Welcoming Simon into the Family

It has been wayyyyyyy too long since I posted something here, but losing my dear corgi buddy Humphrey was very difficult. Both my vet and best friend said don't wait to get a new pup, start looking right away, but know exactly what you want. I said I wanted a slightly older (not a puppy) corgi, different coloring than Humphrey, maybe a tri-color, maybe a show dog that didn't make it in the ring. Guess what? The universe provided in spades! Meet Simon Kenton., aka (just plain) Simon. Registered name Edenfaire Treat or Treat (he was born on Halloween 2013). He was supposed to be a show dog, but for some reason, he didn't quite make it. Yay for me! Simon has already stolen my heart.

Simon is a handsome boy and very, very sweet. He has lots to learn about being a family pet, but he's smart and is figuring it out as we go. Yesterday Simon and I were finally able to spend some quality time in my sewing room. Yippee, Skippee! My husband likes to name the dogs, so click here to learn more about the origin of Simon Kenton

I walked he little legs to stumps, he was then content to sleep while I quilted.

 I like this off-center flower combined with straight lines.

 This was also a fun block to quilt. I love the organic quality of the quilting in little colored squares

 Stippling can also work well when filling in an area.

I was able to quilt several blocks on my quilt-as-you-go project. I love how they turned out. Even though this is Monday and not Friday, feel free to post pictures of your quilting project on my Facebook page (click here).

I plan to be back much more frequently, of course that does depend on Simon cooperating.

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Free Motion Friday - Double

So sorry I missed last Friday's block post, I bit of technical trouble. I wasn't feeling well and I just couldn't get my machine to cooperate. Sometimes it's best just to walk away and try again another day. When I came back to it, it was working smoothly. Can sewing machines feel our energy?

Sew today I will post two blocks to get you going. Please link up if you want to show off some of your work. I know I would love to see your FMQ.

My first block is very organic and whimsical. I started with the center, stitching two curved lines from end to end and echoing each of them. Then I filled in between the two lines with Leah Day's Spiral Matrix (click here for her video). I think Spiral Matrix is one of my favorite designs. It really doesn't have to be perfect to look great. Personally, I like when it's not perfect, proves I'm not a computer guided robot. Continuing on, within the orange block I just stitched straight lined back and forth. I think the straight lines give your eyes a place to rest and lets the cool Spiral Matrix pop. Around the outside, I just stitched wavy lines that randomly intersect. This is a great example that if your fabric is printed/busy, it doesn't really matter what you quilt because your can't hardly see it.

 I really love how you can see the stitching on the back. Fleece is so much fun to quilt.

This is the next block I decided to quilt. Remember, this project is about trying out some new fillers and putting them together to see how they look. Have fun with this.

Again, I started with stitching some random wiggly lines and echoed them. I filled them in with Pointy Paisley (another Leah Day filler). On the outside of this shape, my lines are now at a 45 degree angle. On the printed boarder, I just did back and forth lines. On the outer most stripe, I stitched a foundation line of back and forth triangles, I didn't mark them. I finished it off with straight back and forth lines to fill in the top half of the triangles.

Let your imaginations run wild, just stitch something. The take away from this week is: If it isn't working, you're tired or don't feel well, walk away and come back another day. Enjoy your quilting.

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Rules: Share your FMQ, be nice to one another.

Free Motion Friday - The Start of a New Quilt

Okay, so it has taken some time to get this quilt-a-long started. I have all of the blocks pieced and backed, ready to quilt. Remember: you can choose to follow this quilt OR design your own quilt. It can be an alternate grid like this OR a more traditional layout. The most important part is quilting.

This quilt was created with various sized pieces of solid fabric and a number of different strips from a Alison Glass jelly roll (2 1/2" wide by the width of the fabric)

Here are the blocks. Some will need to be trimmed, but since this is a quilt-as-you-go project, I saw no reason to do that now.

The blue outline shows the three columns of how the blocks will be assembled

I started quilting this small block as a warm-up to larger, more complicated FMQ blocks.

The FMQ on this block: started with stitching in the ditch, then a square spiral to the center of each colored block, echo lines (free-hand) on the white pieces between each spiral. On the outer strips, random jagged "teeth". I used Aurifil 50wt white thread in both the top and the bottom.

This will get you started on the first column, if you choose to follow this pattern.

Next week you can link up your work on next week's blog post or post it on ColorMeQuilty's Facebook page.

The very best part of doing a project together is the community spirit and learning. Remember Angela Walters saying - "A finished quilt is ALWAYS better than a perfect quilt."

Feel free to ask AND answer and questions in the comments here or on the Facebook page.

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Sea Glass Quilt (QAYGFMQQAL) Finished!

I really love how this quilt turned out. And I love how much I learned from making this quilt.

The quilt is approx. 50" x 60"

 I started this quilt in January as part of Quokka Quilts QAYGFMQQAL (quilt as you go, free motion quilting, quilt-a-long). Each week we would get a new set of designs to quilt, each block is FMQ differently, then joined together after it is quilted.

 The entire quilt, both piecing and FMQ is done with 50 wt Aurifil thread. I struggled a little bit at the beginning with breaking thread, but Alex Veronelli from Aurifil was so wonderful to help me troubleshoot the problem. It turned out that the batting I was using (Warm and Natural) has a needle punched scrim and there is a top and bottom to the batting. As soon as I put the batting in the sandwich correctly, the thread worked beautifully!

Back of the quilt.

I love the texture of the quilting on the back.

I also tried a new technique for the binding, faux piping.

I was planning on donating this quilt, but a certain family member has admired this quilt from the beginning and today is her birthday. I think she deserves this quilt!

Today, I'm linking up with TGIFF over at Blossom Heart Quilts. This quilt is also on my Finish-A-Long list with Quilter in the Gap.

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Faux Piped Binding

In the recent September 2012 issue of American Quilter magazine, there was an article on "Faux Piped Binding" by Trisha Chubbs. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to try it.

Choose two contrasting fabrics - The plaid is the binding, the teal is the piping. The binding strips (plaid) are cut 1 1/2" and the teal piping strips are cut 1 3/4". Note: this is a little counter intuitive, the piping piece is wider than the binding piece.

 You will need to cut enough of each (binding and piping) to go around your quilt. 2x lenght + 2x width + about 10" extra to overlap and join at the end.

You are going to be making a two piece binding.

Sew the binding strips together into one long strip, then sew the piping strips into one long strip. (All seems are 1/4").

Then sew the binding and the piping strips together

Press the seams toward the piping side.

Fold the binding in half and press. (front)

Back of the folded binding.

Attach the binding to the BACK of your quilt.

Fold the binding over to the front and stitch in the ditch.

You will probably see the stitching on the back, but I really love the effect of the piping.

I'm linking up today with Happy Quilting for TNT Thursday!


Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Running with Scissors

I feel like that has been my life the last couple of weeks. Hosting three picnics in one week, starting the Ithaca Modern Quilt Guild, then a quick trip to Levittown, NY for work (6 hour drive), PHEW. You might think that I didn't quilt, but I DID! I completed two projects and at least started my homework this week.

My homework for Leah Day's QAL was stitching cucumber vine.

Front (Wonky/improv. quilt)

I have to say, I love cucumber vine. I didn't have a chance to stitch much, but what I did, was lots of fun. I will be using that design again. (No questions for Leah this week, just too busy to think! )

Back

Finally took the time to bind this little painted quilt.

Added this cool faux piped binding to finish my QAYGFMQQAL - Sea Glass quilt. I'll be doing a tutorial on how to do this cool binding on Thursday.

 WIP Wednesday!
In-process: (8)
Wonky/Improve QAL quilt -  (Continue to quilt)
Purple heart wall hanging ( needs borders, backing, quilting and binding)
Expanding Possibilities quilt (Continue to quilt)
Storybook quilt # 2 - All embroidery is done
Geneva Public Library quilt - join and quilt (maybe make a block or two to even it out)
Sew Cal Gal's April FMQ Challenge - Need to make into a pillow.
Sew Cal Gal's May FMQ Challenge - Need to make into a pillow
Sew Cal Gal June FMQ Challenge - Need to bind.

New projects: (0)
No new projects this week!

Finished (2)
Quokka Quilts QAYGFMQQAL quilt - Done
Sew Cal Gal's March FMQ Challenge - Done

I'm linking up with  Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday and The Free Motion Quilting Project for QAL Wednesday

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

Bound and Determined!

A couple of weeks ago, I said I wasn't going to start another project until I finished up some of the quilts on my WIP list. I really want to start a new project, so I'm finishing up and binding some older projects.

I did this eons ago, finally got it bound.

I think it only took about 20 minutes to make and bind this little wall hanging. Why did it take me so long to get around to doing this?

My QAYGFMQQAL - Sea Glass quilt is done. Yippee Skippee. Do you like my faux piping on the binding? I'm planning a tutorial post on Thursday.

 So, I had 10 projects on my WIP list, now I'm down to 8! I need to polish off a few more. But first I need to get working on my last picnic (my third this week).

All set up for picnics. My last one is today and they are calling for severe t-storms and wind. Did I mention I have 40 or 50 people coming? Yikes!

Color Me Determined!

Pat