Quilting Retreats!

Have you had a chance to be part of a quilting retreat yet?

If not, I certainly hope you'll give it a try the next time an opportunity comes up.

They are a blast! You get to hang with like-minded quilters who want nothing more than to sit and work on their current projects without any interruptions. Except, of course, for meals, sharing, and chatting with old and new friends.

I love getting away for a few days to spend quality time with my machine and the projects I brought with me. But I've got to warn you, there's quite a bit of work necessary leading up to the actual retreat.

One thing I've learned is to have all your projects cut, labeled, and bagged - ready to begin stitching. Why waste time at retreat cutting everything, unless, of course, you have questions for your fellow quilters about any of the instructions.

Always bring more than you think you'll be able to work on. You might just want a change of pace from say paper piecing to applique or you might finish sooner than you imagined because you're able to focus on what you're doing.

If at all possible, bring a second machine with you. Ask me how I know this! Yes, at my first retreat, a corner of my fabric got caught and pushed way down into the bobbin area. I was able to get it out but it threw off the timing and it needed to go into the shop. Luckily, the retreat was only an hour's drive away so I called my husband and he loaded up my second machine and met me halfway. I was back up and running in no time but now I always bring both machines with me.

I would also suggest you start packing early making sure you have all the necessities (rulers, cutting mat, rotary cutters, pins, extra needles, scissors, thread, small iron, etc.). That way if you need to pick up something, you'll have time and won't have to try to do it on your way to the retreat.

It's a little surprising how much packing there is for a few days away from home. Mine usually fills up my back seat and trunk but it's all worth it!

Well, all my quilting stuff is packed; I just need to get my little suitcase ready and I'll be good to go tomorrow.

Creatively Yours,
StitchingBahma

Meet My Newest Addition to the Family

I know it has been some time since I posted here. What can I say? Life got busy and time passed very quickly!

Since my last post, I retired and then went back to work part-time. Crazy, right? I actually enjoy working and it's only 30 hours a week so I have lots of time to sew still.

Mostly, I want to post that after almost 10 wonderful years together, I decided to trade in my Bernina for a Dream Machine 2! I never had any trouble with my Bernina and loved everything I did on it but updates are no longer being done and there are some features on the Dream Machine 2 that I can't wait to try!

Here's a picture from the shop where I purchased it. What a gorgeous machine!

Now that the holidays are winding down, I can't wait to get started stitching. I've got it all set up and ready to go. Now, it's up to me to put some fabric under the foot and start stitching!

Pictures and updates to follow. I have lots of projects I want to work on so here goes!

Stay tuned for more.

Creatively Yours,
StitchingBahma

Free Motion Quilting Practice

I finished the Humbug Bag (pattern by McKenna Linn) I started yesterday. It turned out really cute. It's kind of big so I'll keep it for myself and make smaller bags for my granddaughters.

I cut out blocks for a couple more bags and did some free motion quilting just for fun. Tonight I didn't feel like change the thread colors and looking for different stitches, so I practiced some stippling, leaves, and random circles.

Here are two blocks with free motion quilting. It is hard to see because I used a thread that blended instead of a thread that contrasted.

Since these blocks are smaller than my first one (about the size of a regular piece of paper), it's very easy to sandwich them together quickly and practice new techniques. I still want to do some more couching and thread deco on one of the blocks, but it can wait until later.

Foray Into Thread Art

Last night I decided to make a small purse for my granddaughter. I made her one a few months back and she carries it around everyday and has literally worn it out.

The pattern suggested either simple quilting or free motion quilting since it's such a small piece of fabric.

I put the three layers together and was going to do some free motion quilting but instead ended up using some of the decorative stitches on my Bernina and did some simple couching. After I finished the decorative stitches, I serged the four sides so it will look nice when it's all put together.

Wow - it was a ton of fun! Nothing fancy, mind you, but I enjoyed it and can't wait to get home and try again on another small piece of fabric for another purse. It's a beautiful piece of batik fabric which just begged me to practice this technique and I think it worked together nicely for this project.

Quilter's Candy Store

I spent yesterday at the Long Beach International Quilt Festival. If you've never been, you gotta go! It's like a huge candy store for quilters and stitchers.

Here is a photo of the treasures I brought home with me.

I also purchased a new foot and binding tool that will be shipped to me this week.

Everything and just about every vendor you can imagine is at this event. There are also many very beautiful quilts that help stretch the imagination for your next quilting project.

Guess what all the grandkids are getting for Christmas this year.

 

Weekend Sewing Plans

Let's see - tonight there is a dinner meeting, then there's a birthday party tomorrow for my goddaughter and a family 4th of July BBQ on Sunday just because that is the day we were all able to get together. The weekend's barely started and it's already full of things to do.

Somewhere this weekend I hope to be able to do some sewing. I have several baby quilt tops that are done but they need to be sandwiched and quilted. I have some red, white & blue fabric to make things for the grandchildren which I haven't even started yet. There are still a number of Christmas motifs that need to be embroidered, and I have two, maybe three, jelly rolls that are just waiting to be made into quilts.

Oh I hope I can sew this weekend. I have many things to do and am anxious to work on all of them!!

The Itch to Stitch

All I want to do this week is sew, sew, sew. Unfortunately, there have been way too many interruptions!

I'm going to try again this evening and see if I can't accomplish a little sewing. I always feel better after I've spent time at the sewing machine. What about you? Do you find sewing and crafting relaxing?

Sew Busy!

I have been SEW busy lately!

I'm really, really trying to finish up some UFOs before beginning any new projects, but it's hard to stay focused on current projects. Every time I walk into a quilt shop or go to a quilting demo, I see something new that I desperately want to try and have to remind myself I already have a zillion projects in the works.

Some progress has been made though. I have hemmed about a dozen T-shirts, blouses and pants for my mom; practiced some trapunto quilting; used the Cutwork tool to create a flannel rag quilt block; practiced some free motion quilting; worked on two more embroidered Christmas blocks; and made some quick receiving blankets. I also took a Lemoyne Star class from the local quilt shop and have started making a cute wallhanging from the pattern that came with the ruler.

Earlier this year I participated in a jelly roll race and made a flannel quilt top out of jelly roll strips. This weekend I decided that instead of making one large quilt top, I would cut it up into 12-1/2 inch blocks and make smaller baby quilts. So far, I've got two quilt tops made and I think this week I'll cut up the rest of the original quilt top. This time, however, I think I'll make some wonky blocks instead of traditional blocks by twisting my ruler a little so that they're all tilted. I think it will be cute.

This year I joined a group that meets every month and we are making quilt blocks from two different books. I have finished all the blocks (there were only six) from one book and am halfway through the blocks I want to make from the other book.

Will post pictures soon as well as more updates on my progress.

Quilting & Embroidery Update

Well, just because I haven't posted, doesn't mean I haven't been busy - LOL.

I went to an awesome three-day embroidery retreat where I worked  Claudia's Baltimore design. It still needs to be quilted, but all of the embroidery is done.

Then there was a trapunto class with Paula Reid where I learned a bunch of new tips and trips about trapunto and stippling. Thanks Paula for a fantastic day of quilting! I have done another 18" block just for grins and to make sure I've got the technique in my head.

After that was a great rainy afternoon spent embroidering my first Magic In The Air block.

On top of all of that, I've also completed four blocks and will begin two more blocks this week so I can get through a block-of-the-month (well, two blocks a month) quilt project.

I'll post pictures later - now back to quilting!

Monogrammed Hankies

From the time they were old enough to wipe their own noses, my grandchildren have always used hankies instead of tissue. I love that. Not very many people use hankies anymore - I wonder why.

There are some beautifully monogrammed and embellished hankies out there that certainly should not be used for its intended purpose, but the kids love and use hankies all the time.

I bought hankies for each of them and monogrammed their first initial in the corner. Here's how they turned out.

That should just about take care of the 2011 Christmas projects I needed to complete before starting this year's projects.

Hmmm, what should I start next?

Free Motion Quilting

OK, I'll be the first to admit that stitching in the ditch is a safe and easy way to quilt baby blankets and wall hangings.

However, I want to be able to do more than just stitch in the ditch, so I'm practicing my free motion quilting skills this year thanks to a group of online FMQ'rs who generously have agreed to provide some tutorials and tips to help us improve (see FMQ link on the right side).

I put together a couple of quick quilt sandwiches for practice and gave it a whirl. Man, it's tough! My machine has a stitch regulator which I tried and miserably failed at. It also has a darning foot which I tried and liked a little better, but my stitches are not even and there are some pointy spots that should not be there.

The stitch regulator would be a fantastic tool to use if I can figure out how to get my speed and hand movements coordinated enough to keep the silly thing from beeping at me so I'm willing to put up with the beeping until I'm able to perfect my stitching a little more.

I'll probably also use the darning foot just because it somehow seems more comfortable for me but the stitch regulator is calling my name and I must go try it again.

Like the little train in the nursery rhymes, my new mantra is, "I think I can, I think I can." It may take me all year, but I am bound and determined to improve my FMQ skills!!

Crazy Quilt Blocks

As always, this has been a crazy, busy month. I fixed the super hero capes that I made for Christmas so that they fit the boys better. Then I created some crazy quilt blocks for a round robin and some quilt sandwiches for FMQ practice.

My portion of work on two crazy quilt blocks is completed. Years ago I did hand embroidery and only just last year started it again. Needless to say, I don't feel that my stitching is up to par with many others in the group, but we all have to start (or begin again) somewhere so I jumped in with both feet and am doing my best.

 

I've been collecting different threads, ribbons, and other embellishments whenever I see them in local stores and trying out new stitches and new techniques.

Working with very narrow silk ribbon is something I really want to get better at so I am practicing every chance I have. In my stitching library at home, I have some how-to hand embroidery stitching books from years ago and there is a ton of online tutorials and information which I find absolutely invaluable. Thanks to everyone who contributes their time and talents online so that we can all learn and feel more confident in our skills.

A Busy Start in 2012

Wow! It's not quite the middle of January, and I don't think I've slowed down from the holidays yet.

There were a couple of things I didn't finish before Christmas, one of which I'll finish tonight. It's an apron for my daughter's BFF and it turn out really cute. I'll post a picture once it's done and ironed.

I made a couple of superhero capes for some super grandsons and the closure at the neck was a little loose so I need to fix those too. Maybe I'll have time to finish them tonight after the apron is done.

I've made some 6x6 quilt blocks to use for my CQJP and I need to make some practice quilt sandwiches for my free motion quilting.

There's a serger class coming up soon so I can learn all about the extra feet that came with my Babylock and I can't wait to experiment with them.

With all this going on, I'm also trying to unclutter my house and my mind and get rid of some of the excess I really don't need. I found a blog through the Proverbs 31 Ministries blog about being clutter-free by Glynnis Whitwer and I'm following it in the hopes that I can eliminate some of the extra "stuff" in my life that keeps following me around.

Looking Forward to 2012

Well, it looks like we all survived crafting during the holidays. I know I made a ton of fun things for friends, family, and especially grandchildren. There were bags made for gifts, superhero capes, pillows, aprons, centerpieces, and more.

It was a blast and I thoroughly enjoyed using both of my new machines this year to make these wonderful projects. The Bernina and Babylock serger made sewing/quilting/home dec projects quick and easy and beautiful.

In 2012, I've joined four groups that involve monthly projects: A hand stitched crazy quilt block; a free motion quilt block; a strip quilt block, and a monthly machine embroidery class. It will be a busy year for me but these are things I really hope to accomplish to improve my quilting skills.

What are your stitching plans for 2012?

Christmas Cookie Exchange Centerpieces

This was a fun project that my daughter and I did. She asked me to make a couple of folded bags for the two centerpieces she volunteered to do at her church's cookie exchange. The colors were red and silver.

Let me tell you, there is no Christmas fabric to be found in December! I wanted some red fabric with a little silver accent or contrast running through it. I couldn't find anything so I decided to make my own. I found a pretty red fabric, sandwiched a lightweight batting in between the front and back, and went to town adding some stitches from my Bernina 830. The red fabric was slippery and I thought it might be a little tricky adding a binding or trying to fold it over. Instead, I used a beautiful wave stitch on my serger with red and silver thread. It's a little hard to see in the picture, but I think it turned out great.

The key to making this bag, is that it has to be square. Then you fold it in half, corner-to-corner, and stitch both sides. Turn it inside out and you have beautiful bag.

My daughter made the beautiful wreaths in matching colors and filled the bags with mints.

By the way, the cookie exchange was fabulous. Good food, good fellowship, and good music.

Each table was decorated by different women using the same red and silver colors and they all looked beautiful.

Crazy Quilt Journal Project 2012

I just signed up for the 2012 Crazy Quilt Journal Project and I can't wait to get started.

Years ago, I was an avid hand embroiderer but sort of lost touch with it somewhere along the way. I just recently began hand stitching again and even joined my first Crazy Quilt Round Robin.

I'm so excited to be doing this again. There are so many beautiful threads, fibers, motifs, and ribbons available to play with.

Keep watching for pictures and progress posts as the CQJP 2012 begins!

Christmas Wallhanging is Finished

Yippee! I finished the Christmas wallhanging. I think I'll take it to work and hang it there so I can enjoy it between now and Christmas.

Here it is:

All I Want for Christmas Is . . .

. . . a gift card from my local quilt shop!

DH - are you listening?

Machine Embroidery Tips Recently Learned

I learned a few new things while I was stitching out the six designs for the Christmas wallhanging.

Metallic thread can be a little tricky, LOL. As everyone knows, it wants to curl as it comes off the spool and not feed correctly through the machine. I tried placing the spool higher and lower, in the front, in the back, and off to the side and a number of other ideas to try to keep the thread coming off evenly at a constant speed without curling too much. I even bought a separate attachment for my machine but I couldn't get it to fit correctly so I'm taking it back this afternoon.

Finally, this is what I ended up doing. For any given area of the design where metallic thread is used, there are usually only 500 to maybe 3,000 stitches to the next thread change. I unwound some thread from the spool - just using my best guess of length, and ran it gently through my hand to kind of relax the curl. Then I rewound it back onto the spool. I placed the spool on the table just to the right of the machine and almost directly underneath the spool holder. I ran the thread up through the two loops at the top and then straight into the machine and manually threaded the needle. I never had any problems stitching after that. I'm using a Titanium Organ needle and it seems to work just fine with metallic thread.

It may sound like a little extra work but for me it's better than having to stop and re-thread the top and bobbin thread every time it breaks during the stitch-out of a design.

The other thing I figured out was that these designs stitched out much prettier if I used extra stabilizer. I know, I've seen many videos and heard many people say that it's all about the stabilizer and I believe that. What I didn't pick up on was that it isn't just the type of stabilizer but also the number of layers. I learned while stitching out these six panels, that my machine combined with these designs, stitched much better and looked much nicer if I used three or four layers of stabilizer depending on the density of the stitches.

6th Panel in Christmas Wallhanging

Yippee! The sixth panel is done. Now I'm going to use a "quilt as you go" method and stitch all of the panels together.