My latest favorite quilt is done

Every quilt I work on is always my favorite. And the best part of the process is the finish.

I’m really pleased to have finished this one, since it has been hanging around unfinished far too long.

In fact, I started it so long ago that I had forgotten naming it “Orchid Flowers.” I am not exactly sure when I started this quilt. I decided I wanted to make a traditional Dresden Plate quilt, and had begun sewing the pieces together before having a real concept in mind. Each of the ‘plates’ is made up of 20 ‘blades,’ which are appliqued onto a piece of background fabric. It doesn’t show up well in the photo, but each square contains alternating white and cream-colored paisley prints. The circle in the center is also the opposite and alternate color. From what I can piece together, (pun intended) once I had made 20 of them, I started to conceptualize an actual quilt. That was around July of 2015.

This was a bit of a storied project

According to what I’ve written previously in CHQuilts, I finished this quilt top in August, 2015. That was a few months after my husband suffered a debilitating stroke. There was no time for quilting with so many doctor and therapy appointments. It was a pretty stressful time, so when I eventually did get back to working on it, this was indeed my therapy. I wrote about that too, how quilting is good medicine.

I had planned to hand-quilt this quilt, since it is such a traditional pattern, established back in the 1920’s. I found though, that hand-quilting it proved to be quite a chore. It was hard to needle through the seams in all the blades. When I had about nine of the 20 blocks quilted, I realized I wasn’t having much fun doing it. My stress-relief project was actually having the opposite of its desired effect, so I decided to rip out everything I had done. I decided that quilting it on the machine was a much better option that might result in actually finishing it. I’m so glad I made that decision. I truly enjoyed the quilting process. So, in all, it took about about three or four months to complete. Every project I do is a challenge in some way. The challenge here was to learn to quilt feathers free-hand—no marking. I am so much more comfortable after doing these lovely, traditional quilting designs. I love how they look and am anxious to use them more often in future projects.

Another challenge was to decide on the border option. I finally decided on a leaf and swirl motif, also free-hand. I love how it turned out. I will use this motif again.

I enjoyed doing it. 

 The border took longer than I had anticipated. It is pretty densely quilted, but it very random and free.

I told myself I would have a finished quilt this weekend. So, I started the day Sunday, early, before breakfast, with two sides to finish.

Once that final border motif met the place where I started, I could call it done. It was a thrill to cut that final thread. But it wasn’t the end yet.

There was still the binding. I like to sew my binding onto the back of the quilt by hand. That always takes longer than I’d like. So, by the time I worked my way around all the way to where I started, I was pretty tired. My fingers hurt. I hadn’t done hand sewing for some time and was out of practice. Well, I certainly got the practice yesterday. I spent about 12 hours in all, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. And I still wasn’t done.

To me, a quilt is never complete until after it is washed and dried. That is when all the fabric shrinks around the stitches making the whole thing poufy, textural. I call it ‘quilty.’

I never pre-wash my fabric. I just put a Shout Color Catcher into the wash, two in fact, just to be sure. I have never had a problem with dyes running or fading.

So last night, I took the warm quilt out of the dryer and spread it out onto my lap as I sit on my favorite chair, just so I could inspect it. Before I could look over the whole thing, a couple of cats jumped onto my lap and snuggled into the soft, warmth of it . Now it is done. And, it is oh, so satisfying.

Cats+Quilts=Love

Pictured above is my beloved cat, Ryan napping on my latest project, a Dresden Plate quilt I’ve been anxious to finish. I started it years ago. But I decided it was time to finish. Well thanks to Ryan, maybe not today.

Ryan loves to make herself comfortable on my quilts. I take her adoration as an extreme compliment.

I guess she fell asleep after wearing herself out stretching, writhing, and contorting herself into odd angles, as cats often do. I realized quilting was futile, so I gave up trying to free motion quilt with a cat on top of the fabric. This is a pretty large quilt and moving it under limited space of my little sewing machine is a challenge anyway, but with the weight on one end, really made things difficult. I decided it was time for a lunch break.

Ryan is always up for providing the entertainment to my tiny quilting space, or pretty much any other activity for that matter. This cat is like none other I’ve ever known.

Ryan and her sisters were born 13 years ago on a hot July day on the front porch of the home I share with my husband, John. Her mother is a pretty and petite Calico cat, a stray until she decided to adopt us.  She kept hanging around the house, peeking in windows until we finally gave in and let her come into the house. She wasn’t much more than a kitten. But one day she decided indoors was not her thing. She broke out the screen of an open window and took off into the woods. She didn’t go far, and rarely was out of sight, but it was far enough apparently. One day I noticed her girth had changed. She was a little rounder in her middle. I knew immediately that she was pregnant.

Timi was pretty young to give birth, so I wasn’t sure how well things would go. I was there to help if need be. I read up on what to do before the big day so I was prepared. I had a birthing box ready for Timi, all lined with the latest edition of the local news of our town. Another box was lined with a baby afghan left over from my own kids.

One late morning I was sitting at my computer desk when Timi jumped up to the window next to me. She climbed onto the screen and was clawing in a frenzy and was meowing in a voice I hadn’t heard before. I knew it was time. I met her on the front porch, she jumped into the box and before long I saw the most adorable little gray and white kitten. Timi cleaned it, licking, licking, licking until it was dry and fluffy. She had no qualms about letting me take her kitten. That was my introduction to Ryan and it was love at first sight. I held her gently, talked to her, and kept her warm in my hands.

Timi then delivered another, and another, until there were five. I love them all, but Ryan and I have something special between us.

I was very impressed with how Timi settled into her new role of motherhood. I’m not sure what my role was, but I know it changed my life as much or more than it did hers.

I decided I couldn’t part with any of the kittens, so I kept them all. The last one born lived only 11 days. The third one—Boo—was born with a deformity and weakness on her right side. She was basically a three-legged cat. She lived to be 11 years old and was my second favorite. I still miss her every day. Then there are Kenni and Kasey. There is no shortage of kitty love around here.

This period of my life marked a huge quilting hiatus for me, but once I got back to it, I found I had partners. The girls just love snuggling in a new quilt, or an old one for that matter. Only Ryan likes to be involved in the process however. I guess it started when I did most of my quilting by hand. She loved to sit beneath the quilt while I worked on it. I guess once I decided to adapt to machine quilting, Ryan did too. Now, she seems pretty content to sit on top rather than under it.

Having cats just adds one more dimension to my love of quilting. Now if only I could get the girls to stitch-in-the-ditch or hand sew binding, I’d have it made.

Revamping a project, quilting feathers

One of the best aspects of quilting is learning a new skill. I’ve just done my first freehand feathers on a quilt I haven’t worked on in what seems like ages.

I mentioned this quilt project in a recent post—a Dresden Plate quilt that I was hand-quilting. I started it quite some time ago, but decided I wasn’t enjoying working on it very much.

I haven’t given up on hand-quilting by any means. I still find it to be fulfilling in many ways, but this just wasn’t the right project for it. Perhaps my problem was the way I was quilting it.

I started in the middle of the quilt, stitching in the ditch on all 20 blades of the Dresden plate motif. With all the seams coming together, I found I was fighting with needle, wearing out my poor ole, aging hands, and just was unable to achieve the kind of stitches for which I knew I was capable. I ended up abandoning the project after completing about 6 blocks. There were 20 in all. I loved how the quilt looked, but the struggle I was having just took away from any enjoyment I know quilting can be.

I also made the mistake of not using a hoop. That wasn’t as much of a problem, but added to it, as I decided to leave work on just the blocks, leaving the sashing until later. Since I had spray-basted the backing and batting, and left the quilt sitting for so long, I noticed that the layers weren’t as tight as they had been. I didn’t have actual pleats and puckers in the backing fabric that was where I was headed. It could have become a real problem. It didn’t help that a soft, cushy, bulk of fabric sat in the middle of the living room for months at a time in a house full of cats.

One day I decided that if I was ever going to finish what would likely be a beautiful quilt, as well as one I would enjoy completing, I needed to rip out the hand quilting stitches and begin anew on the machine. I am so glad I did.

This was like starting a whole new project

I am still stitching in the ditch between and around the blades, but it is so much easier to let the machine do the hard work. I didn’t know how I was going to quilt the sashing and nine patches connecting them, or the space around the initial design. So, I did what I always do; I let the quilt speak to me. It did. I would do feathers inside the sashing and horizontal and vertical stitches in the 9-patches along with simple radiating lines in the background of the block so as to not take away from the beautiful fabrics in the motif.

My only problem is that I’ve pretty much avoided quilting feathers. I’m just not very good at them.So, to gain my confidence; I watched You Tube videos and searched for beautiful images of feathers all over the internet. My goodness, there are some beautiful creations out there. The only problem with this is that sometimes it gets to be overwhelming.

My next step was to do what I always do when I have decisions to make; I pondered what I had just learned. Then, I got out the paper and pencil and drew four lines to represent my sashing and started making feathers. They were pretty weird-looking at first, but soon, I got the hang of it.

So, once I felt comfortable drawing them on paper, I went to my sewing machine. There, I drew a nice curved spine and made my first free-motion, free-form feather.

I am pretty pleased with myself, but more importantly, I’m excited about working on and finishing this quilt. This is the second time I will have quilted a full sized quilt on my little Janome sewing machine. At one time I never would have believed it possible. Quilting has reinforced what I already knew; anything is possible.

Applique--now this is fun!

The first three months of work on my latest quilt project, Afternoon Delight, the 2020 Block of the Month for members of The Quilt Show has included both a learning curve and skill builder. I have never really done much applique as noted in previous blog posts. But that has all changed now.

This project is just what I needed. And, it is really enjoyable to just sit in front of the television and stitch.

These applique blocks, shown above, are the result of the first three months of this year-long quilt project. I decided to hand applique these blocks, since hand works is the most enjoyable and with which I have the least amount of experience.

These applique blocks along with the pieced blocks, at right, represent just three months of work. There are 64 blocks in all in this quilt.

I’m thrilled with my progress though. Not only am I current and even a little ahead, as related in my previous blog post, but this quilt is going to be lovely, and oh, so colorful. I’m using fabric from prior projects, so as I work, there is already a familiarity to this. Honestly, I love everything about this project.

I have enjoyed the applique process the most. I liken it to being a kid again. What a great activity. It was like I was back in kindergarten again, passing the time with my cutting, pasting, and sewing.

My scissors are a little sharper now; cutting is much more precise as I create templates out of thick freezer paper. Pasting doesn’t include a jar with a brush attached to the cap, but rather uses spray starch squirted into its own cap, and painted on with an artist’s paintbrush. The sewing isn’t done in holes punched out of cardboard cards using yarn and a huge, dull needle either. Today’s project uses a fine milliner’s needle, silk or cotton thread, and very tiny stitches.

There is also lots of pressing with an iron in today’s projects. I didn’t iron in kindergarten, but I did try my hand at it when I was little. My mother used to let me iron pillow cases and sometimes, my doll clothes. I loved to iron. It all came to an abrupt halt one day though when I ironed my doll’s plastic raincoat. I’ll never forget it. I was about five years old. The raincoat was light blue with double white stripes going vertically and horizontally to form a tiny checkerboard. As I put the hot iron onto the back of the coat, I couldn’t figure out why the iron wouldn’t glide smoothly across it like it did on the linens. I kept trying until I saw smoke and smelled something burning. My mother saw what I was up to and snatched the plug out of the wall. Oh, what a smelly, nasty mess.

My applique experience has been nothing like that. However, it wasn’t so easy at first. I made a couple of those blocks three times because I just wasn’t happy with how they turned out.

I tried various methods and techniques, but finally found the one that feels right for me. I’ve really enjoyed making these blocks and can’t wait until the next patterns come out in April.

Nothing is perfect, but I have to at least try

I’ve been working diligently, trying to get caught up with my latest quilting project, a Block of the Month (BOM) that began in January. I finished the last of six blocks for this month and was so pleased with myself that I thought I would do two more.

This quilt will have nine Shoo-Fly blocks in all. I was to make two in each of the three months of this year. I got a late start, but am all caught up; in fact with the last two blocks I created, I’m a little ahead of the game.

Each month also required completion of four applique blocks, but that is another topic for another time.

I decided to take a picture of what I had done so far.

Uh oh! Some of these are not like the others!

What is wrong with this picture?

It looks like I have some seam-ripping to do. Those pesky little four-patches are seemingly facing the wrong way in three of the blocks—both pink ones and the top purple one. What I was I thinking?

As a consolation to myself, those were the first blocks I did. They definitely got better as I went.

In all honesty though, I’m not sure it really matters. These blocks will not be set side-by-side as they are shown here, when the quilt is finished. My mistake will likely not even be apparent. Nonetheless, I think I will hone my unsewing skills and take the three offending blocks apart. If I don’t, this will bother me every time I snuggle up with this quilt. Quilts are never perfect; nothing is, but these mistakes will have to be fixed. That is just how I roll.

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.

Happy Quilting New Year

My quilting life seems to be shaping up for the New Year. Only 13 days in and I can envision a completed quilt top in the near future. I am also contemplating a new project, another Block of the Month (BOM) quilt from The Quilt Show—entitled Afternoon Delight. ..more about that in the coming days.

This quilt—Sizzle, a design by Becky Goldsmith for The Quilt Show—should have been completed in a year, and I am a bit behind, but that’s of no concern to me. I try not to fret over time because I just don’t seem to have enough of it and because I so enjoy every aspect of quilt making. It would be just wrong to put pressure on myself to finish a project on a schedule. That would detract from the pleasure I derive from the process. Quilting is not a one-step endeavor. There are many steps. I try to face each one with exhilaration and excitement. There is no dread in quilting because I know I will either learn something new or practice something that I want to improve upon. That is a kind of pressure too, but it is not a negative. Trying to conquer my untested skills is just a part of it. I like a challenge and tend to pick projects that will eventually make me a better quilter.

Yesterday I finished the first side border on my Sizzle quilt. Today I will finish the second. The top and bottom borders will take a little longer simply because they have more applique pieces.

There was some time between finishing the quilt blocks, sewing them together, and starting on the borders. I was hesitant. Although the applique pieces were already cut out and prepared with the raw edges glued under, I was concerned about a design issue. I didn’t have quite enough white-on-white fabric, the same one I used in the quilt top. I tried to determine how to cope with this. I could have used the off-white background fabric. I could have used one of the colors already in the quilt. Or, I could have made smaller or different borders.

Then I found that I had a very similar white-on-white fabric that read the same shade of bright white as the one I had used in the quilt. Without a magnifying glass to identify the pattern, the two looked very similarly. Once quilted, the difference might not even be discernible close up.

Once I found my color confidence, it was time to cut the fabric. Eight pieces cut to 7” wide by the width of fabric were all I needed. The white paisley print is lovely. Being a 60’s child, I just love paisley. I will have to replace this next chance I get. I love working with fabric that I love.

My next decision was about the color thread and the stitches to use. I settled on two colors of thread and three different stitches. I practiced sewing them until I was pleased with the results.

My applique is not perfect, but isn’t bad. The stitches will hold the pieces in place, which is their purpose. The overall effect is good. So, all-in-all, I’m happy with how this is going. On to finishing the borders and thinking about backing fabric and batting for this lovely quilt.

I hope this quilt speaks to me as my others have because right now I have no idea how I am going to quilt it.

Always have to have a Plan B

With the holiday in the middle of the week, there have been just too many things to do to get to quilting, but now, the errands are done, the house is somewhat liveable, and most of the chores are done. It is time to get to it.

I was so excited to finally start working on the end of my quilt top--laying out my applique pieces for the top and bottom borders of my quilt. I have yet to cut the fabric for the borders. That was where I planned to start. That was yesterday.

Time for Plan B

Thing is, I realized that according to the pattern, the side borders were to be positioned first. I hadn't even started to work on all those applique pieces. That means I had to cut out and prepare (gluing all the raw edges) them. Thankfully, there aren't as many, however, those swirly shapes are a bit more complex.

Once I cut out all the pieces, I was anxious to use my double finger press method to prepare all the applique pieces expeditiously. 

I recently purchased a new glue stick from Sewline. It is much smaller, and easier to hold like a pencil. It is much less clunky than the giant Elmer's glue stick I had been using. The smaller surface made it less messy. The glue stayed where I put it. 

It seemed to me though that the glue wasn't quite as sticky, but once it was pressed with the iron, it seemed to hold even better. 

I spent the day yesterday cutting all of the pieces and preparing all but the swirlies. I hope to finish those today. Perhaps this quilt top will be completed by the end of 2019--stay tuned. 

Easy applique with the double finger press method

When trying to prepare pieces for applique for the border of my quilt, I have tried using various tools to help with this somewhat tedious task. But, I realize the old adage that the best tools are my own hands.

I’ve tried many different methods of preparing shapes for applique using a template, but I’ve finally settled on the one that works best for me. It is the simplest method I’ve found and is the one I am the most comfortable with. It is my own double finger press method.

I have been using an Elmer’s School Glue stick to glue the raw edges under and a portable iron to press the finished pieces. I then use my double finger press method to create nice shapes that resemble my template.

I’ve attempted to illustrate my favorite applique method below:

This small leaf shape was cut out of freezer paper and pressed to the right side of the fabric. Once adhered, I roughly cut out the piece with a small seam allowance. Precision isn’t important here as long as there is enough fabric for a turned under edge.

The next step is to simply finger pressed the fabric to the back of the shape, all around it. Firmly finger press the piece all around the edges along the shape. I used to have little respect for finger pressing, but in this instance, it paves the way for a nice rounded finished piece. This extra step only takes a moment and makes all the difference.

When the shape is pressed, apply glue to one side of the shape at a time, and again, finger press as was done earlier. Gently move around the shape to make a nice rounded edge. 

When all the edges are finger pressed, and the point is secured with the glue, just snip off the excess to create a perfect point.

Turn the shape over to make sure that all the parts are glued securely. If not, apply a bit of glue where needed. I generally use a manicure stick for this purpose, though it is rarely needed if enough glue is applied correctly at the onset.

Once completed, remove the paper and give the shape a quick press with a hot, dry iron. The leaf is now ready to be applied to the surface of the quilt, either by hand or by using a machine applique techniques. 

I’m pretty pleased with how these tuned out as shown below. 

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.

This one's for you Dad

I just finished sewing nine random quilt blocks into one cohesive piece. It is almost a quilt though it is still not yet finished. It will have a five-inch border around all four sides, with applique motifs. And of course, it will have to have a backing fabric and batting inside before I can quilt it. Perhaps it will be done by this time next year.

This project has been a joy to work on; offering just the right challenge to my skill level. I believe this project has enhanced my skills because I nailed it. Though it may not be my design, I have certainly made it my own by choosing some of my favorite colors using fabrics I have been collecting for years. I love the round blocks, the points, the shapes and overall symmetry of its elements.

This quilt, designed by Becky Goldsmith as the 2019 Block of the Month for The Quilt Show co-hosted by one of my favorite quilting instructors, Alex Anderson (and Ricky Timms who I have only recently become acquainted with), is called Sizzle.

The best part about this quilt is that it reminds me of my father. I was drawn to it the moment I saw it.

While sewing the seams together, I thought about that. My father died at age 79, in 2003. This is the time of year I’d always thought about him. His birthday would have been in two days.

My father was the smartest man I’d ever known. He was also the most tolerant, patient, and easy-going person with a delightful sense of humor. He loved a challenge; the harder the better. And he was a bit of a mathematical genius. There wasn’t anything my father couldn’t do, and I’m not the only one that says that. Everyone who knew him sang his praises. He taught himself everything he knew, and in my view, he knew just about everything. I remember one year at Christmas time, when I was just a little girl, maybe five or six-years old, he made a three-dimensional star for the top of our Christmas tree out of cardboard, meticulously gluing each piece together. I can’t recall how many points it had, but it was certainly more than the typical five, six, or even eight-point star. He meticulously glued red and green Christmas wrapping paper onto the points. It was beautiful, and it was perfect.

Another year, he decided to learn woodworking. As was his habit, he sat down with a few books and taught himself. He also did that with photography, computer programming, playing the organ, and so much more.

He was a machinist by trade, so mathematics and using tools was his thing.

For Christmas one year, he made family members an icosahedron, a 20-sided object constructed out of varied wood veneers by using equilateral triangles. I cannot imagine how to even begin to figure the dimensions mathematically, but that came easily to him. He figured it out, cut the pieces, and then glued them together. I’m heartsick that I no longer have the one he gave me, but it was damaged beyond repair some years ago.

So stars and points, intricate design, and challenges will always remind me of him. The moment I saw this quilt pattern, I was completely taken by it. I had to make it, even though I questioned whether or not I could. And I’m glad I did.

I think my father would have loved everything about this quilt as I do, so I am making it for him, to honor him. Happy Birthday Dad.

Quilting magic

Quilting is transformative, seemingly making something out of nothing. A finished project is beautiful and the steps to get these are numerous, with each one a mere contribution. But if you look at the very beginning and the very end and you aren’t sure how it happens, it looks like magic.

Quilters understand how to make it happen, but for those who have never thought about what goes into making a quilt, here is one example of one quilt block, one small part of an overall project, and why quilt making just amazes and delights me, every single time.

As I’ve stated in previous posts, my current project is a quilt from a pattern, a block of the month pattern made up of nine blocks.

I could have ordered a kit, which included not just the pattern, but would have provided all the fabric needed to complete the project as well. Instead, I decided to use my own fabric, from my stash, that which I’ve collected over the years. Either way, the magic is the same.

First, I chose the colors I wanted to use; I then selected the fabric. I decided on a finite array of fabrics and as I chose to create each block, I chose the colors I would use from that array. I aimed for a scrappy look. Since all the colors go together, I just picked the fabrics I would use for each block, treating them all as a separate project. The above is what I chose for one block.

It never ceases to amaze me, how the process begins with whole pieces of fabric.

Then those fabrics are cut into pieces, as the pattern dictates, as shown. All of the steps are reliant on precision. It is funny to imagine how these pieces when sewn together will amount to anything.

But they do! All of the steps are crucial. And if done correctly, the result is a beautiful quilt block. 

This is the result! Just like magic!

Simple hint makes a difference

I have long said that for me, quilting is a learning experience.

The range of learning never ceases to amaze me. From circles and Y-seams, to the very simplest of established habits, I remain amazed at the wonderful learning experience that is quilting.

For instance, I have been sewing on a Janome sewing machine since I started quilting, some 20 years ago. I wore out the first one and am now on my second machine, which is only a couple years old.

When I sew, sometimes I use scissors to cut the threads, but I often use the thread cutter attached to the machine, circled in red on the photo. Most domestic sewing machines have them, as far as I know, and what I am about to say is applicable to any machine.

When I am finished sewing a seam, I gather my sewn piece guiding the still attached threads from front to back across the blade, away from me. This procedure cuts both the top and bottom threads at the same time. Then, when I start to sew again, I push both threads under the presser foot.

I never realized that in all these years, I was doing it wrong.

I didn’t realize I was wrong until one day I observed someone on a quilting video cut the threads in the opposite direction, bringing the just sewn piece of fabric across the blade from back to front. I didn’t think too much about it, until one day, as I remembered it, I thought I’d try it, even though it looked really awkward to me.

Well, what a surprise! The direction of cutting threads makes all the difference. I never realized that by directing the threads up and over the thread cutter toward me rather than how I’d been doing it, the threads are cut closer to the piece, saving on thread. But the biggest benefit is that the threads stay under the presser foot, which alleviates the extra step of having to place them behind the needle in a separate motion.

This is silly, I know, but it illustrates 1) I’m still a newbie (sewer) quilter despite my 20 years’ experience; and 2) it is the simple things that make all the difference.

How cool is this?

Still a work in progress, these pieces need to be sewn together and a border around the circle will create a square, but I just can’t say enough about how much I am going to love this quilt. 

When I was a kid, my favorite toy was a Spirograph. I loved making shapes with that toy, and the more intricate the better. I used to make a shape, any random shape, and then move the pen just a few clicks to ‘echo’ that shape. I did it over and over again until I got the effect I wanted. I wish I still had some of the gorgeous designs I made. They would likely help me with quilting free motion designs. I used to play with my Spirograph for hours.
This quilt reminds me of that toy.

Now that I think about it, I should start playing with shapes and designs and come up with my own ideas for a quilt rather than use someone else’s design. That is one of my quilting goals—to design my own quilts. I’m just not there yet. I’m still in awe of what other people are doing. Perhaps I will never get there, who knows? The quilting world continues to evolve, and there are so many different things I’d still like to try.

But, I am really enjoying this paper-pieced design by Becky Goldsmith. This is really an enjoyable project.

By the way, this will be the third block I’m working on. The first two have been completed.

There are 9 different blocks in the quilt. I can’t wait to make all of them. These blocks are huge. That means I am 1/3 of the way to a completed quilt top.

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.

Finishing a quilt is such an accomplishment

I am always excited when I finish a quilt, especially this one. It had lots of firsts for me.

Looking back through the posts on this blog, it is evident how long it was in the making. I actually started it in September 2017. That really IS a long time.

It was a Craftsy class project, designed and taught by Lynette Jennings, a quilter I have admired for years. I was honored to do one of her quilts, despite this one being way outside my comfort zone. Even though I felt it was too busy, I was drawn to it.

I liked that this was a medallion quilt, which was new to me. Even though I’ve been quilting for more than 20 years, I still consider myself a novice. There are so many things I’ve never done. I’m a perpetual learner. I want to try everything out there. You might call me an adventurous quilter. The result is that I’ve never stuck with one thing long enough to become proficient. I guess I’m still searching for the best techniques for me. Trouble is, I love them all, from intricate piecing to paper piecing, applique, and everywhere in-between. This had a little of everything.

My first and perhaps biggest challenge was the color pallet. I wanted to make it my own. After all, isn’t that why I collect fabrics, to have my own stash? Since there are a lot of colors, this task was a little daunting, but I persevered. I began my quilting life making monochromatic quilts. I was drawn to one basic color and all its variations. But, I’m growing. I’m beginning to love all colors. In fact, the more the merrier. Named the Garden Charms Quilt by its creator, I recognized that gardens, which I love, contain all colors. And so should my quilt.

I enjoyed the construction phase. I love cutting, piecing, and sewing. While I don’t ever achieve perfection, I always strive for it. I often have to settle for the best I could. I did a few motifs more than once, ripping out more than a few seams. I wanted points to match and seams to line up—again—not perfect but acceptable. I even made a table runner to practice one of the parts I was struggling with.

Once the quilt top was finished, I labored over the most daunting part about this quilt, machine quilting it on my little Janome. I never machine quilted a huge quilt before. I wasn’t sure how this would turn out, but I was encouraged by those in the quilting community that have already accomplished this. I figured I could to. I do have a stubborn streak when I make up my mind to do something.

While I pondered and questioned my own skills, and sought computer guidance, my poor quilt top just sat around. It was quite some time before I finally got around to working on it again. Life gets in the way. While I am busy taking care of my disabled husband, the house, our six cats, and all the other things that must be done around here, admittedly, I was also terrified of how difficult it would be to quilt this humongous quilt in my teensy-tiny quilting space. I don’t have a nice sewing room with tons of space. I quilt at a breakfast nook just off the kitchen. But, as it turns out, this was not a problem, at all.

A couple of months ago, I was ready. I had talked myself into jumping in with both feet. So last December, I got busy. The eight yards of fabric I was to use for the quilt backing, was still in a bag. I took it out, measured, cut, and pieced it. I dragged out a roll of batting, and lay it all on my small, round dining room table. I put my ironing board at one side, and pressed the backing, quilt top, and sandwiched it all together. I then pin basted it with curved safety pins. Pin basting is not fun, but when it was finished, I got a sense of what this might look like as a quilt. That was an exciting step.

A little more than a week later, I started quilting. I had no idea how I was going to quilt it, but this would be the fun part. I started in the middle and worked my way out. I did just a little at a time so as to now overwhelm myself.

I am still a little surprised that quilting a huge quilt in a breakfast nook would be possible. But, it turned out that was a perfect place. There is a wall behind my machine, so the quilt can’t fall off the back of a table. I keep an ironing board under the counter, and could pull it out when I worked, so it could hold the quilt on the side of me. When I was finished quilting, I just put it back in its place. Between the kitchen and laundry room, my sewing area is out of the way so I could leave the quilt piled up next to my machine still under the needle. I could pick up right where I left off whenever I wanted to. It was perfect.

I finished it a couple of months later.

As it turns out, this is my favorite quilt. The latest one always is. I’ve been watching TV on the couch with it draped over me, usually with a cat or two on top. It is cozy; I love to feel the stitches. It reminds me of when my kids had their favorite blankets—their Neenees. Well this is my Neenee. The quilting is diverse with stipples and squiggles, grid work and feathers, giving it lots of different textures.