Small finishes and contemplating new projects

This week I finished a snuggly blanket with a minky type fabric with forest animals and fake fur on the reverse and as binding. It will be so soft to snuggle under but it was a mess to cut.

I also made the matching soft book.

Below is  a view of the book and furry backing.

Another photo of the blanket with the critter side showing.

Technically this isn't a quilt because there is no batting or quilting.

The only sewing on it is around the edge for the binding.

I'm thinking of venturing into sashiko. I have a book, thread, fabrics, and a couple of kits. Sure I bought hand sewing needles but haven't found them.

Finally finished my basket weave knitting sample.

I am trying to learn continental knitting and I can see progress from the start to the finish of this.

I used leftover yarn and ran out two rows short.

That's okay. Below is one side.

Here is a close up of the beginning edge.

The directions called for 'garter' stitch but I mistakenly used 'stockenette'.

Here is the top edge. Short two rows but knitted correctly in 'garter' stitch.

Here is the other side. I like the color pattern from the variegated yarn.

I'm going to keep practicing. Same pattern, hopefully better consistency.

I'm ignoring all the other things I need to do and just doing what I feel like doing.

How are you making it?

Miscellaneous sewing

Like everyone everywhere I tried my hand at mask making. 

First I made masks for grandkids and grown children who live in NYC.

These are reversible and made from quilting scraps and ribbons.

One has a pocket for a filter and elastic. That one was not comfortable to me so

I only made one.

They were easy to make and Mr. M was asking for one, too.

I made enough for all of the grands, children, in-laws, hubby, and me.

The photo below is the reverse side of the first group.

I mailed masks to NYC and Memphis earlier this week.

Then I got the backing put together for Parlor Trick.

Below is an in-progress shot of pin basting.

I'm not sure how to quilt this. Leaning toward hand quilting but I may machine quilt in the ditch to hold it together while I hand quilt it.

Another view of the basting process.

I really like this quilt top and don't want to mess it up.

Other projects on the finish up list-

Scrap Dance Minuet is ready to baste.

Woodland Friends snuggle blanket is ready for binding and the soft book is waiting to be cut and sewn together. Got lots of time. Look for progress next week.

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?

Mini quilt with hand quilting

Second finish of the year.

Made from a Moda mini charm pack and fat quarters.

 Close up of hand quilting.

Back. Can you see the quilting?

Hanging corners.

Next project is a lap quilt from this book.

I visited her shop in NYC in October.

This is the quilt layout and the fabric I will use.

Parlor Trick. Every block has partial seams!

After I started this post life got busy and I didn't get to finish writing.

My mom passed away on Sunday, February 9, 2020.

As the oldest child and the only one retired, I had lots of things to do.

Her celebration of life was yesterday, February 14. 

She was 94 years old and had lived an interesting life.

Six words to describe Helen: gardener, quilter, crocheter, reader, traveler, mother. 

Have a great week!