Queen Bee!

This month it is my turn to be the Queen Bee in our Twilters swap, and I had such a hard time picking a block design. Every time I saw someone else's choice, I was like Rachel in Friends when she hears Monica's baby name.

Then I started down the path that always leads me to ruin - planning some elaborate original design. (I have a stack of UFOs to explain how that ends if you haven't seen this episode before.)

Finally, I've settled on a block that won't be too difficult for any of my hive, that won't send them digging for some super specific fabric in their stash, and will get me moving toward a quilt I've always wanted.

I'm asking for 16 Patch blocks made of 2" finished squares. My only other request is that you don't repeat any fabrics. I'm sure I will end up with some duplicates in the final project, but this will help reduce them and keep the quilt totally scrappy.

Just in case anyone needs instructions:

Cut a 2 1/2" square out of 16 different fabrics. 

Sew them together in pairs,

and then into four patches. Press in opposite directions so the seams nest.

Sew the four patches together into pairs,

and then into the finished 16 patch block. Voila!

This makes a great leaders and enders project while you are sewing something else. If you are having fun and would like to clean out a few more scraps, feel free to make more than one. Send it to me or start a postage stamp quilt of your own.

Thanks for swapping!

WiP Wednesday - Bee-hind!

It's WiP Wednesday and I'm a little behind on my #Twilters bee blocks. I hadn't made April's blocks, and now May's are posted!

Don't you love these cute bow tie blocks that Kelly requested? They are so quick and easy to make. I started with two, but they make perfect leader/ender blocks, so I'll make a few more while I finish the May block.

Would you like to make some? Here's the tutorial by the fabulous Jenny Doan.




Next I needed to make the Pins and Paws block that Sharon chose. Once again, Jenny Doan gave us this adorable free pattern. 

Honestly, isn't she just the best? So generous with her ideas, talent, and smile!




What are you working on?

WIP Wednesday - Better Late Than Never

I know, it's not technically Wednesday anymore, but this is what I was working on yesterday when it was Wednesday so I'm counting it.

This week has been pretty exciting with some actual sewing going on in my new studio. The first order of business is piecing the back for my father-in-law's Christmas Father's Day gift.

Remember this technique that Dianne Knott shared? It totally worked!

Again, the picture quality is terrible but you get the gist.

I had enough scraps to piece in the horizontal strip and create the bit of patchwork for the remaining gap.

I even used the binding strips as leaders and enders, so I don't have that chore in front of me!

Monday is guild night, so I can bring the top and back to Lene to quilt. Can you believe it?

March Along Week 1

It's time to report in for Week 1!

This week has been a productive one, not least of all because I wanted to complete this report.  I can do anything for 15 minutes!

On Sunday I spent some more time practicing free motion quilting designs.  I have a new project in my head that is distracting me from finishing!

On Monday I spent way more than 15 minutes ripping out.  It was backwards progress, but still a step towards completing the projects.  I also went to quilt guild.

On Tuesday I worked on my project for the Nancy Drew Blog Hop. 

On Wednesday I finished that project and started putting the Strip Twist blocks together.

On Thursday I worked on the Strip Twist blocks and made two more sections of my Scrappy Spider Web quilt as leaders and enders. 

On Friday I finally finished all of the Strip Twist blocks.  Phew!

Today I added the Channels and Paths design to my FMQ practice piece.  This one wasn't as hard as it looked, and I really like the effect. 

What have you been working on this week?



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The State of My Stash

As expected, Bonnie's visit to our guild last week got me all inspired to cut up my scraps and put them away neatly instead of piling them in baskets.

I have the whole system in place - drawers for the various size strips and bricks and squares, "cheat sheet" on my cutting table, a basket for strings and a basket for those little bits best saved for paper piecing. (I should just dump that whole basket into a dog bed because I HATE paper piecing and I HATE using itty bitty irregular pieces for it even more.)

I have a drawer for orphan blocks and a million ideas for leader-ender quilts.

But I don't do it.  I'm lazy.  When I finally get done with a quilt, the last thing I want to do is tidy up the scraps.  Once I've skipped it thirty-four three or four times, the pile is so overwhelming that I can't imagine it ever being neat.

Then Bonnie came and re-inspired me.  Also, this whole 5th blogoversary/5 giveaways thing.  So I spent a good part of this weekend cutting and stacking and counting.  I've got a fat quarter bundle, a stack of charm squares and a whole bunch of flannel and denim.  I have strings and selvages and embellishments, and I'm trying to figure out which ones would make a good prize. 

Best of all, I've found a certain serenity in the pressing and cutting while I listen to a podcast or watch a West Wing on Amazon Prime.  Though there doesn't appear to be an end in sight, I know that every 15 minute chunk of time brings me closer to my dream sewing space - the one that is organized and clean and ready for me to make my next quilt.



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Guild Challenge - Story Quilts

Our guild challenge for this year is to make a second round of Storybook Quilts. You may remember in 2009 when we made these at Janie's request. Since that challenge, the project has grown up!

The Storybook Quilts went from a feature in a local newsletter to a special exhibit at the NQA Show this coming June...and will be featured on an upcoming episode of Sewing with Nancy!

The book I picked this time is Under the Quilt of Night by Deborah Hopkinson.  I know the whole historical issue about whether or not quilts were used by the slaves on the Underground Railroad is controversial, but I don't care.  I like the story.  I like to think that there's a seed of truth in there somewhere, even if it was just for a few slaves in one family or in one little town.  Please do not comment telling me how wrong it is because - did I mention? - I don't care.

Anyway, that's the book I picked.  The quilt in the book is a scrappy log cabin with deep blue centers.  A simple block that I have always loved, my favorite color and a terrific scrap buster - this quilt is not only relaxing and easy to work on in snippets of time but also a perfect leader-ender project.  I'm trying to turn this over-full bin of 1 1/2" strips...

...into these log cabin blocks!

I'm making some pretty good progress so far, especially considering that I've never even started a guild challenge any sooner than a month before it is due!

What are you working on?







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Modern Blocks Quilt Along - Missing Your Kiss

Today's Modern Block is Missing Your Kiss by Penny Michelle Layman.

This block looked so intimidating to me at first, I almost didn't try it. I'm so glad I did! It went together beautifully and would be a great way to use up strings in your stash. It could also be a terrific leader/ender project to keep next to your machine. I think this would make a fun pillow with just one block or a fun whole quilt.


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Modern Blocks Quilt Along - Blue Lagoon

Today's Modern Block is Blue Lagoon by Pat Sloan.

I adore this block, and not just because it has three of my favorite fabrics in it. It went together quickly and easily. I love the slight contrast of the blues. I think if you put a bunch of them together, there would be a cool secondary design with those half-square triangle blocks and the cornerstones.

I'm picturing a quilt where each block features a different color.  Maybe where the color runs from one block to the next.  It would also be a great leader-ender project. 




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Modern Blocks Quilt Along - Sea Glass Steps

My next block in the Modern Blocks Quilt Along over at SeamedUP is called Sea Glass Steps, by Louise Papas. 

I did mine in pink and lavender from my stash, and immediately fell in love!  I believe this will be the design for my next baby girl quilt. 

Are you participating in the quilt along?  Download the e-book and join us!



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Rail Fence Challenge/Giveaway

I have always loved the simplicity of a rail fence block, and I find it to be one of the best first blocks for a beginning quilter.  It's a great way to practice a consistent 1/4" seam, requires almost no matching of points, and can be done in a planned palette or completely scrappy.

The rail fence above is Gracie's, all pin basted and ready to quilt.  She started off sewing wavy, wonky seams and, by the end, had improved her straight lines tremendously.  The fabrics are from a guild project to teach kids to quilt.  Several of us did a demonstration at the Gee's Bend exhibit at the High Museum of Art.  I had asked guild members to donate 3 1/2" x 9 1/2" strips, and they overwhelmed me with their generosity. 

I have made several blocks, using them as leader/ender pieces, and Gracie used up her share.  I still have dozens left.  They were donated to be used to teach children to quilt and to donate to charity, but they have been sitting in my sewing room literally for years. 

Would you like a batch?  I'm happy to send you some.  The only thing I request is that a) you use them (at least some of them) for either a charity project of your choice AND/OR teaching a new quilter; and b) that you send me a picture of what you made.  Obviously I can't enforce either of these things, and certainly won't be hunting you down in what would be the height of hypocrisy if they are left to languish.  I'm merely trying to put them to good use.

If you would like a batch, please send me an email to QUILTINJENNY at GMAIL dot COM with your snail mail address and how many you think you'd like.  Anything from 12 strips (a nice 18" pillowcase or doll quilt?) to 144 (a cozy 54" x 72" before borders).  Also, you should feel free to bust some of your own stash by adding strips, borders, or sashing. 



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Resolution - Queen of the UFOs

Oh, how I love a new day, week, year! Even better this year when January 1 was on a Saturday. New Year's Day is a holiday, so I never really want to start my resolutions in the morning and then eat a big dinner of pork and black eyed peas and collards that afternoon (usually followed by dessert...AGAIN!).

This year we got January 1 to relax, and then today, Sunday, January 2 to plan and resolve.

I have lots of resolutions. The first ones are quilty. I was the last crowned Queen of the UFOs on Stashbusters for 2010 and finished in the nick of time to avoid a penalty.

This year I managed to complete 38% of the 13 UFOs I listed one year ago:

1. Susan's Quilt
2. The Green (and Purple) Quilt
3. Orange Crush
4. WannaBee at the Ocean (not originally listed for some reason)
5. Mom's Quilt
6. In the Beginning

...as well as several Kindle covers and other small projects.

I am taking honest stock of my 2011 UFOs and WIPs.  There are so many!

Jewel Box Jacket - haven't finished because I can't remember the "safe place" I put the remaining precut pieces

Grace's Minkee quilt - which only lacks the binding.  I bought pink satin blanket binding for it years ago and put it in yet another "safe place."  I can't bring myself to buy it again. UPDATE:  I found it while I was cleaning out my UFOs!  This is first on my list to finish!  (Too bad the Jewel Box Jacket pieces weren't with it.)

Breast Cancer Quilt - more of a WIP than a UFO, but I work on it in bursts

Cut Ups 4" Block Swap Quilt - needs to be sandwiched and quilted, always a bump in the road for me

President's Quilt - ditto

Winnie-the-Pooh quilt - another twin sized quilt with no planned home.  I lost interest.  It only lacks a border for the top to be complete.

Purple quilt - I won these blocks in a guild block swap, put them together on point, and now the edges are all wavy and wonky. 

Home Guild Challenge - the only new 2010 UFO.  I'm so disappointed I didn't finish this.

Halloween Round Robin  - Not on the original list -a guild challenge from several years ago.

 Christmas Round Robin - Not on the original list - ditto

Pam's Gift   - Not on the original list - this was a Christmas gift ages ago from a quilting buddy.  I kept thinking I'd add to it, but never found the right fabric.  It just needs to be quilted so I can move along!

Purple Medallion  - Not on the original list - I won this at the guild Christmas party and never finished it.  Again, thought I would add to it.  I may just re-donate it to the party so someone who loves it can have it.

Sunshine and Shadow  - Not on the original list - This is probably my oldest UFO now that Mom's quilt is done.  It was my attempt to make a king sized quilt that I could quilt myself, in sections.  I would love to finish it as I still love it.

 

Charity Quilt   - Not on the original list - just some strips that I used as leaders and enders and then practiced my free motion quilting.  Binding almost done!

And my WHIMs as well (none of these have been started, but they all have to get done this year):

1. Baby Boy Quilt 1
2. Baby Boy Quilt 2
3. Jamie and Joe's Baby Quilt
4. Guild Challenge
5. The Bear's Graduation Quilt

If I could finish one of these every 2-3 weeks I'd clear the decks by 2012!  Can you imagine?  (No, me neither.)

True confessions time:  How many UFOs do you have?

On My Design Wall

I think I have too many projects going at once.

Brye Lynn at Sew Stitch Create just did a great episode on why WIP's are like broken windows. You should listen to the whole thing, but the gist of it is that the more things you have unfinished, the easier it is to leave something unfinished to go work on something more interesting. You get into or out of the habit of finishing. Okay, so she explains it better.

But it was a timely episode because I've got a lot of balls in the air. My guild's annual challenge is due in 18 days. I'm not totally in love with how the blocks are turning out, plus I realized that I didn't turn the blocks consistently in the same direction, so some of the logs aren't lining up. Does it actually matter in the long run? I'm not sure.

My challenge blocks, so far.

I'm feeling very rushed for time, which is ridiculous since a) I came up with the challenge and am responsible for it, and b) it was presented in January and I knew then what I planned to do.  But the first one is officially done and arrived in the mail to me today from a quilter who has to miss the November meeting.  Seeing hers finished gave me a bit of an anxiety attack, although it did prompt a two hour sewing session. 

For leaders and enders I've been making strip sets, light and dark, out of 2" strips for one of the three (!) baby quilts I need to finish by mid-February.  They will be the scrappy four patch part of the Jacob's Ladder quilt I'm making, similar to Piper's Circle of Love quilt. 

Leaders and Enders

This is all in addition to the knitting project, the twin bed sized quilt I'm trying to finish for Mom for Christmas, and the other holiday gifts I have going.

I think I need to fix some windows before the graffiti and stolen car parts take over. 

I Dreamt it was Finished!

My goal was to get the borders on my Kaleidoscope Dreams quilt today, and here it is. I am so pleased with the pieced border and the illusion of curves. Now the trick will be to see if any of the longarmers I know can get it done in time for our guild's show in September.

My other challenge is that the pattern calls for 6 1/4 yards of fabric for the back, but I cannot for my life figure out how to piece it so it is big enough for a quilt that is 84" by 104". Especially since longarmers tend to be picky about having extra fabric around all of the edges!

What I have learned from piecing this is the absolute critical need for a design wall. I could not have kept the pieces straight any other way. That was the best advice I learned during my class. Also, I truly believe I would have gone completely insane trying to do this pattern without Marti's Kaleido-Ruler. You cut every single piece with it, and they are PERFECT.

As I have mentioned, Bonnie's leaders and enders technique was the perfect companion for this quilt. I would take two pieces off the design wall, sew them, put a leader/ender piece through the machine, snip off the kaleidoscope piece, press it, and put it back on the wall before taking any other pieces down. That was the only way to keep track of where everything went.

The odds of one quilt having Marti Michell and Bonnie Hunter in common must be astronomical, but there you have it. Quilting: the great unifier. Hey, maybe we need a quilter for president!