Oct-Nov-Dec Review

My 2010 Quilt Challenge is now complete... and here is my fourth and final instalment. It has been an enjoyable and rewarding year. Many things changed as I followed through with the  plan to discover what new quilting techniques would inspire me to complete each project.

Take another look at these projects from the last three months:

--Quilting Books on Review--

Several main goals maintained for this challenge were...

· EXPLORING the books in my own library and public library for this last session.
· USING fabrics I already own, with only a few exceptions, as I bought some new fabrics at a yard sale.
· CREATING small projects to test out these new techniques is still my favorite way to test out new ways.


OCTOBER 2010

Circles of the East

Kumiko Sudo
Peony

Book Project (on left) / My Quilt (on right)

Remembering back... I really had a difficult time choosing one project from this book. What I finally did was put all the project names in a bowl and had my son pick one out for me. This one was one of my favorites and it ends up being the first project in the book.

I do like applique and this project was fun to create. Since I didn't have any oriental fabrics, I choice ones that would give it that feel... especially choosing fabrics that one may not have considered working in this design. It is always good to try different fabrics and see how pleasing they can actually be when the project is complete.

The project was 14" x 14" in the book. Mine turned out being 14 1/2" by 14 1/2". If one desired to make a larger quilt from these designs; they could be put together with sashing. It would, in my opinion, be a very interesting quilt all done up with flowers.

Bonnet Girls

Helen R. Scott

Maureen

Book Project (on left) / My Quilt (on right)

When I first began to work on my website for these book titles, this was one that I really admired. It was not in my personal library; however, I did find it in the public library, this fall. So, I was happy to give this one a try. I chose Maureen, with her delightful little dog and beautiful dress.

At the time, I had just bought the dress fabric and found it perfect for this application. I've always loved these long, flowing dresses. So, this project was fun to create. The added embellishments were from my scraps I already had in my supplies. The little dog was made with a white, sateen fabric and the black patches created with embroidery stitches.

The project from the book was shown just as it is on the book's cover with no dimensions or quilt layout. I copied the pattern from the book, and now I don't remember if I had enlarged it or left it the same. But I decided to add the borders and make it look like a framed picture.

My finished dimensions were 16 1/2" x 20 1/4". I certainly would try some more designs from this book, when I find the time to borrow it again. The patterns in the book were very versatile and one could create some very unique pictures.

NOVEMBER 2010

The Complete Guide to Quilting Techniques

Pauline Brown

Folk-Art Applique Table Center

Book Project (on left) / My Quilt (on right)

I found this book in the library. It has a large variety of techniques and applications. When I turned to this page, I was intrigued with the prairie points and decided it would be the perfect project to complete my challenge.

I had done individual double-fold prairie points, but had not heard of continuous prairie points. Along, with this technique, I also was able to use three different applique methods, as well.

These included:

1. Fusible-Web Method (p168) using Lite Steam-A-Seam 2
2. Reverse Appliqué – (p178) where a seam allowance is cut inside an appliqué shape that is marked on a top layer of fabric.
3. Iron-on interfacing used as a foundation fabric ( great for crazy quilt, appliqués, and selvage blocks)

This was a fun project, and the first one that I have ever made that was completely round. My finished project has a 20" diameter.

MY GOAL REACHED

Originally, my goal was to make a new block each week and then create a variety of projects from those blocks. However after I made my first one, it changed to a goal of creating 20 complete projects over the course of the year.

After several changes to our schedule and a major move; I had a new opportunity to go back to college in September, and my quilting time was altered drastically. And, finding out how little time or desire I had to quilt, I finally decided that 18 projects would be my final total.  With this, I felt I had done enough and am happy to end my quilting technique challenge for 2010!!

Thanks for stopping in to visit, leave comments, and truly keep me inspired to take this quilt journey.  Wishing you the best for this holiday season and into the New Year ahead!!

Happy Quilting!!

Bonnet Girls

Book:
Bonnet Girls/ Helen R. Scott

Time to reveal my next project... I chose “Maureen” on page 68.

Book, Fabrics

I found this book during my online search for appropriate quilting techniques to fill the A-Z topics on my website. And, was happy to borrow it from the library system this fall. I am pleased to share with you the one I created from the book.

I find this style of dress so appealing. I know they probably weren't very easy to launder and keep clean back in those days when women wore them. But, it was certainly fun to create one for this quilt.

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

After choosing my fabrics, cutting out the applique pieces, and deciding on the embellishment features; it was time to assemble the pattern.

I attached the applique pieces using the fusible web method and using the buttonhole stitch to sew around all the edges. Any places where straight lines were needed, I used the straight stitch on the machine to create the folds in the dress skirt and underskirt. I found a scrap piece of narrow lace that was just the right length for the bottom of the dress.

Assembly of Pieces

Embellishments added to the design were hemming lace for the scarf and belt; a flower for the hat, and lace for the bottom of the dress. The stitching adds the rest of the details.

Top of Design

Close-up of the Hat

Close-up of the Scarf

I didn't have any fabric that would work for the dog, so I used a white sateen. Then.. I added a machine zigzag stitch around the edges and added hand embroidery stitches to make the spots, face, and gold chain.

Bottom of Design

Close-up of the Underskirt

Binding and Mock Piping

Close-up of the Dog and the Quilting

I really enjoyed making this quilt and would be interested in checking out more of the designs in the book. I only used one pattern, but the designs lend themselves well to incorporate several into a larger center block. Or, one could make several small blocks and add them into one quilt with sashing and extra borders.

My Quilt

Finished size: 16 1/2" x 20 1/4"

Enjoy your stitching time... and try to relax as you plan your activities for the upcoming festive season!!  I see it better to think in terms of "less is more" then overtasking your resources and energy to do it all.

Organizing Fabric

How do you organize your quilting fabrics?

Every task is easier when the items we require for a project are readily available as we need them.

Sometimes that isn’t always possible, but when it is we should really plan out our work space to make the best use of our time where we can sit down and stitch for a few minutes to all day.

I was able to purchase a buffet and hutch, last year, that I loved using for my fabrics and supplies. It being the first time I had ever owned such a fine piece of furniture, it really looked good filled with fabrics.

That was then…

Of course, most people have it in their dining room filled with fine china and an assortment of dishes that may not get used very often, but it is a great place to display them.

Sadly, mine is now used in the kitchen for dishes, cups, and other stuff that doesn’t fit into the cabinets. Because there are so few upper cabinets it really was necessary.

However... when I think about it, it is much better then storing kitchen stuff in boxes. That is probably much worse then storing fabrics in boxes.  Or is it?

This is now…

 

Sometimes… we get a whole room for our quilting and then at other times that space needs to be shared within another room.

So, here I have replaced the hutch and buffet with a cabinet that still can hold my fabrics. I do miss the drawers but it is right next to my cutting table and that works good, too!

I don’t have as much time to sew at the present time, but when the workspace is tidy… a few minutes here and there still adds up to some fine quilting time!!

So what am I waiting for!!  Enjoy those moments of creative bliss…

Next week…

SEVENTEENTH PROJECT - OCTOBER 2010:

My seventeenth project will be shared next week...
Bonnet Girls/ Helen R. Scott











More Book Titles...
If you wish to see more quilting books you can check out my website for more details. Those books reviewed are listed on the "featured" page.