Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Goal update- August

I was looking at the goal updates and there is no July. That is reflective of my sewing and blogging this summer. I haven't done much. The weather will turn in a few weeks which will lend to more sewing time. Work has slowed down and in the last week I have been able to knock out a quilt top. I am going through my stash and planning out the next couple projects. I need to clean things out. Tastes change and I have fabric from a year ago that I am not interested in anymore. I also need to start the sewing circle again. It is fun to sew and gossip.

3. Piece Flag Day Farm quilt Well, I have till next spring.

7. Continue with Layer Cake Quilt Along Backing fabric needs to come on sale.

8. Start and finish Split Decision quilt The problem is the layout. I can't seem to make it work. I need to figure it out.

9. Start and finish Christmas quilt I think I'm turning it into a tree skirt.

10. Fig and Plum layer cake something quilt While it took forever to finish, it ended OK.

11. Skinny Strips Quilt using Prayer Flag jelly roll Haven't started it yet.

12. Fresh Cottons jelly roll something Same thing as the the Prayer Flag quilt. Backing fabric ordered and arrived. $4 a yard.

14. Star Sampler quilt Dropped. 

15. Batik quilt This is the strangest thing. It is on my sewing machine. I switched sewing machines because I just didn't want to finish it. I don't know what it is. I have the border fabric and the blocks are cut. I just need to sew them together. Just don't want to.

16. String quilt Need to work on a few more blocks.

17. Stash busting Nothing major added, but haven't really cleaned out. I keep adding on for projects- like backing fabric or background fabric.

18. Yo Yo strips quilt I went through all my fat quarters and kind of stopped. It is a fun way to pass the time while watching TV.
 
19. Fat Quarter Shop Block of the Month I am three months behind, but I LOVE the fabric and the blocks.
 
20. Moose on the Porch Quilt Along I need to pick my fabric. Most participating are stash busting. I think I may go with something that isn't me at all.

Monday, August 29, 2011

A well needed break

Today I took the afternoon off and took an intro to paper piecing class. I enjoyed it, but it is a lot of work. I can see it being useful for high precision, but a lot of folding and cutting. I do like that you can use fabric without cutting pieces or worrying about bias. And no measuring!!! They were having a Farmers Wife paper piecing class tonight, that may become a club. I am interested, but I am being responsible and not committing to yet another project.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Christmas?

What?! A mid-week post? Things have slowed down VERY much at work, so I can actually sew during the evening or weekends. I have been talking about Christmas quilts since last summer, but I still don't have a Christmas quilt. I saw the Grace layer cake at the quilt store and since it was on sale I decided it was my civic duty to buy it. I am using the same Quartered Nines pattern that I used for the Pashmina table topper. It is easy and I am enjoying just sewing without stress. I am hoping that this does get done before Christmas.

Monday, August 22, 2011

Stars Quilt Along

Konda at Moose on the Porch Quilts announced a new quilt along today- stars and fat quarters. The Layer Cake Quilt Along was a lot of fun. Apart from a finished quilt top, I met a lot of fun people.

The big question now is what fabric line. Suggestions? 

Saturday, August 20, 2011

A finished top and even a back

I have finally finished the Synchronized Squares quilt along top and for the first time a pieced back. I am a month and a half past the deadline, but it is done.


The top is below average sewing. There was a lot of tired and angry sewing. I switched the background fabric. It took forever to finish, but I have a feeling though that this is going to be a well used quilt. I like the pieced back. Apart from looking nice, I don't have four random blocks laying about. There isn't much overhang for two of the sides though. Sorry, Jenny!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Can't do it all

So in my previous post I said I was going to join another quilt along. I did some cleaning up today and I shouldn't start another project. I have too much fabric already and at least 6 different half done projects. My third block for the Fat Quarter Shop BOM showed up in the mail today and I haven't done even the first. It wouldn't be responsible to start another project.
I have been working on my Synchronized Squares quilt and should have the top done tomorrow. It hasn't been as fun as I thought it would be. I think because I didn't finish it with everybody else. I figure it will be a good every day, muck about quilt.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Trying stars again

You know something isn't working when your 6 year old nephew says it looks ugly. The 6 year old kindly told his mother he didn't like my yellow and gray star sampler. Since that didn't work, I am giving it another go with a star quilt. I am joining the Stars Quilt Along over at Happy Quilting. Fat Quarter Shop is the sponsor and they are offering 20% off Melissa's fabric of choice- Joel Dewberry's Heirloom. I loved Modern Meadow, but I never got around to getting any. The resulting quilt is a queen sized top which intimidates me, but I am going for it with the Citrine colourway. Let's see if the 6 year old approves.  


Sunday, August 7, 2011

Fabric


I wish I took better fabric and quilt pictures, because this picture doesn't do the fabric justice. My mum brought me this fabric from India. I love the greens. And the oranges. And the blue/purples. And all of it. My parents visited me a couple weeks ago. Work was crazy and I think we saw each other for only five hours over their three day visit. I haven't decided how to use the fabric yet, but I am going to pre-wash and be ready for when inspiration strikes.

The Iowa State Fair starts this week. I can't wait. I plan on eating my weight in unhealthy food. This year's target is Red Velvet Funnel Cake with Cream Cheese glaze.

I was downtown yesterday and saw the sign for the AQS show this fall. It is scheduled for September 28th through October 1st. Is anybody coming in for the show?

Slightly rambling post, but I am tired.