Stars all sewn up!

     I made one Emma's Star and it was given away as a comfort quilt long ago. This one sat in pieces for a time because I lacked the fabric for the corners. Finally I just chose one for all 4 instead of piecing it. It needed a border and a dark one seemed best after a lot of tries. Now, to get it quilted!

Work, work, work = fun, fun, fun

   Lots of different things going on. I labeled and bagged all my UFOs and put them standing up in a bin under the counter. I sewed all the blocks for the You've Got Mail quilts. One layer cake made 2 quilts, 4 blocks by 5. I tried to use all the cool color ones in one, and the mostly warm in the other. It was grey today, so I don't know how well I did. I used blue painters tape and labeled all the rows so I could stack them for sewing. One fit on the design wall, and I had to lay the other on the floor.

The warmer blocks

Cooler blocks

      All finished quilting Emma's Star! Ready to put in a tote bag and wait for someone who needs it. I have another one (Emma's Star) all cut out waiting to piece. I used patterns from Free Motion Quilting. Thank you, Leah Day. I would never be able to be the quilter I am today without your tutorials and blog! The designs I used were Bubble Wand, Flowing Lines, and Basic Chevron. I bought her book and use it to plan out what I am going to use on a quilt. Then I go to her site and watch the video to practice it out. I started using Isacord because of her, but now I also use Glide because it is USA made and works so well.
     I also want to thank Lori from The Inbox Jaunt for excellent FMQ tutorials that I have used at times.  And for sheer production of comfort quilts, Sarah is the queen to me at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Emma's Star

     I finally found fabric for my daughter's tote. It is probably not the first color choice she would take, but I think the design is and I think the color goes with her hair and being a chemistry college professor at Allegheny College (read proud mom).  The tote is going to be a challenge for me. It has a zipper (gasp) and I have to change up the pattern (yikes).

Local Quilt Store fabric comes through

     Last, I would like to show I finished the Christmas cactus watercolor. I always enjoy Wanda's photos of her cactus and I told her I would post a photo of this when done. I owe her gratitude for her knowledge and kindness to me.

Another top, another idea

    I was able to finish sewing Emma's Star for a comfort quilt top this weekend. I also have done a sketch for another denim quilt like Denim Lily. It is 18 x 36. I have to mark the values in, draw this on clear plastic, trace it on freezer paper yet. I am going to put Hollis' denim idea with Grace Errea's method of using Liquid Thread, which I ordered last week. I just can't do the zig zag denim pieces method and then cut out the seams. I will show my progress, complete with errors as it goes.

Ready for backing and then quilting, 48 x 60

Sketch for new denim quilt, 18 x 36

Bits and pieces of work

    Because I need to get some comfort quilts done, I have been piecing and quilting to get at least two done. The piecing is for Emma's Star. I have done one before, I get impatient doing the sashing, but the blocks are easy. Sewing the diagonal rows is an exercise in concentration. It is a beautiful pattern. It needs the rows sewn together now. Have to add borders yet to make it big enough.

 

    The quilt I finished the quilting on is one from Missouri Star Quilt Company, see tutorial. Real easy, I added more strips to make bigger blocks.

Squiggle Square Pattern from The Inbox Jaunt

  Once I get the binding on, I will show the whole quilt.