Springtime and flowers

Out by the mailbox

Our neighbor's Iris

 

Beauty up close

UFO Project #10 April

Lolita's Class Sample Block

Is it April already?  My next UFO is the Neck-tie quilt.  Lolita from our Quilt Guild gave a class last year.  She is a wonderful teacher, so I was quite inspired to get to work last year.  There are several hours of prep work to take the ties apart after being washed.  I found this was a good project while watching T.V.  I did get that part done last year.  However, my problem arose when I tried to get the light-weight fusible interfacing to stick on the back of each tie prior to cutting.  If you get the iron too hot, it won't stick.

Ties cut and ready for sewing

UFO Project #8 for March

Pinwheel Top

Pieced Back of Pinwheel Quilt

"Parts" of the Pinwheel Quilt have been completed.  The top is done!  The back has been pieced with several different fabrics that I had in my stash and the binding has been made.  I'm delighted with this project which began as 16 simple blocks.  It has turned into a 71" square quilt top with a unique back. 

UFO Project #8 for March

Here it is the middle of March and I'm just now posting about my next project, which is the Pinwheels Quilt from our Guild Workshop given by Pat Speth in March 2011.  It took two weeks to find a setting that I wanted to create.  I found an ad on pg 45 of the June 2009 American Patchwork & Quilting magazine.  It was called Heritage Stars from Maywood Studio.  I hate to admit it, but I didn't spot the free download instructions at the bottom of the page until after I had added the sashing to all of my blocks.  Then to top it off, my blocks were the wrong size to use the star points and I didn't have enough blue fabric that I liked, so I used a bright royal blue from another project to make the stars points with a one inch gold strip in the middle of each 5" x 11" rectangle.  The blue stars were overwhelming on the design wall.  The royal blue fabric did not match the fabrics of the pinwheel blocks.

So on Saturday, off I went to the local Quilt store for a calming brown fabric for the rectangles.   

       

UFO Project #1 is finished

I'm still in shock that I finished my king-size sampler quilt, which was started in 1982.  The binding was finished by 7:00 p.m.  A label is still needed and possibly a little fabric journal to tell it's story about the different blocks.

UFO for February 2012

Today was a beautiful sunny day in Tennessee.   It lifted my spirits and my energy level.
Since I have 10 working days until the end of February, I decided today was the day to get going on my king-size quilt.  The first week of Feb., I did begin the quilting, which I determined should be free motion stitching.  The walking foot would be too slow and more of a trial to maneuver through my machine.  Since I am most comfortable with stippling, that is what I choose for all of the sashes. 

Project #1--UFO turns 30 yrs old in 2012

King Size Sampler started in 1982--This afternoon, I got it out of the Quilt Cabinet to figure out how to begin.  First, I decided it was best to look for a picture and post the picture along with the quilt's story.  When a UFO is about to turn 30 years old, this year, there must be a story to go along with it.

In 1982, I began taking Beginner Quilt classes through the Continuing Education Program at our local university.  My quilt teacher was extremely patient.  I took numerous classes from her, craving the fellowship of other quilters.  By the 3rd class, I realized I needed a king-size quilt for our bed.  My teacher tried to deter me from tackling such a large project, but as a beginner, the size what not an issue.  Anyway, the blocks were only 14" square and I decided I needed 25 blocks, with sashes and 2 large borders, I had a king size quilt.

Thankfully, I commemorated the Quilt Pinning event with a small signature wall-hanging and dated that wall-hanging May 1985.  For two years, I hand quilted on my quilt and then in April 1987, I took a 7-month break from working outside the home and helped my husband build a workshop and in the evenings, I hand quilted.  By the time, I went back to work in Oct. 1987, I had all the blocks quilted and one of the sashes.

Since it is a Sampler, I plan to machine quilt with the walking foot, the remaining unfinished sashes and borders.  I bet I will need a week to sew on the binding, which will be exhilarating, since I'll be coming down the home stretch.