Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Japanese Charm

Baby quilt made by using Made by Rae tutorial and Japanese Import swap charms. Better photo when sun is out.  Sashing is Essex Linen Putty. by stayathomelibrarian
., a photo by stayathomelibrarian on Flickr.
I know it's an awful photo. Besides being too lazy to connect my camera to my computer, it's starting to have shutter issues. I have an SLR that is just too much camera for me. I need a decent camera that will post photos directly to social media.  We're having an overcast day here in Alabama, so this is the best my iPhone can do for now.

On to the quilt. I whipped this up yesterday.  It's made using Japanese Charms from the 1st swap over at Gen X quilters.  The pattern I got from Made By Rae.  I did have some issues with getting the rows to meet up at the corners, but this could be my own error.  If I had to guess, I would say it's ironing related, but I really can't say for sure.  If making this quilt, please note that you need 48 squares (the quilt calls for 40), and 10 strips of 3 inch selvage to selvage strips. The pattern called for 8.  I think this must be if you don't mind seams.  I wanted continuous sashing, so I opted to cut more strips.

I originally planned on using Essex Natural for this project, but Brenda over at Pink Castle Fabrics talked me into some putty with a picture she posted of a project she'd made using it.  I do like the natural better, alone, but the putty  was the "natural" choice for this quilt.

I'm not sure how I want to go forward with this quilt. The pattern calls for "cheater" backing and binding, but I'm afraid to mess this quilt up.  I do think I'm going to back it with putty, bind it with putty, but use some of my Kaffe Fassett Serape Stripes to do a flange binding, in order to break up the monotony between the sashing/binding/backing all being the same color.

This baby quilt is for my little sister from college.  She became a mama last month after years and years of waiting. Welcome to the world Margaret Rose.

My other WIPs only continues to grow.  I have another Shot Cottons Baby Quilt I've yet to finish.  Stuck on that one creatively. Since my last post, I also started on a Houndstooth quilt for my hubby for Christmas.  I ran out of black, and had to order some from Brenda.

The quilt I would mostly like to finish is my spider web quilt.  I'm still thinking of trying my hand at a swap and doing a "jelly roll" type swap where participants trade 2.5 inch strips instead of charms.  I've put a bug in the ear of Jennifer at Ellison Lane Quilts.  I should really do the swap myself. Maybe after the holidays.

Spider web quilt




My bee buddies really stepped up this time and sent me some killer blocks for Willa's doll quilt.  I'm waiting for two more.  Beth is a newlywed with machine issues right now. This our second round in this bee.  After hearing some stories, I think I'm fortunate to have lucked out with these ladies. Only one of our members when MIA, the person who started the bee ironically enough. I sent them Sarah Jane!  I <3 it. Here's some eye candy:



I don't know why I keep forgetting about my Rainbow Diamond Quilt.  I quilt on one of Janome's basic machines.  It's the one marketed for Hancock's.  There's a comparable version available from dealers, but I don't remember the name. I'm having trouble with the HSTs, well, they are really quarter square triangles technically, they keep getting snagged in my feed dogs.  I don't know how to explain it, but it is annoying.  I just got the Auriful Rainbow variegated thread, so I don't have really real excuse for not working on this one. I could do a block a week and get it done faster than it is currently getting done.

Diamond Rainbow Quilt- side view


Diamond Rainbow block
a look at the individual block





I'm working on 2 secret quilts.  Both are word quilts.  One is for someone I know who lost a child in a car accident this year.  Her daughter's 9th birthday is coming up, so that quilt, once the blocks start coming in will be my absolute priority.  My mom is going to do some hand applique on it.

Katherine at Honeyhill Designs  has sent me some wonderful embroidery tutorials, so I think I'm actually going to embroider my 2 family tree quilts.  They are Christmas quilts.  Didn't last Christmas just end?  We're going on vacay to Virginia, and I plan to embroider on the car ride up.  Actually, I suffer from motion sickness, so this is a pipe dream, but as long as I don't look out the windows, and stay focused on what's in my hands, I can at least give it a try.

We recently finished round 2 of the bowtie swap.  I just need to sew those things together to have that bowtie quilt top done.  It's a cute quilt, but I don't love it, so I thought it would be a great opportunity to learn to let go of things you've created.


My 4 year old asked me this morning where her I-Spy quilt was.  Her brother and sister both have them. I have the charms, but I don't want to start any new quilts until I get some of these done!  I think she sees her doll quilt, she might forgive me for a little while.

I also participated is a Christmas Charm Swap, and I'm just waiting for the charms to come back.  I have 2 ideas for the charm.  A Christmas I-Spy, and this Advent Calendar at Sew Mama Sew.  Maybe next year.

There are other unfinished projects, but this seems to be the theme over at WiP Wednesday.  I'm happy to be in good company.  But, you don't have to wonder why I don't have time to blog.  This has taken me almost an hour, and we've still got homeschool to do today once we get lunch and I put the baby down for a nap.  But, quilting keeps me sane!

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

21 comments:

Quilt Genius said...

Great fussy cutting! I just love fussy cut blocks...

Mary
http://www.quiltgenius.com

JuliePickles said...

Such fun stuff to look at here! Your bee members most definitely came through for you, those are some great blocks. And the spiderweb quilt? Fabulous!! I think a jelly roll swap is a great idea, I might even be game for one of those!

Jennifer said...

the rainbow diamonds are fabulous!

Maggie said...

What a great list of projects! I love the spiderweb!

Marlene @ KISSed Quilts . com said...

Are you HST's getting caught when chain piecing or at each start? Are you able to match seams in opposite directions at each join? If it is just at the starts, try putting a scrap piece of double fabric in first on the machine to get your threads started, then start your next seam as a 'chain piece'. p.s. FW-agree ;-) You never know what inspires you, I wasn't excited about the Skill Builder Sampler until I saw the button, then I suddenly had inspiration for something sitting in my stash. We'll see if I jump in, but have been doing it in EQ7 and am caught up, just nothing in fabric yet.

Christie describeHappy said...

A lot going on, but so much fun to get a peak into all those projects! And really hard to pick a favorite. Good luck with your sewing!

Elizabeth Dackson said...

Love your spiderweb blocks, so pretty! Where are your HSTs getting stuck? Are they getting pulled down into your throat plate? I hope you get it figured out soon!

Allison said...

the dollquilt blocks are adorable :)

Leanne said...

You have a lot of lovely things on the go! I especially love the spiderwebs and the hst quilt. That doll quilt will be wonderful when it is done too.

KristyLou said...

You have a lot of fun stuff going on! I love that spider web quilt.

Marsha Cooper said...

oh gosh...everything you are putting together looks so hard to me. I love to make quilts but haven't tried any of these fancier designs.

Cille said...

All your projects looks great... You have a new follower :)

Leila said...

All of your projects are beautiful! I love the Sarah Jane blocks, the HST quilt is striking as is the spider web quilt. I was in the Japanese swap too. Mine is the cheater patchwork with apples. :)

Annabella said...

I can really see that you like color too - love your HST quilt and the spider web one is gorgeous!

Rachel said...

Love the rainbow diamond quilt. For your feed dog problem - do you have a straight stitch throat plate and machine foot? If the hole is too large, feed dogs like to chew up fabric. Chain piecing can help with this, too.

Katy Cameron said...

Love how that spider's web is looking, and those doll quilt blocks are so cute!

Sel said...

I love your colour schemes for the Spider's Web and the Rainbow Diamond quilts. (Black and brights: can't go wrong!)

And it's lovely of you to make the quilt for the people who lost their daughter.

Al said...

Wow. That spiderweb quilt looks great!

Marci Girl said...

I love your spiderweb quilt! Everything looks great really! I made the Sew, Mama, Sew Advent Calender Quilt and I love it!

Foolish Feathers said...

I love your Spider web quilt in progress! I will have to check out the advent calendar at sew mama sew, I have been wanting to make one forever!

Morgan said...

That spiderweb quilt is awesome!! And I've just done my first I Spy swap ... so I'll be coming around here for ideas :)