Rainy Week

It was a rainy week. At school I tried to avoid getting the flu from students and staff.

I needed a quick sewing project. The one below was adapted from a mini quilt I saw online.

I had a mini charm pack that I wanted to use in half square triangles. I used 3 pieces from a white charm pack for the white half of the squares. The only problem was the difference in the sizes of the mini and regular charms. I cut the bigger white into four parts but was not very accurate.

The block size ended up two and one-eighth inches. The wolf was fussy cut from a fat quarter.

I used some leftover border for the binding. It was almost too narrow but I made it work.

I'm calling this "The Gunniwolf" for a favorite story my students like to act out.

I am making progress on the March Girl. I can watch TV and sew on it a little each night until my eyes get tired.

What are you sewing?

I'm linking to Wendy's Peacock Party if there is still time.

Washing away the stabilizer

Here are the steps to wash away the pattern/stabilizer on a Calendar Girl block.

1. Remove the stitching from around the edge of the stabilizer.

2. Use warm water to melt away the stabilizer.

3. Be sure to wash all of the stabilizer. Rinse with warm water until all stabilizer is gone.

4. Put the wet block on a clean, folded towel.

5. Roll the towel.

6. Squeeze or press the water out of the block.

7. Let the block air dry on a rack.

That's it. Now on to the next block.

The pattern for Miss March has been placed on the block and stay stitched as an added precaution. 

Below is Miss January. You can see how my stitches had gaps because I could not see very well.

Now I am using better light.

But what will I do to correct Miss January?

I'll be like Scarlett O'Hara and think about that tomorrow.

 Now to link up with Wendy and the Peacock Party.

What are you sewing?

February Embroidery Finish

Miss February is finished! The empty heart spaces will be filled with tiny buttons but those are the last things added after quilting the whole quilt.

The next step for this block is to wash off the stabilizer.

I plan to take photos of the process and share next time.

Here is a closer look at her hair. 

Stitching the dark colors are the hardest for me. I'm not sure I have connected the stitches.

We will see when I wash off the stabilizer.

More flowers are blooming.

It was a strange week weather-wise.

Still these grew and bloomed and brightened the winter garden.

Sweet two color variety.

My favorites!

Hope you had a great week making and being creative.

Embroidery restart

I am picking up the calendar girls embroidery for a second try.

I have only finished January and worked several evenings this week on February. 

I thought I couldn't see well enough to be successful but sitting under bright light helped.

Here is my container with all the threads, instructions, and buttons.

This makes it easy to pick up and stitch a little when I have time.

I finished the top of a charity quilt. The kit has all the fabric and I only have sew it together, add the batting, and quilt it. Good practice.

Love these early flowers. They don't smell pleasant but I love having them in our garden.

Busy week with crazy weather. 

Linking up with the Peacock Party.

Finished 2018 Color Challenge Quilt

My first finish of 2019 is the Color Challenge Quilt of 2018.

I decided to use stash fabric for the backing. I had a piece of minky dots just big enough.

I pin baste on my dining table. 

Not a lot of pins but I like less quilting for a softer quilt.

Some of my favorite scraps are in this quilt.

Simple machine quilting using my sewing machine and the built-in walking foot.

I had just enough gray for the binding, too.

The back is soft and cuddly.

Big enough for one person or two little ones.

Who will get to snuggle with this quilt?

Now some photos of our Mississippi winter garden.

Just about ready.

New place for iris. Nandina showing off its color.

My succulents are surviving in the cold. 

Linking up with Wendy. So glad she is having her peacock party!

Finishes - Future Project - Progress

The week end was productive.

Finishes included this scarf. I bought the fabric over a year ago in NYC.

Didn't like the first finish, so I cut it off and sewed the raw edges into a tube.

Flannel baby blanket was a quick finish for a co-worker.

Future project - my son and daughter gave me these two books.

I ordered the wool felt for the blocks.

The colors are so rich. I'm a little afraid to start.

I think the first step will be to learn the stitches - there are only 32 !?!

Progress has been made on the 2018 Color Challenge quilt.

I sewed the 6.5" blocks together, added similar fabric and narrow sashing 

to expand the blocks to 13".

Between the blocks I am sewing a little wider sashing. 

Blocks were put together into 4 rows.

The in-between sashing is ready.

The border will be white with corner colors that match the darker blocks.

Can't decide what backing to use. Maybe something soft and cuddly.

Long week end coming.

Hope for more finishes.

Welcome to 2019

What will 2019 bring? I am not really a planner, so my list of sewing may not be done this year. I have downloaded all the instructions for Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt but haven't started it yet. I wanted to see the finish before I cut any fabric. I think I will make a smaller size. We'll see.

I have made up my mind to retire from teaching at the end of this school year. I have enjoyed it but now I want time to be on my own schedule. 

Mr. M and I visited the grandsons in New York for the new year. We hope to do more traveling. He really enjoys being retired. I want to explore my interests and find the right activities for me.

So my list of possible sewing this year, some continued from last year, is as follows:

1. Good Fortune quilt

2. Another Elegant Tee Shirt for me (fabric on left)

3. Knit dress for Ava (fabric on right)

4. Princess carry along for Ava

5. Explore wool applique

6. Work on Calendar Girls blocks

7. Finish the 2018 Color Challenge quilt

That's enough of a list. 

Now to get over the stomach bug that came home with me from NYC.

Happy New Year!