I think I have finally figured it out.

I have the long lines table runner that has been on my UFO list for quite awhile. I figured out how I wanted to back it and have that completed. Now to layer it and quilt it, bind it and call it done and SCREEEECH! The brakes slammed on really hard a couple of weeks ago.

I am using a black batting for my first time si I can try it out on this runner and I am glad about that. But with the front and back being different sizes I hesitate on continuing. I didn't do like I normally do and make a larger backing and hack it down to the correct size after it's quilted. Since they are both table runners I want to make sure it is placed/lined up correctly and won't be catywumpus and wonky if you know what I mean. ;~)
So an idea came to me today, I'll report on it after I attempt it, but I'm thinking it will work.

Also, I love Leah Day's 365 days of free motion quilting that she is showing and sharing. Initially I had thought of attempting to stitch them out on a gridded fabric that was layered, batted and backed. But when talking with a friend recently I mentioned I thought I would use a new notebook and draw them out. Yep! That's what I'm doing. I am up to Day 23 so far. Here's what it looks like.

I love it and find doing the hand movements almost a zen like quality. With this bound notebook I'll be able to have a reference of each stitch to look up and browse through for any future projects. I did purchase the Clover Self threading needles through her sight besides the suctioned cup magnetic holder for keeping it near my sewing machine. I know many quilter's mention the magnetic field isn't that strong with computerized machines and it's okay to use them on them, but I rather be a little inconvenienced and safe. SO my needle holder is placed on the top front drawer of a thread chest that is near my machine BUT NOT ON IT.

Yesterday PGD#1 and I played in the snow for one hour. We did try a snow man first without any luck. The snow didn't seem to pack that well. So instead we made snow angels, played princess and prince travelling through the forest and then a game she came up with of following each other after a 40 second delay and not peeking, by the tracks made in the snow. Of course we both were tired out and very happy when we got back inside.

She's is an angel in whatever she does and I really love spending so much quality time with her.

Enjoy your day.
Jane

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas....

I love a white Christmas and that is exactly what arrived for this morning for a beautiful Christmas Morning and without the mess of snowfall. A little snap shot taken while going to visit the youngest grand children this morning so we could see them open their Santa gifts. A great time and what the holidays are for.



Merry Christmas all!
Jane

Couch-Plop, Flip-Flop, House-Mop, Non-Stop

That's exactly how I've been feeling. It's almost Christmas and I am so behind compared to how set I usually am for the holiday. I have not written any Christmas Cards, The tree isn't up, no chocolates or cookies made. All I've been doing is running to the doctors or sleeping with a little shopping thrown in. When enough energy, trying to get my house back in order. Of course in flip flops since all who know me, know my love of the thong! I think I even still have a pair of fur lined flip flops, very essential in the really cold weather we've had recently.

I was able to get the fleece Christmas panel blankets done for all the grandchildren. While I was doing that, DH stepped up and wrapped the gifts. The eldest GS got all of his gifts on Monday when his Dad and Mom went to his school in Massachusetts to visit him and I did meet that deadline nicely.
Several groups of friends and I have met for our Christmas celebrations. It is nice to reconnect. For one group, we haven't all been able to meet since I'm not sure when. It really has been way too long. We actually celebrated 2 Christmas parties in one since, for some reason, it was cancelled last year, I really can't remember now just why.
Boy talk about receiving a mother load of goodies. Check it out.

Sweet! Literally, besides getting a plethora of cookies and edible goodies I received a couple of fabrics from Caryl Bryer-Fallerts line and some Paducah beads, . Friends go every year to AQS in Paducah. Years ago, I was able to clear my schedule AND have the finances to go with them. What a grand trip. So many quilty events going on all in one quaint town and shared with friends. Heaven! Maybe some day I'll be able to do that trip again. I truly loved it.
Here is a photo of one of my gifts I made for a friend for that party.
I saw several candle mats similiar to this on several blogs (sorry, I didn't note where and can't find it now) and I thought I'd customize one for her with her favorite color yellow, besides using some scraps from my basket which have memories between us. She also loves flamingos and I was able to find a beautiful umbrella from a local store this past spring which I thought that she'd love. She did.
Since it was 2 year's celebrations in one, my other friend's name which was for last year's exchange was a DVD from Nancy's Notions of apron making. I also made a reversible apron for her, one side with the 12 days of Christmas motifs, and the other, a custom red apron with a pocket saying Nancy's Creations out of redwork including a glazed cake on a footed cake plate that I colored with a gingerbread color for the cake and red on the cake plate scallops. So appropriate too since this friend is the "Diva of Desserts" in my book. Any gathering we have, she comes through with a luscious offering of her many talents. Such a gracious and handy friend.
Sorry, no photo of this one. I do have my drawings and can pull out a piece of the fabric I used. Perhaps after the holiday I'll edit this post and add it. Came back 1/3/10 and added this photo for a reference of what I did and used.




Going through the house taking pictures of some of my Christmas wall hangings I have up for the season. I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I love gazing at them while walking by.


An Eileen Sullivan pattern I made years ago. I named it "Pizazzy Poinsettia" It's now a tradition to hang it to the left of the fireplace. Here's a close up showing some of the details. I used razzle dazzle thread via bobbin work to highlight the pot holding the poinsettias.



A wall hanging my flamingo-loving friend made for me years ago. Thanks Bev Bevie, I Love this and it hangs with pride every year.



This hanging I purchased at a show of some sort. Either a craft show or a quilt show. It hangs in my bedroom doorway and it goes nicely with my decor there. Sorry, there is no name on it to credit the work.



And last is this piece I made 15+ years ago. Despite quilting when newly married for baby quilts and duvet covers and such, I had put aside my quilt making for efforts towards making curtains, roman shades, clothes etc. Too busy with the children's sports, dance, school and my work to find time for quilting UNTIL.... I wanted to make this for DH.


He was into collecting Santas and while having lunch with a girlfriend from work, we went to a quilt shop that had this as a sample. Needless to say, I've been almost obsessed with quilting since. I wasn't sure about hanging it where I usually do since we had the kitchen painted but it doesn't clash too bad with the Orange. It's probably a good thing I had used black for the outer borders and it sets the red back from the edge a little. Lucky guess when constructing it 15+ years ago.

Well off to my treadmill before I can continue with my plans for today.
One day before the big guy comes around. I'll have to get the tree up and be ready.

Jane

Ohh, this last little gem is a product of 2 of the grandchildren and I.
Isn't that shiner just perfect. She got it at day care while playing flashlight tag during her Christmas party and the 13 year old GS didn't want to be included in the photo. You know 13 yr old boys, most times they are just way too cool.

Disappearing Nine patch and their varieties.

Check out this blog. Vic in Australia shows many different D9P quilts.


This quilter has many unusual and unique quilts and links to patterns.

Use a four patch into a nine patch tutorial here.

Looking for fabric...

With the recent finishes I was able to find some time to focus on cleaning up some of my sewing space(s). I am amazed by all the STUFF I have. So I have cleaned up and out quite a few bags and items around my work spaces. Many things reorganized and stored in a better manner. Here is an updated look at the doorway to my sewing studio. Much improved since this photo. Its a big improvement over what it was and it's hard to see it in the photos so it's not showing up that well but it's much better!

While looking on how best to arrange and store, I stumbled across my Lone Star Quilt UFO. The center area is done, the 1st and 3rd borders are cut as is the made binding, the only area that I need to get to is the reason it got shelved in the first place. I don't have enough of the background fabric.


That's the only piece of selvage I could get my hands on so I'm not sure of the designer or fabric line. Do you know where I could get some? Click on the picture and you can see it closeup.

Several years ago, while at a Pennsylvania quilt show, Seams Like Home designer, Joan Jones had her bird quilt on display in her vendor booth. The background fabric of it is the same fabric that I need. So when inquiring about where I could find more of it she said she would check when she got back home in 2 weeks and to give her a call. Long story storter, Yippee- she had 2 yards. So I gladly paid her for it. Then...the package never came. Major Bummer!

She kindly refunded the money and even went through her scrap bin to see if she had any of it there which she did so she mailed me the bits that she did have, but it's not enough.

I did purchase this fabric on the left awhile back and thought I might have to use it, but I am hopeful that someone out there will have some of my original fabic.


All of the paper piecing chain points are done and the corner section drafted chains are sewn and pressed. Just need about 1 yard more so I can finish that section of the second border thought I want to do an asymetrical appliqued vine in. This is a sketchinng of what I have in mind.



Let me know if you know where I can get this spotted/speckly fabric, I'd love to get 2 yards but any is better than none and thanks.

Happy Stitching,
Jane

On a rolllllll......

Would you believe a second finish in as many days? I am so thrilled and I really am feeling great with these tiny successes. On this previous post I mentioned trying to focus on that doll blanket and get it finished for PGD#1.
























With this little quilt, I put alot of stitches into it. First with the daisy stitching floral trim at the skirt bottom and then outlining different areas on the bodice, waist and sleeves to try to show more orange. I also ripped out the red flower and did an orange spiderwed rose with a tiny satin ribbon. Nice match with the intended binding. Orange is my PGD#1's most favorite color. Quite an unusual color for a child to prefer and she's loved it for over 2 years now.

I used a polyester for the satin backing and just did a medium size stipple in the background of the quilt. Had to use a ball point needle so I wouldn't tear any of the backing fabric or get any puckers. That just wouldn't do! I am happy it turned out so well. With my back and shoulder problem, sometimes the pain is difficult to try to do some things, but I persevered.
The satin double fold ribbon wasn't too bad to use as the binding, but the way I did it was a very backwards system if looked at by any professional standards! LOL I pinned the binding on and created mitered corners onto both sides of each corner. Then removed it from the quilt top, sewed the darts to make the miters and then pressed the "dart" open so no seams could be seen and to off set the weight difference. Promptly re-pinned it back onto the quilt to connect the ends and make a a circular of binding. Then, drumroll maestro, reattached the binding via pins then finally stitched inplace with 2 rows of stitching, making sure to catch both sides at once. The front is perfect and the back isn't too bad.
For the "piece de resistance"- Crystals attached in a pleasing manner according to this artist's discretion. Who said angels don't wear jewels? In my world they do. Hehe.
And this picture shows some of the details.



I know PGD#1 will be wrapping her babies in it tomorrow when she comes and will be dragging it all over, she is such a wonderful little Mommy. It will be loved. The other 2 dollie quilts she carries around with her babies are well travelled so far. One was made by my Mom and the other by me. This one is a combo of both of our efforts. Just thinking that with this one being so white, I might suggest she leave it on the babie's bed at home or here. We'll see how that is accepted. But she will have the final say about it's use.

Well I'm off to enjoy a Christmas Concert this evening. Several family members, brother, sister, nieces and nephews will be in. I do enjoy concerts, but especially this time of year.

Happy Stitching,
Jane

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree

Happy dancing here. Finished this little Patch Abilities December BOM this morning.

Here's a close up of the detail.



Also of note, just found a website for changing sizes and what scale to use. Enlarging/Reducing Scale for Patterns. The link is here.

Happy Stitching,
Jane

Quilt Math

Math is a huge part of quilting, like it or not. I enjoy math, but somedays my thinking is a little too rough and the "brain on meds" doesn't work the way it used too. So to help out I utilize many tools. Several days of pondering the issue, with the known quilt formulas and assessing it with common sense. Drawing it out on paper to make sure I'll have enough fabric to do the quilt (this step is major, since my projects have a tendancy to grow before they are done! LOL ) Ask myself the same questions about a porject that I have on my focal point, check with any references online that can assist me and once in awhile give a shout out to one of the many friends in cyber land to verify my mathematics and thinking.

So when reading one of my favorite blogs I saw this topic and thought, WOW! great idea. Crazy mom quilts has many beautiful quilts and gives quick brief instructions. I'll paraphrase her directions and edit them along the way. ;~)


I'd like to list some basic quilt sizes:

A nice baby size quilt is around 42" x 52".
For a square baby quilt, anywhere from 36" to 42" works well.
A crib quilt measures 45" x 60".
A nice lap size quilt is 60" x 72".
Twin size, 63" x 88".
Full size, 78" x 88".
Queen, 84" x 92"
King, 100" x 92" or larger.


If you are making a quilt for a specific bed in your house, it's best to measure the top of your mattress and add the amount of overhang you want on each side, then you will have the perfect measurements for your bed. I'd recommend this, especially if you have a very deep mattress, or if you have head and foot boards to deal with. Or bunk beds.

These are target sizes. If your block calculations don't work out quite right, just round up.


So the numbers necessary for a twin size quilt:

A charm square=5".
Take away 1/2" (for seam allowances) and your finished square will equal 4.5".

63" (width of quilt) divided by 4.5" (finished square)=14
88" (length of quilt) divided by 4.5" (finished square)=19.56, which would round up to 20.

So 14 x 20=280 charm squares. Your layout will be 14 blocks wide by 20 blocks long. The quilt will measure 63" x 90".



This quilt was made by crazymom quilts. She had a nine patch a day challenge I started this past summer and mine is now in the UFO project pile, look at hers isn't it Pretty? I'll have to drag mine back to the front. I plan on making a quilt with D9P blocks on point with sashes, cornerstones and borders. Just recently I picked up 2 fabrics that will work for the borders and sashing, I'll have to lay it out to be sure.



For the 9 patch quilt based on a 6" finished nine patch:

The finished quilt measures 66" x 90" for the twin size. Each 9 patch block finishes at 6" and each sashing strip finishes at 2".

Since you want the quilt to be at least 78" wide, you will need 12 extra inches. You would need 20 extra blocks (ten for each additional column) and then add in the sashing 2" finished x 2 strips. The width of the twin quilt is 66" +12" (for the two extra columns of 9 patches) + 4" (for the two extra strips of sashing) =82", which is a bit wider than your target of 78", but close enough. Plus, it's nice to have it a bit too large than a bit too small. So the number of 9 patches needed would be 70 (from the original pattern) +20 = 90 for a full size quilt.



Now, a queen sized stacked coins quilt using this tutorial. It's the same tutorial I used for the baby doll blanket from this post but of course way smaller!

Your target size is 84" x 92".
Coins are cut 2.5" x 5", which will finish at 2" x 4.5".
The sashing is cut at 3.5", which will finish at 3".

The width of the quilt:
11 columns of coins x 4.5" (finished width)=49.5"
12 columns of sashing x 3" (finished width)=36".
49.5" (total coin width) + 36" (total sashing width)=85.5" wide. Perfect.

The length of the quilt:
This one will be worked backwards. You want it to be 92" long. Subtract 6", for the top and bottom sashing, which will give you 86".
86" divided by 2" (finished height of each coin) =43.
So 43 coins in each column x 11 columns= 473 coins.

473 divided by 2 (number of coins that are cut from a charm pack)=236.5, which would be rounded up to 237 charm squares required.
If there are 40 charms in a pack, you would need 6 packs of charms.

For the yardage needed for sashing, you will need 12 strips that are cut 3.5" x 86" and 2 strips that are cut 3.5" x 85.5". For this step, I'd enter those numbers into the handy dandy quilt calculator (someone had directed to me awhile back, thanks to whomever did so, it's so very wonderful!) which will tell me that:
for the 12 strips that measure 3.5" x 86"= 2.5 yards
for the 2 strips that measure 3.5" x 85.5"=2.375 yards
for a total of 4.88 yards, to which I would just round up to 5 yards.


Remember when calculating to use your FINISHED block size, not your CUT size, or you will have a quilt that will be much smaller than you want.

Happy Stitching,
Jane

Adding this link to quilter's paradise about how much fabric to buy for borders. It allows and calculateshow much fabric for up to 5 borders on a quilt.

Many free patterns are on this link

Set in triangles math at Lyn Brown's.

The blog for sew many ways link is here which has many tool time tips and organizing.

Heather Thomas has a tutorial for piped bindings shown well here.

Partridge in a pear tree

Subject: A Partridge in a Pear Tree

There is one Christmas Carol that has always puzzled me. What in the
world do 5 gold rings, 4 calling birds, French hens, swimming swans, and especially the partridge in the pear tree have to do with Christmas? This week, I found out.

From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were
not permitted to practice their faith openly. Someone
during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning
plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church. Each element
in the carol has a code word for a religious reality
which the children could remember.

-The partridge in a pear tree was
Jesus Christ.

-Two turtle doves were the
Old and New Testaments.
-Three French hens stood for
faith, hope and love.

-The four calling birds were the four gospels
of Matthew, Mark, Luke & John.

-The five golden rings recalled the Torah or
Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-The six geese a-laying stood for the six days
of creation.

-Seven swans a-swimming represented
the
sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit--Prophesy, Serving, Teaching,
Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.

-The eight maids a-milking were the
eight beatitudes.

-Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits
of the Holy Spirit--Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness,
Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

-The ten lords a-leaping were the
ten commandments.

-The eleven pipers piping stood for the
eleven faithful disciples.

-The twelve drummers drumming symbolized
the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.

This knowledge was shared with me and I found it interesting and
enlightening so I wanted to share it with you. Now I know how that strange song became a beloved Christmas Carol.

Merry (Twelve Days of) Christmas Everyone
Jane

Quilt related blogs

How to quilt with ties

Thread Play author, Sarah Ann Smith.

Dawn interviews many and all quilt related goddesses.

Just a couple of blog links for reference for interesting topics and how tos.

Enjoy,
Jane