UPTO Time Slip!

~~ Time keeps on slippin', slippin'~~

Well , I like to slow it down.  

Today I am using quilter's fuse to make 

a start on my box of 2 inch squares. 

 The impact of a one color family block, 

5 x 10 squares wide is very appealing. 

A picture in a Quilter's Newsletter Magazine 

showed a woman in her 80s, and  

behind her was a stack of quilts.

In it was a quilt with a 5 x 10 set of 2"

 squares latticed with white. It was beautiful. 

I set out to make the quilt and 

once I discovered quilter's fuse, I was on my way.  

First the squares are laid out on the fusi.

 

 Usually I work on 2 or 3 

at a time so I can ensure variation in the fabrics used. 

I work on cardboard pieces or a cutting mat.

 It helps to have a white background 

under the fusi so the lines are more visible.

then slid the fusi with squares

onto the ironing board and press. 

Short seams get stitched first,

 then the lines are snipped, 

and the long seams finished up.

The squares I use , are heavily saturated with color

 and have minimal white or lights in the backgrounds.

Cream and white squares are used together and I really

like the look of an entire cream block!

  

The fusi saves about 75% of sewing time!

 Even Dr. Who would be proud of  

that time slip management!  

Love those strings!

 

Strings, strings, strings!

I really like to listen to movies and find making a quilt 

like this is theraputic and fun while enjoying some good cinema! 

It also contributes to using up my scraps and makes room for more!

The gradation of shade makes it interesting and the

multitude of fabrics makes it fun to look at! 

I do Love Green!

This pair is destined for an Urban planner 

and a

 Physcologist to celebrate !

~This is the matching baby quilt top~

 

It will be backed with cuddle fabric 

to make it cozy and warm!

Speed binding!!

 

Wowzer!

All I can say about this is ,

"Where have you been all my life!"

I managed to bind four bed size quilts in 

one day using this foot. 

This technique is used when the 

binding is sewn to the back of the quilt 

and then folded over onto the front. 

It manages to keep the stitching exactly

 placed on my binding

 and lets me speed along, stress free. 

Here is how it works. 

The guide that is in the middle and is

 usually placed in the " ditch or seam"

 for quilting is used as a 

guide for the edge of the binding . 

 Set the needle position to right of the binding edge

 as desired and then 

top stitch the binding in place. 

This foot is called a "Stitch in the ditch foot"

You should easily be able to find this foot 

at any sewing machine store or supplier. 

You may even find this in you sewing 

machine tool box!

Pins on Walkabout!

           TRAVELING PINCUSHION

This great little item is perfect for traveling

 to classes, workshops or even 

just with on the go projects.

It is a traveling magnetic pincushion!  

The top has a cover so the pins don't brush off in your bag. 

 The bottom has a detachable drawer/container 

that can store everything 

from small scissors, to bobbins to buttons!

                     
 

                     

UPTO Aug 16

 Nice quiet Sunday.

    Dinner with the Family was stellar,

 house is back together and now to 

spend the day "quilting".

        It is so  nice to have hobbies.  

"Quilting" seems to be my most productive tho.

        "Quilting" is in air quotes, since it seems to 

entail some general sewing, advise giving and design, 

so just quilting or sewing doesn't seem to cover it all. 

        Back to the day. 

        Having a few backs on hand certainly

 gets the tops moving. 

2 flimsys got pinned up and ready for 

quilting in the next little while!

Getting 2 pinned is nice. 

Two more backs to make, more pinning, then quilting. 

Thrifty Treasure

"It was a cold and stormy night..." 

but look what it did to the trees!

I just had to show off this beautiful 

Grinch tree covered with frost by the  ice fog !  

Gorgeous!

Anyway, here if one of my all time great

thrift store finds.  

TV Tables!!!

These small foldable tables are very

 popular for small living spaces

but have endless uses for sewing and crafting too!

This set was under $20 and came with 4 tables and a stand. 

I use one ( or two) for a portable ironing station and 

used a scrap of heat resistant fabric to make a cover.

It makes a handy ironing board when the piecing

 fever hits and can snug right up to the sewing nest. 

Another one gets commissioned as a cutting 

station for trimming. A lazy daisy turntable and a 

mat make a nice place to trim blocks and is very portable. 

One even got set up for scrap sorting 

while I was on the phone. 

Definitely one of my best finds ever!