Evening in the Garden Quilts

December 7, 2014
by Valerie 6 Comments

Sunday Stash Report: 12/7/14

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.

December 5, 2014
by Valerie 7 Comments

Friday Finish: Spring Violets

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?

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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November 30, 2014
by Valerie Leave a comment

Sunday Stash Report (11/30/14) and Nov./Dec. Goals

Stash

Today’s Stash Report is brought to you by Krissi, who ~~hindered~~ assisted in the binding of Spring Violets. That used up 10.5 yards of from stash.

While pursuing college football in Alabama, I bought four yards of fat quarters.

This week: + 4 yards, -10,5 yards
YTD: +126.25 yards, -210.5 yards
Net stash used 2014: -84.25 yards

Will I make it to 100 yards? I’m trying!

Goals

November Goals

1. ~~Finish those box pouches!~~ Yes! Done!

2. ~~Make something with curved piecing. Maybe purple and lime?~~ Well, yes! That would be Spring Violets.

3. ~~Make some pillowcases for ConKerr Cancer.~~ Yep. Here. And here.

4. ~~Research quilting ideas.~~ A bit, yes.

December Goals

1. Commissioned maple leaf wall hanging.

2. Various pouches for friends’ gifts.

3. Courthouse Steps donation quilt.

4. Baby quilts from scraps.

How are you doing on your goals? I’m linking up to Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.

November 26, 2014
by Valerie 1 Comment

WIP: Purples and Greens

I finished the Spring Violets top, and I love it.

I made a back for it using a beautiful batik, and pieced in a spare block and some scraps.

Still need to piece the batting, and then I will be ready to spray baste and quilt. I hope to do that today. I have help.

While going through the purple and green baskets, I challenged myself to make something nice from three real Stashdogs.

And I think I did. I put the top together this morning and its pretty. I completely used all three fabrics, needing to add a few scraps and do some creative piecing, but I made it work. What’s your favorite way to quilt Courthouse Steps? This is girly, so I’m thinking of lof a big flower of some kind in the middle of each block. I’m open to suggestions…

Are you making sewing progress, or just enjoying the holiday? I’m just cooking for the three of us, so things are very low key here. For the first time, I’ll be home to participate in the Black Friday Sew In on Twitter. #BFSI Hope to see you there!

I’m linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

November 17, 2014
by Valerie 2 Comments

DWM: Violets

All twenty violets (windflowers) are sewn. Now its time for sashing and borders. Remember all those little quarter circle scraps? Yep, cornerstones. 1 1/2″ squares. I don’t know what it means that I found all of this in my stash…

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

November 16, 2014
by Valerie 7 Comments

Sunday Stash Report: 11/16/14

No fabric came in this week, and some went out, so I’m making progress. I made two special-order baby quilts, using a total of six and a quarter yards, and shipped them to Australia and Texas, respectively.

This week: + 0 yards, -6.25 yards
YTD: +122.25 yards, -200 yards
Net stash used 2014: -77.75 yards

This week’s project is slower going, and I’ll be doing some traveling, then next week DS returns home briefly from college, so progress may slow some, but I’m plugging along.

Hope you’re using your stash! I’m linking up with Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.

November 10, 2014
by Valerie 2 Comments

Design Wall Monday: Violets

I’ve been making these “Windflower” blocks (a Drunkard’s Path variation) from purple and lime green fabrics. I’m halfway there. They are using the stash, but they’re not quick. They’ll have sashing, and more of the lightest green background.

I drafted the block on EQ7 and printed templates. My blocks are 12″.

What are you working on?
I’m linking up with Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times.

November 9, 2014
by Valerie 5 Comments

Sunday Stash Report: 11/9/14

No change in numbers this week, but at least the sewing is happening. This week I made seven more pillowcases (yes, only five in the picture, you’ll have to trust me). I also made two smaller cases for my MIL, using about one and a half yards, and made the last two kids’ boxy pouches, half a yard.

I had to purchase three yards for a commission, so I also bought five and a half more yards of solids, since I was already paying shipping. I have plans for them. Also, I receive a half yard of pretty Christmas fabric from my MIL.

This week: +9 yards, -9 yards
YTD: +122.25 yards, -193.75 yards http://www.patchworktimes.com/2014/11/09/stash-report-week-45-2014/
Net stash used 2014: -71.5 yards

I also started a quilt using all that purple and lime stash. I’m really happy with it, but its not speedy quilt, so it may be a week or two before we see results.

Hope you are sewing and using that stash! I’m linking up with Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.</u

November 2, 2014
by Valerie 4 Comments

Sunday Stash Report: 11/2/14

I used five yards for donation pillowcases this week, and I didn’t buy any fabric. I have more pillowcases ready to go that will count on this coming week. Since I have a basket drawer where I keep juvenile/novelty/weirdo fabric that I want to use for pillowcases, I can really see the difference with this yardage pulled out. I’m cutting up the scraps, too, everything too narrow to cuff a pillowcase, and it feels like I’m getting rid of it. I know, one is never really rid of fabric. It will keep popping up again in scrap projects, but at least that basket looks better.

I use this tutorial from Mama Spark, but its similar to many others, with no exposed seams. I donate mine to ConKerr Cancer.

This week: +0 yards, -5 yards
YTD: +113.25 yards, -184.75 yards
Net stash used 2014: -71.5 yards

How did you do this week? Keep working away at it!
I’m linking up with Sunday Stash Report at Patchwork Times.

October 31, 2014
by Valerie 1 Comment

October Goals

Farewell October! It has been a beautiful month here. Its definitely over, though. Beggars’ Night was last night, only because tonight is a big high school cross-county football game, and snow is predicted.

If you look strictly at my sewing goals, I don’t seem too productive, but there were a few bonus scrap quilts in there.

October Goals
1. Finish those last few box pouches. No. I looked at them a few times.
2. Cut scraps for Scrap-in-a-Box. Yes! All ready for January!
3. Quilt and finish the Slow Quilt. No, but I made progress. Tabling it for now.

The weather did not hold me back this month, but my painful knees did. I can sit comfortably at the machine (standing to cut is harder), but I’ve been so exhausted and achy from regular garden and house chores that I’m not feeling the mojo. I put quite a bit of effort toward the Slow Quilt. I pieced the back and batting (one seam each, but large to drag around). I used soluble thread to sew a layer of poly batting to the back of the top for trapunto. I am ready to trim it away, but I just don’t think I have the patience right now, and I’m afraid I’ll ruin it, so I’m setting it aside. I will continue to mull over quilting ideas.

November Goals
1. Finish those box pouches!
2. Make something with curved piecing. Maybe purple and lime?
3. Make some pillowcases for ConKerr Cancer.
4. Research quilting ideas.