Little Bird--A Gertie Diversion

Most of the supplies used for the project

The Thread House Academy hosted a Taster's Weekend the first weekend in April. There were three classes taught by three different teachers. Gertie, my inner squirrel, was so excited about the classes. . .ALL of them! 

Layers together ready for handwork

She convinced me to watch the three class videos. I chose to do the mini chicken pouch that Jo Avery taught. Gertie wanted me to do all of them; but, I held out at playing with just one. . . .for now!

At three inches, this project is tiny! I thought it might be fun to put USB sticks or a needle pack in the pouch. Jo put a chocolate egg in her sample which was a good idea since the class was taught near Easter.

I gathered my materials and cut my fabrics. I used the wrong side of the metallic fabric in the photo for the decorative bands on the head. The black fabric is the underside of the wings. The small scrap that I used for the top side of wings was all that I had! 

Colonial knots, running stitches 

View from the lining side

I used the red print for the bird body and the brown fabric for the head. I don't have felt that Jo suggested for the beak. Instead, I used two layers of yellow cotton fabric from my string scrap bag. I used a scrap piece of cotton batting.

The only difference between the chicken and the bird was the shape of the wings. After stitching the wings, I embellished them a running stitch, I stitched the body to the head. I added the wings and beak. 

I layered the right side of the lining to the right side of the body/head with the batting on top of both. I did trim the batting so that it was barely caught in the stitching. I then stitched a quarter of an inch around the perimeter leaving a three inch opening for turning along one edge.

View of the seam. . .you can't see it!

I trimmed the bulk from the corners and clipped the inside corner. I turned the fabric so that the batting was between the two layers. I pushed out the corners and pressed the project. What a funny looking piece it was!

It was time to begin the hand work. I stitched colonial knots on the decorative bands and running stitches in a contrasting thread on the head and body. Next, I began to assemble the pouch. I did leave a hole to be able to thread a cord into the project. I turned up one end and hand stitched the lining edges together. What I learned from this step, was that when I moved the seam to form the triangle bottom, the edges covered my stitching on the lining. I did stitch the edges of the body with a matching thread to act as a reinforcement.

Side view 

After moving the seam so that it was in the middle of the project, I stitched the end closed, again stitching on the lining. When I opened the seam, the body edges closed
over the lining! 

Next, I stitched the edges of the head together and stitched the beak together. I also left a hole for threading the cord. I added the eyes. . .which are buttons from my grandmother's button box. Smaller ones would have been better; but, I used what I had. I added the decoration on the cord which could have been a bead; but, I used a toggle button that must have been on a coat at some point. It too came from my grandma's button box. 

Other side view with the toggle button

Threading the cord through the holes was a challenge. I used a thread loop to do the job. I added a knot to the bottom and I had a finish! The cord is a way to access the pouch inside as well as close it after you have accessed it. The project  was a lot of work. I don't know that I would make a second one!

This was goal number two on my May list. 

Sweet Tooth--Clues 2, 3, 4, 5 and part of 6--post 2

Clue number two

On the last day of April,  I finally made progress on Clue number two! I watched the video that Bill and Weeks made regarding this clue three times! I cut the pieces for one of the seven blocks I needed to stitch. May 1, I stitched it. It wasn't as difficult to do as I had told myself! I marked the units and stopped at six blocks instead of seven. It wasn't until I was working on clue four that I realized my error. 

Revised recipe

Since I thought I had completed clue two, I felt like I was on a roll. I watched the video for clue three. I reviewed the written instructions. The first step was to audition additional fabrics which created a transparency. I played with the pieces, second guessed myself and played some more. At one point, I thought let me look to see what Bill and Weeks did. . while that was good thought, it didn't help because my recipes are different from their recipes! I did complete the step in spite of my trepidation.

Clue three blocks

I spent parts of three days stitching the blocks. Stitching the blocks for clue three wasn't hard; but, I forgot to pay attention to the end size of the blocks.The day after I finishing the clue, I measured the blocks. I needed to amend two of the plaid like blocks and two of the rail fence blocks. Whew!

Part one of clue four blocks

Stitching accurate blocks is important because in the last mystery, we cut the blocks apart. In clue four, we cut the blocks from clue two! I was one block short. I cut it out and stitched it. Then I cut it apart and made the final blocks for part one of clue four. I'm happy with the transparency that I achieved.

Part two of clue four blocks

The second part of the clue four was to create more blocks cutting up the blocks I had made in clue three. I mostly achieved transparency. 

Part one of clue five blocks

I restitched part one of clue five several times as I was challenged getting close to the end size of the blocks. I hope that these will work into the final design. These were made cutting up clue four blocks.

Part two of clue five blocks

The second part of clue five blocks was to cut apart the blocks from clue one and to sew them back together. 

Part one of clue six

The first part of clue six was to cut part the blocks of clue six and sew those back together. Finally, I had sewn all the blocks. I put them on the design wall and will play around with the various options to find the layout that pleases my eye. 

Making progress on this mystery was goal number seven on my May list. Linking up with Carol at To Do Tuesday!

Green Rainbow Scrap Challenge Blocks--2025 --post three

Green selvage squares

Goal number six on my May list was to make the green blocks for the RainBow Scrap Challenge. Angela at SoScrappy, picked green as the color for May. THIS month, I wasn't going to wait until the last day to get the blocks sewn!

Block ready to be stitched

The small challenge I had was that I thought that I had made four sets of selvage squares; but, in fact, I had sewn only three. It was back to the selvage bag to make another set of four squares. I forgot to take a photo of the selvages.

Green blocks complete

While I was concerned that the green background would blend with the green selvages, the background worked great. There are enough varieties of green to be able to get a contrast. Now. . .if I can get the June blocks sewn at least as quickly next month. My fingers are crossed!

Linking to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday!, Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilts and Angela at So Scrappy!

As Noted--Unveiled!

Linda H. placing the bass clef

Last summer, I shared the blocks that our members made for the guild block challenge, "As Noted." The rules for the challenge was to make a block with a musical theme. If you used notes or words, these should be in black. The background should be cream, off white. We received 56 blocks which were made by 31 people. These blocks became the opportunity quilt for 2026. (Members choose a 501(3)c charitable organization to support. The ticket sales go to that organization.

Su S. placing the dots

In that post, I also shared how we were sashing the blocks. We pieced various widths of strips of solid fabrics which we cross cut into various widths that we sewed to the blocks. At the beginning of one sew session, we drew the bass clef on freezer paper. Once we had the shape and size we wanted, we cut it out of freezer paper. We then adhered it to our black fabric.

Placing the blocks around the staff

We used round household items to audition the size of the dots we needed. Su S. stitched the dots into perfect circles. Linda H. hand appliquéd the bass clef and the dots. Linda P.  figured out the math needed for the staff.After we had this section of the top together, we began placing the blocks around the bass clef.

Getting closer to a top

We did need to take a few of our four patch blocks apart because our top was approaching 110 inches in length. We then had to add more of the solid fabric sashing. Determining where that sashing was placed to get the blocks to fit together was quite the puzzle! We moved some blocks to another position. We used some solid black, some solid colors and even a musical print to fill in some of the spaces. We high fived one another when we had a "section" together. We totally improv pieced this top!

Sharron B. pressing a section

From the beginning, we planned to machine appliqué two blocks to the staff. Linda P. hadn't done this before; but was game to give it a go. Linda H. stitched the last seam.

Linda H. stitching the last seam

We were gifted a bunch of musical fabrics. From those donations, I pieced a back. You can read the post here. You can also view the label that Su S. wrote.

Finished top: Su S., Linda P., me, Sharron B. and Linda H.

We asked another Linda P. to quilt it on her long arm. We encouraged her to let the blocks inspire her to quilt the top. 

Quilting sample

She did an awesome job. 

There is so much to see on the project. 

Each block is quilted a little bit differently. 

A few of the blocks are included in this post.

Note the musical instruments quilted to the left of the block

She said she went on the internet to capture free clip art of musical instruments which she quilted in the staff.

The detail of the quilting is evident from the back too.

Detail of the quilting from the quilt back

Once the quilting was finished, Su machine stitched the binding to the front. Then Su, Linda H., Linda P. and Sharron B. hand stitched the binding to the back. Sharron B. added the sleeve and made a pillowcase to house the quilt when it isn't being shown at various locales where tickets will be sold. 

Binding

Finished quilt.

Ticket proceeds will go to the West Columbia Humane Society located in Washougal, Washington.

I so enjoyed working with these women. When any thought was on the table, the response was positive with comments about how to fine tune or improve the idea. That they chose one of my ideas as our initial start, was especially touching to me. I hope we will sell all the tickets.

We unveiled our finished quilt at the April guild meeting. We had so many positive responses. Ticket sales will begin late Fall or early Winter.

Sharing this project was goal number four on my May list.

Linking to Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilts and Cynthia at Oh Scrap! Happy Mother's Day to all you moms of two legged and four legged kids!

Old Town, FINSHED--post eight

Sleeve and backing fabric

I'm celebrating a FINISH which is six months ahead of when Bonnie Hunter will announce the next mystery! Documenting this finish was goal number three on my May list. I finished it last month; but, ran out of days to post so saved the Ta-Da moment for this month.

Label and binding view

It is quilted with a paisley edge to edge pattern using a soft yellow thread. The back is too busy to show the pattern. Originally, I had planned a blue/aqua binding; but, decided a red one was better. I didn't have enough of the reds I had used in the project. In my stash, I had a Christmas print that worked so that was what I used.

My daughter likes to garden so I chose a label that had a garden vibe and wrote the pertinent information. 

If you missed an earlier post, I've listed the posts: Post 1--fabric; Post 2--clues 1,2,3; Post 3--clues 4,5; Post 4--clues 6,7,8; Post 5--clue 9; Post 6--It's a Top; Post 7--At the Longarmer.

Finished front

I used 21.25 yards of fabric from my stash to make this project. I did buy backing fabric so that piece of fabric didn't stay long in my stash at all. Now, if only I could use other fabrics as quickly!

Fabric Summary:

Fabric in this month: 0 yards    

Fabric in year to date: 14 yards

Fabric used from stash this month:21.25 yards

Fabric used from stash year to date: 42 yards

Net loss/gain this month: -21.25 yards

Net loss/gain year to date: -28 yards

The scraps I had on hand sure made up beautifully! Linking to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday,

April Recap and May Goals

 

Red Selvage squares

My two annual goals are:

1. Have a net loss of 100 yards of fabric from my stash.

2. Finish six UFOs

✔ a. Temperature 2021--pin basted and ditched quilted started in January,  progress made in February. Almost finished the quilting in March. Completed the project in April. Hooray!!!! 

b. Temperature 2022-2023

c. Martha's House blocks

✒ d. Positively Grows--pin basted in February

e. Maze top

f. Butterfly number four 

Fabric Summary:

Fabric in this month: 0 yards    

Fabric in year to date: 14 yards

Fabric used from stash this month:14.75 yards

Fabric used from stash year to date: 20.75 yards

Net loss/gain this month: -14.75 yards

Net loss/gain year to date: -6.75 yards

April Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks

My April goals were:

✔1. Trim the threads from the back of Old Town.

✔2. Schedule Old Town quilting with the longarmer.

✔3. Share the Indigo Way quilts that were shared at the guild quilt show.

✔4. Share the book club quilts that were shared at the guild quilt show.

✔5. Share the judges' feed back about quilts that I entered.

✔6. Sort a small bag of scraps.

✔7. Finish the 2021 Temperature Quilt.

✔8. Continue piecing the Santa Tree skirt.

✔9. Continue with knee rehabilitation. I still have pain, swelling and difficulty walking. . .sigh. I switched to a different acupuncturist. My primary provider has encouraged me to try a different therapist for physical therapy. I had a backslide in my progress two weeks ago, so I am again game to give PT another go.

✔10, Make progress on Love Makes a Family.

Cutting fabrics for Sweet Tooth blocks

✖11. Make progress on Fleur. I've sidelined this project as goal number six is taking its place.

✔12. Make progress on Sweet Tooth. I reviewed the video for Clue 2. I re-read the clue and cut fabrics for one block. 

✒13. Share the story of "As Noted." I've written the post, I just ran out of time to post it.

✔14. Make the Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks. The color for April was red, Every sew day, I'd say to myself that I would get to this project the following day. On April 29th, I pulled the red selvage squares that I made last year and stitched them into blocks. Nothing like waiting until almost the last minute to complete these blocks!

Green for May Rainbow Scrap Challenge

This month I was most excited that I had a finish AND have finally used more stash than purchased this year! I'm motivated to keep that trend going! 

This month my favorite read was "The Man Who Planted Trees" by Jean Giono. It is a quick read; but, one that makes you think. My favorite audible book was "Vera Wang's Unsolicited Advice for Murders" by Jesse Q. Sutano. I chuckled, I laughed, I felt my eyes tear. . .what a read!

My May goals are:

1. Sew 2 swimsuits--IF my machine comes back from repair.

2. Document the little bird pouch.

3. Document the finish of Old Town.

4, Share the story of "As Noted.

5. Finish "Love Makes a Family."

6. Make the Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks.

7. Make progress on Sweet Tooth.

8. Sew some 2025 Temperature quilt blocks.

9. Make progress quilting the Santa Tree Skirt.

10. Continue with the knee rehabilitation.

11. Spend 15 minutes before each sewing session tidying.

12. Try to work on the words for the current book club quilt.

Linking to: Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilts, Angela at SoScrappy and Cynthia at Oh Scrap!

Love Makes A Family--post 3

Curve reversed  and mirrored

This month, I've steadily been quilting on "Love Makes A Family." Goal number 10 o my April list was to make progress on this project. At the beginning of the month, I took my 790 Bernini in for a repair because the stitch width was engaging like it was possessed. Turns out, a circuit board needed to be replaced which is on order. I don't know when I will get it back

Multiple curves

I miss that machine; but, I'm thankful that I have a back up machine which is a 1630 Bernina that I've had since the 90s. It stitches well; but, I'm not able to use rulers so my quilting has been free motion. Although, I do plan to use the feed dogs to quilt the straight lines I have planned for the background.

The first step for me is to quilt in the ditch. This is a boring step; but, important because it helps keep the project flatter. It is also important because it gives me time think about what I might want to quilt next.

Curves set at an angle ending with straight lines

Generally, I don't plan what I'm going to stitch in an area until I'm at that "spot." Sometimes, I have an idea of the quilting when I'm piecing; but that doesn't often happen!

I decided that I would quilt the pieced strip areas with a rainbow thread. I have used and enjoyed this thread for a number of projects over the years. Sadly, Superior Threads discontinued producing it about four years ago. I'm using the last of it! I have not found a suitable replacement yet; but, I haven't done much looking either!

Two curves

As I spooled the thread across the pieced section, The thread curved in a pleasing manner which got me to thinking about challenging myself to using the same curve; but altering the curve in the pieced sections. It is fun to play with a curve shape to see what kind of different designs you can stitch. 

One curve and adding half a curve

The wider strips received a more detailed design. The first design I made, I placed the curve in a smile and reversed it into a frown. At that point, it reminded me of a fish design which is appropriate for the book ("Before We Were Yours" by Lisa Wingate) that inspired this project.

Angled lines quilted on the letters

Then I mirrored the curve because it filled the space better. Sometimes, I used a portion of the curve and added a straight line. In the last narrow strip, I changed the orientation of the curve.

Using a purple thread to quilt the letters, I stitched angled straight lines. Finally, I free motion quilted hearts in the background of the letters. Again, I chose a thread that was the same color as the area I was quilting. I spent about nine hours quilting the background of the letters!

To quilt the red background, I switched the free motion quitting foot for the quarter inch foot. I was concerned that my chosen red thread wasn't enough for the entire background. Because I'm using what I have, I decided to use it anyway. 

As a backup, I selected another spool of red thread that is more on the orange red side than the blue red side. To integrate that thread, if necessary, I quilted inch sections of the background. If necessary, I would fill in with the other thread. 

Background quilting progress

I quilted lines a quarter inch apart leaving an inch between each section. There were a lot of stops and starts. I plan to bury the tails which will take some time. 

Stay tuned as after I finish quilting the straight lines, I'll be ready to press my facing, finish the edge, miter the corners and stitch it in place. I will finish this project next month!

Linking to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday!

Judge's Comments from QuiltFest Northwest Show March 13-15, 2025

Play

Play: Made for our small group challenge that was to take a traditional block and make it modern. Cream or white had to be used in the project. There was also a size restriction. It is a double duty project in that it also was my project for the book, "Prayers for Sale" by Sandra Dalles.

Comments: Striking visual impact.Good complementary contrast between the blue and orange. Circular motifs contribute strong movement. Excellent use of variety of quilting designs. They fill individual spaces well. It was awarded a red or second place ribbon.

Work, Play Rest

Work, Play, Rest: Made for Thread Tales (our book club) challenge for the book, "The Year of Less" by Cait Flanders.

Comments:  Very good choices for the prints of the shirts; they reflect the book well. Excellent execution of the dimensional shirts. The labels are well executed and add visual interest and information, And very good edge finish,

Stars Like Spaghetti

Stars Like Spaghetti: Made for the Thread Tales challenge for the book, "The Women" by Kristen Hannah.

Comments:  Very good movement created through diagonal lines and quilting design. Well balanced composition. Good variety of prints for visual texture. Very good binding technique.

Transparency

Transparency: Made for Thread Tales challenge for the book, " The Lager Queen of Minnesota," by J. Ryan Stradal. 

Comments:  Excellent creation of focal point through color placement and choice. Organic quilting is a great contrast to geometric piecing. Very good quilting thread color choices which allow the circles to shine. Very good piecing technique. Transition from light to dark values and colors is well done. It was awarded a third place or white ribbon.

Indigo Way

Indigo Way: Our guild mystery quilt. We followed Bonnie Hunter last year.

Comments: Great placement of colors and value. Keeps the pattern strong and defined. Piecing well done; points are sharp and inner borders are straight. Quilting motif covers evenly, keeping the quilt hanging properly. Binding generally well applied; try to keep it full and straight. It was awarded a third place or white ribbon.

These were great comments to receive! Sharing the judge's comments with my readers was goal number five on my April list.

Linking to Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilts and Cynthia at Oh Scrap.