In the groove

 The weekend was relaxing and fun. I had a wild idea to make a simple wall quilt to replace the Autumn quilt that has hung over my heater in the studio for way too long. In the book, Skinny Quilts, there was a quilt made with stripes and solid circles. I really liked the modern look of it, so I pulled a bunch of Kaffe stripes and broke into my brand new fat quarter stack of Kaffe tone-on-tone fabrics. Here is the sequence of events. 

I did a rough sketch on paper to get the size right, then  cut a bunch of squares and rectangles of assorted stripes. I starched them for stability and gave them a press before starting on the design wall. I tried a dark blue plaid on top, but didn't like it.

Here are the colors I chose for the circles, and the squares they go on.

The circles are fused on and secured with turquoise thread in  a buttonhole stitch. Tried another plaid...nope.

The third try was the charm! Here's the flimsy with the mid-tone plaid borders.

Quilted and bound. 

Basketweave panto

Don't forget to label your quilts! The binding is a blue stripe.

Mr Wazoo hung it up right over the heater where I wanted it. Good job, and it only took a day to do.

While I worked on the wall project, I quilted another QOV.

Panto: Simply Stars.

Nice backing, but pretty stiff feeling. I hope it softens with washing.

The block is an interesting construction. It looks simple...I may have to make some of these.

I also finished the quilt from my program the other night.

Square spiral panto.

Another sale rack find for the back.

And don't forget your label!!

I started cutting out the next project and my shop assistant came to watch.

She gave it her seal of approval!

The iris had bloomed!

The grass has filled in where Penny does her run-run daily. Mr W knows how to grow grass anywhere.

Lilly of the valley is lush and fragrant. I love it!!

It's hard to get a good picture with the dog pulling on the leash while I'm trying to take the shot.

More sewing tomorrow!

A week of ups and downs...TGIFS

TGIFS...thank goodness its Funday Sunday!! I have discovered working too long escalates the back pain that lurks just under the surface. Thursday was the worst day, sending me to the ice pack and extra strength Tylenol. Friday was spent with my quilty buddies in the morning, and work in the afternoon. We traveled to Ellijay to what was billed as a fiber arts show, but turned out to be a meeting of yarn vendors. What a bummer! The day wasn't lost. We visited the new local quilt shop and scored big! The selection is wonderful and the staff was friendly and helpful. They had a quilt holder made from giant clothes pins that I loved. I bought the pins and Mr Wazoo promised to make one for me!

Isn't this clever?!

In the studio, Work continues and I am seeing the finish line of customer quilts. Here are the latest ones to be on the way home.

I like the pattern used for this quilt. The trees look like they are reflected in water. Pretty fabrics, too.

The customer wanted swirly quilting, so I used Abracadabra

The backing is pine forest, as well.

It's Christmas!! This cute lap quilt is made from leftover blocks from another quilt the customer made.

It is very busy, so the panto: Falling Snow doesn't show well on the top.

It sure shows on the back! I think it's pretty!

She also made a table runner. Same panto, but more evident on the white border.

This is a great Christmas/Winter panto.

I prepared everything for my program at the evening guild, then bumbled my way through it when I was there. Oops. I think they liked the quilt, though, and it wasn't a complete loss. I added the blocks from the presentation to the un-finished top and quilted it yesterday. I will show you when I finish sewing down the binding.

Someone who reads the blog asked about how I do the labels. Here is the blow-by-blow of that process. Label your quilts!!

Start with a strip of a light colored fabric. I use leftover strips from other projects.

I have 3", 4" or 5" squares of freezer paper ready and cut diagonally. The size depends on what kind of quilt the label is going to end up on. Small for charity quilts or ones I will give away later; medium for ones where I may want to add the recipient's name; and large for ones where I add a title, names, dates and other information.

Press there freezer paper to the strip. I use the triangles over and over.

Fold the paper lined side over the fabric and trim the other side to match, using your ruler as a guide.

trim, trim...

The paper lined side is now reinforced so you can write on it.

Using an archival pen, write your name and date on the paper lined side. Be sure to leave a bit more than 1/4 inch  on the two open sides. The seams go there.

Peel off the freezer paper and toss it in the same place you keep the strips of fabric for next time!

Set the ink with a hot press.

Ta Da!

Pin the label to the back corner of the quilt. I use the lower left corner as you're looking at the back of the quilt.

Sew the binding to the front of the quilt, catching the label in the stitching on the corner.

When you turn the binding to the back, it covers the stitching and holds the label in place.

Slip stitch the top of the label down while you're stitching the binding in place. 

I'll leave you with Spring at Wazoo. My French lilac has bloomed and the tiny, delicate blooms are fragrant and beautiful. The pansies by the back door came through the freeze like troopers and are flush with color, too.

This variety is dwarf and makes tiny clusters of the lovely lavender flowers.

They are miniature versions of the common lilac.

The mixed bag of pansies are in a tub by the door. So pretty at the end of a long day.

I like this salmon colored variety.

Take a walk, enjoy the Spring warmth and then...GO SEW!!