Pink Lemonade AKA Four Patch Fun--post 2

Strips to exchange

At our November Mystery Maven hybrid sew day, we exchanged pink and yellow strips. Goodness, we had a lot to share! It was fun to exchange. I don't know how many strips I took; but, I'm thankful for the variety! 

Fabrics sent in the mail

 Thanks to my friends Rosanne, Riza and Alvera sending me some of their pink scraps, I had 80 pink strips to exchange. Rosanne was glad to get rid of the scraps. When my husband saw what came in that mail package, he wanted to know why someone would send me something like that? The something were 25 different pink fabrics! I pre-washed the fabrics and trimmed them into strips for the exchange.

Prewashing background fabrics

The first part of goal number nine on my December list was to finish pre-washing the strips from our group strip exchange. It took me a few days; but, I did pre-wash all the strips from the exchange. I hand wash the strips so the process was fiddly; but, not difficult!

The second part of the goal was to pre-wash and cut background fabrics to make kits. I didn't specify the number of kits; but, over the weekend, I did cut enough background pieces to make 50 kits. I'm set to begin the actual sewing of this leader ender process. I have a few background fabrics ready to cut into strips when I sew all that I have prepared. I'm looking forward to making these blocks! 

50 kits ready for stitching

I still have a few kits of the Triple Treat leader ender left. I will sew those and then take an inventory of how many blocks I have completed. I did group the blocks as I finished them in stacks of twelve. It won't be hard to determine if I made enough of these blocks to make a lap quilt. 

Garment for the Youngest Granddaughter

 

Fabric for the project

Goal number three on my December list was to make a garment for my youngest granddaughter. The fabric came from my friend Marla whose sister made wonderful suits from polyester fabrics. Since my granddaughter, A, likes pink, this fabric would be appreciated. This project came from scraps as I had made a dress for the oldest granddaughter in 2021.

First choice pattern

I looked through my pattern file and located a multi-size one that featured a simple A-line dress. Unfortunately when I opened the pattern, I remembered someone had gifted it to me. The pattern had been cut on the size four lines. I wasn't gong to sketch out the larger size.

Cut out skirt and pattern

It was back to the pattern file for another option. Eventually, I decided to make a simple skirt. I cut out the skirt and I still had lots of yardage left! In May 2021, I made a dress for my oldest granddaughter from this fabric.

I decided to add the tulle ruffle. I dusted off the serger and I spent hours trying to adjust the tension. I could have made three skirts in the time it took me to determine that one of the threads had slipped out of the tension disk!

It took me more time to readjust the serger to do a fold over hem with bulky or wooly nylon thread. Miss A loves pink, so I stitched the edge of the ruffle with pink thread. The pattern didn't call for an edge finish; but, I thought that my granddaughter would appreciate the detail.

After three more days of fiddling with the serger, I gave up on the rolled hem finish idea. I never could stitch without the thread breaking.

Bias tape packaging; note the pricing

Instead, I got out my grandmother's bias tape and found two packages that were pink. They weren't the same pink; but similar enough that it would work. At 17 cents and 85 cents, these were definitely vintage! One of my quilting friends googled the year one could buy the bias tape for 17 cents. The answer was the 1970s! My grandmother would be tickled to see her notions being used. . .especially when the notion was used for a kid!

The bias tape accent

The bias tape made a much better impact on the tulle. The ruffle at the hemline is super cute and I think that my granddaughter is going to love this skirt!

Finished skirt

It is going to be hard to wait until Christmas to see her reaction! I used half a yard of fabric. This brings my total yardage used from stash to 109.25 yards. I have a net loss of 48 yards for the year. 

Linking to Oh Scrap and Sew and Tell.

Grassy Creek Is A TOP!--Post 8

Narrow border added; pieced border in progress

December first, was a Mystery Mavens meeting day. (I formed the Mystery Mavens in 2019 to work on Bonnie Hunter mysteries.) We exchanged pink and yellow strips for Bonnie's current leader/ender Four Patch Fun. Our group renamed the leader/ender. Pink Lemonade. We paused long enough to take our annual group photo. In between visiting and sharing strips, I managed to sew two sides of the skinny inner border. I sewed the other two sides at home! I didn't have to piece the border, because I had leftover wide backing that was the perfect shade of green, Two sides went on easily and two sides required a bit of easing.

Finished top

The next step was to stitch the string blocks together. With that string pieced border, I wondered how well it would fit to the top. It didn't. Evidently, I wasn't all that accurate in piecing the rows of blocks together. I took in each of the seam allowances a little bit. I was able to make the borders fit. The string border is a great accent to this project. I'm glad I spent the time to make the blocks!

It is now a top! At 95 1/2 inches square, it is too large to photograph anywhere but on a bed! I have pre-washed the backing. It is waiting to be pressed. Maybe, I will get this project to the longarmer before the end of the month; but, maybe not! Making progress on Grassy Creek was goal number six on my December list.

Linking to Finished or Not Friday and Patchwork and Quilts.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge Block for 2026

My string bag is over flowing. I needed to come up with a sample block that I could make during the year. I had planned a different block until I discovered that I would have a hard time coming up with enough variety and enough size of the scraps needed to make the block. I rethought blocks. I perused Pinterest. 

String bag

While I was sewing the border of Grassy Creek, I had two pairs of string blocks cooling from pressing on the ironing station. I noticed that the X made a nice looking design. Gertie, my inner squirrel, jumped in to request that I turn the blocks. I oriented them to a vertical position. She swished her tail. No silly, she seemed to say. Keep the vertical orientation and move the bottom block to the top. Make a diamond shape instead of an X shape.

X Block string orientation

I did, I liked the result. I thanked Gertie for her input. Of course, she went racing around the studio with joy. I have a few gray strings that need a partner. In other words, I will need to make an equal number of uphill and downhill blocks. I had a lot of gray fabric left from making Grassy Creek so I plan to make enough string blocks to act as a border around the blocks I piece in the color of the month during the year.

Diamond string orientation

I will piece rectangles with the available strings. I will need four string rectangles to make one diamond. This may take me more than one year to complete; but, I'm okay with that! I like having a plan!

Container of gray scraps

Goal number eight on my December list was to determine the RSC block for 2026.  Linking to Oh Scrap, Scrap Happy and Sew & Tell.

November Recap and December Goals

Possible garment fabric for granddaughter 

My 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--pin basted in September, started quilting in October, began quilting the filler for the blocks and background design in November.

✒c. Martha's House blocks--purchased backing in May; determined a quilting design in August; backing prepped and project to the longarmer in November.

✔d. Positively Grows--pin basted in February; started ditch quilting in July, finished in August, documented in September.

✔e. Maze top--purchased backing in May; longarmer quilted and I added the binding, sleeve and label in June!

f. Butterfly number four 

Temperature blocks

Fabric Summary:

Fabric in this month: 0 yards   

Fabric in year to date: 64 3/4 yards

Fabric used from stash this month: 1.75 yards. 

Fabric used from stash year to date: 108.75 yards

Net loss/gain this month: -1.75yards

Net loss/gain year to date: -47.50 yards  

Books:

Some Lupine and Laughter units

My favorite listen of the month was: The Sisterhood of Ravensbruück by Lynne Olson. The author shares the lives of resisters who continue to resist the Nazi regime even in the all female concentration camp. How they had the fortitude to survive the conditions as well as return to living in society after their release made for a good listen. I was impressed with how the women fought for and won compensation for the a group of Polish women upon which horrendous medical experimentation
was practiced years after the war.

Finish the house quilt

My favorite read of the month was: The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith. (Robert Galbraith is J.K. Rowling's pen name.) Strike Comoran is a PI living in his office because he has no money and he may loose his office because he is behind on the rent. He can't afford his temporary secretary Robin. She's interviewing for positions that pay; but, likes the PI vibe and she is good at chasing leads. Then, Strike lands a case. Did the famous model kill herself or was she murdered? I will read more of this series. It is set in London and I recognize some of the places!

My November goals were:

✔ 1. Get the backing pre-washed, pressed as well as the house top pressed and to the longarmer.

✔2. Gather and prepare fabrics for the Bonnie Hunter mystery. This year it is Lupine & Laughter.

✔3. Make more 2025 Temperature Quilt blocks.

✔4. Make progress quilting the 2022-2023 Temperature Quilt.

✔5. Make a garment for my middle granddaughter.

✔6. Gather and cut strips for the Bonnie Hunter's Four Patch Fun leader ender.

✔7. Make progress on Grassy Creek.

✔8. Begin cutting and piecing fabrics for the small group challenge.--I cut up two sets of three fabrics. I was not able to recreate the pattern I had in my head. I've thought about the process and have a new plan in mind. 

✔9. Make a back for the 2025 RSC top. I did choose one fabric as a start!

It was a great month as I made progress on all the projects on my list! I didn't think that I would accomplish goal number eight; but, on the last day of November, I cut a sample block! 

What I didn't like was using three colors and having two purple strips. My next try will be to use two fabrics and one purple strip. I'm also going to cut a strip and then sub cut the strip into triangles. Once I've sewn two triangles to a purple strip, I'll cut that square into half and see if I like the result.

If I didn't have this list of goals to chip away on during the month, I wouldn't have accomplished nearly as much.

Challenge start--this one is not it

I'm pleased I was able to not buy any yardage! I did exchange strips and while I didn't count, I may have brought home more than I took. They were scraps that I brought and other brought their scraps.

My December goals are:

1. Make more 2025 Temperature Quilt blocks.

2. Make parts for the Lupine and Laughter Bonnie Hunter mystery.

3.Make a garment for my youngest granddaughter.

4. Finish the house quilt.

5. Make progress quilting the 2022-2023 temperature quilt.

6. Make progress on Grassy Creek.

7.Determine a list of annual goals for 2026.

8. Determine the RSC block for 2026.

9. Finish pre washing the strips I exchanged. Pre wash background fabrics. Make kits for the leader ender.

10. Make a sample block for my small group challenge.

Linking to Finished Or Not Friday.and Patchwork and Quilts.

2025 Temperature Quilt Piecing Progress--post four

Progress at the end of October 

Generally, I've been posting progress on this project each month as part of my recap of the month and goal setting for the following month. The last post I wrote about this project was in July!

My goal each month has been to piece as many houses as I can. Nineteen blocks comprise a row. If I piece at least two rows each month then I am "gaining" on catching up!

The first photo represents where I ended up in October. I had pieced and put into rows the days through August 4! This will be last "floor" photo because the next row will make the piece too large for the floor. It is destined to be a bed quilt so photographing it on the bed does make sense!

Progress at the end of November

I spent a lot of time this month piecing the center of Grassy Creek and selecting/prepping fabrics for Bonnie Hunter's mystery and leader/ender. My granddaughter's garment also took a chunk of time. I ALWAYS underestimate the time it is going to take me to make progress on a project. 

Previously, I would estimate how far I would get on a project. Many times I fell short of the goal. I LOVE being able to check a box off of my monthly goal list. Thanks to my friend Linda D who pointed me and my squirrel, Gertie, to the "make progress" goal rather than be so specific! Making that change saw me completing more items on my list. Some months I went further on a project than I had envisioned. Some months, I didn't make much progress. The point was, though, I made some progress. 

This month, I made some progress on this project. I have pieced a little over a row. The rows represent the days through August 22nd. While I'd love to have made more progress, I'm happy that I made progress! Moving this project forward was goal number three on my November list.

Linking to Oh Scrap and Sew and Tell and To Do Tuesday.

Quilting the 2022 through 2023 Temperature Quilt

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving for Americans. I hope no one will be alone on the holiday. While I'm not in the turkey camp, that is what my son-in-law is cooking. My husband and I feel blessed to be going to their house. I've been asked to bring sourdough rolls and a pie. The caveat was cook's choice. I'm trying a new roll recipe along with a tried a true one. We have a lot of gooseberries in the freezer so I'll be making a pie with those. Our one bush produced many quarts this year! 

Back of quilt

Last month, I began quilting the 2022 through 2023 Temperature Quilt. My plan was to quilt it with an all over design of clam shells. 

Clam shells in the border

While I liked the clamshells in the border, I did not like them on the boxes. . . .sigh. . . Gertie, my inner squirrel. tried to tell me to stop after one row into the top. but, I didn't listen!nI stitched another 15 rows before I decided Gertie was right. 

Updated quilting pattern in spacer boxes

It took me many sessions over three days to rip the 15 rows that I stitched with the clamshell motif. I ripped a few rows at a time and then stitched the updated pattern. Quilting this project is going to take a long time. I planned to quilt on this project every day that I was in the studio. My Mavens quilt buddy Linda D tells me that over time a little bit of progress adds up! It turns out, I didn't even come close to that goal. Instead, I'm finding that I need to make quilting a priority of the day and then move to another project!

Same quilting pattern on the days of the year

Making progress on the quilting on this project was goal number ten on my November list. I currently have quilted 10 rows of blocks. There are 34 rows of blocks so I'm closing in on having a third of the rows quilted. Linking to Patchwork and Quilting.

Garment Sewing--A Shirt

Prewashing in process

Goal number five on my November list was to make a garment for my middle granddaughter. I can't remember the last time I sewed a long sleeved shirt with a yoke. There was a time that I would make a western styled shirt for my brothers, dad, and husband. It's been about three decades since I've done that!

About 10 years ago, I bought this fabric thinking it would make a nice shirt for each granddaughter. I didn't make the shirts. In an effort to move the fashion fabric out of my studio, I decided to sew this fabric into a shirt for my almost twelve year old granddaughter. She likes plaid shirts.

I pre-washed the fabric. I was impressed that the fabric was color fast and didn't appear to shrink!

Drawing the pattern pieces from
the master pattern

The next step was to draw the pattern off of the master pattern. I have a little pattern tracing fabric left from a purchase from JoAnn Fabric store. I miss that store for notion purchases. To stretch the pattern fabric, I used wax paper to draw off the smaller pattern pieces.

The pattern

The pattern that I'm using is a Kwik Sew that I likely bought thirty years ago! 

Cut out ready for stitching

Next, I cut out the pieces from the fabric. It took a while because I ended up cutting the pieces out one at a time so that the seams, when I sew them, will match. 

Buttons from the button box

When I made shirts in the past, I did have to iron the areas of the finished shirts that were interfaced because the fusible shrunk. I did try a new to me technique which was to preshrink the fusible interfacing. I followed J Stearns Design YouTube video that she posted ten years ago! Her recommendation was to place the interfacing in hot water for about 10 minutes, gently squeeze out the excess water, roll the interfacing in a towel, gently squeeze the towel and hang the interfacing to dry. I'll be interested to hear if that process works!

The pockets went on without an issue. Then I managed to be challenged with stitching the front bands. I stitched, I ripped. I stitched and I ripped. Finally, the third time I got it right. I don't know why I was making it such a challenge! 

I have done a lot of ripping. . . goodness! I managed to make two right sleeves. . . ugh. So there was even more ripping. When I was ready to stitch the buttons, button holes and hem, I danced around the studio a bit. I gave a shout of joy when I found eight buttons in my button stash that worked! I don't know if these came from my grandma, my mom or me. I'm leaning toward my grandma. I placed a similar red \button on the collar stand. 

I thought I would finish this project over three days. . .HAH!!! It took me a week; but who will know that fact but you and me? A finish is a finish!!

I used a yard and three quarters for this project. This brings my net loss of fabric used from stash this year to 47 and a half yards. I likely will not meet my goal of having a net loss of 100 yards by the end of the year. I am pleased, however, that I have used 108 and three quarters yards of fabric from my stash. Perhaps, next year, I'll be able to curb my purchasing a bit more!

Linking to Oh Scrap and Sew and Tell.

Piecing the Back For the Selvage Top

Novelty sewing themed print fabric

Goal number nine on my November list was to piece a back for the selvage top which I'm calling "Hidden Seven." I started with the piece of green I had left over from cutting the background for the selvage blocks. 

I cut and prepared the binding. I decided to use one cut of the fabric pieced horizontally. Next, I went to the stash. In 2011, my friend JoJo and I went fabric shopping. I was on the hunt for a particular background fabric. I found what I needed. Together we found a fun novelty print. 

Two yards of the newsprint/Sewing Daily print remained on the bolt. She and I split it. I liked it so much that every time I went to cut it up, I couldn't! I don't know how JoJo used her fabric.

Pieced back

The novelty fabric seemed just right for the back. Still, I needed another chunk of fabric. I chose a red fabric. It was also a yard. With a little more piecing, I finished stitching the back. I had enough of the green to cut the sleeve. I will cut the batting. This project will be ready to go to the longarmer! 

Linking to Finished Or Not Friday and Patchwork and Quilts.

Four Patch Fun--"Pink Lemonade"--post 1

Pink fabrics

Our Mystery Mavens group is planning to share strips to make Bonnie Hunter's Four Patch Fun Leader/Ender challenge. We were going to share the strips in September but some us forgot! I was one of those who forgot! So we are exchanging strips in December. 

One of our members said the colors reminded her of pink lemonade and so that has become the name of the project. We are sharing strips so we will have fabric from other members of the group. Some of us have pink and yellow fabrics. Some of us have pink and little yellow. Some, like me, have yellow but almost no pink!

Yellow fabrics

We decided any pink from light, to bright to dusty and to dark would be accepted. We also made the same sort of allowances for yellow. We could look at our stash for yellow gold, bright yellow, mustard, dark yellow and light yellow. 

My oldest granddaughter was over for a visit. She helped me find the remaining pink fabrics. (I already had pulled pink for Bonnie's mystery that will begin in a few weeks so I had little left!) We also pulled the yellow fabrics. 

Again, a lot of the yellow fabrics came from Rita's Temperature quilt fabrics. Although, I had quite a few. The really bright yellow fabrics, I picked up from the free table a number of years ago. 

I thought that I would start cutting strips. Then, I decided
that at the least, I want to pre-wash the fabrics first. Some, I have pre-washed; but, there are a lot that haven't been pre-washed. I will likely pre-wash the strips I get because I don't want to be surprised with a fabric bleed when the project is finished!

In process sewing

Then, I decided that I wanted to make a block to see what it was like. I asked my granddaughter if she would like to cut the pieces and sew a sample block. She did!

Chain piecing the block

That quarter inch seam proved to be elusive in some places; but, as she stitched, she hit the mark most of the time. She was impressed she remembered how to lower the presser foot and provide an even speed with the foot pedal. I was impressed with how quickly she corrected her seam allowance.

Finished block

Once she had finished, we both liked the block. So over the next week, I pre-washed fabric, dried fabric, pressed fabric and cut strips. If there wasn't enough fabric to cut a strip; but, there was enough fabric to cut a block, I did. For two days, I spent the majority of the day cutting!

15 pink and 80 yellow strips to exchange

Next,  I raided my precut strips and was able to come up with a few more fabrics. I pre washed the pink leftovers that my friend, Rita had cut for her Temperature quilt. These were the leftovers that would work for this project. I dried, pressed and cut as many blocks as I had fabric. I cut steadily for a couple of days!

Pink leftovers

I'm ready for the exchange. I have a great amount of fabrics cut for the leader/ender. I do need to cut the background fabric. I'm saving that task for another day!

Yellow fabrics ready for stitching

All my yellow and pink fabrics are in a project box awaiting background fabrics. I'm thinking that I will cut 20 strips to start and replenish as I need. My project box is about full; but, I believe I can squeeze in some background strips! When I finish this project, I will have used a lot of scraps!

Pink fabrics ready for stitching

Goal number six on my November list was to gather and cut strips for this leader/ender. Linking to Oh Scrap and Sew & Tell.

Sashing Grassy Creek--post 8

Chaos while figuring out a piecing system

The first and third Mondays of the month are the days that our Mystery Mavens group meet. I try to work on a Bonnie project during those days. I've been working on Grassy Creek. The first Monday, I planned to get started on the sashing. 

I made quite a mess while I was figuring  out a system to build the sashing. I decided to make the churn dash elements with the same fabric in each churn dash.

To ensure the blocks stayed as I had laid them out on the design wall, I pinned the sashing on top. This turned out as not the best solution; but, it got me started with the process.

Sashing in progress

Because working on this project takes up so much space in my sewing area. I made the decision to sew on it until I had the blocks together in a top. 

I'm pleased with how the parts are coming together. I'm also pleased with the overall effect of the sashing. Although the first photo of the sashing in progress doesn't show the effect!

At the end of my second sewing session, I had made a little more progress. My design wall isn't big enough to hold a full row of the blocks. Consequently, if there was a way to sew the blocks together differently from the directions, I tested it! I found that moving the blocks to the floor netted a whole lot less unsewing! 

Progress after the second sewing session

Even though  I haven't sewn but a few rows together, I'm liking the emerging design! The light background pieces sure pop in this design. It is easy to sew bits together that creates a pattern other than the one that I want! I plan to be mindful as I stitch each seam. 

Working on the other half of the blocks at the end
of the third session

At the end of session three, I had sewn four rows together. I also had laid out two thirds of the second half of the quilt. I did need to cut a few bars for the churn dashes so that I had the same fabric in the four sections of the churn dash. 

Progress at the beginning of the fourth session

At the beginning of the fourth session, I thought that I would be able to complete the center. Even though I had sewn half of the quilt into rows and even though I had begun the layout of the last half of the quilt, I was too optimistic!

Lower third of the second half of the quilt

There are 24 points to match in each row. Sometimes, the matches went well and sometimes they didn't. I was short one HST and I had one extra string pieced sashing. I sure removed a lot of stitches in that last row because I kept turning the HSTs in a direction other than was directed! By the end of the fourth session, I had three more seams to sew! 

Close up view of the churn dash sashing

On the fifth session, I was sure that I could finish the center. I had three seams left to sew and I had pinned two of them. I did it! WHEW! I like it. It measures about 84 inches square which is too big for me to get an accurate photo of the center. 

Finished center

There is a skinny inner border and a string border left to add. In the coming weeks, I'll think about when I will work on those sections. I need to get to other items on my November list. I'm glad that I've made progress on this project which was goal number seven on my list.

Linking to Finished or Not Friday and Patchwork and Quilts.