Sew Away Preparation

 Yes,I'm getting ready for the 

first sew away of the season.

Most of you know it as Retreat 

but I think sew away is similar to  

sail away and sounds like fun!

I love boating (really large boats),

so it makes it even more exciting.

It's time to dig out the UFOs and

organize the projects for easy sewing at Retreat!

The first one I found was a rainbow scrap project 

made  of color family blocks of two rows of coins.

I have a top waiting on the rack, 

made out of three 4 1/2" columns.

I'm calling this one a twosy.

There are lots of blocks ready

So up they go on the design wall!

Here are the nice bright colors of the first five rows.

My favorite size of 84" by 84" requires 

7 rows down in 11 blocks across.

A simalar top was  on a blog a few weeks ago , 

but the credit remains elusive! 

 I will update the post 

when it surfaces. 

So this lovely is now all clipped into rows and

packed up for transport! 

I have a few more projects packed up so now I am:

sorting threads,

winding bobbins, 

prepping my featherweight sewing box, 

and oiling the featherweight!

Now it is just coordinating travel and loading the cars!

Stay Safe and Sew on!

Linking up with :

Sew & Tell

Monday Musing

Design Wall Monday

SrSPS

To Do Tuesday

Wednesday Wait Loss

RSC 2026

Patchwork & Quilts

Still Finding More (pun intended)

 Well the hits just keep on coming.

I've done quite a few I Spy quilts and 

I still have fabric remaining!

So I'm continuing to do the simple pattern 

of putting rows of blocks together.

There are five sets of blocks ready for retreat.

They are turning out a nice size.

The 7 x 9 block tops finish out at 32" x 41".

Here is a comparison between 

just the blocks sewn together,

and a top with a border added.

I like the look of both. The border does 

increase the size a few inches.

The tops will be stitched together at retreat. 

I can make a decision on adding borders to

enlarge them or to just quilt them as is.

A dive into the depths of Pintrest has 

given me more options.  I will pack up some solids or reads as 

and possibly change up a few of the layouts to add interest!

A brightly colored binding might spice them up enough.

Here is a little one my GS laid out.

Lots of bunnies and even a happy little yellow fella!

This one was made with leftovers

 from the 5 and 1/2 in blocks.

There 4" x 6" bricks

with a sashing between.

The binding along the top and bottom 

will frame it nicely.

Still more fabrics to use!

Sorting out the leftovers made even more squares! 

Lots  of stripes and chunks too. Yikes!

I'm excited to see how they will all turnout.

Stay safe and so on!

Linking up with :

Sew & Tell

Monday Musing

Design Wall Monday

SrSPS

To Do Tuesday

Wait Loss Wednesday

Finished or Not Friday

Put Your Foot Down

I Quilted This

Off the Wall Friday

Back from Away

 Well, I have definitely been away for a while,

Here are a few hints on where I've been!

Yes, it was amazing an amazing trip.

Definitely a sampler of all" over the ocean" has to offer,

We are still a little bit jet lagged 

but back to basics and everyday life.

On with the quilting! 

Today, after finishing up the mending,

I'm starting to quilt the little "Eye spy" top and 

 the goods are waiting in the to be quilted pile.

As my walking buddy said,

That will give me the bes feeling of progress

to get me back in the flow of quilting.

Here is the pile.

And here's the quilt first quilt going under the needle.

It is already have completed . 

I ran out of time pretrip.

Lots of packing and luggage weighing was happening.

The back is pieced

and used up more of the flannel basket.  

Have a great week sewing!

( Did you figure out where we went?

The statue on the right in the fourth

picture is Amerigo Vespussi. 

I think he looks concerned?!)

Right Beside Me

Trying to clean and organize led me to a great Revelation.

 Sometimes the answer is nearby.

All of us experience experience overcrowding 

on our workspace at some time.

My issue were all the boxes of accessories

as well of all the bobbin holders.

I was drowning in supplies!

Examining the wall by  my sewing machine,

I was considering a small shelf or drawer unit hanging on the wall.

Then I realized, I sew at a desk..... 

with drawers.

The bottom drawer is the  place for 

all the sharp objects when the GKs or non-sewers come down.

 The top two drawers however,

 were just full of odds and sods.

A bit of a clean out and a perfect place for not only 

accessory boxes and bobbin holders 

but also the sewing manual.

The manual was getting tatty for being 

moved and pushed around so much.

 This stitch card can also be stored in a drawer. 

The machine storage for it is not ideal. 

Either it's too tall , or obstructing 

the throat area. 

A nice clean out and some separators

and I've got a lovely storage area and 

have reclaimed my workspace.

 Stay Safe and Sew On!

Linking up with :

Sew & Tell

Monday Musings

Design Wall Monday

SrSPS

Handmade Monday

To Do Tuesday

Wait Loss Wednesday

Put Your Foot Down

I Quilted This

Whupside Down I Spy

Yes, there are still loads of I Spy 

blocks kicking around my sewing room.

The first brick one is up on the wall after

a brief hiatus to make room for

the GK's 5 " block I Spy projects. 

Unfortunately, a few of the bricks are upside down.

A quick pick out with my handy mini rotary cutter

and I was back in business.

Now it's time to audition some sashing.

Putting in some lighter colors as sashing 

is always unsuccessful but

 like a bad movie plot, I try it again

and it always does not work.

Here is the second go round, 

The last one to chose from, 

and finally a pile of the winners. 

One winner turned out to be precut pieces 

for backing so they were sent down to the 

backing bin. 

The cutting was all 2 1/2" strips which

will also double as binding. 

The first top measures 42" x 58" 

but the subsequent ones will be 

a bit shorter at 42" x 52"

Nice pile of strips here and 

minimal leftovers too. 

Enough to do 4 quilts!

Have a great week sewing !

Stay Safe and Sew On!

Linking up with :

Sew & Tell

Monday Musing

Design Wall Monday

SrSPS

Handmade Monday 

To Do Tuesday

Wait Loss Wednesday

Put Your Foot Down

I Quilted This 

Finished or Not Friday

Off the Wall Friday

Sewing Machine Bonding

 Many people bond with their pets,

bond with their families,

bond  their friends.

I am bonding with my sewing machine.

It was recently updated and partially serviced, 

and we sewed happily together for one whole afternoon.

A needle broke and that was it.

The screen showed a big red X and 

a needle bearing down on on the presser foot!

I collected both portions of the needle and decided to call it

the end of the sewing day.

Then off to retreat,

accompanied by my little featherweight,

for a delightful trio stitching days.

This project UFO  was gifted to me and I finished it up. 

There's even enough scrappy goodness left 

to make another top or two baby quilts.

Influenza and I became good friends the day after retreat,

and although I asked the Bernina community for help,

I didn't check messages until well after a week.

Following their sage wisdom, 

I was able to get Big B back up and running.

It did take me awhile to find the proper keys and settings though.

Sometimes instruction manuals and 

videos are not made for the true beginner.

I am very new to Bernina machines and 

had no idea where to find the settings I needed.

Surprisingly the symbol is a yield sign with a big red "! ".

Then the process was easy and the machine sewed smoothly!  

More in touch with my machine and a bit more confident, 

my next sewing session should be productive. 

Look at all these tops just waiting for a date with Big B!

Stay Safe and Sew On!

Linking up with :

Sew & Tell

Monday Musing

Design Wall Monday

SrSPS

Handmade Monday

To Do Tuesday

Wait Loss Wednesday