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.

2021 Temperature Quilt--It's A FINISH!

Break out the confetti and add a drum roll. . .this project is FINISHED! I added a lot of free motion fillers in this project. To recap, after stitching in the ditch, I added circles and small stippling to the sections at the top and bottom of the days.

Free motion circles or large pebbles

Small stipple

I carried that same motif into the border for the legend.

More pebbles and small stippling

I quilted a squiggly shape around the circles. The hand running stitch designates precipitation.

A squiggly around the circles

I quilted a swirl in the "empty" days.

Swirls

I quilted a simple continuous curve in the sashing squares and quilted straight lines in the center of the black sashing.

Continuos curve

In the border, I used a similar thread to stitch a few straight lines in each of the fabrics.

Straight lines in the border

I used 25 different threads to complete this project. Some were from my grandmother's stash, some from my mom's stash, a lot came from my stash and I HAD to purchase a few!

25 different threads

I did make an effort to block it. I wasn't entirely successful.

Blocking in progress

I hand wrote a label.

Handwritten label

I added the binding.

Binding added

I made and attached a sleeve. I had to piece it because there wasn't enough of the backing fabric. I tried a new to me way to attach the sleeve. After I pinned it, I machine basted it in place. Gosh, it was so nice to stitch as I didn't get pricked by a pin once!

Pieced sleeve with basting thread instead of pins

Below is what I actually had left of the backing fabric! Talk about using it all!!

Scraps leftover from the backing

The fish fabric that is th majority of the backing is extra special because my friend, Laura R. gave it to me. Someone had gifted it to her. It was NOT her style. She was a pastel and sweet print kind of gal. Cancer took her life last summer. She would be smiling that I used this fabric! I did need to piece it as it wasn't quite enough!

Bright fish print fabric for the majority of the backing

Finished front

Ta dah. . .FINISHED!!!!!

I used 14.75 yards of fabric to complete this quilt. I've finally used more fabric than I purchased this year! 

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

This is part a of my second annual goal and goal number seven on my April list. I finally have a FINISH to link to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday!

Thread Tales (Book Club) Exhibit at Guild Quilt Show 2025

"Use It" made by Angie L.

Goal number four on my April list was to share our Thread Tales exhibit at our guild quilt show with my readers. Every year, we read four books. We discuss the book the first month. The second month, we may have an activity or another discussion. The third month, we reveal our projects. Unless the maker wants help with their project, we don't know what people are making until the reveal.

Our group has few rules, we don't have to read the book. We don't have to be a book leader. We dob't have to attend the meetings. We don't have to make a project. We don't have to finish a project to share it. If we choose to be a book leader, we need to have read the book before we choose it! Currently, there are sixteen members in our group. New members are welcome at any time.

"Crazy for You" made by Kathy L.

For the book, Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas, we had two entries. Of course, more quilts were finished; but, they may have been given away or were shown in other categories of the show. Angie L. recycled men's shirts to make an improv style log cabin block. She measured the three inch centers but didn't measure any of the remaining "logs." She sewed the quilt on her featherweight and it was one of the first quilts that she long armed on a friend's machine. She named her quilt "Use It."

Kathy M. used silk ties and fabrics from Africa to create a crazy quilt. Enlarge the photo so you can see the trims and embellishments that she used to trim some of the blocks. In the book, the matriarch likened the ladies gathering to quilt to a crazy quilt in that the members come from a variety of backgrounds yet combine into one cohesive group. She earned an honorable mention ribbon for her quilt.

"Slow Stitching" made by Angie L.

For the book, "The Year of Less" by Cait Flanders, we had two entries. Angie L. used minimal color to represent pairing things down. 

Work, Play, Rest made by me

I was struck by the amount of clothing the author "released." So I made a tiny sized wall hanging to represent clothing worn for work, play and rest. 

"Quilt and Stout" made by Angie L.

For the book, "The Lager Queen of Minnesota" by J. Ryan Stradal, we had four entries. Angie L. said the browns looked like beer colors to her. A transparency block class was the basis of the design.

"mmm...Apple Pie Lager" made by Rosanne H.

The chemistry/recipes that went into the beer was Rosanne H.'s inspiration. One of the characters baked award winning pies. Other characters brought their own flavors to creating a beer flavor.

"Pale Ale" by Dianne K.

A bag of glitzy, silky, ravely yellow fabrics were Dianne K.'s inspiration. She cut the fabrics into odd shapes; covered the fabrics with netting and stitched them to the batting and backing. 

"Transparency" made by me

If there had been transparency between the characters there would have been a totally different outcome! That was the inspiration behind my project. I was awared a third place ribbon.

"Long Lasting Effects" made by Rosanne H.

For the book, "The Women" by Kristin Hannah, there were four entries. Rosanne H.'s husband served in Vietnam. She used his service to inspire her project. She wrote, "The Vietnam War left lasting injuries to so many--physical, emotional (PTSD), and the effects of Agent Orange. With the focus on Vietnam, the other countries are blanked our using orange. Both flags, the DMS, major cities and the base hubby was stationed for two tours are also marked. She was awarded a blue ribbon.

"Stars Like Spaghetti" made by me

After reading the first chapter, I knew that I wanted to make a Quilt of Valor. I got lucky when a blogger that I follow had a QOV mystery sew along. This was the result!

"We Were There" made by Kathy M.

Kathy M. used a print that contained three nurses. The print represented the three nurses in the book as well as fabrics to represent the era during the war. Her wall hanging was designed to honor the women who served and endured the horrors of war that they faced during their time in service to our country. 

"Thank You for Your Service" made by Sharry O.

Sharry O. leads a group that makes Quilts of Valor for servicemen and women. She used a panel to mark the struggle the military nurses serving in Vietnam during the war as well as the lack of acknowledgement that these women were given.

To track the quilts I have made for past books, I have a page of Thread Tales quilts. Feel free to visit the page. I have been with the group since 2007. I often would incorporate a new to me technique or I would practice using a technique I wanted to play with more. Currently, my goal is to create a piece using supplies from my stash.

I'm linking up with Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilts and Cynthia at Oh Scrap.

Indigo Way at the Quilt Show

Of the 34 people who participated in our guild mystery challenge last year, nine people exhibited their Indigo Way projects at the guild show. A number of quilts were finished and given away before the show. Some projects are still under construction. 

Please, enjoy the parade! 

Sharleen R. used cheddar as her main color. She ran short of time so she altered the setting.

Sharleen R.'s entry

This was the first mystery for  Viv A. She said she learned to take a victory lap at the end of the piecing. (Stay stitching the edge so that the seams don't pop while the project is being longarmed.)

Viv A.'s entry

I so enjoyed watching other people work through the clues and watching their fabrics make beautiful projects. My goal is to finish the previous mystery before the next mystery begins. Had Bonnie started her mystery the day after Thanksgiving, I would have made it; but, she released the fabric amounts a week early!

My entry

This was Jeff B.'s first time to work on a mystery quilt. He had never worked with so many pieces with such precise points! Our small group watched his progress every week. He said had we not had that Zoom session, he wouldn't have finished because we provided him so much support! Our guild has an open sew time from 10 in the morning to 11 in the evening on Fridays as way to connect with other quilters. People come and go throughout the day. We had a help session for this project at 7 in the evening.

He ran out of his dark red fabric and added the brighter red. He was concerned that it was too bold a step. We told him it was the perfect add. Later, he agreed! He exhibited in the first time entrant category since this was the first quilt he had exhibited in a show.

Jeff B.'s entry

This was Corrie C.'s first time to stitch a Bonnie Hunter mystery. She has a longarm business and managed to stitch her clues; but, had to wait for a break in business to put the clues together. She used a different technique in the corners of the border.

Corrie C.'s entry

Shannon I. created three tops from her mystery. Each was a different layout. Two tops she donated. This was the one that she kept! If you click on the link, you can see other tops that were created or in progress. 

Shannon I.'s entry

This was Sarah N.'s first time making a mystery quilt. While she enjoyed getting the clues each week; she tired of point after point after point! 

Sarah N.'s entry

Linda P. created this entry, She enjoyed using her stash to create her quilt. I like the setting triangles she used  as well as using more an additional border. You are going to learn more about Linda P. in a later post.

Linda P.'s entry

Kathy S. used leftovers from previous Bonnie mystery projects to create her project. 

Kathy S.'s entry

Each entry was amazing. I'm glad I got to see them all hanging together! Sharing the exhibit with my readers was goal number three on my April list. Linking up to Alycia at Finished or Not Friday.

Strings From A Scrap Bag--post 1

Bag of scraps

Goal number six on my April list was to sort a bag of scraps. Chantal, At the Corner of Scraps and Quilts, often posts about scrap bags that have shown up on her doorstep. Cynthia, Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework, is the queen of turning scraps into amazing quilts. They inspire me with every post. My challenge is that I ALWAYS have way too many projects in process to stop and play. I tell my little inner squirrel, Gertie, to wait until I FINISH a project.

When I wrote the goal, I had envisioned tackling one of my large bags that came from my friend Martha. I thought I could get started on sorting the bits into what were strings, strips and bits as well as by color. This is not what happened.

Laying out the chances

Instead, I came across a bag that was left from a string project that I finished in 2022. The pros to the the bag was that it was a small and came from a project. A small bag wouldn't overwhelm my efforts to empty it. Because it was project leftovers, the pieces would go together.

I opened it. Of course, there were a few pieces that didn't belong so those were put where they can be used in another
project. There were also some string strips of various widths. I thought that these might work as a border and as blocks. There were a lot of HSTs of varying sizes so I started piecing those together.  

Auditioning background fabrics

Once I had a few pieces together, I started laying out the project. I kept going until the only remaining scraps were small triangles from the neutral fabric. My goal is to make a piece about 40 inches by 60 inches. Right away, I realized I needed a filler fabric or fabrics.

I went to my stash of solid fabrics and chose a purple. I liked it; but, knew that the yard of fabric wouldn't be enough. So I selected a blue fabric which is okay; but the value is a little too dark. I did have a little leftover piece of orange that I decided would work great as an accent. I decided that this might be my book project for "The Dressmaker of Khair Khana" by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon instead of the panel that I had identified last month.

In the book, Kamila is about to complete her studies to become a teacher. Unfortunately. she has to abandon that career option because the Taliban take over and women lose their freedom. Kamila ends up helping many other women and families in the process. The strings represent all the people she touched. The various patterns the leftovers became represent the girls she trained. It is interesting how projects present themselves and the journey they take!

It's been quite the week. I took Old Town to the quilter on Tuesday. Friday, I received word it was finished and I picked it up. I have it to bind as well as my 2021 Temperature quilt so I will be working on being able to report on a couple finishes soon! 

Tuesday, I wanted to sew the ruffle to the Santa Tree skirt. My Bernina 790plus acted like it was possessed. I had it on straight stitch; yet it was trying to vary the width of the stitch. The stitch length and width dials stopped working. It is back at the repair shop. I hope it will be repairable and that the repair is affordable.

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