Procrastination

I haven't pieced anything since my last BOM class at Bella Quilts in Hamilton, Ohio.  I have two blocks that need to be cut out for the class this Saturday.  Hope I can get both sewn during the class and pick up the next block for December.

Have a blessed day.

2014 Hoffman Challenge Fabrics have been published.

Although the fabric is lovely I would not have personally chosen the specific fabric as the main challenge fabric.
I went on the Internet and was able to print all the fabric swatches in the entire line of Anisa by Hoffman.  One website indicates that they have all the fabric ready to order.  Now I need to decide the pattern I want to make.  I have narrowed it down to Card Tricks aka Winning Hand or King's Crown (c) Janet Wickell.
Then I have to figure out yardage for a 40" by 40" completed size quilt.
Have a blessed day.

Hoffmann Challenge 2013 -- Binding

I have completed making the 2 1/2" wide strips for the binding.  I am still thinking about what I want to do for the quilting.

The nine patch blocks seem to call for in the ditch quilting.

I saw a simple quilt the had blocks quilting with a single echo row of stitching 1/4" from the seam line.  I am toying with that idea for this quilt too.

Still thinking.

Have a blessed day.

Roman Shades Class

Yesterday morning I took a 4 hour class on how to make a Roman Shade.  The instructor, Pamela M. Damour ( www.pamdamour.com ) was fantastic.  A kit was included in the class and we started with two pieces of fabric and all the attachments.
There were five of us in the class and we each proceeded at our own pace.  It had advantages and disadvantages.  Those who were working ahead were able to get more hands on assistance with Pam and the rest of us were able to view and be prepared when we go to the next point in construction.
The kit created a 24 by 36 Roman Shade.  Now I have to find a 24 by 36 window in my house.
I already have plans on taking the draperies in the two smaller bedrooms in our house and remaking them into Roman shades.

I know that this is really not a quilt, but it fits with my UFO's.

Have a blessed day.

Half Square Triangles in multiples. Do you want a tutorial?

I just ran across a tutorial on another blog that was teaching a method of making identical two fabric half square triangles.  I have used a very old method of making up to 24 half square triangles from a single sandwich of two fabrics right sides together.

If there is an interest I will put together a tutorial with instructions and pictures.

This is a method to make 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 18, 20 or 24 identical half square triangles.  You will never (and I do mean never) sew on a bias edge that is not stabilized.  If I get only one reader interested I will make the tutorial available. 

Have a blessed day.

Binding for Baby Quilt.

I don't know what fabric I will be using for the binding.  I will have to look into my stash.  Since pink is not one of my top priorities it will take some searching.
Keep on piecing and quilting.

The Baby Quilt is quilted and ready for the binding.

I finished the quilting on the baby quilt this morning with tears running down my face.  Our faithful Rottweiler / Black Labrador senior citizen went home to doggy heaven this morning after 15 years of faithful service.  He was a friend, guardian, nurse and comfort in hard times.  We will miss Max very much.  The last stitches in this quilt will be in his memory.
Keep piecing and quilting.

Baby quilt

I pieced a baby quilt over a year ago and last week I batted it.  I started quilting with basic straight lines on the diagonal.  It is looking good.  When I finish the quilting I am going to start putting the binding using the new binding foot I bought in June.
If this new foot is a great as I think it will be I may not be piecing much for a while.  Just batting and quilting my UFO's and then putting on the binding.
Keep quilting and piecing.

I missed the Hoffmann Challenge deadline. Maybe a good thing.

My Hoffman Challenge quilt top was completed and batted on Thursday.  When I looked closely for imperfections and missed points it was too late.  I will be quilting it and putting on a binding and label.  It will be the "Hoffman Challenge 2013 missed the deadline" quilt.
What a disappointment!
Keep on quilting and piecing.

Deadline is approaching for the Hoffman Challenge

This morning I decided to get up off my >>> and get back to work.  I am still troubled by the points and corners and am trying to determine how to make them more precise.

I purchased the quilting thread on my LQS 5th Saturday sale.

Keep quilting.

Hoffman Challenge I am behind the 8 ball

My Hoffman Challenge quilt top has been sitting on the ironing table (yes I have an ironing board as well) for several days.  The deadline is not too far away.  My LQS is have a 5th Saturday sale this week and I want to pick up the thread for the quilting.

I will try to post soon with updated information.

Keep on quilting.

Progress on my Quilt Top

I have almost completed all the Ohio Star Blocks.  There are two left to finish sewing.  Then I will place the challenge fabric in between each block in an alternating pattern.  The finished top will be a 5 by 5 pattern with the Ohio Star Blocks starting in each corner.

As soon as I finish the top I will proceed with the borders.  Since the finished size of the blocks is 30 by 30 and the Challenge size minimum is 40 by 40 I have some bordering to do.

Keep on piecing and quilting

I didn't get enough fabric

Have you ever been working on a project and realized that you didn't plan for enough fabric?  Well...I was cutting the red fabric today and realized that I don't have enough for the quarter square triangles.  I might be able to make half square triangles from the remaining fabric and then sew the quarter square triangles from there.  Measure twice and cut once.
Have a great day piecing and quilting.

My progress with my Hoffman Challenge Quilt.

I have actually started making the Ohio Star blocks with the Hoffman fabric.  I have three finished.  They are turning out well.  I have done some un-sewing because I did not like a piece in the block or the way they are finished.  It is fun doing this and I can see myself doing this again.

Keep piecing and quilting,

My travels down the Hoffman Challenge

For days I have been looking for my fabric for the Challenge.  I could not find it anywhere!  This morning I tried the ultimate search.  I started to clean my sewing studio and putting like things together.  In the process I found a yarn tote that I recently purchased.  It was heavy.  But you cannot guess but I had put the fabric into the tote to take downstairs to the studio.  Duh!

My quarters square triangle is getting better.  I think I need to use a different method of pressing.  I am pulling the square out of true.

By next week I will be trying a small amount of the fabric and start with my first triangle.  Wish me luck.

Keep on piecing and quilting.  It is very good for you to have a stress free hobby.

Quarter square triangle

Have you ever tried to make a 99% perfect qst?  I have already gone thru a fat quarter trying to attain the qst of my dreams.  I am getting closer, but until I get it as close to great as possible my Hoffman Challenge fabric will stay in the bag.
Keep quilting and piecing.  Karen

My quilting life since I retired

Week before last was the 3rd annual Spring IQF in Cincinnati Ohio.  I worked Monday through Saturday.  It was wonderful seeing my friends from the Piece Squad.
I helped hang quilts on Monday and Tuesday and was a Quilt Guardian Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  Saturday evening I volunteered as a Quilt Angel.  Next year I will be taking a class during the show that will be free due to my Quilt Angel time.
Take down was great!  I highly recommend providing time to work the show.

Quilts Inc.  has signed a two year contract with Duke Energy Convention Center for 2014 and 2015. Please  make an effort to attend the show to see the quilts on display and to shop the vendors.  Those of you who have had the opportunity to go to Houston or Paducah realize how much the IQF means to the greater Cincinnati area.  Be present and support the continuing of this show.

In 2011 and again in 2013 I helped hang the Hoffman Quilt Challenge quilts.  2011 was a display of quilt artists that created art quilts.  None used a traditional quilt pattern.  2013 was a combination of art quilts and traditional quilts.  I am inspired.  Saturday, April 20 I went to a local quilt shop that carries the 2013 challenge fabrics.  I will blog as I work on the quilt.

My studio is still in terrible shape.  I have been working on it a little at a time since I retired.  I have several things to remove from the room so that I can begin to place my purchases into the studio.  I will try to have more information on my blog about the studio as well.

Have a great day and take time to piece or quilt.

I am officially retired.  Yeh!

Today is the first day of the Internation Quilt Festival (IQF) in Cincinnati.  I will be voluntering each day of the show.

If I have any energy tonight I will post after I get home.

I cannot wait to see  my old friends at the festival.

Have a great day and try to find some time for piecing or quilting.

It has been a long time since I entered my blogs.
I will be retiring the end of March, 2013 and my intention is to blog at least three times a week if not weekly.
I have missed my blog friends and look forward to reconnecting.
Have a blessed day.