Quilting my Tiny Town appliqué quilt

I've decided not to wait until it is all done, to share this quilt with you all.  There are going to be a bunch of close up pictures of the blocks on this quilt, so I will need to break it up into two separate posts.  Here is a refresher on what quilt I am quilting.  This is Tiny Town.  It is all appliqué.

Just know that this is only the first pass.  What I am doing first is securing the layers by quilting the edges and the blocks all in the ditch.   Then before advancing, I am quilting the backgrounds.  I will be going back to do a second pass, to quilt the actual appliqué pieces and the borders on my way back up.

This is one of the beginning blocks.  This one I didn't quite get the shadows right, to show off the quilting, but you will see a corner of this block in the next picture, for a closer look.  You can also enlarge the picture to get a better look at how I stitched it.  

I am trying to come up with quilting motifs that use the fabric's designs to direct where and what the quilting will be.  In the above block, I followed the lines and did a boxed zig zag in the background, with the two side strip's lines to follow the stripes.  In the block below, I used the dots, or should I say the space between the dots to make a cross hatch, without having to mark my lines.  There are nine dots per full block.  Then for the second half of the block, I just did a squiggly line between the squiggly motif of the fabric. 

For this next block, I decided to also use the dots to direct where I was going to quilt.  These dots are further apart, so it looks like I've made rows.  I picked a centre point and quilted lines in a chevron from all four sides, meeting but not touching at the centre point.  Though the house in the block hides the path a bit.  I thought it looked cute, and different from what I've done so far.

As you can see, each of these backgrounds are different and they are each quilted differently.  I have more different backgrounds and they are all spread out across the quilt.  I plan on using the same quilting design for each of the blocks with the same background.  This way it will be equally distributed across the quilt.

I've already completed three "rows", though they are not technically "rows".  Blocks are assembled in sections and some sections are higher or lower then others.  I have approximately two more "rows" to do, to finish the ditch and background quilting.

I am liking how it is turning out so far and I am actually having fun doing it.  I just have to do it in blocks of time, as it's a bit more intense quilting.  Most of these lines are only 1/2" apart.  That's why it is taking sooooo long!

Take care everyone.

Just touching base

I can't believe it is already the end of the day Wednesday!  Where did the time go.  Monday was a running around evening after work, taking care of household stuff.  Tuesday my daughter was here so I spent some time with her, as we made dinner and such, and today we are now Wednesday.  Already!!

Sometimes, try as you might, but nothing gets done.  This week is shaping up to be one of them.  On Sunday evening, before heading up, to reading a book I got for Christmas, I did manager to get my required block for the Rhododendron quilt, plus an extra one and the Omigosh quilt block, plus and extra one.  These are up to date and I'm hoping to get them done a bit sooner.

Saturday and Sunday I was doing some custom quilting on my large wall hanging.  The appliqué one that I started back in Jan/2015.  It was a BOM so I finished the top on Nov 22/2015, called Finished my Tiny Town quilt top, if you want to read more about it.  I'll share more progress on the quilting with you when I have it done.  Likely won't get to it again until the weekend.

Just giving you a heads up.  My posts may be shorter or more sporadic for a bit.  I am trying to get into the rhythm of things, as my work load increases, things at home are needing a bit more attention, and I find I need a bit more down time.  Balance.....remember?  I am trying to figure it all out.  Plus, I don't want to bore you all with the same few "required" blocks.

I'll try to vary it up some, but stuff like custom quilting, takes a lot of time, so while I am doing that, there's not much I can share on the blog.

Take care everyone.

A NICU Snowball block quilt

I woke up one morning with a brain storm!  I wanted to try a new technique.  When I want to do a new technique, I often choose to do it in a small project, like this NICU quilt.  I am always looking for new ways to use up my scraps.  Strings are what I have the most of.  So, you may be seeing more string quilts in the future, as I try to use up the colours of stings that I have the most of.  Hence the burgundy and sand quilt that I just started.  

This quilt is using my red and pink strings.  This is the first block.  Note that this is the picture that shows the truest colours.  This is a version of a snowball block that is made up into large squares, as apposed to the traditional snowball block that I wrote about back on Aug 12/2017, called Finished the Beach ball quilt.  I like this version better as the curves are not as round and easier to sew.

I worked on this quilt throughout the day, between other household stuff and finally loaded the quilt on the longarm, sometime around 4:00 pm.  I quilted this using a pantograph called Painted Daisies.  Now all I have to do is trim the quilt and bind it.  I'll do that soon, as the binding fabric is already out.

This was my inspiration.  I friend of mine made a large quilt, from this pattern, which turned out beautiful!!  I thought it was very affective.  I on the other hand, have sooooo many quilts I want to make and not enough time to make them, that I have to stick to making some in smaller versions....lol.

This is not a new technique, just a retake on a traditional pattern, so you can find this pattern from many different sources, however if you are in Canada, you may find it less expensive from this source:

https://scrappygalquiltco.wordpress.com/string-snowball-quilts/.  

What's great about this specific pattern is that it includes the rulers you will need to achieve all the curved cuts, without having to make a cardboard template.  And the size of the block is also a nice feature.  Not too small or too big.

Take care everyone.

This weeks required blocks, new list

Let's start off the year right, shall we!  The date is January 1st/2026.  The start of a new year.  I read a comment sent from a friend which said, 365 new days, 365 new chances.  It sounds so positive.  It's true.  Each day we have new possibilities.  Wishing everyone an amazing year!

Let me share with all of you, my required blocks.  Keep in mind that this can change at any time, as this is a self imposed target based on my wishes to finish these quilts sometime this year.  I'm going to try hard to stick to this list, but won't be too hard on myself, if I decide to change it up some.  In my viewpoint, so long as progress is being made, I am happy!

Here is the new list of required blocks for 2026:

On this list I have, Deb's Quilt (2 blocks per week), Alex's Quilt (1 block per month),  Smith Mountain (4 blocks per week), Temperature Quilt (1 block per month), Rhododendron Trail Quilt (1 block per week), 30s Omigosh Quilt (1 block per week) and lastly Welcome to the North Pole (1 block per month).  As you can see from the list four of these quilts are estimated to be completed by the end of July/2026.

I took care of making the two easier blocks first with 1-Rhododendron Trail Quilt block and 1-30s Omigosh Quilt block.  I already have all the units made for both of these quilts.  All I have to do is assemble the blocks.  The first block in the picture below is the Rhododendron Trail block, which I have 17 blocks left to do.  The second block is the 30s Omigosh block, which I have 26 blocks left to do.  Two blocks done and two checkmarks!!

Once these were done, I moved on to the next two blocks.  These were for Deb's Quilt.  The blocks are part of the Sea Swept quilt, and this particular block is called Snails Trail.  I have 57 blocks left to do, to complete all the units for this quilt.  Two more blocks done and two more checkmarks!!

I was on a roll, so I didn't stop there.  Next up were the Smith Mountain Morning blocks.  I am trying to finish this quilt by the last guild meeting of 2026, which is in June.  That is why I have this one listed as requiring four blocks per week.  I have 85 blocks left to do, to complete all the units for this quilt.  Four blocks done and four checkmarks!!  Whoohoo!

What's left......  One, I have Alex's Quilt (1 block per month).  This quilt is all hand appliqué.  It is going to take time to do these blocks.  I am hoping that one a month is not too much.  When you see the other stuff that is still left to do, you may question how I am going to do them all......I question myself too....lol.  You can't achieve anything if you don't set the goal.  So I set the goal and I am going to make a good effort to achieve it, baring life getting in the way....lol. 

Two, Temperature Quilt (1 block per month).  This is a paper piece block that is then appliquéd to the background.  I am going to start this in February, as I have January's block already complete.

Three, Welcome to the North Pole (1 block per month).  This quilt is also all hand appliqué.  It too is going to take time to do these blocks.  I've come up with a plan for this quilt and completing it in sections that can then be put together in a quilt-as-you go method.   To be honest though, I am not worried if I don't get to these blocks each month.  If I run out of time and have to cut corners, it will be to delay making this block.

This year is going to all be about "balance".  My sentence goes like this, "Balance in life will be the trick in 2026".  I am striving for balance in all aspects of my life, from spending time with family and friends, my health, meal planning/prepping, work, slowing down to smell the roses, as the saying goes, with better sleep, exercise, mindfulness, and all the things one needs to do, to live a happy, healthful life.  It's a tall order, but one that I have been working on for the past year and a half already.  I am just taking the time to expand in different areas of my life, with intention.  I have to keep my eyes on the ball.  In this case, for now it will be to practice balance.  

No stressing, just do what I can, when I can.

Take care everyone.  Don't forget to take some time for yourself.  It's important!!

Burgundy and sand coloured quilt

When I made the two blocks for this quilt, I got the itch to continue sewing it!  The blocks are looking really nice.  Other than the cutting of scraps, which takes a bit longer then cutting yardage, the units themselves are going together easily.

Since I was playing in the burgundy scraps and knew the sizes I needed, I proceeded to cut out the triangles I needed for all the burgundy hourglass units.  After sewing them together, I then cut out all the burgundy squares I needed for the nine patches.  All the rest of the burgundy units will be coming from strings.  These two units are for the alternating blocks.  I need 18 of the alternating blocks.

I also made some headway on the straight string units to go with the units above.  I won't be able to make the blocks just yet, until I cut out all the sand colour squares that run down the centre of the nine patches.  There is some progress happening though, so that makes me happy.

Thursday/New Years day, my daughter came down to my sewing space to hang out and draw some more of her embroidery designs for the Snow Day quilt she is working on.  While she did that, I made more of the above sting units.  I needed a total of 68 (four are already in a block).  I've put all of this aside for a bit, as I needed to get started on this weeks required blocks.  More on those in another post.

Take care everyone.

New quilt for a new year!

This was a planned new quilt with a friend and my mom.  Mine is going to be burgundy and sand colour.  My friend and my mom will both be doing theirs in blues.  We were all going to start this quilt in Jan/2026, when we get together monthly to sew.  I started a block between Christmas and New Years, as the size of the units were bothering me.  

I needed to know for sure it was going to work, before the other two went ahead and started making units.  I am glad that I did, as the nine patch units would have all been too big for the rest of the units.  And as the nine patch unit has to be divisible by three, I had to reconsider the sizes of all the other units, to avoid having to cut ridiculous sizes. 

Above is the main block.  An eight point star, with an hourglass unit for the centre, diagonal strings for the corners and straight strings between the star points.  The background in this case will be the burgundy with highlights of sand/beige.

Then we have the second alternating block.  This also has an hourglass unit for the centre, nine patches for the corners, and straight strings for the rest of the units.

I first posted about this quilt on August 9th, called Burgundy scrap quilt, if you want to read more about it.  In that post, I have a picture of the full quilt, that I printed up using EQ.  I'm hoping this quilt will make a dent in my burgundy and sand scraps.  Two colours that I don't often use.

Take care everyone.  Hope you all had a great time celebrating and bringing in the New Year!!

I started a wool appliqué quilt called Of a Feather

I was sitting here reviewing some of the drafts I had, sitting in my folders and noted that I never did post anything about this quilt.  It was just before my life was in an upheaval, so I understand why.  I am writing this ahead of time to post on January 1st, as I doubt I will be up early after a long night, bringing in the new year.  Happy New Years everyone!!!  May this year bring you plenty of happiness and prosperity!

We, as in Halton Hills Quilters' Guild, had a speaker by the name of Sharon Fisher of Gardening Mum Quilts on Oct/2023.  Her trunk show was absolutely breathe taking.  She did many things, but primarily wool appliqué.  She does a lot of Sue Fargo patterns with loads of embroidery.  Sharon does do private workshops or group classes, and classes through the Creekbank Sewing Centre too.

I signed up for a class called Of a Feather.  This class started in March/2024 the 3rd Saturday of every month, for 9 months.  Or was that 10 months?  I can't quite remember.  This is the pattern book we had to purchase.  It's not my usual type of quilt or even the subject matter, and the in your face loud colours, but I really wanted to learn how to do all those fancy embroidery stitches.

As well as the book, you could use your own fabrics and wool, plus all of the embroidery floss/threads that you needed, or you could purchase a basic kit.  The basic kit contained all the background wool, the wool for all the appliqué, the black on white cotton used on the background and the various cotton colours used in some of the blocks.  

On top of all of that, you could also purchase kits with the rick rack, kits with the embroidery threads and kits with specialty threads for certain blocks.  Let me just tell you that it was extensive!  I've never invested this much into a quilt before......and hope not to have to in the future either.....lol.

Here is a close up of the first block.  Do you see the intense amount of embroidery on the wool appliqué?  Tons of knots on the berries and fancy stitches on the bird.  Many that I've never done before.

Come Sunday, the next day, I had the black on white cotton shapes all attached to the background.  The rick rack was also attached and I was just getting started on the wool appliqué.

By April 13/2024, all of the wool applique and cotton overlay were finished.  Yeah!!  I had it all done and ready to go to class on the 3rd Saturday of April.  If you compare my block here with the completed one above, you'll see how much of a drastic difference there is, when it gets completely finished.

We were instructed in the first class to have some extra wool on hand to learn and practice all the various stitches.  These are the wool practice blocks I made for all the fancy stitches.  I am going to use them like a sampler, for the various stitches.  I made one practice block per bird block.

In the end, I didn't make it to the class again.  That is when my life became an upheaval.  I have since though, met up with Sharon at Creek Bank Sewing Centre, when they were having a customer quilt show, from all the classes that were taken at the store.  

It was so nice to see her again.  She mentioned that if I needed anything to move forward with the quilt, she would be there for me.  I thought that was nice of her.  She also said that they have meetings every Thursday, for people who may want to come to do some sewing or get help with various stages, and that I was more then welcome to attend.

I may take her up on it at some point, but for now, I am concentrating on dwindling my Works in Progress list first, before I get into Of a Feather.  I may even attempt to do all the appliqué parts first, as I am pretty verse in doing that part, and then seek her help with the fancy stitches.  I also have Sue Spargo's embroidery book of stitches, that I can check out, to try on my own too.

Take care everyone.  This year I challenge you to try a new technique!  Whatever hits your fancy.