Evening in the Garden Quilts

Adventures in Fabric Art

Monthly Archives: December 2014


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Out with the Old, In with the New

Good wishes to you all on the cusp of the New Year!  It’s a good time to look back over the things I’ve accomplished and to set some goals for the coming year.

This is most of what I sewed this year:

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Nine of the quilts and all the pillowcases were donated. Nine have been sold.

You’ll find my 2014 Goals here.

I’m pleased with my progress on them.  I tried a few new blocks and an old one with curves, and changed up and improved my quilting.  I did try two kinds of zipper pouches.  I managed them well, but I really don’t care for making them.  I won’t be making fancy bags anytime soon.  I designed, pieced and sandwiched my Slow Quilt, and I’ll make the quilting decisions for it in the new year.  I did reduce my stash by another hundred yards (third year in a row!).

This week: + 0 yards, -7.5 yards
YTD: +126.25 yards, -229 yards
Net stash used 2014: -102.75 yards

So what about next year?

2015 Goals

This year I want to make more art quilts, including representational quilts.  I’d like to experiment with using various printing techniques for surface decoration.  I’ve been collecting some ideas and a few photos.  I might start with a winter piece.

I want to quilt the Slow Quilt, and if I’m happy with it, consider entering it in show.

I have an idea for my own version of stack and whack that I want to try on a piece of fabric.

And I want to continue to reduce/turn over my stash.  I’m not sure I can remove another hundred yards, though.  I’ve already taken it down a lot, and I’m planning some very small quilts.  I’m setting my goal at fifty yards, and if I do better than that, all the better.  Fifty yards in ’15.
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We wish you all a healthy, happy, prosperous, and productive New Year!


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Design Wall Monday

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I had this quick baby quilt on my design wall this morning.

Then I changed it to this one

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by moving one row!    Yes, I moved the top row down to the bottom and now its a white quilt with pink and aqua chevrons.  I see a few more blocks to move around, but I like this one much better!

What’s on your design wall?  I’m linking up with Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times.


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Sunday Stash Report: 12/21/14

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Happy Winter Solstice!  And Happy Destashing to me!  I did it, I made 100 yards net fabric use for the year!  Thank you to all who said I could, and to all who cheered some of the very scrappy quilts that got me here.  Nice to go into the new year 100 yards lighter.  Now, if that would work with pounds…

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Here is the quilt that put me ove the top, using 7.5 yards.

This week: + 0 yards, -7.5 yards
YTD: +126.25 yards, -229 yards
Net stash used 2014: -102.75 yards

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And here is last week’s project that I couldn’t show.  Each gift contains a box pouch, zipper pouch, and tissue cover.

Hope you are enjoying your Christmas crafting and that you have a wonderful holiday!
I’m linking up to Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.


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Green Rail Fence Finish

IMG_2204This morning I finally put the binding on the chartreuse rail fence quilt.  I chose a medium blue (Kona, Candy Blue, I think) to bring out the blue in the prints.  I always use a 2″ binding, sewn to the back with a 1/4″ foot, then sewn to the front with a blind stitch. (Tutorial here. Yuri helps!)

IMG_2201bIMG_2203bIt washed up nice and cuddly, but I will need to lint roll it for a few pills.  I discuss quilting it here.  Again, yeah, Yuri helps.  What would I do without that cat?

IMG_2202bMy 20 year old DS (home from college) likes to lounge in my studio and offer opinions, and he was very positive about the colors in these donation quilts.  He often faults me for not using bright enough colors, and he thought these were great.  With any luck they will be as appreciated by the kids who receive them.

IMG_2200bFor me, this quilt takes me over the hundred yards net use of fabric mark, and it clears my stash of fabrics that have overstayed their welcome.  Win, win!

And I’m on to one final Christmas project, a t-shirt quilt for DH, with a fleece backing, so it won’t affect the numbers (I currently don’t expect to use fabric, there are so many shirts), but should be fun to sew on these days leading up to Christmas.

Hope you’re finishing everything you wish!  I’m linking up to Finish it up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.


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WIP Wednesday: Very Green

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Today I’m quilting this chartreuse Rail Fence quilt.  It’s for donation, and is sort of the companion to this more girly one.  I’ve stitched in the ditch between all the 8″ blocks.  Now I’m working on free motion spirals in alternate blocks, with only the outer edge marked.  It’s a learning experience, but I’m getting better.

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Of course, I have good help.  (This paw wasn’t here when I started to take the picture,  but wouldn’t cat paws be awesome for fmq-ing?)

Thinking of simple stars for the alternate blocks, unless you talk me into something else.

What are you working on?
I’m linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.


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Sunday Stash Report: 12/14/14

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The sewing definitely lost out to the Christmas shopping, dining out, and wrapping this week.  And what I did make were gifts,  so I didn’t post any progress.  They only used 1.5 yards.  This is a teaser, freehand roses quilted in metallic thread.

This week: + 0 yards, -1.5 yards
YTD: +126.25 yards, -221.5 yards
Net stash used 2014: -95.25 yards

Creeping up on it…

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Here’s a Christmas puzzler for you.  See if you can spot the cat who’s not allowed on the table.  You’ll have to look very closely, she’s sure that sitting perfectly still and avoiding eye contact makes her invisible.  Right.

I’m linking up to Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.


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Sunday Stash Report: 12/7/14

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Sewing has happened this week, and no fabric buying!  I did have to order a new roll of batting, but that just helps use the fabric.  I used two yards for a customer’s wall hanging, and seven and a half for another purple and green quilt, this time for donation (Krissi is modeling it).  If you missed the post on Spring Violets, it’s here.

This week: +  0 yards, -9.5 yards
YTD: +126.25 yards, -220 yards
Net stash used 2014: -93.75 yards

I can so do this!  You can, too!

I’m linking up to Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.


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Friday Finish: Spring Violets

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Wow, the places quilts take you!  This one was born on a Stash Report Sunday when I noticed that I had a lots of odd green fabric and quite a few purples.  Would they look good together?  Could I get in some curved piecing for my 2014 goals?  A little quick stash reduction?

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I’m thrilled with the way it turned out, but it was by no means quick.  I used the Wind Flower pattern.  This is a variation on Drunkard’s Path, and, while not hard, I wouldn’t suggest it if you are new to curved piecing.  The Drunkard’s Path can be made with large blocks, and the thick “legs” of the background allow for some fudge room.

 

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