I had quite a bit of time in the sewing room early in the week but later in the week, not so much. Kayla came home for a visit over the weekend so sewing time turned into cross-stitching time.
What I spent the most time on was this…
I told you last week that I had a deadline project that will be published in an upcoming issue of Quilts and More. They contacted me asked if we had anything they might be interested in.
In general, Quilts and More does more small projects or easier projects. I ended up sitting down at the computer with EQ and came up with a design we liked. It uses one layer cake and here’s the best news- one layer cake can make both a quilt and a matching doll quilt…and the magazine will be featuring both!
I power sewed the two quilts and in 12 hours, I had both of the quilts completely made into tops. That surprised the heck out of me. I couldn’t believe it only took 12 hours to make a quilt and a doll-sized quilt in only 12 hours from the very start to finished tops. I does help when the cutting is simplified by using a precut. I’m anxious to show you the quilts but sadly, that is going to have to wait for a bit.
The quilt tops are now with my friend Carla of Longarm Quilting Inspirations. She is going to work her magic on these and then get them back to me. In the meantime, I’ll get some binding strips together. I’m hoping she has the tops back to me in early March. I’ll bind them and then get them off to the magazine.
I worked some more on this…
You might remember that I am making string pieced sashing for this quilt I designed.
This has been slow going. I continue to sew a few more each week but I need a pretty big pile of them and for some reason, string piecing is not a fast process for me.
After I get done writing today’s blog posts, I’m heading upstairs to figure out how to put the “X” cornerstone blocks together.
I designed this in EQ and EQ can be great. There is a button to push after the quilt is designed that lets me know the fabric requirements. There is another that lets me know the cutting instructions for a block. The problem is it doesn’t do EVERY cut. For example, weird cuts like the diagonal of the “X” cornerstone block, it doesn’t tell me. SO…I used the option to print out the block full-scale size. From there I will take the measurements and figure it out.
It will take a little bit of putzing but it’s totally doable.
I’ve been doing a little experimenting. I’ve been making some pincushions. I’ve been having the best time doing it. In fact, I’m working on a tutorial for you all.
These were just the beginning. Watch for a tutorial to come out on Saturday. I will reveal all then. Trust me, they get MUCH cuter than this!!
I just long for extra time in the sewing room to actually have time to play and design. Because of that, once childcare starts again on February 21st, I made the decision to not work on Fridays anymore.
Since I’ve been off from childcare, even though I haven’t felt top-notch, I’ve loved the extra freedom and casualness of the days. I feel without the long list of to-dos that come with doing childcare, I’ve been able to be more creative. Oh, I love that feeling.
Best of all…I feel like I can actually act on some of those creative ideas. Thus, the pincushion idea.
That’s the latest. Although I was busy in the sewing room, sadly there is not a lot I can share with you. It happens that some weeks are like that. I will reveal more as time allows. Thanks for being so understanding.
I sent you a message about pins from a program I did at guild last year. Made lots of cute pincushions and gave them away.
The pin cushion are super cute and I look forward to seeing how you jazz them up. I need a retreat gift and this might fit the bill. I’m glad you got some stitching in and also some time with Kayla stitching, lol You will love having that extra day to yourself and let the creative juices flow.
You do so many great things, Jo! Time to clean that black 15-91, you’ve obviously been so busy using it.
I can’t wait to see how you make the pin cushions! Off subject, I started the Floral Motif Sampler and of course the first motif had white in the center, which doesn’t show up on my fabric and seem to remember you had the same problem. Can you tell me what you used instead for it to show? I tried to find it but didn’t see my answer.
Chablis is the color by Weeks Dye Works that I used. It’s a light pink. Later on as you keep stitching, it blends wonderfully in other spots where it is paired with a darker pink or orangie color. I loved it.
The pin cushions are adorable. Hope you are soon feeling great again.
Love the pincushions! I can’t wait until Saturday!
I can hardly wait to see the quilts you made for Quilt and More. Also, I’m looking forward to Saturday and your tutorial making pin cushions. I like making pin cushions and have a few in a basket waiting for homes. Always fun to make more!!
Can you print paper foundation patterns of your X block?
I probably could but my style is piece the quilt blocks if at all possible.
Those pin cushions are adorable, so I can’t imagine them getting cuter, Jo! Looking forward to Saturday’s post…
The pin cushions look to be fun. Last year there was a 1st birthday in the family towards the end of the month. I didn’t have a way to buy a present (last minute notification) so I thought hard about what I could do I made a 10″ ball in primary colors and had fun with it. When the birthday boy saw the ball he wouldn’t let it go to open the rest of his presents. You never know what a handmade gift will mean to a person. Your pin cushions fall in that catagory.
Oh my gosh! Just started a new quilting class. As the teacher I always give students a little present and you just made my choice easiy.. I am going to make these adorable pincushions. Can not wait to see the pattern and tute. Thanks for brightening my day.
Jo, along these lines, I would like to request of your followers a suggestion for a sewn gift for men and women to gift to those who work so hard at the Assisted Living facility where I reside. This last Christmas was my first here and I made everyone infinity scarves from fleece and they were a REAL HIT! Probably 90% of the employees are female. Of course I can make two different things but am mainly looking for a fun “Thank You” that’s not too expensive or time-consuming as I will need 100 total. I’ll keep a look out f or the comments, and Thanks from a faithful blog reader of many years now.