MACHINE FIXED!!

Monday I decided to go to the LQS to see if they were finished fixing my sewing machine (because I am aware they they don't always call very soon after they are finished with the repairs).  Yea!!  It was done and it is working great!  

The first thing I knew I needed to do was quilt a couple table runners.  I had seen a quilt at the LQS that had wavy lines sewn close together and decided to try it.    I like the way it looks, but it takes a long time to fill in the whole table runner - about 48" long.

I also quilted this patriotic Ohio Star table runner.

On my design wall is this "Cinderella Pumpkins" designed by Karen Walker at chezstitches.blogspot.com that will be a wall hanging.  I got some work on it when I was using my Featherweight to do piecing while my Janome was in the shop.

 I also made a couple blocks for this quilt "Pineapple Nine Patch" which is in the book Geometric Gems by Cathy Wierzbicki.  It's back in it's box now for a while.

Have a great weekend!

CAUGHT UP ON BASKETS

I totally caught up on my baskets for a few days until I get the next group in the mail!  

I decided to get busy and quilt the Ohio Star donation quilt made out of men's shirts.  This quilt will be for a teen aged boy.

I did a cinnamon roll in each square of the stars.  I saw this type of quilting in one of Kim Diehl's books.

In the inner border made out of brick size blocks, I tried some different quilting designs from the book, Free Motion Quilting by Angela Walters.  She has some really good "modern" designs for filling in areas.  It doesn't have to be a modern quilt, but I probably wouldn't use some of these on a CW type quilt.

I have found a lot of good ideas in Angela's book.  The swirl that I used in the outer border is a lot easier than it looks and she has great diagrams on how to do it.  Once I get the binding sewn down, I'll take another picture of the whole quilt so you can see that border better.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

I have finished 24 Ohio Star blocks that I will use to make a donation quilt for children's hospital.  It will be for a teen-aged boy and is made out of men's shirt fabric.  I took pictures of two lay-outs and want your opinion.  The first one is must mixed up and the second one has diagonal rows of the same color blocks.  I'm leaning towards the second one.

The blocks measure 9" finished so without sashing, this part will measure 36" x 54".  I will be adding a border to bring the size up to the requested size, which is large enough to cover the bed but not hang over (because of the side rails).  Do you think I should add a narrow sashing also?  I kind of like the blocks right next to each other.

I don't know what fabric I will use for the border, but it would have to be darker.  I'll wait until I get home to see what I have on hand.  Out of sight - out of mind!

I hope there is a boy who won't mind the pink looking fabric.  It is actually kind of a coral color and white weave, but looks like pink at a distance.

This is our last week with DS/DIL and then we will spend a few days in Sisters and a few days with BIL/SIL - then return to Texas.  We're looking forward to going home, but have had a wonderful trip and good times with family.

I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July and that it isn't too hot!

A DRESS FOR ABBY AND SOME PROGRESS

I made a dress for Abby this week with a pattern and fabric I had purchased before our trip.  The lace came from a garage sale.

I got a piece of eyelet from another garage sale and made another bolero jacket for the dress.

I finally finished the baskets for May.  I did finish all 12 of them, but they didn't all fit on this chair.  Now I need to get the June baskets prepped so I can work on them and maybe get some finished before we get home and the July baskets are waiting for me.

I made about 10 more of these Ohio star blocks out of mens' shirts and also bought more shirts at garage sales in preparation for Bonnie Hunter's workshop in September.  I needed more light colored ones for the contrast.  The Ohio star blocks will be for a donation quilt and I will try to get some more of those made.

DGD and I worked on the Bricks and Stepping Stones quilt again yesterday and almost finished the top minus the border.  One more row has to be put together before it can be joined.  Not sure yet what the border will be, but some fabric was pulled out for the backing.  I'll be taking it home with me to quilt.

Progress is being made!

DONATION QUILTS FINISHED

This morning I finished binding on two donation quilts that I have been working on.  They will go to children's hospital for older kids (one boy and one girl) in the ICU.

Pinwheel quilt for girl made out of leftover HSTs.  The back is a piece of very nice fabric from an estate sale.

Ohio Star quilt for boy - made out of repurposed men's shirts.  The back is men's shirt fabric that I got in a thrift shop.

It always feels good to finish something.  These will be taken to my guild meeting next week and in January or February will be donated  in memory of one of our former members who was a doctor there.  She's the one who got us started making quilts for the ICU and it was a passion of hers.

I'm almost finished with my Christmas ornaments and will be posting them soon.  How are you doing on your short list?