Piecing the Clues for Lupine & Laughter--post 2

Hourglass units

Our first clue was to sew sets of hourglass units using the pink, blue and white fabrics. It sure helped my accuracy that the fabrics were starched before I cut and stitched the pieces! After I finish a clue, I put the clue in a bag with a label as to which clue it is. I also list the number of units.

Flying geese units

Our second clue was to sew sets of flying geese. Again, it was important to pay attention to the color of the fabrics used for each group of geese! It took me awhile to cut the fabrics for the geese because I was using fabric scraps. I found that I would cut enough fabric to sew several groups. When I had pressed and trimmed that group, I would repeat the process.

HSTs units

Our third clue was to sew a lot of HSTs (half square triangles). For this clue, I misread the first direction and thought the size of the unfinished small block was smaller than it was. I put those units in the parts department. I could use them for sashing a project.

Half square rectangles

Our fourth clue was to make a bunch of half square rectangles using the purple and background fabrics. I was dubious because the way the rectangles are trimmed, there is a little space from the corner from the seam. This was the opportunity to use the creative grid half rectangle ruler. It took me a little bit to determine it was correct to trim on the line. These turned out perfectly. I LOVE the ruler!

It is going to be fun to see where Bonnie has designed where the pieces live in the quilt!

Making blocks

Clue number five was about using the units from clue number one to make a block. I was shocked at how quickly I was able to piece these suits. Accurate cutting and sewing makes such a difference! It wasn't long before I had stitched all of the blocks! 

Blocks for clue number five

Next week, I'll be playing with family so my sewing time will be limited. Goal number two on my December list was to make parts for this mystery. Linking to Oh Scrap and Sew and Tell.

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. 

Linking to Finished or not Friday and Patchwork and Quilts.

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.