A's Pillow Project--First Finish 2nd Quarter FAL 2019

Fabrics, old pillow and pillow form 

Some time ago, my daughter, A, purchased a couple pieces of fabric to make a few pillows to freshen the look of her living/family room. It seemed like each time we tried to get together to stitch the pillows, it didn't happen for one reason or another. Last week it happened!

Pushing out the corners

She brought her fabric, a reclaimed pillow form and one of the pillows that had been living on her couch. We measured the pillow that was about to be retired and determined it was about 19x18 inches. So we cut a length of fabric that was 19 inches wide. From there we cut a front that was 20 inches long.

Then, I had a brain freeze. I cut a piece of fabric that was quite a bit longer thinking that she could hem the edges and we could make a continued back. . .A was much wiser. After I had failed three times to execute my idea. She made a two piece back. We turned the edge in about three inches so the raw edge would be enclosed and so that the edge would be more stable. Once she made the back, the process came back to me. I have made many, many, many pillows through the years and used this technique most of the time.

Inserting the filler into the pillow case

She put the back and the front right sides together and then she stitched around the outer edge of the pillow. Because the back pieces overlapped, she could stitch the entire outer edge.  We talked about stitching almost to the corner and instead of pivoting at the corner, she stitched a few stitches  on the diagonal. This stitching allowed made turning the corners to be nicely square.

Finished pillows

While she stitched the outer part of the pillow, I washed and dried the filling from the old pillow. We cut a cover for the filling which she stitched. I stuffed it while she stitched he second pillow. I had a partial bag of little batting scraps that I had saved over the years that was just the perfect amount to add to the filling that I had washed. Then it was a matter of stuffing the filler into
the pillow. Of course, the first time that we did it, we had it turned so it didn't fit well. The second time the stuffing process worked well.

I like her second pillow. The foam form used to support a pillow that went with her bed quilt when she lived at home. The graphic fabric design of the new is wonderful and the design matches all four sides as well as the back.

I'm looking forward to the next time that she can come and stitch. She says that she has a couple more pillow forms and she says that she might want to stitch a long skinny type pillow. . . We can do that!!!

This is the first finish of the 2nd Quarter FAL. It was goal number 19 on my list. Since we used her fabric, I didn't reduce my stash goal. I still have stitched 39 yards of the 57 1/2 yards that I want to stitch before the end of the year. I have 18 1/2 yards remaining!

Pillow Cases--3rd Finish for Third Quarter Finish Along ( FAL) 2017

Close up of pieced band

As I write this post, the chicken is drying. . .it is not without issues. . .a red fabric bled onto a white fabric. Yes, I had rinsed all the blocks as I had finished each block to check just for this very issue. Synthropol didn't have much if any effect on the area. Dawn dish detergent helped lighten it; but, it is still evident to me that there was a problem there. Oh and there are other bleeding spots. Those areas are smaller. I'm sad; but, I plan to still finish and enjoy the quilt. I'm thinking about applying some paint to that area to see if the bleeding will be less evident.

This morning, I wrote most of the label. Then I tried to remember what fabrics I had planned for the facing and hanging sleeve. As I was looking at the fabrics, I remembered that I had planned to stitch a couple pillow cases from the extra chicken fabric as one of my Finish-A-Long goals for the third quarter of the year. You can read about my list here. 

Originally, I had purchased the feather fabric to be the binding the chicken; but, it was just too whimsical. I do plan to use a piece of it for the sleeve. When I cut the fabrics, I wanted the feathers to be up and down around the pillow case band. Unfortunately, the print went the other way and I only had a yard of fabric. You need 40 inches of fabric for the band. So I pieced it. I found that the print wasn't all that straight; but, I managed to get enough width.

Two finished pillow cases

It didn't take long to stitch the two pillow cases and perhaps, tomorrow, the chicken will be dry enough to stitch the facing. I sure would like to finish that project before the end of the month! One pillow case I'll give away and the other will house the chicken when it isn't hanging on the wall.

This is finish number three for the quarter. (Last quarter I only managed one finish so I'm definitely doing better this time!) These pillow cases were goal number 10 on the list.

I used two yards of fabric from my stash to make these pillow cases. I used one quarter of a yard from my stash to piece the back of the crib quilt I posted about here. I used a yard of fabric to stitch Miss K's halter dress. This brings the total of fabric used from my stash to 30 and one quarter yards this year. My goal is to use 50 yards. I'm getting there! :)

If you would like to participate in the FAL, go to this link and follow the directions. The first of October you will be able to post your intentions! I get inspired with the projects that others post and having a list helps me to keep working on those projects that have been in process in my sewing space!

Basted Chicken

Embroidery added to the branch

The handwork I did to finish the chicken appliqué and embroidery on the Mt. Hood/Oregon project took a toll on my body. Last week, I pushed myself too far. Instead of stopping when I felt the numbness in my left arm, I stitched for another 15 minutes. The following morning, I couldn't raise my arm to brush my teeth or my hair!

Fortunately, I had a chiropractic appointment already on my schedule. I went and although the adjustments helped, I still couldn't move without pain. . .this included breathing! The chiropractor suggested a massage. I was fortunate again because someone had canceled and the massage therapist that I see regularly had an opening.

Again, the massage helped; but, I still was sore.  Although I was able to scratch my head, it was painful to do it. I took it easy for three days. I missed stitching; but, I also didn't feel like stitching either! Every day, I felt a little better so that by the fourth day, I prepared and stitched the back for the chicken.

Two pillow cases ready to stitch

On the fifth day, I cut a couple pillow cases to use the extra back fabric and feather fabric that I purchased so long ago! I am determined that the remaining pieces don't go back into the stash!

On the sixth day, I layered and basted the chicken. (Did you think that I was sharing a recipe because of the Basted Chicken title?? ) The top was lumpy. I'm thinking that when I added the leaves/vines that traveled across the blocks, I stretched the blocks as I stitched. It is going to be tough to "quilt out" that fullness. I'm going to give it a try!

Chicken ready for quilting

Basted chicken looks so much better to me than the chicken as a top. After having the project hang out in the studio for the past decade, it is exciting to have it to the quilting phase!

I'm still on the mend; but, I am moving so much better. I did help with setting up the equipment for our guild's quilt show yesterday. I paced myself. When the equipment was in place and the quilts were starting to be hung, I went home. I'm glad I stopped when I did. Tomorrow, I get to see the quilts. . . all 300 plus of them . . .Saturday, body willing, I'll help with the take down of the show. More to come!

Year End Accounting

At the beginning of each year, I make a plan on what projects I want to finish. This year, I also made a goal of using 50 yards of fabric from my stash.

I wanted to quilt these:
Butterfly:
It's pieced. I just need to figure out the quilting!

















BOM: I wanted to embroider words as one of the borders. . .well, I still want to; but, need to be more proficient at the embroidery!










Chickens--this was a BOM from about 2007! I have most of the applique done. Need to put the blocks together and finish the applique that crosses over the blocks.

There are also some smaller projects; but, enough of what didn't get done as this is supposed to be a blog about FINISHING! :)
By the way, I plan to leave ALL of these projects on the list for next year!













I did quilt these:

Pinwheel Twist
made from some old blocks. . .hmmm the story could be a future blog!

Blueberry Lime. I blogged about it here and here.

Dad's Stars. I blogged about it here and here. 

Ouch:A book club quilt for the book, "Jane."


Ripples: A book club quilt for the book, "The Husband's Secret." I blogged about it here.

Pathways: A book club quilt for the book, "Wild." I blogged about it here.

Joy One. I had LOADS to blog about the words here and here!

Joy Two: You can read about it here and here.

Circus quilt. This is a raffle quilt for a small group that I'm part of. I completed all of the machine applique. 

Positively: A book club quilt for the book, "Where Lilacs Still Bloom." You can read about the process here, here and here.

The grands wanted pajamas and dresses/outfits. Of course, I obliged! You can read about the cape here. Last week, I blogged about the jean skirt and pajamas I stitched from fabrics that the grands had picked. You can see those photos here.

Four of the pillow cases that we stitched.

The granddaughters and I stitched 26 pillowcases. My goal was 24; but, the grands got excited with the fabric selection so we made extra. We donated 21 to a transition house. The oldest granddaughter can't understand that some kids might not have a pillowcase of their own. She likes picking the fabrics!

The liner and cover

I also made 14 hot/cold rice packs. These are gifts for family and friends. 

Rice Pack ready to use!

I embroidered 45 tea cup luggage tags as gifts for the Spring retreaters. Then I embroidered about a dozen more just for gifts!!

The theme for the Spring Retreat was "Tea for 42" so I made the tea cup luggage tags; but the other luggage tags were just too cute to not stitch!

There was also that special stocking.

I used about 65 yards of fabric from my stash. I replaced at least 15 yards; but I do have a little more space in my fabric tubs. The emphasis here is "little." My stash needs more thinning! 

A highlight of the year was working with a small group and working through The Artist's Way exercises. I found the group input helpful and inspiring. It has been about six months since we met; but, I'm still following my plan. . .well, at least, I'm planning and working towards goals! It has been a great year! Now to refine my plans and make 2016 an even more productive year!

Blueberry Lime Finish

This quilt was a mystery quilt offering through my quilt guild. Every month, the chair of the mystery quilt committee would mail the instructions we were supposed to sew. I started on track; but, soon fell behind. At a retreat, I caught up and then fell behind again. I did finish the top so it could be displayed with other tops and other finished quilts made from the same mystery in June 2014.

The fabric requirements were fat quarters. . .light and dark. I didn't realize just how many purple fat quarters I had. I also used some purple yardage to have enough variety. I bought six green fat quarters. So my fabric investment for the project mostly came from my stash! I was excited to be using what I had been petting!!!

What I liked most about the mystery was when we received the last clue, there were lots of different ways to set the blocks. In fact, I liked all the ways that I tried. (At some point, I might make this pattern again just so I can make a different layout!) In the end, I went with the layout on the left.

I pieced the back with the bits that were left over. In the end, it almost became a quilt on its own; but, I decided the last thing that I needed was another project! I like pieced backs anyway.
I had planned to use the floral fabric fabric as a border; but it didn't work with the quilt.

Then, I got stuck with the quilting. . .Usually, the quilting just flows because I have been thinking about it since I chose the fabric! Perhaps, because this was a mystery the quilting was going to be a mystery too! In March of 2015, I layered it and quilted it in the ditch. While I quilted, I hoped to figure out the next step. Unfortunately, it didn't speak to me until June!!

I quilted part of it this way:

           I quilted the diamonds with feathers                      

using Superior Fantastico thread:                          

Used the continuous curve to quilt

the stars. The purple thread is Floriani.

                                                                I label my quilts. The number is the month/year/number

                                                      of quilts I have finished in that year.                     

 



And, I make a pillow case to store the quilt when it isn't in use. I try to use some of the same fabrics in it. One, it uses some of the left overs and it is easy to find when I want it!

This is the finished back:                                                                This is the finished front.

Finished is WONDERFUL! In my next blog, I'll share what I do after a project is finished as well as what I tried; what worked and what didn't.

Retreat projects

Last February, I went on a retreat that my quilt guild sponsored. Retreats are so much fun because you meet new friends, deepen old friendships and get "juiced" when you see what other people are creating!

At this retreat, we exchange 7" squares of fabric and over the years, I have collected a lot of 7" squares! Some of these squares have made their way into applique projects. Some are cut and waiting to be sewn into blocks and a few actually made their way into a finished quilt! 

In the project on the left, I made lots of nine patch blocks which didn't take long. . .it was the applique border that took forever. I have another top just like this one ready for a pepper applique border. . .but, that is a story for another day!!

Before the retreat, I decided that I would figure out a plan for the squares and stitch the blocks using the fabric as one of my projects. 

I also brought pajamas to finish for one of the grand daughters and two pillow cases to make. (The oldest grand daughter picked the fabrics. She just HAD to have a pillowcase to go with her bunny "jamas"!) I brought the string geese blocks to add some wings. Finally, I took parts to make sawtooth stars.



I finished the pajamas and pillow cases the first day that I was there. I've uploaded a video of how well the granddaughter loved her "jamas" as she called them!

On the second day, I stitched the wings on the string geese.

You already know what I did with the sawtooth stars. Next time, I'll share what the blocks that I made with the 7"squares on the last day.

In the meantime, I finished quilting the purple star points and have moved on to quilting the green star points.