Month 1 of wool Block of the Month

I really enjoy a block of the month.  It seems a reasonable amount of time to get something done.  About 2 years ago i started 4 of the same.  I am working on the last one, finally.  My theory is that i can do another block quick if i just make some extras at the same time.  I did well working on four blocks of the month until it came time to finish them.  I know that I have a problem completing things.  I get it so close but I often figure it is done and move on.  So I am really trying not to do that.  So on top of the list of things i have to work on, I added 3 blocks of the months, but all different.  I have 1 block of the little birdies done.  It is a quilt as you go for 20 blocks.  I also signed up for a 7 month block of the month called the Nature of things.  I just finished the first block.

I learned the stem stitch.  I think it turned out well. 
So the last block of the month is really a quilt along with Leah Day.  My fabric is back ordered but I think I will be about to catch up.  Working on a couple birthday gifts :P
Until the next stitch!

A new year

I have been a very busy beaver.  I am very very motivated to get some projects done so I can start another :P
About 2 years ago I started 4 block of the months.  Kaleidoscope of Kolor it is called.   I decided to make a 100" black, 100" cream, 50" black and 50" cream one.  INSANE IN THE BRAIN!!
I have completely finished the big cream one.  The big black is finished except the label.  Here is the little
black one.

 

So she is going out for hand quilting.  So now I can get ready for Leah Day's Building block quilt along.  I am soooooooo excited.  I have talked about 9 of my friends to do it with me.  Just wish my fabric was not backordered.

Until the next stitch  

8 months??

Wow, I have not blogged for 8 months!!!  I have not been sewing for part of that, but that is no excuse.  So here we go.  Tractor pulling season is over and I am stitching away furiously.  I have really tried to keep to the list.  I make a list, usually at the very beginning of the year, of the sewing projects I am working away at.  It helps me keep focus.  I have a problem of starting projects but not finishing them. 

 So I have decided to start 3 projects!!!  Must be that I am trying to get them all started before the new list comes!!  I have been sick with the flu twice in 2 weeks, so I have only been hand sewing.

So have you missed me??  Does anyone really read this?  LOL 

I finished my Halloween project.  I really did not care if it was done on time, but when I flipped the calendar to December I decided it was time.  My friend Shell at Red Quilts posted this in WQG group and I thought it was too cute.  I also made it with my friend Joyce who is just learning all about wool!!  She finished hers in days. 

I bought one of Connecting Threads kits.  Enough fabric to make 4.  I did get this done before the season was over!!   It had a ton of hand work also but was fun.  I call it the button eater!!

Completing 2 projects give me permission to start another, RIGHT?????

I started a project that I did blog about before renamed by me as "A whole lot of crazy"  Truponto'd applique blocks that are quilted as a block. 

I also started a wool project.  It is a 7 month block of the month.  I reminded hat Janet M told me about french knots today.  Going to learn the stem stitch tomm.  Pictures later
Then tonight I decided to do the new  Leah Day Skill builder block of the month.  Going to go look for fabric now :P
Until the next stitch!!

My sewing room tour

As most of you know I am co chairing program for guild this year.  A couple months ago I did a video on my sewing room and tips to help you set your room to the correct height to save your back.  As most of you also know, I am not very good about updating my blog!!!!!  So that being said, here is the video that I made on my room. 


Sewing room tour




Until the next stitch!

Binding

A while ago I had a friend ask me to show her how I do my quilt bindings. I was working on one and took the pictures as I started the process. I then turned that last corner and finished the binding. No pictures. So this morning I decided that I would try again. I was working away when I realized I was sewing that last corner, again!! So I stopped and took some pics. When I start, I leave a 8-9" tail. That gives me lots of room in the end.

I then press that edge over just one and press. Notice I cut it on a 45 degree angle.

I stop a good distance before I meet where I began. In this case I lucked out and was close to a corner ( I did plan that). So I pinned the corner so it is secure.

I then open the tail of where I started. I lay that bottom piece as flat as I can make it, and stick a pin in to make sure it does not move.

Then I carefully work the end piece into that pocket. I also cut the end tail at a 45 degree angle. Make sure the folds are in each other.

Pin it into the quilt.

Work the top binding back in place. Pin it

Continue to pin the area making sure it will not more when you sew it

Sew over this area removing the pins as you go

Hand sew the two binding parts together on the front side. I then continue to hand sew the binding onto the back. Don't forget your label!!

Until the next stitch!

Redneck Light box

I started working on a very intense appliqued quilt.  I found myself taping the pattern to my kitchen window.  I stood there and traced and traced and stretched my shoulders.  After standing there for a couple hours, I thought there has to be an easier way!!!  Light bulb lit!!!!
I contemplated ordering a light box.  The next question was where am I going to store that when I am not using it?  It was dark outside that night so I went to the sewing room and just sat there looking around.  I bought a new sewing machine a while back, and it sits in a table.  It also came with an extension table that I have never used.  Hummmm  So this is my redneck lighting box, available when needed, easily stored :P

Here is my sewing machine in it's table.

 

So I took my machine out of the table giving me this gaping hole.

I grabbed my extension table and set it on top of the hole.  That gave me enough room that I could easily set a 8 x 10 sheet of paper in the glass area. 

I then grabbed one of my OTT lights and set it under my table.  It is plenty bright enough for me to see to trace 

Here is a before picture:

 

Here is the after picture:

 

I got my son to come in and take some pictures for me.  He can be quite the photographer at times. Here they are.

 

 

Until the next stitch!!

A whole lot of crazy - my next quilt project

 I have been looking for a difficult applique project to trupunto.  I found it.  I am going to call it A whole lot of crazy.  There are 20 blocks.  I have the background blocks together and most of the applique traced.  Here are some pictures.

I will be back later in the week to show you how I traced these out, redneck way!!
Until the next stitch!