Design Wall ~ The Final Stretch

Finally, all blocks assembled. Two border units completed. Two more to go.  Then the real fun begins when I attempt to miter the corners with the border print.

Hope to complete the top sometime during the next week or two.  I need to order batting and backing fabric. Then this quilt top will come off the design wall and into a quilt frame for hand quilting.  Several ideas are roaming in my mind for next quilt project to put up on my design wall.

The Design Wall Mondays hosted by Judy at Patchwork Times have kept me motivated. May you all have a blessed Christmas.

Why We Need to Prewash Quilt Fabric

In preparation of my quilt borders, I needed to order extra fabric.  It arrived promptly from the Holly and Ivy Etsy shop.

Prior to anxiously cutting into the fabric, I realized that I had to delay one day by prewashing / soaking the rusty burgandy Moda fabric (the good stuff).  Gosh, am I glad I did!

First soak in lukewarm water and dye-free All (small amount)

Second soak in very warm water and Synthrapol SP
(a textile detergent)

Last, but not least, third soak in cold water and white vinegar

Phew! I am now confident to proceed without fabric worries other than attempting to line up fabric for a nice mitered border.  Here's a sneak peak:

Practicing border layouts

Check out other Esther's blog to see her last WOW linky party for 2013.

Golf Ornament Reveal

My slow stitching project was completed in time for the annual ornament exchange at my ladies golf league Christmas dinner.  It got down to the wire.  Stitching was completed, inset was pieced with golf-theme fabric and tied with red velvet ribbon with six hours to spare!  Lucky for me the party was in the evening and not a luncheon.

Phew! It was not perfect, but good enough. It was well received. Above it is pictured on a table-top tree. Finished size was about 4 inches.  Thanks to all the encouragement on sticking with it. 

Slow Stitching Ornament

This is just a quick post to show my SLOW stitching progress on my cross stitch project began last week.  I was hoping to show the completed ornament this week, however, my stitching is a behind schedule due to other holiday preparations and activities. Am I the only one lagging behind?

Center of ornament will be the design within dashed lines.

The golf hole is complete. Today I work on the pretty blue sky and clouds. Tomorrow the design will be set as an insert into golf-theme fabric and then made into an ornament.  Of course, it should have been completed by now, but I still have two more days before the ornament exchange.  Lol!

To see pretty projects, see Kathy's Quilts weekly post entitled Slow Stitching Sunday.

Slow Stitching Sunday

Today is my first link-up to Kathy's Quilts weekly link party entitled Slow Stitching Sunday.

My current quilt is not ready for hand work. Therefore, I am cross stitching a small item to give as part of an ornament exchange for my golf league. I purchased this colorful pattern online from CrossStitch and it downloaded it to my computer. How simple is that? Gosh, I didn't even have to pay postage.

Original intent is for a bookmark, but I am only stitching the middle section of golf hole, green and sky. I will then use this as an insert to some golf fabric from my stash which will be stuffed. I will then tie a pretty red ribbon for hanging.

Ten days left on the calendar to complete it! It is now time to prioritize my time. Hopefully, next week I can show the completed ornament. May you find time during this busy season to do some stitching even if it is for a few minutes. It all adds up.