Friday, December 17, 2010

Patriotic with a Twist

Hooray! Another UFO completed. This one was begun in March (2009?) at our guild's Quilt Fest - Donation Quilt Workshop. I was so busy talking that all I only got the cutting and first sewing done. The sewn strips hung in my sewing closet for over a year before I decided that I needed to put the quilt together.

Here's the rest of the story:

Two quilting friends came over for a sew day a couple of months ago and this was the project that I chose to work on. The funny thing was...I didn't even remember that it was on my UFO List!!!

I took the sewn strips from the closet and started chopping! 3 1/2" chunks and 6 1/2" chunks turned into the basis for my blocks. Once the sewing had been completed, I threw the blocks on my "design floor" to see what we could do with them. I arranged the blocks one way and my friends arranged them another. Together, we came up with a pleasing arrangement. With the addition of some alternate blocks and an unusual border configuration, a plan was formed. The top was done by the end of the day. (So what if it was almost MIDNIGHT!!!)

A few days later...off I went to my mini group. This quilt top was part of my show and tell for the day. Lucky me! One of my friends volunteered to quilt it on her longarm. So...the waiting began.

I wasn't in a hurry because the quilt was to be a donation quilt. I worked on other projects in the meantime. The quilted piece was returned to me on Monday of this week. However, it wasn't at the top of the list for finishing so it had to wait its turn.

That turn came the next day (Tuesday of this week.) Once my other projects were completed I could devote time to working on this one. I was quilting with 2 other friends and brought Patriotic with a Twist along to make the binding. And, make the binding, I did...only to discover that I had cut the strips incorrectly!

You see, I was trying a two-color binding technique that yet another friend had found on the internet. Once the strips were cut and sewn together, I found that I had run out of time. Sadly, it was time to go home. You know what happens at home, don't you??? Dinner and laundry, etc. Another day passed without preparing the binding. That brings us to Wednesday of this week.

What happens?! I've got a Field Trip to attend with DS2. No time for sewing. That's ok, it was a wonderful adventure. When I return home...there's MORE dinner to make and MORE laundry to do! No problem...tomorrow's another day. I did, however, manage to look at the binding sections long enough to realize that I had cut the pieces INCORRECTLY. :o(

You won't BE-lieve it!! The kids are home from school!!! Icy conditions in the morning and who knows what it will be in the afternoon? I did manage to make time for quilting. The binding situation was cleared up. The binding was prepared, attached, and sewn down! You know what that means, don't you???

The quilt is DONE!!!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

The Return of the Pfaff

I scheduled the pick up of my Pfaff for yesterday. It was picked it up (without trying it out...again!) and promptly put it to work. Unfortunately, there IS one small problem. :o(

The machine is not as quiet while sewing as it was before its vacation. I'm hoping that it simply needs the kinks worked out and NOT a return trip to Mr. Fix-it! I'll have to give a call to see what he thinks about it.

Wish me luck...

Meanwhile, I completed the binding on one quilt (The Quilt Test) and began prepping binding for another (Patriotic With a Twist.) Look for a photo of the Soldier quilt within the next week or so. I'm hoping to finish it off for the UFO Club. The fall session is quickly coming to a close.

Ready? Set. Sew!

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The Quilt Test...Revealed!


When Lindsay at www.mequilting.com put out a call for pattern testers on www.ravelry.com, I responded. Telling her that I would be happy to test her pattern was the one of the best things that happened to me during the month of November. Testing her pattern firmly pulled me back into my quilting studio. I've been spending MUCH more time in there since.

As I mentioned in my last post, it's a fast and easy quilt to make. The pattern is called Boxed Ribbon Baby Quilt, but it can be adapted to fit any recipient. If you have 5 FQs, some background, backing , and binding...you can make this quilt. (Even if you are a beginner!) Need a bigger quilt? Just multiply the number of blocks you make and add more strip sets around the outside border.

I didn't know what I would be asked to make upon signing up for this pattern tester gig. At the time I received the pattern, the LAST thing I wanted to make was another baby quilt! I threw caution to the wind and decided to show what ELSE could be done with Lindsay's pattern. ** See the photo above. (I figured that if she didn't like it, I could always go back into my stash for more fabric!)

Lindsay's pattern is set to be released Wednesday, 12/15/10 on mequilting.com and will be available to purchase for approx. $6.00.

Happy Quilting!!!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

The Quilt Test

I've been working on a new quilt (off and on) for the past couple of weeks or so. I was the "pattern tester" for a friend on Ravelry. Her pattern will be released for sale this week on her blog.

For now, here's a preview:

It was a fast, easy quilt so I'm sure that YOU are going to want to make one, too!!! Watch for more details in the next couple of days.

Happy Quilting!



Friday, December 10, 2010

Vacation's Over

So...anybody wondering what happened with the spitting machine?

I heard from the sewing machine repair guy the other day. My Pfaff has been restored to full heath for a grand total of $42.00 US. Not a bad price for a month-long excursion! LOL

Goodness knows, it could have been much, MUCH worse!

The machine went on an extended vacation due to the fact that my repair guy keeps limited shop hours. Every time my friend called or went by to drop it off, the shop was closed! Can you IMAGINE not being able to sew on your favorite piecing machine for a month???

I'm going to pick up my machine on Tuesday. Just in the nick of time...I've got a quilt due on Wednesday and I really miss the built in dual feed/walking foot on my Pfaff. There's still binding to apply and be stitched down. Too many puckers without that feature!

Look for more details on that quilt on Tuesday night...