New Technique!

I've been busy trying to work on and finish projects. Most of the project are "work" projects that have deadlines, while a few are projects that I've started and put aside because I needed to "work." I'm trying to make a concerted effort to sew more for me - just because I want to. It isn't easy, but I'm trying.  

This little wall hanging is one that I made, just because I wanted to make it. 

This is small, only measuring 17" x 20" and the construction was very simple and quick. I grabbed my scrap tub and pulled out fabrics from the Together We Sew Along project that I hosted for a Facebook Group to which I belong. The two background (light fabrics) and seven of the pink strips were from the Sincerely Yours fabric collection by Sherri & Chelsi. 

The remainder of the fabrics, including the backing were pulled from the scrap bin; and as I'm sure you can imagine, this small project did NOTHING to help reduce the amount of fabric in that tub.  LOL

I wanted to try to face this quilt instead of adding a binding. I've done that before and haven't been totally satisfied with my results or the process. I read a few tutorials and then combined what I read. I then did what made sense for me. 

I am very happy with the results! As you can see from the picture below, the facing fabric does not show on the front and the edge is smooth and straight. I will definitely do this again. I see some art type quilts in my future and already know that I want to face them instead of bind them.

Have you learned or tried any new techniques lately? 
 

Quilting Friends!

I am blessed to have some really awesome quilting friends! I am very happy to share some of their recent quilting projects.  😄

Although she's not in the picture, Bonnie is working on an adorable cat quilt for her granddaughter. Love the bright colors!

Carol finished up this adorable baby quilt for someone and it turned out great!

Carol is also close to finishing her Heart to Heart quilt. She's making the queen version, so she had to make a lot of hearts. 😂

Diane bit the bullet and decided it was time for her to learn to machine quilt.

She's a natural and did an awesome job!

Kathy is a new quilter and she's doing wonderful work. Her Strip Shenanigans is ready for binding. She decided to make it scrappy and it's going to look awesome!

Kathy's Nine Patch Party is really nice and that's ready for binding too!

Sharon had previously made the Heart to Heart quilt that Carol is making. She had extra squares and decided to make pot holders.

Sheila has us all jealous of the fact that she's working on Christmas gifts already. She doing an awesome job!

As I've said before, I'm blessed to have so many talented people in my life.

Quilt for Paige

For those of you who read my earlier post about the two young ladies in the accident, I am ready to sew the quilt for Paige. I made some adjustments to the Summer Love tutorial that Jera over at Quilting in the Rain provided back in 2011 and I think it turned out well.

Here's my version with the strips ready to sew. I will add borders, but I'm not sure what fabric I'll use.

Allie's quit top is done and ready for the signatures.

Both of these quilts were made using the same fabrics. That was very important to me and I was glad that I had enough to do so.

Design Wall Monday

All last week  I was very excited for the upcoming weekend, knowing that I'd have time to work on a couple of projects that were very close to completion. 

I sub taught 7th and 8th grades Social Studies the last two weeks and I loved it! Much to the students' chagrin, my original degree is in Comprehensive Social Sciences and I LOVE teaching about the Middle Ages, the American Revolution, etc. (I kind of think they thought they were going to do nothing for two weeks and maybe even have to wait to take mid-term exams until the "real" teacher was there.) Anyway, between prepping for the classes, grading exams and other evening commitments, I knew that a lot of sewing and quilting was just not in the cards.

Everything was going along swimmingly and I was grading the last of the exams when WHAM!!

Thursday afternoon two students were involved in an accident - a very serious accident. Paige is fine (physically) and was released from the hospital. Allie, an 8th grader was not so lucky. She was life- flighted to Toledo where she remains in critical condition.

Needless to say, Friday was a roller coaster day of emotions for all of us. Upon arriving to school, there was a quick teachers' meeting to discuss the day. We were given a prepared statement to read regarding the accident and the latest update on Allie's condition. The principal and counselor were in the classrooms and available as needed all day and many of the students were in a state of shock and disbelief. They wanted to do something, but didn't know what. During study hall they made signs and cards. At lunch they made wrist bands to wear and took group pictures to send to Allie. They discussed ways to raise money for gas cards, food vouchers, etc. for Allie's family because Toledo is about an hour away and they knew it would be expensive to make that trip daily. They did a lot, but they still needed/wanted to do more. (Despite what we often think when we listen to the news, there really are some great kids out there who are compassionate, intelligent, caring and just plain good!)

Watching and listening to the students got me thinking and after school I spoke with the Dean of Students and Principal about making a signature quilt for Allie. The students (and teachers) could sign it and Allie would have it with her like a big group hug. They agreed that would be a good idea and Friday night I started making a few sketches. I knew I needed something with lots of negative space for signatures and that Allie's favorite colors are pink and purple. I kind of wanted a heart, but wasn't sure. 

I saw a pixelated heart pattern on Moda Bakeshop,  liked it, and started sketching. (Yes, I have EQ and I could have used that, but I wanted to use paper and pencil.) Here's what I came up with.

I liked the sketch and started pulling fabric Saturday night. The pinks would be scrappy but Allie's name would be in a single purple fabric that will also be used for the binding. 

I couldn't start sewing until Sunday evening, but here's the top so far. Everything except the top two rows are sewn. (The big open spaces sure made piecing this quick!) 

I think I'll press some freezer paper to the back side of the large white sections where signatures will be place. That will make signing easier. I have the fabric pens ready and the instructions for the Dean of Students who is going to be organizing the signatures. The plan is that I will have this back by Thursday so I can quilt and bind it and give it to Allie's parents to take with them this weekend. 

This isn't what I had planned to do this past weekend or even this week, but it is what NEEDS to be done this week. I'll get to those other projects eventually. They've been waiting a long time and they can wait a bit longer. 

This quilt has moved to the front of the line. It speaks volumes for how I feel about quilts and my role in making them. My hope is that it will be therapeutic to the people who sign it as well as Allie and her parents.

Click HERE for an update to this post. Allie's quilt top is done and I'm piecing one for Paige. It will be ready for signatures tomorrow also.

Hug your loved ones today and tell them how you feel about them!

What's on your design wall?

Check out what other quilter's have on their design walls today.

Go to Judy L's Patchwork Times.

Check back tomorrow for Tip Tuesday!