Farmer's Wife Quilt

Today is Farmer's Wife Quilt day.  I completed six blocks -- I now have 59 done, halfway finished!

From top left, clockwise:  Linoleum, Storm Signal, Single Wedding Star, Spider Web, Spool, Squash Blossom.

I missed class today, but will add #75, Rosebud, and #92, Streak of Lightning, when I get the kit from High Country Quilts.  It's almost time to decide on my sashing fabric -- what do you think, blue, brown or black?

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WIP Wednesday - Row-by-Row

Some of the quilters at Granny's Attic "Quilting in the Pines" camp decided to do a Round Robin quilt this year.

Each of the participants start by making one row, then mail it to the next quilter on the list.  That quilter adds another row, and forwards it to the third quilter.

Next May, we'll exchange the completed tops and see how "our" quilt turned out.  Lori explained this is a "leap of faith" project, because we won't have any control over what the next quilter adds to our quilt.

My "vision" for my quilt is "My Happy Place," which is Payette Lake, of course!

The quilt in the middle is my "fantasy cabin."  It's yellow, because I've always wanted a yellow house.  And the door is purple, because it's fun!

This is the last I'll see of my little row of cabins until next May . . . can't wait to see what everyone adds to my quilt.

 It's "WIP Wednesday" and I have two more blocks to finish today -- better get back at it!

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Tuesday Tutorial: Magic Squares Tutorial

As promised, here is the "Magic Squares Potholder" tutorial.  Directions are from Susie Q, the same fun quilter who brought us "Susie's Magic Binding."


Here's what you'll need:

• (1) 8 1/2" square fabric for the back
• (4) 8 1/2" squares fabric for the front (2 each in coordinating fabrics)
• (1) 2" X 6" strip of fabric for the loop (optional)
• (1) 4" square contrasting fabric for the "eye"
• (1) 8 1/2" square Insul-Brite interfacing
• (1) 8 1/2" square COTTON batting (optional)
• Water soluble glue (I use Roxanne Glue-Baste-It)
• Matching or contrasting COTTON thread
• Basic sewing supplies
• Walking foot (optional)

Before we begin, why? you ask, do I shout COTTON?  Because polyester batting conducts heat (ask me how I know this) and polyester or nylon thread will melt.  'nuff said.

1.  Center 4" square of "eye" fabric on batting if you're using it, on Insul-Brite if you're not using batting.  The Insul-Brite people recommend a layer of cotton batting in addition to the Insul-Brite, because Insul-Brite is "heat-resistant" not "heat-proof."  I didn't use the additional layer of batting. Be sure the "shiny" side of the Insul-Brite is toward the back side of your hot pad!

Use Glue-Baste-It to secure "eye" or machine baste around the square.

2.  Make loop.  Press 2 1/2" X 6" strip of fabric in half lengthwise.  Fold each long side to the center fold and press.

• Top stitch along each long edge (twice if you're Mary).

• Fold loop in half to form a 3" loop, set aside.

4.  Fold each of the four top layer fabrics in half diagonally and press.  Set aside.

5.  Layer all fabrics in this order:

• Batting (if using)
• Insul-Brite with "eye" side down.
• 8 1/2" square backing fabric, right side up.
• Loop, raw edges aligned with top raw edge of back.  You can either center the loop, as we did, or place it at least 3/4" from the corner.  pin in place.

•  Now layer the top four triangles so the apex of a triangle is in each corner of the back.  

• Slip the edge of the second triangle under the first, the third under the second, the fourth under the third and the first under the fourth.  This will form an "X" in the center.

6.  Pin all layers together and stitch through all layers at approximately 3/8" - 1/2". Trim seam and corners.

7.  Turn everything inside out, using a crochet hook, "purple thang" or whatever comes to hand to push out corners. 

8.  Press so edges are flush with each other, then top stitch outer edges. 

9.  Fold back centers of top edges to form a "cathedral window" opening and pin in place.

10.  Top stitch along curved edges.

11.  Hang and admire!

Thanks, Susie, for the great pattern.  And thanks, Mary, for being my pattern tester!

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Block o' Monday

Yes, it's the first Monday of the month.  That means it's Block of the Month Monday.

I didn't spend much time on my BOMs today, because I got to spend my day helping a friend shop for a new sewing machine!

I did complete the first block of my 2012 Designer Mystery from Fat Quarter Shop.  The fabric for this year's mystery is Vintage Modern by Bonnie and Camille for Moda.  I love the red and aqua colors!

The first month's block was designed by Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs.

It's called "Laundry Days," and I am very happy with the instructions.

I used my Bloc Loc ruler to square up the half-square triangles, and the points match perfectly!

Tune in tomorrow for a tutorial from Susie of Susie's Magic Binding -- you'll love it! 


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Halfway through 2012!

Today is halfway through 2012, and I'm more than halfway to my goal of 52 quilts this year!  I'm putting the borders on #38 today.

This collage only shows 16 of my 38 quilts for 2012 -- and none of the six I have quilted myself on my Mega Quilter.  Every one shown in this collage has been finished and given away.

Linking up to Lily's Quilts Fresh Sewing Day.

 

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Up and Down

It's been an Up and Down week in Colorado, what with the fire evacuations, evacuations lifted, re-evacuations and constant worry about the Waldo Canyon Fire.

While I was in Southern Colorado at the beginning of the week, I finished three quilt tops.  My favorite is this one, modeled by my friend from the deck of her "cabin."  (I say "cabin," because it's a really nice mountain home, not really a rustic "cabin" at all!)

 Oh!  Sh-- he-- and da--!!

Do you see the mistake?

Yes:

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Leap Year Schnibbles

It's an ugly week in Colorado.  Since Saturday afternoon, the Waldo Canyon fire west of Colorado Springs has burned more than 15,000 acres, destroyed an unknown number of homes and displaced several thousand residents.  Containment is not expected until mid-July.  Although the air in my neighborhood has been very smoky, we haven't been evacuated.

I was lucky to be invited to the cabin of a friend far south of Colorado Springs, where the air was not smoky and we were in no danger of being evacuated.  We spent three days sewing, drinking wine, and admiring the spectacular view:

I pieced three tops during our "mini retreat."  My June Schnibbles quilt is the only one I have pressed and photographed:

 "Leap Year" is made with 5" squares from my large collection of charm squares.  Rather than cut them down to 2" squares, I went with 2 1/2" squares.  My quilt finishes at 43" square -- just right for the next new baby, don't you think?

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