Hooray for the Red, White, and Blue

We've had a busy week and are taking advantage of the rain by getting a lot of sewing done.

This table runner, made from 2-1/2" wide strips, worked up quickly last night.  The idea came from Pinterest . . . of course.

During clean-up, I came across a bag filled with left overs.  This quick QOV just needs a few more rows on the side.

 Lake Chatuge pictures taken a couple of weeks ago.  No doubt it looks this way today and many picnic-ers will need an umbrella at the very least.

Wherever you are on this important holiday and no matter what the weather, Dolly and I would like to wish you a grand 4th!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

How many quilt tops will fit in a Tyvek envelope . . .

Hmmm, well it depends.

If they range in size of around 50" wide and 60" long.

 and there are 2 of these,

 Six of these,

 and 10 of these . . .. (sorry for the fuzzies)

 Don't you just love the border fabric!

 With the fabric nicely starched, they fold up evenly.  No wrinkles.

 Of course it helps to have a BIG envelope.

You've got it.  18 divided by 3 is 6.

Yup, 6 tops for each. Isn't that amazing!

As Flip Wilson would say, "Well ring my chimes."

Of course some of us only get excited when there's food around.

Whew, now I need to flag down the post man.

Happy New Year everyone!

How many of you have found time to sew?

Or are you still recovering from the hustle and bustle of Christmas?

Last  night I managed to sew some borders on the last of the QOV tops.  

By delving into my 2-1/2" strip box and reducing it by half, I managed to assemble 5 more large, couch-size nap quilts.  Or perhaps I should name them rest and recovery quilts, which has a much more health-related ring.  And isn't that what QOV's are all about, healing?

Dolly and I would like to wish you all a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Oh my, it's been awhile.

I'm sure you knew I was up to something.  Several somethings in fact.

 In September 2014, I began "consolidation" of the sewing room.  A big word for a giant task.

 These 4 QOV tops came from one bin of a project I grew weary of.  It is now empty.

 Do you recall this one, made about 7 years ago.

 And this one, made about 8 years ago.  Both came out of the 18 gallon bins holding quilt tops.  There were 3 bins of tops, now I'm down to 2.

 After seeing a lovely quilt on Alycia's blog, I borrowed the concept and came up with this.  My big bin of 2-1/2" strips was too full and in total disarray.  I pulled out every red, white, blue and patriotic fabric to create 6 QOV tops.  Here you see 4.

  The strips were cut 11-1/2" long, combined into a vertical unit of 28 pieces (7 red, 7 blue, and 14 light), then trimmed down to 10-1/2".  Borders 5".  Finished size about 50" x 66".

Roy would be proud.

 And this week, I've consolidated the bins of 3-1/4" squares by making 4 tops.  12 squares across, 14 squares down, 5-1/2" borders.  A nice size for wheelchair bound vets with a vast array of colors and patterns to help keep their mind off of bone pain.

Did you know that trimming up leftovers into one size helps tidy the stash and allows for impromptu sewing on rainy days.  I've managed to get all remaining squares into one bin.

 Cigar label fabric makes for wonderful borders.

All 16 quilt tops will be going out to Alycia along with some backing fabric I've unearthed.  I'm proud to say this is a great way to consolidate.

To date, I've emptied THREE 18-gallon bins, TWENTY-FOUR 20 quart bins, SIX shoe box bins, ALL of the metal tins except 2, and more baggies than CARTER HAS LIVER PILLS.

To be fair, I did buy 2 clear 66 quart bins to re-group baggies so I can see what I need to work on.

Currently there are 3 tops pinned and ready to quilt, 11 tops with backings waiting to pin, 2 tops waiting for borders and about 10 tops waiting for backings.  Many of these are doll size, wall size, or crib size.

Do you remember me mentioning I was afraid to count UFOs, that it would be too overwhelming.  Well it's true.  I've yet to count them all.  But I did find one from 1974 so you know I'm years and years behind schedule.

This year there will be absolutely NO holiday baking or decorating at my house.  I've made an executive decision and relieved myself of the responsibility, time allowance, stress, and expenditure.

In fact, I'm going to quilt.

Feel free to do the same.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Corduroy road

 Sometimes being in a hurry produces interesting results.

Don't ask me how this happened. . .. you know how left brained I am when it comes to layout and construction.

Perhaps I needed more peanut butter.

The second streak of lightening top is a bit smaller.

Why does it have sawtooth edges you ask . . .  it will get trimmed square after quilting.

These 4 blue and light quilt tops came from one original project which had been semi-assembled, semi-dis-assembled, and finally all pieces, units and sections were folded into a container for another day.

Please don't tell me I'm the only one who does this.

There are a still few pieces  and rectangle units left and I'm considering handing them off to a friend to finish another top to donate.

Again, please don't tell me that I'm the only one who does this.  LOL

On the other hand, just think of all of the QOV tops that would get done if more people did this.

Until then, keep stitchin . . .

Batten down the hatches, it's still winter.

This is the temp we woke up to Saturday morning, 28 and very windy.  Biting cold windy, if you know what I mean.

So we stayed in and finished sewing the second Honor Flight quilt top.  This brick quilt is big enough, so it won't need any borders.

 I threw in a couple reds for accents.  Appropriately themed of course.

Now the forecast for the rest of the week includes snow, rain, sleet and temps down in the teens.  Thus more wood pellets were required.  Every year, I forget that the local stores stop stocking them in January.  An unplanned road trip ensued Saturday night cutting into my sew time.  However, I think there's enough to see me through March now.

 After seeing this lovely idea over at the Country Sampler last week, I could not wait to try a variation.  My triangle units are 2".  The block is called Dove.

Just as soon as I can, I'll show photos of how these blocks are assembled.  I'm sticking to cinnamon pinks and reds.  Very soft, very feminine.

 Dolly is tucked in for her long winter's nap.

If you have to drive in this wintry mix, please carry emergency supplies.  Let's not forget what happened in last winter's January storm all around Atlanta.

And for those folks in Boston, do take care.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Update.

 This pattern is called bricks.  Very simple.  Very masculine.

 It repeats at row 5.  Row 1 and 2 are reversed, light half rectangle at top or bottom.  Rows 3 and 4 are reversed, dark half rectangle at bottom or top.

Rectangles cut 2-1/2 x 4-1/2.  You can combine 4" lengths to make it as long as you desire.  Combine 2" measurement to create the width.  As wide as you'd like.

Do you remember this fabric?  I'm thinking 1994.

The layout for the 3rd top is almost complete. 

The days are getting longer, telling me the garden project must soon be started. 

Large blocks of sewing time will soon end.  

I'm hurrying!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Weekend recap.

Saturday . . . LOTS of ironing.

 Sunday, lots of ironing and sewing.

Streak of lightening pattern, for Honor Flight in May.  The first top is done.  The second is 1/3 assembled.

 These units are for the third; I'm changing the layout to a bars quilt.

There are many more pieces to assemble.  The goal is to get at least 4 tops done this week.

My original idea was to make a queen sized top. I nixed that and will make 4 tops around 50" x 60".

Rectangles measure 2-1/2" x 4- 1/2".

Do you have any sections / pieces / strips tucked away to make your own Honor Flight quilt?

We stayed up way too late last night.  Dolly is still recovering.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Questions Dr. Dooyu Quiltt asks to ascertain signs of amnesia.

Dr. Q:  Do you own any fabric?

Why of course, doesn't everyone!

Can you locate your sewing machine?

Eventually.

What about your cutting board?

Most of the time.

And your pressing station?

Well that's going to take a bit of work.

Since our topic also pertains to World War II veterans, can you hum the first 5 bars from the theme song in the movie, South Pacific?

Only if there's chocolate available.

I see from our files, you've recently completed other tops for Quilts of Valor.

Most assuredly.

If you were to share a particularly easy pattern, which would it be?

Definitely the one patch, made with 3" x 4" rectangles, light and dark combination.  13 blocks wide x 24 blocks long with a border of whatever is on hand to match.

Is anyone permitted to contribute completed 50" x 60" quilts for the Honor Flight, which takes place May 3&4, 2015?

 Yes of course.  Anyone can join in to help cover all 120 veterans participating in this great event.

To whom should they send their completed quilts?

That would be Alycia Carmin, the semi-official presentation coordinator.  However, by the time it's over, I believe she'll be officially official.

Is there a particular reason why you believe folks should participate?

They were there for us even before we were born, let's be there for them!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .