Category: Quilting (Page 1 of 3)

Cube Quilt Along

February 6, 2018 / Patty

One of the fun projects that I did last year was a Cube Quilt Along. I own an AccuQuilt cutting system and one of the products that they sell is a Cube. This is actually how the dies are packaged, in a cube. Each cube set has dies that create a specific size finished quilting block. The block size that I chose to use last year was the 8″ cube and the classic companion set which is an extra set of dies that coordinates to make a lager variety of blocks in each size. Although I’ve owned the AccuQuilt cutter for several years, and I’ve sewed for many many years, I’ve never done much quilting. This cube quilt along was a wonderful way for me to learn and practice more quilting. I worked on a consistent seam allowance and learned how the shapes worked together to form blocks. The other thing that I got to practice was learning more about color placement and color values.

Each week for 48 weeks Bea of Beaquilter provided instructions for a new block. It was fun to look forward to and nice to only have one block to do. Here is a picture of the entire set of 48 blocks. I guess I only have a picture of 42 of the blocks. I’ve got the rest pinned together and this weekend hope to get the rest done and sandwiched for quilting. I may decide to send it out however because it will be difficult for me to quilt on my machine and makes my shoulder hurt. I’m looking forward to the finish and am now working on the 2018 Cube quilt along. This year I’m using two entirely different color schemes and doing one with 9″ blocks and one with 12″ blocks. So far, I’ve enjoyed this as well.

Where Does The Time Go?

August 2, 2017 / Patty

I keep thinking I’m going to do an update or two but time seems to pass and then I think, where did the time go?

So this will be several short updates so I can get caught up. I hope all the hubby surgery illness is done for a while and then I will have a bit more time.

One of the things that I have worked on is a weekly block quilt along with Beaquilter. Each Monday morning for 48 weeks she is posting the instructions for one block that will be finished as a sampler quilt.

Here are the first 29 blocks that I’ve done.

The fabric is from the first fat quarter bundle that I have ever purchased. For those of you that don’t know what a fat quarter bundle is, it’s a group of fabrics usually from one designer or collection that all goes together. I didn’t end up using this bundle for what I thought I was going to but wanted to use it up so here it is. I’m not sure this would have been my first choice for color or pattern but I don’t mind it and I know it will be fine when I’m all done.

It’s been a fun experience for me. Although I’ve done a lot of sewing over many years, I’ve never really quilted much. I’m enjoying the challenge and learning new things including accuracy and trying to put all those pieces together in the right order without getting confused and then ending up with the correct size block.

One of the things this has led to of course is fabric acquisition. Hmm like someone said, I can buy fabric faster than I can quilt. Oh well, it’s really nice to have options when I’m home sewing in the evening, need a quick gift, or just want to sew to “make” something. There seems to be always someone to give things to.

I guess I’ll stop here for now. I think if I plan just several short posts for a while, I’ll get caught up with all the things that I’ve made. Not so many quilts but lots of little things.

Babies Again

January 11, 2017 / Patty

Babies seem to be the theme here and this was a quilt for my niece. She had the first little boy in my brother’s family. Exciting times for sure!.

The daddy is involved in crew and repairing boats etc. so I really wanted to use some water themed fabric and I loved this Offshore line of fabric by Deena Rutter for Riley Blake The colors and the variety of prints really appealed. Of course there were a few other things I included for the new baby. I made some burp rags with appliques and also a tag blanket.

More Babies

January 6, 2017 / Patty

More babies are coming. I’ve made a number of baby quilts and things in 2016 and already working on the first ones for 2017. I do like making baby things because they are fast and I can try different patterns and colors. I can then pass it on but I never really know if they will be used and most often I don’t hear anything or see them being used. Occasionally, I do hear that a quilt I’ve made is an important part of the bedtime routine. Once it’s out of my hands whatever will be will be but it’s nice to know it’s appreciated.

This quilt and the tag blanket and pacifier clips were for a surprise baby. The baby is anxiously being waited for by the family.

2017 Here I Come!

January 4, 2017 / Patty

2017, Here I come and hard to believe. I’m working on cleaning up my office, updating websites and more. It seems like the end of 2016 was busy and I did lots of sewing.

One of the things I made was a couple of table runners. I love this log cabin pattern made with an Accuquilt die and I’ve used it for several different sample blocks. I’m looking forward to making a quilt from it this year.

For now this is all I’m going to post.. I’m still searching for photos. I guess I haven’t been as organized about that as I thought.

Baby Baby

May 21, 2015 / Patty

Baby baby, can’t you hear my heart beat… well not mine I guess but I’ve had lots of fun in the last couple of weeks sewing for my niece’s new baby girl. She actually will arrive in this world June 4th but I really didn’t want to wait. There are still more babies on the horizon. Not my own grandchildren yet, although maybe someday, but children of folks that I do know.

I made this new little girl a lovely “girlie” quilt. When I first started I knew the colors I wanted to use but when I cut the first pieces out it seemed too intense so I ended up cutting the strips of fabric and resewing and cutting again. I’m quite pleased with the result. It has produced a lovely quilt that is not too jarring but very sweet. It has this cute pink dancing bunny flannel on the back.

For the new baby there is also a tag blanket, a new burp rag and a darling sweater that my friend made for me to give her.

Baby sweater

I had some leftover blocks and decided that I needed to make some fun gifts for the big sister too. Now the big sister is two and a half and loves to help her mommy. She is also a great imitator and has a wonderful imagination. I just knew the big sister needed to have a new baby doll of her own. With that baby doll, she needed a few necessities to take good care of the baby so I also made her a doll blanket for that precious baby, as well as a few diapers with velcro, some diaper wipes, and a diaper bag. She also has a soft colorful blanket to cover that baby doll so she won’t get cold.

Quick graduation gift

July 9, 2014 / Patty

I knew a couple of young ladies that were graduating and needed a quick graduation gift. I’ve made pouches for young ladies this age before and found they have been well received. They seem to be useful for odds and end and all kinds of other things. I made these a tad bigger so they could be used for charging cords. I don’t know about you, but it seems like I am taking more of these with me when I travel places and it’s hard to find a convenient place to store them where you can find them again. I hate to keep looking for my things and try to keep them all together and be consistent about where I put my belongings so this is important to me. These young ladies will not have mothers with them to keep track of their things when they leave for college in a few weeks so I’m hopeful that these pouches will be useful.

Pincushions

April 19, 2014 / Patty

Pincushions are a new interest of mine. They are small, can be interesting, fun to make and usually not too involved so they can be finished quickly. I decided to do a Cathedral Window pincushion and see how that works. My mother in law made sever cathedral window quilts for us and I have always loved them but really didn’t have the patience or interest to do an entire quilt. I do remember tracing and cutting out white squares and patterned squares for her however. She used scraps from many of the clothes I made for my girls when they were little.

For this pincushion, I used some scraps and did a quick job and think I’ll make some more. It’s not my finest sewing job but I had fun.

Oh So Long…

April 11, 2014 / Patty

Oh so long since I’ve been here. I keep thinking about posting and when I get to the computer there are always so many things to do that it slips by again. I’m really getting anxious to start sewing again. Daughter 2 is back on her own and feeling better after chemo and I’m trying to get organized and get my life in order again. Not sure if that will ever happen but I am optimistic!

The month of December was chaotic in many ways. I took a road trip with one of my brothers and got back about the 10th of December. This really limited my getting ready for Christmas events. Never did seem to get organized. One of the things I did spend several months doing however was making folded star Christmas ornaments. I cut all the pieces and kept the supplies next to my rocking chair and every night I made ornaments. I really enjoyed the process and the combinations. As with any project there are some that I liked better than others and some fabrics were better suited to this project and it took me some time to figure it all out. I could continue making these but not sure what else to do with them once they are all complete. I think most folks I know now have one. I guess I could finally open the Etsy story I have registered and sell them. Something to think about and that will remain to be seen. For now however, here is a picture of all that loveliness.

A Halloween Mat

October 8, 2013 / Patty

A Halloween mat is now on my desk at work. I have this wonderful wooden desk and I hate to put water glasses and coffee cups on the desk. I also don’t like to put food directly on the desk top because let’s face it, it’s really not very clean! This is a desk that has been used by many people over the years and is cleaned by a cleaning team at night and I really don’t know what has been on it . My solution has been a little mat, coaster etc. that will serve several purposes. Protecting the lovely wood and also protecting my lunch. I’ve wanted a new little mat for some time. I’ve used the last one every day for about a year and a half and although I still like it, it was time for a change. I made this little Halloween one in a hurry. I had an idea in mind when I started that didn’t turn out at all like I planned so this was the second choice. It’s fine with me. I like the way it turned out. Kind of sloppy binding job but I’m really the only one that sees it so that’s fine with me. This is about it for my Halloween decorations this year. How about you. Any decorating at your house?

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