Red & White Blocks ~ OMG

During the month of February I pieced more blocks for the red and white disappearing four patch.

Previously, I was unsure on the finished size and if there would be a border or not. I am a visual person, therefore, I needed to get the blocks on a design wall to help me decide.

I prefer the layout of six rows across and eight down. When the borders are added it, will be approximately the size of a twin comforter.

As they quilt, grew two design walls were made one with a gridded gray flannel and the other with leftover cotton batting. A third one will be made as the quilt is getting larger. Note the bottom row is taped on. Lol.

My personal preference is to have a border which I need to determine next. This month's  motivation was meeting a deadline for One Monthly Goal (OMG) at Elm Street Quilts. Mission accomplished. Design wall is up and blocks necessary are completed.

Admittedly, there were several February distractions, i.e., Olympics, a needlepoint project and thoughts of spring reorganizing.

I hope to do more quilt piecing in March.  I am also linking to WIPs on Wednesdays where you can view great projects in the making.

Jill 

Red & White Blocks ~ OMG

During the month of February I pieced more blocks for the red and white disappearing four patch.

Previously, I was unsure on the finished size and if there would be a border or not. I am a visual person, therefore, I needed to get the blocks on a design wall to help me decide.

I prefer the layout of six rows across and eight down. When the borders are added it, will be approximately the size of a twin comforter.

As they quilt, grew two design walls were made one with a gridded gray flannel and the other with leftover cotton batting. A third one will be made as the quilt is getting larger. Note the bottom row is taped on. Lol.

My personal preference is to have a border which I need to determine next. This month's  motivation was meeting a deadline for One Monthly Goal (OMG) at Elm Street Quilts. Mission accomplished. Design wall is up and blocks necessary are completed.

Admittedly, there were several February distractions, i.e., Olympics, a needlepoint project and thoughts of spring reorganizing.

I hope to do more quilt piecing in March.  I am also linking to WIPs on Wednesdays where you can view great projects in the making.

Jill 

Make a Design Wall

Today I would like to demonstrate my method of making a design wall while linking and sharing with Design Wall Monday. It is relatively inexpensive, no holes in the wall, easily moved around and packed away when not in use.

The flannel fabric is from Kaffe Fassett. You can use any flannel, felt or batting.  This particular one measures 44 x 66 inches. With this method, you can make your design wall any size.

Hanging supplies are an oval spring tension curtain rod, 3-M Command tabs, neodymium disc magnets, flat metal washers, and a tape measure. My cost from my local big box home improvement store was $17 (not including fabric).

• Put two Command tabs together (velcro sides)
• Remove protective paper adhesive on one side 
• Affix a flat round metal washer
• Add neudymium magnet(s) 
• Decide where to place on wall
• Remove the reverse side paper adhesive
• Press Command Hook firmly on wall
• Add more homemade magnetic tabs (depending on your desired width)
• Sew a simple rod pocket at top of your design wall (flannel, felt, etc.)
• Insert tension rod into pocket
• Place rod near your Command Hook magnatic hanger
• Magic happens as rod grabs the magnets

Shopping tips:

If you buy everything at one store, it is easy to test the holding power. Place the curtain rod on the neodymium magnet on the flat metal washer. If it grabs, then you are good to go.  The flat washer adheres nicely to the sticky side of the Command Hook.

Purchase Neodymium Disc Magnets (regular ones not strong enough)

Use appropriate 3MCommand Hooks (note how much weight they will hold). I bought the package that holds 9 pounds. They have velcro and are equivalent to the Command Hooks that are for picture hanging. Yes it is confusing shopping the 3M Aisle.

At home:

• Be extra careful not to get your set of three neodymium magnets near the other set of three magnets as they will firmly adhere to one another. Good luck pulling them apart. If they do get stuck together, hire a high school football player to pull them apart or click here for a video. Ask my why I needed to find this video.
• Use a tape measure / ruler to measure down from the ceiling so that Command Hooks are relatively straight. 

Other items of note:

• Optional is a second tension rod for the bottom which holds the flimsy flannel more steady. It is not necessary, but I prefer it. 
• Regular ceramic magnets are not as strong. Neodymium are extremely strong and are NOT for children.  The size that I used measure 18 mm x 3 mm which is the largest that I was able to buy. 

This red and white quilt is actually too small for this flannel design wall. Geesh! Soon I will be making a larger design wall to accommodate more blocks and a border. This is a great way to hang quilts for display which I plan on doing within a few weeks. Stay tuned.

Since the red and white quilt continues to be a work in progress, I am linking with Esther's blog.

Jill

Make a Design Wall

Today I would like to demonstrate my method of making a design wall while linking and sharing with Design Wall Monday. It is relatively inexpensive, no holes in the wall, easily moved around and packed away when not in use.

The flannel fabric is from Kaffe Fassett. You can use any flannel, felt or batting.  This particular one measures 44 x 66 inches. With this method, you can make your design wall any size.

Hanging supplies are an oval spring tension curtain rod, 3-M Command tabs, neodymium disc magnets, flat metal washers, and a tape measure. My cost from my local big box home improvement store was $17 (not including fabric).

• Put two Command tabs together (velcro sides)
• Remove protective paper adhesive on one side 
• Affix a flat round metal washer
• Add neudymium magnet(s) 
• Decide where to place on wall
• Remove the reverse side paper adhesive
• Press Command Hook firmly on wall
• Add more homemade magnetic tabs (depending on your desired width)
• Sew a simple rod pocket at top of your design wall (flannel, felt, etc.)
• Insert tension rod into pocket
• Place rod near your Command Hook magnatic hanger
• Magic happens as rod grabs the magnets

Shopping tips:

If you buy everything at one store, it is easy to test the holding power. Place the curtain rod on the neodymium magnet on the flat metal washer. If it grabs, then you are good to go.  The flat washer adheres nicely to the sticky side of the Command Hook.

Purchase Neodymium Disc Magnets (regular ones not strong enough)

Use appropriate 3MCommand Hooks (note how much weight they will hold). I bought the package that holds 9 pounds. They have velcro and are equivalent to the Command Hooks that are for picture hanging. Yes it is confusing shopping the 3M Aisle.

At home:

• Be extra careful not to get your set of three neodymium magnets near the other set of three magnets as they will firmly adhere to one another. Good luck pulling them apart. If they do get stuck together, hire a high school football player to pull them apart or click here for a video. Ask my why I needed to find this video.
• Use a tape measure / ruler to measure down from the ceiling so that Command Hooks are relatively straight. 

Other items of note:

• Optional is a second tension rod for the bottom which holds the flimsy flannel more steady. It is not necessary, but I prefer it. 
• Regular ceramic magnets are not as strong. Neodymium are extremely strong and are NOT for children.  The size that I used measure 18 mm x 3 mm which is the largest that I was able to buy. 

This red and white quilt is actually too small for this flannel design wall. Geesh! Soon I will be making a larger design wall to accommodate more blocks and a border. This is a great way to hang quilts for display which I plan on doing within a few weeks. Stay tuned.

Since the red and white quilt continues to be a work in progress, I am linking with Esther's blog.

Jill

Heart Stitching

Progress was made on the needlepoint heart. Half the heart is finished. Sunday I will join others at Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching while I begin stitching the left side. It will be hard to concentrate as I will be switching channels between the Olympics and the Pebble Beach Golf Tournament. I enjoy the scenery along the California coastline.

Looking forward to adding the pretty sparkly pink beads at the end.

During the upcoming week, I hope to get more red and white disappearing 4-patch blocks completed. Last week I made a simple design wall.  Not all the completed blocks fit, so I will have to come up with a Plan B. Lol. At least it is beneficial to have most of the blocks up. In order to meet my OMG I, need to piece 11 more blocks.

If you stop by on Monday when I link to Design Wall Monday, I will go into more detail on how I hung my inexpensive design wall without having to make any holes in the wall.

Jill

Heart Stitching

Progress was made on the needlepoint heart. Half the heart is finished. Sunday I will join others at Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching while I begin stitching the left side. It will be hard to concentrate as I will be switching channels between the Olympics and the Pebble Beach Golf Tournament. I enjoy the scenery along the California coastline.

Looking forward to adding the pretty sparkly pink beads at the end.

During the upcoming week, I hope to get more red and white disappearing 4-patch blocks completed. Last week I made a simple design wall.  Not all the completed blocks fit, so I will have to come up with a Plan B. Lol. At least it is beneficial to have most of the blocks up. In order to meet my OMG I, need to piece 11 more blocks.

If you stop by on Monday when I link to Design Wall Monday, I will go into more detail on how I hung my inexpensive design wall without having to make any holes in the wall.

Jill

Slow Heart Stitching

On this first Sunday in February, I continue on stitching a Valentine heart. I am almost half way. It is enjoyable stitching with fancy threads.

While I watch TV this afternoon, I will be crocheting something easy. A crocheted edge fleece throw. Here is a recent one finished which is part of a charity project.

Since I am not a football fan and much prefer golf, I rather watch the PGA Tournament held in Scottsdale, AZ vs the Super Bowl.  The green golf course is refreshing to my snow-weary Michigan eyes.  Maybe there will be a peak of blue sky.

Please visit other stitchers at Kathy's weekly linky party called Slow Sunday Stitching. It is motivational and relaxing!

Jill

OMG February 2018

February's One Monthly Goal (OMG) will be a continuation of January's goal. Enough blocks have been completed that I am comfortable determining the finished size which will be the size of a throw. Therefore, only 11 more blocks needed. :-)

This month's OMG goal is to have 11 blocks pieced and 56 blocks laid out and begin assembly. I am being realistic that I may NOT have a flimsy as I may decide to add a border. Not to mention that there are only 28 days this month.  ;-)

If you have considered linking up with Patty at Elm Street Quilts click HERE.  If not, that is ok as it is worthwhile to take a peak to see what others are making.

Jill

OMG February 2018

February's One Monthly Goal (OMG) will be a continuation of January's goal. Enough blocks have been completed that I am comfortable determining the finished size which will be the size of a throw. Therefore, only 11 more blocks needed. :-)

This month's OMG goal is to have 11 blocks pieced and 56 blocks laid out and begin assembly. I am being realistic that I may NOT have a flimsy as I may decide to add a border. Not to mention that there are only 28 days this month.  ;-)

If you have considered linking up with Patty at Elm Street Quilts click HERE.  If not, that is ok as it is worthwhile to take a peak to see what others are making.

Jill