Gravity: Ultraviolet

Here is the next installment in the Gravity quilt.  It is coming along, only 3 more sets of main blocks to go. 

These ones did come together pretty easily. They did include one partial seem, which I was a little nervous about.  It would be just like me to just keep sewing to the end and forget to leave part of the seam open.  But I managed to get them done without issue. Yay!

 

 

I am linking up with the Gravity QAL over at Busy Hands Quilts. 

Gravity: Celestial

I finished the next set of Gravity blocks.  On time, this time.  It's so exciting to see each set come together. 

I am linking up with the Gravity QAL over at Busy Hands Quilts. 

Gravity: Intergalactic

Here are the next set of blocks for the Gravity quilt. 

These blocks went together pretty easy.  I only had to pull out the seam ripper once. Wahoo!

Now to get busy on the next set.  I am linking up with the Gravity QAL over at Busy Hands Quilt.

Two Years Later...

...it's finally finished.  I started this in 2013. It is the first quilt that I did free motion quilting on.  I figured starting with small blocks would be a good way to get some practice in and end up with a quilt in the process.  It feels good to finish an old WIP.  Now to tackle the rest of the pile. 

I did decide to machine stitch the binding down on this one. Needed to get my finish in before the end of the month. =)  It did remind me why I prefer to hand stitch binding.  I just can't seem to get machine stitching to look good. But it is functional which is what counts, right?

This is my finished goal for May's ALYOF.  I was 74 in the goal setting linky.

 

 

 

Gravity: Orbit

The next set of Gravity blocks are complete. These were a little more challenging with trying to line up the hexagons and triangles. 

I did sew the pink one together in the wrong order, not just once, but twice. I thought about just leaving it but knew it would drive me crazy every time I looked at it.  Haven't squashed the perfectionist that much yet. 

 

 



Goal!

Where is the time going.  I can't believe it is May already.   Which means it is time for my May goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes. 

I am hoping to finish a quilt that I started a few years ago.  Seems crazy to think that it has been that long since I started quilting.  This is the Craftsy BOM class from 2012.  And also the Free Motion Quilting a Sampler with Leah Day.

This is the first quilt that I did FMQ on.  I got off to a good start and had all the blocks almost finished, then my machine started having troubles.  I did get a new machine and then this quilt just got pushed to the bottom of the list.  Well now it is back on the top of the list for finishing up.  I am ready to see it as a whole quilt instead of just blocks.

Gravity: Constellation

I am ahead of the game for block 2.  I was able to sew them together today.  They do come together pretty quickly once everything is cut out.  The cutting takes a little time, especially with the learning curve for the ruler. 

I am excited for the next blocks and to see the finished quilt.  I will be linking up with the Gravity QAL over at Busy Hands Quilts.

Gravity QAL

I am so excited for the Gravity Quilt.  I ordered my kit and then found the QAL over at Busy Hands Quilts.  I am so glad someone online is doing a QAL.  There are a few things in the instructions that I haven't tackled yet so I am happy to get a few pointers. 

I did finish the first two blocks.   These are the Horizon blocks in the pattern.  They were not too difficult since I have worked with diamond blocks before.  I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance on the blue block but is did come out a 1/4 inch too short.  I am hoping I can work it in when it comes time to put the quilt top together.  So on the other block I used a scant 1/4 inch seam and it turned out great. I am looking forward to the next blocks.

I really need to try to take pictures in progress.  I just get tunnel vision when sewing and forget to get the camera out. 

Not much else has been happening with sewing.  I need to get back into my goal setting with the quarterly Finish Along and monthly A Lovely Year of Finishes.  The last month has been challenging with lots of ups and downs.  Hopefully I will be able to get back to sewing now.  

Finished Just in Time!

I made it.  I finished up my Super Tote yesterday.  I am really happy with how it turned out and excited to put it to use.  Putting it all together did include a few new things for me.  The first time trying a recessed zipper, and I also made the piping for the front pocket.  Making piping wasn't as hard as I imagined and I really like how it finishes off the front. 

 

I was unsure if I wanted to attempt the recessed zipper, as I haven't had much luck in putting in zippers in the past.  I am glad I went for it and think it turned out pretty good.  I have been wanting to try my hand at some other projects with zippers so hopefully they will go easier now. 

I did add two inside pockets as well as the outer pocket.

 

 

 

 

This was my February goal for ALYoF.  I am number 111 on the goal setting post.

 

This also makes finish number 2 for my first quarter goals.  I really need to get busy on those goals.  I can't believe how fast the last two months have gone and I am sure March is going to go just as fast. 

 

 

A Finish and February's Goal

I finally made a cover for my sewing machine. Yay!  I have needed to get it done for a while now but kept finding other things to do.  It feels good to finally check it off the list.  This is also my first finish from my Finish A-Long Q1 goals. 

 

It did come out slightly too small but it should keep most of the dust off my sewing machine. 

 

And now for my February ALYoF goal. I have plans to make a Super Tote from the Noodlehead pattern.  I had fabrics picked out when I added it to my Q1 goals, but I think I have changed my mind. Surprise, Surprise. =) I do like to change my mind a lot.

 

Cuzco top finished!

I finished the Cuzco quilt top!  It is now basted and ready to be quilted.  I just have to decided on how I want to quilt it.

The picture isn't the greatest.  It was starting to get dark by the time my quilt holder, A.K.A. husband, made it home from work.  Winter weather does not make for the greatest pictures. 

This was my January goal for ALYoF, #92 on the linky list. 

Motivation

Some days I really need some.  So I have decided to join in on a couple goal setting parties.  Hopefully this will be the motivation I need to stay on track and finish up some of the projects I have been wanting to get done.  I am going to join A Lovely Year of Finishes for monthly goals and 2015 Finish-Along with my quarterly goals.   

 

For my January goal I am going to finish a quilt top that I started planning last July.  I have some of the fabric cut out and one block put together, but that is as far as I made it. 

 

 

And now for quarterly goals:

quilt and bind Cuzco quilt top (pictured above)

 

quilt and bind my Vice Versa quilt top

 

quilt and bind Wonky Roads quilt top (maybe add borders to make it larger)

 

Super Tote

 

sewing machine cover using a PB&J mini charm pack

 

That's the plan for the first quarter.  Hopefully having set goals will keep me on track.

Wedding Quilt #2

The second wedding quilt is for another of our nieces.  It was a big year for weddings in our family.  There is also a third niece that got married this year.  I haven't finished that quilt yet, but I will soon. 

 

For this one I found a picture of a rug on pinterest that I used for inspiration.  Her wedding colors were navy and light peach.  I added the tan and cream based on the rug colors.  I followed this pattern here  for the size and putting the quilt top together.

 

For the back I used a print from Leah Duncan's Meadow line.  It is a beautiful print in person.  I also had a lot of half square triangles left over from the quilt top so I added those in. 

 

The quilting was pretty fun. I just did a meandering daisy pattern.  It quilted up pretty quick and left the quilt with a softer feel.  I added a corner label like on the other wedding quilt.  I really like how the corner labels look and I can just add them in when I sew on the binding.

I really love how this quilt turned out.  I told my husband I was tempted to keep for myself. =)

Only one more wedding quilt to go, for now.  Who knows what this next year will bring.
 

Wedding Quilt #1

This one is for one of our nieces.  Her wedding colors were champagne tan and blush pink. My pink ended up a little brighter than I was hoping but finding just the right pink wasn't in the cards for this quilt. 

 

I went with the geometric slide pattern found in Vintage Quilt Revival.  What a fun book full of great patterns.

 

 Since such a large part of the quilt is background I wanted something more than just a solid color. I used a Moda grunge basic in tan.  I love how it looks, and I think it works well with the backing fabric, since it also has a grunge feel to it.

 

 

The backing is from Frances Newcombe's Cherie line. I ended up just doing a single fabric for the back as I was getting short on time. 

 I quilted an all over flower pattern in pink thread.  It was a fun pattern to quilt and gave it a great texture, I will have to keep it in mind for another project.

 

 

I think the binding is my favorite part.  I went with a stripe on the suggestion of an employee at a local quilt shop.  I love it.  It adds a fun feel to the quilt.

And for the final touch I added a corner quilt label with their names and wedding date, and also who it was from. Just in case they forget in fifty years or so.  =)

 

 

 

Skill Builder BOM Finished!!

It's finished!  I love how it turned out.  It was a fun BOM and I enjoyed learning new skills and practicing some that I don't do very often.  I really like learning the freezer paper method for paper piecing, so much less paper to peel off at the end. 

I just smile every time I look over at it.  Hopefully it all washes up well.  There is always that slight fear when washing a new quilt for the first time.  They have all held up so far, hopefully this is one does the same.  

 

I love the back too.  It is fun with the different blocks of color.   I still can't decide if I like the quilt as you method as well as quilting a whole quilt though. It is much easier to quilt smaller blocks but I don't know if I like adding the sashing at the end.  I have been wanting to try this method here.  I will have to test it out one of these quilts.

 

 

It's so exciting to have another finish to add for the year.  Hopefully 2015 is just as good.

 

Still sewing

 I have a few finishes to share.  The first one is a quilt I made for my sister.  She wanted more color in her living room so she choose some fabrics and we found a pattern.  I did the sewing and quilting.

We went with the tutorial  movin' on up on Crazy Mom Quilts.  I did add a row and column to make it a little bigger.  It looks great hanging up above her fireplace.

 

I will post the other finishes soon. 

 

Vise Versa finish!

The quilt top anyways, quilting it will have to wait a little while. I have the back all pieced and ready to go, now to find the time to finish it. I had a lot of fun with this BOM and I love the non traditional layout of the blocks.

 I have one more wedding quilt to finish and then onto my ever growing list of quilt tops waiting to be quilted.  I think I am up to 5, no wait 6 tops that need quilted.  No more new projects until I get some of those finished up. Yeah, right as I am sitting here planning three more quilts for my boys for Christmas next year and still thinking about doing another BOM. Gotta keep life fun right. =)

Wonky Roads!

Wahoo! I finished my Wonky Roads quilt top.  It went together pretty fast really.  The fabric is a fat quarter bundle of Road 15 and a few coordinating Kona Cotton solids. I followed this Stack & Wack Wonky block tutorial.  The first few cuts were pretty nerve wracking. =) I'm not one for just slashing away at fabric, I usually like a clear cut pattern.

But it turned out great.  I think this is one of my favorite quilts so far.  (of course I say that about each new one)

 

 

Sorry for the less than stellar photo.  It is hard to get a good shot of such a large quilt. It measures approximately 84x96. This one is going to be quite the challenge to quilt. 

 

I am linking up with My Go-Go Life for SEWjo Saturday!

More WIP's...

...someday I'll have a finish to share. I have the next two blocks finish on the Pile O' Fabric Skillbuilder BOM.  These ones were a little  more work than just simple piecing.

The Scrap Jar block uses a inset piec-lique method developed by Sharon Schamber.  It took a bit of work sewing around those curves.  Mine did get a little wonky as you can see, but I am hoping that with quilting and washing the extra fabric will blend in. =)

 

The Pin Cushion block is an appliqué block.  I have done some appliqué work before, but this was my first time using mono-filament thread.  That stuff takes some getting used to.  I had to set my tension pretty low to keep the bobbin thread from pulling to the top. The mono-filament thread also kept unspooling and wrapping around the spool pin which caused lots of issues, so I did have to pick out a section of stitches. But in the end I finished it. =)  And I do like how well the mono-filament thread blends in. 

 

These are just a few more of the Wonky blocks for my queen sized quilt.  I am getting there. Slow and steady wins the race, right? =) I only have four more sets of blocks to sew up before I can put the quilt top together.  It is so fun to see how all the blocks are turning out.

 

 

I am linking up with WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.

Come check it out!

A finish, but still a WIP

I finished! Well almost.  I have the quilt top all pieced. The baste, quilting, and binding will be put on hold for awhile until I figure out how to get my machine to FMQ again.  Maybe I should just get a new machine. =) 

Here it is.  My finished book quilt top.  I used this tutorial from Happy Quilting over at the Moda Bake
Shop.  I love it!  And it stopped raining just in time for the pictures.

I am linking up with WIP Wednesday over at Freshly Pieced.  Come check it out.