I've started a new project

I’m pretty excited about my latest quilt project, a BOM (block of the month), which is really applique-rich, entitled Afternoon Delight. This quilt will be a real challenge for me because I haven’t done much applique. Frankly, I’m not very good at it even though my very first quilt, completed back in 2003 was appliqued.

I hope I can accomplish this, since it is such a far cry from where I began, with this simple Rose of Sharon quilt top I finished 17 years ago. 

I have actually done only a little applique since then. I admit that the little I’ve done has not been stellar. 

But, what better way to practice, with all these applique blocks. I do love a challenge, and this proves to be just what I’ve been looking for.

This pattern was originally designed by the late Sue Garman and was adapted for members of The Quilt Show by Barbara Black. Barbara does a wonderful job of explaining the techniques used to make these beautiful blocks and offers tips and hints to help her readers make this lovely quilt.

This project began in January and will take a full year to complete. The pattern is free to STAR members of The Quilt Show, one of my favorite places on the Internet for quilting how-to’s, beautiful eye-candy, and the best quilting inspiration. When I don’t have time to quilt, I just watch the shows, hosted by Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims. I have mentioned previously but it is worth repeating, I am a big fan of Alex Anderson. In fact, I wrote about her inspiration in making my first quilt in a previous blog post. You can read it here.

Of course, I am running late. There were six blocks to be completed in January and six more to make in February. I have two more to finish before starting on the six for March. I will detail my progress and show pictures in subsequent posts. But for now, suffice it to say, I plan to learn plenty as I enjoy hone my applique skills. I plan to do all of the applique by hand. I’m making it very scrappy, using fabric I already have on hand. It will be very colorful. I look forward to sewing in the evenings while I watch TV. 

There is no better way to watch television than by not actually watching it as I sew.

The only real challenge is trying to maneuver a lapful of tiny pieces of fabric with needles, thread, pins, and my favorite cat who loves to snuggle on my lap. No worries! I’ve got this!

My quarter-inch seam is too big!

I came upon this realization after much scrutiny and 20 years of making quilts; my quarter-inch seam is just too big.

I’ve measured seams many times before, which always looked about right, I’ve read so much about the dreaded scant-quart-inch, and I’ve tried different sewing machine feet. Something was just off. After all this time, it is time I do something about it, even though I thought I had. Yes, I’ve had issues sewing blocks and rows together in quilts over the years, but I attributed it to just that is how it was. I presume it will be much easier now.

The light went on for me, when I began a new project; The Quilt Show 2020 BOM (Block of the Month) designed by the late Sue Garman. Something in her instructions demonstrated perfectly what my problem was.

In this quilt, Afternoon Delight, the instructions emphasized the importance of precision sewing, not to mention cutting, and pressing. Each has an important role to play in quilt making. I knew that. I just didn’t know I had a problem. Now I do.

There are 64 blocks in this quilt, with each measuring 7 ¼-inch. With so many blocks needed in a row, a small discrepancy could add up, making the task of assembling the quilt, difficult at best. >To insure that seams are just right, the instructions called for a practice piece to test for sewing accuracy. It suggested cutting three pieces, 1 ½ by 3 ½ inches. Sew them together. The entire set of strips should measure exactly 3 ½ inches square. If not, there is a problem. I had a problem, but I fixed it, as seen in the illustration at right.

I was a little perplexed because not only did I use my quarter-inch foot on my sewing machine, but when I measured the individual seams, they appeared to be right on the money. But when I measured the three pieces, it was too big.

This wasn’t the first time I questioned my quarter-inch-seam. I wrote about it in a prior blog post. I wasn’t sure what to do about it until I decided to simply adjust my needle position, two clicks to the right. I tried to make the three piece sample again. And, it worked! I’ve finally achieved the perfect quarter-inch seam.

I didn’t come up with this answer myself. Thanks to the Internet, and the trusted quilters of the Quilting Board, and a little sleuthing, I learned that often times, the quarter-inch seam made with the default position on the Janome sewing machine, even with the specially designed quarter-inch foot, is too big.

The default setting on the Janome is 3.5 mm. Therefore, whenever I turn on the machine, I have to remember to move my needle two clicks to the right, to 4.5 mm. to come up with the perfect seam. Perhaps it is time to write a letter to Janome asking them to change the default. I may just do that.

I just had an epic quilting day

I finally completed my latest quilt top. This quilt—Sizzle—the 2019 Block of the Month project from The Quilt Show was designed by Becky Goldsmith, who did an awesome job creating and sharing this lovely pattern and providing instructional videos. She also included numerous tips and ideas that were very helpful.

This project took up most of 2019 for me, even though I got a pretty late start on it. The blocks were paper pieced and the border was appliqued.

The project was billed as a kit, but the pattern was free to members of The Quilt Show, co-hosted by Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims. I love this show and have written about it many times in CHQuilts. I decided to pick my own colors and fabrics for this project. It is similar to the color of the kit fabrics, but I wanted to use my own. I really enjoyed picking my own color combinations for each block. These are some of my favorite colors.

This project offered great challenges for me. This wasn’t the first time I’ve done paper piecing, but these patterns were fairly complex. Each endeavor honed my skills. Ironically though, each attempt at something new, whether I’ve done it before or not, always feels like a first. Perhaps the real skill I’m really improving upon is simply overcoming the fear of cutting into all that beautiful yardage.

Like paper-piecing, this wasn’t the first time I’ve used applique on a quilt, but the technique, which I’ve described in a previous post in CHQuilts, was new to me. I am pleased with the results.

I’m not sure what kind of backing fabric I want to use or if I want to piece the backing. And, I have no idea how I want to quilt this quilt. I may spend some time working on other projects as I attempt to figure that out.

The second part of my epic quilting day had to do with a quilt I’ve had lying around unfinished for far too long. It is a purple Dresden Plate quilt that I chose to hand-quilt. I decided to work on it last night, while listening the Donald Trump impeachment hearings.

I found that I was just not enjoying the hand-quilting as much as I once did, at least not on this quilt. That was a reason I wasn’t working on it. I just didn’t want to admit it to myself. But last night, I decided to be honest about it. I just wasn’t loving it like I normally do.

There were many reasons for this, not the least of which included some wrinkling in the backing fabric. That is a real no-no!

I had initially spray-basted the quilt sandwich and over time, and this neatly folded piece of fluff in the living room became a favorite resting place for one or more of my cats, the integrity of the quilt sandwich had broken down. I made a big mistake as well, in trying to quilt all the ‘plates’ first instead of starting in the middle and working outward. In fact, I hadn’t even decided what to quilt in the borders. That decision along with some marking should have been done from the middle out. I also quilted without a hoop. By not working from the middle out, it was dangerous not to use a hoop and keep the backing tight. I had only completed the quilting on five of the 20 blocks.

Additionally, I wasn’t careful about how I pressed seams, so trying to work the needle was difficult. I no longer have calluses on my fingers so pricking my finger and the edge of the thimble was just not comfortable. I also noticed that my eyesight isn’t what it used to be. For all these reasons I decided I would quilt this quilt on my sewing machine.

With all these factors, I made the decision to remove all the stitching I had already done. I grabbed my favorite seam ripper and began making a huge pile of thread. I got all of my “unsewing” completed that evening.

Just having that decision made, and having a clean project ahead, I’m getting a little bit excited about finishing this quilt.

I really enjoy hand quilting it isn’t drudgery as this one was. When there are just two layers of fabric and batting, which was not the case with these tiny blades of the Dresden Plate, hand-quilting is a joyful activity. That was not the case with this project. I think I knew I would never finish it. So, that has all changed. I’m excited about pressing the fabric again and starting over with my sewing machine. Truthfully, I can’t wait to get started. I suspect this will be a beautiful quilt.

Getting comfortable with applique

I’ve always been a little intimidated, yet intrigued by applique; you know, those beautiful quilts with hundreds of tiny pieces that make up scenes, patterns, and motifs on quilts.

I’ve dabbled in the art of applique, but was never really good at it. The first quilt I ever made used applique pieces. I’ve learned however, that in quilting, as in life, practice makes perfect. Thankfully, I’ve also learned that nothing is really perfect, and that is okay. I still love this quilt because it was my first, but it is certainly not my best work.

I have done a few more applique pieces since then, and my skills are improving, but I am still not comfortable with it. I need more practice.

One of the things I love about quilting is how much there is to learn. And with each endeavor, my skills continue to improve. This first quilt was just a jumping off point, and I haven’t stopped jumping yet. I doubt I ever will. The more I learn, the more I realize how much there is to learn. I knew when I sat at the edge of my bed, in the sunlight, quilting this quilt that I would be a quilter for the rest of my life.

I know I will get plenty of applique practice with the border of this, my latest quilt project. It is the block of the month for 2019 designed by Becky Goldsmith for The Quilt Show of which I am a proud member.

This quilt screams precision, so I want to make sure I get the appliqued borders just right.

My first attempts at perfect circles took some time, a little study, and a bit of practice, but I’m getting there. Perfecting those petal shapes with their sharp points is getting easier as I go too. By the time I finish gluing all the edges to prepare them for sewing onto fabric, I should be an old hand at this.

Hand or machine applique—on no—another decision. When the time comes, I’ll figure that out too. But for now, I have some work to do.

Making time for quilting

My latest quilt block, in progress

I’ve had a sick husband, sick cats, and bouts of vertigo in the last several months, but I refuse to forego my quilting passion.

The way I figure it, enjoying quilting doesn’t mean I need a thimble on my finger or a foot on the sewing machine pedal. Sometimes my love of quilting is much less subtle. Oh, it is great to carve out some time to actually work on the pastime I love, but when that isn’t possible, I do the next best thing. 

I immerse myself in quilting videos on You Tube, visit a quilting blog or two, or thumb through a myriad of quilting magazines I’ve collected. Sometimes I even sit with pen to paper and doodle, hoping to create a new or practice an old quilting design. There is always so much that goes into quilting from concept to completed project that actually making a quilt is really only one small part of it.

Such has been my story of late. There just hasn’t been time for me to quilt, until today. I decided to bite the bullet, which in my case means leave the sink full of dirty dishes, hold off on folding the dryer contents, and even offer just fast food for supper.

I’m working on the paper-pieced project that is the 2019 Block of the Month designed exclusively for members of The Quilt Show, designed by Becky Goldsmith, as described in my previous blog post https://chquilts.ozarkattitude.com/2019/06/this-one-will-be-next_1.html

Becky is a stellar designer and the directions in her pattern are detailed and easy to follow. I’ve been quilting for about 20 years and have done paper-piecing numerous times, so you would think this would be a piece-o-cake for me. Nope.

It is difficult to jump back into a project after a long hiatus. Skills need practice. I had expected not to do stupid things, like trim the foundation on the sewing line instead of the cutting line or sew the fabric wrong side up, or cut the wrong number of pieces, even though cutting directions are clearly spelled out. I guess all isn’t lost though; I did get to hone my seam-ripping skills.

All I know is it was just good to sit in that chair today; my brain, in perfect harmony with my sewing machine while all the cares of the day just disappeared. I was even in sync with the dirty dishes and laundry—both cooperated by promising to wait for me.

This one will be next

I'm about to begin a new project, although for some reason, I'm dragging my feet.

I'd like to start, albeit it late, this Block of the Month from “The Quilt Show,” a quilt that contains several beautiful paper-pieced blocks.

It is called "Sizzle" and was designed by Becky Goldsmith. The pattern came in two different colorways , one cool and the other very hot with lots of red and yellow and orange. I was drawn to this one though, since turquoise has become my new favorite color. I chose against buying the fabric kit, which would have made this so much easier, but I wanted to use the fabric from my own stash. After all, that is why I collect fabric every chance I get.

Several days ago I picked out some fabric, primarily turquoise, with some blue, yellow, and a hint of yellow-green, along with three that are white/off-white. I plan to make this scrappier, and just pick colors and fabrics out of a generalized selection of fat quarters and yardage.

This color decision is a source of anxiety because I want to make sure I will like it when it is all done. I am loosely following the design, but the fabric I use will dictate the final product. That always makes me nervous, although it shouldn’t. I’m never disappointed in a finished quilt.

I'm not sure why I’m intimidated by this quilt. I suppose I always am when there will be new skills involved that I’m not yet comfortable with, but I know I need to just pull up my big girl pantaloons and get going on it. The thing began in January after all.

I'm not sure what is holding me back. Perhaps it is my color choices. Perhaps it is my lack of skills. Perhaps I just can’t picture how to fit in one more thing into my busy life. Perhaps it is all of the above.

I can’t help but wonder if other quilters feel these anxious moments before they start a project. If so, I’d love to know how to overcome it.

One of these days though, I will stop second-guessing myself and will dive right in. It just isn’t quite yet.

I’ve always believed that quilting was good therapy. But as of late, I know it.

I’ve mentioned in previous posts that my husband had a debilitating stroke almost four years ago. He is now getting around in a power chair. I do love when he can wheel over to where I left the remote or can bring glasses into the kitchen when I just can't imagine leaving my comfy spot on the couch.

But, his illness has left more chores to do, so I am busier than ever before. And somehow, I’m not getting any younger. I have little time or energy for quilting, though I have two projects I’m anxious to work on. One is to be hand quilted; the other to be machine quilted, yet all three layers are not yet put together. My imagination has seen better days and it seems my creativity quotient is running in the negatives. I’ve even had some bouts with anxiety lately that exacerbate my fears of the ‘what-if’s’ and the ‘oh no, another birthday is coming around.’

I am making progress however. The other day I cleared off the dining room table, pitching all the junk mail out, and made a space to work with. I got took out the 8 yards of backing fabric that I ordered more than a year ago for my second project, a Craftsy quilt that is rather large. I pieced the backing fabric, and spray starched and ironed it along with the quilt top. They just need the batting, which remains rolled up in the closet. Oh, and then there is the dreaded basting. I’m not fond of this step, which is probably why I haven’t done it yet. I have only small spaces on which to work and I’ve yet to find a satisfactory way to get this done. I’m leaning toward spray basting, but I also just purchased some new curved safety pins.

I have also begun working on my hand quilted project, a Dresden Plate quilt that I started ages ago. I’ve found that hand quilting isn’t as easy as I remember. I think the multiple layers of those little wedges are a deterrent, but I’m convinced that I want this traditional quilt to be hand-quilted. In just one afternoon, I broke 3 needles. This is not the way I remember it.

But much to my surprise, I’ve found that physically putting the needle to fabric isn’t the only way to satisfy my quilting fix and relax my ever racing mind. In general, I’ve been watching quilting videos.

In particular, I’ve been watching The Quilt Show (TQS) hosted by Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims. I had not been acquainted with Ricky, but was a big fan of Alex through her work on “Simply Quilts,” her television series several years ago that inspired me to actually make my first quilt. I consider Alex Anderson to be a quilting mentor for me. Her hand quilting is wonderful and as a 30-year quilter, she is also a wonderful teacher.

I’m almost ashamed to say that even though I subscribed to TQS I had only watched a couple episodes.

One day I returned to the website, already listed as a favorite on my browser toolbar, only to learn that my current subscription had run out. I hurriedly renewed it and started watching the current episode. It had the same appeal that had always endeared me to Alex Anderson, except this time, I was so intrigued by Ricky’s approach to quilting. Not only is he a renowned quilter, but he is a musician who writes and performs the kind of music I love.

I found that as I binge-watched a couple episodes, I was feeling relaxed and even inspired by the wealth of information presented by so many quilt artists.

I began to watch shows whenever I felt the least bit stressed. I’ve started watching from the very beginning—in 2009, season by season. It is fun to see how far quilting has come and the myriad ideas that have and continue to shape the quilting world. Every now and then I will notice I’m watching a rerun of a show I’d already seen. No worries. It is always nice to brush up on skills, tips, hints, and trends. So even if I’m not doing as much quilting as I’d like, I still feel as though I have my hands in it, so to speak. So once again, Alex Anderson for leading the way for me. And Ricky, I love what he does as well. He brings a fresh, new, artistic approach which perfectly complements Alex’s more traditional work.

Watching TQS is no longer limited to those moments when I feel a panic attack coming on. I now watch just because I love it.

Teachers are the ultimate

None of us would be who we are, or where we are, were it not for the people who have inspired us, taught us, and helped with our struggles along the way. The people who teach are some of the greatest gifts any of us has ever received.

The most inspiring teachers in my life, and there have been many, are not just those poised in front of a chalk board, while some were. But they are those who loved and shared knowledge, inspiring me to learn what they knew. Some of them were the greatest influences of my life.

I was fortunate to have people like that throughout my life, including my quilting life.

Recently, I was enjoying seeing two women who could be considered my strongest influences. They were together, in the same time and place--Alex Anderson and Leah Day. Search this blog to see several instances where I've written about both of them.


The two of them appeared on the subscription-based The Quilt Show, an online production by Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims. More information can be found here.

I love The Quilt Show. I was elated when I learned that Leah Day would be the guest on yesterday's show.

For me, it was nirvana, to see both of these women, each of whom excels at her craft and has given so much of herself in the form of experience and education. It is clear to me that the most inspiration comes from people who simply love what they do and want to share it. These two ladies exemplify the best teaching has to offer.

It was a joy to watch as Alex and Leah relate to one another far beyond just how they make their living. They bonded as women who speak a similar language and who connected in a much deeper way, as women as well as artists. As I watched, I felt the connection too, as I have since I first 'met' them, relating to their experience and the language they speak.

To say the least, it was a very excellent way to begin my day. I love quilting. I am so grateful to Alex Anderson and Leah Day for introducing me to an activity I will always cherish. Quilting is precious to me.

Quilting roots revisited; back to my first qulit

As I continue along my quilting journey, I decided to take a trip back to my roots. I finally signed up for a star membership in The Quilt Show, which is not unlike an online television show. I have no idea what has taken me so long to jump into this.

The Quilt Show, hosted by Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims will keep me on my learning quest. It isn't that I needed more to learn because every time I pick up a needle I'm learning something new. I already have the motivation and inspiration. I could use a little more time to practice, but that will come. For now, I'm still enjoying the seemingly endless quest for quilting knowledge.

This is where it all began
My very first quilt top

I spent yesterday watching a few of the past shows, with access to all the teachers and techniques that have been on the show since 2007. I may go through the episodes one at a time eventually, but for now, I'm just picking and choosing.

Alex Anderson provided some of my earliest inspirations for quilting. Not only did she host "Simply Quilts," a wonderful quilting show, but she was an excellent quilter in her own right. I used to watch religiously. If I knew I was going to miss it, I recorded it. Like so many others, when I learned it was going off the air, I was crushed. I learned so much from that show. Most importantly, I learned that I really wanted to make a quilt. I wasn't a quilter when I first started watching.

When I finally did get around to making my first quilt, I had no idea what I was doing. I tried to follow the steps laid out in my head from all I had observed for years. Finally, one day my daughter and I went to Joanne Fabrics in Orland Park, IL to pick out fabric. I hoped I was getting the right amount. I was exhilarating, but frightening to look at that pile of folded fabric. I realized right then that I loved having all those yards, half-yards, and quarter-yards in my hands. Nothing was as terrified as cutting into that beautiful bleached muslin the first time.

The picture is just the quilt top. I did finish the quilt. Never having done applique before, I made some mistakes, but when looking at the overall pattern, I can cut myself some slack. I never did needle-turn applique before. I figured back then that I can only get better. I picked out a simple rosette to hand-quilt into the empty spaces and outline quilted the elements of the Rose of Sharon blocks. It isn't the best-looking quilt ever, but it made me very happy to complete it.

I'm not sure when I finished this quilt. Judging from the photo though, this had to be taken sometime between 2003 and 2005. I notice a Delft blue container on the dresser that was from an arrangement I bought for my father's funeral in June, 2003. We moved out of that house in Jan. 2005. I completed that quilt in 2004 because it was done before we moved. I guess the moral of this story is to always make a label for our completed quilts.

I still put this quilt on the bed now and then. But mostly, it rests in good company, sitting on a quilt rack with the quilt my husband's mother made him when he graduated from eighth grade and one his late grandmother cross-stitched and quilted that she used on her bed.