I Think I Can

"I think I can.  I think I can." This week while hand quilting the outside border, I've been remembering the quote from a classic childrens' storybook, "The Little Engine that Could."

This quote and other encouraging words have kept me moving along with my time-sensitive stitching. It is my intent to have quilt completed by March 31 in order to meet two quilt show entry deadlines.  This weekend I have one final side to quilt and then attach the binding.

As is common with all of us, there have been several life interruptions that have consumed some stitching time.  It's okay as people do come first, and I did manage to quilt at least one hour per day.

Kathy of Kathy's Quilts was correct in commenting that the cable design goes quickly.  A glimmer of hope emerged when I turned my first corner and the design came out well. Sorry the white marking lines are still intact.

I used the Fons and Porter mechanical fabric pencil for marking.  It's been a life saver while working on the dark fabric.

Easily and quickly removed with a white eraser.

A name for the quilt made out of Civil War Era reproduction fabrics is simmering in my mind also.  Stay tuned.....  

Smooth stitches,

Jill

Border Sunday

Finally, it's time to start stitching the outside quilt borders.  Today I will be timing my stitching progress on the cable border to determine if I am still able to meet my March 31st deadline without making myself too crabby.

Yesterday, on National Quilting Day (which is suppose to be fun) I had an unanticipated setback.  My stitching was moving along nicely on the bottom triangles and inside borders.  I was so pleased and was actually considering what I should post for Slow Sunday Stitching hosted by Kathy's Quilts.  With delight I came to the very last corner/block.  As I was drawing my diagonal line, the pencil chalk lead became stuck.  When I looked, there was an 1/8" inch hole.  I did not "&*%)@" as my heart had stopped.  I just gasped, "Oh no!"

I have no idea how it happened as I hadn't even worked on the block.  Maybe something caught during the basting process.  Maybe it was in the fabric before I pieced it.  Black print fabric can hide flaws.  Maybe I could stop feeling sorry for myself and just fix it.  My first thought was the product Fray Check.  However, that would only be a repair and not the solution.

The only thing that would satisfy me is to replace the block.  Ouch!  Out came the seam ripper and the corner was carefully extracted.  All loose threads removed and seams pressed open.  The old piece was a template for a new piece.  Fortunately, I had extra matching fabric.

The two straight sides were stitched by machine but not fully to the corners/ends.  Then I inset the diagonal side with 1/4" seam allowance turned under.  Pins were used to line it all up and to prevent any shifting.

Quality Control approved for Next Step

The corners and diagonal edge were blind stitched (similar to applique process).  I was pleasantly surprised that it turned out well.  Phew!  This process took two hours, but it was worthwhile.

It could have been worse.  There could have been previously sewn quilt stitches in the block or it could have happened on a larger block.  The hole was on top layer and not bottom, etc.  I was lucky that the mysterious flaw was on a corner piece.

Next was marking the border with a cable stencil.  Of course the cable design did not measure out equally with the quilt width.  I was off approximately 5/8's of an inch.  So I  fudged adjusted my chalk lines.  This was accomplished by spacing out pins to see how it would look prior to drawing the chalk lines.

When I was done with all thus fussy work, I rewarded myself with one of my stress relievers.

Please check out other hand stitchers this week on Slow Sunday Stitching.

Smooth Stitches,

Jill

Niagara Falls

Thanks for the well wishes on my overnight trip to view partially frozen Niagara Falls in the winter.  The quilt-in-progress came along in hopes of getting some stitching accomplished..

The Falls were absolutely beautiful with all the ice formations.

American Falls viewed from Canadian side

Canadian Falls (Horseshoe Falls) viewed from Canadian side

We had a special treat when a rainbow appeared.  A blessing.

Niagara Falls, Ontario is only a 3-1/2 hour drive from the Metro Detroit area.  Weather and roads were clear for our two travel days.  Our Canadian neighbors were very welcoming.

Of course, I did not get as much stitching accomplished as I had dreamed hoped.  Maybe 45 minutes worth.  Half of that was in the car.  My eyes were needed to assist my sister who was driving, sign watching, etc.  Also, I was pleasantly distracted by viewing the scenic snow-covered fields which were especially pretty against the winter blue sky.  It is not easy to quilt in car.  Too much fabric to handle, the smaller frame did not keep good tension, movement of the car, etc.  Oh well.  I tried.

In lieu of missing two quilting days, I stitched most of Wednesday (more than five hours) in order to 'catch up' on my fast approaching deadline at the end of the month.  I also managed to make a pot of chili and shovel some snow.  All the churn dash blocks are completed.  Yay!

Next is hand quilting along the bottom border and around the perimeter black border.

Adding binding and a sleeve are next.  Hopefully, I may make my target date while juggling medical appointments, previous commitments and all the life stuff that comes along.  Spring cleaning and other sewing projects are on hold.

Traveling Sunday

The quilt is traveling this Slow Sunday Stitching day.  Actually it is going international.  I have the opportunity to see Niagara Falls in the winter which is something that I have always wanted to do.

I am still hopeful that I can meet my quilt show deadline (see previous post).  Therefore, the quilt must come with me so that I may accomplish more sewing.  A positive thing about hand quilting is that it is more portable than machine quilting.  Quilt is out of the large Q-Snap frame and into the portable Q-Snap frame so I can stitch while my sister drives.  :-)

We live in the Metro Detroit area and the drive to Niagara Falls, Ontario is approximately 3.5 hours.  We will spend one night there and return home on Monday. Two nieces are traveling with us.  One is home-schooled, and the trip to see the Falls will double as a science lesson.

Hopefully, you will be able to enjoy some slow stitching today with others on Kathy's blog.

Jill

Speed It Up

On this Slow Sunday Stitching I need to speed up to fast stitching.  Why?  Two large quilt show entry deadlines are quickly approaching.

It reminds me of the hilarious skit from a classic I Love Lucy episode when Lucy and Ethel get a job at a candy factory and the supervisor hollers, "Speed It Up."

The National Quilt Association moved up their annual show date by one month. It should have been obvious to me that this would also change the quilt entry deadline by one month.  However, my brain has been in hibernation this long bitter winter. This past week I was nudged awake while admiring the completion of a fellow blogger's appliqued quilt. Baltimore Rhapsody can be viewed at Fabric Therapy.

Upon coming out of my winter lull, I quickly checked quilt websites and calendars. Yikes! I have to complete my unnamed quilt by the end of March. The other show I would like to enter is the Sauder Village Quilt Show.

Instead of becoming discouraged with the amount of unfinished blocks, I decided to appreciate the finished blocks. Therefore, I rotated the quilt in my frame, so while I stitched I could see the completed blocks vs. the uncompleted blocks.

Stitching with Finished Blocks

Stitching with Unfinished Blocks

Quilting with the completed blocks is more of an encouragement to keep stitching.

During the past few days, I have been timing my stitching in order to estimate the doability of completion. It may be possible to finish it and still be able to eat, sleep, and do laundry.  Lol!

If you need a chuckle while stitching along with others at Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching, click here to watch a 1:45 second video of Lucy and Ethel at the candy factory video.

This week will determine if I can meet my deadlines.  Stay tuned.....

Wishful Sunday

I am enjoying the hand quilting process, and hope to complete a block today on Slow Sunday Stitching.  Oh how I wish I could quilt all day; however, today is not that kind of a Sunday.  

While I quilt, I complete each block before I move onto the next.  I then proceed across each row block by block.  I assume this is the process how most hand quilters stitch a quilt?  

After I complete each row, my eyes and hands are ready for a change.  First, it is a pleasure to outline stitch the repro fabrics. as there is a wide variety due to it being a scrap quilt.

Second, I like the ease of a double line straight stitching on the alternate blocks.  It is simple and relaxing.

A pleasant surprise is how the half triangles meet on point with the alternate blocks.  Have you ever experienced a little surprise as your hand stitching patterns evolve?

On the last day of the 2014 Winter Olympics and the last Sunday in February, may you find a snippet of time for handwork and/or visiting others at Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.

Cabin Fever Cure

Snoodles at Lily Pad Quilting has a clever linky party regarding curing cabin fever.  Great idea!

The positive thing for me, this crazy winter, is that it has kept me indoors; therefore, I have accomplished a decent amount of quilting.  The daylight hours with the sun (and/or reflection from the deep snow) streaming through the windows is making for easy-on-the-eyes hand work. 

On the good weather days (over 10 degrees) some of my outings have lead me to estate sales.  My recent finds include two yards of rosebud material interspersed with tiny red hearts.  Per Murphy’s Law, I purchased it after Valentine’s Day.  Lol.  At the same sale, there were nice pieces of vintage trim.

Two weeks ago, I was attended an estate sale at a lovely home in an affluent community.  It was a traditional home filled with quality items.  I was tickled to find this soft white baby yarn from Norway along with knitting needles.

This was the home where I purchaed the yarn.  All I wanted to do is curl up in their comfy chair located near the bay window and knit.

Reading blogs has also kept cabin fever at bay.  I got this idea from Kelly's blog, PinkADot Quilts.  My husband asked to me finish some snow shoveling for him as he had to leave for work early (due to the bad roads).  When he came home, this is what he found.  

To see what others are doing to stay out of trouble and avoid cabin fever, check out Lily Pad Quilting.

Calorie Free Valentine Hearts

These cloth hearts were a quick, easy and colorful sewing project.  I prefer this style of heart with pinked edges as the hearts do not have to be turned. Easy is best for fun projects.  Do you agree?

Choose your material/scraps:

Optional preparation:  Spray starch fabric and iron-on sheer fusible interfacing which helps in preventing excessive fraying to edges:

Put two layers of fabric together (wrong sides in, right sides out):

Stitch around template leaving 1 inch to 1-/12 inch open for stuffing:

Fill/stuff:

Sew opening shut and cut fabric with pinking scissors approximately one-quarter inch away from seam allowance:

It doesn't matter when you pink your edges.  Either before heart is stuffed or after heart is sewn closed. Your preference, whichever is the easiest.

Other tips:  

• I used a heart-shaped cookie cutter as my template.  The cookie cutter shape was a bit too small.  Therefore, I traced the shape on a piece of paper and then enlarged it on my copy/printer to a comfortable size for sewing a heart.
• Fabric was prewashed and then spray starched for extra body. 
• Iron-on sheer lightweight interfacing helps stablize shape and aids in preventing fraying of pinked edges.
• Some hearts are filled with leftover quilt batting.  Some are filled with lavender buds and some are filled with a homemade sachet mixture which is oatmeal that has been infused with essential oil of lavender.  The sachet hearts will be little valentine gifts. 
• Use small stitches on your machine for ease of stitching a heart shape.
• Trims are also optional.  If you do decide to add trims, either stitch or glue.

Oh My Goodness!  A person could go crazy making these.  The sky is the limit. Decorate fabric with embroidery (hand or machine); use fancy fabric, beads, sequins and trims; add a ribbon to make a hanging heart, etc.!  Whatever, your heart desires.  :-)

This Valentine’s I was hoping to make heart-shaped sugar cookies, however, I ran short of time.  At least these cloth hearts will not add to my waistline.  Here is my calorie-free heart recipe:

 = (equals)

The initial idea to make my valentines came from the popular blog Cottage at the Cross Roads by Leo and Jane.  They have a great tutorial on making fabric hearts along with other easy-to-understand tutorials and projects.  Thanks, Jane, for allowing me to share.

Check out February's Sew Darn Crafty Linky Party for great projects.

   

Slow Sunday Stitching

Today, I plan on finding time to hand quilt the border print on my 1800s reproduction quilt.

Before

(white threads are from basting)

It has been enjoyable stitching along the border print.  There is no marking to be done nor seam allowances to stitch through.  I just follow the design!

After

When both sides of the pattern are quilted, the end result is quickly gratifying.  A nice scalloped effect is simply created.  This is the first time I have used Quilters Dream Wool Batting.  It is easy to hand needle, lightweight, not bulky, yet shows dimension.

It always surprises me the effect that the actual stitching does to the look of a quilt as evidenced in the before and after photos.

May many others who link to and/or view Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching today also find a few moments to accomplish a bit of gratifying hand work.

Design Wall Kaffe

Next quilt that is on the design wall (floor) consists of brightly colored fabrics by Kaffe Fassett.

The prints are a refreshing change for my eyes after working with traditional 1800s reproduction fabrics.  See previous post if interested.

Viewing his fabrics in the midst of this cold and snowy winter has me dreaming of a tropical vacation.

Thank you to Judy at Patchwork Times for the opportunity to share my prints with others on Design Wall Monday.

Slow Super Bowl Sunday Stitching

Super Bowl Sunday is here and hopefully a whole lot of stitching will be going on in blogland.

The 1800s repro-quilt has been all board basted and is in the quilt frame.  During the past two weeks, the hand quilting has begun.  One row completed.

A glitch was experienced but was overcome.  Note that glitches are common to me and they tend to slow me down.  Does that happen to you?

My glitch occurred after I had completed stitching two of the alternate blocks.  I desired to do double rows of quilting of which I have seen in vintage and antique quilts.  Therefore, I just started quilting double rows (close together) at one-inch intervals.  It didn't look right.  The rows reminded me of tubes or sausages all lined up.  It bothered me.

I checked an antique quilt from my collection and noted how the alternate blocks were quilted in double rows with wider spacing.  Side note:  I love the soft yet scrunchy look of the antique quilts.

Therefore, I re-evaluated and drafted a simple quilt pattern on tracing paper cut to size (eight inches square).  I folded the paper in half to center the stencil.  From the center point, I drew simple dashed lines simulating quilted stitches.

By spacing the double rows 1/4 inch apart at 3/4 intervals, it worked out perfect.  I laid the paper on top of the alternate block to confirm and it looked good.  If I wasn't story problem challenged, I would have maybe figured this out first.  Lol!

Then I had to pull out the previous stitches and redo the two alternate blocks.  It wasn't so bad as I was working along one of the edges, therefore, the blocks weren't full size.  I disliked the extra work, but was relieved that I fixed something that bothered me.

If you are not into watching football as myself, may you find some time to do some stitching today with others at Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.