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?
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
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?
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?
Monday, June 18, 2012
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
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!
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!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
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?
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?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
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!!
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!!
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
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.
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.
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