tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72563482264673409882024-03-10T03:55:27.305-05:00elsie's girlShelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.comBlogger279125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-78157162555728607912017-08-01T07:06:00.000-05:002017-08-01T07:06:02.729-05:00comfort quilts for donationYes, it's been a while. A long while.<br />
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And I've missed writing updates and sharing photos. So I'm going to try to get back in the habit of spending time here :)<br />
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My wonderful quilt guild continues to support a local breast cancer care facility with donations of comfort quilts for patients in the surgery phase of their treatment plan. I set a personal goal for 2017 to donate five quilts, and the first two are finished and on the way to patients.<br />
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16-patch quilts are so simple, but the result is always beautiful. The fuchsia, orange, and yellow batiks in this 56" x 70" quilt remind me of a summer sunset. You only need 20 fat quarters to make this large throw sized quilt. First I cut four strips measuring 4" x 18" from each fat quarter, took two of those strips and paired them with two strips from a different fat quarter, and used <a href="https://sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com/2014/09/st-louis-16-patch-quilt-block-tutorial.html" target="_blank">this construction method</a> to create one 14" finished block. Repeat nineteen more times and you've got 20 quilt blocks!! This is a great project to take along to a retreat or sew-in because it can be chain pieced without needing to constantly refer to a pattern or directions :)<br />
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Fellow guild member Judy C did the freehand longarm quilting on both of the quilts I'm showing you today. She did a marvelous job!<br />
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The second quilt was made with fabrics I purchased from another guild member who was destashing fabrics and kits, and it's tough for me to resist a pile of bright, beautiful fabrics at a bargain price! The fabrics were part of a kit to make an entirely different quilt, but I had a new <a href="https://www.missouriquiltco.com/shop/detail/4133/msqc/-/large-half-hexagon-template-for-10-squares" target="_blank">half-hexagon template</a> from Missouri Star Quilt Company begging to be used. The template is designed to be used with 10" fabric squares (layer cake squares), but you can also use it with fat quarters or yardage.<br />
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After cutting all of the half hexagons it took me a few tries to find a layout I liked, but once that was settled the sewing was easy! The sky blue borders are cut from my stash fabric and bring the final size to 55" x 65".<br />
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The flowers Judy quilted in the center of each hexagon are the perfect finish :)<br />
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The kit even had enough fabric to cobble together a backing and scrappy rainbow binding! Who wouldn't like a quilt backing covered in zinnias?!<br />
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In October 2016 our guild members made 31 donation quilts for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and a few of us were lucky enough to deliver the quilts and receive a tour of the facility. The nurses, doctors, and administrators provide such excellent care to their patients - both physically and emotionally.<br />
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Since our 45 member guild began supporting this local care center we've donated over 100 quilts to local women battling breast cancer :)<br />
<br />Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-75491483630877464972016-10-11T15:55:00.000-05:002016-10-11T20:35:17.628-05:00are you listening?When I was a kid my parents (and nearly every other adult in my life) listened to a lot of talk radio. It was primarily news or sports, and I vividly remember rolling my eyes and thinking, "why would anyone waste their time listening to anything other than music?!"<br />
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Fast-forward a few decades and here I am spending a lot of time listening to the 21st century version of talk radio - podcasts. Have you jumped on the podcast bandwagon yet? If not, what are you waiting for? There is an unbelievable amount of free listening content on any and every topic you can imagine available to access with your smartphone, tablet, or computer.<br />
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I am an iPhone/iPad/iTunes user (so I don't know a lot about Android or other devices) but I believe there are podcast listening apps on most every current technology platform. If you are an iPhone or iPad user they both already have podcast apps loaded and ready to go. You can "subscribe" to your favorite podcasts and never have to search for new posts from those channels - they'll automatically update in your podcast app and be waiting for you when you are ready!<br />
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Today I'm sharing my favorite sewing, creative, and other podcasts and telling you a little bit about why I like each one. Maybe some of these will become your favorites!<br />
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My top two sewing-related podcasts are <a href="http://www.craftyplanner.com/" target="_blank">Crafty Planner</a> and <a href="http://whileshenaps.com/" target="_blank">While She Naps</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.craftyplanner.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbgs6bIn_2z3WHMOCy8Dz0OG3JeZeS5pAxPMDww3GXF84VjmSXA_2u3anSj07Dj1saY7H2qNAoXjBSHsziHri0Qud4y3jPWuKBIXir_uavKaMHaq0BrxbVsAHitzabWDAsGpfH5z-8j50/s320/crafty+planner.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
The <a href="http://www.craftyplanner.com/episodes/" target="_blank">Crafty Planner podcast</a> is hosted by Sandi Hazlewood - "a former city planner who loves all things crafty" living in San Diego, California. Sandi interviews makers from every sewing and crafting field - quilters, apparel sewers, fabric designers, knitters, and other fiber artists starting each podcast by asking the guest to describe their creative journey. She produces a high quality program by asking insightful questions and loves to laugh with her guests. <br />
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Abby Glassenberg hosts the <a href="http://whileshenaps.com/category/the-podcast/episodes" target="_blank">While She Naps podcast</a>. Abby is a sewing pattern designer, craft book author, writer, and teacher. She is also co-founder of the Craft Industry Alliance (CIA), a trade association for craft industry professionals. Abby interviews all manner of craft and fiber industry people - makers, designers, book publishers, and bloggers as well as executives in the fabric manufacturing industry. Her interviews are very well researched and have a somewhat journalistic feel (but there is still a lot of laughter!) with a focus on what it takes to build a creative business. She recently conducted a live podcast interview with Mickey Krueger, president of Windham Fabrics, at the SewPro convention in Chicago.</div>
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Some other creative content podcasts that I frequently listen in on:</div>
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<a href="https://www.seamwork.com/radio" target="_blank">Seamwork Radio</a>: Sarai Mitnick from Colette Patterns and Seamwork magazine talks to artists, designers, and everyday creators about what sewing brings to their lives and how to take part in the current growing movement to revive the art of sewing.</div>
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<a href="http://www.goodlifeproject.com/radio/" target="_blank">Good Life Project</a>: a podcast by GLP founder Jonathan Fields who describes GLP as "a global community of people from all walks of life. From artists to entrepreneurs, full-time parents to C-suite execs, students to savants and everything in-between" who are "on a quest to help each other live more meaningful, connected and vital lives". Recent interviews include Mary Fons and Elizabeth Gilbert.</div>
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Because I am an absolute nerd who loves learning about lots of things (not just sewing and quilting!), the following podcasts are also on my list of favorites:<br />
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<a href="http://www.npr.org/podcasts/381444908/fresh-air" target="_blank">Fresh Air</a>: This podcast from NPR (National Public Radio) features conversations about current events with politicians, journalists, authors, celebrities, and others in the news. New episodes are published almost daily and provide more in depth content than most TV and print news. This is my go-to podcast for current events information.<br />
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<a href="http://www.npr.org/podcasts/510298/ted-radio-hour" target="_blank">TED Radio Hour</a>: Another NPR podcast, episodes here focus on a single topic and pull content from several previously published TED (Technology, Education, Design) talks. If you haven't heard of TED talks (where have you been?) leave this post right now and head over to the <a href="https://www.ted.com/" target="_blank">TED website</a> to learn more about these short powerful talks from TED conferences that cover almost every science, business, and global issue topic. Some of my recent favorite episodes are " The Case for Optimism" and "Failure is an Option".</div>
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<a href="https://www.jeanchatzky.com/podcast/" target="_blank">HerMoney with Jean Chatzky</a>: Financial expert Jean Chatzky has written for SmartMoney magazine, been the financial editor for the NBC Today show, and authored several books about personal finance. This podcast is her latest effort to educate people about the difficult subject of money and personal finances in an easy to understand, conversational way. Her podcast specifically focuses on women and money, but the topics presented apply to everyone.</div>
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<a href="http://www.npr.org/podcasts/344098539/wait-wait-don-t-tell-me" target="_blank">Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me</a>: A funny weekly news quiz podcast taped in Chicago that features three panelists (usually comedians and humor writers), call-in quiz participants, as well as a celebrity or person in the news. It's a fun way to review what's happened in our world in the past week. Sometimes you've just got to laugh about the news, right?!</div>
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So that's what I'm listening to most of the time. This list is truly only a small snippet of what's available out there. I've sampled many other podcasts, but these are the ones I return to again and again because I find the content valuable and the presenters hold my attention without being annoying or patronizing. </div>
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If you try any of these podcasts please share your thoughts. And I'd love to hear your podcast recommendations - I'm always on the lookout for new ones!<br />
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Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-72689809983942121432016-09-06T09:10:00.000-05:002016-09-06T09:10:31.279-05:00DIY yardstick table topA couple of years ago I came up with an idea to make an accent table using reclaimed yardsticks as the top and a cast iron Singer treadle sewing machine base as the bottom. I had been searching for a complete Singer treadle table (with wooden top and those coveted drawers), but couldn't locate one in decent shape at a price I was willing to pay. About the same time I noticed some interesting projects on Pinterest using yardsticks... And so the idea came about to meld the two into one project!<br />
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Singer sewing table bases are not too difficult to find - a recent search on eBay yielded 149 listings - it just depends on what you are willing to pay. The yardsticks, however, proved a bit more difficult to source. Lucky for me (!) I have an uncle who enjoys frequenting the large weekly auction near his home to search for all types of treasures, so I gave him the task of finding a mess of vintage wooden yardsticks for me - all sizes and colors were fair game. It took about a year, but he was able to find several bundles :)<br />
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Sooooo....<br />
yardsticks - check<br />
table base - check<br />
willing and helpful husband - check!<br />
My project idea gave him the perfect excuse to bust out his new compound mitre saw. Thank heavens he's always up for helping me make my crazy project ideas a reality!<br />
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The first step was to cut a 5/8" thick plywood base for the yardsticks - mine measures 18" x 31". We added a couple of one-by-fours on the bottom of the plywood base to securely hold the treadle base with longer screws. (I had spray painted the boards and the plywood base bottom a dark brown before this step to give the underside a more finished look than just raw wood.)</div>
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Then I sorted through my yardsticks to find the stain colors and words that I preferred. You definitely want all the yardsticks for this project to have the same thickness in order to create the smoothest tabletop possible. I arranged them in a rough layout (shown below) and we began cutting one at a time starting with the front edge.</div>
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And here is the fabulous new saw in action cutting those yardsticks to size :)<br />
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Each cut-to-size stick was held in place on the plywood with wood glue, tiny finishing nails, and clamps. (We started the process at the front edge to be sure it was straight. You can fudge the back edge a bit if necessary, but not the front!!)</div>
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The yardstick along the back edge is a 1" cube (and it's actually straight and level - not sloping up to the right as it appears in the photo). It provides a small lip at the back to prevent anything from falling off the back of the tabletop and does a nice job hiding the 3/16" of exposed table base on the back left that somehow remained when we finished (oops). Finally we added yardsticks to the front and both sides of the table top to hide the plywood base.</div>
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Two coats of clear polyurethane were used to deepen the wood tones and ink colors.<br />
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And there it is - finished and ready to assume residence in our living room!<br />
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I'm still on the hunt for the perfect table lamp(s) and other pretty things to showcase on it, but the table is now located where I can see it every day. It turned out EXACTLY as I had pictured and planned - I LOVE when that happens :) Most of the yardsticks I used are from businesses in the area where I grew up, so that gives the whole project special meaning. Maybe some of them were even used by Elsie - I remember that she had several wooden yardsticks in her basement sewing area. There is one new yardstick in the bunch - it's from a lovely fabric store (Bolt & Spool) in Cleveland where Thing 2 attends college.<br />
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I still have quite a bundle of vintage yardsticks that I can use in other projects. Any suggestions??Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-85788920224931229652016-05-06T08:13:00.001-05:002016-05-06T08:13:10.689-05:00a "For Keeps" quilt for SarahSharing beautiful and useful things with the people we love is the main reason most of us sew, isn't it? At least that's how I feel about most of the sewing that I do. I made this simple but lovely quilt for my dear niece Sarah in April.<br />
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Sarah is a lovely person inside and out; she's a wife and mom to two beautiful sons, and probably the most kind and genuine person I know. She recently had a bit of a health scare. I wanted to sew a tangible and beautiful reminder of how much she is loved - something she could see and use every day.<br />
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The quilt was delivered to her last weekend, and then yesterday I listened to a podcast interview with Amy Gibson of <a href="http://www.stitcherydickorydock.com/" target="_blank">Stitchery Dickery Dock</a> and learned about her <a href="http://quiltforkeeps.com/take-the-pledge/" target="_blank">"For Keeps" pledge</a>. It so perfectly sums up how I feel about sewing and making things for my loved ones, and this post seems the perfect place to share it. Don't worry - I'm also including all the details on the making of the quilt a little further down in the post :)<br />
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The For Keeps pledge states:<br />
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"I love to sew because it brings me joy, and I love to share that joy with those around me </div>
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by making things that are used and enjoyed every day.</div>
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I don't sew because it's trendy.</div>
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I don't sew because it might make others like me more.</div>
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I don't sew because I have to.</div>
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I am taking this pledge to refocus my heart and to remind myself of why I sew, and who I sew for.</div>
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I pledge to make things I love</div>
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For the people I love</div>
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To use every day.</div>
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I will sew for keeps."</div>
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Perfect, right?!</div>
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And now back to the quilt details... Sarah's Pinterest boards gave me great insight into her home decor preferred colors, and I know that she loves simple classic designs. I immediately thought of the "Small Change" quilt in the "Quilts Made Modern" book by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr.</div>
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Twenty different shot cottons by Kaffe Fassett and Pepper Cory make up the palette for this quilt. I used a half yard of the bottom grey and quarter yards of all the others cutting two (four from the grey) 3.5" x 42" strips from each. The strips were then randomly sewn into 3 strip sets which were cross-cut into 3.5" x 9.5" sections shown below. I advise pre-washing shot cottons especially the Pepper Cory shot cottons - the shrinkage rate of these beautiful fabrics is greater than other quilting cottons which could result in a very puckered finished quilt when it is washed and dried for the first time.<br />
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These three-square sections were arranged in an 18 x 24 square grid to determine color placement. I also used the monotone (black and white) setting on my phone's camera to check that the light and dark values were spread across the quilt.<br />
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A new quilter in the area - Isis in Huntley - quilted this all over classic fans design in a mauve thread. She did a fantastic job!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCEYs7Dpb-DU7q_ja1TsDTP1PhpR7D6eCqTW4gw_FfPyHDUUviU2QgqzTqQ_80nooWpJ8pqVgyOltpmfkV3YkWhZN1bWkzvteC2MXCAHy5mN9mplD_Ijy2SSMvi0cLIZ_sDqJT2V9YBs/s1600/quilting+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCEYs7Dpb-DU7q_ja1TsDTP1PhpR7D6eCqTW4gw_FfPyHDUUviU2QgqzTqQ_80nooWpJ8pqVgyOltpmfkV3YkWhZN1bWkzvteC2MXCAHy5mN9mplD_Ijy2SSMvi0cLIZ_sDqJT2V9YBs/s400/quilting+detail.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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The backing and binding is a solid from Lotta Jansdotter's line Glimma for Windham Fabrics. The color is chameleon-like; it's a dusty grey/mauve/lavender that changes depending on the lighting and what colors are next to it. Very versatile, and I really love the way the quilting texture is highlighted on this solid backing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQ8vyoIE0KYqjy1WftNDFONLwjYevkzfztld7eIeaxb4J3JQ7jpv21OqspSVivkihGHvq6-9jPwzZhpd_Bq9cg93NJaDsVBmm02JPmFv1Jvm82aI_oJmSzUTT3jzG7P6egIClcVxDfZk/s1600/backing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQ8vyoIE0KYqjy1WftNDFONLwjYevkzfztld7eIeaxb4J3JQ7jpv21OqspSVivkihGHvq6-9jPwzZhpd_Bq9cg93NJaDsVBmm02JPmFv1Jvm82aI_oJmSzUTT3jzG7P6egIClcVxDfZk/s400/backing.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I've been keeping a record of most of my projects in this swatch journal. Orderly rows of fabric squares and neat handwriting push all my buttons :) And how fun to have a tactile record of the items I've made for my loved ones!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I7aAtnpPegv2H2rVYDACgf_APIpQGVQjlLJETSoE67UVGBZTwffHGWOkweK3E_Pc4d_cKS47ji-u5W08QHWXFphcvGx1_Tor2ZlYdOUBCf0l5hrKkOZ8LwQIlbBqOdr4HJr0FnRhecs/s1600/Swatch+journal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I7aAtnpPegv2H2rVYDACgf_APIpQGVQjlLJETSoE67UVGBZTwffHGWOkweK3E_Pc4d_cKS47ji-u5W08QHWXFphcvGx1_Tor2ZlYdOUBCf0l5hrKkOZ8LwQIlbBqOdr4HJr0FnRhecs/s400/Swatch+journal.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Let me know your thoughts on the For Keeps pledge. There is a free printable available for your sewing area and a blog button too on Amy's <a href="http://quiltforkeeps.com/take-the-pledge/" target="_blank">Take the Pledge webpage</a>. I've added the button to my sidebar :)<br />
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You can get more information about the podcast interview with Amy <a href="http://craftyplanner.com/2016/05/02/amy-gibson/" target="_blank">here</a>. Sandi Hazlewood does a fantastic job with her Crafty Planner podcasts; you'll want to subscribe and listen to all the episodes!Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-24565866361840266882016-04-13T07:08:00.000-05:002016-04-13T07:08:07.770-05:00modern building blocks 2, 3, and an outsiderContinuing my earlier post documenting my Modern Building Blocks quilt, I've got three more large quilt blocks to show you. The published pattern includes only one 30" block, but my king-sized layout requires two, so I enlarged a block from Love Patchwork and Quilting magazine Issue #21 designed by Susan Standen at <a href="http://canadianabroad-susan.blogspot.com/2015/04/block-book.html" target="_blank">Canadian Abroad</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V-3vjEE5VNR79Az1HwjOHWATAQt-_R1FaAuw53T6tWxDOmhc7FWYK2DG7t-t7swI9PfOVLADXhByiUMtlnLa8B86JlRRac33xmdnoQnuZebsYHPLJAButCNiw9HnM0HhJj7-lMLb3UY/s1600/Block3b+addtl+30inch+block+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_V-3vjEE5VNR79Az1HwjOHWATAQt-_R1FaAuw53T6tWxDOmhc7FWYK2DG7t-t7swI9PfOVLADXhByiUMtlnLa8B86JlRRac33xmdnoQnuZebsYHPLJAButCNiw9HnM0HhJj7-lMLb3UY/s400/Block3b+addtl+30inch+block+plan.jpg" width="362" /></a></div>
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Originally published as a 14.5" block to use on a quilt block folder project, I chose this one to enlarge to 30" because of the 5x5 grid construction. 5 blocks x 6" each = 30". Yay! </div>
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After drafting the larger size and including my color scheme, I figured the component sizes I'd need. This is one of my most favorite parts of the quilting process - the quilt math! Does anyone know if this block pattern has a name? I didn't find one in the magazine's instructions.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9z3MjDyNjMLTMypEWgUbbHlB8x6kxHN_GZmRWnsqKxYehrFD6dW2Wmh_Q9b9WdrLScA6M9991y1TlV3ahuyNSuQ2wvsKdSBLPiG-VbaYtFqj-2UBdaxl8eNIcURSOJGaPueLaXMo8ywE/s1600/Block3b+addtl+30inch+block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9z3MjDyNjMLTMypEWgUbbHlB8x6kxHN_GZmRWnsqKxYehrFD6dW2Wmh_Q9b9WdrLScA6M9991y1TlV3ahuyNSuQ2wvsKdSBLPiG-VbaYtFqj-2UBdaxl8eNIcURSOJGaPueLaXMo8ywE/s400/Block3b+addtl+30inch+block.jpg" width="390" /></a></div>
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The other two blocks I have to show you are from the original published Modern Building Blocks Pattern. They both have super interesting names - here's Block 2 finishing at 36" square...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNA26TCV4TzJBtUSzlZJ3mHKn4LUvBVn0PA-qsy9Bw6BhW3-KLMCBLWNwDastx1eVEidktfysnnN2_FpEISBe5Q5EpyyOHy-vWme7AYz4n_T_JO9KSHPGRgsEXzpX3vAr46Fk0BsDNNI/s1600/Block+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNA26TCV4TzJBtUSzlZJ3mHKn4LUvBVn0PA-qsy9Bw6BhW3-KLMCBLWNwDastx1eVEidktfysnnN2_FpEISBe5Q5EpyyOHy-vWme7AYz4n_T_JO9KSHPGRgsEXzpX3vAr46Fk0BsDNNI/s400/Block+2.jpg" width="393" /></a></div>
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And Block 3 finishing at 30" square...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vtT4Ok_GwhMJU-aQzukA-wjdwml3Vja4iyTEXVoMUsVAmR8dBjfjfK9sR5Ko_MeX23DbstgqQeRt5QR4jbjI6ItF2VogU6GvOPAOEEoLWCi8vIXCcqM0c7k8Vo1pIZ7jnJ-B2LqbVJs/s1600/Block+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8vtT4Ok_GwhMJU-aQzukA-wjdwml3Vja4iyTEXVoMUsVAmR8dBjfjfK9sR5Ko_MeX23DbstgqQeRt5QR4jbjI6ItF2VogU6GvOPAOEEoLWCi8vIXCcqM0c7k8Vo1pIZ7jnJ-B2LqbVJs/s400/Block+3.jpg" width="396" /></a></div>
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4 blocks down, 48 to go!</div>
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If you're planing to make this quilt I'm including some cutting and construction modifications I've used that seem to make the blocks more accurate and easier to cut and sew.</div>
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** Please note that I am not providing all the instructions here for making these blocks; you'll need your own copy of the pattern for a complete set of instructions to sew along. I'm only providing information about how I modified the cutting and construction steps to make the blocks easier to sew and more accurate :)</div>
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<u style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, utopia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">Block 2 p</u><u style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: georgia, utopia, 'palatino linotype', palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">attern cutting modifications</u></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">A fabric: cut (7) 7.5" squares</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">B fabric: cut (7) 7.5" squares</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">C fabric: cut (10) 7.5" squares</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">D fabric: cut (1) 20.5" squares</li>
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<u>Block 2 construction modifications</u></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Make (10) A/C and (10) C/B HST units trimming all to 6 7/8'. Combine these to make (10) C/B/A/C flying geese units pressing the center seam open.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Make (4) B/A triangle units pressing the center seam open.</li>
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<u style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">Block 3 p</u><u style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;">attern cutting modifications</u><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "georgia" , "utopia" , "palatino linotype" , "palatino" , serif; font-size: 15.4px; line-height: 21.56px;"> - 93 pieces!!</span></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Cut fabrics A, B, H, and I as directed</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">C fabric: cut (10) 3.5" squares</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">D fabric: cut (6) 3.5" squares</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">E fabric: cut (2) 6.5" squares</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">F fabric: cut (12) 6" squares</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">G fabric: cut (8) 6" squares</li>
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<u>Block 3 construction modifications</u></div>
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<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Make (4) flying geese units with B and C. Trim to 3" x 5.5"</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Make (16) F/G HST units. Press (12) to F and (4) to G. Trim to 5.5" square.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Make (4) HST using D and C. Press to D and trim to 3".</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Center 9-patch should measure 10.5" square unfinished.</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Corner H/I units should measure 10.5" square unfinished.</li>
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Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-42267915524877609272016-03-30T06:36:00.000-05:002016-03-30T06:36:36.960-05:00the biggest quilt block everAlmost one year ago I started a Block of the Month program at a local quilt shop using the <a href="http://www.modafabrics.com/modern-building-blocks-assembly-ps9900.pdf" target="_blank">Moda Modern Building Blocks pattern</a>. The 84" x 96" quilt in the published pattern is made of 48 different blocks ranging in size from 6" to 36" using 21 unique Moda solid fabrics.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzmLyMIn4cG9y1fR1FPhnFIwybPHehYQZFS7n0immMSc-MRHuaBRQtDMFvaVomW7129KgUz3YKGcf8QhEZJeilKDrDq62tb5jrkvAQk_HDJLyiXlA7wbCtX_fkrJ3X-8XTgZgpC5dNZM/s1600/pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzmLyMIn4cG9y1fR1FPhnFIwybPHehYQZFS7n0immMSc-MRHuaBRQtDMFvaVomW7129KgUz3YKGcf8QhEZJeilKDrDq62tb5jrkvAQk_HDJLyiXlA7wbCtX_fkrJ3X-8XTgZgpC5dNZM/s400/pattern.jpg" width="350" /></a></div>
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I chose a color palette of red, white/cream, grey, and icy blue that qualifies as Christmas-y, but can still be used in all the winter months December through February. But I need mine to be king sized. Because who doesn't want a special holiday quilt for their bed?<br />
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Block #1 is the largest (<b>36" finished</b>)<b> </b>and that's where the BOM program started - go big right outta the gate! My center red and white section on point finishes at 12" square; adding the blue triangles brings the block center to 18" square. The four outer squares are 9" and the flying geese sections are 9" x 18". I'm quite sure this is the biggest quilt block I've ever made! <i>(If you're making this quilt too and would like some helpful cutting info, make sure you read all the way to the bottom of this post.)</i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqiE3zH0Z9PirZ90IZ6XWlSfuZlZKQBuAdn-CPJdlrzcjmH0tP3W1KM4OnudlqHwWhZq4MB8PooA4bCW2P8triI5epkbZYdcyijUd8NEqK5s88y42nVc3I7wPbdW5zlbkGRcgOUH7GeI/s1600/Block+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqiE3zH0Z9PirZ90IZ6XWlSfuZlZKQBuAdn-CPJdlrzcjmH0tP3W1KM4OnudlqHwWhZq4MB8PooA4bCW2P8triI5epkbZYdcyijUd8NEqK5s88y42nVc3I7wPbdW5zlbkGRcgOUH7GeI/s400/Block+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The background here is a long-hoarded Paris street map print from the "Passport" line by 3 Sisters for Moda. I'm planning to make this a very scrappy quilt with many different prints in my four main colors, but I'll use this Paris map print in lots of blocks because I love it so much :) </div>
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My planning for a king sized quilt started with graph paper and scale cut cardstock pieces. I used a 12:1 scale for cutting the cardstock, so the 36" block above is represented by a 3" square of cardstock.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX85OAYASwG1L9ZvzRyDR8ttUTWtFMAzEO3JhnK3tE8ScNpLZFDgHJCZZdFBA-m3w6RNeGqHK-ujuNd0Vq1Cxz53s9BE7VcmVAAVdn_IfR17OLLRl-FVeZmOsB4wKDng4y9kCqzVB3Jag/s1600/Cardstock+fun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX85OAYASwG1L9ZvzRyDR8ttUTWtFMAzEO3JhnK3tE8ScNpLZFDgHJCZZdFBA-m3w6RNeGqHK-ujuNd0Vq1Cxz53s9BE7VcmVAAVdn_IfR17OLLRl-FVeZmOsB4wKDng4y9kCqzVB3Jag/s400/Cardstock+fun.jpg" width="293" /></a></div>
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Fortunately all of the block sizes in this quilt pattern are divisible by 3, so I assigned each square on my graph paper chart to be equivalent to 3" in real life. By slightly upsizing a standard king sized quilt measurement to 96" x 108", both the height and width dimensions of my planned quilt are divisible by 3. Whew - first step of quilt math done!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNPawRG0wIDLE_hVMlCZ7oWtTwZIEzezG4yzF92lNr_sxr0nNEMHTEWRNLajCc5rBTtjZDbk-oWIYYJ9CYNK4ef6P_Ccp188QwwK23qqpEI-8vAP7kiI9EMJBZpJvCHvn4bzI1NGLy9I/s1600/King+sized+layout+revision.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjNPawRG0wIDLE_hVMlCZ7oWtTwZIEzezG4yzF92lNr_sxr0nNEMHTEWRNLajCc5rBTtjZDbk-oWIYYJ9CYNK4ef6P_Ccp188QwwK23qqpEI-8vAP7kiI9EMJBZpJvCHvn4bzI1NGLy9I/s400/King+sized+layout+revision.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With the 96" x 108" grid marked on my graph paper, I started filling it with cardstock pieces to determine a layout. After several iterations (and advice from a design-savvy friend) I arrived at this final layout.<br />
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My king-sized version of the Modern Building Blocks quilt will contain:<br />
<ul>
<li>(2) 36" blocks</li>
<li>(2) 30" blocks</li>
<li>(2) 24" blocks</li>
<li>(5) 18" blocks</li>
<li>(16) 12" blocks</li>
<li>(25) 6" blocks</li>
</ul>
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That's a total of 52 blocks! I've been plugging away at this little by little over the past 12 months, but if I have any hope of draping this quilt over my bed in the Christmas/Winter season of 2016-17 I need to buckle down and finish the top soon. I've got 23 blocks sewn so far, which I'll show you in posts to come. While most of my blocks are from the published pattern, there are also a few designs that I pulled from other sources.</div>
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The following modifications and tips helped me get the correct sized block the first time. I hope you'll follow along with my progress :)<br />
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<u>Pattern cutting modifications for Block 1</u> - These changes allow you to trim sections to size as you sew which leads to better accuracy.<br />
<ol>
<li>B fabric: cut (8) 4" squares</li>
<li>D fabric: cut (2) 4" squares</li>
<li>E fabric: cut (2) 10.5" squares</li>
<li>F fabric: cut (4) 10" squares</li>
</ol>
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<u>Block section trimming instructions</u> - trim individual sections as you go to make sure you end up with a 36.5" unfinished block.</div>
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<ol>
<li>Center square A/B trim to 6.5"</li>
<li>B/D HST units trim to 3.5"</li>
<li>C/D flying geese units trim to 3.5" x 6.5"</li>
<li>A/B/C/D unit trim to 12.5"</li>
<li>A/B/C/D/E unit trim to 18.5"</li>
<li>F/G flying geese units trim to 9.5" x 18.5"</li>
</ol>
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Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-86349124241093493302016-02-26T05:30:00.000-06:002016-02-26T05:30:05.440-06:00pixelated heart quiltIn the middle of January I became obsessed with making a pixelated heart quilt after seeing a photo of <a href="http://www.acraftyfox.net/works-in-progress/take-heart/" target="_blank">this one</a> made by Amanda at <a href="http://www.westwoodacresfabric.com/" target="_blank">Westwood Acres</a> Fabric Shop. Though I already have plenty of works-in-progress to keep me occupied, I couldn't seem to let go of the idea. So...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKDuOTSNSNxke0xUsSo1EMBp85q8s3VGcCKUHFyR5o9_CNq4G-_Dc4KUwP_nnx9zJKAf7wseRD9Soh4xTOUMTWgDGAtajDWAweM87bElspMa52mBCOWzCI69rwtYTMZaA6OUXhxE1z6c/s1600/quilt+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKDuOTSNSNxke0xUsSo1EMBp85q8s3VGcCKUHFyR5o9_CNq4G-_Dc4KUwP_nnx9zJKAf7wseRD9Soh4xTOUMTWgDGAtajDWAweM87bElspMa52mBCOWzCI69rwtYTMZaA6OUXhxE1z6c/s400/quilt+top.jpg" width="323" /></a></div>
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Just like her quilt, I used 5" cut squares, and I'm happy to report that ALL the fabrics for the quilt top came from my stash. Lots and lots of Anna Maria Horner prints in this pile - I just grabbed every pink or purple fabric I had and got busy cutting. The quilt needs 70 colored squares, but I cut 100+ so I could be choosy about where I placed them in the center of the quilt layout to form the heart.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2IhlAWlCkpq9vO519UZG-jZGaoXgmh3Lb68KletSagrfnf0v-FwkZFM8pSvGYcX7DzDs8ILXMKzbYzK6ZsuACit0rKgzUxIz-UlICvMGzf2m-W_2RHXTcyO4506Ie8lNmza844KptnA/s1600/pink+fabrics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2IhlAWlCkpq9vO519UZG-jZGaoXgmh3Lb68KletSagrfnf0v-FwkZFM8pSvGYcX7DzDs8ILXMKzbYzK6ZsuACit0rKgzUxIz-UlICvMGzf2m-W_2RHXTcyO4506Ie8lNmza844KptnA/s400/pink+fabrics.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Low volume fabrics make up the background; 215 background squares plus 70 colored squares yield a 67" x 85" (twin sized) finished quilt arranged in a 15 x 19 block grid.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXk4N_HwD7gTYva3c8eJ9eOpU8leASAF8gcgEX-ADDegOZzMLD-ZcDnHaXizArLS_4RLBBAD515SzLzFCqjJsy9P-89hM547rESKbQaHfngtIs4KG-kwuecl-u53Is8W3Igsriu37wuA/s1600/background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZXk4N_HwD7gTYva3c8eJ9eOpU8leASAF8gcgEX-ADDegOZzMLD-ZcDnHaXizArLS_4RLBBAD515SzLzFCqjJsy9P-89hM547rESKbQaHfngtIs4KG-kwuecl-u53Is8W3Igsriu37wuA/s400/background.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I took all the cut squares to my quilt guild's January sewing day to get the layout set and get most of it sewn together. I arranged the heart center and sewed it into rows before positioning the background squares. (Why do all banks have such hideous carpet in their community/meeting rooms?)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYum1dkoYSLMiSxG8NH0EdnawMYv92Hpdrq9KHB4YltWv6P_cnp3Zqp1vEWlLTcsRpp8ptT7iz1VOorwdDQmAbMruWoe6NvrUOq318xfp-8UMS5w53e_qCw4fwko1IVocnUA-fCc7_bY/s1600/layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYum1dkoYSLMiSxG8NH0EdnawMYv92Hpdrq9KHB4YltWv6P_cnp3Zqp1vEWlLTcsRpp8ptT7iz1VOorwdDQmAbMruWoe6NvrUOq318xfp-8UMS5w53e_qCw4fwko1IVocnUA-fCc7_bY/s400/layout.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I didn't press any seams at the sew-in; I just kept sewing all day to get each row assembled. Then the following week at home I pressed the seams for each row in alternating directions so they could be nested and all the corners would line up as I completed the quilt top.</div>
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Here's a shot of my favorite section of the quilt - the top center of the heart. I finally cut into and used this french macaron fabric that I've been saving for a few years :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9_Qrweu00iitKd8jSMsgvLcnf959gOSpvRbTq8bAG2wWEUwNHe1eG-G7e5la2Mu5BMTigPQZjEsYId1rOEGSEmt15YfumHSNPcVLiC8VhP_M4fzueZ1H_Cs69CqVfjYI7T3rB3W9FPs/s1600/favorite+square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9_Qrweu00iitKd8jSMsgvLcnf959gOSpvRbTq8bAG2wWEUwNHe1eG-G7e5la2Mu5BMTigPQZjEsYId1rOEGSEmt15YfumHSNPcVLiC8VhP_M4fzueZ1H_Cs69CqVfjYI7T3rB3W9FPs/s400/favorite+square.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The print on the right is my backing - Caravan's Light in Sunrise from the Bijoux collection by Bari J for Art Gallery fabrics.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p5o0S5DFoZVIKLKKhyeWRcZ__EYBopwKWNmuxPMnKYWaBaOffDyCBQpUjvQZxXgpqvc7iVo8AVM3WrFJVutzwU1ZXsgfRtWyeCBHP9JxECv1wkhJSQ2N-vuXcog0f2lThMYLLYhYoJE/s1600/backing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p5o0S5DFoZVIKLKKhyeWRcZ__EYBopwKWNmuxPMnKYWaBaOffDyCBQpUjvQZxXgpqvc7iVo8AVM3WrFJVutzwU1ZXsgfRtWyeCBHP9JxECv1wkhJSQ2N-vuXcog0f2lThMYLLYhYoJE/s400/backing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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"Dahlia Dance" is the long-arm quilting pattern I selected; it was quilted by my fellow guild member Isis. The lilac polyester thread (brand name Glide) has a bit of sheen to it, and I love the results!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwDWsGds3f4J5lzzdPQ6Mwsvqb_UYHGt_4sIr5pnmCQuQBAsLjDCZAj3DtDJL_kwxwGVBV7YGu5qYisvz8u7DGnVu1-IrX9vFmweVnb-lV2RINc01ahL83_UKM0S_q3BX5PW0iefd15c/s1600/quilting+close+up+prewash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwDWsGds3f4J5lzzdPQ6Mwsvqb_UYHGt_4sIr5pnmCQuQBAsLjDCZAj3DtDJL_kwxwGVBV7YGu5qYisvz8u7DGnVu1-IrX9vFmweVnb-lV2RINc01ahL83_UKM0S_q3BX5PW0iefd15c/s400/quilting+close+up+prewash.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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Pellon Nature's Touch all cotton batting is in the center. I hadn't used this batting before, but I may be using it exclusively from now on. It is lightweight with an excellent drape, and after washing the quilt's texture is so soft and crinkly. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-asv8EsCM4BPuRCaSFSyXaEA-rgE-WG81oranqQaBO2cnt8JkhIXL9jivk6bYHLVDeL5o96CUGFwfJTwxYX8dfkx8m1sycUYDXHcblLURqCb7g_mUv_CKfS51cg3KXhAwgu007u3XW8/s1600/quilting+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv-asv8EsCM4BPuRCaSFSyXaEA-rgE-WG81oranqQaBO2cnt8JkhIXL9jivk6bYHLVDeL5o96CUGFwfJTwxYX8dfkx8m1sycUYDXHcblLURqCb7g_mUv_CKfS51cg3KXhAwgu007u3XW8/s400/quilting+close+up.jpg" width="382" /></a></div>
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Perfectly sized for a twin bed!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1c3eR1_T6KZRj8081YbKZTdM1lYwU35pq5G8uJ2BsVVMHP0iL4QzmmZTyMjf1f__w-7HU-Uri4-Z3U5WqPSowYfZtO7bxlm6Wc9q6ZY85IuZzFTEJY5xnJ7zsMxwEhWwe14OlJqsewVk/s1600/twin+bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1c3eR1_T6KZRj8081YbKZTdM1lYwU35pq5G8uJ2BsVVMHP0iL4QzmmZTyMjf1f__w-7HU-Uri4-Z3U5WqPSowYfZtO7bxlm6Wc9q6ZY85IuZzFTEJY5xnJ7zsMxwEhWwe14OlJqsewVk/s400/twin+bed.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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We had a bit of snow here on February 14 - the day I finished binding the quilt - so I had my husband bundle up and hold it for an outside photo. Great guy, huh?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNTBi0rTwp32TxSEUstHqor08M1pTn0h4JFoMT171OoFUf5E9xw4hfZt2Lcc-ek20j6e6wzoQGGrqOC4M58OhD5DR0X0ODfil_DoL5I_XG3sdZ8sN0ClppyjWw6XdJkRMTEIHYzQ6Ah8/s1600/finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNTBi0rTwp32TxSEUstHqor08M1pTn0h4JFoMT171OoFUf5E9xw4hfZt2Lcc-ek20j6e6wzoQGGrqOC4M58OhD5DR0X0ODfil_DoL5I_XG3sdZ8sN0ClppyjWw6XdJkRMTEIHYzQ6Ah8/s400/finished.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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I started cutting fabrics for this quilt on January 19 and finished the last stitch of binding on February 14. 26 days start to finish - that's a record for me. Of course the super speedy quilting job by Isis made that possible!</div>
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I'd like to make another one of these quilts in the future using smaller squares to yield a lap sized quilt. Squares cut at 4" would yield a 52" x 66" quilt - perfect for couch snuggling and movie watching :)</div>
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I'll let Thing 1 and Thing 2 hash it out over who gets which size ;-)</div>
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Many thanks to Amanda at Westwood Acres for <a href="http://www.acraftyfox.net/works-in-progress/take-heart/" target="_blank">her blog post about her beautiful quilt</a>!</div>
<br />Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-62913478610885979342016-02-22T05:00:00.000-06:002016-02-22T05:00:20.280-06:00selvage spools made easierThe Crystal Lake Modern Quilt Guild is hosting three block lotteries this year, and the first one takes place in April. We chose the Selvage Spools block from <a href="http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/block-of-the-month-2013/" target="_blank">this Riley Blake 2013 Block of the Month program</a>. You can download and print the Riley Blake block directions <a href="http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/media/uploads/2013/05/13/images/selvagespoolblock.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>, but you'll probably want to keep reading to discover an easier way to make this block.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzR1ToilWP3-zIiTcmpslwBQC-MlTw5t3z3sIGy2z2EBmZhk75-TlbGpKNUGn1nPfxdryaI64zcRn_23_ogcgjVnoGzSVqa9h2yYxxbNZZAiYc6-aExLkrh08RNFqbZ7xtcQhCsCv7N4/s1600/block+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzR1ToilWP3-zIiTcmpslwBQC-MlTw5t3z3sIGy2z2EBmZhk75-TlbGpKNUGn1nPfxdryaI64zcRn_23_ogcgjVnoGzSVqa9h2yYxxbNZZAiYc6-aExLkrh08RNFqbZ7xtcQhCsCv7N4/s400/block+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The block is composed of four 6" spools to finish at 12" square (12.5" unfinished).<br />
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The original pattern uses a template and partial seams - no thank you. When Lorrie and I met earlier this week to sew the sample blocks for our Sunday guild meeting I made some quick pattern modifications to make it easier. Easier = Better, am I right?! Here is my pattern tester block - spot on at 6.5" unfinished :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuCS6Bz3MlMS0lYvht0YlCB_T1fTXNDK2bs1V1qX-YH9bd700PjJldR4Qr2YbV2fpjkz-cBS1UsRNrB-dvFPKuESLQyrQFpphFivq4OZC-Fl6icr0Kw9o67KaJiRdBKvVY-AjTjcbaBw/s1600/tester+block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuCS6Bz3MlMS0lYvht0YlCB_T1fTXNDK2bs1V1qX-YH9bd700PjJldR4Qr2YbV2fpjkz-cBS1UsRNrB-dvFPKuESLQyrQFpphFivq4OZC-Fl6icr0Kw9o67KaJiRdBKvVY-AjTjcbaBw/s400/tester+block.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I created this tutorial a little differently by adding text to each photo of the steps. I hope you'll find this easier to follow :) <br />
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The materials you'll need for one block:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUr_hGt0Jq_CIN6BmQwnrGhX3XAMSbVowzJJvt5swHAuaasiCbWmRyT9NtemKevcceMA3x39J9NJKP5CUYp5q_xOjsL9F7QOYGfl6jvUb2vjPmDdTT-yUbCgObqlZzp-_obKvHS2SswU/s1600/047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUr_hGt0Jq_CIN6BmQwnrGhX3XAMSbVowzJJvt5swHAuaasiCbWmRyT9NtemKevcceMA3x39J9NJKP5CUYp5q_xOjsL9F7QOYGfl6jvUb2vjPmDdTT-yUbCgObqlZzp-_obKvHS2SswU/s400/047.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Using a pencil lightly mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of each 2" square.</div>
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Choose selvages with fun words and lots of color dots!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil92b62CERCzKapcGSt5a0-0kvDcNFaaAdPUhq92HC5u658109SaAruRSDi6Wqux-TVcunsb6_m5C2jt2mHbn_n6mx-i3IKf01MO-EVLdVQm1z-fakezFmEVcUC59C4OXoiHRAGfogi14/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil92b62CERCzKapcGSt5a0-0kvDcNFaaAdPUhq92HC5u658109SaAruRSDi6Wqux-TVcunsb6_m5C2jt2mHbn_n6mx-i3IKf01MO-EVLdVQm1z-fakezFmEVcUC59C4OXoiHRAGfogi14/s400/048.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The sewing instructions begin here:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCeLM3XP1HY5yGTdNY_mSjnHR-XGw6ZV440suOtQdWm_UWYPs-Y70ZeLDh3rBn56kLN8aoqmR9NxOsDpumAMVOGeUEqJ8_zNUSqSxFk48oOY8-8IKTq-KzYu4LcTqYin8mXcFqwmmMp0/s1600/049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCeLM3XP1HY5yGTdNY_mSjnHR-XGw6ZV440suOtQdWm_UWYPs-Y70ZeLDh3rBn56kLN8aoqmR9NxOsDpumAMVOGeUEqJ8_zNUSqSxFk48oOY8-8IKTq-KzYu4LcTqYin8mXcFqwmmMp0/s400/049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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You'll want to center the wording/color dots on the background square.</div>
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I sewed this piece about 1/8" from the bottom of the background square so the words wouldn't be cut off later in a seam allowance.</div>
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You can choose to cover the printed fabric area of the first selvage or not.</div>
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We used 6-7 selvages per spool.</div>
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Press these seams toward the background fabric.</div>
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Make sure you carefully place the marked diagonal lines as shown.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcp7MnFtttfWpd6H4KuemTxG_6gtqOq7Bn335V4cckjKp6jo6YihOPa768qcbaEkwLzu8-Ic2z7y4d_sprDrlvLgq8PXueRZHeRWFnj-6L7uCFmcIjiPRHBhXkjR2_3zrqH720GiPXYg/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizcp7MnFtttfWpd6H4KuemTxG_6gtqOq7Bn335V4cckjKp6jo6YihOPa768qcbaEkwLzu8-Ic2z7y4d_sprDrlvLgq8PXueRZHeRWFnj-6L7uCFmcIjiPRHBhXkjR2_3zrqH720GiPXYg/s400/058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Press away from the center.</div>
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Your spool block should measure 6.5" square now. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusbtYU3jMcSYOSFhtfarItx1_ODm5NX3He_8FeigbX0z7S8rnjVsdmi66jeSHY_hw2oZ1DFf5HjWXYc7LyIuCsfJ4fwSnQGt_uoHw2LDtrPTTHDflUfArLSezbIkv1YnVI1XLi_8OQXs/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjusbtYU3jMcSYOSFhtfarItx1_ODm5NX3He_8FeigbX0z7S8rnjVsdmi66jeSHY_hw2oZ1DFf5HjWXYc7LyIuCsfJ4fwSnQGt_uoHw2LDtrPTTHDflUfArLSezbIkv1YnVI1XLi_8OQXs/s400/059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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These final seams are all pressed toward the spool end - not the background fabric.</div>
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And there you have it - a 12" square finished selvage spool block!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_YVQTCDCP7H7V5-b2tux-jxOAjPYC8AyqQYT1tlEFuVfX1iwlr0ht8_3o25WxUj7WBC-hHcm1zLt5IxAkZHaBWO4YM21UtuyP4e3pT0kxolqSsz7GcVzEFAW3czcAwFZi_5rFyzaJfU/s1600/block+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv_YVQTCDCP7H7V5-b2tux-jxOAjPYC8AyqQYT1tlEFuVfX1iwlr0ht8_3o25WxUj7WBC-hHcm1zLt5IxAkZHaBWO4YM21UtuyP4e3pT0kxolqSsz7GcVzEFAW3czcAwFZi_5rFyzaJfU/s400/block+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Thanks to Riley Blake for the original pattern and inspiration for this fun quilt block!</div>
<br />Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-29554761248008438872016-02-15T06:07:00.000-06:002016-02-15T06:07:35.502-06:00valentine pillows<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Every year after the Christmas holiday is over and all the decorations are packed away, I find myself in the same spot - no seasonally appropriate pretty pillows to replace the Christmas ones.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR2HOYLUYmswbh_KDzI8atBxg5-66f3sc0YygoX0GBNPxI2-3ONA-0hbWllu2Qy5Hdp1DuhOwqyqpXBo0EQNWrVZzZ3XsuPWX8JmdYrFI_Tw1TbZDaNVi9GRmh7GXQ7JzhtehPEGG5Jw/s1600/valentine+pillows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfR2HOYLUYmswbh_KDzI8atBxg5-66f3sc0YygoX0GBNPxI2-3ONA-0hbWllu2Qy5Hdp1DuhOwqyqpXBo0EQNWrVZzZ3XsuPWX8JmdYrFI_Tw1TbZDaNVi9GRmh7GXQ7JzhtehPEGG5Jw/s400/valentine+pillows.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Last week I finally remedied that problem by whipping up these three fun pillows using home dec weight fabric purchased at WalMart...WalMart!!<br />
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I'm not a big fan of that particular retail company, but when I saw Jona Giammalva's recent Periscope about her fabric score at her local superstore, I decided to give it a try. My local store had this great red geometric print for $3.97 per yard. What?! And the ticking stripe was $6.97 per yard!</div>
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A couple of yards of fabric, three zippers, and two hours of cutting and sewing later, I had three great new pillows for my family room :)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7q10vyqQWVr62OhApVDF6MaWDOAOcRw6wCNX32d2YmrXI1tkB-vlbuzcIvI8mFMAJ8C1wUZhQEdFTIhdA7ozLo9dOVoGy5JQNVoRkFhekIplv_XOVAImbvRLGNljs0rpX5G4m-giQQs/s1600/valentine+stitch+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7q10vyqQWVr62OhApVDF6MaWDOAOcRw6wCNX32d2YmrXI1tkB-vlbuzcIvI8mFMAJ8C1wUZhQEdFTIhdA7ozLo9dOVoGy5JQNVoRkFhekIplv_XOVAImbvRLGNljs0rpX5G4m-giQQs/s400/valentine+stitch+detail.jpg" width="336" /></a></div>
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Jona's recent blog post about her new heart applique pillow will give you all the tips and tricks for making your own, and she has a <a href="http://www.jonagiammalva.com/2016/01/make-a-quick-heart-pillow-for-your-valentine-and-other-stuff-too.html" target="_blank">great tutorial</a> on how to insert an invisible zipper into the side seam of your pillow covers. Check it out - it's easy and foolproof!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyBWJHmhVDW-rCJBoY_yubSaq89RbtNtCbzv_WUQ_2_c2ClMzngq3PPEtnSJ42DsVUcNldVnMZZy3Vlq_hAoxOsWlE0-uVb1NdQdABHbBAoN-j2zJjsCKwAM9MSpdMwBagAVGX8kZBz0/s1600/valentine+zipper+detail2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyBWJHmhVDW-rCJBoY_yubSaq89RbtNtCbzv_WUQ_2_c2ClMzngq3PPEtnSJ42DsVUcNldVnMZZy3Vlq_hAoxOsWlE0-uVb1NdQdABHbBAoN-j2zJjsCKwAM9MSpdMwBagAVGX8kZBz0/s400/valentine+zipper+detail2.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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The red pillows are 20" square, and the heart pillow is 18" square. Seriously, this project could not have been any easier. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89b1LKm6lNdORUU85pg6PwVBIzr3d8oTE_oFRZak8q2VBWTqj6UXeAY0Xj8HBF7aU7Jh55ZGnWA7q06EM6zu4w7VzyPCCuWIim00gpQqEjQY-44iq4MUGaks1iT8f8xnarOhZ7tW2ZUQ/s1600/valentine+zipper+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj89b1LKm6lNdORUU85pg6PwVBIzr3d8oTE_oFRZak8q2VBWTqj6UXeAY0Xj8HBF7aU7Jh55ZGnWA7q06EM6zu4w7VzyPCCuWIim00gpQqEjQY-44iq4MUGaks1iT8f8xnarOhZ7tW2ZUQ/s400/valentine+zipper+detail.jpg" width="325" /></a></div>
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Thanks for the terrific tips and tutorials, Jona!!</div>
Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-18472815523205007542016-02-05T07:28:00.000-06:002016-02-05T07:28:30.025-06:00mystery medallion 2016The Crystal Lake Modern Quilt Guild is sponsoring a new challenge this year - a Mystery Medallion program where we each create a quilt center block of any size to start and add a border each month for the next five months. The fun (or challenging) part is that no one knows what the requirements for each of the five borders will be; they are revealed month by month. So no planning or scheming ahead of time - just jump in and make it work each month!<br />
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My quilt center is an English Paper Pieced (EPP) star on a background of "made fabric" (a bunch of low volume scraps sewn together), and it measures 22.5" square. The star is machine appliqued to the background with a short straight stitch around the outside edge.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFug1VQpCZblUY1-Rm8QNqRsGT21EcsjQ9yI7UIFQrgyxogUZ1jXbWqwLqAO4i6S33-Kml9kKyC1sCPU-ZBsEFkNckM0tniHnI5rMZITHyG7ZYEovdjm5J70hmZrcyMy2IfRthdEjhhA0/s1600/medallion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFug1VQpCZblUY1-Rm8QNqRsGT21EcsjQ9yI7UIFQrgyxogUZ1jXbWqwLqAO4i6S33-Kml9kKyC1sCPU-ZBsEFkNckM0tniHnI5rMZITHyG7ZYEovdjm5J70hmZrcyMy2IfRthdEjhhA0/s400/medallion.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The background fabrics were left over from blocks I made for a quilt shop sample in 2014; it hung there as a sample for quilt kits they were selling, and after that I'm not sure where it ended up. The "plus" blocks were made from a pattern found <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/20688479510668830/" target="_blank">here</a>. I really did love it, so one day soon I'll have to make another and keep it for myself (adds yet another project to the much too long already project list.)<br />
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The hexagons in my quilt center were made even before 2014 when I was first learning how to EPP one spring break vacation in Florida. I was never sure what to do with them, and at one point they were sewn together in rows. Maybe I was planning to put them on some pillows? Who knows!<br />
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But sometime last year I saw a photo of a star made from hexagons so I took the rows apart, and sewed them into the large star shape composed of 73 hexagons. So the star and the background piece have been hanging around on the design wall for quite some time just waiting to be used in a project.<br />
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The whole point of a Mystery Medallion Challenge is to let go of control and practice your design and color skills each month when the new border requirements are revealed. At our meeting last weekend we learned that January's border must include snowball blocks and use the color red violet.<br />
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RED VIOLET?! Sweet - one of my favorite colors, and I happen to have lots of it in my stash. I gathered a few fat quarters that were primarily red violet, tossed in a couple more that were primarily yellow (but still contained pink/violet), added a stack of more low volume scraps, and started cutting.<br />
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Since my center square measured 22.5" I needed to add a "spacer" border to increase the size to 24.5" in order to accommodate the 4" snowball blocks I planned. This Peppered Cotton in Fog by Studio E has just enough contrast to set it apart from the backgrounds, but it doesn't overwhelm and grab all the attention. It was cut at 1.5" width to finish at 1".</div>
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The 28 snowball blocks are each 4" finished, so now the quilt center measures 32.5". I cut each center of the snowballs at 4.5" square and each corner background fabric at 1.75" square. You can find a handy tutorial for making snowball blocks <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2013/12/snowball-quilt-block-tutorial/" target="_blank">here</a>. Mine look more like stop signs (I probably should have made the corner pieces smaller) but whatever - I love how it's turned out!</div>
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Even if you aren't a member of CLMQG, you can follow along and make your own Mystery Medallion quilt. Each month the new border requirements will be posted on our <a href="http://www.crystallakemqg.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, and photos of members' progress can be found on our <a href="http://www.crystallakemqg.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>.</div>
Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-60331329856266414422016-02-03T06:00:00.000-06:002016-02-03T06:00:00.152-06:00gift sewing - Tessa BasketIt's so much fun making gifts for others! Early in January I made this cute tote bag for a sewing friend who has made several amazing gifts for me over the years. The gift-giving bar has been set pretty high by her, but I feel like I met the standard with this bag - it turned out so great I almost didn't want to give it away. But her reaction upon opening it made me so glad I did :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3N9MrjVz439kOuwZ6II8Jp-PKMZLY0UzTJBq4JhA1DdZprr_J9UR2U3ete7iNy1akbDeiTJIc53Rzh8C3vzYSG2o8m8nYqBV1n-Pg8YTkUB3n3VmcfyeNFZZmwIavcOiTpGhMlJQ5M4/s1600/back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3N9MrjVz439kOuwZ6II8Jp-PKMZLY0UzTJBq4JhA1DdZprr_J9UR2U3ete7iNy1akbDeiTJIc53Rzh8C3vzYSG2o8m8nYqBV1n-Pg8YTkUB3n3VmcfyeNFZZmwIavcOiTpGhMlJQ5M4/s400/back.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I used the "Tessa Basket" pattern by Pink Stitches <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/220581825/tessa-basket-pdf-pattern?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">available here as a PDF download</a> and <a href="http://nanacompany.typepad.com/nanacompany/2015/02/in-between-stitches.html" target="_blank">Amy Sinibaldi's (of NanaCompany) version</a> as my inspiration.<br />
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The fabrics used in my version are an eclectic mix of Cotton & Steel prints, Hobby Lobby quilting cottons, and a charcoal grey shot cotton from Studio E's Peppered Cotton line.<br />
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The pattern doesn't provide exact cutting or finished dimensions for the bag, but I knew I wanted it to be a good sized tote that could carry a lot of sewing supplies :) I cut a few strips from 15 different fat quarters in widths varying from 1.75" to 3" and then strip pieced them into two panels each approximately 18" wide by 13" long. The 5.5" x 18" charcoal shot cotton was then sewn across the bottom perpendicular to the print strips making the entire panel about 18" square.<br />
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After using <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Therm-Spray-Quilt-Basting-Adhesive/dp/B007POWZGG" target="_blank">Spray n Bond</a> to glue baste a layer of muslin and lightweight cotton batting to each bag panel (layered just like a quilt "sandwich"), I quilted them with random straight lines in a medium grey thread. The panels were then trimmed to 17" wide by 18" long before using the pattern template to cut the top curves that later accommodate the straps/handles.<br />
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Bag construction was fairly typical - sewing the sides and bottom then making a boxed bottom with a diagonal seam at the corners. The finished bag dimensions are approximately 12" wide x 13" tall (excluding straps) x 5" deep. </div>
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I'm showing both sides of the bag so you can better view the placement and different widths of the fabrics I used.</div>
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The Tessa Basket pattern calls for cutting the 1" wide cotton webbing straps to a length of 11". I like bag straps long enough to comfortably wear over my shoulder, so I cut the webbing for this bag at 16" per strap.</div>
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Don't you love this cotton webbing with the running stitch accent on the sides?!</div>
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The bag interior is no frills (meaning no pockets or zippers) in a fun feather print cotton available at Hobby Lobby.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDe4Ztya5fZZ7R2dGW6VxTsyFCd09D_uy10u6apI_cMhPlnphMr974k3hib8o61ZZu4kZpIT7dOtGRe_dpNx96lzCYfFqqBq9vIw3-P1GxqSGrw4lD_idj22jVqjUzhgTk-7Pf2pRTDE/s1600/interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDe4Ztya5fZZ7R2dGW6VxTsyFCd09D_uy10u6apI_cMhPlnphMr974k3hib8o61ZZu4kZpIT7dOtGRe_dpNx96lzCYfFqqBq9vIw3-P1GxqSGrw4lD_idj22jVqjUzhgTk-7Pf2pRTDE/s400/interior.jpg" width="316" /></a></div>
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When I make this pattern again I'll add some pockets to the interior and possibly use a lightweight interfacing on the lining fabric to give it more heft. This version stands upright easily on its own; I think the lightweight batting worked well due to the density of quilting on the exterior. If you want to do less quilting I believe you could replace the muslin with a layer of mid-weight fusible interfacing to provide the same level of stability to your finished bag.<br />
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A Google search on "tessa basket" reveals many images and links to other bloggers' reviews of this pattern. Because you can use any combination of fabrics and cut them any size you wish to make the panels, this pattern is easily customized and can yield an infinite variety of one-of-a-kind bags.Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-78045753340364012802016-01-29T05:30:00.000-06:002016-01-29T07:45:45.792-06:00Sunny's quiltAnd now a flashback to November 2015 to show you a secret project...<br />
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You may remember that in 2014 I made a quilt for <a href="http://www.elsiesgirl.blogspot.com/2014/12/christmas-gift-sewing.html" target="_blank">each of my five sisters-in-law</a> on my husband's side of the family. In 2015 I was on easy street because I only have <i>one</i> sister-in-law on my side!<br />
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Sunny (Allysun) is my youngest brother's wife, and her personality is just like her name - happy, smiling, cheerful, sunny. Their living room is decorated in greys, black, and pops of gold and yellow, so of course her quilt had to be primarily yellow :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-xDs1J4REWpePmQaZhR8FvbYCARYOwlhm3-SoiHAvGdevWCjUhI17JbjSexmpVCky4SqYNgsaMYuXvZLZp5w3gLL_zByRe4fBK6Oh_cbxXImSYJ_RBsHg7CnL9G3Bp8I4QB5pS6RF9s/s1600/finished+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-xDs1J4REWpePmQaZhR8FvbYCARYOwlhm3-SoiHAvGdevWCjUhI17JbjSexmpVCky4SqYNgsaMYuXvZLZp5w3gLL_zByRe4fBK6Oh_cbxXImSYJ_RBsHg7CnL9G3Bp8I4QB5pS6RF9s/s640/finished+quilt.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Her <i>Twisted Blossoms</i> quilt was made using the Quick Curve ruler and Metro Twist pattern (both from <a href="http://sewkindofwonderful.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Sew Kind of Wonderful</a>) and their quilt along found <a href="http://sewkindofwonderful.blogspot.com/2015/06/twisted-blossom-qal-july-1-august-31.html" target="_blank">here</a>. That ruler requires a firm "measure twice, measure again, then cut" mentality; I wasted a good chunk of fabric when I first started cutting. But once I realized my error and re-read the directions it was all smooth sailing from then on. The curves are so slight that sewing the convex and concave units together was quite easy - no pins! - and the blocks are trimmed to size after sewing so it's nearly foolproof. IF you carefully measure before cutting ;-)<br />
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I made 12 blocks using different yellow and grey prints combined with Kona Cotton in Snow. Petals of each blossom block are formed by four sections cut and trimmed with the Quick Curve ruler and four modified half square triangle blocks. The center squares are all unique grey prints combined with the Kona Snow to form a square-within-a-square.<br />
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Then it's a basic nine-patch construction for each block finishing at 16" square. <br />
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I switched up the final assembly of the quilt adding 2" finished sashing and grey cornerstones between each block and around the outer edge - it just needed a little something more than the blocks right next to each other could provide. So with the added sashing the quilt finished at 56" x 74" - a generous lap size.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUz-2KMxsMpl0hEqtqwzJciWGJL4taU3jV-DSTy7IndyVqf3PzyU9xLMKWlzdsxD4gN_WYGqtQroyJ_rKdtpHXdRfK8Wwwx6NzeMgAV9NkqiFnUA9NOup3HxGlrx5JLvHsnNGr0pqJyEo/s1600/sashing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUz-2KMxsMpl0hEqtqwzJciWGJL4taU3jV-DSTy7IndyVqf3PzyU9xLMKWlzdsxD4gN_WYGqtQroyJ_rKdtpHXdRfK8Wwwx6NzeMgAV9NkqiFnUA9NOup3HxGlrx5JLvHsnNGr0pqJyEo/s400/sashing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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The quilting was done by Carol Linder in Hampshire, IL using the pattern "Random Clams" by Jessica Schick in a silver grey thread. The binding is a white dot on charcoal grey from Jen Kingwell's recent Moda line "Gardenvale".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VXyjl-PiQAgGY9ybAgxj8fXs5sJKxCZYOu6gS11DAEGZKiPA2l_fkhOOaYX0aIIajLOo1wpt3iDCpgK9ZVcxkDXtrg0v1fXrOskSo9hSFSzwhcddOKwvwLucjHfeM0FOHO109PAqpJE/s1600/binding.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_VXyjl-PiQAgGY9ybAgxj8fXs5sJKxCZYOu6gS11DAEGZKiPA2l_fkhOOaYX0aIIajLOo1wpt3iDCpgK9ZVcxkDXtrg0v1fXrOskSo9hSFSzwhcddOKwvwLucjHfeM0FOHO109PAqpJE/s640/binding.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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Sunny seemed thrilled with her new quilt when I presented it to her at Thanksgiving, and she later sent me a photo if it in their living room. Great color matching if I do say so myself!</div>
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I have so many works-in-progress right now that it's a bit embarrassing. But I still managed to start two new projects last week! One of them is being quilted right now, and I hope to bring you photos of it completely finished next week. Maybe one day soon I'll count all the UFOs again and publicly confess the number...</div>
Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-75959998547563729282016-01-26T05:30:00.000-06:002016-01-26T05:30:43.944-06:00major milestoneI have finished English paper piecing (EPP) and sewing all of the main components of my Grandmother's Flower Garden hexagon quilt! There are 32 flower clusters, 6 star points, and 19 groups of background hexagons. The empty spaces between sections will be filled with additional background hexagons as I sew the segments together. <br />
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The final seven flower clusters were completed earlier in January.</div>
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And last weekend I decided on a final layout which was transferred to a new coloring diagram. Now all the flowers and background segments are numbered to make it clear which pieces go where as I sew them together into larger sections.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UnNu0k2Gm2ATP36wGe0u4gouANGa2G9BDdgtqAkuMYW2c3UB_AqaJmBOiVKR_KuOuFdkRHSN7XQXHwnWpmbMMIXN6D7dR845pD1lDRcd0vHGUZz1OscW5W2AjC73hD2EclQwT6YIo4c/s1600/piecing+sections.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UnNu0k2Gm2ATP36wGe0u4gouANGa2G9BDdgtqAkuMYW2c3UB_AqaJmBOiVKR_KuOuFdkRHSN7XQXHwnWpmbMMIXN6D7dR845pD1lDRcd0vHGUZz1OscW5W2AjC73hD2EclQwT6YIo4c/s400/piecing+sections.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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It's a bit tricky handling these larger pieces as I sew them together, so I've divided the diagram into six sections which I'll piece together before joining them all into one large quilt center. Not exactly a portable project for much longer! I've selected and purchased a border fabric, but I haven't yet decided on what the border design will be - maybe more hexagons! For now I'm concentrating on keeping my momentum so this does not become another UFO ;)<br />
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More hexagon stats:<br />
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<ul>
<li>Center Star hexagons complete; 151/151</li>
<li>Flower hexagons complete: 608/608</li>
<li>Background hexagons complete: 532/532</li>
<li>Total hexagons complete: 1,291/1,291</li>
<li>Weeks since starting this project: 71 (wow!)</li>
</ul>
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Anyone else out there working on a long-term hand sewing project? A big challenge right now is where to store all of these pieces while they're being sewn together - ziploc bags aren't cutting it any longer!</div>
Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-88167042010825054302015-11-20T14:35:00.001-06:002015-11-20T14:35:03.369-06:00slow sewing steady progress25 done, 7 to go...<br />
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The flower garden blocks are nearly all complete! All of the fabrics have been chosen and cut, so now it's just a matter of sticking with it. I usually sneak in a bit of hexie sewing time on my Monday morning coffee talks with Thing 2 :)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3fsh_BWgZvRdy9I6cYSJKwXoutaJoL-eIhkK5nRhCEawd6s5V4wWsHsPAkgsegsBqZweM_6QC7laL0sS_UUa53fk9rvQHvAxYQmS4ym0cTBOzXrQi-pQpcTdPJDOUF-FccMtkPFvKU8/s1600/starbucks+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3fsh_BWgZvRdy9I6cYSJKwXoutaJoL-eIhkK5nRhCEawd6s5V4wWsHsPAkgsegsBqZweM_6QC7laL0sS_UUa53fk9rvQHvAxYQmS4ym0cTBOzXrQi-pQpcTdPJDOUF-FccMtkPFvKU8/s400/starbucks+progress.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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My quilt guild has been hosting a couple of evening meet ups each month for hand sewers (again at Starbucks) so that provides another opportunity for progress.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhvAq6CddNtb5hQyB3Hm-cc5NOgc2N86g2wU95InKNJdnmoGG1tT7kzs3NDH4WrHr6PJ_-qm9tq5Id2KaPt1WqewShiopWTyXQItCG3nPlxa6gJAmqwlxinAjxnbc61yv8I0HhYfan7M/s1600/068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPhvAq6CddNtb5hQyB3Hm-cc5NOgc2N86g2wU95InKNJdnmoGG1tT7kzs3NDH4WrHr6PJ_-qm9tq5Id2KaPt1WqewShiopWTyXQItCG3nPlxa6gJAmqwlxinAjxnbc61yv8I0HhYfan7M/s400/068.JPG" /></a></div>
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The background hexies aren't nearly as exciting as the flowers, but I've got about 40% of those sewn together. I'm using a coloring chart to keep track of the sections; this should make it easier to put the whole thing together when all the components are finished!<br />
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I don't have a count of how many background hexies are basted and ready to go, but there is a bag full. And on a recent evening in a fit of paper-punching madness I punched out 622 foundation paper hexagons. Carpal tunnel, here I come!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUcjcooL6PbrWtD3AJqtFHuiESUAt8AxPP3Nd1wke4irVPJcLrfeAVUUQ0CFmfC-OuQMH82GcCBWP5r1mvYyqgzlun1fbRd_l9-saIT00Q83ol2ARMnoqSexaa3u0yFE2vBcrQCD0sqM/s1600/enough+papers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUcjcooL6PbrWtD3AJqtFHuiESUAt8AxPP3Nd1wke4irVPJcLrfeAVUUQ0CFmfC-OuQMH82GcCBWP5r1mvYyqgzlun1fbRd_l9-saIT00Q83ol2ARMnoqSexaa3u0yFE2vBcrQCD0sqM/s400/enough+papers.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
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Some of these counts are "best-guess"...<br />
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<ul>
<li>Center Star Colored Hexagons completed: 151/151 (100%)</li>
<li>Flower Colored Hexagons completed: 475/608 (78%)</li>
<li>Grey Background Hexagons completed (guessing): 218/532 (40%)</li>
<li>Total Hexagons completed: 874/1291 (67.6%)</li>
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You can read more about the method I use to English Paper Piece (EPP) these hexagons and see the project pattern in <a href="http://www.elsiesgirl.blogspot.com/2015/04/flower-garden-hexagons-slow-sewing.html" target="_blank">this post</a>. Previous progress updates can be viewed <a href="http://www.elsiesgirl.blogspot.com/2015/07/slow-sewing-update.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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I'm a little shocked at how diligently I've managed to stick with this project. I hope my persistence continues!!Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-78708768504686143332015-11-12T08:47:00.000-06:002015-11-12T08:47:36.732-06:00my signature colorWhoa - I finished a quilt almost three months ago and forgot to tell you about it! This is my Triple Star quilt with lots of fuchsia/magenta/pink so I'm calling it "My Signature Color".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjING6o-ZN4ndg_c4KHNObGosMDLxQPBUFx1gRGBNMiShwwT5D4t3baxOGIg2MKzI7RxYXSTz3ZaaYjHWhlEt_0gcq6TSmmFQsdGUzrI5NS5as_PE1yj-Yir3O6fmbw0e0aJtEDQr6-JRw/s1600/finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjING6o-ZN4ndg_c4KHNObGosMDLxQPBUFx1gRGBNMiShwwT5D4t3baxOGIg2MKzI7RxYXSTz3ZaaYjHWhlEt_0gcq6TSmmFQsdGUzrI5NS5as_PE1yj-Yir3O6fmbw0e0aJtEDQr6-JRw/s400/finished.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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During 2014 I was a member of an online bee group - <a href="http://elsiesgirl.blogspot.com/2014/03/modern-instabee.html" target="_blank">Modern Instabee Hive 15</a> - that used quilt patterns from the book <u>Modern Bee: 13 Quilts to Make with Friends</u> by Lindsay Conner. November was my month for the 11 other members to make blocks for me, and I asked them to use a variety of low volume fabrics for the background and loads of darker pinks for the 16" Triple Star block. Using these fabrics from my stash (minus the turquoise prints) I made a couple of example/inspiration blocks.<br />
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During the months November 2015 - February 2015 Triple Star blocks from all over the continental US and Canada arrived! <br />
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The book pattern called for finishing the quilt with plain 2" sashing between the blocks and a couple of borders around the 3x4 block grid, but I changed it to include 4" sashing with additional stars as the cornerstones and no borders. Because I'm contrary like that. And because you can never have too many stars. A sprinkling of turquoise cornerstone stars breaks up all of the pink.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfqT8wE3gN1vO0KdygAFJAk3KnezCPMBfoq8xBvDQ9QMWxorNrWTT5LYV6Q70ljxlZi53FnC4Kd7ELkEdqtIdwAdDntoGKfR1XskCim30ALVOkrO3OBw97Jmc5hO_AoWE-ASj7AFI3p8/s1600/quilting+close+up+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfqT8wE3gN1vO0KdygAFJAk3KnezCPMBfoq8xBvDQ9QMWxorNrWTT5LYV6Q70ljxlZi53FnC4Kd7ELkEdqtIdwAdDntoGKfR1XskCim30ALVOkrO3OBw97Jmc5hO_AoWE-ASj7AFI3p8/s400/quilting+close+up+4.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
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The quilting was done by Carol Linder in Hampshire, and I chose the "Cracker Jacks" pattern with fuchsia thread - naturally! The leftover black and white floral backing from <a href="http://www.elsiesgirl.blogspot.com/2015/06/a-summery-donation-quilt.html" target="_blank">this quilt</a> made a fun (and free!) binding.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVV_Jk93zmd5e91dksivJ5TwDIyOhpEE9EnFeyzzbkfy6bSdiow9yz-VdEWn_qWIyvWFGSxYMu9YGp5bNEbc7Ax-aeVc6P8MEsQQqg6115lLxHbg5uosxAAcfgC8ZDUjuwED09qoFGNI/s1600/quilting+close+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVV_Jk93zmd5e91dksivJ5TwDIyOhpEE9EnFeyzzbkfy6bSdiow9yz-VdEWn_qWIyvWFGSxYMu9YGp5bNEbc7Ax-aeVc6P8MEsQQqg6115lLxHbg5uosxAAcfgC8ZDUjuwED09qoFGNI/s400/quilting+close+up.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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For the backing I used Wide Back Text in white from Windham Fabrics.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBm27jor9_Jfs_jU6B8u_W8b6wb_QCxXlYJEDkWhwDzMnGNc0GdGzcp2tBjqbH3zs-KH4_8S2y3llHyDY6v3wjQ7jD7H5FWCo55jiTdMK5SSKKHI26iP8OyTRS54b_7hQt5qLnwu6Bh5o/s1600/backing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBm27jor9_Jfs_jU6B8u_W8b6wb_QCxXlYJEDkWhwDzMnGNc0GdGzcp2tBjqbH3zs-KH4_8S2y3llHyDY6v3wjQ7jD7H5FWCo55jiTdMK5SSKKHI26iP8OyTRS54b_7hQt5qLnwu6Bh5o/s400/backing.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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ALL the color names on the back of this quilt!<br />
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Many, many thanks to the members of Modern Instabee Hive 15! This is one of my all time favorite quilts, and what a great experience it was to work with all of you! <br />
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** I've been busy with some secret Santa sewing the past few weeks that I won't be able to share until January. But Carol currently has my Red Hot Dreamy Hexagons quilt top in her queue, and I've been diligently working on my Flower Garden Quilt. So there are still projects for me to share with you in the few remaining weeks of 2015 :) **<br />
<br />Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-12633896842101551192015-10-02T05:00:00.000-05:002015-10-02T05:00:02.770-05:00fall coffee datesLast fall I started going to Starbucks every Monday morning with Thing 2 before she went to school. It was a nice way to start the week, and we had many great conversations over our mochas, peppermint hot chocolates, and chai tea lattes. We made it there every Monday morning throughout her entire senior year of high school.<br />
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We've decided to continue the tradition this year. I visit the usual location near my home, and she goes to the one closest to her college dorm. We chat on the telephone instead of face-to-face, but it's still a great way to start the week and stay connected :) This week I brought along a book to fill the time while I waited for her. (By the way this a very good story - one of the main characters works at a quilt shop and actually lives over the shop with her young daughter!)<br />
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I really love the look of the new fall Starbucks cups, and as I sat there reading and enjoying my hot tea I thought, "these fall cups could really use a matching coffee cup cozy!" Since I knew the perfect fabric scraps were waiting in my stash, I immediately started cutting once I was back at home. My friend Lorrie created and published the <a href="https://sewmod.wordpress.com/2015/05/01/coffeecozycrazy-a-coffee-cozy-tutorial/" target="_blank">fantastic pattern and tutorial</a> on her blog at <a href="https://sewmod.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">SewMod</a>.<br />
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My button stash is not so well stocked (sadly), so once all the fabrics were cut I headed out to purchase some fun buttons and the elastic hair ties needed. Shopping for those supplies took longer than actually sewing the cozies! Here they are all sewn and ready to go!<br />
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They will fit all sizes of Starbucks hot beverage cups - tall, grande, and venti.<br />
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I buttoned them all and stood them upside down so you could see the fun lining fabrics too :)<br />
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Thing 2 really likes the one on the left (so I'll be sending it in her next care package), while I'm pretty attached to the one on the right. I haven't decided what to do with the other five - probably give them to my coffee loving friends!<br />
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You should check out <a href="https://sewmod.wordpress.com/2015/05/01/coffeecozycrazy-a-coffee-cozy-tutorial/" target="_blank">Lorrie's tutorial</a> and make some for yourself and your friends! Then make a coffee date with someone you love :)<br />
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<br />Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-69999398940185569062015-09-08T06:43:00.000-05:002015-09-08T06:43:02.049-05:00pillow sham for epic college map quiltAs promised, here are the details on the pillow sham I made to coordinate with the <a href="http://www.elsiesgirl.blogspot.com/2015/08/epic-college-map-quilt-complete.html" target="_blank">Epic College Map Quilt</a>... <br />
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It measures 21" x 27" to fit a standard sized bed pillow. I came up with a couple of different design layouts utilizing some of the <a href="http://elsiesgirl.blogspot.com/2015/05/and-done.html" target="_blank">100 flying geese blocks left over from making the quilt</a>. Thing 2 liked this first design best...<br />
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Which surprised me because I thought for sure she would choose this one since it more closely mimics the quilt...<br />
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The entire sham was sewn with leftovers from making the quilt :) Using the quilting designs Carol put on the map quilt as a guide, I free motion quilted the same loopy motif in the flying geese units and added horizontal lines and key words in the larger bridge fabric areas to personalize the pillow cover and tell a bit of "her story".<br />
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Yep - her name is Natalie, and she intends to study engineering physics. She is a whiz at physics and also really enjoys studying calculus and mathematics. Just thinking about studying those topics kinda freaks me out, but not Thing 2!<br />
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She plays both the trombone and cello. Her cello (named Pascal) moved with her to college and is currently occupying a very large portion of her dorm room closet when she isn't practicing :)<br />
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Ballet and lyrical dance are two of her other favorite loves. She is taking a ballet class this semester at school and practicing with a contemporary dance performance group on campus for a show in November. So it's not all math and science all the time!<br />
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The pillow top was quilted with my tried and true combination of a layer of plain white prewashed flannel (instead of batting) and a muslin backing. Pillow tops generally don't require the same loft as quilts, so a layer of flannel is perfect. The green borders of the pillow top are a Peppered Cotton from Studio E fabrics designed by Pepper Cory, but I'm unsure of the color number/name.<br />
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An envelope style closure on the back finishes the pillow sham perfectly.<br />
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Natalie is currently having the time of her life meeting new friends and learning new things about herself and her favorite school subjects. It's a new chapter of life for her, and for me too because after 21+ years it's just me and my husband at home again. It feels strange and exciting, sad and joyous all at the same time to have sent both of our girls out into the world and to watch them from the sidelines. New adventures are out there for all us... Onward!<br />
<br />Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-29732656386251074062015-08-27T13:26:00.000-05:002015-08-27T13:26:58.476-05:00epic college map quilt complete!I could not be happier with the way this quilt turned out! It is <i>exactly</i> as I pictured it in my mind thanks to the amazing quilting done by Carol Linder in Hampshire, IL.<br />
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The map portion is quilted in a 3" grid to mimic the latitude and longitude lines on a wall map. Thing 2 made a list of 40 city and country names that she wanted to be placed randomly over the quilt top in lower case script - places she has visited as well as places she hopes to visit in the future.<br />
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Carol had some difficulty finding a script font that would string letters together to form words; all of the script fonts she already owned would stitch a hard start and stop for each letter. That's a lot of starting and stopping spread over 40 words!<br />
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But she persisted and was able to find this font, and it's perfect stitched in medium grey thread!<br />
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The final requirement was that the words interrupt the grid lines and be randomly scattered across the quilt in both the horizontal and vertical directions but only in the "ocean" areas, not on the continents. And again, Carol rose to the challenge plotting out all the lines and words on her computer to perfect their placement.<br />
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She had to quilt all the lines in one direction first, then remove the quilt from the long arm and rotate it to quilt the perpendicular lines. It all worked perfectly!<br />
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A repeating looped stitching pattern in olive green thread fills all of the flying geese units.<br />
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Bridges on the back symbolize Thing 2's interest in Civil Engineering and Physics.<br />
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We haven't washed the quilt yet, so it's still crisp and crinkle free, but I'm anxious to see how it looks after washing.<br />
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That will have to wait a few months though, because it's living in it's new college home now. <br />
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I asked Thing 2 if she was disappointed that more people wouldn't be able to see her quilt since the bed is lofted so high. Her response - "Mom, so many more people are going to see the quilt on your blog than would ever see it here on my bed!" :)<br />
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Next time I'll show you the coordinating pillow sham I made with some of the extra flying geese units.<br />
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If you would like to know more about how I created this quilt top, you can read these earlier posts:<br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://elsiesgirl.blogspot.com/2015/04/epic-college-map-quilt.html" target="_blank">epic-college-map-quilt</a></li>
<li><a href="http://elsiesgirl.blogspot.com/2015/04/progress-report-epic-college-map-quilt.html" target="_blank">progress-report-epic-college-map-quilt</a></li>
<li><a href="http://elsiesgirl.blogspot.com/2015/05/applique-finish-line.html" target="_blank">applique-finish-line</a></li>
<li><a href="http://elsiesgirl.blogspot.com/2015/05/and-done.html" target="_blank">and-done</a></li>
</ul>
Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-49687550804426378952015-07-28T06:00:00.000-05:002015-07-28T06:00:01.125-05:00slow sewing update17 done, 15 to go...<br />
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I've passed the halfway point in making these hexagon flower garden blocks! All of those background minutes spent waiting at doctors' offices and in front of the TV in the evenings have added up to great progress on this quilt.<br />
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It's still very much a long term project, but Kaffe, Amy Butler, Anna Maria Horner, Juliana Horner, Denyse Schmidt, and Art Gallery are all providing me with bright, beautiful colors to build these flowers a handful of hexagons at a time.<br />
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My hexagon papers and fabrics will be joining me on a road trip in a couple of weeks as my family heads out for our summer vacation.<br />
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Maybe I'll try to work on the grey background patches during that trip. There are oh-so-many of them needed, and I don't want to save them all until the end.<br />
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In my previous post I said I wasn't going to use a count to track my progress, but I couldn't resist!<br />
<ul>
<li>Center Star Colored Hexagons completed: 151/151 (100%)</li>
<li>Flower Colored Hexagons completed: 323/608 (53%)</li>
<li>Grey Background Hexagons completed: 49/532 (9%)</li>
<li>Total Hexagons completed: 523/1291 (40.5%)</li>
</ul>
You can read more about the method I use to English Paper Piece (EPP) these hexagons and see the project pattern in <a href="http://www.elsiesgirl.blogspot.com/2015/04/flower-garden-hexagons-slow-sewing.html" target="_blank">this post</a>.Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-73834628119406185612015-07-21T06:55:00.000-05:002017-11-16T06:38:50.838-06:00one hour basket organizationLet's talk about sewing space organization - the ever-elusive, never-quite-all-the-way-there, ungettable-get of my sewing life. Yeah, keeping the sewing room tidy has long been a challenge for me.<br />
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Sewing room disarray led me to check this book out of the local library recently and read it cover to cover one lazy weekend afternoon. If you haven't yet read this book YOU SHOULD! Written by a professional organizer, it is brimming with great advice specifically for us quilters and our fabric stashes, bins of UFOs, drawers of tools and gadgets, and teetering piles of magazines and books. (Or is that just me?)<br />
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Long story short, it's going to take a multi-day<i>, remove everything from the room, and start the organization from scratch episode</i> to get my sewing room into shape.<br />
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Since that's not going to happen this summer when there is too much fun to be had, I decided to take a few baby steps using one of my favorite pieces of advice from Chapter 5: Project and UFO storage - use a system of bins or boxes to contain the fabrics and patterns for each project currently in progress (easy) and maintain the organization by putting away all the materials you've worked with at the end of each sewing session (not so easy for me). For someone like me who jumps around from project to project, keeping project pieces together is crucial to maintain a sense of order.<br />
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I'm a "piler" by nature, so these project boxes need to be easy access for me to use them as intended. No lids, clasps, etc to get in the way of just dumping the pieces in after time spent sewing. The One Hour Basket to the rescue!<br />
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** Updated 11-16-2017 The pattern/tutorial by Hearts and Bees is no longer free, but you can <a href="https://www.craftsy.com/sewing/patterns/1-hour-basket-tutorial/236408" target="_blank">purchase it for $1 here on Craftsy</a>.<br />
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It truly is a one-hour basket - the first one I made took only one hour and four minutes!<br />
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I made four total for my sewing room from 2 half-yards of decorator weight fabric, 4 fat quarters of quilting weight cotton, 2 yards of fusible fleece, and about 1 yard of lightweight fusible interfacing (for the handles).<br />
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Each finished basket measures 10" wide x 7" tall x 5.5" deep - an excellent size to hold your pattern and fabrics for a project in progress or in queue.<br />
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I changed a few things in the pattern after making the first basket:<br />
<ul>
<li>Step 1 - fuse the lightweight interfacing to the bag handle pieces - they'll be less floppy in the end.</li>
<li>Step 2 - fold and press the handle rectangles in half lengthwise, and then fold each raw edge into the center fold and press so the finished handle measures about 1.25" wide. The pattern tells you to fold and press so the handle finishes at 1.5" wide, but I think that's more trouble than necessary. 1.25" width is good enough for me.</li>
<li>Step 3 - leave a 4" opening in the bottom of your bag interior to make turning right side out at the end easier.</li>
<li>Step 8 - Press the interior and exterior corner seams in opposite directions to help your basket sit flat upon completion.</li>
</ul>
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For the finishing touch, I fused and stitched an <b>elsie's girl</b> label to the front of each basket. Create your own fusible personalized labels with <a href="https://sewmod.wordpress.com/2015/02/05/diy-quilt-fabric-labels/" target="_blank">this tutorial</a> from Lorrie at SewMod.<br />
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My four baskets are all filled with projects in progress, and now I've got a small system in place to keep them each separate and contained.<br />
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I even made two additional one hour baskets using these fun fabrics!<br />
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The teal lined basket was filled with goodies and given away as our guild's June door prize, and the purple lined version was my contribution to the June CLMQG fabric container swap.<br />
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Do you have any sewing room organization tips for corralling your works in progress?Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-76708711540938693182015-07-01T06:00:00.000-05:002015-07-01T06:00:00.578-05:00halloween block lotteryMy quilt guild (<a href="http://www.crystallakemqg.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">CLMQG</a>) is holding a second block lottery in July, and this time we are trying a paint chip challenge in Halloween colors! I selected these paint chips at my local Home Depot to use as our guidelines and made two sample blocks for our June meeting when the block lottery and rules were announced...<br />
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I chose these fabrics for my sample blocks...<br />
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The color rules state that you must use ONLY the paint chip colors and black and white, so I added these three black prints...<br />
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The blocks must measure 12.5" unfinished (12" finished). I like the clean graphic lines of "Plus" quilts, so I played around with my graph paper and colored pencils to draft one conforming to the 12" size rule. The block is composed of 2.5" cut squares and 2.5" x 6.5" cut rectangles. I tested out a couple of color layouts with the graph paper to make sure I liked the look before I started cutting.<br />
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I tried a couple of different arrangements of the colors trying to use just the solid fabrics and black prints. (I couldn't find a yellow solid to match the paint chip, but this print is small enough to pass for a near-solid.)<br />
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In this version it seemed like the lights and darks were too clustered...<br />
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Here the acid green and yellow are too close together and there is too much orange...<br />
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Here is the winning layout. This is a very easy block to cut and sew - once you've decided on the layout you just sew the pieces into rows and either press all seams to the right in the odd numbered rows and to the left in the even numbered rows, or make it even easier and press all the seams open. It's not difficult to get accurate sizing on this block because there are no triangles or seams on bias edges. There also aren't too many seams that need to match between rows.<br />
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My second block is called "Rolling Diamond", and I found the pattern and tutorial for making this block at <a href="http://blog.knottygnome.com/2013/04/rolling-diamonds-tutorial.html" target="_blank">knottygnome crafts</a>. My friend and fellow CLMQG board member Lorrie has also published a tutorial on her website, <a href="https://sewmod.wordpress.com/2014/05/05/rolling-diamonds-quilt-block-tutorial/" target="_blank">SewMod Designs</a>. This block is more difficult to get an accurate size because of the square-in-a-square blocks and those bias seams, so be careful if you make one of these!<br />
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I left the obvious Halloween prints out of this block and used just two of the paint chip colors with two black and white prints. I'm planning to add my "Plus" block to the lottery but keep this Rolling Diamonds block for myself; I really like the look of this block and might make an entire quilt using some additional colors and more black and white prints!<br />
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Here's a shot from my new swatch journal (in a future post I'll give you the details on this latest project of mine) that gives all known information about the fabrics I used...<br />
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I'll let you know how the block lottery goes and if I won after our July 19th meeting :)<br />
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If you would like more information about the specific rules for this lottery or helpful tips on successfully sewing quilt blocks for any swap or lottery, head over to the CLMQG website and read <a href="http://www.crystallakemqg.blogspot.com/2015/06/tips-for-successful-quilt-block.html" target="_blank">this post</a>.<br />
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Happy Halloween sewing in July!!Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-46266500860398988642015-06-15T10:40:00.001-05:002015-06-15T10:40:21.265-05:00a summery donation quiltWe've had so much excitement at my house in the past three weeks - Thing 1 finished her junior year of college and moved home, Thing 2 graduated from high school, Thing 1 moved away again for a summer internship, and lastly Thing 2 performed in her final year dance recitals and celebrated a birthday this past weekend. No lazy days of summer here!<br />
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I have carved out some time to sew most days though and finally completed this donation quilt that I started last November. The free pattern is called "New Wave" by Elizabeth Hartman, and you can download it <a href="http://ohfransson.com/all-projects/new-wave-quilt" target="_blank">here</a>. If you are a long time follower of elsie's girl you might remember the <a href="http://elsiesgirl.blogspot.com/2011/01/quilting-new-wavecircling-globe.html" target="_blank">other New Wave quilt I finished in 2011</a>.<br />
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This quilt was made specifically for donation to a local breast cancer care center. My <a href="http://www.crystallakemqg.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">quilt guild</a> is currently supporting this local medical facility by providing many donations of handmade comfort quilts for recently diagnosed women in our community who are having surgeries and beginning treatment. <br />
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The pattern uses only 12 fat quarters and an additional 1.25 yards of contrast fabric. I think this combination of fuchsia, lime green, and orange accented with the black makes a bright and cheery quilt! My friend Isis (isis_custom_quilts on Instagram) used her new long arm quilting machine to quilt it for me, and I love the pattern of swirled daisies and the lime green thread she chose.<br />
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The quilt backing fabric is still cheerful but not as bright - black line drawings of daisies on a white background.<br />
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The bias cut black and white stripe binding and a Crystal Lake Modern Quilt Guild label finish the quilt perfectly :) It measures 51" x 64" - slightly longer than the pattern is written because I used the Wrights Fat Cats template by Darlene Zimmerman rather than the template provided in the pattern.<br />
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The instructions for using the Fat Cats template with this quilt pattern used to be found on Elizabeth Hartman's website, but while writing this I realized they are no longer posted there. So I'm including some brief tips from my pattern notes about how using this template changes the construction and size of the quilt top.<br />
<ul>
<li>you'll need 1.25 yards of sashing fabric (the pattern calls for 1 yard)</li>
<li>cut your sashing pieces 2" x 11" rather than 2" x 10"</li>
<li>use the 1.5" and 10.5" lines on the Fat Cats template to cut your wedge pieces</li>
<li>finished quilt size using 12 fat quarters will be 51" x 64" rather than 51" x 55"</li>
</ul>
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I've already got some fabrics chosen for my next donation quilt - a 56" x 70" 16-patch quilt in batik fabrics that remind me of a fiery summer sunset :)</div>
Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-29377977053151541362015-05-14T11:27:00.000-05:002015-05-14T11:27:00.357-05:00and done!The Epic College Map Quilt top for Thing 2 is finished! I spent much of last week churning out 200 flying geese blocks assembly line style, and then last Saturday I started playing with the layout of the blocks and ended up finishing the entire top :)<br />
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I had it in my head that 198 flying geese blocks (finishing at 3" x 6") were needed for the borders, but I really only needed 98. As I sat on the floor Saturday positioning the blocks I kept wondering "why does it seem like there are way too many of these?" Ummm... because there were too many! When designing the pattern I had intended to use my Sizzix dies to cut all of the pieces which included <i>196 background fabric triangles</i> - aha! That's how the extra 100 got stuck in my mind! But then I decided to use the Eleanor Burns flying geese method (shown below) because there is no triangle cutting involved and very little fabric waste. So the lesson here is always check back with the pattern before cutting - and that no matter how long you've been sewing <b>there is always something to learn</b>! <br />
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Now for the fabulous 4-at-a-time-super-easy-and-accurate flying geese method that I used - you'll need a "Quilt in a Day" Flying Geese ruler. There are two sizes available; mine makes blocks 1.5" x 3" or 3" x 6". I'm using a Frixion pen to mark my fabrics because the ink vanishes when you iron it, but you should definitely test this on your fabrics first!<br />
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To make 4 flying geese units that finish at 3" x 6" cut one 9" background fabric square and one 7.5" main fabric square. Place the background (grey) fabric square <i>right side up</i> and mark the center diagonal line. Place the main (pink) fabric square <i>right side down</i> over the background piece and mark the center diagonal line. Center the main fabric just by eyeballing it, but make sure the diagonal line matches up with the background. Pin in a couple of spots to secure.<br />
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Now sew a 1/4" seam on both sides of the drawn line.<br />
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Cut on the diagonal line.<br />
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Press each unit with the seam allowance toward the background fabric.<br />
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Place the two units right sides together with the main fabric pieces opposite of each other. DON'T NEST THE SEAMS - align the outer edges of the two pieces.<br />
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Mark the center diagonal line on the top unit as shown and pin to secure.<br />
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Sew a 1/4" seam on both sides of the drawn line.<br />
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Cut on the drawn diagonal line.<br />
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Make a small snip in the center of each seam allowance to aid in pressing the seam allowances correctly.<br />
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Press the seam allowances toward the background fabric again. Here is a shot of what your two pieces should look like from the back and front.<br />
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Align the marked triangle on your Quilt in a Day ruler with your block as shown. (Those little tan dots are sandpaper disks I stuck to the back of the ruler to help keep it from slipping around on the fabric.) Trim the excess fabric along the right and top edges of the ruler, then pivot the fabric and ruler so you can cut the left and bottom sides. If you have a rotating cutting mat on hand definitely use it for this step.<br />
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And from two squares of fabric you now have four perfectly sized identical flying geese blocks! <br />
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I repeated this process 49 more times to get my 200 blocks (even though I could have stopped at 24 repetitions - hehe!)<br />
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200 flying geese ready to go!<br />
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This is the background fabric that Thing 2 has chosen; it's from the Waterfront Park line by Violet Craft for Moda. Line drawings of bridges in white on navy - perfect for a Civil Engineering major :)<br />
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Monday morning this is off to the quilter! I probably won't see it again until mid-July, but I'll be sure to share photos of the finished product before it heads to it's new (dorm) home in mid-August. Oh, and she loves it. She really loves it :)<br />
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Final stats:<br />
<ul>
<li>Quilt will finish at 66" x 93"</li>
<li>Applique center finished at 42.25" x 81"</li>
<li>Side borders to applique section (added before flying geese) finish at 6" x 81" and 5.75" x 81". These borders were not pieced - they were cut on the lengthwise grain to avoid seams.</li>
<li>6.5 yards of background fabric is probably what is needed to make this quilt without sewing an extra 100 flying geese. 7.5 yards is what I actually purchased and cut. </li>
<li>Flying geese units were made from applique scraps and quarter yard cuts. Fabrics used include several Studio E Peppered Shot Cottons, a few P&B Textiles blender prints, as well as AMH, Parson Gray, Juliana Horner, and Denyse Schmidt prints. </li>
</ul>
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<br />Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-77088374234854130622015-05-01T05:36:00.001-05:002015-08-27T13:26:36.650-05:00applique finish lineAnd the applique work is finished!! My neck and back are so very thankful :)<br />
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Great Britain, Ireland, Iceland and Novaya Zemyla (shown below) took a total of 26 minutes to stitch. I had originally cut Novaya Zemyla as the shape on the right in this photo. But after spending so much time stitching around all the tight curves found in Asia and Europe I took a few liberties and simplified the shape to make my job a little bit easier. Wikipedia tells me that this archipelago is the easternmost point of Europe and that it is a northern extension of the Ural Mountains in Russia. Since the Ural Mountains are generally recognized as the dividing line between Europe and Asia I chose to include it as part of Europe.<br />
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North America wins for the continent taking the longest time to applique. The main part of the continent took 1 hour and 31 minutes.<br />
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And the islands of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories took another hour and 17 minutes. Again I took some liberties here with the island silhouettes to make tracing, cutting, and stitching do-able.<br />
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South America is my new favorite continent - only 17 minutes for this one!<br />
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And lastly I added the largest islands of Japan and the Philippines in 27 minutes. Whew!<br />
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I took this photo to give you an idea of the size of this quilt center. Those are my pink converse shoes, and I'm standing up on my tiptoes hovering the camera at eye level to get almost all of the quilt top in the photo.<br />
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North America: Free Spirit Vagabond Parquet Moondial by Parson Gray<br />
South America: Cotton and Steel Stampede in Navy by Sarah Watts<br />
Africa: Caterpillar Dusk Woven Stripe by Kaffe Fassett<br />
Australia: M and S Textiles Dancing Flowers in Black by June Smith<br />
Europe and Greenland: Art Gallery Oval Elements in Eggplant<br />
Asia: M and S Textiles Bush Plum in Black<br />
Background fabric: Andover Fabrics Moonshadow Formica Grey by Kim Schaefer <br />
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Total applique stitching time: 7 hours, 10 minutes (goodness it felt like so much longer than that!)<br />
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The Mercator projection was used to create the silhouettes of all the continents and islands shown on this quilt. On all map projections, shapes or sizes are distortions of the true layout of the Earth's surface. The Mercator projection exaggerates areas far from the equator. In case you are wondering what that really means, here are some fun facts about it:<br />
<ul>
<li>Greenland is almost as large as Africa on this map, but in reality Africa's area is 14 times greater and Greenland's is comparable to the country of Algeria's alone.</li>
<li>Alaska takes as much area on the map as Brazil, when Brazil's area is nearly five times that of Alaska.</li>
<li>Finland appears to have a greater north-to-south reach than India, although India's is actually greater.</li>
</ul>
<div>
So yeah, the quilt top is not completely accurate, but it's easily recognizable as a map of the world, and we are okay with that :) <br />
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Next up: 198 flying geese units for the quilt border!</div>
Shelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7256348226467340988.post-76876151484672167112015-04-29T09:47:00.000-05:002015-05-14T11:41:42.513-05:00progress report - epic college map quiltAfter the previous day's marathon session of applique sewing, I worked on some easier continents on Monday. Whew!<br />
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Africa was a quick sew at 18 minutes. However, the Kaffe woven stripe Thing 2 selected did not adhere to the background very well. I'm not sure why that is, but it could have something to do with the fact that the Heat and Bond directions state that your fabrics should be prewashed. (I rarely prewash. I'm not a rebel; I'm just too anxious to jump right in to be bothered with prewashing, and so far it hasn't been an issue for me.) I used a touch of Elmer's glue to hold Madagascar down while I sewed it, and that seemed to do the trick.<br />
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Australia, New Zealand, Tasmania, and New Guinea were also quick - 32 minutes.<br />
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I forgot to mark the stopwatch time for Greenland, so I believe it's included in the time total time for the European islands I'll show you tomorrow. Maybe you're finding my stopwatch time reporting to be tedious, but the numbers geek in me finds it sort of fascinating and necessary for proper documentation :)<br />
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Just keep stitching, just keep stitching...<br />
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Africa: Kaffe Fassett Caterpillar Dusk Woven Stripe<br />
Australia: M and S Textiles Dancing Flowers in Black by June Smith<br />
Greenland: Art Gallery Oval Elements in Eggplant<br />
Background fabric: Andover Fabrics Moonshadow Formica Grey by Kim Schaefer <br />
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Total applique stitching time: 3 hours, 12 minutesShelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12518834618234390750noreply@blogger.com4