Making rows

Over the last few nights, I've been focusing my handstitching efforts on Jane Stickle.


Now I have rows A, B, and C put together. Woo hoo!

Resistance was futile

It's true. I just couldn't resist. Paintbox Quilt Along, count me in!!!


But at least I'm not buying any fabric.

I'm going to be trying the "Classic Variation" version of the quilt using a Moda layer cake of Zippity Doo Dah by Sandy Gervais, and 3 beige-y solids.

Something different

I'm attempting something new this week:


Curtains!

They are going to be for my son's new "Big Boy" room. We got it painted a couple of weeks ago, have ordered furniture (which has just started arriving!), and now I'm making a couple of curtain panels. I wouldn't normally attempt such a thing, but we wanted blackout window coverings and making them seemed the most economical option.

So, I got a book from the library (Sunset Curtains, Draperies, and Shades), did lots of measuring and math (ugh!), bought fabric and blackout lining, bought fabric again (because I failed to calculate for 44"/45" wide as opposed to 54"... oops!)(thank goodness they still had some of the print left!), and finally started cutting and sewing a couple of days ago.

Hopefully, I'll be able to get them done today. And then I'll need to find a curtain rod so we can hang them up (and so I can show you how they turned out!).

First quilt finish of 2010!

Over the weekend, I finally completed the Project Linus quilt that has been basted since last October.


The design comes from a tutorial offered by Amanda Jean of crazymomquilts, Elia's Quilt. (I'm missing her blog already! *sniff*)


I had a lot of fun trying out a new quilting design on this one. It is from Leah Day's blog, 365 Days of Free Motion Quilting Filler Designs, and is called "Super Daisy." My daisies are far from perfect (or consistent... the flowers have anywhere between 5 and 8 petals), but I think they are fun and I feel like I learned a lot from doing them. I'm excited to try some more of her designs in the future. She's got some great alternatives to the just a plain ol' stipple!


After I washed/dried the quilt, it crinkled up quite nicely. My friend Evelyn commented that she was really surprised at how soft the quilt was, considering all of the dense quilting. The batting is Hobbs Heirloom 100% Organic Cotton.


Another new trick I learned in making this quilt is machine finished binding. Wanting to get the quilt finished up in time for the Project Linus workday, I used the binding tutorial from Red Pepper Quilts (fabulous, fabulous tutorial!), and was really happy with the results, especially considering this was my first attempt. It will take a little bit of practice before my bindings are as pretty and clean as Red Pepper Quilts's. But I'll definitely be using this technique in the future.


The back is a print that I've had in my stash for a few years. I think I still have another 4 yards, so it will probably make another backing appearance in the future.


And, of course, the label. In some ways, it seems kind of weird that I put a label on my donation quilts. But I feel a connection to the quilts I make, as well as pride. I think that if I were ever to receive a quilt from an organization like PL, it would be kind of neat to have a little insight into its origins. And so I label. But I try and keep it simple.

I finished the quilt just in time for the January Project Linus workshop and was able to turn it in then. Woo hoo!

Jane Stickle Quilt: E-8

Block number/name: E-8 “Mama’s Maze”

Date completed: January 8, 2010

Number of pieces: 33

Notes on block: So this block isn’t perfect, but I feel okay with that. In fact, I rather like it. And that is a little weird to me. But, hey, I’ll go with it! Part of it is that I just love this green print. I’m pretty sure it’s Thimbleberries, but I don’t have a selvedge to confirm that.

I did some calculations, and determined that if I continue to make 2 blocks a week, all of the blocks will be done in 31 weeks. Wow!!! That’s less than a year! It’s almost too difficult to fathom. I’d better start getting these blocks put together.

Greenpiece month 2, part 2

These were actually made a few weeks ago, but I didn't get the embroidery completed on the applique block until just yesterday.

Here is pieced block number 4:


I really like these!

Here is applique block number 4:



Simple and sweet.

Now I'm all set for the next set of blocks!

Oh, my...

The temptation is great. Mighty, in fact. Her first quilt along was just so awesome.


I'm not sure if I'll be able to resist. But I'm trying.