Quilt a-long finish

Last Sunday I started the quarantine quilt a-long, Elvira. I used a bundle of fat quarters that my mom bought on a trip. Mom never got to use them, so I decided to make a quilt in her memory with her fat quarters.

Gudrun gave live instruction on Facebook several times that day. Thousands of quilters took part. I finished half of the blocks that day.

Monday and Tuesday I finished sewing the blocks and tried different arrangements.

Below the top is sewn in rows and ready for sandwiching.

I made the back out of a 2 yard piece from my stash and leftovers from the directional blocks.

It was the perfect size to pin baste on our dining table.

Here it is ready to be quilted.

First I stitched in the ditch down all the major seams and around the outer edge.

Then I trimmed off the extra backing and batting. (My favorite part.)

Then I quilted each row with straight and wavy stitching.

i used a light grey Aurafil thread for the piecing and quilting.

It blended well with all the colors and wasn't obvious like white thread would have been.

I lengthened my stitch from 2.5 used when piecing to 3.0 for the quilting.

I had a half yard of yellow grunge that was the perfect amount needed for the binding.

I cut the binding in 2.5 inch strips and folded it in half.

Binding was sewn on by machine back first, then front.

All the corners turned nicely.

Front about and back below.

The white triangle is where I will document the details of this quilt.

Close up of the quilting.

I quilted in the ditch on each row, then quilted straight down the center of each row.

Each half was wavy quilted with three lines.

So each row has seven rows of quilting down the blocks.

I don't mark the quilting rows - just eyeball it as I sew.

Folded and ready for writing the details.

All the corners.

I'm very happy with my quarantine quilt.

On to the next project!

Spring Dresses

Photos of dresses for Ava as promised.

First a simple sleeveless dress decorated with rickrack

and a tie in the back.

She has another dress by this pattern that she has outgrown.

I made the next size and hope it fits.

The fabric is patterned with lots of little girls playing.

Next is a sort of plain dress with two sash options.

First, a polkadot.

Mom said the plain satin was her choice.

We will see which Ava chooses.

Here is the back. I made this pattern before and really improvised because I didn't like the instructions. This time I followed the instructions and it was MUCH easier!

The zipper is a little low from the neckline, so I added a button and loop at the neck.

Since the dress is so plain, I used the extra ribbon to make a hairbow.

We will see if Ava will wear it.

Later today I'm going to work on the Quarantine Quilt A-Long.

Keep sewing and stay safe.

Parlor Trick #2 top finished

My first idea for borders for Parlor Trick was to use 3 fabrics - tan, floral, light sage.

I added the first two, then tried the third one.

I wanted to use cranberry for the binding, pulling another color from the floral.

But when I looked at it again, I decided it was finished with the tan and floral borders.

I think the cranberry binding will look better against the floral. And it just looks finished to me.

On my knitting endeavors, I want to thank Jenny for her kind comment. I tried to reply but I don't think it went through.

I looked for left-handed continental knitting videos and found that I have been trying to knit right-handed. I knew something didn't feel right. Now I feel I am making progress with continental knitting. I am practicing on a pattern that alternates between knitting and purling. 

That forces me to pay attention. My knitting is not great but I can see progress.

Next up some dresses for Ava.

We plan to go see her next week end and since we are asked to stay home for two weeks, I will have lots of sewing time.

Look for pics of new dresses next time.

Knit finishes and quilt block progress

I finished two knitting projects last week with Beverly's help at Southern Needle.

She taught me to knit but I haven't taken much time to practice.

This lavender feather and fan scarf just needed a few more rows to be complete but I left it so long I couldn't figure out where I was in the pattern. 

Now it is ready to wear! yea!

I started this hat by myself but only picked it up occasionally.

Here it is finished with pompoms.

Ready for cold weather.

Here are my modern quilt blocks waiting for the last two blocks.

The final blocks are finished!

I had to buy more fabric for the solid blocks that will alternate with the pieced blocks.

Fortunately the Cotton Blossom had the exact color I wanted.

I have cut out the 12 solid blocks and have started to sew them together.

Below are the solid blocks.

Next time I will share photos of the finished rows and possible border choices.

What are you sewing?