We all have lots of catching up to do...

That's why my UFO Saturdays are always popular and lots of fun. Dianne has been working on this new quilt for her bedroom for a few weeks and got it finished on Saturday. Such gentle colors...

Dan and Patty brought their Spinning Parasols tabletoppers to work on and made some great progress. Dan had all three blocks finished, didn't get a pic of that third block and Patty had her center finished and the pieced border sections as well. They are looking good.

Ruth worked on a runner she started in a different class and got lots of her tri-recs finished and another diamond or two. She will be ready to put it together soon.

JoAnn worked on a some teeny tiny half square triangles for another project and then made another Quilted Boxy Corner Pouch. She made one last time too, and loves making them. Everyone was curious as to how they go together.

Julie got the second half of her Lone Star sewn together and the setting corners sewn in. She worked on this quilt the last time she came for UFO Saturday, so it was fun to see her getting it closer to being finished.

Elsie had purchased the Curvy Log Cabin ruler a few months ago I demo-ed it at Cut Up and Quilt, but when she went to use it, she couldn't remember how to use it. She had her strips all cut and ready to start sewing when she got there, so she got quite a few sections made, plus sewed this block together. She is using all pinks for this lovely.

I finished sewing the Henry Glass #LaughLoveQuilt project together yesterday, so now I have to quilt it. I had an idea for a backing, but it didn't work out, so I have to get some fabric today to make a backing. My deadline is looming and not sure it will be finished by Friday.

It took me a bit longer than I thought yesterday as I had to go back to the drawing board when I didn't like the darker print border I had added. It just didn't look right. So eventually, after much thinking and head scratching, I decided on a pieced border. Makes sense.

 Sewed more strips together...

 Cut out some rectangles too...then came the unsewing....sigh....

Vibrant Lone Star

 I have a Lone Star quilt that I made a few years ago hung as a model for the upcoming Lone Star quilt class later this month, but I wanted to make a working model as well. I have been collecting some batiks over the past several months, so I got them out and started playing with progressive layouts. You can use any fabrics for this quilt, but I had collected some grays and reds and wanted to use them in the same quilt. How to blend them?

After I settled on these eleven fabrics, the final decision (in my mind, at least) was whether to put the black and gray with the gold squares next to each other, or separate them with the gray mottled fabric. Part of me wanted to put the gray mottled in between them because technically speaking it's darker, so if you are doing a progression of color, it should probably be in between. But I really liked the effect that they have on each other when they are side by side. It looks like the squares are spilling from the black onto the gray. You can see which way I chose...what would you have done?

I only cut one strip of each color the other night so I could see how they looked as a star point. I will probably sew one or two points completely together ...I have to leave some of it to demo cutting and sewing during class. I don't have a background for it either, so I need to take the point with me to find something that the star will show up well on. I have a few ideas....any suggestions?

Just playing....

 I  spent some time  cutting and piecing some Honeycomb blocks that I can use for a working model for the class. I used a couple of leftover blocks from the quilt and then cut up some fabrics I thought went together that I had in my stash. I don't really know if I like the pink/purple combo, but thought I would try it. Also not sure I like the black/gray set with the zebra print, though the closer it gets to being sewn together, the better I like it. They are all sewn into half blocks now. I will eventually make another quilt out of them, but not until after the class.

I had made a few of these project bags for my great nephews for their birthdays in Nov. I had one more partially completed for a third little guy, so finished it up too. His birthday party is Sunday. You can probably guess what his favorite thing is....

 I've been working on the patterns for my new sampler design...I've felt more like sewing than writing lately, but they are coming along.

bag back

 I have cut these gorgeous batiks for another class model, but it's back to work for me today, so no sewing! Happy Monday!

Lone Star

The ladies made some good progress on their lone stars. Cathy and proud son are posing with hers in front of her. She used batiks...it will be gorgeous.

Dianne was working away at hers, adding each new diamond to the design wall, so I was waiting for her to finish her last one before taking a picture and guess what? I didn't get one of hers alone. But you can see hers BEHIND Cathy on the wall. Very bright and pretty.

 Carol's is more muted colors, but just as pretty. It is so much fun to see how each person's color choices work out.

I didn't get pictures of the other 2 ladies quilts as one left early and the other couldn't come yesterday because of illness. But everyone assures me they will come back to show me when finished.

I plan on doing some sewing today. Haven't been sewing as much lately because sometimes it bothers my back to sit for long periods of time but will give it a try today. My back is much better now, but still a little iffy at times. I have been talking with the people at physical therapy about what I can do to keep this from happening again and again.  I have also been trying to clean, not as much fun, but much needed around here.

Binding Day

 

 Bindings aren't really my favorite part of quilting, so I tend to put off attaching them. I do realize that the quilt isn't really finished until it is bound, but many times I have other projects to work on for class (yep, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!) so it is easy to set them aside. Yesterday I got busy and started sewing bindings on. You might remember these baby quilts, I quilted them awhile back. 

  

I got the bindings sewn on yesterday. 

 

 

After I finished them, I put the binding on the Lone Star Quilt.I am going to teach that class again in April, so will be hanging it at the store soon. I already posted a pic of the tablerunner I finished yesterday. If you're keeping track, that's 4 bindings....finished! I sewed both sides on by machine, or I wouldn't have been finished so quickly. Sometimes I sew bindings on the traditional way, hand stitching the back down. It just depends on their usage and my time frame.

I am teaching the Potato Chip Quilt class today, 2 sessions...should be a fun time. Maybe I will have some pix to show off after class

Quilting finished

I finished quilting my friend's Stack & Whack quilt yesterday so could give it to her during class. I really like this pattern and how it fills in...she did too. Now on to finishing the T-shirt quilt.
Here's the back.

The Lone Star Quilt class met for the 2nd time...lots of beautiful quilts in various stages of being done. I posted the pix to my Flickr account, so go check them out. It is so much fun to see them all come together.
My sister-in-law Denise finished sewing her circles together and brought her double wedding ring center to share. You might remember when I posted about her working on it when we got together and sewed last year. I have to admit, I had my doubts about this one getting finished, not because she is a quitter, but a DWR is a big project. She paper pieced the rings, which took a long time. She is going to put a border of people holding hands next...should be cool!

Busy class

It was a very productive UFO class yesterday...I posted the pix to my Flickr account (see sidebar).
After the class was officially over several of the ladies stayed a little longer and I stayed and worked on the T-shirt quilt I am making for someone. It is coming along nicely. I have the blocks all sewn together, and tried to pick out a border for it. I got one, but not sure yet if I will use it. I have several choices here at home too and not sure if I like them either. Decisions, decisions....
Two ladies worked on the Lone Star quilts started last week in class. Here is one of them. I can't wait for next Saturday when we meet again to see everyone's progress.
I need a bigger design wall!

Beautiful day in Iowa!

Today was a gorgeous day, about 60. I worked on a T-shirt quilt I am making for someone, then went for a bike ride.
The Lone Star classes went well yesterday. I can't wait to see them next time. They meet again on Nov. 14. Here are some sneak peaks at how they will look.
It is always interesting to see what colors everyone comes up with. I posted pictures of everyone hard at work at Flickr.

Ta Da!!

I finished quilting the Lone Star today. It is hard for me to get a good pic of such a big quilt, so I hung it from the doorway. I should've moved the table, though. I had a hard time getting the whole thing in a picture.
You can see the border fabric better in this one. I want to bind in red.
Quality control officer Miss Smokey is checking it out!
The back. I like this panto, it is Climber, by Meredith England.

I actually quilted all day. I have been working on a design for a fall runner, and finished it last night, so put it on the machine and quilted it after the Lone Star. I will post more about it later. I don't usually quilt class models as there is always a time constraint, but wanted to quilt the Lone Star as I didn't want it hanging on display without quilting. I was afraid it would start to sag because of all the bias seams. I knew the runner wouldn't take too long to quilt, so just did it too.

Friday & Lone Star progress!!!

I know it is pretty sad to get so excited to see Friday come, but oh well, that is how it is these days. I got the Lone Star about half quilted, so hopefully will be able to finish it this weekend. I like this panto, but sort of wish I had a larger span so that I could do some kind of fabulous free motion design in those big squares and triangles, but I think this will look good too. Sometimes these quilts have applique in those spots, but I didn't want that with this one.
The back is a chocolate brown, & the thread is a gold variegated, so the quilting will show up well.

I got a new camera last weekend, so these are my first pix on it. I think I am going to like it.

I am getting together with friends tonight for our stitch and chat so that will be fun. I am going to work on a fall runner I started this week. We also have cottage blocks to exchange.

BTW, that is not a mess in the back corner, but a storage area....that's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Are you quilting?

Here is the Lone Star after I finished the corners and triangles yesterday. I don't really think the background is quite this orange, I thought it was a rich tan when I bought it. I finished the top, and started quilting it today.
You can see Smokey approves....I had a hard time laying it out flat as she thought she should help....she will really like it after it is quilted!

Lone Star progress

I worked on the Lone Star yesterday and got all the diamonds made, sewn together and am working on the setting squares & triangles. I was a little worried about them, but they are going well so far.
I have 2 triangles left to do, then I am ready for the borders. This still hasn't been pressed, which is hard since I always press after every seam. But that is what she recommends so that the fabrics don't get stretched out of shape.
As soon as I get the other 2 triangles on I will press it. The pattern has 2 sizes, a large lap (75" x 75") and a king. The king has an extra pieced block border. I am going to make the borders a little differently than the pattern as I want it to be queen size. Hopefully I will have the top finished by tomorrow!

Keeping me honest!

Ok, here are the 5 blocks I have finished. I have 3 more to do, then I can put it together. That square of tannish fabric is the background I picked out for the background the other night. I like how it looks with the outer points, as well as the inner. Once I get the setting squares and triangles cut out, I will take another pic, as I realize that I should've hung it closer to the outer points, but I don't want to keep messing with those diamonds as they are pretty stretchy at this point. I spent a lot of time agonizing over the colors, and the order they should be in. I wanted them to blend to some extent, but also to stand out, if that makes sense.

The first full week of school went well. I am ready for the weekend, though. I am going to Earling tomorrow to visit and attend a little party for my niece's 21st birthday. Should be fun!

Just a quick post and update...

I got 3 more diamonds finished Monday night, but haven't taken a pic so you will just have to take my word for it! I want to get the background tonight so I have it when I am ready for it. I have class tonight, so won't get any sewing done...maybe tomorrow. Mom and Dad were down last night so went out to eat with them, then came home and went for a bike ride. I worked on some class stuff for a little bit too.
That's about it....sorry no pix!

Started a new project...

I cut out and started sewing a new project yesterday. I have been wanting to make a Lone Star quilt for a long time. Awhile back I found a pattern I liked, gathered the fabrics and they have been just waiting for me to begin. Not sure how that stripe is going to fit in, but I just had to use it....
I wondered how hard it would be to sew, as everything is on the bias, but so far it is going well. She (designer) recommends not pressing these diamonds until you get the whole thing together, as you risk stretching it out of shape. That makes sense, so I am not pressing them. This is as far as I got. I only have one class this week, so hopefully will get the rest of the diamonds done.

Off to work...tata!