Santa Tree Skirt--pieced--post 2

Santa's boots and belt buckle

Goal number eight on my April list was to continue piecing the Santa Tree skirt. Last month, I got off to a rough start. This month, I'm making progress! I did celebrate with a happy dance after I correctly pieced the boot sections this time!

Four Santa sections ready to piece into a block 

There are a lot of pieces in this project with a lot of marking squares on the diagonal and sewing the line, trimming the excess. There is also a lot of matching of angles. It is not a fast project! The finished blocks measure 12 and a half inches.

Face details

After the blocks are finished, I add the details to the face: the eyes and the mustache. I use fabric marking pens for the eyes. I add stabilizer (fusible backed interfacing) to the wrong side of the mustache pieces. I use a narrow reverse blind hem stitch to attach the mustache pieces to the face.

Pieced top

I always struggle with putting the blocks together. The layout is a little funky with parts of the block needing to be trimmed.This time, I had no issues with the "Y" seam at the bottom of the top. the seam at the top will be opened. The pattern has you cut it; but, if you do that, you will lose the points on the arms. I'll be adding a ruffle to the edge and ties. The step after that will be to add the batting and backing and sew around the edges leaving an opening to turn it. 

I may continue working on this project until I get it "birthed" and ready to quilt. I'm happy to have this much of it done! My niece is getting married in July and this tree skirt will be her wedding present.

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

Santa Tree Skirt--piecing begun--post 1

One and two are incorrect

Monday was an in person sew day with my "Sew Happy" group. I went with my Santa tree skirt kit that I cut last month. I started stitching the sections for the boots. 

Wouldn't you know it. . .I stitched the wrong size square to the end of the first section I stitched. Because I trimmed the excess fabric, I couldn't reclaim it. 

In the photo, the sections labeled one and two were incorrect. It was back to the studio to recut the pieces that I had sewn. . . .sigh. . .I had made little progress. 

Replacement pieces cut

That afternoon, I managed to recut most of the fabrics. Friday, I'll spend some time stitching them. I will be sure to mark the pattern as to the size of that square so I don't make that mistake again! Because I did actually sew on this project this month, I've met goal number four on my March list.

This week, as I've had free time, I've continued adding motifs around the appliquéd squares on my Temperature Quilt. I'm getting closer to finishing the quilting. I plan to work on that project today.

Tomorrow, the oldest granddaughters invited themselves to spend a day with us. it is spring break. We are looking forward to their visit. They are 11 and almost 13 years old. We will likely play with making some art in the morning with a swim session scheduled in the afternoon. 

I have had a request for chicken noodle soup for lunch which I'll serve with some sourdough rolls. I've an acupuncture appointment in the morning and while I'm away, I plan for them to bake cookies for dessert. It will be a full and fun day.