Monday, December 27, 2010

Monday Design Wall - Card Trick Strings

The String Blocks are done! The 12 columns are sewn, next will be to join them to finish the center top, add the blue border, then string dresdens. This will be the last time on the design wall, with hopes it will be ready for quilting by the weekend (I think I said that last week).

For more design walls, hop over to Judy's Patchwork Times. I can't wait to count this one against my 2011 Stash Report -- it really cleaned out the strings and leftovers. I am sure the backing will be pieced to stay with the theme of "Scrappy 2011".

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Final Stash Report for 2010

Life gets in the way, therefore one should always be prepared to not meet all goals. A few weeks ago, my net busting visited over 100 yards. Oh well, I could not sustain the 100 yard mark, but there is always next year! Christmas around here was about family and celebration - sewing somehow took second chair. Tomorrow, I go back to work ..... however I have another long weekend coming soon. If things are quiet, I will do nothing but quilt tops.

FINAL REPORT FOR 2010:

Purchased year to date -- 307.20
Used (Finished) year to date -- (397.10)
Net Busted -- (89.90)

A special thanks to Judy Laquidara, who hosted a weekly link for sharing our stash reports. This was my first year participating so I was pleasantly surprised how it became such a great motivator. To see how others faired 2010, visit Patchwork Times -- then stayed tuned, 2011 will be a Scrappy New Year!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Dresden Border for Card Tricks

I have about 36 blocks left to complete the center, which are 6" finished. The center top will be 72 x 72, 1 1/2" inner border and 5 1/2" dresden strip border -- for a finished size of 85 x 85. Just in case you have not seen my method for String Piecing with paper foundation (no mess, no special needles, no changing the stitch length) -- here is the link to my tutorial.

Today is a work day, then comes a long weekend for the holidays. I have two tops ready for quilting, however I want to finish this top and catch up with Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Clues before changing the machine. BUT, tonight I really need to stop everything and finish wrapping presents!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Geralyn's Quilt



I am so proud to be part of the Cane Cutter Guild with very talented members. Geralyn made this awesome quilt, with the quilting done on her home machine. This was a perfect quilt to show off Geralyn's beautiful work.


I hope everyone is finishing up their projects and getting ready for family celebrations. I am done, so my quilting projects this week are just for fun --- and with a long weekend ahead, I will keep busy.


Monday, December 20, 2010

Monday Design Wall -- Card Tricks Growing

I am actually working on a few Christmas items, however in between, the Card Trick Blocks are growing in number and my scraps are starting to show a dent. I also finished the 60 background string blocks for Bonnie Hunter's Mystery quilt.

For more design walls, visit Judy at Patchwork Times. I bet after the holidays, we will see the activity pick up again. For now, we all have our little secret projects.

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Stash Report -- I Slipped!

When it is $3.00 a yard and neutral -- it is a given, BUY IT -- all of it! Considering I have gone through mounds of my light backgrounds for the Card Trick String Pieced Top and Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt, I gave myself permission to buy this. Also picked up a couple of pieces of Kona Cotton in Stone and Sand colors. The downside, I dipped below my 100 yard Stash Busting Goal.

Stash Report:

Finished this week, -0- (Almost, but not close enough to count)
Used To Date, (394.60)
Purchased this week, 17 yards (ouch - but worth it)
Purchased year to date, 298.90
Net Busted, (95.70)

For more Stash Reports, let's all visit Judy at Patchwork Times!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

"Kendra" Pattern for L'Fair Quilts

Continuing to name my quilt patterns for nieces and nephews, "Kendra" is my fifth niece, who lives in Texas, with her husband Cody and three sons.


Finished Quilt: 68.75 X 82.50
Finished Block: 13.75

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS

Kona Cotton Rollup (as pictured below)
4 yards of black print (Used 4 - 1 yard cuts of different black prints from the Northcott, Califon collection by Mark Lapinski), for blocks and binding
1 yard white print for block centers (from Califon collection)
5 1/4 yards backing



CUTTING REQUIREMENTS:

Kona Cotton Rollup (contains 42 - 2 1/2" strips) -- Pull 30 strips and cut each into 4 - 10" strips (total 120 - 2 1/2" x 10" strips)

Black Print --
  • Cut 30 LOF (length of fabric), 2" strips, subcut each into 4 - 10" strips (total 120 - 2" x 10" strips)
  • Cut 30 LOF, 1 1/4" strips, subcut each into 4 - 10" strips (total 120 - 1 1/4" x 10" strips)
  • Cut 8 LOF, 2 1/2" strips for binding (joined together diagonally)

White Print --

  • Cut 5 LOF strips 5 3/4", subcut into 30 - 5 3/4" squares

Sew one 1 1/4" and one 2" strip to each side of Kona 2 1/2" strip. Press to black print.



As the strips are sewn, use a design wall to arrange each of the strip-sets.



Sew each block using a "half-seam" method of starting and finishing the block.




The center white print block (5 3/4" square) is attached first to the left strip set --- NOTICE THAT THE SEAM STOPS HALF WAY DOWN --- ENLARGE TO SEE DETAIL IF NEEDED.






Open the seam, pressing to the center block. Add the top strip set.





Continue adding the next 2 strip sets to the right and bottom. NOTICE THE HALF SEAM IS OPEN AFTER THE 4 STRIPS SETS ARE CONNECTED TO THE CENTER BLOCK. Sew the open area to complete the block.




Completed block -- need 30 blocks (5 across, 6 down).



Alternate colors -- I really like the scrappy look. I have already cut out several strips for a new quilt later.





Sew the blocks together -- 5 rows across, 6 down. Sandwich, quilt as desired and add binding.



All Done!



Copyright, L'Fair Quilts, 2010

Friday, December 17, 2010

Introducing - "Kendra" for L'Fair Quilts





The Free Pattern for "Kendra" (finished at 68.75 x 82.50) will be posted this weekend with a few sample blocks in different fabric choices. Perfect for the Jelly Rolls, because it uses 2 1/2" strips -- in fact, this used the Kona Roll-up I won (Sew Fresh Fabrics) participating in the Blogger's Quilt Festival, hosted by Amy over at Amy's Creative Side. The other fabric came from Mark Lapinski's Califon Collection in black and whites.
Hope Everyone has a Great Friday!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Multi-tasking quilts

Bonnie Hunter's Mystery: Went back and completed Steps 1 and 2, finished 35 String blocks (25 to go), and completed Step 4.


String Card Trick: 6" finished string blocks, still working on the border surrounding the center Card Trick.


Finished Quilt: Bringing it to work so I can take a picture in a well lighted area. I will post for the Friday Finish and should have the pattern posted over the weekend. Making a few sample blocks in different color schemes.




Monday, December 13, 2010

Monday Design Wall - Dec 13th



I removed the 9 blocks in the bottom right quarter of the Card Tricks to take a picture of the pattern I want to use as the upper left pieced border. I did the same for each of the other three quarters. This way, the card trick blocks are repeated in the border. Using the picture, I started laying out a few of the 6 1/2" string blocks made over the weekend -- see picture below. Stay tuned and I will show you as I make more string blocks.

The String Blocks are fast when you only sew one seam on the foundation paper -- my method shown here. Never thought this would come in so handy. I was already making blocks for my string card trick quilt (needing 144 string blocks) and now I need 60 for Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt!



On the right side of the design wall -- 8 1/2" string blocks for Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt Clue #3 -- yes I couldn't help myself, I started them (20 of the required 60). Guess I need to go back and sew Clue's 1 and 2.


For more design walls -- visit Judy at Patchwork Times.


Sunday, December 12, 2010

Stash Report - Dec 12th


The above quilt is done except for the binding, so I counted the fabric as used. I have been working on more string blocks for the border of the Card Trick Top and decided to throw in a few larger strings for Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt. I have been cutting the fabric for each step, and may start sewing the blocks together later today.


Stash Report


Finished (Used) this week, (11.50)

Used To Date, (394.60)

Purchased this week, -0-

Purchased year to date, 281.90

Net Busted, (112.70)

For more stash reports, visit Judy at Patchwork Times. We are closing in on 2011, so there are just a few more reports -- let's see how much I can finish before December 31st.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Card Trick String Blocks Done

Next step -- pieced border? Maybe. On a sad note, I used the last sliver of fabric from the Princess Diane's Blue Rose that I bought years ago. I sure wish I would have ordered more back then.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Progress on blocks

The String Blocks are coming along - especially since I only have to remove two pieces of paper foundation --- NO TWEEZERS! If you missed the tutorial -- click here.

The blocks for both tops may be done when I return home tonight. Then I will start deciding on if or what kind of borders.


Monday, December 6, 2010

Monday Design Wall - Dec 6th

Several blocks are finished below from the Kona Roll -- finally deciding on the centers -- more from the Mark Lapinski Califon Collection. Earlier this year, I bought several pieces from this collection, including enough for a backing in bright blue! I will eventually post a pattern after the holidays and after it is quilted.

And....here are the string blocks I have been making using the tutorial I posted here Sunday. I make these as "leaders and enders" (Bonnie Hunter's method) while working on the blocks above. I will continue to work on them until the "Card Trick" evolves. I have also noticed that Bonnie has posted the 3rd clue in her Roll Roll Cotton Ball Mystery quilt that uses strings blocks. I just might throw in a few 8 1/2" paper foundations and save them for later. I have been pulling fabric as the clues are posted, but won't be able to really start anything until after the first of the year.

I am linking up to Judy's Patchwork Times, who has been hosting the Monday Design Walls. We are closing in on the holidays, so I am anxious to see if others have their secret projects posted.

Sunday, December 5, 2010

String Tutorial / Stash Report

Stash Report First:
  • Used (as in Finished) this week: (13.25)
  • Used To Date: (383.10)
  • Purchased this week: 4
  • Purchased Year To Date: 281.90
  • Net Busted: (101.20)!!!!! 2010 Goal of 100 yards.

For more Stash Reports, visit Judy at "Patchwork Times".

Paper Foundation - String Tutorial

Tutorial for quilters who hate tearing all those little pieces of paper from string piecing. I no longer cringe when I see "using a paper foundation" in pattern instructions. Update: I cut my strings as I go, so the paper foundation is an important tool acting as the square ruler. I lay the string across the foundation and scissor trim before sewing.

Step 1: Cut your paper foundation to the desired size -- I keep a stash of 6.5" squares of newspaper on the side of my machine. You will not need to change the stitch length, you will not need a larger needle using this method.



Step 2: Sew the first two strings to the center of the paper foundation -- THIS WILL BE THE ONLY TIME YOU SEW THE STRINGS TO THE PAPER FOUNDATION.

Step 3: Line up the next string on the foundation, but before sewing --- fold back the paper. Continue sewing the strings on both side, lightly finger pressing (no iron needed until done) -- each time you fold back the foundation paper to sew another string, it will make the removal that much easier.

Step 4: When you are done, press with an iron to flaten.

Step 5: Trim from the back using the "one and only diagonal foundation stitch" to line up your ruler.



Step 6: Now remove the TWO pieces of paper and you are done.




Friday, December 3, 2010

Challenge Quilt Done



Today is the BIG reveal at our Quilt Guild's Christmas Party! I can't wait to see the other's use of the same fabric -- which is from the Jackie Robinson Collection. If you look close, it is the dark green stars and the light green sashing. The rest came from my huge collection of purple and lilic 1 1/2" strings.


I am also linking up at Amy Lou's Show and Tell Friday -- be sure to go and check out the other finished projects for the week.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Quilting Closeup




The "Fabric Challenge" is coming to an end tomorrow. We will reveal the quilts and pick up the fabric for next year's challenge. Because the quilt is very busy -- the center quilting was a basic all-over flower pattern. The borders were feathered. The top and backing -- very scrappy and very purpley! I am always amazed at the amount of scraps go into a scrappy quilt WITHOUT making a dent in my drawers.


Tomorrow, I will upload the finished project right before leaving for our Christmas Party.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Finally -- I can Share!

Our local guild will be meeting at the end of this week! Within our guild, I belong to a couple of little side bees. One, we play along with the reality show "Survivor". The other, is the "Fabric Challenge Bee". A year ago, our Bee Leader Mary Lea found the fabric from a Jackie Robinson collection and our challenge was to use the fabric in a quilty project. The big reveal is this week, so I feel safe showing you some of the work in progress. This year, my project gave me a chance to clean out the purple, lavender and fushia stash. Other than the "challenge" fabric, I did not buy anything.




As we approach the holidays, most of my projects are of the secret nature. BUT, I will show as much as possible, without spilling any beans.