Thursday, December 22, 2011

The 52nd Quilt of 2011

Here it is:  The 52nd Quilt of 2011!  It's the hourglass block-a-day challenge by Anna Lena for the Autumn season.  Except I made 96 blocks so my quilt would be one row longer.  The fabric is by Denyse Schmidt, and you can't really see it in this indoor photo (hey, I'M not going outside in 12 degrees to take a photo!) but the border is a dark teal with black geometric designs.  This is the last quilt I'll piece this year, I have a gansey to knit!


The assignment for the next week is to organize your UFOs for 12 in 2012.  Pull out 12 of your UFOs (c'mon, I know you've got 'em) and number them 1-12.  The first number will be drawn on December 31 so we can all play Pat Sloan's New Year's Eve UFO Bustin' Sew-along.  Fair Solstice, Happy Hanukkah and Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

To the Finish Line

I have two more quilts to bind before Christmas.  This is quilt #28 for 2011, "Organized Chaos."  It was a Brown Bag Surprise project at Ruth's Stitchery.  The cost includes the fabric and pattern , but you don't know what it is until the class starts.  You pays your money and you takes your chances.  So far, I've always liked the quilts we make.  I love the quilting design by Ann Reinelt, it's called "Erin," just like Ann's daughter.  This one is going to the mother of a long-time friend -- good thing I got it bound, huh?  Now back to the sewing room!


Monday, December 19, 2011

Success!

I didn't finish any quilts today, but I did make this cute fabric star.  Directions are on Betz White's blog, here.  She includes a link to a video that makes it easier.  And I think starching the fabric would help, too.  I'm thinking these will make excellent Christmas favors.  Shhh, don't tell DebbieJoyLori!


Here's a closeup:


It uses 3" strips of fabric 14" long.  What a great way to use some scraps!

Fail!

What is it about the 52nd quilt of 2011 that it just doesn't want to be completed?  I have "Cheaper by the Dozen" pieced in Lily Ahsbury's Summerhouse -- but when I ordered border fabric from Hancock's of Paducah, it was on backorder.  So I finished the last 10 hourglass blocks for Anna Lena's block-a-day challenge and sewed all 96 together.  I thought I had enough for the border -- and I'm about 1/4 of a yard short.  Since the National Weather Service says our windchill temperature is 12 degrees Fahrenheit, I am NOT running out to buy that little extra bit of fabric!  Could it be I'm just not meant to finish 52 quilts this year?