Go to lunch! We have had so much snow lately and my grandson had a couple of snow days so after the plow went through (driven by my son-in-law!) Katie and I went shopping and then to lunch.
(OK I confess-this is just an excuse to post pictures of my beautiful grandsons. Enjoy!)
I just wish I had some better pictures.
This is the stitching that I took out of the first two rows:
After I stitched one row (and wasn’t sure) I asked my husband’s opinion. He said it was OK so I did another row and hated it. So as I was picking out the two rows (each 8” x 77”, by the way) it occurred to me that when I ask someone else’s opinion, I have already made up my mind-no matter what they say. When I told my daughter this revelation, she said, “Yeah Mom. We know.”
Anyway, I quilted a feather pattern in the striped rows, although it is not very obvious. And that is good because I was nervous about doing the feathers. They are far from perfect but I got lots of practice. I decided if I waited until I could do them perfectly, I would never do them.
So, it is done, I love my quilt, and I am happy!
So I have my quilt on my frame. I had originally planned to do a tight stipple on the applique vine blocks and a feather of some type on the stacked coins part. But then I got nervous and decided to try doing a leafy vine treatment on each row/column of the quilt.
Bad idea.
Of course I did two rows before I decided I didn’t like it. Also, the pattern width is the exact with of the opening of the throat on my sewing machine so it has to be lined up exactly AND as I roll the quilt, I will start to lose throat space.
So I decided to do what the quilt wanted in the first place: a stipple outline on the applique row and some sort of feather on the stacked coins part. I got this far this morning:
The quilting really pops out the vine which is what I wanted. I am still nervous about doing the stacked coins part. Following a pattern is difficult and I don’t want to screw it up. But this quilt deserves more than just meandering. And I really need to learn to do more. Decisions, decisions!
P.S. For more on this quilt look here and here
P.P.S. Check out my daughter Adrienne!
If you look at my stash reduction plan for January and February it would appear that I got very little done. But I would disagree. I think I got quite a bit done. Shall we go through the list?
First, my Thimbleberries BOM. I want to complete one each month so now I am up to 5 completed:
Next is my Fat Quarter Quilt. This is the quilt our group decided to make:
This is my quilt so far:
Yeah. Do you see the lovely ripples? Many of the pieces had bias edges on the outside edges and I must have been too hard on them. Also, I wish that the directions included the sizes of completed units so that I could see where I went wrong. Anyway, I am planning to sew with my quilt guild Monday, and Lucia, a member of the group, has reworked some of the directions so there will not be so many bias edges. I am going to take off the 4 corners and see if I can fix it or have to start again.
And speaking of Lucia, she participated on an online swap and did not receive a gift back. She has been such a good quilting friend to me so I decided to make her a couple of goodies:
She and her husband often travel so I made her some totes and organizers to carry her quilting supplies. Below is a ruler carrier-I may make one for myself!
Finally my stacked coins and applique quilt is on my frame right now. I ordered some batting which should be here soon so then I can get it quilted. Here is a picture of the quilt for those who may not have seen it:
Oh look! There is my kitty looking at the quilt!
Last month is not a month I would like to repeat. I was practically house bound and when not in pain, I was under the influence of heavy duty drugs. Yes-they finally found a drug to knock me out and relieve the pain. Therefore sewing was near impossible until about a week ago. But the worst day of the month was when we took my kitty to the vet for the last time.
Rush was almost 18 years old and just recently started to show his age. He started to lose weight and was always hungry; he was doing his business all over the house and was always sleeping. He just was not happy. I was not able to take him so Lauren took on the task. She came home in tears but we still had a small laugh at the end: Rush had never been a friendly cat and he really only liked me. The nurse had to take him for a few minutes and when she picked him up, Rush tried to bite her. He was his own boss right to the end. I miss him terribly but I know he is in a better place.
I am still not able to move very well; walking still makes my leg numb so my day is spent at physical therapy, doing my exercises and lately, crocheting and knitting. I completed my shawl :
The pattern called for 2 pockets. I think they are superfluous when being worn (and ,frankly, it is not real comfy to wear) and so I only used 1 pocket. I added the ties to keep the darn thing on me. I don’t think I would waste my time on something like this again. I would look for something lacier and triangular.
I am also doing mindless crocheting: wash cloths and pot holders. I pulled out some scrap cotton yarn and made these:
I am expanding my horizons and going back to sewing very soon (like tomorrow!!). I have found that sitting in front of my machine is not that difficult if I pace myself at cutting and ironing.
Granny Time
Yes, I love my grandchildren but this is a little different. Over at Meet Me at Mikes Pip is making a granny square a day so I thought I would join her. I haven’t started yet but here is a granny square blanket that I made a couple years ago:
I want to make the new one a little more colorful and I plan to try some different patterns. I will post pictures as soon as I have a few.
Speaking of Granny Time I have not mentioned that my oldest, Adrienne and her husband Joe are expecting! She is due in early July and we are very excited. Time for a new baby quilt!
At least this is new to me.
Except for going to physical therapy and 2 doctor appointments, I have not been out of the house for 3 weeks. I do my exercises, I finished my knitted shawl and today I actually did some sewing although standing to cut and iron was tough. So I have been doing a little retail therapy on line.
No fabric though. Last week I picked up some notions at Shoppers Rule and today I picked up this stuff on Amazon .com. Has anyone used this before? There were no reviews but it does look interesting. I also picked up this book:
My back is not hurting as badly as before but I am still unable to walk without a limp and numbness in my left leg. My physical therapist says that if there is not marked improvement by Friday, she is going to recommend an MRI to my doctor. She is thinking I might have a slipped or herniated disc. My husband thinks I need traction and bed rest. As if I am not crazy enough.
I was trying to think of a cute phrase for a title: something like “From Aching Back to Looking Forward”. Back…Forward…never mind.
I have never been one for making -or keeping- New Year’s Resolutions but sitting here in pain the last week or so has made me a little more introspective.
One thing that I have realized is just how lucky I am. Everyone has been taking care of me and those that are not near have been checking in with me on the phone (Thank you Adrienne and Mimi!)
I also have to admit that I have an abundance of things in my life. This became more apparent while cleaning and re-doing our guest room. I have too much stuff. Lots was recycled to the thrift shop; some was guiltily thrown away; and still more is looking for a home in my sewing room. The saddest part is that I spend more time looking for things than actually sewing.
So I have decided that this year I plan on using more of what I have and not going to the fabric/quilt store when bored. I really want to say “I am going on a fabric diet this year and will not be buying any fabric.” The diet will also include no snacking on patterns and unnecessary notions. I will allow myself to buy thread, needles and batting as necessary. I will be piecing lots of backings this year!
Can I do it? I don’t know. Every year I give up fabric for Lent but I have never tried for a whole year. This is my plan for each month:
1) Quilt 1 top. Now that I have my Juki and frame, this will be do-able. Easy ones first, more difficult as my quilting improves.
2)Work on a project that I have already started. This includes hand and machine work. I am thinking that I will work at least one full week on my machine pieces (old blocks of the month, borderless quilts,etc) and one project for sitting in front of the tv (embroidery, applique,etc)
3) Work on something I want to do. If I want to start a new project, I will, without feeling guilty.
Each month I am going to post my goals on my side bar and I will not what I have –and have not- completed.
Are you planning on reducing your stash this year? Please let me know how you are doing. Let’s cheer each other on!
P.S. Although I will be trying very hard to be more responsible in my buying habits, all gifts will be graciously accepted!!
This has not been a good two weeks. It started out to be perfect. All my Christmas presents were wrapped, my Christmas cards were sent out and I had finished all my Christmas sewing. Also, I got a JOB in a Quilt Store!!!
I had gone out to Mission Rose Quiltery to get some thread and the owner had posted a sign looking for someone to work part time. Now, I had not even washed my hair that day but I figured what the heck and I was offered the job. Yay!!!
I worked the two weeks before Christmas. I woke up Christmas morning in a little pain but still able to walk. I rested all day Saturday and then at 4:00 am I woke up my daughter and she took me to the ER. The Dr. there thought it was a muscle spasm, gave me a shot and a pill and sent me home with a prescription. No relief.
Monday, my husband took me to my doctor who agreed with the ER doctor. Now I have been taking some heavy duty drugs that HAVE NOT KNOCKED ME OUT. I have been up and down all night for the past 3 days. I am going back to the doctor on Monday.
However, my family has been super. My poor husband has been helping me every minute he is home. My daughter Katie came over and picked up the house and did some laundry for me. Lauren (who finally got a job in her field and started just this week) has been cooking all the meals and cleaning also. My friend Mimi calls me everyday to make me laugh. I am also sewing vicariously through her-she tells me what she is working on. I am only able to knit. Mary, at the quilt shop told me to not worry about my job.
I missed wishing everyone a Merry Christmas but I can still wish you all
HAPPY NEW
YEAR!
We have not decorated outside at Christmas for a couple of years-not since we got new siding, windows and front door for the house. When I told my husband that I wanted to put out some decorations he told me I could do whatever I wanted as long as I didn’t use nails or tacks in the siding. So I went out to Home Depot today and I did this.
I know it is not a lot, but it makes me happy.
I have a quilt on my frame to be quilted (and bound) for a friend, another quilt that needs a binding, ANOTHER small quilt to be quilted and bound to give as a gift and several small projects to finish start before Christmas and what am I doing?
I decided to knit a scarf.
This is the yarn that I used:
I am not one that knits often but occasionally a yarn will speak to me so I will pick up just one or two skeins “for something I might want to make in the future.” I think this one was on sale at JoAnn’s last year. It has a wonderful feel-very soft. I got the pattern here. The pattern called for a finer yarn but this medium weight worked out well.
This project will hold me over for a few months until I feel the “need” again. Time to sew!
Friday the 13th was my birthday-but I won’t tell you which one-and it was very nice! The gorgeous flowers are from my very good friend Mimi. It was extra special because Adrienne and Joe came up for the weekend. Adrienne made me these:
They are keeping my feet very warm!
Katie and Lauren remembered that I had loved these at Williams and Sonoma:
I will make the cake mix for Thanksgiving!
My husband got me my new Juki a couple months ago, but he still remembered the day with a beautiful card.
I got myself (I am so bad!) a few things from the quilt shop:
And this book from Barnes and Noble:
I love these Matryoshka Dolls:
The weekend was also special because today is our 30th Wedding Anniversary! Katie put a nice write up and picture in the Sunday paper and we all went out to dinner on Sunday night. This is exactly how I wanted to celebrate. Thank you girls!
I made a simple cover for my sewing machine. I have also made a couple as gifts so I thought I would show you all how I made them.
Materials:
1/2 yard each of fabric for front, lining, and trim
Fusible web- 1/2 yard (18” wide) for pocket, small piece for applique
Ric-rac or piping (optional)
1 1/4 yards ribbon for ties (I used 1/4 “ wide satin)
Let’s start!
First measure your sewing machine. You need to measure across the widest part of the machine. Then using a tape measure, measure around the sewing machine, front to back.
The measurements on my machine were 16” x 30”. Add 1/2 inch to each measurement. Cut one front and one lining using your measurements (ex. 16 1/2'’ x 30 1/2’’).
From trim fabric cut one piece 8 1/2” x 16 1/2” (front trim) and one piece 12 1/2” x 16 1/2” (back pocket).
From fusible web, cut one piece 8 1/2” x 16 1/2” (for pocket).
1. Front trim: Fold fabric in half wrong sides together and press. Piece will measure 4 1/4” x 16 1/2”. Add trim if desired. Pin to the front fabric along one lower edge with the folded edge of the trim fabric facing up (hard to describe, easy to do!) Sew close to the top edge of the trim and baste trim to the sides.
2. Applique: For a gift I appliqued 4 hearts about two inches above the front trim. For the tutorial, I just cut a circle from the trim fabric, fused it to the front above the trim. And then I zig-zagged around the circle. If you are a real over-achiever, feel free to add your trim to the applique!
3. Back Pocket: Apply fusible web to fabric for back pocket.
Note-The reason I did this was because I wanted the pocket to be firmer (more firm?). If this does not matter to you or you are using a heavier fabric, feel free to skip this step)
Fold pocket in half wrong sides together and fuse. Pocket should measure 6 1/4” x 16 1/2”. Apply trim (optional). Baste to the front fabric at the side edges opposite the front trim and applique. (Again, easy to do, hard to explain!). You will have a long piece of fabric with the trim and applique at one edge and the pocket at the other edge. Clear as mud? Make sure the folded edge of the pocket is facing UP.
Finish!
1. Cut 4 pieces of ribbon 10” long. Measure up 6” on the front and back sides of the cover and pin ribbon in place. Note position of pins and ribbon.
2. Place front and lining pieces right sides together. Sew with a 1/4 “ seam around the cover leaving a 4”-5” opening along one side for turning.(See my pin trick-I always put 2 pins together to remind me to stop sewing so I will HAVE an opening.)
Note-I sew perpendicular at the start and end of my sewing to the edge of my fabric. It helps to make a sharp fold when I press and sew the opening closed.
3. Trim corners, turn right side out and give the cover a good press, Top stitch around, close to the edge. If your are careful, you will not have to hand sew the opening closed.
4. Finish pocket. I chose to put a seam down the center of the pocket and then again about 4” away to make 3 sections on the pocket. Doing it now attaches the front of the cover to the lining.
You are done! Congratulations!
Posts
All Comments
