To-Do Tuesday 9/28/2021

Another Tuesday? How can it be Tuesday again already?! The weeks sure do go by quickly. It's time to see how I did with last week's to-do list. then come up with a new list for the week ahead. The Tuesday To-Do List link-up is hosted by Linda at Texas Quilt Gal.

I got through more of my list than expected last week, so I'm taking that as a success!

To-Do List for 9/21 - 9/27

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day  ✔done

I finished my Bowtie blocks a little early this month, finishing the last batch for my total of 30 blocks in September. You can see them all in Saturday's post, or there's a different layout of them in Sunday's post.

2. Hearts Applique--make at least one block  not done

3. Sew Colorful Stars--make orange block  not done

4. Volcano 9-Patch--take photos, write blog post  ✔done

You can see the finished quilt in this post.

5. Scrooge coat--make progress   ✔done and ready to fit

I've been including this Scrooge coat on my to-do list for several weeks. I think it's finally time to show what I've been talking about.

For over 40 years, I worked in theater making costumes, up until my retirement in 2020. My most recent employer, the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta stages a production of A Christmas Carol every year. They had been planning to mount a new version of the show in 2020--new script, new casting, new sets and costumes. Of course, that didn't happen, so the new production was postponed until this year. 

Over the years, I made all sorts of costumes, both men's and women's. One of my specialties became tailoring. I was asked to make a coat for Scrooge in the new Christmas Carol, and that is what I have been working on lately. It is finally all together and ready for one last fitting. Unfortunately, it is very hard to see any details in my photos of this black wool coat, but here it is! The large white stitches on the front are just basting that is holding the layers together.

Scrooge coat--front

Scrooge coat--back

6. Denim shirt--finish   ✔done?

Instead of completing the denim shirt that I showed last week, I cut out and stitched another shirt. It is a blue stripe, and I finished it yesterday!

7. RWB Rectangles--cut pieces for more blocks

I cut pieces for many more blocks, and I got 10 blue blocks stitched. You can see them in yesterday's post.

To-Do List for 9/28 - 10/4

I know that the next week is going to be a busy one, so I'm shortening the list to a more reasonable number of goals.

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day

2. Hearts Applique--make at least one block

3. RWB Rectangles--make more blocks

I'll report on my progress and post a new set of goals next Tuesday. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Texas Quilt Gal.

Julie in GA  

Design Wall Monday 9/27/2021

Most of my stitching time over the last week has been spent on garment sewing, but I also made some progress on my newest project, the Red, White & Blue Rectangles quilt. You can read more about the beginning of this quilt in last week's post.

I made 10  blue blocks last week and have the pieces cut for 7 more. 

I've also started cutting pieces for more red blocks. Here are light rectangles for 17 blocks, sets of red pieces for 7 blocks, and the strips across the top are options for the remaining sets of red. I will probably dig through my stash a bit to see if there are any other favorite red fabrics I want to include.

Check out what other quilters are working on this week:

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA 

Stitching and DeStashing--Week 39, 2021

My stash report includes a small change, 1 yard used for the week and no new additions. My usage was 3/8 yard for the binding on the Volcano 9Patch quilt (see it HERE) plus 5/8 yard for 30 orange bowtie blocks. I've been having fun playing with other layouts of those blocks (you can see a different layout in yesterday's post.) 

2021 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                            1.00 yards

Used year to date:                   147.125 yards

Added last week:                            0.0 yards

Added year to date:                   101.50 yards

Net used year to date            45.625 yards

Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces has us tracking how many days each week we get in at least 15 minutes of quilting stitching time. I had one day last week with no quilting, but I did spend some time working on garment sewing. After rereading Kate's original post about the 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge, I realized that any type of stitching (sewing, knitting, embroidery, etc.) counts, not just quilting projects. I updated my totals and am back at having missed only two days all year.

15 Minute Challenge for 2021: 

9/19 - 9/25               7 of 7 days

2021 Total          266 of 268 days

Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch challenge at Life in Pieces. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Scrappy Rainbow Saturday--Week 39, 2021

The end of September is approaching much too quickly, and I still need to finish making my blocks for one or two of my Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects. I did manage to finish my orange bowtie blocks today.

I ended up with 30 bowtie blocks, ranging from yellow-orange to dark rust. 

Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge every Saturday and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday.

Julie in GA

Volcano Nine-Patch Quilt is Finished!

The quilting on my Volcano Nine-Patch quilt was completed almost two weeks ago, but we have had so many grey, rainy days that it has been difficult to get outside for photos. The weather has finally cleared, and it's time to share my most recent finish!

Volcano Nine-Patch

42.25" x 52.75" after washing

This quilt started from a Zip-loc bag of 9-patch blocks, strip sets, and fabric scraps, all left over from my original Volcano Island quilt, made in 2000-2001. I got inspired to see what I could make from the leftovers and ended up with a lovely baby quilt. Here are both quilts together, hanging off the railing of our back deck.

The big quilt measures about 85" x 95". It is a Blooming 9-Patch design, made from alternating 9-patch blocks and large squares of the same fabrics. The baby quilt is all 9-patches, with no plain squares in between. Almost all of the same fabrics were used, although I added one orange print at the center, had to substitute one fabric, and didn't have any left of the outer border fabric from the big quilt.

The quilting on the baby quilt is stitch in the ditch done diagonally around all the blocks, plus rectangular boxes the run through the centers of the blocks. The back of the quilt, shown below, is a flannel fabric from Joann's. 

Finishing this quilt was my One Monthly Goal for September. It feels so good to have another finish, and I look forward to gifting it soon.

Linking up with:

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

One Monthly Goal at Elm Street Quilts

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA 

To-Do Tuesday 9/21/2021

Another Tuesday means it's time to update my to-do list for the week ahead and share how I did with last week's list. The Tuesday To-Do List link-up is hosted by Linda at Texas Quilt Gal.

I didn't do very well on last week's list, with check marks behind only three of my five goals. That didn't stop me from beginning two new projects though!

To-Do List for 9/14 - 9/20

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day 

The leader/ender stitching wasn't working for me last week, and I only finished 3 blocks.

2. Hearts Applique--pull orange squares, prep some blocks ✔done

One orange heart was stitched last week and more blocks are prepped.

3. 30's Kaleidoscope--make orange blocks ✔done

I shared these blocks in Saturday's post.

4. Volcano 9-Patch--take photos, write blog post

We've had so much rain lately that I haven't been able to finish getting outdoor photos of this quilt.

5. Scrooge coat--make progress  ✔done

New projects:

1. RWB (Red, white & blue) Rectangles--I started a new Quilt of Valor on National Sew a Jelly Roll Day. You can read about it HERE.

2. Denim shirt--I got a new shirt cut out and basted together to make sure I like the fit. 

It's looking like a busy week ahead, so the sensible thing to do would be to reduce my list. Instead it's going to be even longer than last week!

To-Do List for 9/21 - 9/27

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day

2. Hearts Applique--make at least one block

3. Sew Colorful Stars--make orange block

4. Volcano 9-Patch--take photos, write blog post

5. Scrooge coat--make progress

6. Denim shirt--finish

7. RWB Rectangles--cut pieces for more blocks

I'll report on my progress and post a new set of goals next Tuesday. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Texas Quilt Gal.

Julie in GA  

Design Wall Monday 9/20/2021

Saturday was National Sew a Jelly Roll Day, and I was having a hard time deciding whether or not to participate. I have a few jelly rolls, but none of them really inspired me last week. I have plenty of jelly roll patterns saved, plus many more ideas on Pinterest. My goal was to find a pattern that is easy to make, but has a striking and graphic look. 

My inspiration came from a quilt shared by Yvonne at Sew Yummy. She had made the following quilt in an attempt to use up some of her unloved beige and brown fabrics, and I think she did a great job with them. Her starting point was a pattern by Judy Laquidara. The instructions for Judy's quilt are still available on her website, although she pieced the design differently. Unfortunately, none of her pictures show up on that page, but Yvonne included this Pinterest link.

Cinnamon Bars quilt from Sew Yummy

Since I didn't have a jelly roll that I was dying to use, I decided to make a red, white and blue version that can become a Quilt of Valor. I have plenty of 2.5" strips in those colors, plus I cut many more over the weekend. The blocks are extremely easy to make and go together very quickly. You can make two matching blocks from two jelly roll strips, a light and a medium or dark. The cutting dimensions for the pieces are 2.5" x 4.5" for the small rectangles, or you can strip-piece them from strips that measure 2.5" x  18.5-19". The larger rectangles at the top and bottom of each block are cut at 2.5" x 8.5". The finished size of one block is 8". 

I spent more time cutting 2.5" strips than sewing blocks over the weekend, but I did manage to complete a dozen blocks. My plan is to make a total of 63 blocks and set them in alternating rows of red, white and blue as shown. A 7 x 9 setting will yield a quilt that measures 56" x 72" without any borders..

I have many other projects in the works right now and really didn't need to add another, but I'm enjoying having a very simple pattern for those days when I want to sew but don't want to think too hard. I'm planning to cut the pieces for a stack of blocks and have them ready to stitch up whenever the mood hits.

Check out what other quilters are working on this week:

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA 

Stitching and DeStashing--Week 38, 2021

I've been bouncing around between several different quilting projects this week, and I even made a start on a clothing project. The only thing that has moved forward enough to count any fabric as having been used is my 30's Kaleidoscopes. I made 19 blocks last week, using a total of 1 yard of fabric. You can see them in yesterday's post HERE. No new fabric was added to the stash.

2021 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                            1.00 yards

Used year to date:                   146.125 yards

Added last week:                            0.0 yards

Added year to date:                   101.50 yards

Net used year to date            44.625 yards

This is the fabric I'm planning to use for my new shirt. It was a remnant piece that I got at Hancock's of Paducah in July. I have just over 2 yards, which would be a little tight for a long-sleeved shirt, so I bought a light weight denim to use for the back of the collar, cuffs and yoke.

Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces has us tracking how many days each week we get in at least 15 minutes of quilting time. When I got the urge to make myself a new shirt this week, I spent most of one day working on my pattern for it. I hope to get it cut out today or tomorrow. That meant no quilting time that day, but I did do some quilting on the other six days.

15 Minute Challenge for 2021: 

9/12 - 9/18               6 of 7 days

2021 Total          257 of 261 days

Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch challenge at Life in Pieces. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Scrappy Rainbow Saturday--Week 38, 2021

It hasn't been my most productive week, but I did finish up one set of blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, where we are working with our orange scraps this month.

These are the Kaleidoscope blocks that I have been making all year from my 1930's reproduction fabrics. I ended up with 17 orange blocks, plus I had two brown fabrics and went ahead and made those blocks too.

This is my last color group for this project. If my math is correct, I have a total of 190 blocks made. If I could scrounge up 5 more fabrics, I could set the blocks 13 x 15 and end up with a quilt that measures 78" x 90" before borders. The finished size of each block is 6". I need to decide if I want a quilt that big or not. The other option would be to make two smaller throw quilts. Here are all of my many blocks stacked together on my cutting table.

My next step will be to get some of the blocks up on the design wall together and figure out how big I want to go with this quilt. It will be great fun to see it all come together!

Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge every Saturday and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday.

Julie in GA

To-Do Tuesday 9/14/2021

Another Tuesday means it's time to update my to-do list for the week ahead and share how I did with last week's list. The Tuesday To-Do List link-up is hosted by Linda at Texas Quilt Gal.

Last week's to-do list looks good, with check marks behind every item on the list! I'm hoping for similar results in the week ahead.

To-Do List for 9/7 - 9/13

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day  ✔done

I have made 15 orange Bowties so far this month.

2. Hearts Applique--pull orange squares, prep some blocks  ✔done

Two heart blocks are finished and more are ready to be stitched.

3. Scrap Magnet--make two orange blocks  ✔done

I finished these two blocks, plus made two Homespun blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  

Scrap Magnet blocks

Homespun blocks

4. Volcano 9-Patch--layer and pin baste, begin quilting  ✔done

The Volcano 9-Patch quilt is completely quilted and bound! No photos to share yet.

5. Scrooge coat--make progress  ✔done

Next week's list includes a different RSC project, the 30's Kaleidoscope blocks. I'm also hoping to put together a blog post for the finished Volcano quilt.

To-Do List for 9/14 - 9/20

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day

2. Hearts Applique--pull orange squares, prep some blocks

3. 30's Kaleidoscope--make orange blocks 

4. Volcano 9-Patch--take photos, write blog post

5. Scrooge coat--make progress

I'll report on my progress and post a new set of goals next Tuesday. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Texas Quilt Gal.

Julie in GA  

Design Wall Monday 9/13/2021

My quilting time over the weekend was mostly spent cutting pieces for multiple projects that I am making as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I was able to stitch up some of each kind of block using my orange scraps, our assigned color for September. 

I've got one hand appliqued heart block, four bowties and four kaleidoscope blocks. It's a good thing I put them up on the wall together to get a photo because I discovered an error in one of my kaleidoscope blocks. The block on the left side should have the mint green corner triangles stitched to the white wedges, not to the peachy print. It should be oriented like the block on the right side. I'm glad I caught the mistake before getting that far on the 8 or 10 remaining blocks that also get the green corners on them.

I'm going to fix that one block, then continue making more of all these blocks with the goal of getting one set done before Saturday to share with the RSC group.

Check out what other quilters are working on this week:

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA 

Stitching and DeStashing--Week 37, 2021

My quilting time over the past week has been unusually focused and goal oriented, with very few distractions. My main project has been the machine quilting on the Volcano 9Patch quilt that I'm trying to get finished. I also made two sets of orange blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, Homespun on the left and Scrap Magnet on the right. The amount of fabric used in these blocks was 5/8 yard for the Homespun blocks, and 3/4 yard for the Scrap Magnet blocks. No new fabric was added to the stash this week.

2021 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                          1.375 yards

Used year to date:                   145.125 yards

Added last week:                            0.0 yards

Added year to date:                   101.50 yards

Net used year to date            43.625 yards

Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces has us tracking how many days each week we get in at least 15 minutes of quilting time. There was no problem getting in plenty of quilting time this week, prepping and stitching RSC projects, plus quilting the Volcano quilt.

15 Minute Challenge for 2021: 

9/5 - 9/11                 7 of 7 days

2021 Total          251 of 254 days

Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch challenge at Life in Pieces. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Scrappy Rainbow Saturday--Week 37, 2021

As I was hoping, our September color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge is orange. I've been looking forward to digging into my orange scraps and getting some more blocks made.

I've gotten into the habit of making my biggest blocks for the RSC first each month. I guess it's because it gives the most satisfaction to have these large (16 - 17") blocks up on the wall together. This month I started with the Scrap Magnet blocks. I made one with light/bright orange and one with darker and rusty orange. I am eager to make the last few blocks for this quilt and get them all joined together.

Scrap Magnet pattern by Kirsty of Bonjour Quilts

After the Scrap Magnet blocks were done, I turned to my Homespun blocks. I also made these in both light and dark orange versions. This is another project that has me really looking forward to seeing the finished quilt.

Homespun design by Modernly Morgan

They sure do make a pretty grouping together!

Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge every Saturday and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday.

Julie in GA

To-Do Tuesday 9/7/2021

Another Tuesday means it's time to update my to-do list for the week ahead and share how I did with last week's list. Starting today, the Tuesday To-Do List link-up is being hosted by Linda at Texas Quilt Gal.

It wasn't the most productive week for me, but I did get through 2/3 of the goals on my list. I'm hoping for better results next week.

To-Do List for 8/31 - 9/6

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day  ✔done

I ended up with a total of 40 Bowtie blocks in teal/turquoise for August, and have made a few orange blocks for September.

2. Hearts Applique--stitch at least one block/week  not done

3. Glorified 9Patch--prep one set of blocks  ✔done

I made the 9Patch part for four sets of blocks, got the purple ones trimmed, and added background to two of them.

4. Rainbow Scrap Challenge--make one set of blocks after the color for September is announced  ✔done

Our RSC color for September is orange, and I have one set of blocks done and waiting to be shared on Saturday.

5. Volcano 9-Patch--layer and pin baste for quilting  not done

6. Scrooge coat--make progress  ✔done

My list is staying much the same, except that I am eliminating one project (the Glorified 9Patch) in order to focus on the others. The most important goals are the last two, the Volcano quilt and the coat for Scrooge. I really need to buckle down and work on both of those.

To-Do List for 9/7 - 9/13

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day

2. Hearts Applique--pull orange squares, prep some blocks

3. Scrap Magnet--make two orange blocks 

4. Volcano 9-Patch--layer and pin baste, begin quilting

5. Scrooge coat--make progress

I'll report on my progress and post a new set of goals next Tuesday. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Texas Quilt Gal.

Julie in GA  

Stitching and DeStashing--Week 36, 2021

It was a fairly busy week in my sewing room, with a wide variety of projects in the works. I pieced a back for the Volcano 9Patch quilt, just one long seam, but trying to match the print. I also finished my set of 40 teal and turquoise bowtie blocks for August, plus 8 hand appliqued hearts. You can see the bowties and the hearts in yesterday's post. The stash usage for all these projects was 2.25 yards for the quilt back, 1.375 yards for the bowties, and .375 for the hearts, which adds up to a total of 4 yards used for the week. No new fabric was added to the stash (although I've been checking out some of those Labor Day sales!)

2021 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                              4.0 yards

Used year to date:                     143.75 yards

Added last week:                            0.0 yards

Added year to date:                   101.50 yards

Net used year to date              42.25 yards

Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces has us tracking how many days each week we get in at least 15 minutes of quilting time. I had one day last week with no quilting time, although I did spend plenty of time at the sewing machine that day making myself a new pair of pajama pants featuring my favorite team--go Brewers!

I didn't include the fabric used for these pants in the stash report because I didn't count it as an addition to the stash when it was purchased. However there are scraps left which may appear in future scrappy quilts.

15 Minute Challenge for 2021: 

8/29 - 9/4                 6 of 7 days

2021 Total          244 of 247 days

Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch challenge at Life in Pieces. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA