Leftover Pink - Hunter's Star

I have a lot of pink fabric left over from the Breast Cancer Quilts.  I also read somewhere that you could make a Hunter's Star Quilt using some of the die cuts from the AccuQuilt Go Value Die Set.  I love the hunter's star pattern.  But, I've never made one.  So,  I used some of my backing scrap fabric (cut off from trimming the quilts) and set to cutting out lots of 2.5 inch triangles.  There are only 2 triangle dies on each pass but I put up to 4 layers of fabric myself.  I figured that I needed 8 pink triangles and 8 white triangles and then 1 pink square and 1 white square.

This block has a lot of pieces but I think it just might work.  Hopefully I don't tire of all the pieces.  Here's 4 of the finished blocks.  To my surprise, it works.  Can you spot all the pieces?  If you would like me to write up instructions, let me know. 

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

The Way I Add Hanging Sleeves

It's not very often that I need to add hanging sleeves to my quilts.  I know that I could easily make a sleeve with the same fabric as the backing, but, I find it easier to use Quilters Hangups.  I am not compensated for this article, just a happy customer.  The Hangups have a gusset on them that allows just about any size rod to be used.

First I measure out the premade hanging sleeve and then cut it about 1" shorter than the width of my quilt.  I then fold in the raw edges on each side about 1/2" and sew them down.  I sew from the inside of the seam on my machine and just slowly circulate the fabric until it is all sewn down.  I then repress the sides.  I like to put the gusset back in on the edges just sewn.

On the non gusset side that has the multicolor surging seam, I add a 3.25 or 3 inch path of Steam A Seam 2.  I have so much that I cut a length of the fusible to match the length of the hanging sleeve.  I also cut the fusible thinner such as 2.5 inches and placed it in the middle.  They both work.   I lay it very carefully to make sure I have free edges on both sides to allow for stitching as well if I use the 3.25 inches.   I then remove the second side of paper from the steam a seam and place the hanging sleeve even with the last border seam on the quilt. I check with a ruler from the edge to see if I'm straight.

You need to be a couple inches or so down from the edge of your quilt because the gusset on the sleeve will appear above your quilt when hanging if you don't.  Then I place the sleeve with the Steam a Seam 2 down on the quilt (make sure the gusset is on top) and iron away.  Be careful, I've singed a few hanging sleeves being a little heavy on the iron.  If done properly, the steam a seam holds very well.  But, we all know any fusible web can be temperamental.  One minute it's holding and then it's not.  I add extra insurance by slip stitching the edges to the quilt like I do with binding.  Having it already adhered to the quilt makes the stitching go very fast.  Make sure you stitch around the right and left open edges.  That way, the rod's won't accidentally try to squeeze behind the hanging sleeve.

I'm sure someday I'll try making my own hanging sleeves.  For now, this works for me when I rarely need to add hanging sleeves. 
Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Quilts for the Cure Completed

Yeah!  I finished hand sewing the bindings to both quilts yesterday!  Today I spent time placing the hanging sleeve on both quilts using Steam a Seam 2.  Then I hand stitched around all the edges of the hanging sleeve just to give it more strength.  I've seen the Steam a Seam give out later down the road so I just wanted to make sure there was a backup stitch to catch it. 

I am very happy with how they turned out.  When I re-added some of the embellishments back, their original spots were under seams.  So, I placed them there anyway and some of those embellishments now move into the borders.  I think it looks pretty neat.

The backing color fabric is the same as the binding.  It has a different pink tone than the borders pink but I think it works.  All the pinks then blend together when viewing the whole thing.  I don't know about you but, when I do volunteer work like this, I put a lot of my heart into them and I am sometimes sad to see them leave.  But, I am hoping it will bring inspiration to someone in their journey against breast cancer as they read all the inspirational messages on each of the blocks!

Quilt 1

Quilt 2

Backing with Hanging Sleeve

Extended Embellishments
and Better look at Binding

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Binding Added and Ready to Sew

Yesterday I removed all the curved pins placed for quilting since the quilting was complete.  I also added the binding to both quilts yesterday and they are ready for hand sewing to the back.  Perfect job for the weekend as Irene heads up the shoreline.  They are saying we may get some rain from it in PA.  The binding that I added matches the backing on the quilts. 

When I was completing the binding on the quilt, I have such a hard time with joining the ends of the binding ends.  I've tried many times but just can't get it right.  However, this time I think I realized my problem.  I never leave a big enough open space to join the tails properly.  I'll try and practice once I am completed with these quilts.  In the meantime, I do straight sewing.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Super Sewing Day

I had planned on pinning one quilt yesterday.  I ended up pinning both quilts.  That's not all, I completed the quilting on BOTH quilts yesterday.  The stitch in the ditch went so so fast now that I have more throat room on my sewing machine.  It was a super sewing day!!  Today my plans are to machine sew the binding to both quilts.  I think the hand stitching of the binding to the back will take me two days for the two quilts.  After that, it's hanging sleeves on both and I'm done!!  Woo Hoo.

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

Bindings and Backings

I completed the bindings and backings for the two quilts on Saturday.  I've been off visiting family in Western PA for a couple of days.  I got home just in time to feel the East Coast Earthquake.  That was weird.  The backings and the binding are made from the same fabric.  Turns out I purchased large lots (5 yards) of this fabric twice.  I must have really liked it.  I used my simplicity binding maker to help me create the 620" + of binding.  It makes it oh so easy and fast!  Today, I'll be pinning a quilt to the backing.  Don't think I'll quilt it just yet.  I plan on stitching in the ditch on both quilts since there are a lot of embellishments.

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

Quilt 2 Borders Applied

I finished applying the second quilt's borders.  This one has the pink outlined ribbon corner blocks.  I chose these applique blocks since there are so many other colors on the quilt.  I'm happy with the results.  Now on to creating backings and bindings.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Quilt 1 Borders Applied

I finished applying the smaller borders and smaller corner blocks to the first quilt.  I'm very happy with the results.  I like the notched corners that a double border makes.  On this first quilt top that was mostly dark and light pink blocks, I used the black rimmed pink/white corner blocks.  For the second quilt, I'll be using the dark pink rimmed corner blocks.  I figured since it was already so colorful, I would keep the corners nuetral.  I'm still betting with myself that before I pin this first quilt to the backing, I change that dark center block on the right of the Ford center block.  If it were light pink, it would just flow better. 

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Ugh... Changes Now?

I created all the double borders and embroidered all the pink ribbons for corner blocks.  I anticipated 5 inch borders.  When I sewed one set of borders on, I laid it on the bed to look and one side accidentally folded under.  Now, I want 3 inch borders instead.  The 5" side just looks too big.  Which is fine except that the currently completed pink ribbon corner blocks can be no smaller than 4.5 inches.  So, back to the embroidery machine I go.  I'm going to try and shrink the applique ribbon corner blocks to be under 3" tall.  It's so true, when you least expect changes, they will happen.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Border Corner Options

I created 8 pink ribbon corner blocks for the quilt borders on the two quilts.  Once completed, I tested out the use of a black outline on the ribbon.  I've always like to see pink/black together.  I only made one set of pink/black ribbons so we'll see which one looks better.  I still have to cut the borders for now and then I'll audition them both.   The pink background fabric is what I will be using for one of the borders.  I love the design of this fabric and I try to use it every year.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Quilt 2 Assembled

I'm happy to say that the second quilt center is completely sewn.  This one was a little more challenging with all the extra add ons!  Now it's on to borders.  I've pretty much decided to add borders to each.  Although, they are a nice size now.  45" wide by about 50" long.  I may add a 2" inner border of white to each with a 5" border of pink outside of that.  So, I should end up around 51 wide by 56 long.  I'm also going to embroider some corner ribbon blocks.  I hope you like it!

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Quilt 1 Assembled

I finished assembling sewing the center of the first Quilt for a Cure breast cancer quilt yesterday.  I'm happy with all the match up seams but the center blocks are bothering me.  I probably should have made the right half block a light color.  Why didn't I see that before when the individual blocks were laid out?  It's the right half block flanking the Ford center block. 

On to assembling the second quilt center.  I call them the centers because I'm thinking these quilts need borders.  I'm on a schedule to finish these.  I actually created a project plan to have them completed by the end of the month.  Now how techno-geeky is that?  So, based my plan, I have one day to decide if borders are needed and what they will look like.  But, if I finish the second quilt assembly today, I'm ahead a couple days :-)

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

They're Here

We've been waiting patiently for the butterflies this year and yesterday I finally saw one on the Milkweed plant.  It was early in the morning and there were two of them on the bushes.  I just stood there while they fluttered around me and onto the bush.   Let the butterfly season begin.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Second Quilt Layout

I now have the quilt layout decided upon for the second Breast Center Quilt for the Cure quilt.  It seems that the more variety of blocks that are presented, the longer it takes to decide upon a favored layout.  Here it is..  There is only one block that kinda sticks out of place for me.  it's the big blue velvet bow on the middle left side.  But, there it will stay.  Now it's time to sew these two quilts together.  That should go pretty quick.  My favorite are the 4 center corner denim embroidered roses.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~