Remembering Naomi

Remembering Naomi

I made this special quilt for a friend, from fabric that his sweet mom gave to me when she moved to assisted living. Sadly, she passed this year, and I thought he would like a remembrance quilt.

The design of squares and rectangles is simple but the colors of navy, hunter green, and dark red coordinate well. I added a few squares of my own fabric as a personal touch.

Quilting was done with green thread, using both straight and serpentine stitches. Remembering Naomi is 56” square. I used my restored Singer 127 (Mary Margaret, a machine gifted to me by another friend) to piece the blocks.

One of the best parts of Christmas is giving. Over the past few years I've been given lots of fabric. I believe in paying it forward, so I've used yards of that material to sew quilts which I've donated to local assisted living and senior living homes.

I got a lovely thank you note from one little lady who said, “It was like the heavens opened up and rained down pretty quilts for us.”

So, to everyone who has provided the materials that made this possible: You are appreciated!

Merry Christmas to you all, and I hope that you can experience the magic and joy of giving all year long.

Blue Quarters

Blue Quarters

Simple and classic, this blue, tan, and cream quilt is made up of remnants from other projects.

I've been working on it for a while, piecing hourglass blocks when I had a few minutes to spare. Some of the fabrics have been in my collection for years; others are recent acquisitions. I mixed plaid, stripes, floral, and geometric prints with some solids.

The backing is a blue sheet that I picked up at a thrift store. I quilted diagonal rows with blue thread in the bobbin and tan on top, alternating straight and serpentine stitches.

Blue Quarters finished at 48” square, and will make a lovely donation quilt.

Accuquilt dies used:
55047 Quarter Square Triangles 4” finished
55017 Strips 2½”

Puzzle For Santa

Puzzle For Santa

Here's another quickie Christmas table mat, made up with red, green, and gray prints.

After arranging and sewing the blocks, I added a 2” border. I quilted a straight stitch with red thread down the center of each ribbon.  The backing is a modern coordinating print. Final size is 21" square. 

This 4” Washington's Puzzle die has little pieces, but I really like it. I want to use them in a border, then try a scrappy version lap quilt. It should be fun.

Oh, and I must confess: I took advantage of the Black Friday sale and bought a few new dies. They are meant to be part of my Christmas, but I had to open and test them out, right? Just to make sure they cut properly and all. I guess I got carried away and cut a few extra sets of this one. Does that count as naughty? 

Accuquilt dies used:
55602 Washington's Puzzle 4” finished
55017 Strips 2½”

Merry & Bright

Merry & Bright

I love decorating with quilts for Christmas, only I don't start until after Thanksgiving is over. Pulling out all my holiday quilts and deciding where to display them really gets me in the Christmas spirit.

Of course, I always make one or two new ones to add into the mix. This happy little wall hanging is my latest. One of my friends gave me this fabric, including the colorful Christmas tree print used for the borders and backing.

Red, green, aqua, lime, and pink dots make lovely Chinese Lantern blocks that look a lot like ornaments. Quilting was done using white thread in serpentine and straight stitches. Merry & Bright is 32” square.

Accuquilt dies used:
55599 Chinese Lanterns 8” block
55054 Strips 4½”
55017 Strips 2½”

 

Thanksgiving Beach Adventure

We're home from our Thanksgiving week escape to Orange Beach, Alabama. I'm relaxed and happy, but already wanting to go back. The two of us been going there regularly for over 30 years. It's my favorite place to visit, especially in late fall.

Here are a few observations from our adventure:

If you wash and wax your car before vacation, it will rain before you get out of the county.

 

Walking on a sandy beach is the perfect way to begin and end each day.

Doc's Seafood advertises that they serve “the best fried shrimp in the entire civilized world” and they are still absolutely right.

 

There were more dogs on the beach, despite the no dogs on the beach rule. That chihuahua looked totally embarrassed about wearing a pink ruffled sundress.

 

Beach sunsets are amazing but seeing a red half moon sinking into the gulf is phenomenal.

Another delicious meal at DeSoto's Seafood Kitchen: Parmesan Encrusted Flounder with Tarragon Aioli, two sides, rolls, and tea was the lunch special.

 

I sure wish we had bought that little bitty $99,000 beachfront house back in 1991.

 

The best plan for the day is no plan at all, just go with the flow. Antique and thrift store shopping, exploring side roads, and reading on the balcony.

Watching and listening to the waves is a natural stress reliever.

 

I intend to stay longer next time!  I'll take the Featherweight and sew by the sea. 

See you back here next week with my latest quilt. 

Kites On The Beach

Kites On The Beach

This design is an old classic, and these beachy colors made it even more special.

The kite and triangle dies combine for an 8” version of the kaleidoscope block. I dived into my scrap bins once again to hunt for restful shades of sand, sea, and sky.

Using a straight stitch, I quilted in ecru thread on both sides of the seam lines to outline the design. Kites On The Beach finished at 48” square.

The Gulf Coast is my favorite place to escape, relax and recharge. Load up the car, it's definitely time for a road trip!

Accuquilt dies used:
55254 Kite 4” finished (kite shape)
55409 Triangle in a Square 4” finished (triangle shape)
55017 Strips 2½”

Mowing Leaves

Here's another autumn quilt that's super quick and easy to sew, inspired by nature.

I used only two contrasting fabrics on this one, a gorgeous green and rust fall leaf print with green and cream crosshatch design. Each 8” block is constructed with 2½” x 4½” rectangles.

I chain stitched them all before assembling the blocks. After sewing them all together, I added three borders using 1½”, 2½”, and 3½” strips. Final size for Mowing Leaves is 53” square.

I quilted with light green thread, using a scallop stitch in rows 2” apart. This one didn't take long at all, mainly because of the two color palette. 

You can probably guess the name came to me while we were mowing our leaves. It seems like they're staying around longer this year, as we still have them falling. I'm hoping the wind might blow some of them away but we'll be out there again this week unless we wait till they're all down.

Accuquilt dies used:
55159 Rectangles 2½” x 4½”
55017 Strips 2½”
55032 Strips 3½”
Blue Wren 6015 Strips 1½”

 

American Pie

American Pie

Curved seam lines with red, white, and blue prints give this striking quilt a patriotic vibe.

The 12” blocks make it quick and easy to cut and sew. American Pie finished at 48” square. I quilted with white thread, using a circle ruler template for the loopy design.

Striped red and blue binding finished it off perfectly. All piecing and quilting was done on my Janome MC 9450.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6602 Curve in a Square 6” quarter block
Accuquilt 55017 Strips 2½”

Grateful for our military personnel, 

past and present

Blockbuster

Blockbuster

Another scrap quilt this week! I had fun choosing bright colored prints to combine with light gray pin dots for this standard vintage block. I didn't have to cut much after searching through my boxes of 2½” and 4½” triangles.

The 8” blocks sewed up quickly, then I framed with 4" borders. I quilted with white thread in a straight stitch, following the block seams. For the borders, I switched to a zig-zag utility stitch and quilted two parallel lines. Blockbuster finished out at 48” square.

After this was finished, I straightened up the sewing room, then had a marathon cutting session because there are plenty more remnants to dispatch. I like having my most used sizes cut and ready to go. It helps me finish projects faster! Look for more scrappy fun in later blog posts.

It's Halloween week, so we'll be watching our favorite scary movies with popcorn and trail mix for snacks. And there could be an adult beverage or two. Trick or treat, y'all 

Accuquilt dies used:
55763 Trapezoid 4” finished
55031 Half Square Triangle 4” finished
55018 Half Square Triangle 2” finished
55054 Strips 4” finished


 

Born To Be Wild

Born To Be Wild

It's been said that scraps multiply when you're not looking. That might actually be true. I sew many quilts every year, so the leftover bits add up quickly.

Managing these can be a challenge. I try to cut remnants as I go, sort into my most used sizes and store in stackable plastic boxes. This doesn't always happen, so I just toss the fabric into larger tubs for later. I have a major cutting session to empty the tubs when I'm in between projects or when I run out of space.

Today's quilt is made up of scraps in my favorite sizes: 2½” squares, 2½” half square triangles, and 2½” strips. I started out sewing quarter log cabin blocks, then added the HST for a bear claw look.

Born To Be Wild is 49” square. The backing is a colorful quilt block print, binding is a light navy check. I finished it off with simple channel quilting 2” apart using light gray thread.

Sewing these is so much fun! No plan, no rules, just choose what looks pretty together and stitch. Pop them on the design wall, move them around to get the most pleasing layout, and another quilt is done. I considered using a solid color sashing between blocks, but decided on this wild version.

Going through leftover fabric is like seeing old friends. It reminds me of where I got it and what I made with it. That's why I adore scrap quilts!

Just one shelf of remnants...that's definitely not all

Accuquilt dies used:

55017 Strips 2½”
55018 Small Value die: 2½” square, 2½” HST

Spicy Autumn Curves

Soothing fall colors give this quilt a relaxed, cozy look. Doesn't it make you crave a cup of spiced tea or hot chocolate?

Mixed prints in gold, brown, coral, tan, cinnamon, black and cream blend beautifully in this half ring pattern. Some fabrics were from a collection of 10” precuts, others came from my stash remnants. After sewing and arranging the 8” blocks, I added borders made up of 4” x 8” rectangles.

Quilting with medium beige thread and a gentle wave ruler, I created an allover grid that looks similar to netting. Spicy Autumn Curves finished at 56” square. I believe I'll keep this one for myself. 

Spicy Autumn Curves

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6858 Charming Rings 8" finished

Accuquilt
55160 Rectangle 4½” x 8½”
55017 Strips 2½”

Diamond Chain

Diamond Chain

Simple squares and half square triangles can be combined using different sizes and configurations to create interesting quilt patterns.

Diamond Chain is my impression of a photo clipped from a magazine many years ago. I used scraps of navy, blue, wine, and green prints and added cream muslin for the four-patch blocks. The larger squares are dusty peach floral and cream. Two borders frame this fall throw nicely.

Quilting with cream thread, I sewed scallop stitch diagonally in rows 3” apart. Diamond Chain is 58” square.

I love the variety and challenge of experimenting with new designs. I truly enjoy seeing a quilt photo and figuring out how to sew it. I find ideas all the time, in tile patterns, clothing, magazines, architecture, and nature. Always looking, because the next cool project might be just around the corner.

Accuquilt dies used:
55006 3½” Square
55009 3½” Half Square Triangle
55000 6½” Square
55017 Strips 2½”
55032 Strips 3½”

 

Restoration: Singer 127-3 Mary Margaret

Singer 127-3 Mary Margaret finished

This lovely machine is a 1923 Singer 127-3 in the original oak cabinet. She belonged to Mary Margaret for years, and was generously gifted to me by her son Ervin. We believe this treadle machine was converted to electric at the dealer or factory. We decided on a sympathetic restoration to get her sewing well and protect the finish.

Singer 127 before

Amazingly, at 100 years old, the Memphis sphinx decals were nearly perfect, just a couple of places showed a bit of wear. The finish had a little checking but was mostly intact. She had been stored in an attic, so not too much rust, but there was dried oil/grease and dust.

The handwheel, shuttle and feed dogs moved easily and I actually sewed a few manual stitches before we started work. 

The tiger oak cabinet and ironwork are in great shape, check out that gold paint detail on the logos!   I gave it a good clean, a coat of Howard's Restore-A-Finish, and beeswax.

Here's what Jerold did to spruce up Mary Margaret:

Cleaned handwheel using wire wheel & scotch brite, leaving the brownish patina. Polished all the plate covers to a shine.

Disassemble and clean motor. Rewire with new plug. Disassemble needle box, very dirty, years of gunky oil. Cleaned parts with foam degreaser and WD40.

Before

After

First clean surface with sewing machine oil. Shellac intact, so carefully cleaned entire surface of machine with GOJO hand cleaner. Daubed amber shellac on the few bits of painted decals that had begun to silver.

Pulled drive shafts & shuttle mechanism, cleaned in Coleman fuel, buffed & polished where needed. Replaced a locking screw missing from the shuttle drive shaft.

Removed feed vertical shaft & stitch regulator for cleaning. Finished cleaning other parts. Re-assembled machine. Adjusted feed dog alignment & height, presser bar height. Checked all other adjustments. Test sew - worked the first time!

Isn't she goregous?

Sprayed with 3 coats of shellac: not a perfect mirror finish but shinier than she was and it will protect the finish.

Re-assemble items removed for painting, mount light & motor. Put back in cabinet & wired controller up. Wound a bobbin. Cleaned shuttle. Threaded the machine and she sewed a perfect stitch without any tension adjustments.

I've already put Mary Margaret back to work: just finished piecing a quilt top. What a pleasure to sew on this wonderful vibrating shuttle machine, thanks Ervin! I hope she lasts another hundred years.

Fresh Air

Fresh Air

Pastel stripes paired with crisp white give this hexagon quilt a fresh look. The project went together quickly since there are only two fabrics.

I enjoyed piecing with Violet, my sweet painted and restored Singer 99K. Jerold reinstalled her motor so that I didn't have to hand crank all those pieces. I love sewing with my vintage machines and this purple one looks right at home in my sewing room!

Straight stitch quilting along the seam lines was done on the Janome 9450 with a light blue thread. Fresh Air finished at 50” x 53” in size. I used white and blue polka dot backing and a solid blue binding.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6808 Hexagon Set 3” sides
Accuquilt 55017 Strips 2½” binding
Rotary cut: 6½” equilateral triangles

Energetic

Here's a super easy baby quilt for you!

I came up with this nine block layout while playing with scraps cut with the Dynamic die. Hot pink and bright orange fabrics look brilliant with white accents, along with gray micro dot and multicolored paisley borders.

I quilted with white thread using a small serpentine stitch. Energetic finished out at 34” square, a great size for baby, table mat or wall hanging.

These shapes can be used to make many different blocks, depending on color placement. I tried out several before choosing one. It's the same die I used for Lavender Sensations in late August, and I have more already sketched out in Electric Quilt.

Headed back to the quilt factory, as my husband calls my sewing room.  See you next week.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6954 Dynamic block 8”

Accuquilt
55032 Strips 3½” border
55017 Strips 2½” binding & border