2020 in quilts...and a rag doll

i choose to document this extraordinary year through my creative endeavors, from quilts to rag dolls and mixed media journals, not facemasks. i didn't sew any facemasks and i certainly didn't take any photos of people...not us or anyone else...in facemasks.

faces are important.

i made three quilts this year and pieced together a top for a fourth.

i previously posted about my pacific northwest t-shirt quilt. it was the first of the year.

this was my second...

my third was for my sister and it matches her bedroom perfectly...

and here's that quilt top i plan to finish in 2021...

i took a little break from the quilting to make a rag doll. here's emma...

i have six photos of my mixed media journals. i'll save those for a separate blog post i'll publish tomorrow to wrap up 2020.

patchwork valances

back in 2015 my big sis asked me to make valances for her kitchen/den and dining room. we picked the colors/fabrics together via e-mail and text messages. i created my own paper pattern, cut the fabric and stitched something of a quilted piece without the batting.

for kitchen/den...

and for the dining room...

she liked them. i liked them. they looked nice up on her windows.

2018 quilts

i made two quilts in 2018. the first is what i'm calling a couch quilt because i specifically sized and designed it to fit an old leather couch that i didn't want to replace quite yet, but had some unsightly rips in the seat cushions.

it was a great project because not only do i get a few more years out of my couch, but i used up a bunch of batiks i had in my fabric stash. the back is a solid dark blue so the quilt is actually reversible. when the front gets dingy or frayed, after a good wash, i can flip it over and have a "new" quilt.

the second quilt was a "three across" lap quilt using more scraps and pieces of fabric from previous projects.

i'm still sewing/quilting on an inexpensive Brother XR9500PRW machine that i've had a few years now. it's proven super dependable, suits my needs and fits my space. i am limited, however, to size. that's why i prefer to keep my projects small, like lap quilt size, and I design my quilts in blocks or rows (as opposed to hourglasses or flying geese, for example) so i can more easily quilt in straight lines, either stitching-in-the-ditch or using the ditch as my guide. it works for me. less stress is best.

t-shirt quilts

i had absolutely no intention of ever making a t-shirt quilt because i had no idea how. but, when i received a special request, i accepted the challenge.

that was late 2017. since then i've made three more.

i don't have permission from one of the owners to share her quilt of great sentimental value, but i think it'll be ok to use a photo that highlights my quilt lines and binding.

my third quilt was for the same, beautiful being that requested my very first, pictured at top. i loved being a girl scout so this one was super fun for me.

i basically used the same "pattern" for the commissioned quilts because the logos i had were different sizes and quite eclectic. i wanted to bring in as many different fabrics and coordinating colors as possible. every step of the way i consulted with my clients and enjoyed the process as well as working relationship.

feeling more confident, i decided to make a quilt with some of my own special t-shirts that have been stored in boxes for too many years. i had several from my first trip to the pacific northwest in 1995 with similar colors and themes that would be perfect for a quilt. i went more "traditional" with the layout, trimming my logos per row. i didn't have very many logos so i decided to mimic more by using larger blocks of fabric in coordinating designs. it's different, but i like it.

i'll be digging through more of my t-shirts for a nice collection i can turn into another lap quilt and continue to explore layouts and designs.

stacks. a twin quilt & pillow sham

I'm super excited to share my very first twin size quilt and pillow sham!

A friend commissioned both after I made a mini with the same color scheme.

The mini was a gift for her sister who was re-decorating a room to become her study/quiet space. From the quilt she picked a pretty lavender to paint the walls where the mini was then hung.  A twin size bed was going to remain in the room and they wanted the twin/pillow sham to match.  I was a bit concerned with quilting something bigger than anything I had made before. It was a challenge and I can't say there are many more large quilts in my future, but I'm happy with my results.

I felt like I needed a few more fabrics since I was designing three stacks and didn't want to repeat the same color/design too many times. I decided to pick up some of the pretty blues to give a pop of color which I thought would also look pretty in contrast to the larger, predominantly purple space (not what you see in these photographs as these were taken in my home, not hers).

I kept the same quilting scheme as in the mini, using quilting stitch number 45 on my Brother XR9500PRW which is my favorite.  It reminds me of a string of pearls or an embossing. I stitched each row on either side of the ditch then in the ditch around the stacks where I had attached the border. I added a second stitch outside this ditch for decorative purposes and consistency. For the purple blocks in the border I stitched top and bottom...in the ditch and on either side of the ditch.  It was a lot of work, but I just love the results of all those quilt lines.

Dragonflies are of special significance to these two sisters.  They particularly liked the purple dragonfly fabric which is why I thought to add the simple, single blocks in the border which will be visible on both sides of the twin upon entrance into the room.

I don't have a twin size bed in my home so I had to improvise to photograph it on a queen size. It was designed so the stacks would cover the top of the mattress only and the pretty, purple border long enough for the height of the mattress.

The pillow sham is, I believe, a perfect match. These are happy, pretty colors and definitely a fun pattern! I did my usual computer generated spreadsheet to get my sizes down for the stacks then let the fabric tell me where they should each go. It's a process that works for me!

minis

Since I was last here, I've made 8 mini quilts. With each one I learn something more about my machine, about my preferences for color and design, about what is visually pleasing to me, from the stitches I choose for quilting and binding to a favorite color palette. My minis are yet far from perfect in my eyes, but I try to remember that is how someone will know they are handmade, each and every one, not manufactured.

I'm proud of myself for being committed with a goal in mind.  I may even attempt a larger quilt again, having gotten some good practice in with these minis.

I'm also learning to use what technology I have on hand to assist in my quilting.  I had been designing my quilts with pencil, eraser and graph paper. It's nice being able to do so anytime, anyplace.  However, it's also frustrating when your design doesn't fit the space as you intended and you have to start over again.

I decided to make a spreadsheet using Numbers on my iMac, mimicking the graph paper.  I can fill the cells with color. I can even add shapes when I want something besides squares and rectangles.  It's much easier to select the cells and wipe out the color and the lines when I want to make a change.

The colors don't necessarily designate a particular fabric. I use them for placement, length, width, etc.  I don't always know what fabric I'm going to use for a particular style quilt; therefore, trying to designate colors for the different fabrics would be impossible for me.  I let the fabric tell me what to do with my template as a guide.  And, without hesitation, I make changes to the template if needed as I'm working with my fabric.  It's meant to guide, not restrict. The lines I've included for notes at the bottom of the page have proven useful. I jot down fabric, what stitches I used, thread tension and date completed. It means less time spent agonizing over my machine settings.

Quilting and working with the spreadsheet satisfies both sides of my brain...the side that aspires to design and the one that is the foundation to my creativity.

pink patch doll quilt

when i mentioned on fb i was making doll quilts and hoped to open an etsy store by the end of the year i had a few sweet friends tell me they'd be interested. and they reminded me little girls like pink! between what little bit of pink i had in my stash and what i found at my local hobby lobby, i came up with this quilt. it measures 18" x 24" and i quilted using curvy lines, with and without bows.

pink patch doll quilt - front

pink patch doll quilt - quilting

pink patch doll quilt - back/binding

thankfully i don't have to pick my favorites because, though i've only made two so far, i am loving each and every one. they're fun to design. and fun to imagine being cherished and played with by a child.

and, yes, that's my American Girl doll, one of the first they ever came out with! there are so many more options now, from hair to eyes to skin tone, to choose from so every little girl can find her very own playmate. or every woman who knows to nurture the child within!

the cutest thing ever!

this morning i finished my first little doll quilt and i positively love it! the fabrics are all from my scrap bin. i chose bright, happy colors and sweet designs. and i stitched, quilted and did the binding with my Brother XR9500PRW machine.

mini mod stripe doll quilt, front

mini mod stripe doll quilt, decorative quilting

mini mod stripe quilt, binding (back)

it's the best binding i've machine attached ever! i couldn't be happier!  yes, i still see my "imperfections." but with every piece i make, i learn something new and i improve my designs. that's a win-win in my book!

the rain has gone, the skies have cleared and the sun is shining bright and warm. life is beautiful. go live it!

mod blocks. wall hangings

lately i've really been into modern blocks for modern quilts. because we have so much wall space in our home and all this fabulous color from room to room, i decided it would be fun to do quilted wall hangings, turning the open space into a canvas of favorite things.

i'm also really liking white in my quilted projects which is pretty unusual for me. it looks fresh and color really pops in contrast.

i did this first one a couple of months ago now.

White Mod Blocks - Front

White Mod Blocks - Back

White Mod Blocks - Stitching

because it's a nice size, easy to maneuver around on my machine, i took my time and quilted squares and rectangles in various configurations. you can see the cute pattern it created in the second photo of the back.

this was the first time i cut my own binding and i realized how much easier it was to machine sew than the more stiff store bought.

this wall hanging will be in our hall when i repaint the walls something more like lavender than the "fuchsia" it is now. and super white for the trim.

there's a second one, quite a bit larger, for the same hall. i'll save photos for another post. it's pieced but not quilted yet.

the following photographs are of a wall hanging i just finished today that will be for our den. again, i've used colors that are a bit of a departure for me, but in our den we have these beautiful Native American framed masks that are red and black. and a snowscape i had professionally printed and mounted that i took on our adventure to the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and Antarctica. this will fill up the wall nicely.

Red and Black Mod Wall Hanging - Front

Red and Black Mod Wall Hanging - Back

Red and Black Mod Wall Hanging - Stitching

i pieced the blocks with my Husqvarna Viking Scandinavia 200, but quilted and did the binding with my Brother XR9500PRW. i used straight stitching as well as decorative stitching to quilt. because the fabric i chose for the back is rather busy, the various stitches aren't distracting. the stitching becomes part of the artistic design and personal expression. mine are far more simple than the amazing quilt designs i've seen on the net. some day it would be a pleasure and a privilege to witness artists at work on their extravagant designs created with or without a long arm machine.

a purple lap quilt for her

my sweet niece is in her second semester of her freshman year of university. she's adjusted so well and has become quite independent. it's a blessing to see dear babes become responsible, happy adults.

i remember many, many years ago how wonderful it was to receive a "care" package from home, or from a friend, when i was in college.

hopefully we've not completely lost such kind gestures because of this age of technology.

after making a lap quilt for an older niece who is in her own apartment and has returned to study nursing, i wanted to make one for our freshman.  i asked her what her favorite colors were. she said she would like purple and light purple. the child knows how to get straight quick to this heart of mine. i really like purple. it's just plain fun.

i found fat quarters and fabric yardage in awesome shades of purple, threw in some white and decided on a nice, striped pattern.

and added blocks for the borders, keeping it simple since the fabric was so rich.

for the back I found this 118" quilting fabric of lavender daylilies here.

i had every intention of quilting, but ended up tying the entire quilt, using a curved needle to thread DMC embroidery floss at the corners of each block in each strip and in the border blocks. i was trying to stitch in the ditch, but i could not feed the quilt, all bundled up and rolled, adequately through my machine to get nice, straight lines with tidy stitches. after it took me two hours to rip out two lines, i knew i needed to stop, take a deep breath, and tie.

then it took me between ten and twelve hours to tie. i even woke up one morning at 2:30 AM and tied for 2.5 hours. i couldn't sleep, wondering why i was having such problems when i hadn't before. in those early morning hours, i relaxed and let the stress roll off my back.

the binding went on quite easily. i've heard and read about nightmares regarding machine stitching binding, but i actually like it! i cut my own which i've realized goes on much straighter with no wrinkles then the store bought i had previously used.

as i mentioned in the previous post, i like to use a decorative stitch to secure and give my binding, front and back, a finished look. i am so very happy with the end result!

i've the perfect sized box ready to package this baby off, send it on its way.

and i've decided i'm going to stick to smaller quilting projects, things i can do fun designs with, in sizes my machine can handle. like this wall hanging i did before the holidays...

Sewing should be fun, not stressful! And if I do decide to do something bigger, like lap size, I'll resign myself to tie it from the beginning. It's just as secure and the knots are cute anyway.

a new look...

I've been missing from this space for some time, but decided yesterday to give it something of a new look, add some items over on the sidebar where you can find me on other social networking sites and to give you a sneak peek at a lap quilt I've been working on. I recently purchased a Brother XR9500PRW Limited Edition Project Runway sewing machine at a great price on amazon because I really wanted an inexpensive machine with lots more decorative stitches than my Husqvarna Viking Scandinavia 200. I like to use them to secure and give my binding a nice polished, finished look. This is my very first time using the machine! I positively love the sweet, loopy stitch. It looks so nice, front and back. And the stitches are neat and tidy. That does my heart good!

I've made another quilt since I was last here and have made several sets of "prayer" or "peace" or "garden flags."  I don't have too many photos of these projects except for a few I took with my iPhone. My goal is to photograph what I do have and share here at some point.

it only took me four years and four months to finish what i started

if it hadn't been for this blog, i would not have remembered my plans for this lap quilt never mind that i had started it back in january of 2009! really?! oh my. life was a bit chaotic for a while, things up in the air at times, but obviously i've done quite a bit of sewing. what took me so long?

i know i was stumped by how to border this lap quilt. i considered my friends' preferences, but couldn't match up my triangles all the way around.

and i feared quilting and binding. the very first quilt i made, my mother and i sewed buttons to tie it down and i used the envelope method.

but tee and me have recently moved into a new home and we've re-painted the rooms in these amazing, bright, springlike colors.  he kept suggesting i make a quilt that would match "sweet mimosa."

that's when i remembered the lap quilt started so long ago. no way, no how would i start a new project with this one sitting there. i needed practice before tackling something queen size.

the wait was good because i saw it with new eyes.

i went in a new direction with the border.

and used those original triangles in hourglass blocks for the back.

(these are instagram photos in case you're wondering why they're in square format with borders and so saturated.)

before i go into the details, let me show you the completed quilt, front and back. it'll make it easier for me to explain.

lap quilt, front

lap quilt, back

i didn't match the single row of blocks on the back to any one on the front, so i decided to quilt and tie.

on the bottom three rows of the front, i quilted squares around the 8" x 8" blocks and squares in the solid 4" x 4" blocks of the hourglass.

had i continued this pattern in the tops two rows, it would have not aligned to the back and i just didn't like how it looked.

using DMC embroidery floss, i tied in the center of the 4" x 4" squares of the top two rows and all the 2" x 2" squares of the border.

the knots are barely visible on the back. besides that, i learned how easy it was to use a curved needle and how to tie a surgeon's knot.

i went store bought for the binding, having purchased it here in this color. it was familiar since i used double fold bias tape to hem before. so it would match and the mistakes would be less noticeable, i used yale blue machine quilting thread, too, that i picked up at my local jo-ann's.

though the binding bunched a little so it doesn't lay super flat, particularly over the length, i'm proud of my imperfections and feel super accomplished.

i've many ideas churning for more quilting projects starting with a wall hanging for the hall, that "sweet mimosa" quilt, some table/mantle runners and more lap size for gifts! i've already been practicing with designs. fun!

long overdue

hello, friends!

hope everyone has enjoyed a great summer in this hemisphere!

i've been missing in action and long overdue in sharing about this quilt top with you.

in recent months i've had the pleasure of becoming re-acquainted with one of my favorite former co-workers. so much has happened in the ten years or so since we worked together on a forest research fiber farm (basically, growing trees under irrigation to shorten the rotation length to harvest). he and i are most definitely from two different worlds, but hit it off from day one. we knew laughter and great conversations about many topics as we plowed and planted, weeded and treated for insects. it was an idyllic place in many ways. needless to say, however, i was tough as nails in 'tude and body, most often the sole female, dealing with these many obstinate men.

we moved away as our professions took us elsewhere. and i took up cooking, gardening and sewing, a far different life did i choose to lead as i meander through middle age.

after finding each other, thanks to this great virtual world, he wrote and said that since i had now become quite the domestic goddess...with a chuckle, knowing how once the many negative connotations of such a statement rose the hair on the back of my neck...he'd like to send me a quilt top that his mammy (his daddy's mama) pieced sometime 30 or 40 years ago. of course i said yes! it came in the mail a few weeks later and here i am, finally gazing at it once again.

i love it for the smell. it must have been stored with love and care because there are no wears and tears.

i love it because it truly is a "scrappy" quilt. there are all kinds of materials in here, from tapestry to polyester blends to cotton, and some scraps were pieced together to make a square to size.

and i love it because it was hand pieced with a little bit of machine. perhaps that came at some time later through the years.

i'm going to do my best to bat, back and quilt it. i don't know how it'll go. maybe i'll have to do it by hand, too. regardless, i feel wrapped in the gift of friendship simply to have it. and my hope is when i'm done with it, to send it back that he may have it in his own family, for he, his wife, son and daughter.

thanks so much for letting me hang out here with you, too, in friendship.

scrap happy

an absolutely glorious day has broken here this morning. i'm squeezing in a little scrap therapy before i head out to plant some herbs.

this little stash of scraps...


...will become cute little 2" x 2" and 2" x 4" and 4" x 4" squares and rectangles...


...that i will then piece for a 16" x 40" coffee table runner and a set of six coasters for my niece.

see that yummy sun coming through my window!

i'm also going to sneak in a "spring" bag for myself, probably the swing with a few modifications as i gave the original to this same niece (yep, i like to sew for her!) as they were her colors. mine will most likely be from this wicked cool fabric (specifically, the js11 & js12 midnight). yeah, tee has no idea how black shouts spring. just wait and see!