She's Still Helping Me

Last night after finishing the Kansas Trouble block, I went back to the hand quilting. I really need to get some better lighting. I'm quilting with black thread on black and I simply can't see. Seven's help is hindering me as well.

I finally gave up on quilting in my lap. A different hoop might help, but Seven wants to be in my lap at the same time and it just doesn't work well. So, I looked for my Q-Snap quilting frame which my parents bought me when I first started working on the DWR.

There's been very little quilting done on the frame, but I did use it to hold a blanket I cross-stitched. Anyway, got the frame setup, quilt loaded and sure enough, it needed a QCC inspection. Yep, Seven thought it was a nice place to hang out. I finally convinced her it wasn't a large hammock made especially for her and got to quilting.

I finished up the first block and started on the second block before going to bed. Who knows how much I'll get done today.

HST Orphans

How hard can it be? I know multiple ways to make accurate HST. But apparently it’s still important to READ the DIRECTIONS.

Last night I started working on a 12-inch Kansas Troubles block for the Kansas Spirit BOM at my LQS. I read the directions – they are using the add 7/8 inch to the finished size to make the HST. I prefer to add a full inch and then trim square using my QIAD Triangle Square Up Ruler. Sure I ‘waste’ those slivers of fabric, and it takes time to trim the square, but my HSTs are significantly more accurate using this method.

I cut my squares pairing the light to the dark and make 24 HST. They are trimmed and press and measure 2 1/2” unfinished. I sew them into pairs. That’s when I discover I have a problem.

The instructions say to cut the squares 2 3/8”, not 2 7/8” squares. I should have cut my squares 2 1/2”. Further review of the pattern shows me I only need 16 HST, not the 24 I ended up with. The other 4 light and dark squares do not end up as HSTs.

So, into the orphan pile go these 24 HST units. After dinner I’ll start over on this block – paying more attention to the instructions. Good thing I don’t need it until NEXT Friday.

Help with my Hand Quilting

Last evening while watching Dancing With the Stars, Seven kept trying to help me quilt. I persevered and got 1/4 of the first block quilted. When I got up, I sat the whole thing on the floor and went about my business. When I came back in, Seven was on top of the quilt 'inspecting' it as part of her duties as QCC - Quality Control Cat.

After the photo session, I moved the quilt.

QD is Home and I'm Hand Quilting?

I got a call from the repair shop today saying QD could come home! She's cleaned and had two new light bulbs -- and she's still out in the car. I've got Miss Genie sitting in her spot and have gotten distracted with a bit of HAND QUILTING.

I don't hand quilt, like I don't hand applique. But both are changing. Several years ago I took a hand quilting class with the intention of learning to hand quilt so I could hand quilt my double wedding ring (DWR) quilt - the one that's still not pieced.

Over the last two weeks, I got to thinking that I need to practice my hand quilting before I start on the DWR. Meanwhile, my nephew's quilt still needs to have the pieced blocks quilted, and I haven't figured out how/what to quilt. These two thoughts resulted in deciding to finish up the blocks on the quilt by hand.

There are 15 pieced blocks. Hopefully by the time I get to the last block, my quilting will be decent and I'll have found a style that works for me. It's slow going at the moment -- I think I've only gotten through 1/8th of the first block so far.

Ladder to the Stars - Blocks Complete

Earlier today I finished pieces the 32 six inch blocks I need for my Ladder to the Stars. The star part comes in with the paper pieced sashing which I have not started. I was short pieces for one of the blue and white blocks which surprised me because I was positive I had cut enough fabric, but I made 2 more 4-patches and cut 3 more white squares to finish the block.

A few minutes ago I finished emptying the case I took to retreat with me a couple of weeks ago, and found the other pieces. Apparently the pieces fell in to the open case. Perhaps it is time to do a bit of straightening up in my sewing room.

Stash Report Week #18

These charms were my other purchases this week. I don't have a lot of Christmas prints in my stash, but these spoke to me. I've already got an idea on how to use them, but of course that could change at least 2 or 3 times before I get it done.

This week I've been sewing on my 6" block, the fabric was cut and counted last week.


Fabric Added this Week: 2.75 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 122.75 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 38.12 yards

Net Stash: +84.62 yards

Squishies in the Mail

Friday's mail run brought two 'squishies' in the mail. One was this pair of blocks from the QIAD Birthday Block Swap. I signed up for this swap at the beginning of the year. We picked the color/block we wanted, then on your birthday everyone in your group sends you a block. I think I've sent out 3 blocks so far this year, have 3 made to be sent later in the year and need to make another 5.

My plan is to alternate these blocks with various blue & yellow stars. This of course is subject to change, but I have been buying yellow fabric, including these this afternoon:




As for my other 'squishy', it really wasn't very squishy.



It was my new Martelli Rotary Cutter. I love this thing, and had completely worn out my original cutter. For the last week I've been using a Fiskar cutter which is OK, but my not my favorite. I'm SO glad this cutter finally arrived.