Just for Fun

I took a break last weekend from my quilt and decided to just "Make Something Fun".  I purchased the glass dessert dish for 69 cents at our local Women's Shelter Thrift Store and the rest was scrappy, (everything was found already in my posession).  Some of it from past projects, such as the lace which was from a dress my daughter and I made for a peagent at the college she attends.  The pink fabrics were from previous sewing projects for friends and family.  The beads, well the ones that resemble pieces of pecans came from a trip to New Mexico with my very dear friends/neighbors.  The other beads, no telling.  Anyway, it was fun and cheap!!  (and I think very cute in the end)

A sweet treat for someone!!

Happy Quilting :),

Laura

Batting, Backing and Binding, OH MY!!

Well here is a picture of all my finishing fabrics with my quilt top.  The more I look at them all together, the more I like it.  Can't wait to see it finished.

Happy Quilting :),

Laura

More Adventures in Quilting

It still amazes me how much I am learning from my quilting class.  Today was a non-sewing day but still fun and very interesting.  Before class I picked out my backing, batting and binding material.  This quilt is still evolving.

We talked about machine quilting patterns and about marking the quilt top.  There are so many, many different things that can be done during the machine quilting process that range from simple "stiching in the ditch" to very complex patterns.  I am still deciding which route i want to take.

After drawing the pattern on the quilt top, the layering comes next.  I will lay the backing out on a large flat surface, (face down), lay the batting on top of that and then lay the quilt top on top of that, (face up).

When everything is smoothed out i will begin basting with safety pins.  Starting with the middle, i will put pins over the entire quilt through all three layers.  Lyric estimates about 300 should do the trick.  This will stabilize the three layers so that nothing shifts during quilting.  I'll post pictures of the process when i get to each stage.  Thanks for following along.

Happy quilting :),

Laura

P.S.  MLF, you didn't let any cats out of any bags.......

Yay, It' a Quilt Top!!

This past week we learned how to measure for our borders. We measured across one direction in three different places and then averaged the meaurements.  Then we cut 2 strips in that size and sewed them on two sides down the direction we measured.

After sewing and ironing the first two border pieces, we measured across the other direction repeating the process.  When all 4 inner borders were in place, we repeated the entire process for the outer borders.

The result is awesome.    It made me say, "Yay, it's a quilt top!"  (What a difference borders make!)

Here is the finished product!  Let me know what you think.

Moving Along to Class #5

Wow what a difference between class 4 & class 3.  Up to this stage, progress has been in small pieces.  Now it finally looks like a quilt!!!

First we measured our squares to make sure they were 91/2 inches square.  (I had to do a little trim here and there, but most were close)

Next I sewed two different squares together matching seams and corners.

I continued alternating squares and sewing each row of two to the previous one, until i had 5 rows of two squares each.

I then repeated this process sewing rows of three alternating squares each.

The next step was to sew the sets together to form a 5 square X 5 square block.

It really looks like a quilt now.  Tonight we will begin putting borders on the edges.  YAY.

Hope you enjoy this.

Happy Quilting :),

Laura

So, since lesson #4 is tonight, I figured I better finish my homework and fill everyone in on the process of the second block for my quilt.  Here goes.....



Step one is to make a set of 31/2 in strips sewn together (like in the first block) out of the two different fabrics shown to the left, and cut them in strips.  This will become the middle strip of the block

The next step is to to make half-square triangle blocks.  You will need to cut 37/8 inch squares from 37/8 in strips.

On the back of the light colored square, draw a line diagonally from one corner to another. Then draw lines 1/4 inch away from the center line on each side

Place the two squares with right sides together and stitch just inside of of each outer line.

Cut the square in half down the center line.

Iron each half open to make 2  half-square triangle blocks.  Repeat the half-square triangle blocks, as you will need 4 to complete the block.













Cut 31/2 inch squares from the same fabric in the center of the middle strip illustrated above.

Sew two  sets of the following:

Two half-square triangle blocks at opposite angles with a middle square in between. (in the picture on the left, these are the strips on the left and right of the center strip.)  Sew all three strips together in the order in the picture to the left.

TA-DA.....

Class #3

Well, a few short hours (OK, 7 hours to be exact) and our third class will begin.  I absolutely love it.  I surprise myself with how much I look forward to Tuesdays.   Even when I have finished my homework for the week, I find myself constantly wandering into the sewing room to find something to do.  I think I might make another quilt in the same pattern, but with different fabric, at the same time.

I made a new ironing board cover Sunday.  The old one was too thin and getting worn.  The new one is bright and cheery and much thicker and sturdier. 

Here's the OLD.....

                         and Here's the NEW!!!

LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK!!

By the way, during my classes, I have learned that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks.  Quilting techniques are very different than other sewing techniques.  You pin, cut and sew seams differently.  It's great to learn something new....

More later on today's class!

Happy Quilting :),

Laura

Sewing the first Blocks

Well, Class was GREAT!  We tested our stitches to make sure we had 1/4 inch seams and began sewing strips together to make 9-patch blocks. 



First we sewed two dark strips with a light strip in between.

Next we sewed two light strips with dark in between.

This is what they look like after being sewn together.

The next step is to cut them in strips.

After cutting them into strips you sew the strips together to make a 9-patch square.  Sew two darker pieces together with a lighter piece in the middle.

I did my homework last night and I am ready for the next lesson.  This is so much fun!!!

I hope I inspire someone to try quilting.

Happy Quilting :),

Laura