MORE MUG RUGS

 I was going through some blocks I made for the Grandmother's Choice: Votes for Women weekly sew along and came across two blocks that didn't fit the requirement of 8.5 inch square.  They both came out short.  I did the blocks again and my second attemps came out fine.  They are the blocks from week ten (Block No. 10) and week one (Block No. 1)

I used these first attempts (now orphan blocks) to make mug rugs. Mug rugs are a great way for me to practice my hand quilting and my binding.  My binding and  my quilting are improving with the practice.  

The teapot was a block a made in the 90's when I wanted to work on my broderie perse.  

For Broderie Perse, one cuts out motifs from a large print fabric and then appliques that motif to a background fabric.  Here I cut out this spray of flowers and leaves with a quarter inch all around and appliqued it (using needle turn) on to the teapot.  The pot was then appliqued onto the pale background which was in turn appliqued onto the beige.   Now this made a fine mug rug or perhaps a small table topper.  It was quick.  I used up an orphan block.  I practiced my skills.  I have a nice table topper/mug rug to either give as a gift or keep for myself.  It will find a use.

I continue to use up my stash of fabrics and continue to make do.  I would love to hear from any other quilters who are getting into their UFO's and stash and making do with what they have.   

SHIPSHEWANA AMISH QUILT from SENTIMENTAL STITCHES

 I'm working along with a Flickr group making blocks every 3 weeks.  The end will be a quilt top created by Sentimental Stitches.

I'm doing mine in all reds and greens with a background fabric that will tie it all together.  All from my stash.  I'm making do.

 

 I hope to be finished with this by the end of the year and then put it together.  I will quilt it myself but haven't decided how.
 

I've changed some of the blocks.  This one I've 4 patched the center and added a heart.

 This is the only applique block in the project.  My favorite.  I love applique and it comes easy to me.  Piecing does not.

 My baskets.  Reds and Greens from my stash.  I really need to explain what I mean by stash.  Those bits of red came from my scraps.  Some from the trash basket.  Waste not.

 This is a 12 inch block.  The center fabric was purchased at a local quilt shop in the late 1990's.  Just have a bit more of this left.  I can't imagine what ever possessed me to buy so much fabric that I never used.

 Most of the blocks that are pieced I have foundation pieced.  I duplicate the block with my EQ7 software, and then print foundation pieces.  Once a section is foundation pieced, I remove all paper before putting the sections together.  I find this to be an easier way of making sure it is correct.

 I foundation pieced the log cabins and the half square triangles, removed the papers and then put all together for this block section.

For this one I didn't remove the papers first and it's all wonky.  I'll do this one over, which is not too much of a problem.

This is the same block construction, with my papers removed.  Not as wonky.








So I continue with my projects, using up the fabric purchased ages ago.

Four Patch top finished.

4 patch from stash scraps

 

 

    I have an obsession.  I mean really.  I just can't, can't throw away my scraps.   I have another obsession...using up my considerable stash of fabric and fabric scraps.   So putting these two obsessions to work, I decided to make a 4 patch quilt.   Some time ago, (like over a year ago) I squared some of the bigger pieces into 4 inch squares. This year, I've committed myself to putting those patches into a quilt top.  I have so many UFO's...therefore the subject of this blog.  This was one of them. 

 

I've been working on this project all year, here and there.  This month, armed with my  Janome Jem Gold 660 Lightweight Sewing Machine, and having the luxury of Quilting Play Dates with friends, I finally finished.   

 

First, I joined the patches into 4 patch blocks.  Next, the four patches were joined into double 4 patches.  4 double 4 patches made a row.  I ended up with almost 6 rows.     In the end I had to make 3 more double 4 patches to finish it off evenly...so back to my scraps and cut 36 more patches and put these together into 3 more double 4 patches. 

 

Now this was fun.  No pattern to follow, just a random happening of patches of fabric.  For me a very enjoyable and satisfying project.  OK, any quilter's out there with scraps.  What can you do with yours.  I have so much more to work with.  I need to think of a new way to use them up...nothing mind boggling mind you...just a simple project.  

 

But first.  I need to get this top quilted.  I'm a hand quilter, but that does take some time.  I just might try my hand ...er.. machine at machine quilting.  Maybe something simple like straight line stitching. 

 

 

 My Jem Gold has a 5 piece quilting kit. 

I purchased it so I may as well use it.  I'll quilt this top at one of my next Quilter's Play Dates.

Just an update

I haven't been posting on this blog but have been working on finishing up my UFO's.   I'm now working on several finishes and put some in between.  I'm working on a 4 patch using up my scraps.  Actually using a sewing machine for this.  I've made several more mug rugs and working on an English Paper Pieced project.  Blocks are all done, now need to put on sashing and borders and quilt it.  The blocks are made with 30's reproduction fabrics.  

 

 

I purchase an Jem Gold Sewing machine to take with me when I go to classes or retreats or play/sew dates.

This is my Jem Gold.  A great little machine and easy to carry. 

I got the carrier for it too.

 So also trying to clear out items from my home office.  It's been a mess.  I've been scanning and shredding so there is not so much clutter.  Everything is now on thumb drives.

 Came across this picture of my hubby when we were first together.   I thought this was lost forever!  You see what you can find if you just organize and clean up.

 

THE MAN LOVES TO FISH

That is Lake Erie in the background.  Not sure where we were.  Too long ago.  I've lived around this lake somewhere all my life. 

I'll return with pictures of my progress on my quilts hopefully soon.