NEWEST PROJECT-Carson's Quilt

This is the current project for a client. However, I have been unable to contact them by email to let them know that I have started working on this quilt, all emails have been returned. Might have to call, but, won't do that until Monday.

This is the way I had it arranged when I took this photo. Of course, that has since changed. I'll post a picture when I get the outside border on since I haven't decided what to use for that yet.










Has blogger reverted back to the 'old' way of posting? When I uploaded this picture, I got the old page. Oh well, just as long as it posts it will be fine.

Back to work,

France thanks local D-Day vet - S.C. at War - TheState.com

What an honor for a very honorable man.

http://www.thestate.com/2011/04/30/1799010/local-wwii-vet-awarded-legion.html


France thanks local D-Day vet - S.C. at War - TheState.com

Off To Work I Go.........

Just peek under the cutting table and you can see the 'Studio' Cat. Patches is up set with me because of the box that is currently in 'her' chair.

Can you look at these pictures and tell what I have been up to?

This was the pile that was left over. I did not cut all of the shirts that were given to me. This quilt is for a very tall man, so want to make sure that he can cover his toes.

What do you do with the cut off pieces of t-shirts?

OK, back to work. The star is marinating right now so that I can catch up with some 'stuff'. Knight Bee is to be here tomorrow night, so have been doing some cleaning also. I will have to get the star off of the design wall in order to work on this t-shirt quilt so I may have to  work on both of them at the same time.


Let's Go To The Beach!!!!

The Saga Continues

Remember when I told you about Helen's idea that we make Lone Stars using half square triangles? That was when I started with this rendering on EQ5 so that I could tell where the particular colors went. So, that was about 10 days ago.

This is what I have up to this point. Inside the half square for the stars are all half square triangles. No need to make this easy. Might as well make it scrappy. I haven't added up the total number of half squares yet. The background of the star is also done in half square triangles--just larger and not pieced.

I think that I like the background like this. The other options would be to make it in : 1) solid squares 2) half square triangles in a 4 patch that finish 3", sorta like this idea, instead of the 6" that they finish now, 3) like I have it with 6" finished half squares, 4) or totally piece all of the big triangles just like I did the interior of the star. (I am not beyond doing that, but, I think that it would be a bit much)

This is actually turning into a fun project. However, I have only been making the units, not actually sewing this monster together. As I work on it I am thinking on doing that in quadrants. Also there lies the possibility of some machine applique in the background areas. Helen has suggested some large star flowers and lots of vine all around the star. I am not so sure about that. It has also been suggested that I wait until I get to that point and see what the quilt has to say about that.

Easter was beautiful. Good food, Grandchildren, some sewing, beautiful weather. It just doesn't get any better.

Have a good week. I have some bookwork to do then on to other things.

Don't forget to register for the 'Beach Trip'.

Also, have openings for 'Summer Fun Quilt Camp'

Let's Go to the BEACH

One Loose Thread would like to invite you to attend a 'Beach Retreat' November 3 - 6, 2011.  This will be a 'Sit and Sew' weekend. You will have plenty of time to complete those Christmas Presents and any other UFO's that have been aging for a while. Absolutely no structured schedule. You could even start a new project. No cooking required as all of our food will be prepared by the wonderful chef's at St. Christopher.

All of the information is listed on the 'Beach Trip' page of this blog. See the tabs at the top of this posting? Click on Beach Trip and you will immediately be taken to the information page.

This will be a fun and relaxing weekend. It will actually be the first time that the 'Frayed Knots' of 'One Loose Thread' have been able to sew in the same room together. I know that there will be hours of laughter and loads of fun for everyone.

If you are interested and have questions just leave me a comment or email me and I will get right back to you. If you want a registration form then email me and I will send it immediately. Everyone needs to register early so that rooms can be reserved. For that reason, I am asking that everyone contact me and get registration forms and deposits to me before May 21, 2011.

So, 'LET'S GO SEW AT THE BEACH!!!'

Helen's Lone Star

Last Thursday night we met for our monthly Design Group. One of our members:

 Who shall remain Nameless was so excited about a particular design, that she thought that we should all make one of these. She had seen a Lone Star top done all in half-square triangles. It would be fast!! It would be so easy!!! We could have them done in no time at all!!

Well, you know how some people make the simplest things so very difficult?

That would apply to many in this group. It, of course would NEVER apply to me. Yea, right.

I came home with an idea and started on it immediately. I pieced together the center of the star with the white and then the red. Then, I couldn't imagine how to continue the design out to the edges. Next Up!!! EQ5. (There is also a story about that too, but, it will have to wait.)

After 2, 3, or 4 hours with EQ I finally ended up with this 'mock-up' to work with. Nice isn't it?

Next came the question:  Do I really want a 100 x 100 inch quilt? Sure, why not?

Soooooo, this is what I have so far. Notice that I could not just do plain old half-square triangles, OH NOOOOO, I have to do half-squares in half-squares and USE SCRAPS. What in the world am I thinking?

So, this is what I have as of 3:20, Sunday, April 17, 2011. The clock is ticking. Let's see how long this UFO will hold my attention. So far I think this is really cool, but, but, but, but, but---------------. We'll see.   I think that the working title of this piece will be "Helen's Lone Star". That way, when I get frustrated with it, I can blame it on 'she who will remain nameless'. 

See you soon.

Latest Client Quilt

Preston's Quilt

This is the latest completion for a commission client. This was a fun quilt to do using old clothes and new 'buggy' fabric. It is for a little boy and will grow with him. The back is done in crayon fabric so there is a lot of color going on. The quilting was done in a puzzle pantograph with red/black thread and I used a cotton batting so it should 'wrinkle' up nicely after it is washed.

Other pictures are posted on the Customer Quilts page.

Hope you are having a good day.

Borders, Borders, and Borders

 Ok, Lets talk about this border. The interior of the quilt was done on foundation. You would think that it would be a simple matter to just 'slap' on the borders. It doesn't look like it. There was only 2 inches of difference in the borders in total, but, look what that 2 inches did to this top.


Now, look at the next picture.

Look at how flat this border is. True, it is a more narrow border, but, I will tell you that this is the most square quilt that I have ever quilted---my own included. There is not one 'wave' in this top.


So....... The moral of this story is:

Measure, Measure, Measure:    Take 3 measurements across your quilt top when adding borders. Find the average measurement and use that number to cut your borders. You will find that your quilt lies flatter and is more square than ever before.
This also makes it easier for your longarm quilter to add her beautiful work to your top.

OK, off of my soap box for now.