Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Bonnie's Idaho Square Dance blocks

Oh Bonnie. You have snared me again. I have 51 of these beauties made. I exhausted all the 3 piece units that I had made a few weeks ago. Those were Leader and Enders as I worked on Libby's Log Cabin from a Fons and Porter Love of Quilting magazine pattern..



Actually I think I am working on 4 quilts at the same time. They all use variations of 1 1/2" squares sewn into units.
I am working on a version that combines Bonnie Hunter's and Edtya Sitar's pattern. I am not giving measurements as I do not want to break any copyright issues. There should be lots of info on this sew-a-long on Bonnie's Yahoo group and on the Face Book group.
Some units are just anything I pull from the box. Other units are color coordinated. That way helps me overcome some OCD issues like being too matchy matchy. Another group is all children fabrics I find as sorting through the squares. I think I have 101 of those made so far.


Some units are just going to be 4-patches. Some will be 16 patches and others will be 25 patches...cannot see the end of my deep box of  1 1/2" squares.


Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Working on the Libby's Log Cabin quilt.

I have so many quilts I want to make bouncing around in my head. Also laying around in various states of assembly. I had the entire fat quarter collection that was used in the magazine you see below.
The weather had gotten warm and humid so I turned the air conditioning on high and locked myself in the cutting room.
A day later I had reduced my entire Civil War fabric collection to an assortment of 3 1/2",2 1/2",2" and 1 1/2" strips.


I do have a complaint though about fat quarters. I have never been burned on them as I have been with jelly rolls. What I mean by burned is inaccurate cutting from the vendor. I used all the colors in the Community collection by Moda. I bought that collection, well really all my collections from The Fat Quarter Shop.
http://www.fatquartershop.com/

I cannot say enough good things about this internet store. Prompt and well packed shipping. Great selections. I had no complaints until now.
I decided to cut all my other fat quarter collections as I was cutting for this quilt. I am a firm believer in Bonnie Hunter's Scrap Users' System. It is a wonderful system.
I was able to get cut from each fat quarter the following strips:
two 1 1/2"
three 2"
two 2 1/2"
one 3 1/2"
total is = 17 1/2" the other 1/2" was for straightening each of the edges.

Worked great through the first 40 FQ's.

Opened and pressed another 39 FQ's and began the cutting...but ran out of fabric. So I measured the FQ and it was only 17". WHAT??? Measured all the other 38 FQ's and they were all only 17" not 18". I was very disappointed with Moda after this snafu.


After the wonderful day spent cutting fabric I moved out to my sewing area and further refined my cuts to the lengths I needed for Libby's Log Cabin.



I spent that day making the Ohio Stars for the center of the 15" blocks. I needed 20 so I made 24 in case some did not make the "cut". HA!


Used up the last of my Presencia thread in my favorite paper bag tan color. Love these cones of thread. I was able to buy the matching colors in 60 weight for the bobbins. It is getting harder and harder to find. And is as $$$ as Aurifil.


Here are my 24 blocks all done. I just need to sew the blocks together now.
I also used some of the other Civil War fabrics from other collections if they matched the pallette I was using.


This container is still full!!!! Many more quilts to come out of my precut box!!!!


And yes, as I cut I am very neat about strings and cutoffs.  Filled that 20 ounce cup! I sew with carpet underfoot so I do not want too much debris. But no matter how careful I am I still have debris. Sigh...I had to roll the lint roller over myself several times during the sewing.

Life is good.
XOXOXOX Subee

Friday, May 1, 2015

OCD can create great options.

OCD can create great options.



Had to sew today after I had sorting dreams all night. Not sorting thread or fabric but dirty dishes in a huge house where I was working. I was willing to do whatever the "masters" requested but they were my worst enemies for organization of the dishwashers. Then I ended up taking all the glasses from the dishwasher to wash by hand but I was short of dishwashing soap.  Then guests were arriving and the tables needed set. Quite a busy dream and I know how it happened!!!! I woke exhausted and went right back to bed and got up at 11:00 a.m.
I went to the sorting container and happily dug out all the "kiddie" or odd prints. Worked great as these seem to pop out of the stacks of patches. And there were lots of them.



I now have 32 nine-patches of wild and happy prints. And I am still making them. I am also making small stacks of my favorite colors (pinks and browns) and another stack of '30's fabrics.



So my OCD was pleased and my sewing was carefree and happy!
YES...
XOXOXO Subee

My 70/3 bobbin thread.

It is not cotton but 100% polyester. It works great but I see no longer sewing time with bobbin fill amount versus my Presencia 60 weight cotton threads that I LOVE and have the entire collection of cones...I stocked up before I retired.
I am not affiliated with Connecting Threads just a happy customer.



 http://www.connectingthreads.com/Thread/Polyester_Cone_Quilting_Thread__L600909.html?intmedid=SubAd-Thread--600909

Stock up and save!
Introducing our newest addition to the Essential? thread line. Essential PRO is made of 100% polyester, has a matte finish and can be used on cotton quilts. Fewer adjustments mean it's perfectly suited to your long arm machine. Also works well in the bobbin.

  • Four cones per set
  • Designed by long arm quilters for long arm quilters
  • 100% polyester size 70/3
  • Smooth & lint-free
  • Excellent quilting definition
  • Matte finish, looks similar to cotton
  • Won't shrink in the wash
  • 3315 yards
  • Can also be used in home sewing machines with a cone thread adapter

Item No. 21069