Unity Finished--Post 17; First Finish 4th Quarter

Thread used during the project

After 10 months of stitching on this project nearly every day, I've finished Unity! Actually, I put the final stitch in the project before I wrote this post! This project was a mystery sew a long with Bonnie Hunter. She started it to provide a positive activity during the beginning of COVID. 

All of the fabrics, including the back, came from stash. It is my first finish of the quarter and goal number five on my Finish-A-Long fourth quarter list. Since my last post, I wrote the information on a label from my stash. I've been hand stitching the label, binding and sleeve. I chose to hand stitch the binding to save more of the star points. I was mostly successful. Hand stitching irritated my sore thumb. I stitched one or two lengths of thread per day so I didn't cause more pain to my thumb! My thumb continues to improve. Improvement is slow! It took a long time to hand stitch the binding, label and sleeve!!!!!

This will be a present for our youngest daughter and her husband to be when they marry. I plan to write their names and wedding date in red once they have determined their date. I imagine once the COVID vaccine distribution has occurred, they will be able to set their wedding date.

Label

There is a lot of thread in this quilt. I like to take a photo of the thread I used in the quilt. This time, I have a lot of empty spools to show too! You can't see the blue thread that I used because I used all that I had.

Aside from all the time that I spent quilting this project on my 790 Bernina, I enjoyed the process. I LOVED using strips and squares from "my precuts." My precuts" are scraps that I've cut into useable segments using Bonnie Hunter's scrap saving system.

Over the past 10 months, I wrote 17 posts regarding this project! The other 16 links are listed below:

Piecing: Post 1; Post 2; Post 3; Post 4; Post 5; Post 6; Piecing the back: Post 7; Quilting: Post 8; Post 9; Post 10; Post 11; Post 12; Post 13; Post 14; Post 15; Post 16

I have enjoyed piecing this project. I loved the way the red white and blue fabrics complimented each other as well as coordinated with the neutral background. I love stars in a quilt and there were plenty of stars in this pattern!

Back

You can get an idea of how dense the quilting is when viewing the pieced back. 

I used 19 1/2 yards of fabric which brings the total fabric used from my stash this year to 69 1/4 yards. I have replenished my stash with 33 yards of fabric in the last couple months so in the end I have made a tiny bit of
progress in using my stash! I'm happy with having a net loss of 33 1/4 yards from my stash though! I have a friend who says that when you use something up or clear something out, often something new takes the space. I will agree to that!

It is still my goal to create using from my stash. The year isn't over so perhaps, I'll finish a couple more projects from my list. Perhaps, I'll have more finishes next year!

I'm linking to Oh Scrap the Sunday link up with Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework.

Regarding COVID:

Worldwide: 76.5M cases; 1.69M deaths

Front

United States: 17.8M cases; 317K deaths

Oregon: 100,308 cases; 1,304 deaths

Midnight Friday in the UK, London became a tier 4 meaning that people can meet with one other person not living in their household outside, essential shopping for groceries/picking up take out can continue and people will work from home. This protocol will remain in place and reevaluated after two weeks. There were people who packed quickly to take the last train out of the city to spend the holiday with loved ones in a lesser tier area. Some people got stuck outside of the city because after midnight, flights, train travel, etc. ceased. I hope the measures help reduce the number of COVID cases. Vaccinations continue throughout the country.

In California, the hospital ICUs are full and makeshift hospital ICUs (tents) are being set up because officials predict the rising hospitalization need has yet to peak. Funeral homes are also maxed to capacity. In Oregon, we live in a county that continues to be in the extreme risk category. We continue to wear a mask, stay home if possible and we are planning to have Christmas with the two of us. I image we will have a Zoom session with the family.

Making cinnamon rolls

Today, is our youngest daughter's birthday. We reminisced about her actual "birth" day. It was snowy and the trip to the hospital that should have taken us five to seven minutes, took 30 minutes because of traffic accidents and slick driving conditions. She was born about 45 minutes after I had walked into the hospital. The weather today was 50 degrees with heavy rain.

Today, I made the dough and my husband made the cinnamon rolls. We each felt we had gotten the best end of the deal! We often have cinnamon rolls for breakfast on Christmas morning. This recipe makes a big batch so we shared with our neighbors. The house smelled so good!

Fourth Quarter Goals 2020

#1-#4. Flannel scraps tops started from Martha's scraps

Last quarter, I had one finish which was the flounce leggings that I made for my granddaughters. This quarter, I'm rolling my list sans that one finish forward! It wasn't that I didn't work on projects; it was that I didn't get any more than one to the finish line!

I'm listing 15 projects. Projects one through four, are flannel tops that I made from Martha's leftover "adult" scraps. (I haven't started tops with her leftover "kid" flannel scraps!) Last quarter, I went to the Mt. Hood quilt guild's fabric sale and pick up some flannel to supplement the projects I had started. I was successful. The flannels I chose paired well with Martha's vintage scraps!

I now have three of the four tops completed as well as pieced three backs. I doubt that I'll work on the fourth top until after I quilt these three tops. I plan to develop my walking foot quilting skills when quilting the tops. Although, in the larger areas, I may try to slip in a little quilting with rulers!

#5-#12 projects 

Projects #5-#12 are listed below:

#5 is to finish quilting Unity. Last quarter I quilted five of the six full borders. I also have three half borders to quilt. Surely, I can finish this project this quarter! 

#6 is to stitch the hand dyed black fabric into a modern styled wall hanging with the red corduroy applique and other red accents. I thought about this project last quarter.

 #7 is to make a summer dress for the youngest granddaughter. I looked at the fabric last quarter.

#13-#16 projects

#8 is to stitch myself a dress. Originally, I planned to stitch a wrap dress. . .now, I'm not sure on the style. I'm still considering an empire waistline dress. I need to purchase a pattern!

#9 is cross stitching six Santa ornaments. I thought it would take me a couple weeks in the evening to complete these. I did complete the stitching. What is left is to cut the ornaments apart and add the hangers. Perhaps, this will be on of my first completions in the fourth quarter!

#10 is stitching the leftover tie fabrics from the tuffet project into a wall hanging. My plan is to machine piece the strings together into strip and to hand piece hexagon stars 

Flannel top #1 ready for basting

together out of the larger pieces. Last quarter, I pulled the pieces out the storage bag and fluffed them; but, I didn't do any stitching.

#11 is to stitch three camel back carry all bags. Nothing happened with this project last quarter. 

#12 is to stitch one and maybe two flounce leggings for the granddaughters. I actually finished this project!

Projects #13-#16 are below:

#13 is to quilt this top. It was one of the last tops my friend Martha made. I know of a high school graduate that would like it as a finished quilt. Last quarter, I pieced a back and pin basted it together. It is ready to be quilted. I'm planning a lot of in the ditch quilting with something in the sashing.

#14 is that little piece of embroidery that I thought wanted to be a pillow. It wanted to be a wall hanging. I decided it needed a word. It looked like Summer to me so I penciled in that word on the piece. I thought that I would get the word embroidered last quarter; but, it didn't happen!

Flannel top #2 ready for basting

#15 is Miss K's mermaid. I hope that we will be able to finish this project. Covid keeps us from working on it. 

#16 is the applique butterfly that I started September 2018 in a Susan Carlson class. Last quarter, I glue basted the butterfly and more than half of the background pieces. I've still a long way to go; but, I did make a lot of progress.

Since it is the last day of the month, I'll report that I trained 43 people in American Heart Healthcare provider CPR.

I also read a few books. Our local library has opened with restrictions. We can't go in; but, we can place a hold on a book. We are notified when it is available and then we schedule a time to pick it up. I've done this a couple of times and will keep doing it. I miss "browsing" and I miss sampling the books in the shelves!

This quarter, our book club read biography books of our choosing. One of the gals read and recommended "Blue Latitudes: Boldly Going Where Captain Cook Has Gone Before" by Tony Horwitz. I enjoyed reading it too. I learned a lot of about Captain Cook and appreciated the author retracing Cook's

Flannel top #3 ready for basting

travel. I can't imagine being away from my home for three years, yet Cook did this two times successfully! 

"The Library Book" by Susan Orlean is about the Central Library in San Francisco burning in 1986. If you don't remember this story, it is probably because the Chernobyl Disaster happened two days later. The author includes the history of the library as well as provides a snippet of the activities there as well as the staff that manage those activities. It was an interesting read. I had just finished it when the fires in Oregon broke out. When I left for the day with my GO bag, I also took this library book with me. I thought how awful it would be if this book was burned in a fire!

"The Paris Seamstress" by Natasha Lester is written about two women in two different eras. The first era happens around World War II and the second era is modern day. I enjoyed learning about the high fashion houses. The author described how designs were taken from sketch to the garment both in Paris and then in New York. The making of flowers was an industry I hadn't heard of so I learned about that skill. If you liked the "The Lilac Girls," and "The Nightingale" you would probably like this book too.

Martha's pieced top ready for basting

"The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter" by Hazel Gaynor is a historical novel that follows Grace Darling, the daughter of a lighthouse keeper, through a portion of her life circa 1838. She helps her father save some ship wrecked people stranded on a rock near their light house during a storm. The other part of the book follows Matilda Emmerson Flaherty who leaves Ireland in disgrace and lodges with a relative who is the keeper at Rose Island Lighthouse circa 1938. The author did a great job of weaving the story line between the two and I recommend it to you too. You'll have to read it to find out how the two people are connected. 

Thanks, Janice from a Positive Outlook, for recommending this read. I do plan to read some of the books the author listed that read for background information while writing this book.

A Vist From The Granddaughters--First Finish 3rd Quarter FAL

Completed energy bites

Earlier this week, our son-in-law had elective surgery. Our granddaughters got to spend most of the day with us. They haven't been on their own at our house since mid-March or pre-COVID. They found the mailbox and learned the projects for the day. Earlier, they had put in their order for breakfast which was sourdough pancakes, fried bacon and runny eggs!

They weren't in the house five minutes before they had the yoga cards out and were doing yoga moves. We started making snack for the afternoon. We tried a new recipe called energy bites. It had few ingredients (rolled oats, honey, peanut butter, dried cranberries and almonds.) They took turns measuring ingredients. It tasted good; but, it was difficult for the girls and me to make the contents into a ball. Next, we made dessert for lunch. In their opinion, dessert is an important part of a meal. We made Rice Krispie cookies. They took turns stirring the marshmallows. Miss J provided the muscle to pack the cookies into the pan.

Rice Krispie cookies are a favorite of their dad's so we made plans to pack most of the batch for home so that their dad would have a homemade treat from his girls when he came home from his surgery.

Melting marshmallows for cookies

Then we moved on to cooking breakfast. It has been awhile since we've made sourdough pancakes for breakfast; but, it is a favorite menu item as are bacon and runny eggs! Eight year old, Miss K put the pancakes together and ladled the batter into creative shapes on the griddle. She even flipped the pancakes successfully. Once she had cooked several batches, she asked if I'd take over so that she could enjoy "the fruits of her labor!"

Six year old, Miss J cooked the bacon. She effectively managed two frying pans, cooking each piece of bacon to the perfect doneness. She was attentive and turned the bacon when it needed to be turned. She made the best browned bacon I've had for breakfast in a long time! I forgot how much fun they can be in the kitchen!

During most of the activities, we took a few photos for the girls to share with their mom so she would have something to do while she waited for the surgery to be over. After breakfast we took a walk with Miss B, our dog. We visited the lion and as was our practice when we had our weekly visits. They posed at the lion and identified the flowers that that they remembered. We saw a couple squirrels; but no rabbits. Unfortunately, the horses were too far away to feed them apple treats.

Frying bacon

Making pancak

Posing with the lion

After our walk, they played princesses and made a face time call to their Auntie. Notice that with all indoor activities, we wore masks. We are working to keep each other safe from COVID. None of us wants to contract it or share it!

They asked their papa (grandpa) if he could make them hot dogs for lunch and if he would swim with them in the pool. Of course he did both and one better--he gave them each a popsicle after their swim session.

They asked if they could stay for dinner and have Papa's spaghetti, we said it depended on when their dad would be released. Papa took their order for what they wanted in their spaghetti sauce--no onions, no celery, no meat, olives, red pepper, carrots, rosemary, garlic and basil. 

Papa cooked the sauce; but, their mama came too early for them to stay for dinner. There were tears because they were going to miss Papa's spaghetti. Papa sent dinner home with them. (He is a terrific Papa!) Our daughter said that dinner was a hit. We wondered how the spaghetti sauce was so it was good to have feedback! We both said how much we missed having the girls over on a regular basis.

Playing princesses 

Our daughter also said how nice it was to not have to plan dinner because she didn't realize how much energy was involved with the hospital part of the day. Their dad's surgery went well and his recovery is going well.

An activity that we didn't get time to do was make the flounce leggings. They brought a pair of leggings that they liked the fit so I could use it as a sample when I drew off their pattern. This week, I drew their pattern and made the leggings.

If you want to make a pair for your little one, check out this tutorial from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom's blog. In the tutorial is the link for the free pattern.

Cutting out the leggings

I used stretch thread in the lower loopers of the serger to construct the leggings. It was my first experience to use this thread in active wear. I looked at a You Tube video and read a couple blog posts about how to use it with the best results. I found the information helpful. It took no time at all to sew these leggings. There was a front, a back, inner leg and flounce seam. I stitched the elastic at the waist. I used colored elastic so the elastic can either be worn so it shows or turned in if the wearer chooses not to show the elastic.

It took me a couple hours to make the two pair of leggings. I'm curious to see how they fit the granddaughters! I used one yard of fabric from the stash. I have used a total of 50 and three quarters yards of fabric from my stash this year. This is my first finish for the third quarter. This was goal number 12 on my Finish A Long list. 

I am sharing this finish on Instagram at #2020falq3finish.

Finished leggings

Regarding COVID:

Worldwide: 23.1M confirmed; 14.8M recovered; 803K deaths

United States: 5.75M confirmed; 2.93M recovered; 179K deaths

Oregon: 24,421 confirmed; 414 deaths

In Oregon, over the past three weeks the percentage of people testing positive for Covid has been 5.4% each week. Interesting that the percentage has remained the same.

Wednesday, Oregon launched its one time $500 emergency check program. One of the eligibility requirements was for those who have not received all the unemployment benefits owed to them. The line outside one of the credit unions distributing payments was more than two blocks long. People were supposed to make appointments; but, their need was too great to wait. From the photos, it didn't look like much social distancing occurred.

Regarding the protests:

We are in the twelfth week. Protests begin peaceful and turn violent. People continue smashing windows and setting fire to buildings. Last week a reporter interviewed a retired Attorney U.S. General for his view on the situation. A news reporter shared that one of the persons arrested on a charge of criminal mischief has served time for a similar offense. Here, criminal mischief is a misdemeanor and the attorney general has stated that those charges won't be prosecuted. It appears that those violent protestors work their chaos just outside of crossing the prosecution line. Meanwhile, business owners and property owners bear the cost of the repairs.

Third Quarter Goals 2020

Photos like this will be seldom used

I've been at this plan of finishing projects for the last ten years. For the first five of those years, I also started projects as soon as one struck a chord with me. Because there were so many projects, I didn't make much progress when it came to finishing! Once I realized I had few finishes for all my starts, I made a list of Works In Process that I wanted to finish in a year. I tried working with that list for a couple of years; but, I didn't use it like I had envisioned. More importantly, the number of finishes that I had envisioned didn't materialize. 

Some people, list ALL of their started projects, their projects that they have purchased the fabrics and their projects that they want to make. This is not me. I don't want to "own" how many projects are actually in my studio. As to what I want to make, my brain is always thinking about the next project!

Before I started this blog, I wrote a blog through "The Quilt Show" website. The blog was a way to document what I was doing. I enjoyed every "finish" post I wrote! At this stage, I still started a lot of projects. Unfortunately, when the website was updated, I lost access to those posts. It took me a few years to start this blog!

"Frolic" will be off the list this quarter

While reading another person's blog, I learned about the Finish-A-Long project which has been around since 2012. In 2018, I joined the group. What I liked about it was that you listed your intentions and that there weren't penalties if you didn't finish what was on your list. I made progress and was side tracked (in a good way) seeing other people's projects. For 2020, the group now posts their lists and finishes on Instagram. With two quarters behind me, I will admit, I liked posting finishes to a link up rather than using Instagram. I stumbled upon new to me projects and blogs. I don't look as often or as in depth at the Instagram posts.

With the FAL, each quarter, I would have a huge list of projects. Every quarter, I would finish way less than what I thought that I could finish. I started using my bullet journal as a way to help me set interim goals which helped. Still, my finishes were few! 

This quarter, I looked at my list. I again noted that I've several projects that have been on my list for years. So far, my projects continue to be ones that I want to complete. Should I encounter a project that has completed its lifecycle with me, I have no problem dispensing it to the donate pile or tossing it. I also realized that is hard to make progress when you don't work on a project during the quarter. 

"Good Fortune" is off the list for now too

My purpose in participating in FAL is to finish projects that I've started. I also want to use stash and reduce my fabric inventory. I've found it helpful to vary my projects. To be more successful with finishes and stash reduction, I'm changing my list. 

Projects that are months away from the quilt stage will mostly be removed the list. I do plan to continue piecing and working on those projects so those projects don't end up being UFOs. (UnFinished Objects) I plan to keep Good Fortune and Frolic, to name two projects, out where I see them every day to remind me, I've more work to do!

I'll list some clothing sewing projects. I will even list a cross stitch project because I have a whole bunch of cross stitch kits from Martha's stash. I don't know that I ever saw her work on a cross stitch project. I wonder if she gave these little kits away as gifts. I wonder if she was drawn to the kits because they were small and she thought the project could be finished fairly quickly. She was all about fast!

This quarter, I am planning to make another bunch of masks. I'm using a different pattern that incorporates elastic because I've found the fabric ties to be a little challenging to easily get on and off when we have our social distancing dinners with our daughter and family. 

#1-#4. Flannel scraps tops started from Martha's scraps

I've already made four masks. My plan is to make a couple as I'm piecing using the leader/ender style of sewing. I'll choose the fabric when I'm ready to make each mask. This project won't be on my list because I'm not planning the fabrics and because I'm not planning to stitch all the masks as one project.

This quarter, I'm grouping my projects together. Last quarter, I shot a group photo of a number of my projects. I was surprised at how much space the unfinished projects occupied. Last quarter, I listed 27 projects. I finished 11 projects. I had 12 total finishes. That means, I averaged one finish a week for three months. 

With my new plan in mind, I'm listing 16 projects. Projects one through four, are flannel tops that I made from Martha's leftover "adult" scraps. (I haven't started tops with her leftover "kid" flannel scraps!) I stopped because I ran out of fabric to get the tops to the desired 40 inch x 60 inch size. In a couple weeks,

#5-#12 projects

I'll be attending a sale of several quilters' fabric stashes. I hope that the fabrics available will coordinate with the vintage fabrics in these tops! I plan to develop my walking foot quilting skills when quilting the tops. 

Projects #5-#12 are listed below:

#5 is to finish quilting Unity. I'm nearing completion of quilting in the ditch! #6 is to stitch the hand dyed black fabric into a modern styled wall hanging with the red corduroy applique and other red accents. #7 is to make a summer dress for the youngest granddaughter. #8 is to stitch myself a dress. Last quarter, I planned to stitch a wrap dress. . .now, I'm not sure on the style.

#13-#16 projects

I'm thinking now about an empire waistline dress. I need to purchase a pattern! #9 is cross stitching six Santa ornaments. #10 is stitching the leftover tie fabrics from the tuffet project into a wall hanging. My plan is to machine piece the strings together into strip and to hand piece hexagon stars together out of the larger pieces. #11 is to stitch three camel back carry all bags. #12 is to stitch one and maybe two flounce leggings for the granddaughters.

Projects #13-#16 are below:

#13 is to quilt this top. It was one of the last tops my friend Martha made. I know of a high school graduate that would like it as a finished quilt. I need to make the back, baste and quilt it! #14 is that little piece of embroidery that I thought wanted to be a pillow. It wanted to be a wall hanging so it is at the quilting stage. #15 is Miss K's mermaid. I hope that we will be able to finish this project. Covid keeps us from working on it. #16 is the applique butterfly that I started September 2018 in a Susan Carlson class. 

Time will tell if this approach helps me find more success at finishing projects and reducing my stash!!!

Dad's Ties--Post 4 Eleventh Finish 2nd Quarter FAL 2020

Viewing the panel groups

I enjoyed stitching each panel. . .actually, it was fun. I laid the panels side by side to get an idea of what they would look like when stitched. I liked what I saw.

Carefully, I pinned two sections together ensuring that my pins connected the stitching lines on each panel. When I stitched the line, I found that I wasn't accurate. Fortunately, I had only stitched about 12 inches so there wasn't as much ripping as there could have been!

Hmmm. . .when this happened as I was learning to sew, my grandmother would encourage me to hand baste the pieces together. Yes, it was time consuming; but, necessary for accuracy as these stitched panels need to fit over a form.

Once I had the panels together, I chuckled. The piece reminded me of a circus tent! The upholstery thread from my Joann order arrived; but, not the upholstery needles. In fact, I received an e-mail message that the needles were no longer available. When I had placed my original order, I skipped the pick it up in the store option because I had a coupon for free shipping. Since I'm limiting my public outings, the free shipping option was best for me.

Label

ARGH!!! I was almost to the point to use the needle!!! I went back on line to shop Joann and saw the item was available at a store about 18 miles from me. I ordered it. In about an hour, I received the e-mail the item was ready for curbside pick up. I drove there and back which was about an hour round trip. There, I waited about five minutes and the staff person brought my order to my car window. It was great first time curbside pick up experience! 

Once home, I finished the label and added it to the back of the circle which finishes the underneath portion of the tuffet. I had about half of the the raw edge turned under when I decided I needed to incorporate a piece of batting underneath the fabric because it was too flat. 

Quilted backing and trim

I laughed at myself because while this part of the tuffet isn't going to be seen, I decide the area needed batting, quilting and trim!

With my walking foot, I quilted the backing in inch increments. I also quilted a few diagonal lines for added interest. In my stash, I had some leftover trim from the princess cape I made my granddaughter. This trim will cover the edge between the tie fabrics and the backing. In higher end furniture, the upholstery is finished in this manner.

The owner of the Tuffet Source, Sharyn Cole, appeared on an episode of "The Quilt Show" (TQS) which aired September 13, 2017. I enjoyed that episode. I decided making a tuffet would be on my bucket list. The ties provided the material and making a memory tuffet was the perfect project.

Last July, I ordered a kit. When it came, I was too chicken to start the project; but, I was impressed with the kit. The products were high quality. I supplied the ties, stabilizer, a small piece of batting, trim, label, thread and upholstery needle. The rest of supplies came in the kit. The kit was well packed and organized. The feet I had chosen were beautiful.

Finished bottom of tuffet

I watched the TQS segment many times. In one of those viewings, I noticed that she too finished the underside of her tuffet as I did. Perhaps, my subconscious brain remembered before my conscious brain did!

I appreciated seeing how Sharyn fitted the circus tent over the tuffet form. It is a little like putting on pantyhose after a shower! Her tips about button placement were great. 

I was intrigued with how Sharyn achieved the
deep dimple in her tuffets. She demonstrated her technique using a toilet flange. Yesterday, my husband picked up a three inch dryer vent that worked. The stores he shopped this week didn't have a toilet flange. It cost three dollars! I can't imagine getting a deep dimple under my own power. My husband pushed and I tied. I loved the result.

Finished side view

Yes, there was an adjustment of the gathers and smoothing of the fabric over the curve of the form. The next step was to staple the tie fabric to the base. My husband manned the stapler. We found that a scalpel was the best tool to cut the holes into the fabric to attach the feet to the base. I positioned the backing and my husband stapled it in place. I used a glue gun to lay a thin bead of glue around the edge of the backing and applied the trim.

The feet were easy to attach. I love the shape of these feet! From the time I maneuvered the circus tent over the form to the last turn of the feet was about half an hour. I LOVE it. My mom is going to be so surprised! Her favorite color is brown so she is going to key in on that fabric right away.

If you missed one of the previous posts, I've listed them below:

Post 1

Post 2

Post 3

Top view of the tuffet

In addition to my granddad's ties and those from my special friends--Laura's dad, Julie's husband and Heidi's husband and my husband, Bob--I used three yards of fabric from my stash. (1 1/2 yards was the brown fabric and the remaining fabric was the stabilizer.) I have now used 49 3/4 yards of fabric from my stash since the beginning of the year.

It took me about 42 hours to complete this project and the cost of the project was $262.

This is my eleventh Finish A Long (FAL) this quarter and my twelfth finish over all. This was goal number 14 on my list. I've posted this finish on Instagram #2020falq2finish 

I'm actually a little sad that I've finished the project. It was fun and I look forward to sewing another tuffet using a kit from the Tuffet Source. Next time, I won't wait a year before I start the project!

Today is the first day of the third quarter for 2020. It is time to make the plan of projects I want to make progress on and the plan of projects that I want to finish! Of the 27 projects I listed in the second quarter, I finished eleven of them. I made progress on three other projects.  I needed additional supplies for five of the projects. Since I am limiting my public outings, I refrained from doing an in person shop. I may decide to try an in person shop in the next quarter. I didn't work on seven of the projects. The other project is my granddaughter's mermaid project. I look forward to stitching again with her to finish her mermaid. Although, we may not be sewing together again until there is a vaccine for Covid 19. 

Burp Cloths--Tenth Finish 2nd Quarter FAL 2020

Flannel topstitched in place

When my oldest daughter was pregnant the first time, one of my friends had a daughter expecting twins at the same time. My friend made her daughter burp cloths with a purchased cloth diaper as the base. I thought that it was a great idea.

I bought a dozen cloth diapers and made six into burp cloths for my daughter. I used a fabric print that coordinated with the theme of her nursery. I put the rest of the diapers away.

Some time ago, I uncovered the diapers and put the project on the FAL list. It was time to get the project into a usable state! It sat on the list for some time; because I couldn't remember how I had made the cloths all those years ago. My oldest granddaughter turned eight years old last month so it had been awhile since I sewed the first ones!

Finished burp cloths

I decided I could use two fat quarters if I cut the fabrics seven inches wide by the length of the fabric which was about 18 inches. Steps in the process were:

1. Press under a quarter of an inch on all four sides of the rectangle. 

2. Pin the flannel in the center of the diaper. 

3. Topstitch around all four edges close to the edge of the flannel.

4. Use the walking foot to quilt a few channels in the flannel.

It didn't take long to finish the project. It was a welcome change from quilting the "Unity" quilt. I used half a yard of flannel in this project which brings my total of stash used this year to 46 3/4 yards. This is finish number ten this quarter and goal number eight on my FAL list. 

I have also posted this finish on Instagram #2020FALqal2finish

It is now waiting to be wrapped for a mother to be!

Lace Star Ornaments--Ninth Finish 2nd Quarter FAL 2020

In process and raw material stars

I saw a plastic ziplock bag of lace on the free table at a guild meeting over a year ago. I thought that the lace would be easy to form into star ornaments. When I inspected the bag contents later, I realized that it contained a couple finished stars, a couple stars in process as well as parts for a couple stars.

Close up of attaching the lace process

The pieces of lace were three inches wide by 12 inches long. The plastic rings were about an inch in circumference. I was intrigued with the ring insertion. I looked and looked at the sample; but, couldn't figure out how it was inserted. I couldn't imagine trying to gather the lace with a needle and thread onto the ring. I put the project aside for even more months!

Later, I looked online for a tutorial. I found several; but, none of the tutorials incorporated a ring. I was surprised that Google and Pinterest let me down!

What I liked about the ring was how neat it made the center of the ornament. In the tutorials that I saw, the center was often covered with a button. This lace didn't speak "add a button!"

Drying set up

I wiggled the ring in the finished sample. I saw the secret. The ring was split and the fabric was fed onto the ring. Feeding the lace onto the ring took a little patience; but, I did it. Then, I used a needle and thread to tack the edges together in strategic spots.

The three I finished

Next, I was ready to make the stars stiff. Again, I looked on line for some tutorials. There were tutorials about using spray starch, liquid starch, powdered corn starch, terial magic and glue! I texted a friend who recommended the liquid starch.

The brand of liquid starch I used was StayFlo. It is available to purchase at our local grocery store. I often mix this product with water and wet fabric that I want to piece. Once the starch mixture dries, I iron the fabric. The end result is fabric that is extra crisp. Piecing crisp fabric yields blocks that are spot on square.

For this project, I used the starch differently. I dipped the stars in the starch. I allowed the starch to penetrate all the surfaces. I squeezed out the excess starch. On a newspaper covered with wax paper, I placed the star. I arranged the lace so the points were flat and the center a bit poufy. Then, I let it dry completely. It took a full day. The stars are stiff and will hang beautifully on a tree!

The entire group

I added a thread hanger and now I have six ornaments ready for gifting at Christmas! I would make these again and will keep my eye out for lace that I could turn into ornaments.

This is my ninth finish for the quarter. This was goal number six on my FAL list. I didn't use any fabric for this project so my total stash usage since the first of the year remains at 46 1/4 yards of fabric. I have posted this finish to Instagram #2020falq2finish

Santa Tree Skirt--Post 3 Eighth Finish 2nd Quarter FAL 2020

Clam shell design on the belt

My plan with this project was to use rulers and templates as I quilted so that I could improve my ruler skills. I tried stitching a loop pattern along the belt edge with the Westalee clam shell ruler. It was difficult to hold the ruler in place and move the fabric because of the intersecting seams.

I did stitch the other side of the belt; but, didn't like the results enough to let the stitching stay. I ripped what I had stitched. I've decided for me, ruler work is going to take place in the more open areas of the quilt. It is too hard on my body to manage the ruler,  move the quilt and be satisfied with the stitching.

Close up of belt stipple and beard swirl

In the end, I filled the space with a large stipple. It took me less than five minutes to stitch the belt section and another five minutes to quilt the sleeves of the Santa coat.

For the beard, I stitched a variety of sizes of spirals, some wavy lines and some stippling to give the surface a more beard like appearance. I stitched nothing in the mustache.

Close up of the beard quilting

 Overall, the free motion quilting is a good companion to the straight line ruler quilting. For the background quilting, I thought about stitching free motion stars. In the end, I chose to stitch more spirals interspersed with stippling. When I get stuck on what to add to an area for quilting, I will look at my piece and see if there is a clue.

I will ask myself, is there a print in the fabric that provides me with an idea? In the beard fabric, there is a sort of paisley design that influenced my decision to stitch spirals.

Front/back of quilt and threads used in the process

I also ask myself, is there enough repetition on the elements? I stitched straight lines--some diagonal and some horizontal in at least three places in the project. The straight lines are in the coat body, coat sleeves and hat. That was enough repetition of straight lines!

I continued quilting--stippling in the belt, a spiral and stippling combination in the beard. I needed more repetition with the spirals so I stitched a combination of spirals and stippling in the background to balance the fills.

Quilting should enhance the project. As I looked at the finished quilted blocks and background, I felt that I had met that goal!

Label

The label was from my stash. I figured a Christmas label was perfect for this project! All I needed to do was to figure out what information I wanted to include on the label and then transfer the information to the label! I hope my niece will like this wedding gift and that it will grace their tree for each and every Christmas.

If you missed the previous posts about this project, I've provided the links below:
Post 1
Post 2 

Finished tree skirt

It took me about 62 hours to complete this project. I spent about $95 for materials for this project.

I used 7 yards of fabric from my stash for this project. This brings my total stash usage since the first of the year to 46 1/4 yards of fabric. This is my eighth finish this quarter and goal number 21 on my finish along list. I have posted this finish to Instagram #2020falq2finish

Santa Tree Skirt--post 2

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Since my last post on this project, I began with a restart on the basting. The directions are to layer the the top right side up, the backing right side down and the batting. I followed the directions and placed pins around the outer edge. For batting, I used leftover chunks of  from previous projects that I stitched together. I find this is a good way to have little waste when it comes to batting. Also, because I quilt fairly densely, I don't find the batting "joins" to be an issue.

After pinning, I flipped the project over and pinned the outer edge of the layers together. After the crawling issues I had when trying to stitch the layers together the first time, I decided to take an extra step to stabilize the layers. I hand basted around the perimeter as well as around the inner edge.

Pinned layers ready for basting

The hand basting along with the pins and using a walking foot with a longer stitch worked great. I had little movement of the layers. I almost forgot to leave space to turn the project; but, I remembered that detail so no ripping was involved!

After I finished stitching the layers together, I trimmed or graded the edge and turned the project right side out. Grading is a method to reduce bulk along the edges of a project. I carefully pressed the outer edges. To keep the edges in place, I topstitched close to the edge of the project. I used tan thread in the the needle and red thread in the bobbin. I love my Bernina's tension because you can't tell what the thread is on the other side of the quilt!

Pinned ready for quilting

I pinned the layers together to ready the project for quilting. I quilted in the ditch to stabilize the layers. I used cotton threads that were close to the color of the fabric. This time, I used a similar color in the bobbin as the needle.

I used my Westalee 12 inch arc ruler which has a straight edge to quilt the coat of the Santa. I haven't used my rulers in some time so I needed to practice. I also am trying to mark less and I needed to practice alignments and think through the quilting pattern.

Close up of the first quilting

I did draw my quilting design on a piece of paper and liked it. When I quilted the top of the coat, my design was okay; but, I didn't like how it looked at the bottom of the coat. The piecing lines fought with the quilting lines.

I did like the texture of the quilting. I did like the way the thread blended into the fabric as well as the color. I used Superior Thread's Bottom line. I spent some time ripping the horizontal lines and found that I liked the quilting much better.

Coat quilting design

I stitched a second "coat" with only diagonal lines. I liked that quilting much better. I always find it interesting when less is more!

As I approached the seam intersections, I found that I need to lower the foot presser to be able to cross without pulling the fabric out of shape.

I thought that I had checked the back for issues; but, I managed to stitch in a big tuck. So I got to do a little frog stitching. I wasn't able to fix it completely; but, it is much better and the label will cover most of it!

Miss K modeling her birthday dress.

I wanted to share a photo of Miss K in her birthday dress. Gosh it was cute on her! The fit was right on. I posted about the birthday dress here if you missed that post. I sure miss spending time with the granddaughters. I really miss their hugs!

Regarding Covid-19:
Worldwide: 6.08M have it, 2.57M recovered, 370K deaths
U.S.: 1.81M have it, 390K recovered, 105K deaths
Oregon: 4,185 have it, 153 deaths

It was sad that more than 100K people in the U.S. have died. More businesses are opening in the area. I did have a massage which was helpful. Other than a trip to the chiropractor,  a massage appointment, the birthday party drive by and a pick up for my hubby who was out on a bike ride and needed support, I'm staying home. I so look forward to shopping without having to wear a mask or practice social distancing!

Yesterday in my home town in Central Oregon, they had a serious thunder/wind storm which caused a lot of damage. I think my family is all okay although they have a lot of property damage.

Friday night, rioters looted stores, burned buildings, broke windows and tagged stores in downtown Portland in response to the death of George Floyd. I was shocked at people causing damage to businesses. I don't understand how causing destruction furthers their cause. It is a crazy world and crazy times.