Cross Country Crafts

Mini quilt tops

2012-01-27T18:55:00.001-08:00

We'll use these tops to practice free motion quilting.

One of the paper piecing templates

2012-01-01T12:36:00.001-08:00

There are 6 different templates. And 8 of each.

Pieces for half of the one template

2012-01-01T11:43:00.001-08:00

There are 8/16 pieces in each clipped stack.

Jodi's quilts

2011-12-20T14:40:00.000-08:00

Finished Tee Quilt for Jodi

2011-12-18T14:31:00.000-08:00

Hope you like it. I included some close ups of some of the logo blocks.

Top is all pieced

2011-12-16T11:02:00.001-08:00

And just in time for lunch. Sandwiching this afternoon and possibly the straight (wobble) will get started.

Backing fabric

2011-12-15T10:25:00.001-08:00

Headed for washing machine

With tee squares

2011-12-15T10:15:00.001-08:00

What do you think of layout?

Pieced diamonds

2011-12-14T10:10:00.001-08:00

Here are the pieced blocks. I ran out of design wall at the top. So there will be one more row of triangles at the top. How is this layout so far?

Finished Pillow

2011-11-24T10:52:00.001-08:00

Had fun doing the zigzag around the squares. Will use that technique on another project this winter.

Pillow layout

2011-11-21T07:32:00.000-08:00

Grace's new rug

2011-11-18T18:52:00.001-08:00

I'm thinking of making a pillow top from the motif that has small squares on tan background with the brown and red sawtooth border. Let me know what you think.

Boy Scout Raffle Quilt

2011-10-28T11:40:00.000-07:00

Gramma's sweaters

2011-10-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

Funky Necklace

2011-09-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

Here is the silly necklace I made for her birthday....using funnny faces and crystals and "beads" made from rolled up pieces of old catalog pages......(not by me I ordered a bag full on Etsy for a couple of bucks!!! I know I od'nt have a life but THATS nuts!)

Chair Back Quilts

2011-09-07T08:54:00.000-07:00

I wanted to try a few of the patterns from the book "Disappearing 9 Patch", but didn't necessarily want to do big quilts. Hence, small quilts from essentially the same group of fabrics made with different 9-patch blocks. This method is also fun to try out different machine quilting techniques.

For the first little quilt, I used gold thread in the bobbin and actually quilted it from the back.

They are working out great in the living room and serving two purposes: (1) keeping the backs of the recliners clean and (2) bringing in bits of color to otherwise drab chairs.

quilted blocoks

2011-09-01T15:50:00.000-07:00

HI!!! WOW that does look great.....is the 9 patch quilted or not...hard to tell but i love the star esp gramma's button!!!

Two Together Quilted

2011-08-30T15:13:00.001-07:00

After appliquing the star, I echo-quilted around it a few times. Found just the right button for the center from Grammar Tean's stash.

Star Block& Nine Patch

2011-08-27T16:13:00.001-07:00

The new quilt will have these two blocks, set 5 x 5,then a couple of borders. Planning to quilt each block at a time. The 9-patch I will quilt in ditch of large 9 patch with narrow zigzag. Also going to applique the star with same narrow zigzag through batting and backing
Not sure that will be enough quilting for the Star block. Comments? Suggestions?

Table Topper: pattern and fabric by Pearl Louise

2011-08-23T11:10:00.001-07:00

Picked this up in Rapid City. Had it all sewn together but couldn't quilt it on my little machine.

Gail's Sampler - Center Section Complete

2011-08-18T11:39:00.001-07:00

It's difficult to get a picture of rthe whole quilt. It still needs borders... maybe something called Prairie Braid. And I may turn it into a duvet cover so I don't have to actually quilt it.

Twisting Pinwheels

2011-06-30T14:37:00.001-07:00

Fun pattern we picked up last week.

Possible Quilting Design

2011-06-30T12:10:00.001-07:00

My idea is to emphasize the part of the design that looks like giant interlocking rick rack and do it by using curvy lines that can be stitched continuously. Posted from my phone!!

possible quilting patterns

2011-06-30T11:16:00.000-07:00

this has two "loops" in the rectangle piece

this has ONE loop in the rectangle pice which i think i might like more its simplicity vs the above one

background for dave's quilt

2011-06-27T15:02:00.000-07:00

here are some pix of the back of dave's wuilt

2011-06-27T08:37:00.000-07:00

here are some pix of the back of the quilt fabric...it REALLY needs fill in stuff...any other ideas greatly appreciated.

A possible gift for TJ and Hope Caters

2011-06-03T12:20:00.000-07:00

I was waiting for somehting to download and tried this how cute is this ..the tray cost me $5 in a goodwill sotre and the paint is the magnetic and the chaulkboard...it would look so cute in their front window!! what do you think......or i may just keep it and hang it somehwere as a message board....who knows!

fabric pens samples

2011-06-03T12:17:00.000-07:00

here are some pix of a few words using the fabric pens....they bleed but i can go over it and clean up the edges....the fabric "moves" alot while you are writing so i will have to work in small areas...i am thnking maybe smaller pieces of fabric to start with but am not sure that would solve the creeping problem....i wonder if actual fabric paint and a wide brush would be better...am going to look out n the paint box for a jar of fabric paint and try that before i make up my mind...thoughts?

Design for table toppers

2011-02-20T08:11:00.000-08:00

We have looked at both designs (including the nine patch type you posted here) and she wants to go with the squares....she looked and looked and just came out and said i like the squares.....so thats what we'll do ok? I think wiht all the fabrics we have between us and whats here formother projects and samples we'll have plenty to make the 14.....the one you've made might look nice on hayley and kc's "sweetheart table " where they sit and eat....let me know what you think of these fabics...
H

Fabrics for table toppers

2011-02-20T07:50:00.000-08:00

this last fabric is what she would like to make the pub tableclothes of and then tie with the fushia tulle...

Possible Table Toppers

2011-02-12T17:57:00.000-08:00

Here are a few possibilities to start our discussions. The block size is 6"; the border 2" wide and the total size is 22" square

Some Cool Christmas pictures!!

2010-12-12T15:48:00.000-08:00

Wedding Mice in our tree!!!!

notice the navy blue jacket on the "groom"

do oyu love the earrings on the bride!!!

our tree with one gift so far thanks Mom

the stocking were hung

is THAT cool

they are a matched pair!!!!

coolness

new dining room light

new foyer light

new kitchen light

kitchen wreath...it has copper cookie cutters tied to it

KC's Christmas stocking and Hannah's Christmas present to herself!!!

2010-12-10T07:24:00.000-08:00

The camo backing is a twill type and VERY easy to work with and gave a really clean look to the cording and construction.

the lining ia a homespun and the picture does'nt do it justice...it has a wamer golder look and goes very nicely with the backing, more masculine then gingham

the "ornaments" came out sooooo cute a nice touch on the top

so cute!!

the hanging tab turned out the best of all the stockings ( more then a dozen to date!) Ii've ever constructed

the orange camo was a perfect fit for the overall look of the stocking...i have plenty left over and might make him a coiled fabric bowl to keep his keys and sunglasses, etc in on his dresser or for the front ledge!

Here is the quilt I bought for myself for Christmas!! The price dropped to the point where I'd never be able to buy the fabric and make one like it for myelf..... the circle fabrics are a cross betweeen old fashion and contemporary....fun will take more when i clean the rest of my room!!!!!

YOU'VE BEEN ICED !!!!!!!

2010-11-18T11:37:00.001-08:00

Here are the LIcense plate

2010-11-08T07:30:00.000-08:00

Another possible Table Topper

2010-10-31T09:42:00.000-07:00

I've taught this class a few times. It's relatively simple to make, but it is quilted. In theory we could probably eliminate the batting.

Fabric Requirements:
For best results all three fabrics should have good contrast in color and/or scale.

For top: 3 fat quarters or 3 ¼-yard cuts
For backing: ¾-yard
For batting: 26” square

The finished size is about 25-26" across. I would rate this one more difficult than the first one I posted. Maybe not more difficult to sew, but more time-consuming.

Possible Table Topper

2010-10-26T09:29:00.000-07:00

I was looking for something else in some of my quilt magazines and came across this project. Done in greens/pinks it could be very effective. The size is 15" across from flat side to flat side and 17" from point across to point. It's actually not quilted because it has no batting, just a fabric backing which is folded to the top to make the "binding". In the same issue of the magazine there is an ad for the kit to make it which says, "This project's so easy you can make several in an evening." If this sounds somewhat interesting, I could make a mockup in either some pinks and greens or Christmas colors. Let me know what you think. Also, bear in mind that the "star" could easily be eliminated at it is really just added folded fabric that make the "negative spaces", thereby leaving a hexagon in the center.

Tiger Chair Backpack

2010-08-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

Here is the TIGER chairpack...came out the best I think becasue of the fusiable backing ...makes it nice and stiff..holds shape nicely....

Annimal Print Stool and Jungle Lamp for Classroom

2010-08-17T18:09:00.000-07:00

Chair "Backpacks" !!!!!!

2010-08-14T11:45:00.000-07:00

Here are the finshed chair "backpacks"....I almost wish I was back in Kindergarten!! I don't remember anything this fun in K...I just remember dressing up llike a huge daisy with petals strapped around my face!!! Ah..the days at Rutgers Prep!!! Here are the seat covers ...will take more pix once we get them all in the classroom and loaded with goodies.....

leopard

cheeeeeeetah!

giraffe

zebra

.........waiting for tiger fabric to arrive ...she had another child enroll so now we're up to 25!!!!!! 5 of 5 fabrics so it comes out just right...I have enough fabric cut out to one more of each but I really hope she doesn't get that many kids....she'll need a whistle and a taser!

meet the bridesmaid and the groomsman

2010-08-06T09:52:00.000-07:00

hahahah ck this out

Fabric for wedding pants

2010-08-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

here are some pix of the fabric i have included the one that really doesn't work...(the second one down) and the rest are of the one we like that would go so nice wiht the navy jacket...KC put his new navy jacket on (from jc Penny and only $100) and folded the fabric around his leg and it looked gresat! so let me know what oyu think....we like the extra colors and think the navy jackets will be fine but not to incdue blue flowers
let us know
H

challenge quilt

2010-07-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

fabric choices

old Amish color fabrics from YEARS ago!

threads, etc.

greens are leftovers from "other" quilts

haven't tried appliqueing in years so some curves are coming out a tad rough

fun to do and light is good today so will probably get it finished

appliqueing finished

not the smoothest but fun to do

waiting for the quilting

here is one of the tins i tried covering with some of the fabrics we have considered for groomsmen pants!! Each tin is lined with plastic so we may put fun "greens" in them and use them as accents around the house/reception area...each fabric is mod podged onto the tim and can be embellished later

THE T SHIRT QUILT

2010-03-19T11:18:00.000-07:00

Here is the finished t-shirt quilt.....

Lap Quilt from A Husband's T-SHirts

2010-03-12T07:31:00.000-08:00

Here is a small lap quilt made from remnants of T-shirts used in a memory quilt for a Dad who passed away unexpectedly. Since the remaining pieces were odd shaped this "lopsided snowball" design was a perfect fit. There was enough of each color T-shirt to construct nine "flowers". The yo-yo flower centers are constructed from the backing fabric wich also forms the binding. The quilting on each flower petal is done in a free motion technique using a pretty varigated thread from Superior Threads called King Tut and the color is called Jospeh's Coat.....a beautiful multi color spectrum found in all the fabrics used one the quilt front.

Poppy Challenge

2010-03-07T09:04:00.000-08:00

Four of the five pieces of the Poppy Challenge are finished, except for quilting and binding. Each one was worked by a different person: Louisa, Chris, Terry and Betty. We each has a slice of a poster to use as inspiration.

Quilt Close Ups

2010-03-06T15:05:00.000-08:00

Here are close ups of the "flowers" that i sewed on the quilt top...they add a little color and fem it up a little..the pix at the bottom of the page are of the tops of the two quilts...hope to sandwich and "quilt tomorrow.....

Pharr House Pictures....

2010-03-06T14:49:00.000-08:00

This is the view from the beach side looking towards street..see small walk way from porte cochere which could be lined with luminarires

This is the "back" of the house where the tent would go...

This is looking south from where the tent would be and the big hotel in the distance is where out of towners could possibly stay...

This is looking from the area where the tent would go to the ocean and the "ceremony" would be between the two palm trees on the sides of the pictures....

Texture Magic

2010-02-27T12:14:00.000-08:00

Texture Magic & the latest challenge

2010-02-27T12:06:00.000-08:00

I started out by sewing the Texture Magic to the wrong side of the green fabric. I used alternating rows of straight and curvy stitching to sew them together. Then applied steam to side with T.M. (not touching iron to fabric). You can see how much it shrank... approximately 30%.

I then used the Textured piece for the grass in the picture. Pieced the sky... Made the Poppies by gathering a folded strip about 2 1/2" x 10"... Wrapped lengths of clothesline with strips of two different greens for the stems... Zigzag stitched the stems to the background... Attached poppies with button tied to background.

T SHirt quilt from scraps....

2010-02-26T14:08:00.000-08:00

Here is the layout for the snowball tshirt lap quilt....once its together and quilted i htink it will look great and the other pictures are of the big quilt....and a close up of the "flower" i will sew onto the larger quilt for a little oooopmh!

Knitting Project

2010-02-18T14:18:00.000-08:00

This is the pattern that I picked up last week when Cynthia was here. The "yarn" that I'm working it in is Bamboo and Silk. It feels wonderful. My colors are different from the pattern. The primary color in the back is orange. I've started with the back to see if I have enough yarn. The yarn was on sale for 40% off. Don't ask off what...

POssible backing for T shirt Quilt

2010-02-07T09:43:00.000-08:00

The green "border" is not a border....the green will go around at least two blocks....these are just a smapling...there are about 6 more one of which is the extra large one which will not have a "border" around it.......please give me a call and let me know

Here are SOME of the blocks sewn together....the fabric this gal picked out is mostly blues and greens and all in batiks....Hayley and I found two fabrics on equilter that we think would make a nice backing could you look at all these and tell us which you think would make a good backing....there is so much background showing o the t shirts i think the bottom one but the top one is very interesting too...please help us ...

Whisper Challleng Almost finished

2010-02-06T08:08:00.000-08:00

Two views of my Whisper Challenge. The bottom half of the background has tucks all the way across. The top half was quilted with tight circles. The "music box" in the middle opens to reveal a whole different look to the piece. I still have to add some small musical notes.

2010-01-30T08:25:00.000-08:00

This is the quilt I received as part of the ongoing Whisper Challenge. The size is about 15" square. I'm supposed to use this piece as inspiration and come up with a small piece withing two weeks. Then I return this one to it's maker and pass my quilt on to the next person in the chain. Any suggestions?

Klimt Panel with Kaffe fabric

2010-01-30T08:22:00.000-08:00

This is loosely based on a kit I bought at the Houston Quilt Festival. The picture shows the front and back of the panel. I'm going to put them together with batting between and then quilt through all layers. My intent is that the panel will hang on one side of the arched opening to the Living Room. It's about 3' wide and 7' long.

I purposely made some of the sections wider than the pattern called for so that I could make one long edge irregular. The finished irregular edge will probably not hang out as far as is shown, but it gives me plenty to work with.

I have enough fabric left over to add one more floral stripe down the middle and make a traditional quilt out of it. That's the decision I'll be pondering this weekend.

2010-01-19T20:12:00.000-08:00

I saw this design in a catalog and laid it out in EQ. I thought it would make a sparkling TshirT quilt. As laid out here you could use the jelly roll strips to create the strips around each block. This particular layout has 10" (finished) squares surrounded by 2" (finished) strips. So you would make each block and there would be not sashing.

2010-01-18T14:39:00.000-08:00

Here are a couple of suggestions for layouts for Tshirt quilts.

2009-12-29T18:01:00.000-08:00

Here is the quilt top for Community Service that I made from the blocks made by the gals who particpated in the Mystery Quilt. You will notice one of your blocks and a lot of your fabric.

Finished Pink John Deere Quilt

2009-12-15T15:11:00.000-08:00

After washing the quilt looks wonderful....very few random threads so its ready to go.....have a look see....

QUilting Dilema

2009-12-13T08:27:00.000-08:00

Christmas wreath and John Deere Quilt fabric

2009-12-07T16:59:00.000-08:00

here is the new fabric for the backing of the john deere quilt the brown will be in the middle and the new pink on all the borders and for the binding... the wreath is almost finished and then i will send it to mom....

Fabric Wreath

2009-12-07T15:34:00.000-08:00

I took your idea and used one yard each of two different Christmas fabrics. I made the strips 7" x 1.75". I love the results, but I bet it would be better if it was evenweave fabric. Please post picture(s) of the one you made.

new John Deere layout

2009-11-30T14:34:00.000-08:00

WOW what a difference,..........i personaly like this layout wiht the "large diamonds" showing

layout for john deere

2009-11-29T16:52:00.000-08:00

here art two priliminary layouts....no rotating so all the diaganols all go in the same direction i think she needs to chnage that...and you?

John Deere Suggestion

2009-11-12T18:35:00.000-08:00

Here's one way you could layout the J.D. quilt based on the Lime Squares design. Since the blocks are 12" square finished (12.5 raw edges as per directions) the finished area shown here is 48" x 72". If you want it bigger you can then add one or more borders. If you want it smaller, leave off a row of blocks.

Let me know what you think. The color placement here is only a suggestion. Doing "random" is one of the hardest things to do in the program and for me anyhow. So put yours where you want.

A suggestion for our two-year project

2009-10-13T11:28:00.000-07:00

If you like the design, print the first one off and try some different colors. I played with a color pallet of black, dark blue, gold, green, light blue and light blue grey. This would make 72" x 72". I can add border(s) also.

Sound of Music

2009-10-08T09:53:00.000-07:00

Here's the group challenge project I'm working on. I used some of the painted fabric for the suns and some sky. Got the greens from Ruth's stash. I'm going to use the musical note fabric for the borders. They are currently just up on the design wall not sewed. I thought I would quilt across the design with straight or wavy musical staffs (if that's the right term) with the bright color threads. One line in each color.

Here is the beginning

2009-10-08T09:50:00.000-07:00

Here is the beginning of the beaded bracelet...

Beaded Bracelet

2009-10-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

Here are some shots of the beaded bracelet I made....not bad considering I used whatever I had on hand....

LOVE the new SEWING ROOM

2009-10-04T07:18:00.000-07:00

WHat a neat space to work in.....plenty of stadium seating for observers.....a tv and a nice view...all the crature comforts......well we expect to see "great" things!!!!!

New Craft Room

2009-10-03T15:40:00.000-07:00

This is the first layout for the new sewing room. So far I love having everything in one room.

Northwoods Crossroads

2009-08-14T19:32:00.000-07:00

I just finished this top today. I used 2 1/2 inch strips to make the squares so the cutting was very easy. Just love the border fabric. I mixed a little of it into to the center section as well as some of the related fabrics from the same family. It was actually simpler to put together than you would think. After I get some batting, I'll be able to get it sandwiched, quilted and bound next week. Much of the fabric came from Connecting Threads.

Golf Cart Seat Covers

2009-08-12T20:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a much simpler layout...

Here's a possible layout for the Golf Cart Seat Quilt. It's actually simpler to make than you would think. It starts out as a nine patch that gets cut in quarters and stitched back together. I have the two golf prints. I could use gold/red or blue/red or gold/blue. Let me know what you think.

Needlepoint Finished

2009-08-10T22:27:00.000-07:00

Finished the needlepoint tonight. It was a lot of fun to work on. I have a bunch of yarn left over. It will obviously need to be blocked and I'll take care of that when we get back to Arizona.

2009-08-04T08:34:00.000-07:00

2009-08-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

Gibbi's Challenge

2009-07-21T20:14:00.000-07:00

Here is the pieced top for the Neighborhood Bee Challenge Quilt. We were each given 1/2 yard of the novelty fabric. The challenge was to use that fabric plus three others to make a 36" x 36" quilt. I had the yellow strips left over from one project and the white strips left over from another project. The mottled green came from my stash. Next step will be to construct the back from other coordinating fabrics from my stash, then quilt and bind.

Blue Heart Block

2009-06-25T09:09:00.000-07:00

Here is an attempt at the block heart using some blue fabric......

Heart Blocks Using the Curved Piecing Technique

2009-06-22T10:16:00.000-07:00

Here are two heart blocks made using the Pieced Cirves "circle" technique. Am using up some extra blue fabric before using the new red heart fabric for the Heart Walk Quilts. I'll have some more blue pillows for my bedroom.....

More Circle Blocks!!

2009-06-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

Here are some more circle blocks sewn together for a nice start to a pillow.....

Blue Circles

2009-06-16T12:05:00.000-07:00

Here is my first attempt at making circles using the Pieced Curves SO simple technique. The directions as simple as they appear where daunting to begin...so I just forged ahead and behold it worked!!!!! I am learning this technique in hopes of trying the heart technique so I can make another quilt for the Heart Walk. Will try a few more circles so I get that down pat. Once I feel comfy with that then I will try some hearts....in blue of course and make some pillows for my blue room.

Heart Walk Quilt

2009-05-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

This quilt would be 41" x 54". It would take 1/2 yard each of 6 creams for the block backgrounds, and sashing strips and 3/8 yard each of 6 reds for the hearts. It would take and additional 1/4 for the posts. I did the layout quickly and bunched up the cream colors and the reds... obviously you would do your wonderful randomizing technique!

The block size is 11" x 11" finished (11.5" x 11.5" raw edge). The sashing strips are 2" x 11" finished. Posts are 2" x 2" finished.

It would take (4) strips of binding. If you make the binding strips 2.25" wide, you would need 1/4 yard of fabric. If you make the binding strips 2.5" wide, you would need 3/8 yard of fabric.

For the backing you will need about 1 and 5/8 yard fabric.

Yo, Love the Wine Tote!

2009-05-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

What a great design. You are very clever! I'm sure your friend will love it. How did you get the idea to zigzag together on the machine?

A Special Gift for A Special Friend! A Yo-Yo Wine Carrier!!!!

2009-05-25T12:54:00.000-07:00

A visit to my friend Pam in Wrightsville Beach prompted me to make a fun gift to take along.
Who'd have thunk! What a great way to use your scraps and those fabrics that just don't "fit" into a quilt!

Here are some of the tacky fabrics and the cool yo-yo's they make......never throw out an ugly fabric ...it's probably perfect for a yo-yo!!!

The colors these weird fabrics include make the yo-yo's very colorful accents to add to any project but perfect for this one.

During the past year when I had idle hand syndrome...especially at night when watching TV I would make yo-yo's hoping to find a fun project to use them in someday!

By zig-zagging the yo-yos together on the machine it creates a cool grid.

Here you can see the grid created by zig-zagging in both directions.....

I made a black canvas bag just the right size for carrying one bottle of wine. The yo-yo grid ended up 8 rows of 9 each to connect around the black canvas bag....

After slipping the grid over the bag I stitched the top and bottom to the edges of the bag....

To make the holder/carrier more sturdier...I cut two circles of cardboard and sandwiched them between clear contact paper so the disks would be firm and liquid proof...in case of a sweating wine bottle!!!!!

Here's the cardboard sandwich....

Trim off the extra contact paper......

Insert the covered disk in the bottom of the holder.....

Here is a close up of the yo-yo grid cover over the black canvas bag.....

VOI- LA-LA!!!!!! A fun gift to give a special friend!!!! Colorful and useful!!!!!

You'd never know it was tacky looking fabric!!!!!!!!

A great gift!!!!!

2009-05-18T12:21:00.000-07:00

As I find interesting designs for the next joint quilt (dca), I will post them. This one is called Road Of Life... kind of apropos, but very simple design. I'm going to look for another. What I would like to do is have some combination of pieced and appliqued blocks.

Finished Wedding Shower Quilt

2009-04-26T13:20:00.000-07:00

Finished Gary's Quilt

2009-04-24T08:39:00.000-07:00

Here's the ultimate praise from Gary - thumbs up! And he wanted his picture taken with the quilt over him despite the fact that the temperature was hovering around 95 in Arizona. We're both so pleased with how the quilt came out. I used a machine stitch to do the binding as I didn't think I could sew it by hand with the quilt in my lap in this weather. Close-ups show border quilting pattern and amount of straight-line quiliting I did in the center section. Thanks, Sis for the pieced top and the great fabrics. I'm going to make a label for this quilt and the others I've been working on this spring and will post pictures soon.

2009-04-20T07:21:00.000-07:00

Once the strips of fabric were sewn together, I cut 7.25 squares. The batting I have is 46 inches across so I had to plan blocks that would fit across that measure and save room on the batting for possibly a border and the binding. Length is no problem what ever it comes out to works...the width is the issue. With 1/4" seams the sewn width would be 43.5 ". I will decide on the border once all that sewing is finished. The "back" of the quilt will be large plain blocks of left over fabric. The binding will probably be my favorite...."candy cane" cut on the bias...using all the front side fabrics. We'll see whats left over.....

2009-04-20T07:04:00.000-07:00

The front side of the quilt fabric was "ripped" into strips...another not recommended quick tip...there are long threads all over the place and Assistant Dewey is covered in threads and has also taste tested a few....but in an effort to giddy-yap on this project serveral rules have been broken. The strips were then sewn in to one large piece. As I worked on this I once again reflected on a thought I had a couple of years ago watching my sister teach a quilting class out in Arizona. With rapt attention everyone listen to her talk about cutting up your fabric into tiny little pices and sewing them together into a larger piece. My wandering thoughts conjured up an image of psychotic people madly cutting up little pieces of fabric then madly trying to get them back together..."why cut up perfectly good fabric and sew it back together to make another piece of fabric?" ...thats the whole meaning of quilting....seeing the wonder of parts to make a new whole....prettier then the origanl fabric can stand alone....I digress but in a fun way!

Simple Wedding Shower Lap Quilt

2009-04-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

Hayley is swamped with end of year work and student teaching so I am working on a quilt for her to give a freind of hers for a wedding shower gift.... we are using all old fabrics from other projects and to save time and give the quilt a more "antique" look we did not wash the fabric. It will be peiced and quilted and bound before washing.

2009-04-19T15:18:00.000-07:00

After washing, drying and defuzzing, the seams turned out great. Using the red on the back turned out to be a really good idea. It defines the denim squares quite well.

David's Denim

2009-04-19T10:35:00.000-07:00

This is the year for "man" quilts. Here's the one I'm working on for DCA, jr. It's using the raggy edge technique. It went together really quickly. Gary cut up the jeans. Ruth helped me cut out the squares. I put them together in series of 4 patches. Then the four patches into larger 4 patches, etc. Last couple of seams were the most difficult. There is no batting just the flannel backing. I'm getting ready to wash it. If it turns out substantially different after washing, I'll post more pictures.

Here Is the Finished Man Quilt #2

2009-02-21T17:43:00.000-08:00

Here are some close ups of the quilting for the second quilt....haven't washed it yet...waiting to see if it needs more.....

2009-02-14T08:02:00.000-08:00

Here's a possible quilting pattern to use with the snowball blocks. Each straight line of quilting is parallel to the diamond shape formed by the 4 triangles, but not in the ditch. How far off from the diamonds depends on the size of the snowball block and the corner diamonds. I think that 1/4" off from the diamonds would work for the "man" quilts. The numbers along the sides represent the order in which quilt lines.

As a bonus the other drawing is the possible layout for the "tiled" backsplash I want to create in the kitchen if I ever find the 1/4" tape.

A Few Details!!!

2009-02-12T14:15:00.000-08:00

the sewing once again was very simple and went together so nicely!!!!!

WOW ALL DONE!!!!!! Here Is The Second Quilt!!!!!

2009-02-12T14:11:00.001-08:00

WEll, well, I have finished the second manquilt...this one is for Mike....just have to locate some batting and then attach the binding but thats fun....oh yes...I have to quilt it too!!!!!!!

My Assistants!

2009-02-12T09:22:00.000-08:00

Here are my assistants...they keep me on task...

The Piano Keys Borders

2009-02-12T08:46:00.001-08:00

Here are the piano key borders to be attached soon....

Black Border and Piano Keys on their Way!

2009-02-12T08:37:00.000-08:00

This seems to be such a simple quilt to construct....the real time is in the cutting and planning....the sewing seems to go very quickly.....here is the black border and the piano keys border waiting to be attached...