I have had very little time this week to sew on my quilts, but I am up to date on the two projects that I’ve chosen to work on this winter.

The third clue in Frolic came last Friday.  It allowed us to choose how we made half square triangles.  At first, I thought that I would make mine with the accordion method.  That would make each block with different fabrics.  They have to be trimmed a little after sewing.  Then, I thought that I would make mine oversize and trim them with the Tucker Trimmer.  There would be two blocks with the same colors.  I decided to use the Tucker Trimmer method.  Two similar blocks would not be noticed in this quilt.  The fourth clue will come tomorrow.  This will be a beautiful quilt.

I have sewn three of the Ten Commandments Pattern Series.  This free pattern can be found at info@quiltnbee.biz.  It also can be bought at http://www.stitchintree.com.  This pattern consists of ten 10″ blocks and one center 22″ block.  The fabric requirements for a bed runner (43″ x 96″) and a twin bed size (67″ x 85″), along with the pictures, are given in the first e mail.

I chose different color fabrics so pasted small swatches on the first page.  This can be made with scraps.

 

The first Commandment is the center 22″ block.  Each sections gives the fabric needed for the blocks and sashing and cutting instructions.  It also gives the pressing instructions.  Making this bed runner has made me slow down, read and follow all the instructions.  With accurate cutting and sewing with an accurate 1/4″ seam, the blocks go together very nicely.

The second and third commandments are on the right side of the bed runner.  I have saved the teal fabric that I used in those blocks  to use in the two blocks on the left side.  I will find another teal fabric to use in the blocks that are closer to the center.

I’m taking a break from hand quilting  my oldest UFO in the evening while I watch TV.  The quilting is going well, but my under hand needs a little repair.  It should be healed in a few days and I can go back to quilting.  In the meantime, I’ll check out several years of machine embroidery magazines that were stored in the attic.  I’m trying to downsize and clear out the attic.  That should take most of the winter.  Hopefully, I’ll find someone who will want the magazines.

Have a great day and happy quilting.

 

I’ve decided to make a mystery quilt.  I’ve admired Bonnie Hunter’s quilts for a long time, but have never made one from her patterns.  This year, she has a mystery quilt called Frolic.  The quilt finishes at 82″ x 82″. I really like the colors that she chose for this quilt.  When she designed the quilt, she used paint chips to decide on the colors.  The colors are light and dark blue, teal, pale green , raspberry and a neutral.  Of course, if you make this quilt, you can use other colors.

There is still time to join in the fun.  The clues are at Quiltville.blogspot.com under the Frolic Mystery tab.  The clues are free at this time. After it is over, there will be a charge.

Along with the clues are tips, tricks, helps and hints for each unit.  It is worth looking at the  program for all the great tips even if you don’t make the quilt.  Bonnie uses small pieces of fabric so this is great for a stash buster.

I pulled all the scraps that I had in those colors.  They are in a bin waiting to be called when Bonnie gives a clue that uses them.  I don’t know if I have enough of all the colors, but will use what I have until they are gone.  Then I can buy fat quarters to fill in the rest.

The first week used the two blues and raspberry.  They made lovely blocks.  Bonnie’s tips on perfect piecing made the blocks come out the perfect size.  I followed her tip on how to sew and found every four patch came out perfect.  I had made extra in case the centers weren’t perfect.  I now have the beginnings of another quilt.

 

 

The second week used raspberry and neutral fabrics.  I had a lot of 5″ neutral squares and used some of them in this step.  This will make a very scrappy quilt.

The third clue will show up in my e-mail tomorrow.  This is exciting.  I love a mystery. A member of the Guild is also making this mystery quilt.  When they are finished, we’ll have to take them to Show and Tell together.

 

There was no sewing today.  I decided to finish putting my Grace Q frame together.  I am almost finished.  The instructions are not clear at all. The pictures are so small that they don’t help.  It seems so easy on the You Tube videos.  I have two more parts to put on the frame. I’ll try to finish it tomorrow.  It may seem hard to put it together, but it will probably be harder learning to use it.  I will have to practice, practice and practice.  It’s a good thing that I have a lot of small UFOs to practice on.

The block for the Maine Guild block drawing is finished.  It is on the way to Maine now.

 

 

I’ve gathered fabric for a bed runner.  The pattern has ten blocks.  I receive one block pattern each week. I should be able to find time to make one block a week for this bed runner.  Years ago, I bought a bolt of lavender/blue fabric and intended to use it in the bedroom. It’s been hanging on a hanger waiting for the right inspiration.  Now, when the bed runner is finished, I can use some of the leftover fabric for pillows, valances, etc. and have a coordinated bedroom.  I was fortunate to have enough of the right colored fabric to add to the bolt of fabric.  They’re not the same colors that the designer used, but they work for me.  I’m looking forward to making the bed runner.

Have a great day and happy quilting.

 

It’s December and I have changed the wall hangings.  The little Christmas wall hanging is the 12th one to go in that spot on the wall this year.  I will start all over again in January.

 

 

 

The wall hanging on the wall behind the sofa is in it’s second year.  When I take it down in January,  I will either put up one that I’ve already made or make a new one.  I’ve been checking my fabric drawers and have found several panels that will be very nice for the winter months.

I need to make two baby quilts before March and have found several pieces of fabric in my stash to choose from.  Now,  I have to find a pattern and decide which fabrics will be the ones to use.  Baby quilts are meant to be used, washed and abused.  I want a pattern that is simple and yet elegant.  I have a block in mind.  It would be great for the center of a medallion quilt.  The baby quilts could be “what if” quilts.  After I made the center block, I could decide what to do with the borders one at a time.  I should start sewing soon in order to be finished on time.

Annie Louise hasn’t had a new dress for quite a while, but she has three new quilts.  I finished quilting one that was on the blog a few weeks ago.

 

 

 

The best part of making small quilts is that they can be finished.  One of her quilts is very small.  The other uses leftover strips.

Maybe I can make another dress for Annie Louise after Christmas.  Or, I could make some night gowns.  She doesn’t have any.

 

 

I’ve put Dear Jane away for a while.  I’ve been doing hand work during the evenings on the blocks. Every once in a while, I bring out my oldest UFO, The Amish Thistle.  I started this quilt over 30 years ago.  It may be closer to 35 years.  It’s queen size and I’m heavily hand quilting it.  It has had a lot of shelf life. It’s hard to quilt with black thread on black fabric.  Maybe, this time I will keep it out of the closet until it’s finished.

Have a great day and happy quilting.