Pink Eye/Pieced Squares - Finished

I started this post in Feb. but here it is March 4th. I have no clue if one can change dates.
This afternoon, I took the quilt outside and hung it on the deck for a picture.  It is 84" square. I finally remembered the blog where I saw the quilt.  http://www.imagingermonkey.blogspot.com/  It was in October 2010 so you'll have to check her archives. Wow - looking at the picture I see I have one of the border blocks upside down. oh well.

The back pattern, "Pieced Squares", was in the 1984 Edition of Lady's Circle Editor's Choice Patchwork Quilts. There was a color picture on one page.The directions consisited of one paragraph, a square for the pattern and a diagram of a block. I started the blocks in the late 80's. I don't even recall when I sewed the sashing on them and partially sewed them together. Last year when I was cleaning up and rearragning, I was going to toss it. When I layed it on the bed it just need one long seam left to sew. So I sewed it! 

I brought in and tossed it in the washer and it is in the dryer as we speak - so to speak!

Picked out some batiks and made a couple of these blocks.  The pattern is in an old issue of Quiltmaker (10/2002) called Turning Leaves.  I am planning to make the sofa size which just needs 24 leaves.  I cut out the squares, leaf pieces, and squares of heat and bond.  I'm going to machine applique them. I'll look for a border fabric when I go shopping with my sister next week.

Found this camellia hiding out on the north side of the house.  It is really out of sync - usually blossoms late in spring.  I brought it inside to enjoy!Happy Weekend!

Quilt for Safe Child

A very simple quilt with all the pieces cut the same size to make an 8" block. With borders it measures 54" square. I used the left over blocks to enlarge the backing fabric. Yesterday, I washed and dryed it and I will donate it to SafeChild at our guild meeting this month.

I started the blocks for this quilt Saturday and finished the top today.  It is 49" square.  The blocks are a 5" square bordered on 2 sides with  sets of 1 and 1/2" strips. The fabric is a fat quarter packet(Cheep Talk) that I ordered from Connecting Threads just before Christmas. Very reasonable but the fabric seems to have lower thread count than what you get at quilt shops. I made a backing from a flannel kids print and binding for it. It will go to Quilts for Kids at Guild when finished.

 

I also made a backing  from a light blue flannel with a base ball print and binding for the Plaid Veterans Quilt top that I made last month.

And after 41/2 hours Tuesday, and 5 more hours Wednesday I finished quilting PinkEye. Sewed on the binding this morning first thing.  Maybe tomorrow I'll get a chance to get a picture of the entire quilt. Stay tuned.

Quilting Progress

Another 3 hours spent quilting and I have about 1/2 the quilt quilted.
I have been trying several similar weights of threads on top and in the bobbin. Today, I found another spool of Bottom Line by Superior Threads in a light cream color. It looks so much better than either of the threads I used.
I then switched back to using the same thread in a dark gold in the top. You have to use a smaller needle(70)when using Bottom Line in the top or it frays somewhat.
I also liked the looks of a cone of Essential Pro in "Meadow" that I ordered from Connecting Threads.

John and I went to see King's Speech this afternoon (it is as good as everyone says).  We were headed to Outback for dinner ( I wanted their lettuce wedge salad) but rather than drive across town we decided to stop at Lone Star in K'dale as they serve a similar salad.  One hour wait! Ditto for Chilis and Applebee's lot was full.  All you can eat buffet at Wang's Bistro in Zebulon  - yeh that's what we ended up with.

Back to Whistle Stop tomorrow - our regular bee meeting was cancelled as most of out members are at the Hampton Show - so we're having a mini get together there.

Six Hours of Quilting

Today I started quilting a large scrap quilt that I call "Pink Eye". I made the top late last fall after I saw one like it on a blog. I can't remember the name of it right now but will look it up for reference.

For the backing, I used an old quilt top that I started back in the 80's. (More about that at a later date).

Since I'm not overly thrilled with either, I'm using it to try and teach myself to do an allover feather design. After about six hours, I probably have a little less than 1/4 of the quilt quilted. The back is all on the bias. I added a border all around to make it large enough. The border seems a little wavy in a couple of places. I hope I don't get into too much trouble with tucks on the back.

I'll probably need a couple of Advil tonight.

Looking forward to quilting with friends at Whistle Stop tomorrow.