You remember that I was sick last weekend. It ended up leaking into Monday so even though I was scheduled to have Kalissa and Kelli’s kiddos here, I ended up having Monday off.
I had spent too much time on the couch and was out of patience for couch time so I decided to head to the sewing room, under the weather or not.
I started out doing some simple things…Making a backing for my Red Diamond Crumb Quilt was on the top of the list.
I’ve had this orange and teal fabric forever. I bought it some time ago thinking the orange was red. I bought it online and the coloring in the photo was bad. I couldn’t use it on the intended quilt. I never make orange quilts so when would I use it??
Happily one of the advantages of making a quilt like this…
is that anything can work for a backing. I thought this quilt was my best chance to use up that orange and teal fabric. Sadly I only had six yards so I have to do some piecing. I had some leftovers from the top so they made their way into the backing too. I’ll show it all to you once the quilt is finished.
After that, I made …a pillow for Gannon just like the pillow I made for Carver using a men’s shirt.
You can find the tutorial to make a pillow from a shirt HERE.
I’ve been collecting things for Gannon’s preschool quilt and pillow. I don’t need this all to be done until August when he goes to school but every little thing I can do now will be appreciated then. I had been watching the thrift store for a red and blue shirt. I’m making him a quilt using a Case tractor panel. It will have his name on it too.
Other good news, on one of my last thrifting trips I found the red flannel fabric. This is going to be the backing. There are 3 1/2 yards so plenty for his quilt and it was only $3. I was super happy with that.
From there I decided I would start longarming my Garlic Knots quilt that was on the frame. True confession here…Longarming is my least favorite part of quilting. I put it off all of the time. I purposely load a quilt as soon as I get one done so if ever the mood should strick to want to longarm something, it’s ready to go.
This day, the deal I made with myself was that I would use up two bobbin’s worth of thread OR do enough so one row of machine quilting was done.
I figured that would make my life easier the next day when it was time to tackle that quilt. Well, one thing lead to another and being I was feeling equally crappy if I was standing at the machine, or sitting on the couch, I decided to just keep going…
…and…I finished the longarming. I did a simple stipple. That’s really my go-to with a busy quilt. It’s a quilting motif that is the least busy and intrusive so I just go with it. That way the design and color of the quilt can take the spotlight rather than the quilting motif fighting for attention too.
So that left space for another quilt top to get loaded…
There is no lack of quilt tops here. I probably should have put my double wedding ring quilt on the frame but instead, I put my red diamond crumb quilt. I needed something easy that didn’t require a lot of concentration as right now…I’m looking for quick finishes!!
I didn’t stick with that though…remember working at the longarm is my least favorite and having finishes is my very favorite…so, I decided to bind my Garlic Knots quilt so I could check that off as a finish!!
In the past, I haven’t used sewing clips, just pins. I have sewing clips but aside from clipping things together for organization, I haven’t used them much. I was talking to Kayla the other day and she was singing the praises of these clips. So I decided maybe it was time for me to give them more of a try. I did and loved them. THIS is the set that I have.
That was done in no time at all…next I decided to fix a glider protector for my swing set.
I used THIS pet screen. It was $19 but there is enough to fix it several more times. It’s the same stuff that is used in bag-making.
You can see my old screen…completely shot.
Here is the new screen I made. I really wanted green colored but could not find it at all. So I finally gave in a got black. It’s not my favorite color but at least there is protection there for the kids.
I ended up finishing the long arming on this quilt. I am absolutely happy with how this quilt turned out. WHOOT! WHOOT!!
Rosie was up for a little modeling work so here she is showing it off.
I am so happy with the quilt. I can’t wait to get it bound and ready to show off to you.
Oh, it’s such a happy quilt.
I also pulled out my Hawaiian Sunset quilt. I did a little counting to see where I was at. I’ve barely started. Next up I need to make 600 flying geese. YEP, you read that right. 600 flying geese. This one won’t be a fast-finish UFO for sure. But, I’m thrilled I pulled it out again and if I don’t pull it out, it will never get finished.
That’s about what happened this week in the sewing room. I had a busy week with the garden and had a chunk of the grandkids here…plus early in the week I was sick…oh, and I painted Karl’s dining room. WOW…I guess considering all of that, I actually got a lot done!!
If you missed it, I showed off these two over the weekend. You can read about them HERE.
Check-in later in the week because I’ll be taking pictures of my Garlic Knots quilt and will get a blog post written up about it.
I’m so excited that this UFO push is really starting to pay off!! Hmm. What else can I work on??
Gosh Jo, you achieved loads this week! Love the red diamond crumb quilt.
Wow you got so much done! I have 3 days of a stomach virus last week and now it seems to be back. I love your quilts and Rosie is just adorable. Hugs,
Good Morning, you’re halfway to your planned on goal of 12 finishes by July. Great going, considering you were sick too. It does help to keep yourself busy as you can when feeling rotten. I found that out quite awhile ago.
I’m making Turkey Tracks and you know how many flying geese there is in that. When I get to sew I try to make 20 per sewing session before I move on to the project of the day. Knowing you, you’ll have them done before you know it.
Re: Orange. A friend gave me a wonderful book for Christmas, “Laundry Love: Finding Joy in a Common Chore,” by Patric Richardson and Karin B. Miller. The author owns a boutique women’s clothing store, Mona WIlliams, in Mall of America in Minneapolis. Somehow he started giving free community workshops he calls Laundry Boot Camp and this book covers everything from environmentally friendly products and practices to stain removal, clothes line techniques, family recipes from Kentucky, and wardrobe advice. One of his first tenets is this: Orange is a neutral. I had never thought of it that way but I now pair orange blouses with jeans and funky jewelry and getting lots of compliments. I have learned a new trick: Orange really does go with almost everything.
Oh my goodness…I’m tired just reading what you accomplished…even when you are not feeling well! You are truly a driven woman! Hope you’re back to feeling well soon…can’t imagine what you will get finished when you are feeling good!!
Rosie is so darn cute sitting on the crumb quilt, and I look forward to seeing the progress you make on the Hawaiian Sunset flying geese, all 600 of them! Yikes!! Glad you are feeling better and its nice to hear that Karl is making progress with his home.
Great finishes! I just finished a Pat Alone QAL. Still have other UFOs. But I like it that way I guess
Wow, Jo!! All that on a SICK DAY? You are SEW amazing!
Finishes are good, and yours are divine. Love “kitchen sink” variety quilts. Finishing work while you are recovering is good for you, time wasn’t just lost forever.
I wish I had your ambition. I don’t get as much done as you do when I’m feeling good. Love all your quilts. Rosie is so cute! I love her begging pictures.
Years ago I saw your post about the Hawaiian Sunset quilt and I spent one year looking for the pattern on eBay. It has been in my to do’s pile for years. I’m going to have to pull it out and follow along.
Jo, I’ve been wondering how Karl’s house is coming along. Could you possibly do an update?
I started following your blog right after you bought your house and I loved watching the house take shape. It was most amazing.
Loved seeing what you finished! I can’t imagine why you would say you didn’t get much done! I think you are a whirlwind! And you were sick on top of that! I’d love to see a update of Karl’s house too. I e wondered how that was coming along.
Hi Jo,
This has nothing to do with quilting, but rather your yard sauce. Lucky for me, I saw your recipe for yard sauce while I was canning marinara sauce. Your recipe was a godsend! So easy, but the tastiest ever. I still have frozen sauce that we have once a week. Can’t wait for tomato crop to come in this summer for more yard sauce. Thanks again for a great recipe.
So much accomplished and you didn’t feel well! I absolutely love your Garlic Knot quilt. It is beautiful!! I really like the border – all so colorful. Rosie is such a good model/poser! Cute dog.
Wow, you were super productive! Love the Hawaiian Sunset pattern. Are you able to share where this can be purchased? Would love to add it to my library of WIPS.
Thank you!
Here is a link to purchase the magazine. https://www.quiltingdaily.com/product/quilters-newsletter-february-march-2010-digital-edition/