FMQ Downton Abbey Update

I just wanted to show you the progress I've made quilting Ladies of Downton Abbey. I have the body of the quilt all quilted. I have the borders and set in triangles along the borders ready to quilt. I'm still trying to decide how to quilt those areas. I tend to make decisions when I reach that area.

I think you can see the quilting in this picture.  I made my loops in the sashing. I wasn't sure if I would like it as I was actually quilting. When I finished and looked at the quilt as a whole, I liked the result and was really happy with the choices I had made.

I like the quilting in each block. It looks really nice in person. Choosing a quilt design is always a gamble with me. I'm not sure if I will like it or if it will look good. I just have to make myself stop overthinking it and just do it!

I love the back! You can really see the quilting! I used King Tut thread by Superior in a variegated beige/light brown.

The border is less than 3 inches wide. I may just choose a Free Motion Design. Still not sure!! I'll share once I have some quilting done!

Arcadia Avenue Progress

I bought the background fabrics a little over a week ago. I had to buy 2 different fabrics. I also didn't want a solid. I was afraid that parts of the block would melt into the background and not stand out as much as I would like. The finished quilts seen in the directions had prints but from a distance they looked solid.

I hope you can see the prints in this picture. They're black with gray patterns. I brought a friend with me who helped me pick them out. I really like them together with the blocks. I had to cut out 60 degree triangles as well as half (30 degree) triangles. So far, I've had to sew the full triangles to opposite sides of the large hexagons. Each block has the triangles attached to the same side. The quilt top will have each hexagon all oriented the same way.

Next, I have to make the side triangles to square up each side of the row.  I also need to make a row alternating fabric triangles for the top and  bottom. Then, the top will be done! Can't wait!!

Happy 4th of July!!

Happy Fourth of July!!

My husband is outside grilling. My parents are here. We're all waiting to eat! We have all the side dishes ready as well as the strawberry shortcake for our dessert. It's overcast and a bit dismal but that's okay! It's better than last year's hurricane!

Enjoy your holiday! Have fun! Be safe!

Happy Birthday, USA!!!

Runaround Bag

I took Joan Hawley's class on Craftsy called Zip it Up, Easy Techniques for Zippered Bags. I have made a few projects with zippers, but not too many! I thought this would be a good class for me. I got the class on sale and it includes patterns to three bags. I thought it was a good deal.

The Runaround Bag is the first of the 3 patterns. It's also the smallest. I think it measures about 7 1/2 inches by 9 1/2 inches. It's great to carry a few items like your cell phone, money and credit cards. It would be perfect to carry when going to see the fireworks!!

It only uses 2 fat quarters, a zipper and fusible fleece. I had everything at home but I did buy a different zipper. I wanted a beige one but I only had white ones at home.  I had a few coupons for Joann's so I went shopping earlier today.

Here's a close up of the front.

Here's the back pocket. I used one of the decorative stitches on my machine when topstitching the edge.

The layers were all assembled in a certain order. I had to sew all around the edges and "birth" it through the zipper!! So fun! I think they'll make great gifts. The whole bag took less than 2 hours. I guess there's a reason I have so many fat quarters hanging around!!

Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along

I'm keeping up very nicely with the Farm Girl Vintage Sew Along. These are such cute blocks and I feel it's a great opportunity to sharpen my piecing skills. I'm making them all 6 1/2 inches. I think it will be a fun quilt! I've made 17 blocks so far. There will be 45 blocks when complete.

Here are the blocks I made in the last 2 weeks.

Farmhouse Block

Farm Fresh Flower Block

Feed and Seed Block

Fresh Pears Block

I'm using my stash only. I don't mind the backgrounds all being different. I think that will add a little interest to the quilt. It should turn out to be a whimsical quilt!!

FMQ Friday

I finally started to free motion quilt the sashing of the Ladies of Downton Abbey quilt. I had originally wanted to quilt this loopy pattern but I saw a few other patterns to consider. I tried quilting them and didn't like it very much, I tried to practice them but they still didn't look that good. So, I decided to go back to my original idea.

I'm glad I finally started it! I feel it complements the quilting I've done on the blocks. I think the amount of quilting will be consistent throughout the quilt. That's always a good thing! The picture above shows the back of the quilt.

This picture isn't the best but you can see the variegated thread surrounding 2 sides of this block. I'm glad I went with this pattern. There's a lot of sashing on this quilt but I'm happy I've started on it. Sometimes that first step is the hardest!!

Rock Candy

 

I finally found the time to make a Rock Candy Table Topper by Jaybird Quilts. I've had the pattern for quite a while. It was always one of the projects I wanted to get to "next". I also had the Sidekick Ruler which makes this pattern so much easier! (There is a template included in case you don't have the Sidekick Ruler.) The topper finished at 20 1/2" X 23". You also need 1 Charm Pack or 18 - 5 inch squares. I have a few charm packs but I thought the bright batiks would work out the best.

You make 6 sections that are made up of 6 diamonds and 4 triangles.

I sewed them into pairs.

Then I added another section to make one half of the topper.

I put 2 halves together.

All I had left to add were the borders.

It's done! It reminds me of my paper pieced hexagons for Arcadia Avenue. But no paper piecing! I have to machine quilt it. It will be nice to display during the summer. Hope you enjoyed seeing me make my Rock Candy Table Topper, It's a nice quick project that comes out great!