It's a Shame!

I basted my Patriotic Jacket together earlier this week.  What did I find???

It doesn't FIT!!!

I've requested input on possible alterations, but have yet to attempt any of the offered solutions.  I was SO hoping to have this project finished by the end of the year!  We'll see...

Wish me luck!

1st 100 - Patch Block

1st 100 - Patch Block, a photo by basketcasejoy on Flickr.

It's December and I owe you a quilting update:

I've been working on a Leader/Ender project. (Thanks to Bonnie Hunter of quiltville.com for coining the phrase and to my favorite quilt buddy for finding the pattern at weddingdressblue.wordpress.com)

You'll be pleased to hear that I got so excited about this project that it kept my machine humming for MANY stolen moments. I was having so much fun that my Leader/Ender turned into a full-fledged project! I have now completed 10 out of the 12 blocks called for. (The ONLY reason I stopped was that I ran out of cut squares to sew - and I wasn't in the mood to cut more!)

So, the question remains, why is this called a 100-Patch Quilt?

Well, the reason is this:

There are 100 cut squares in each quilt block. You then add a narrow sashing strip and a row of 44 patches around each of the blocks. Once that's done you add wider sashing strips and a border to assemble the quilt top.

The directions for the quilt call for using 2" squares. However, when using that size, the resulting quilt turns out 75" x 99". That's a pretty BIG quilt! Having recently worked on another large quilt, I just didn't want to go there again. (At least, not while the memories are so fresh!)

What could I do?

I pulled out my 1" drawer (filled with squares and strips that measure anywhere from 1" to 1 7/8".) I had 2 choices...

I could either use the stack of 1" squares or I could be reasonable and choose the stack of 1.5" squares.

What did I do???

The voice of reason won out and I am using 1.5" squares for this jewel of a quilt. 1.5" squares from my 1" drawer, 1.5" squares that I am cutting from my scrap stash, and 1.5" squares that I am cutting from "gift" scraps.

I absolutely LOVE "gift" scraps!!!

In fact, I just got another bag of them at the last quilt guild meeting. "Gift Scraps" make my quilts that much more interesting. (Plus, it really makes the previous owner of those scraps feel good to know that someone is using the smallest bits of their cast-offs!)

Thank you, quilting friends!

SAFF 2011 Haul

SAFF 2011 Haul, a photo by basketcasejoy on Flickr.

The Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair was held October 21 - 23, 2011 at the Western NC Agricultural Center in Fanning, NC. That's right outside of Asheville, in case you didn't know.

I went with the Mebane Knit Guild and had a great time. I meant to blog about it sooner, but never seemed to get around to it. Sorry!

Here's what happened... I went a little crazy in the vendor booths! This is the picture proof.

Until next time...
Enjoy the yarn-y goodness.

Flames in Action

Flames in Action, a photo by basketcasejoy on Flickr.

I shared this portion of a quilt on Ravelry earlier today. Someone had suggested that one of the quilters might want to use a fire themed quilting design on her hot-colored Blooming 9-Patch quilt. I had used such a design and decided to share.

The quilt is named The Happy Accident because my friend and I did some bad math when figuring out how many blocks to make for quilts for my two sons. There were enough leftover blocks to combine with "plain" squares for another quilt.

The resulting quilt was a lap quilt for my husband. I used "fire quilting" by Vikki Pignatelli for my DH's quilt because flames (for fast cars) were a recurring theme in the fabrics that were chosen.

Here's the entry in my quilt book:



I made the quilt a number years ago. It hung in the 2006 NC State Fair and brought home an Honorable Mention ribbon.

Perhaps, I'll have something new to share sometime soon. Until then...

Happy Quilting!

Quilting on 11/11/11

It's been quite a while since my last post.  I didn't realize just how long it's been!

Oh, well, I'm back now.  I was busy quilting on 11/11/11 (and the days before and since.)  I've used early morning hours and spare chunks of time in the evenings to put in some work on my Leader/Ender project, the 100-Patch quilt.  I've also made some serious headway on my Crumb quilt.  I'm really hoping to finish it by the end of the year.

Here's a progress picture:



There's only ONE seam remaining before it becomes a quilt top!!!

Hopefully, I'll have photos to share soon.

Happy Quilting!

MR4 Winter Goodies

MR4 Winter Goodies, a photo by basketcasejoy on Flickr.

I was SO excited to get my MR4 Fall swap that I didn't realize that my MR4 Winter swap had arrived on the SAME day! Can you imagine my surprise???

I felt like I had won the lottery!!!

Just LOOK at all of the cool stuff Fidissimus included in my package. The BEST part was that she used the SAME mailing envelope that I had mailed to her! I love the fact that she reused it.

So. Did you SEE all of the cool stuff that was included in the package with my adorable snowman mug rug? Fabric, yarn, a selection of tea, a Knit Happens bumper sticker, AND the MOST AMAZING tape measure ever!!!

Thank you again, Fidissimus. I think I'll go have another cup of tea (just so I can put my mug rug to work.)

I heard that it snowed today in a number of states. I think that we should celebrate... that we DID NOT get any here!!!

MR4 Fall (Reverse)

MR4 Fall (Reverse), a photo by basketcasejoy on Flickr.

Surprise!!!

Here's the flip side.

Cool, huh???

:o)