Quilting and A Sense of Accomplishment

When reading other quilters' blogs and talking to quilters I know, it seems that the favorite part of making quilts for many quilters is the piecing process. Taking those small pieces of fabric and putting them together is a bit like completing a puzzle. Using a pattern but then changing it slightly and using different combinations of colorful fabric are parts of an intense creative process. And then seeing the whole quilt top coming together right before your eyes is especially satisfying. Doing the piecing as I put the quilt top together has always been my favorite part of quilting. 

Even though I have always enjoyed the piecing process more, I used to follow through with layering the quilt top, the batting, and the backing so that I could quilt the three layers together. As a matter of fact, at the end of 2017, I had only one quilt top that I had not finished. Somewhere along the way, I told myself that I could always finish the quilting later, and lo and behold, before long I began to have a stack of unfinished quilt tops! That stack grew to be a whole drawer full of unfinished objects (or according to quilters' lingo--UFO's). 

To be successful at quilting the three layers together requires practice, and for some quilting techniques, it takes lots and lots of practice. I had good intentions. I would prepare some practice squares while setting a goal of trying some new quilting techniques every day. I didn't do so well with that goal because it was always more fun to work on piecing another quilt top. I'm at home most of the time because of the pandemic, and at the beginning, I made lots of face masks. However, after completing many masks, I decided to move on to some quilting, and one day, I opened my UFO drawer to reacquaint myself with those quilt tops I so enjoyed making. By not finishing those quilts, I had banished those tops to a drawer instead of giving them a place in my home where I could enjoy them daily. That realization turned into determination to complete those UFO's! My nearly empty UFO drawer speaks to the number of quilts I have finished so far. 

The feature of this table topper is the colorful bird fabric.

What to do with a small amount of fabric?--Make this table topper.

Butterflies are the focus of this table runner. It just calls for
a  vase of spring daffodils in the center!

This pinwheel quilt features cardinals on a snowy black fabric.
The picture was taken before the black binding was attached.

This multi-colored runner is made from charm squares (5 inch squares).

This three fabric quilt turned out to be one of my favorite quilts that I've made.

And it's already displayed on a quilt rack in my living room!

With all the work to complete the quilts came a true sense of accomplishment. I am still not as confident about the quilting process as I am about piecing quilts. The quilting I have used on these completed UFO's is simple, mostly using a walking foot instead of doing free motion quilting (which requires more practice). However the sense of accomplishment that I experienced as I finished those UFO's will give me the motivation I need to once again complete quilts right after the piecing process. Hopefully my UFO drawer will become the former UFO drawer when it no longer holds unfinished quilt tops! 

Blushing Peonies, Dahlias, and Kale--Oh, My!

My latest quilting project uses a beautiful fabric line by Moda called Blushing Peonies. The focus fabric showcases peonies, of course, in vibrant shades of deep coral, charcoal gray, and apple green. 

I am using a simple pattern with blocks large enough to feature the focus fabric as well as the companion fabrics. Here you can take a peek at some of the blocks sewn together ready for the borders. 

Pattern: "Take a Walk Around the Block" from Take 5: Quilts from Just 5 Fabrics by Kathy Brown

The inner border will be a lighter coral, and I'm using the focus fabric for the outer border and binding. 

I'm eager to add the borders and finish the quilt top, but today was a beautiful day with sunshine and temperatures in the 70's. I took a break from my sewing machine to travel with my husband to a greenhouse about 30 minutes away from where we live. This greenhouse is our go-to place for herbs, vegetables, and flowers for our garden and yard. However, this weekend at the greenhouse included a special festival with music, craft vendors, and food booths. The many blooming plants were simply a feast for the eyes.

And these ladies came to the festival dressed for fun!

My husband and I had a delicious lunch, viewed all the crafts, tasted homemade pesto made from local basil, and came home with some ready-to-bloom dahlias. 

In addition, we will add another variety of kale to the varieties already planted in our garden. One of my favorite spring treats is a kale salad made with freshly harvested kale, sliced almonds, shaved parmesan cheese, and dried cranberries. Yum!

Tomorrow may be a rainy day where I live, so I may again be at my sewing machine for the afternoon working with flowers on fabric as I put the borders on the blushing peonies quilt top. 

I have received no compensation for the mention of companies, patterns, or fabrics in this blog post. All opinions are my own.

Quilting and Perseverance

After reading this blog post's title, you may be asking what perseverance has to do with quilting. Well, until today, I would have asked that question too. In a recent post, I shared a mostly completed quilt top. Using only three fabrics and a simple pattern, I enjoyed seeing how large 18 inch blocks began to come together as they formed a chain-like pattern down the entire quilt. 

It's almost always an exciting process to begin a quilt, especially when using a new pattern. Finishing a quilt top is almost always gratifying as the last bit of stitching ends up in a completed product. This time, however, has been a little different. 

Starting this quilt top brought the same excitement as usual when I begin a new project. I found myself "in the flow" as I rhythmically worked on one block and another. Then--I took a break. I traveled a bit and read a bit and became inspired as I planned other projects. Today I returned to my mostly completed quilt top to find that the rhythm and flow I had earlier was just not there. I wanted to get the quilt top finished, but now putting the last few blocks together seemed repetitious. 

Sewing the last row of the quilt

It took a bit of self-discipline and a lot of perseverance to keep at it until the last stitch was in. This may have been the first time in my quilting years that I experienced this not-so-enthusiastic finishing of a quilt top which in turn required perseverance. 

Pressing the completed quilt top

I am feeling a sense of accomplishment for having persevered today with my quilt top. The end result is pleasing to me since the pattern is so different from what I've made in the past, and the quilt will be completed with just a binding rather than my usual borders. 

Pattern: Dream On designed by Jocelyn Ueng from Quiltmaker March/April 2013

But speaking of completing the quilt top I now have three UFO's (unfinished objects)--GASP!! I am usually a quilter who finishes a quilt top and immediately sets about adding the backing and batting, quilting the entire quilt, adding the binding and label, and presto--the quilt is complete!  Somehow the excitement of new projects awaiting negates the feeling that I should completely finish a quilt before starting another. In the past I have often made quilts to give as gifts. It feels a little different to make quilts just because...just because I like the fabric...just because I want to try a new pattern...just because it feels like the right time to attempt a new technique...just because. Since I'm making quilts right now that have no timeline or deadline, I can feel free to make a few of those quilt tops now and finish the quilts later. 

During this whole process of finishing my quilt top today, someone else showed a lot of perseverance too. My cat, Enzo, persevered in keeping me company and watching me sew from the top of a chair in my sewing room!

Enzo the cat

I have received no compensation for the mention of items or companies in this blog post. All opinions are my own.

Not 1, Not 2, But 3 Quilts!

Fabric, so much fabric! That's how I feel since I bought fabric for a quilting class and then decided not to take the class. I have found from experience that it's best to choose a quilt pattern and then look for fabric that fits the pattern. However, this time I'm doing the opposite. I have been perusing my patterns and pattern books trying to match patterns to all the yards of different fabrics I purchased. I'll have to say that I have had fun throughout this search and match process. It has reacquainted me with the quilt books and patterns that I own, and for the most part, it has been a creative endeavor as I try to imagine how the fabrics would look put together in certain ways. It has also been a bit of a mathematical process as I've calculated the yardage needed versus the yardage I own of certain fabrics. If I've calculated correctly, I will be able to make not just one and not just two, but three lap size quilts out of the fabric as well as two bonus table runners!

I decided to make one of those table runners first. I was delighted to find a pattern that uses only two fabrics since I have quite a bit of a teal batik and a coordinating cream and teal batik print. Below is a picture of the completed quilt top on my design wall. I still need to layer the batting and backing, quilt it together, and add the binding. 

Pattern: Toast Points from Let's Do Lunch by Anderson Designs

My next project will be one of the lap size quilts using the same fabrics as the table runner but adding a third coordinating fabric--a lighter teal with dark teal dots. The fabric is cut, organized by  into ziplock bags, and ready to sew. 

The other lap size quilts will use a variety of fabrics rather than just two or three different fabrics. Similar in color to my first two projects will be a quilt that will use a batik focus fabric swirled with teals, greens, and purples. 

I am modifying a pattern so that it showcases the main focus fabric, but it will also feature blocks of pinwheels that include these coordinating fabrics.

My third quilt will have quite a different colorway of corals, greens, and grays. I will most likely use a quilt pattern that I have used before when I made a quilt for my daughter. It's interesting how some fabrics and patterns just seem to be made for each other! After making this quilt, I should have enough fabric left for a simple table runner. 

Fabric by Moda Fabrics

I believe my search and match process has provided me with enough projects to last for a while. It's fun to plan and to blog about planning, but it's even more fun to sew! That means it's time to get back to my sewing machine. Stay tuned to see how my planned projects progress. 

I have received no compensation for the mention of fabric, patterns, or companies in this blog post. All opinions are my own.

Linked with: Over the Moon, Wonderful Wednesday, Linky Tuesday Freemotion by the River, Needle and Thread Thursday

Word Play

Do you like to read or write? Are word games like Scrabble your favorite? Do you find the humor in puns, plays on words, or limericks? Do others look to you to edit their papers or essays? If so, you may be high in verbal intelligence as part of Howard Gardner's multiple intelligences. 

Howard Gardner is the John H. and Elisabeth A. Hobbs Professor of Cognition and Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He is also an adjunct professor of psychology at Harvard University. Gardner may be best known for his theory of multiple intelligences where he challenges the assumption that there is only one kind of intelligence. Instead his widely accepted theory states that there are at least eight different intelligences. 

Howard Gardner

Let's get back to all those questions at the beginning of this blog post that relate to verbal intelligence, one of Gardner's eight intelligences. Verbal is not my strongest intelligence on the multiple intelligence quiz, but it scores a close second. I really enjoy words, and my latest quilting project reflects that love of words. 

For an annual fee, I subscribed for a few years to a quarterly newsletter from the fabric company Benartex. The newsletter came along with some new fabric samples from the company. The fabric was always cut into charm squares (5 inch squares), and the newsletter contained information about new lines of fabric as well as one or two patterns that could be made using the charm squares. When I received a packet of charm squares a couple of years ago named "Word Play" I set it aside knowing that one day I would make a small quilt from the squares. Well, the day has arrived to make that quilt and use some of that fabric in limbo that I mentioned in a previous post.

The pattern for this fabric featured in the newsletter is a little scrappier than I usually make, meaning that the colors don't necessarily coordinate the way in which I usually choose fabric. There are browns, blacks, grays, whites, creams, and greens among the squares. The common bond among the fabrics is that they feature words having to do with quilting, and since I love words, I'm going with the scrappy pattern that is featured.

I start by cutting each of the charm squares in half to make what quilters call a half square triangle (HST).  

Charm Square

Cutting Half Square Triangles

Hafl square triangles cut from "Word Play" by Benartex Fabrics

Following the pattern, I mix and match the HST's to lay out small quilt blocks all around my sewing machine. 

Then I begin to stitch the HST's together, and after that I sew the individual quilt blocks together. 

So now the quilt top is ready for the backing, quilting, and binding. It has been such a pleasure to combine my love of words with my passion for quilting by using this Word Play fabric. 

What about you? Do you believe yourself to be high in verbal intelligence? Or is another of Gardner's multiple intelligences one with which you identify? Does your work or your hobby reflect one of your intelligences? Please leave a comment and share your thoughts.

I have received no compensation for the mention of fabric or companies in this blog post. All opinions are my own.

Linked with: Freemotion by the River Linky Tuesday, Over the Moon, Wonderful Wednesday, Needle and Thread Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things

What Do You Do on a Snowy Day?

You sew, of course, on a snowy day! I used my indoor day to complete a tote bag and make new throw pillows for my sofa. If you will recall, I spent quite a bit of time at the end of this past year making multiple items for a fall craft show. That left me with an unfinished project from early in the fall when my husband and I traveled to Sequoia National Park. While visiting the park, I bought some souvenir inserts for a tote bag, but I didn't get a chance to start the tote bag until just recently. I chose green fabric for the main part of the bag. 

I have made a few tote bags through the years, but the souvenir inserts came with directions for a bag. 

I used the directions to make the front of the bag, accenting the green with a couple of brown strips. Patterns are not created equal, however, so I ended up using my tried and true directions for the remainder of the tote bag. And here is the result! (To see another tote bag that I recently made, visit my friend Debbie's blog here. By visiting her blog post, you can also read a great book review.)

The majority of my sewing time today was used to make new throw pillows. I pulled out some of that fabric-in-limbo that has been waiting in a drawer for a while. I will use this fabric not only for throw pillows but also for a new valance for my family room. 

It has been a long time since I've used home decor fabric. Since I mostly quilt now, I almost always use 100% cotton. I will say, this drapery weight fabric was nice to use for a change as it doesn't wrinkle as easily as quilting cotton. Most pillows I've made recently have had a pieced front where I have combined several fabrics such as in this pillow below.

The pillows I made today went quickly since I only used one fabric for the fronts and the backs of the pillows.

Stitching the back of the pillow

Finished pillow back

It's nice to freshen the decor in my home a bit on such a snowy day. 

My next project will be making that matching valance, and maybe even a coordinating quilt for the back of the sofa will be in the works sometime this year so that I can use more of my fabric-in-limbo.

Sandpiper Bali Crackers by Hoffman Fabrics

Linked with: Wonderful Wednesday, Linky Tuesday Freemotion by the River, Needle and Thread Thursday, Thursday Favorite Things

Recap of 2017

Quilting terms to know before reading this blog post:

• Stash--fabric that is leftover from other projects or fabric that is bought without any particular project in mind.
• Fabric in limbo--fabric that was bought for a particular project or quilt that has not been made yet. This fabric is  stored until the project is started.
• UFO--unfinished object. More specifically, this is a quilt or project that is only partially complete. More work has to be done for the UFO to be finished.
• Design wall--a place where quilters put fabric to arrange quilt pieces, compare colors, or organize completed quilt blocks. Design walls are usually made of felt, flannel, or other types of fabric that will allow cotton fabric to stick to it without pins or other fasteners.

Toward the end of each year, I like to look back at sewing and quilting projects that I completed during the previous twelve months. Another year of sewing and quilting projects is almost complete, so I am ready to review my 2017 projects. Before I continue with my year end review, I must say that my goal for 2017 was to use much of the fabric in my stash and/or my fabric in limbo. Let's see how successful I was in that endeavor.

The year began with a few small quilts. I made a tea themed quilt which used my favorite technique--paper piecing. View an earlier blog post here to see details about this quilt. This first quilt of the year did not use any of my stash fabric. I decided I wanted to use the tea cup paper pieced pattern, so I visited a fabric store to find tea themed fabric.

My next few quilts of the year were made from stash fabric that had been in a drawer for a year or so. I bought the fabric at a favorite quilt store of mine in a little town called Burnsville about 45 minutes from my home. Unfortunately, that special quilt shop has now closed. At the time, I could not resist the muted reds, taupes, and greens of one fabric line and the bright primary colors of the French Country fabrics. I wasn't sure at the time how I would use these fabrics, but it's part of the fun to pore over quilt pattern books to find the perfect pattern for specific fabrics. All of these fabrics ended up as table runners or as a table topper. 

 

Using additional fabric in my stash led to this more modern quilt featuring bright colors accented with black and white. I'll have to say that even though I started this quilt early in the year, I still only have the top of the quilt pieced. The batting, backing, and binding of the quilt have yet to be completed. Even though I enjoy piecing the top of quilts more than doing the actual quilting, I still enjoy the satisfaction of completing an entire quilt. Therefore, I rarely have UFO's around my house. I probably will not finish this quilt before the end of the year, so it will be my only UFO of 2017. You can see this partially completed quilt below on my design wall.

I took a break in my quilting for most of the summer as my husband had major surgery. His recuperation became my first priority. However, toward the end of the summer I began to sew items for a fall craft show in which I would be a vendor. This was a terrific way to use fabric from my stash. I made multiples of fabric bowls, wine totes, bird seed totes, inspirational throw pillows, and more. It was good to see my stash dwindle, but I found that I would rather work on individual quilts than multiples of small items. 

As I open the doors to my fabric storage chest, I notice a real difference in my fabric stash. In addition to all the projects I made using my stash, I also donated some of it to a quilt shop in a neighboring county. The shop made special pillows for hospice patients so my stash fabric was put to good use.

I reached my 2017 goal of using fabric in my stash, but what about that fabric in limbo--fabric I bought for a specific pattern or purpose? Well, using my fabric in limbo is a goal for 2018! Stay tuned to see how I reach this quilting goal for the new year.

Linked with: Freemotion by the River Linky Tuesday, Wonderful Wednesday, Thursday Favorite Things