Thursday, October 31, 2019

Color challenge November 2019

I am excited to be sharing the November block for the Monthly Color challenge that is hosted by Jen of www.patternsbyjen.blogspot.com.   I appreciate that Jen has let me participate with her as a blogger this year. 

The color for November is Yellow.   Yellow is always a great color to work with as it goes with so many colors.




This block for the month is a quick and easy one to make.  I had forgotten until the night of Oct. 30th, an hour before going to bed and knowing I had to work on Thursday.  So I quickly got it done.




Jen writes her directions very clearly.  They are easy to read and follow.  She also makes sure to tell you which direction to press the seams.  That helps with the nesting of the seams so that they match up.



For the pattern for this months block, please visit Jen at www.patternsbyjen.blogspot.com to get the pattern.  Then, at the end of the month, link up with her to show us what you have done.

I have a tip I would like to share with you for matching seams.  After pressing seams, usually to the dark fabric, match your pieces and put a pin in the seams.  This works great for both hand and machine piecing.



Please join these other bloggers to see what their blocks look like.

www.tuning-my-heart.com
www.quilted-diary.com
joanne-everyonedeservesaquilt.blogspot.com


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Sunday, September 22, 2019

Back to school blog hop - making kits for on the go sewing

Hi and welcome to my day for the Back to school blog hop hosted by Sam of www.huntersdesignstudio.com.  thank you Sam for letting me be a part of this  blog  hop.



Today I am going to share some ideas of how I put kits together for on the go sewing.   I love to take projects with me, and dependent on where I am going determines if I take just hand sewing or a sewing machine and the works.  Usually though it turns out not be hand sewing.

When I get ready to make a kit, I cut enough fabric for 1 block to test it.  Then I cut all the pieces I need.  I usually buy extra (usually 1/4 - 1/2 yard) as a just in case, because when I don't I screw up.  I keep all my fabrics, including the extra together until the top is done.



My kits are kept in various bags and containers.  Easy to grab and put into a bigger bag.  Right now, I know what is in each bag, but I think i will make some bags with a clear plastic window in so I can stick a paper in there telling me what it is.





I have a few projects ready to go constantly.  I put 1 in my backpack so I can work on it during my lunch break.




Then I have 1 or 2 ready to go in a bag for when I go in the car.



So, what do I keep in my project bags:

A small pair of scissors
A spool of thread
A couple of needles (just in case I lose 1)
And of course the blocks I am working on
 Instructions are usually photocopied and folded up or I take a picture and keep it on my phone or tablet or both.


These 2 bags I keep extra needles a little ruler and an extra pair of scissors in.  1 is always in my backpack and 1 stays  in my bag I take projects in. 


I add other things if I am taking projects with me for a trip.
I add my rotary cutter, mat and a ruler or two.

I do find that most times I take more things than I need.  But if I am someplace with my granddaughters, they know I always have some hand piecing we can do.

It is great to always have something I can work on as we are driving someplace.


I use the same process for keeping my projects in my sewing room organized .  That way whether I am sewing or my granddaughters are wanting to sew and forgot their projects, they can still sew.


  If I ask them where there project is they often say home and I ask them how they can sew and they always tell me that I always have a project they can sew or fabric they can work with.  They are so right.

I hope I have shared some good tips with you.


I love reading your comments, so please share how you organize.


These other bloggers also have some great tips so check them out.


Day 1 – September 1 – Sam Hunter: Sewing Long Seams Without Stretching – huntersdesignstudio.com
Day 2 – September 2 – Susan Arnold – Joining Binding the Easy Way – quiltfabrication.com
Day 3 – September 3 – Angie Wilson – Fussy cutting tips and techniques – www.gnomeangel.com
Day 4 – September 4 – Andi Stanfield – No-Mark HST: Let your machine be your guide – truebluequilts.com/blog/
Day 5 – September 5 – Bobbie Gentili – Say YES to Y-seams – geekybobbin.com
Day 6 – September 6 – Mel Beach – 5 Reasons to Say Woo Hoo! to School Glue – pieceloveandhappiness.blogspot.com
Day 7 – September 7 – Laura Piland – 7 Ways to Use a Laser on Your Sewing Machine – www.sliceofpiquilts.com
Day 8 – September 8 – Suzy Webster – How to solve loops in free motion quilting – www.websterquilt.com
Day 9 – September 9 – Tara Miller – Accurate Stitch-and-Flip Corners – quiltdistrict.com
Day 10 – September 10 – Latifah Saafir – Accurate Seams Using Masking Tape! – latifahsaafirstudios.com
Day 11 – September 11 – Sarah Ruiz – The Magic of Glue Basting – saroy.net
Day 12 – September 12 – Jen Shaffer – Ways to stop your ruler from slipping while cutting – patternsbyjen.blogspot.com
Day 13 – September 13 – Cheryl Sleboda – Basics of ruching (a vintage fabric manipulation technique) – muppin.com
Day 14 – September 14 – Raylee Bielenberg – Choosing quilting designs for your quilt – www.sunflowerstitcheries.com
Day 15 – September 15 – Jen Strauser – Accurate and Attractive Machine binding – dizzyquilter.com
Day 16 – September 16 – Jane Davidson – Matching points for all types of intersections – quiltjane.com
Day 17 – September 17 – Teresa Coates – Starch and starch alternatives – teresacoates.com
Day 18 – September 18 – Jen Frost – Benefits of spray basting – faithandfabricdesign.com
Day 19 – September 19 – Sandra Starley – Getting started with Hand Quilting – utahquiltappraiser.blogspot.com
Day 20 – September 20 – Karen Platt – Drunkard’s Path Made Easy – karenplatt.co.uk/blog/
Day 21 – September 21 – Kris Driessen – All Kinds of Square (in a Square) – scrapdash.com
Day 22 – September 22 – Sarah Goer – Planned Improv Piecing – sarahgoerquilts.com
Day 23 – September 23 – Kathy Bruckman – Organizing kits for on-the-go sewing – kathyskwiltsandmore.blogspot.com
Day 24 – September 24 – Cheryl Daines Brown – The Secret to Flat Quilt Tops: Borders – quilterchic.com
Day 25 – September 25 – Cherry Guidry – Pre-assembling fusible applique – cherryblossomsquilting.com
Day 26 – September 26 – Laura Chaney – Getting started with English Paper Piecing – prairiesewnstudios.com
Day 27 – September 27 – Ebony Love – Cutting Bias Strips from a Rectangle – lovebugstudios.com
Day 28 – September 28 – Tammy Silvers – Working with heavier weight threads in your machine – tamarinis.typepad.com
Day 29 – September 29 – Kathy Nutley – Create a perfect facing or frame with 90 degree angles – quiltingsbykathy.com
Day 30 – September 3 – Joanne Harris – Using Leaders and Enders – quiltsbyjoanne.blogspot.com
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Thursday, September 12, 2019

My favorite quilt block -blog hop



Hi and welcome.   I am glad you are here.   I have had a hard time deciding exactly which block to share, because I have a lot that I love.

I love the churn dash block.




I also love the star blocks and there are so many of them.  One of the aspects that I love with the star blocks are the flying geese blocks.  I love to make flying geese.

They are easy to make and I want to share a story.


 I have been teaching my 9 year old granddaughter to quilt.  She made this quilt, her very first one, and entered it in her county fair.  She earned 2nd place.  She is very excited.





 She wanted to start another quilt, so I pulled out some patterns for her to decide and she chose this one.


I happened to have her for the weekend about 3 weeks ago and we started on this quilt.  I showed her how to mark the squares and how to sew them.   She has been working on this quilt at home.   I have to say I am impressed by her work.



  She has a goal to enter a quilt in our state fair one day.  I think I may join her in that goal. 

Please join these other bloggers to see what their favorite blocks are
Monday, September 9th


Tuesday, September 10th


Wednesday, September 11th


Thursday, September 12th



Friday, September 13th

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It's Tee Time - a baby quilt

Today I want to share a fun baby quilt that I made.   This was made for my bosses new little boy.  My boss is quite the golf addict.  In fact we joke about whose hobby costs more - mine with quilting and sewing or his with golfing.



When he announced they were having a baby I knew I wanted to do a quilt for them.  Any reason to make a quilt is good.   So I started thinking of different quilts.  This is the one I made and blogged about  for his little girl https://kathyskwiltsandmore.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-chevron-quilt.html

So when they announced they were having a boy I decided a golf quilt needed to be done.  For the patterns some were bought and some were coloring pages.



I used www.aurifil.comthreads and essential cotton from www.connectingthreads.comfor piecing and applique and for quilting I used my go to thread which is glide https://www.habanddash.com/top-thread/glide.htmlI love the sheen it gives.



I may be doing this quilt in a bigger size for a golf tournament and auction to help a family of a lady that I work with.   This was such a fun quilt to make  and I hope the baby enjoys lots of cuddling in it.




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Sunday, September 8, 2019

Make a list Monday - 9-9-19

 
 Welcome.   It has been a while since I have posted.   But things go better when I have goals in mind.

This week my goal list will be short.

1.  Finish the Fancy Fox quilt top.   Then if time get it sandwhiched and quilted.  This is for a friend that I work with.



2. Get my blog post written for Friday.   I will be sharing my favorite blog.   Biggest problem is choosing that favorite block, but I have a fun 1 in mind.

3.  Write the blog post on the "It's tee time" quilt.



4.  Work on a quilt that I hope to donate to the festival of the trees.  The proceeds from the auction and sale of the quilts and other items goes to support our Children's hospital here in Utah. It is Primary Children's hospital. I am trying to decide between 2 quilts. This is one of them.


This is the other choice.

6.  Make a sheet for a grandson.  He has been wanting one for a while.

Not a super short list.  Some of these will go fast, like the blog writing and some will take more time.  It all depends on how the week at work goes.   I will get some of the pieces for tops cut and take them to work so I can hand piece during lunch.

So, what are you working on this week?  What are your goals?  I would love to hear from you.
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Monday, July 29, 2019

Christmas Collection blog hop - Jingle bell quilt and giveaway




Hi everyone,

Today is my day to share on the Christmas Collection blog hop hosted by Nancy of www.masterpiecequilting.com.  I am excited that Nancy let me join.  I appreciate that Nancy provided each of us with a copy of the pattern for our use in this blog hop.

When Nancy first announced the hop, I immediately knew which quilt I wanted to do.   I love bells.  In fact, i love everything about Christmas.  I  chose to work on the  Jingle Bells quilt.


My original plan was that I would have 2 or 3 almost done, 1 of which was in wedding colors for a cousin, but they called it off.  I thought it would be great to do the bells in a glittery white.  Of course, it would be cute to do a quilt in Christmas colors and the bells in a glittery white.

One of the things I like to do when starting a new quilt is to make up a few blocks for a few reasons:

It lets me check that everything I am doing is accurate.  Are my seams where they need to be?  Did the block finish to the right size? It also helps me to know if the directions are well written and understandable.  These directions are very well written.


I can do 1 block and quilt it up and use it for a hot pad.  In fact, I can do several and have them ready for gifts. Just make sure to piece and quilt with 100% cotton thread.


I can put 1 or more together, depending on size of blocks and make some great throw pillow covers to use for decorating, and I have a great tutorial here https://kathyskwiltsandmore.blogspot.com/2019/07/christmas-in-july-12-days-of-christmas.html

Do I like my fabric choices?  Do they work well together?


Practice blocks for quilting designs.

I put 4 blocks together and this will be a perfect size, after adding a border to make a doll quilt.  And when you have 3 granddaughters  (soon to be 4), it makes great gifts.  It also lets you test your quilting designs.



The colors I have chosen for my quilt are: (my hubby picked out the green and the red for me)


green with gold sparkles




Red with gold stars



The gold is called turmeric and is part of the Northccott colorworks collection.



You can see the great solids in this collection by going here http://www.northcott.net/product-detail.aspx?fbid=38&colid=789&colorid=1231 then scroll down to find color 551.

The white is a wide backing that I found at my local Joanns fabrics.

So, I still need to finish my quilt.  I want to do the applique by hand, but that may take a while, so I will probably do it on my machine.  I am piecing it with aurifil thread, 50 wt color 2024.  You can check them out at www.aurifil.com.

For the quilting I will go to my go to quilting thread of glide.  I love the sheen that it gives you.


You can get this downloadable book from Amazon and here is the link www.amazon.com/Masterpiece-Quiltings-2018-Christmas-Collection/dp/0692199160/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Masterpiece+Quilting+Christmas+Collection&qid=1559564547&s=gateway&sr=8-1  and yes I did say downloadable, which means you will get it right away.  That way, you can start on a Christmas quilt right away.


Be sure to go to Nancy's blog www.masterpiecequilting.com and enter to win one of 3 patterns for this quilt.  If you don't win and would like this pattern, then you can go here to purchase it https://shop.mybluprint.com/quilting/patterns/jingle-bells-quilt/510744

I would love to hear from you and I would love to do a giveaway of my own.   I would like to make a pillow cover or a doll quilt to give away.  Leave a comment and which one you would prefer and the winner will get their choice.  Be sure I have your email address so I can reach you.   This contest will end at 11:50 pm on August 4th. Due to shipping costs, my giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

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Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Christmas in July - 12 days of Christmas

Wow!!!! It is hard to believe we are in July and down to 5 months before Christmas. 


Welcome to my day on the 12 days of Christmas blog hop hosted by Sarah of www.confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com.

Today I am going to share a fun throw pillow with an envelope back.  This is very easy to do.

I love these pillow covers and the best thing is I can have just a few pillow forms and lots of covers.  The covers are easy to store.

Materials for a 12 inch pillow cover:
12 inch pillow form
12 1/2" square of fabric
2 8" x 12 1/2" rectangles of contrast fabric

Take the 2 rectangles and press over 1/4"  along 1 long edge of each rectangle then fold a 1/4" over again (so you have a double hem) and stitch.

Take your 12 1/2" square and put the fabrics right sides together, your hems will be in the middle of the square and will be overlapping.




  Put some pins in to hold in place and stitch with a 1/4" seam all the way around.   Clip the corners, do a quick press and turn right side out and stuff your pillow form into the pillow cover.





You can make a 12 1/2" quilt block if you want to use that as well.



Please check out these other bloggers with great ideas.
Sunday, July 14th


Monday, July 15th


Tuesday, July 16th


Wednesday, July 17th


Thursday, July 18th


Friday, July 19th


Saturday, July 20th


Sunday, July 21st



Monday, July 22nd


Tuesday, July 23rd


Wednesday, July 24th


Thursday, July 25th



There is a great giveaway for a fat quarter bundle from Figo Fabrics for their new Christmas line Wintertide.  You can enter that below.  Please make sure that you scroll to find the submit pattern on the entry form.



 If you don't follow me yet, I would love to have you do so.  I love to read comments so please leave then and I will try to respond as quickly as possible. 





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