeks 12 & 13

It's been awhile since I've done a Star Quilt Along update. I have not been sitting idle. I've got all of my blocks completed!

Week 12:

Week 13:

Currently, I'm working on the sashing. I've also got a bucket of prairie points ready to be attached—extra exciting because I've never done a prairie point edge before, so it is all new. I've always loved the look and feel of all those little triangles along the edges of quilts, so I can't wait to see how it all comes together in this one. My hope is that I'll get all of my blocks together in the next week.

It's so exciting seeing how it is coming together!!! Thanks so much to Amandajean for creating and leading us through this wonderful design.

Dear Baby Jane: A-1 & A-2

Block number/name: A-1 “Pinwheel Gone Awry”

Date completed: July 15, 2008

Number of pieces: 28

Notes on block: It took me two evenings to piece this one together… so many seams, and so many points to be concerned about! I think I did okay. The only part that is nagging at me is the center. When you look closely, it is just not very pretty. On the bright side, because of the high contrast between the green and white, it seems to look pretty good from a distance.

I almost wish I had taken the time to redraft this one. I really like the look of the original with the center pinwheel that kind of bows outward on the sides as opposed to being square. But I’m behind enough on my blocks without taking extra time to re-invent the wheel.

---

Block number/name: A-2 “One-Two Buckle My Shoe”

Date completed: July 16, 2008

Number of pieces: 45

Notes on block: I’m really glad I took the time to piece the inner white rectangles (as was done in the original). The effect really is lovely. Like A-1, this one also took me two nights, though it actually felt as if it came together faster and better than that block even though it had a lot more pieces. Of course, fussy cutting all of the green triangles took a good amount of effort. But again, the result was worth it. I’m really happy with this one!

Even though I'm a little behind on my Dear Jane blocks, I've been making lots of progress on other projects. The top is complete for the baby quilt I started over the weekend and the batting is washed and ready so I can baste tonight. I also completed all the setting blocks for the Star Quilt Along and have cut all the sashing strips. Yay, progress! :)

Star Quilt Along, Weeks 10 & 11

I actually finished this one last week, but am only now getting to posting it. Week 10 block:


It came together very easily and I like how it turned out.

Week 11 block:


I really love the final result, but it was a pain! I was having all sorts of problems with my seams and points, and was tearing out stitches right and left. Ugh. I think one of my main issues though was pressing.

Sometimes, pressing is really intuitive for me. But other times I seriously struggle. It's like chess. In chess, you're supposed to always be analyzing the board, making moves in your head many turns before you actually make them. My brain just fails miserably at this. I can't focus so specifically that far ahead and retain what it is I'm supposed to be doing now. Frankly, I am just not a good chess player. And that is how I feel when pressing blocks like these—I'm just not a good presser. Which way should I press this one, knowing that it's going to connect to this and that and then eventually that??? Fortunately, the block looks good—but I know that if I had pressed certain things differently, it would look even better. I really should sit down and make a gameplan, but for a single block in a fun quilt, it just seems like too much.

Star Quilt Along, Week 9

Here is my block for Week 9 of amandajean's Star Quilt Along:


Only 4 more stars to go! I kind of have a color-plan in my head, in hopes of making them all work. Now, if I can only remember it by the time the next block is posted...

Stitchery is on the slow side this week. I've been more focused on cooking. I've made some tasty stuff this week, including a bunch from Cooking Light:

• Peach Berry Upside Down Cake: I made this for my PEPS group; it was very pretty, but we were eating outside, and I think it wasn't at its tasty best heated up under the hot sun.
• Summer's Best Garden Salad: another one for the PEPS group; I loved all the various veggies and the light dressing. It was very refreshing and tasty.
• Chicken with Mushrooms in Garlic White Wine Sauce: quick and easy, and tasty; I used herbs d'Provence instead of tarragon.
• Strawberry Margarita Sorbet: mmmm... a delicious frozen treat; I love margaritas!
• Pork and Edamame Fried Rice: except I used chicken; it was very, very good and made excellent leftovers.

I also made a couple of recipes from The Petit Appetit Cookbook. It is focused on making food for babies and toddlers. I made meatloaf and mashed potatoes with carrots. My hope was that we could all eat together as a family and get the boy eating something new that is not related to the nugget family (as in chicken nuggets and fish sticks). Of course, papa was late getting home from work, and the boy refused to eat. So much for that plan! But, at least he ate some of the leftovers the next day, so hope is not lost.

Star Quilt Along, Week 8

Hmmm... not sure about this one.

I mean, I really like it, but then I think about it in a quilt with the rest of the blocks I've made. I'm not so sure about it what with the green setting blocks that will be surrounding it. It's a lot of green and it may be just too blendy. I'll wait and see before I scrap it though. There are still a few weeks to go, so it may all work out.

Star Quilt Along Fun!

In the last week, I've finally been able to catch up on my projects—including amandajean's Star Quilt Along. I'm having so much fun with this project. It's a very different approach than I'm used to, so not only am I stretching myself and learning a lot, but I also think it will result in a really wonderful quilt.

Here are my latest blocks:

Week 6:

I'm not sure why, but this one was really difficult for me, both in choosing the fabrics and in actual construction. This is a little weird since I had no problems with the week 5 block, and that one is supposedly a lot harder.

Week 7:

With this one, I'm breaking into cooler tones. It feels as up to this point, I have been using very warm colors. I think adding some of the blue/purple will offer some nice effects. I hope.

Setting Block:

I've only managed to get one of these complete, but the fabric is all cut and ready to go for the others. This green is the one fabric I've purchased for the project. All the rest have been from the stash.

Star Quilt Along, Week 5

Yay! Caught up at last. I really like how this one turned out:


Hopefully, I'll get a chance to work on some setting blocks in the next week or two. It will be fun to start seeing how they all fit together.

Catching Up: Star Quilt Along

Slowly but surely, I'm beginning to catch back up with things—including the Star Quilt Along!

Week 3 Block:


Week 4 Block:


Just one more, and I'll be caught back up!

Next up: catch up on Dear Baby Jane.

Star Quilt Along, Week 2

Yay! I finished my second block in amandajean's Star Quilt Along.

Pretty in pink! My seam allowances were much better in this one than the first (which was a smidge small). The key for me: a scant 1/4". I think it had been so long since I'd machine pieced something that I kind of forgot how get an accurate 1/4". But, I'm back on track now.

I was bad this week though. I went out to buy some basting glue and saw some fabric I just had to have for this quilt. So much for making it entirely from the stash! But it will still be a mostly-stash quilt.

Star Quilt-a-long!

When I saw that amandajean was embarking on a new quilt-a-long adventure, I jumped on the chance to join in. I missed out on her first quilt-a-long, so I am extra excited to be able to participate in this one. This may be a foolish decision on my part, because, really, I am already feeling as if I can't keep up with what I'm doing now. On the other hand though it looks like so much fun! And who couldn't use a little more fun?

As the boy is napping, I've had a little time to work and I just completed Block 1. Yay!


The print fabric in this block has the great distinction of being the first-ever fabric I bought "just because." Up to that point, I had been purchasing on a project-to-project basis. But I saw it and I just had to have it even though I didn't have any plan in mind. The beginning of a seriously slippery slope of stashaholism! Anyway, I love this fabric and I think it is going to be my inspiration for this quilt. We'll see what happens.