Making A Lather: May 2023

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Scrap box chevron finish

I finished scrap box chevron in the nick of time for my one monthly goal for May. I put the last stitches in the binding yesterday. I had a few customer quilts that took priority this month, and, I wasn't sure I could make it. I started it in 2013 and it was ready to quilt in 2014. Yes, it has waited that long to be quilted. Many of my quilts that stall at the quilting stage are there because I am not a fancy quilter. I think I save them to do the new modern fancy stuff, but, no, I am not that person. So, it is time to finish these quilts, my way.

58 x 61 = 12 yards

I quilted in free form swirls

I used a scrappy binding

the pattern

At the end of the month( can you believe it), it is time to check on my PHD report. I did better than I thought I did. I finished 4 UFOS in May. I am sure that is a record. But, the best part, I haven't started anything new this year. Even the TAW baby quilt was started as another project 4 years ago, I repurposed the strips for the new quilt.

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Monday, May 29, 2023

5 quilts May 29, 2023

last report April 28, 2023

I try to work on these 5 quilts until they are done. Their turn in the UFO closet is over, and, they need to be finished one way or another. I decided that for 2023, rather than work a little on each one at a time, I would concentrate on just one. I still use the list to plan and look ahead.

Ok, confession, I have not stuck to my 5 quilts very well, I have continued to work on them, but my resolve to stick to them only has not worked. I have wandered into other fun projects. But, I can feel the overwhelm starting and I need get back on track.

This month the numbering is a little wonky. I have finishes that I haven't summarized and new ones to add.

1. wensleydale a jenn kingwell pattern - I have cut 20 - 25 so far. I have made 5 or so. They are much bigger than I expected. I like them better than I thought I would, but I am not thrilled with how well they are fitting together even with acrylic templates. I have to bribe myself to work on them. It doesn't help that I will have to cut again- yuk

2. trip around the world class- It was a great class and fun day

mine

3. Hand me down -the top is done - moved to the 'to be quilted' closet but soon

3. wonky courthouse steps 2 is finished

3. Saturday soire block of the month. This an older UFO from 2013. I have been working on the setting kits and I have part 1 done. Part 2 appears to be sashings.

4. new kaliedescope I have cut strips and need to cut them into kaleidoscope wedges

5. beige 4 patch quilt -I decided to turn this into a piece for backing. - gone

6. rectangle wrangle I thought this would make a good portable project, But, I mostly sew a couple blocks every morning. I have all ( 42) uphill blocks finished. Next are the downhill blocks. It will take a few to break my groove and start another groove.

MY next on the longarm of my own quilts in the 'to be quilted' closet.

1. wonderland table topper is finished

new 1. tokoyo subway is finished

2. scrapbox chevron from 2013 My one monthly goal for May - on the frame, basted, quilting

customer pause

3. wonky wishes 2017

4. checkered past

5. ubi

hand me down

taw baby quilt

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Sunday, May 28, 2023

stash report May 28, 2023

While cleaning my room, I found an unopened box from missourri star quilts. In it were a few neutrals and a fat quarter bundle of kaffe fabric. In my defense, I used to know it was there. I don't need the kaffe until the end of the rainbow scrap challenge year for my lucky stars quilt. So, I didn't hurry to open it. But, then,.... I forgot it. Such a lovely surprise to find while cleaning. No one likes to clean, maybe all quilters need to hide fun surprises in the mess to make it more fun. I think chocolate would work just as well.

stash report May 28, 2023

fabric added: 9 yards

fabric added year to date: 72 yards

fabric used: 0 yards I am piecing, but, I have had customer quilts hogging the longarm, so, no finishes.

fabric used year to date: 186 1/2 yards

114 1/ 2 yards used more than bought

I sewed 7 days last week.

I have started knitting a pair of socks. I was worried I wouldn't remember how since it has been so long. But, I found my stuff and my groove. I have the cuff done and I am trying a pattern on the leg, called long time gone. I won't know for a little while whether I am getting it right. I found this yarn buried in the floor disaster. I thought. I used to make socks all the time, why not again. The floor is clean, again.

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sunday stash at quiltpaintcreate
patchwork and quilts

wednesday wait loss

15 min to stitch at life in pieces

Saturday, May 27, 2023

lucky star block

I am finished with orange for the rainbow scrap challenge in May. I made 3 orange stars from batiks to add to the stars I have been doing this year. I made them this morning. I am just getting up too early any more.

The Spring flowers have been beautiful this year. The pink roses are from my Grandmother's garden. I rescued them when I was a child. They are blooming this year just like the year I fell in love with them as a young girl. In front of the them are dame's rocket which is one of my favorites, too. They smell so great and I let them pop up wherever they want.

The last few years, our peony has opened by memorial day, but, this year it did. We have had this plant since we were married, and moved it twice.

We had irises for years and then they all seemed to die one year. We are slowly bringing them back.

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wednesday wait loss

Friday, May 26, 2023

floor finish

I can't believe it, but my sewing room floor is clean and as tidy as it is going to get. It went from this

embarrassing

to this.

I spent 6 weeks sorting through procrastinated messes and organizing better. I tried to remove as much as possible by donating or gifting. There is still too much packed into the room. I also tried to locate often used items closer to me.

These were all over the room wherever I could lean them

scrap bins

I can walk straight to my machine

still more to go

cutting table

I decided my may project was to do the same thing to my fabric and ironing board room for May. oh, and my cutting table.

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Wednesday, May 24, 2023

floor triangles bits

Underneath my sewing machine, I keep a basket of triangle cut offs and bits. While I was cleaning the floor of my sewing room, I needed to handle a bit of a mess they created. They play while I am not looking, and walk about the room at night. Corralling them was easy, but not playing with them was impossible. Mostly they are smaller than a 2 1/2 inch hst. Some are very tiny.

I know I want to make ( someday) a basket quilt with 2 inch hsts, and, I want to make ditch lillies (bonnie hunter) with 1 1/2 in hsts. I like the idea of sewing wonky triangles to the corner of a 2 1/2 inch square for a confetti quilt and little hourglass blocks.

2 1/2 inch

hsts

I have made wonky stars before and love them and here, too

4 1/2 inch

I have little beauty blocks I am making every now and then.

monkey wrench and lil beauty basket

I have had a wonderful time "cleaning" the floor underneath my sewing machine. I could even vacuum. haha

shoofly and here

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My quilt infatuation

Monday, May 22, 2023

trip around the world quilt class

I have had a trip around the world quilt on my bucket list for a long time. I had tried the Bonnie Hunter free pattern, but, I did not like the outcome. She had promised that any scrappy combination would work, and, I took her at her word. I managed to have scrappy fabrics that did not work. But, I have still admired all of them I have seen. I started investigating the colors and movement, watching and reading and you tube. I was determined to try again. I think the key is to have color groups together in the quilt. But, aside from that, TAW quilts have a magic of surprising results.

I taught a class at guild this last Satuday, and, I was amazed at the color combinations chosen by all the quilters.

Gwen is new to quilting - vibrant colors

Pam's flannel baby

Mark's ocean

shelly's colorful

The best part for me, was a visit from an old quilting buddy from out of town. It was so good to see her and catch up a little bit. She has been an inspiration to me over the years with her keen sense of color and her scrappy commitment. She loves little pieces ( and can you believe it) cutting the fabric. I have several quilts with pieces of her swapped goodies in the them. Thank you Lucy.

Lucy's bohemian

Judy is in my Friday group and made stunning choices

Linda's bright beauty

I had left mine unfinished with parts to demonstrate, but, I did finish the top at the workshop. I missed pictures of rex's chocolate covered cherries and Shelly's orange sherbet, Linda W patriotic, Lisa's completely scrappy, and Kathy's perfect pink. Oh and Kelly, who was new had a wonderful shabby chic version.

Now, I want to cut up all my fabric into trip quilts, I am so inspired. I like being the teacher. There are all types of "students". Surprisingly, there are those who say I am not doing it that way ( why take the class?), there are power sewers at the machine. There are social butterflies, who need repeat instructions. There are massively tidy ones ( not me). Relaxed, confident ones. Some who move through the instructions like soldiers, And questioning ones, and everyone has a creative genius in them - amazing

But in our group we had kind, and patient quilters. The whole world should be quilters and then there would be no wars or crime or violence. LOL

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Sunday, May 21, 2023

stash report May 21, 2023

Yesterday, was my guild class. I had 14 "students" for a trip around the world class. It was great. I am looking forward to Sunday rest and rejuvenation.

stash report May 21, 2023

fabric added: 0 yards

fabric added year to date: 63 yards

fabric used: 12 yards I finished tokoyo subway

fabric used year to date: 186 1/2 yards

123 1/ 2 yards used more than bought

I sewed 7 days last week.

I have a goal to add one strip of wool to my village rug everyday. Some days I add more. Sundays, I spend real time on it, and make a little more progress. I mentioned before that I am having trouble repeating the dye color for the background, so I am hooking a little everywhere on the background. I am moving around the rug and repeating the same spots to fill the background a little more.

I am making progress. I feel the end is near. With a big background, it seems to take forever with little to show for it, but, then, overnight, it will finish up quickly. I hope I am almost there.