Sunday, September 20, 2015

Gravity!

I'm a couple of weeks late because my sewing machine was in the shop, but here is my Gravity quilt top:

 
I am very please with this pattern:  the directions are clear and easy to follow.  Since I have the rulers now, I think more Jaybird quilts are in my future. 
 
This quilt is going to be a gift for my oldest son for his birthday, if I can get it quilted in time. Otherwise, he will get it for Christmas. 
 

Linking up:  http://busyhandsquilts.blogspot.com/2015/09/gravity-quilt-along-quilt-tops.html  http://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/2015/09/can-i-get-whoop-whoop-memories-and.html  http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2015/09/finish-it-up-friday-92515.html

Saturday, September 19, 2015

Scrappy Mountains Majesties Top Finished!

I am happy to report that I finished something today!


This is my version of Scrappy Mountains Majesties (69"x 85") .  It is a Bonnie Hunter free pattern.  As I recall, she pieced the whole thing in a weekend.  Mine took considerably longer than that!  The whole thing is made from repurposed shirts.

                                Used This Week:  4.5 yards                                
Used Year to Date: 60.875 yards 
Added this week: 0

Added year to date: 66.0 yard

 Net added: 5.125 yards









Thursday, September 17, 2015

Sewing Machine is Back!

Here's the good news:  I got my sewing machine back, and it's working fine.  The spring on the bobbin case had to be replaced, and it only cost $30.  Here's the bad news:   he didn't clean and oil it even though I told the woman who wrote up the ticket that I wanted it cleaned and oiled too.  The tech wasn't there when I picked it up, or I would have talked to him directly.  I decided just to bring it home and use it for a while.  Then I might try and find another shop to do the cleaning and oiling.  I don't want to be without it for another two weeks!

I got the rest of the Scrappy Mountain Majesties blocks done yesterday and started sewing the rows together.

 

Friday, September 11, 2015

Thirteen Days and Counting

Thirteen days without a sewing machine.  I had no idea it would take this long to fix!  Three of those days we were out of town, so really I've only been without a machine for 10 days.  Still, that's a long time for me.  I've watched the Smart Phone Sew Along pass me by:  8 blocks behind now.  I've decided I can't participate in the Twilter's Hashtag block exchange because then I'll be even further behind on other projects.  All I can say is my machine better be COMPLETELY fixed when I get it back. 

I've been cutting up scraps, cross stitching, and  (gasp!) cleaning my house.  We've taken a load of junk to Goodwill, moved furniture around upstairs, set up a guest room, polished the hardwood floors,  and started on setting up an office downstairs.  I've dusted the shutters, something I only do a few times a year. I've even applied for a part time job!  I'm glad the cutting instructions for the next Scrapitude quilt came out this week, so I still have some cutting to do.

http://scrapitudequilts.com/here-we-go-its-time-to-cut-the-scraps/

If you are being overrun with scraps, I encourage you to try one of Charlotte's mysteries.  They aren't as involved as Bonnie Hunter's but the patterns are just as pretty. This is Scrapitude, made mostly in batiks:

 
This is Scrap In a Box:

 
Charlotte's patterns are what some call 'full on scrappy', not the controlled scrap palate that Bonnie Hunter usually uses in her mysteries.  Charlotte's method teaches you to look at the difference in value, not necessarily color.  Both of these quilts were made with a lot of old, weird and ugly fabric, but I'm pleased with how they turned out. 


Monday, September 7, 2015

Scream House, Continued

With my sewing machine in the shop this week, I've been making some progress on the  Scream House Stitch Along.  I'm one panel ahead of where I'm supposed to be!

 


 

 


I've also gotten a lot of scraps cut so that when my machine is finally done, I'll be ready to sew. I'm cutting 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles for a Bricks and Stepping Stones quilt ( http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2005/06/bricks-stepping-stones.html ) ,   2 1/2" strips for a Scrappy Trips quilt  ( http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2005/06/scrappy-trips-around-world.html ), and 3 1/2'  Tumblers to use as Leaders and Enders.



Sunday, September 6, 2015

Stash Report, Missing My Machine

My sewing machine is still in the shop.  Big sigh!  I want to sew, but instead, I'm cutting scraps.  I went to the quilt shop this week and got 3 more fat quarters for the Smart Phone quilt.   I also bought a  Snoopy pillowcase kit for my friend's mom.  I've already given her four Peanuts pillowcases.  She LOVES them, so I've been making her a new one each year for Christmas.

Used This Week:  0                                
Used Year to Date: 56.375 yards 
Added this week: 2.125

Added year to date: 66.0 yard

 Net added: 9.625 yards


Time to stop buying fabric, at least until my machine is fixed!



Saturday, August 29, 2015

Gravity: The Gray Blocks

Here are three pictures of the gray background blocks for the Gravity quilt.  Boring to sew!  Boring to look at!  But they are done, and my Gravity quilt will soon be done too.