One Basic Block Frustration

How can one block be so frustrating in the assembly.  I was working on one of my Farmer's Wife blocks for the week and ran into some issues - three times to be exact.  I cut out the templates and fabric and went about assembling the "bat box" block.  Went to measure it after it was assembled and it was so wonky and nowhere near 6" on one of the sides.  Looks like I had two of the triangles on wrong.  Took it apart, switched it around and still ended up wrong.  OK, I'll print out a foundation pattern to sew the pieces down.  When I did that, one of the pieces was still too short to cover the seam allowance.  OK, I give up, back to the drawing board and doing a foundation piece pattern with all new pieces.

Did you ever have one of those blocks... simple but frustrating :-)

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Jelly Roll BOM Catch Up Completed

I am pretty excited that I have come from behind and finally have caught myself up on the Moose on the Porch Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along.  I was 6 blocks behind.  I made many mistakes on these 6 blocks and I would love to know how mine end up being so many different sizes.  However, I am completed.  I have not ironed or trimmed the blocks yet.  On Block 5 (Chain Link) I really had to get creative and add another outer border because sometimes I can read directions and it still gets cut wrong.  It's all good though.  I'll trim them all to match sizes.  Here are all 6 blocks in one photo.  I am using Moda Hemming House Jelly Roll.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Catch Up Weekend - Batik BOM

I have fallen so behind on my block of the month participation.  The first one I am catching up on is Pieceful Kwilter's block of the month program.  I was only 3 blocks behind on this one.  The other is the Moose on the Porch Quilts Jelly Roll Sampler Quilt Along.  I am 6 blocks behind on that one.  At least I am caught up on one so far and working very hard to catch up on the second one.  

On the Pieceful Kwilter's bom, I'm just using whatever batiks I pick up from my scraps.  So, they are probably not the best choices for fabric combos.  However, in the end, it will probably be my most colorful quilt ever.

 
Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

What was I thinking???

Long ago and far away, I'm ashamed to say "years" ago, I purchased a serger from the QVC outlet along with my Janome Memory Craft sewing/embroidery machine which I'm still using.  I was so enamored with the sewing machined that I had purchased that I set the serger box aside.  It kept getting moved and ended up in storage.  Probably 5 feet of boxes piled up over time on the serger box in storage.  I kept saying, I need to get that out and set it up.  Overtime, it got further and further from reach in storage.  Finally, today was the day... I was determined to get to the Janome Box. 

I unpacked the serger and set it up.  Watched the mini video and fed it a piece of fabric.  At first it was not a very strong, tight stitch/weave and I was not overly impressed.  Turned out, when it was threaded it was not placed through the proper feeder at the top.  I got it fixed and wow, what a difference.  What was I thinking not digging deep to pull this out earlier.  I plead temporary insanity because I love my new (old) toy!!.  Look how many strips I did.  I could not stop.  Now, no more french seams on the pillowcases.  Nothing but serging for me on them now!! 

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Farmer's Wife Friday

This week I was able to complete 3 Farmer's Wife Blocks.  I completed Blocks 2, 3, and 4   They were cut out as rotary cut blocks and then a little applique on the basket block 3.  I love Fridays!  That means the weekend is here and some extra time for sewing.  Have a great weekend!

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Gone Fishin - Quilting Completed

I finished my Gone Fishin quilt over the weekend.  I combined two different quilting designs to the quilt. One was a repeated single fish that came with the free designs of the HQProstitcher and one that a friend (Hi Linda) made for me of a few random bubbles.  I quilted the whole thing with the fishes first and didn't like the "space" between the fishing poles and the fish above.  So, I asked my friend to help with digitizing a few bubbles.  I did not want lines between the bubbles so I asked for jumps between them all.  I knew that meant a lot of snipping threads between each bubble on both front and back.

The photos above and below show the end results.  It's always difficult for me to photograph the quilting. I hope you can see it a little.  In addition to the fishing pattern and bubbles patterns, I also placed random singular bubbles everywhere.  One other thing, of course I did not line up the patterns and had extra space at the bottom of the quilt.  So, I added some water waves at the very bottom for the fishes.

I have had this quilt top for a while.  It is a memory quilt of my brother's TShirts.  He loved to go fishing down on the Outer Banks.  He especially loved going over to Ocracoke Island and hanging out at Howards Pub.  If you are ever down at Howard's Pub, tip one for "Mike". 

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Trish's Tools - Joining Batting Pieces with Batting Tape - Part 2

I spent the day yesterday quilting up a T Shirt quilt that I have had the top for a long time. I'll share photos of the full quilt sometime later in the week.

So I quilted through the "Heat Press Batting Together" tape with my HandiQuilter.  It worked like a charm.  No thread breaks that were out of the ordinary.  No gathers where the tape is located.  I give it a thumbs up, A+ and I'll surely be using it again.  Saved me from having to buy more batting for a smaller quilt.  

Here's some photos.  If you stare long enough at the one with the green box, you might convince yourself that you see the tape.  Really, I can not pick it out from the front or back of the quilt.  Only where I can see the ends sticking out waiting to be cut off.  To see more detail, click on the photos to enlarge.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Trish's Tools - Joining Batting Pieces with Batting Tape - Part 1

When I first read about this "Heat Press Batting Together" I thought what a great idea.  I hurried up and bought a few rolls since I have so many batting pieces that I said "someday" I would make potholders since they were not big enough to complete another quilt with.  I have some rather large pieces that would be perfect for my lap quilts if I could piece them together.  

Once I got the protective cover off of the roll, it was as simple as prepping the batting but cutting straight edges and ironing.  First, I found two large pieces of batting.  I'm using Hobbs Heirloom cotton batting.  I placed the two large pieces together and cut a straight line (OK it wasn't perfectly straight) so that the ends will butt up together. I then placed them end to end on the ironing board and then placed the Heat Press Batting Together tape down on top of the batting in a small section at a time and then pressed the tape with the iron.  

Seemed to be holding so I continued down the full size of the batting.  Looks pretty good.  However, i decided I wanted the tape on both sides for "extra" insurance since it was for a quilt.

I flipped over the batting and added a second strip of the tape and ironed every couple of inches as I laid the tape down.  Once I was done, I was very impressed.  It seemed to hold tightly (I was so tempted to pull on both sides but I thought that would be pushing my luck.  I gave it a light tug and was holding well.  It seemed to be even with the rest of the batting so same height.

Next steps is to load it on the quilting frame and machine quilt over it.  So, stay tuned for Part II.
Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Farmer's Wife Friday

I'm off to a good start on the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt.  I chose the fabric I'm going to be using.  I decided upon a batch of fabric that I had in a nice range of colors.  Here it turns out that the fabric is Thimbleberries fabric from multiple years.  I can't even remember where I purchased the grouping I have had it for a couple of years so I think it's perfect!  I may need to search for a little more blue Thimbleberries fabric to add more variety there.

I also decided that I would stay in the 6" block size.  The first two blocks I completed are the Kitchen Woodbox (54) page 17 and the Attic Windows (1) page 128.  I started out going from the front of the book only to realize the blocks that are not in order.  So I changed my process to start with block number 1 and I'll try and go in order.  

Of course it has been a while since I paper pieced.  I forgot that there is a faint 1/4 inch seam around the block you are to leave when you cut the sides.  I did not on block number 54.  So I had to add back some fabric on the Kitchen Woodbox.  So, that's why mine is a little different.
Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Royal Mendhi Blocks Cut

I spent my crafting time this weekend on several different projects here and there.  I just can't stick to one.  I was able to finish cutting all of my Hoffman Royal Mendhi blocks for the friendship quilt. I took two 6" strips of each fabric (9 different) and cut them into 6" blocks.  Based on my calculations, I should have enough blocks for two friendship quilts and a few pillow blocks.  I also cut all the cream tonal fabric into 6" blocks.  

I marked the diagonals on all the Mendhi blocks and paired them each with a cream tonal block.  I'm ready for assembly sewing the blocks 1/4" on each side of the center line to make half square blocks.  I did manage to finish 4 complete blocks as seen below.  When I pinned each one up individually, it gave me an idea that I would like to make a red, white, and blue one as well. 

Thanks for stopping by!
~*~Trish~*~

Royal Mendhi Cuts & Coin Flips

Like the rest of my quilting friends, it is sometimes difficult to cut into such beautiful fabric.  But, you just have to tell yourself, this is what I bought it for and the recipient will love it much more than me.  With that thought, I jumped in and did just that.  I cut my Hoffman Royal Mendhi collection fabric.  I'm so glad I did.  I am going to make a friendship quilt with the beautiful colored blocks.  

I could not decide whether I wanted to use cream tonal fabric for the background or white tonal fabric.  They are both so close, it's hard to choose.  Sometimes when I get stuck with a decision like this, I don't fret it.  I flip a coin (I'm serious) and go with what comes up.  It's stress free and gets the decision done.  The coin chose cream tonal for the background so cream it is.  Stay tuned.
Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Farmer's Wife Fridays - Start of a Sampler Quilt

Well, I have decided that I am going to work on the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt.  My goal is to complete at least 1 or 2 blocks a week by Friday.  The one thing I have not decided on is what fabric I am going to use.  I thought maybe doing it in batiks since I have so many different types, but, then I think I should go a little more subtle or traditional.  In any case, I have to decide soon.

I also purchased the EQ6 companion CD and I am happy to say I can still view it in the new EQ7.  So, I have the blocks to print out with either cutting or foundation instructions.  So, if you would like, come back on Fridays to join the journey.  I guess the blocks should be 6x6 in size but I'm not a big fan of blocks that small.  I might have to make mine bigger 8 x 8 and less of them.   I am going for a twin size quilt so I have to pick 83 out of 111 blocks to complete if I stay in the 6 x 6 block.  Next week for the first block I will be completing the #54 block Kitchen Woodbox page 17.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Finished Children's Quilt

I finished the children's quilt over the weekend.  I added a bright red binding with white mini stars on it.  I think it turned out great.  Although, I do have a weird issue with making square quilts.  I know, weird.   I just always want to make them rectangle.   When I make a square quilt, it feels odd to me.   But, I pushed through and finished it in a square shape.  I tried to take a photo of how much space is really between the butterfly edge to edge design.  Where the blue bars are is where I needed to free motion quilt in the loops.   The last photo tries to show your the red binding with white stars... not the best photo, sorry.

Thanks for stopping by!
~*~Trish~*~

Kids Quilt - Fixing Quilt Design spacing.

This was my first quilt top quilted on the Pro-stitcher.  So, I chose this great butterfly design to try and match the butterflies on some of the fabric.   It is Calligraphic Butterflies3 from Quilt recipe.  Being that this is my first non-practice quilt, of course I did not measure the space between the rows correctly.  So, I had a bunch of space between the designs.  To correct, I squeezed in spaces of free formed loops to match (OK, my loops aren't as smooth as the panto) the loops in the butterfly designs.  I am pretty happy with the outcome.  Not sure if you can see the design or not.  It's really tough on camera.  The thread in back of the quilt just sucks into the quilt.  I like that so that you see a subtle design and don't see any boo boos.

I plan on adding a red binding to this once it is trimmed up and adding it to a basket with a butterfly kit and butterfly book for a fund raiser for cancer coming up next week.  I hope it goes over well.
Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Friday Find - Quilting Book

If you are like me, you are always buying quilting books and end up only liking one or two patterns out of the book.  I recently purchased Eleanor Burns book: Quilts Through the Seasons: A Quilt for Each Month of the Year.  You can see it on Amazon Here.  I usually end up buying most all my books from Amazon since the pricing is great.  There is not a pattern that I don't like.  I love them all and the directions are nice and detailed for me.

My favorite pattern is the Summer Porch pattern.  I fell in love with it after I saw it on Michelle's Golden Gate Quilts site.  Here's a photo of the book and my favorite quilt.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~