Olympic Binding Marathon #3 of 8

 This one took a while to finish.  It is harder to sew into the wee hours knowing I need to get up and go to school in the morning.  I think it was during men's gymnastics that I took the last stitches.  The bow tie blocks were part of a leader and ender quilt-along that Bonnie Hunter suggested at the beginning of the year.  I did mine with 2.5 inch blocks rather than 2 inches, so it didn't take quite so many to make a quilt.  By the time I was ready to set them together I went back to find some more of the cheddar fabric, but had NO luck.  It sat for ages waiting for inspiration to strike before I finally started cutting lots of triangles in lots of colors to finish it off. 

The quilting came as part of a wild and crazy weekend of nonstop sewing.  It is another freehand fan pattern, this one done with variegated gold thread.  I don't usually like the way the thread changes color, but I think it blends nicely on this quilt.  Schoolwork is starting to take up lots of time, it will eventually settle into a nice routine, but right now I spend hours in meetings making "to-do" lists, hoping to get out so that I can do some of the things on the list. 

Olympic Binding Patrol #2 of 8

 This quilt was supposed to be ready by the 4th of July.  We did take it to sit upon during the fireworks, nobody noticed that the binding was not quite finished.  I got polished off during male synchronized diving.  Could those speedos get any smaller?

The quilting is a freehand Baptist Fan.  I just might be my favorite new quilting pattern. 

I added the baby quilt to the pile in need of binding sewing, so there are still 6 in the stack.  One stitch at a time.

 

Olympic Binding Patrol #1 of 7

 I have been enjoying the Olympics each evening with a quilt in need of binding.  Hand sewing is a nice excuse to settle in and watch without feeling that I should be "doing something". 

This quilt was a set of green crumbs that got set with a lattice strip on two sides.  The blocks got alternated to give the effect that they were randomly floating in the yellow.  I still have a big stack of green crumb blocks, though this is the third quilt that has needed them. 

Labouriously

 My day today:
                 cut two rectangles of background fabric, 3 x 8
                 slice diagonally, corner to corner
                  arrange around a midget block as shown
                  sew two side
                  press and trim
                  sew the other two sides
                  square up to 6.5 inches
Repeat for 100 midget blocks

I'm slowly working my way through the Midgets, getting them sashed and arranged.  I have about 100 blocks done and have been working on them almost two years.  It is time to decide how many there should be and think about putting them together into a quilt.  Friday will be the two year mark.  I am trying to get them all arranged on the wall to have a big anniversary post. 

Tiny Tuesday - Four of Hearts

 This is another extra applique block from the Midget series.  It is block number 7, and should be the 94th block I have completed for this quilt.  I am getting close to the century mark, and also close to my 2 year anniversary.  I will easily have averaged one a week by the time the big day arrives. 

I've really started to enjoy freezer paper on the front and glue stick for applique prep.  As long as they are ready to go, the stitching part is a nice relaxing way to pass time.  It is amazing how much time is spent waiting, sitting and otherwise hanging out. 

Last Quilts

So first thing this morning I trimmed up the t-shirt quilt and made some binding to finish it off.  I got the machine sewing part done, and Meisje wants to do the handwork, so that one is done. 

Lizzie wanted to help with the Little Monkey blocks, I've had lots of helpers for this one. 

I decided on a green border for this one.  I think it brightens the quilt up quite a bit.  This one is done being quilted and just needs binding.  I've got a nice green and yellow stripe that will be just right.  First though, I am going to get cleaned up and go out with Meisje for dinner and drinks.  I'll deliver the quilt to her and have one last night out before school starts again.  Everything right now is all about one last whatever before school starts again. 

Design Wall Monday - July 30, 2012

With just two more days before teachers are back at school, I am trying hard to cross a few projects off the list.  This is a baby quilt for a relative who is going to have a blue, green and yellow nursery with farm animals.  I could not find any farm animal fabric, so I just found fabrics with the right colors. Everything was already in my strip bins except for the yellow which I thought made a nice background.  The pattern is from Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville and is called Little Monkey.  Isn't is just the sweetest pattern for a baby quilt?  Sydney gave it her seal of approval, so all that remains is to sew the blocks together and get it quilted up before the baby arrives. Be sure you head over to Patchworktimes to see what everyone has been up to over the weekend. 

Handwork Sunday - Slowpoke Edtion

 Here are the next two Dear Jane Blocks.  We have all been enjoying the Olympics as a family in the evenings during which I have done lots of hand sewing of binding.  I'll do a final photo shoot on those quilts  as they are finished. Be sure to visit Kathy to see what others are up to on hand work Sunday. 

Today though, I am trying to get these little monkey blocks together.  I'm about a third done so far. The girls wanted to go shopping for back to school clothes this morning, and then while the boys are off playing Dungeons and Dragons this afternoon, they have asked to see a movie.  In between though, I'll be working my way through more of these little guys. 

Saturday Miscellany

Today I had lots of quilting fun.  First, my friend Meisje came over to quilt her sons t-shirt quilt.  She wasn't so sure she was qualified to use the quilting machine, but she did a great job on a loop-de-loop pattern.  I keep trying to turn her into a quilter, but so far she isn't a fan. 

While she was quilting, I got a few Little Monkey blocks put together.  Aren't they cute?  The finish at just 5 inches, so the are definitely on the petite side.  I have 30 blocks prepped and ready as soon as I can get back to the machine. 

Tonight we are having appetizers for dinner and watching the Olympics together as a family.  So far we have seen rowing, archery and handball.  Sydney is cheering for USA while Kurt and Ryan are discussing the physics involved in each sport.  I think I'll go find a quilt that needs binding sewn down.  I think there are still a couple (or maybe 7) in the stack. 

Scraphappy Saturday - Last Blue Day

Just four more days in July.  How many more blue scraps can you use up before the month is done?  My blue scrap bin is like the clown car of containers.  I just keep pulling out partially finished bit/s that could turn into something.  These crumb blocks already have a lattice strip sewn to one side, and I'm pretty sure I will find some cornerstones if I just dig a little deeper.  What are your plans for today?  Is anyone going to play with some blue scraps while watching Olympic swimming? Use the linky below to share your last hurrah of blue.