Sapphire Stars Shines

      Late last week, I received a request for a comfort quilt for a man who is 6'6" who has been diagnosed with massive lung cancer. He had served in the military, now in government planning. I knew I had Sapphire Stars hanging in the tops closet. It was a Mystery Quilt by Kevin the Quilter. It was plenty long enough, but it would not be quick to quilt.
     I used Military Gold Glide on the top, Glide 60 same color in the bobbin and a wide back fabric. I studied the quilt to find what it needed where and used chalk to mark it out. I cannot find refills for my red chalk holder, anyone know where I can get them? I use one holder for white, and one for colored as I need both colors when marking a quilt.
     I had a few issues with tension, but mostly good. I had some issues with the backing pleating along the edges. Never had that happen before- it was rolled tightly on the rollers. I could not stop and tear it out. I used a blue and white stripe for the binding, love it. I quickly washed and dried it, and put it on the design wall to photograph as it had to leave right away to be delivered. I did not notice the desk corner interferring with the lower right corner. I cannot photo it again as it is gone home.
     Because it was 94" long, it did not fit well in the tote I deliver it in, but it was carryable. An orphan block was used for the pocket to hold the book, card, CD, and pocket quilts. My husband said the man was stunned by the quilt. I think it came out well although I did not get to enjoy it done for more than a couple of hours.

Kevin's Mystery sewn up

     I finally finished Kevin's mystery quilt, Sapphire Stars.  I made some changes to the original. I did not use the gray lattice, but opted for light blue. I changed the border so the piano keys ran all the way across and top to bottom. I was surprised how large it was. 
     I waited for a sunny day (Friday) and hauled my photo stand outdoors and set the quilt up. First, the bar had to go so high, it got tangled in the oak tree. Next, the breeze came up and knocked it over in different directions. I am sure the worker guys finishing up my husband's garage addition were laughing it up inside the garage. Hope they did not video it and put it on youtube. 
     Parts of the quilt were challenging, especially the yellow and blue triangles that had the blue strip in it. I think I would make them solid next time so the star where the blocks meet would be more prominent. I am so glad I finished. Thanks, Kevin for the experience!

Some finishes

     I completed my Christmas present pillowcases at the retreat and this week made significant progress on Sapphire Stars. I have to put a 2.5" navy border around the body and then attach the piano keys that are already sewn. I made some changes to the pattern so the piano keys attach to all sides instead of an awkward navy blue rectangle at the corners. You will see what I mean later.

Work, work, work retreat

     Our guild has two retreats per year from Thursday to Sunday. Last weekend was one and I spent a lot of time packing quilts that just needed assembly. I also cut 8 pillowcases and sewed all. I had a little project I called Phony Dresdens for the participants, another woman did hanger covers out of fleece and another did zipper pouches. So, lots to do. Someone cooks the food and cleans it up. It is of cafeteria quality, but I am not there to eat. There is always our snack table...
     I have been having issues getting photos off my camera card in the laptop. I have to keep taking it in and out many times before it registers- doesn't matter the camera card. I also miss Picmonkey since it went the pay monthly route and have been using Pixlr which does not have a white balance. I need to find a good editor with just the basics. So, doing the blog has become frustration. I was not able to get the pillowcases or projects off, so another time.
    First, the exploding squares. One quilt started with 6" center squares, the other with 4". When I got the 6" one home on the wall, I thought it needed a border and put one on. I think the 4" one may need another row although I have no more right now.

4" center square start

6" center square start

With 3" cut border

     I had some leftover squares from a MSQC pattern, Disappearing Hour glass, so I added some sashing and a border for another comfort quilt. I brought border fabric which did not work, but a visiting quilt store brought some yardage with a demo and I found the right one.

     The diagonal variations also was sewn and I decided to stay stitch 1/8" around the perimeter to help it stay truer when I put it on the long arm. Hope it helps.

     Alas, I could not assemble Sapphire Stars because I was short two blocks with yellow triangles. I know I made enough as I recounted them, but nowhere to be found. I made the two blocks last night and sewed the large large block so I can start sewing on the sashing.

Not quite Sapphire stars yet

     The last couple clues from Kevin came fast and furious and were fussy clues. For now,  I assembled one block and got all the other pieces ready. I have to change the color of sashing and redesign the outer border so it will be continuous, and thus, it has been a slow process.

Bunches of blocks

     I have not been able to get the time and concentration to work on a big quilt. My co-program chair and I held a class on paper piecing for our guild on Saturday. We took Lynne Tyler's bird and designed it as a simple paper piecing pattern with three sections and nominal pieces. We used baby rick rack for the legs to eliminate piecing. We used our new Sony Handicam and Epson Projector to show large format what was being done on the machine and cutting. I am not sure every one walked away understanding the paper piecing. Paper piecing is thinking backwards- in reflection. Some people just shut down when they see that. We were hoping to get to do the paper crane pattern (free from Hunter Design), but that did not happen. Here are my samples.
     One thing we did was print the patterns on newsprint. If you buy a newprint pad from the dollar store, cut it 8 1/2 x 11, you can run it through a laser printer, ink jet printer or copier. Makes sewing, folding and ripping out much easier.

Didn't get to sew the rick rack legs on yet.

6" block and 9" block, there is also a 3" one available

     Sapphire Stars, the Kevin the Quilter Mystery Quilt had a surprise clue, which is finished which is good because tomorrow is a new clue.

     Also, Debbie , showed her Scrappy Mountain majesty in florals and I was inspired to make a block. Oh, I want to make more!

Sunny flowers and Sapphire Clue 3

     Fall has some rich colors. I have one large sunflower in front and these yellow happy flowers that this year took over. Must have been all the rain.

      Meanwhile, I finished Kevin's Mystery Sapphire Stars Clue 3. Really had to scrape for that navy as I needed 6 1/2" width. It used the Tri-Recs rulers. And then he sends a surprise clue yesterday, so I am back to cutting.

Trimming and prepping

     Yes, I did take my sewing machine to the Adirondacks and set up a little table and did some work. I trimmed a whole lot of stuff and finished Clue 2 of Kevin's Sapphire Star Mystery Quilt. I also sewed a raft of tiny wonky stars, but I can't find the photo. I did not work on anything large as we all shared the same space. I took the Featherweight and blocks to trim.

Trimmed all the diagonal blocks cut from tube.
I did not have the ones I previously trimmed with me, so they all need to be trimmed 1/8" smaller. Rats.

Exploding Squares, last round opened and all trimmed. Ready to go on the wall.

Clue 2 all done