trying something new

It's spring break around here which makes for BUSY days ... and not a lot of sewing. DD#3 found a cozy spot in the sun to "cut" her toe nails. :0)

I found a tutorial for starch basting on Jane's blog sew create it and had been meaning to give it a try. I have been doing needle turn applique with freezer paper on the right side of the fabric for years. It was about time to at least try something new. I had to ask where to find spray starch - I've never starched anything in my life. Did I ever feel dumb when I found out where it could be bought - everywhere!! DD#2 thought she'd give me a hand.

After the first few - I am amazed to see that this might actually work - lol

Hopefully I can get these stitched down in the next few days to see what the finished product looks like.

Happy Quilting!!

Irish Chain

My daughters have been sewing again. This book got it started. It's about a Canadian historic event that happened in Halifax. My DD#1 who is now 11 had it out from the library. She found in the back of the book there were instructions for making an Irish Chain quilt. My DD#2 who is 8 caught onto this as well and here is her doll quilt sized Irish chain quilt top.

DD#1 is typically more interested in reading than sewing so her quilt isn't as far along. :0)

As for me, I'm plugging along on the same few projects I've blogged about recently. I'm making progress and so far resisting the urge to start something new.

Happy Quilting!!

feathers

Thanks for all the great comments on my last post! I decided to go with the last setting. I also decided with that setting the quilt needed to be square requiring 16 more blocks. I've 5 more made - 11 more to go. :0) I thought I'd post my progress with hand quilting feathers. I'm enjoying it very much and although the border really is too narrow for them I like how it looks so far. I'm nearly 1/2 way around the quilt.
I'm probably not quilting them right - I really would like to take a class sometime - learning this skill from a book is not ideal. I also need to figure out what to do with the unquilted parts - are they too big to leave unquilted? What could I quilt in them? I was sort of thinking straight lines/diagonal lines but I'm not sure how far apart. Maybe I could just extend the fans to go around the feathers? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!!
Happy Quilting!

playing with blocks

I was laying awake last night thinking about how I was going set these blocks I've been making. The block is from Kathleen Tracy's book "Remembering Adelia". She stopped at 9 blocks for her quilt but I was having too much fun with them and continued making more. Always when I laid them out to look at I placed them like this.
I thought of a few other arrangements and so tonight, I tried them out.

This one would have sashing.

This one with all the color is the one I thought about last night. The things that keep me awake at night... lol

I've never laid the blocks out like this before but I do like it - obviously I'd need more blocks - oh and likely more fabric too :0)

I guess I'll have to think about this one a little more. Maybe next time I start a quilt I'll have a plan ...

Happy Quilting!!

basket quilt with borders

Here is the finished basket quilt top. My very tall husband had to stand on a chair to get a picture :0) It measures 98 by 70 - a bit wider than I thought it would be (math is not one of my strengths) but better a bit big than too small.
So now I need to quilt it. It'll be pretty simple quilting - lots of straight lines so I can use my walking foot. Some hearts in the corners I think and maybe I'll quilt some flowers by hand in the baskets - I'll see how it goes.

I received this package in the mail yesterday from Taryn. It's the first giveaway I've ever won.
I love the fabrics - lots of great variety. They will be fun to work with :0)

Happy Quilting!!