Friday, June 30, 2017

More done and more to go

I need 64 more 6 inch squares of strings to make a queen sized top. This is finally coming together.

Over the weekend through the 4th I will be making strings to finish this one up. I still have smaller strings to make for the Disney character quilts for the three girls. I have about half of the string blocks made for the three.

So this is going to mean cutting more fabric up.

In my travels through the piles in my sewing room I should have another string quilt in the works using brown sashing. Will have to locate that so I can make more string. OMGosh...
Chris

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Color everywhere

Strings are coming together here. I am finally getting to the assembly part. Trimming as I go so the bias edges are not distored and stitched right away.

I think this will be a Quilt as you go project. It is going to be a huge quilt when finished so wrestling it in the sewing machine would be hard on the shoulders. 

Gloomy and storms on the way. So back to my bright colors. Chris

Sunday, June 25, 2017

Revisiting an oldie

In my sorting I found this long term oldie. I found the cranberry and brown prints I used for the connecting pieces. Then on the run to find the tan for the rest of it. I located all of it. 

I ordered some fabric for the outside border. I ordered it from www.quiltingtwins.com They sell fabric and also have free in detail patterns. You should really check them out. They have fabric at reduced prices and $5 shipping on anything. Look in the tabs at the top of the page and do your shopping. The patterns are free for download in PDF form. Most fabric is $3.99 a yard. 

Well I had a saved file on my old computer that crashed with the EPP pieces I used for this POTC quilt top. So I went on a mission this morning and the page I use to go to for shapes is no longe there. So I had to draft my own pieces from the existing pieces I have. I then save a hard copy so I have them when I need more. Lesson learned save hard copies. I do have jump drives with files on them, but which one. LOL



I laid the top as it is on the top of a queen size bed to see what the size is and how much farther I want to take this. I think two more rows and then borders. I don't think this will be a bed sized quilt. 

Suppose to be in the 70's today such a nice change from all the 90 degree weather of last week. Enjoy your day. Chris 

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Cutting and stitching

I needed more variety so the cutting was started again. I am short on greens and oranges in my stash so need to address that for the future. This container is 1.5 inch strips which I am using for the string blocks I am making. So they get used fast. 

 This is a gallon bucket and it is overflowing. This is one of many that are cut of 2.5 inch strips. I have two different things going for these. I need a better storage plan. If I am going to cut fabric for addition projects at the same time for the one I am working on I need more storage.
Here is a pile of string blocks all trimmed up. I need to pull papers off. A few here and there add up after about an hour of sewing. Going to get to the store today to see if I can purchase a better method of storage. Chris

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Made some strings today

I did a little sewing here and there and made about 15 string blocks today. Some day it will get done. LOL

I have this game I play with myself that I want to stay working at something even if I get bored with it. I would love to start something new, but trying to convince myself to stay current with what I am doing.

I have determined I need some more storage for my strips and squares. I think tomorrow I will be going out to see if I can find what I think I need.

I have been cutting some each day and then sewing up most of it after I get some variety. Strings take quite a few strips to make each one. I think I need something like laundry baskets so when I cut I can get lots stored up.

Someone I read their blog uses clear trash bags. I think it gets so tangled and it would fray the edges. Maybe I just don't get things sewn up quick enough..

I have been reading a couple sewing blogs and the sense is that more people are sewing their own garments again. It had been a craft sewing decade and garments were not even thought of.

I really think I will make some tops for myself, but I haven't found the right fabric. I really would like something with polyester in it for the ease of not having to press everything.

I looked local and I am frustrated. We use to have 6 fabric stores in a 12 mile square area around where I am from. Wal-mart and Joann's is all there is now.

Times will change and things will be more online and no touching fabric.

Off to do more sorting. Chris  

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Not a good day

I got up early and decided to work on strings again. I have cut several more pieces of late so it was piling up and I needed more squares made from strings. Two different sized and one going the straight way instead of on the diagonal. 

Well back to the bad day.....
I went to pay a bill. In a small parking lot and I looked both ways and over each shoulder and in my blind spot a car snuck behind me and I backed into it. My car had some scrapes on the bumper. His had both doors hit so it will cost my insurance company  a couple thousand dollars to fix his car. 

No tickets no one hurt. Cars can be repaired. Just frustrated. 

I think I am going to my sewing room and not come out until it is time to start supper. Chris

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Back to strings

Making more of these strings to go with the Disney character fabric. I needed to cut more strings to make the variety that I needed. I also need to get some blues and more greens cut.

This is sort of a fun quilt top to make, but I have to make three of them. If one has it the other two will have to have it. At this point I need to see how many more actual center squares with the characters in them I can cut out of this piece of fabric. It was a cut off piece I received in a rummage sale find. So I only have so many. I could stitch this on together, but if I don't have enough I can change gears to make it enough. I already have a plan for it.

The plan is a machine applique of a silhouette of Mickeys head in black in a square the same size as the printed squares.

Hot and humid here. Storms on the way this evening. Hopefully it will cool off some. Chris