Machine Applique

Christenna sent me a photo of her block from the machine applique class I taught in PA! I adore the way she framed it!!  I love it when I'm inspired by "students" work. These ladies certainly didn't need me to hold their hand.  They were amazing quilters!! So fun!

 

If you are looking for a trunk show or workshop, my schedule is flexible, Please don't hesitate to recommend me to your guild. I'll go almost anywhere and still utilize Zoom when asked.

 Jeanne left a comment that I inadvertently deleted (so sorry!) about joining in on the Lori Smith sampler quiltalong- that's wonderful! The more, the merrier!

Next week I'll be in Uganda so will be reposting some blog posts sharing antique quilts! Thank you for your support!

Lebanon Quilt Guild

It was a pleasure to be invited to the Lebanon Quilt Guild. 

I got to see the stunning raffle quilt up close and personal since when it isn't out garnering attention for raffle tickets it is being stored at the guild president's house. Lots of details in this one! 

Look at this group! Monday night I presented the trunk show

Humble Quilting Adventures: Journey of a Quiltmaker

It is a friendly and busy group of quilters!

Tuesday I did a machine quilting workshop. I hope they all learned a trick or two to practice and put in their toolbox of quilt knowledge. They all did a great job!

I got a little quilt show from my host, Cheryl. Incredible and fun quilts!

I'm always looking for groups to visit if you'd like to recommend me to your quilt guild!

Seriously, I am off again! This time on vacation with hubby! We are leaving the country but I should have WIFI most evenings. I'll be checking in.

I can get Etsy orders out today but will be going vacation mode while I’m away. Thank you all who support my little shop! Check it out HERE if you'd like. 

 

 

Machine Applique

I'm looking ahead at a Meet the Teacher event and a class next month on machine applique, so I've been getting a few things ready. 

The traditional style  suits me for sure. 

I completed this little block recently. 

It is also fun to let people see alternatives.(pattern by Tonye Phillips) 

Below is a few of the machine applique projects I've completed. 

 Oh the possibilities!

I hope you are having a grand week!

Fun on a Friday

I'm working on the final border! 

It is slow going since my sewing room is so chilly. 

Next weekend I am getting together with friends for a sewing retreat. This quilt top will be completed and backing made!

 

I'm preparing to do another string class with a guild and you can join in!  Find the link to Columbia River Gorge Quilters Guild HERE. 

I think I shared the link to the Iowa Quilt Museum special exhibit "String Theory"

It was just a sneak peak. Now you can purchase a look at all of the quilts! Angie shared the link and I LOVED the quilt show with information on each quilt. You can find that link HERE. 

Ya'll have a great weekend!

Much love

Machine Applique Class

I feel like Saturday's workshop was a success! Every time I do a Zoom class or workshop I'll get better and better. LOL That's the plan!

Here is Deborah's machine appliqued block. Nice work!

And Mary's completed block. Another beauty!

Thank you ladies who were able to make it and support me by taking this online workshop.

I already have an idea to make it better!

Have a terrific week!

 

Monday ♪♪ Monday Machine Applique Class

 Here we go! 2021 is here and it is up to each one of us to make it a great year! Attitude is everything!

I'm going to start with a video on machine applique. I have several quilts I've hand appliqued, but most of mine now are done by machine. I just do not have enough time to do as much hand work as I'd like. 

Check out the You Tube video! Click on the photo above or go directly HERE.

Here is one block on an entire reproduction quilt that I machine appliqued. 

I've scheduled a 3 hour class on Saturday, January 23 using the Zoom platform. I'd love to have you join! Check out the details HERE. 

I'm very close to having my first quilt of the year complete! Whoop! Whoop! 

Have an amazing week!

Buhl Bushong Update

My main project I wanted to work on at the retreat was my Buhl Bushong quilt from the Virginia quilt museum. See it HERE. 

 It is hard to photograph since it is long... working on borders. This one is done, except for the corners which we won't do yet.

I'm done with this section of the 3rd appliqued border. 

I am machine appliqueing with a tiny zig zag and matching thread. 

It is a lot of time at the machine!! 

So, at the retreat,  I announced to the ladies that I would stay focused and I estimated I could get the border (shown on the top) sewn in about 10 minutes for each "block" or set of flowers for a total of 70 minutes. This didn't include winding a bobbin, standing up between blocks, or doing any ironing. Oh yeah, I only had the green applique left to do on that part too. 

The video above is what Michelle took. When I got to the end of a section I threw my arms in the air and shouted "TIME!" 

I was also using the timer. This was only sewing time as I stopped it between each one. This is what happens when friends get together to sew!! LOL 

I was also working on these too, although I still have a lot of them left. 

My Instagram feed for the week. 

I wasn't a fan of the Magdalen Girls and stopped after about 1/3. It is historical fiction and I thought I'd like it. Too many on my list to trudge through one I'm not enjoying. 

My son and Nikki came by the other evening- it was so fun to have them "drop" by! 

The doggies have not seen them in awhile and they were excited. 

Mr Porter's nose is dirty because he has been burying his shank bones... Silly boy.

Elsa is just thinking, "I love you so much!" LOL

I hope you all have had a lovely week!! Stay warm, stay safe. 

Cousin's Walk Bird Sampler

I've completed 4 more bird blocks of the Counsin's Walk quilt.

We had a beautiful Saturday with temperatures in the mid-50's! I never want to lose an opportunity to get out because I know cold and snow is coming!!

I've been to Smith Rock quite often but took a new-to-me trail! 

I hope you all had a great weekend and are ready for a terrific week!

Made it to Friday!

I'm taking a few minutes here and there and getting a little quilting done. I'm focusing more on the commissioned quilt and I am making progress. Maybe I'll show you another sneak peak next week. I'm leaving my sewing machine downstairs and that helps. 

 Here are all my 1857 quilt blocks so far. I'm all caught up!

 I finished this one.....

 And this one........

Here are the 4 blocks for April. These are from Gay at Sentimental Stitches. 

Here is my Scrapbasket Sampler quilt from Cheri. My wool pieces are ready to hand stitch down. When I get the top and bottom borders appliqued I'll add the two side borders. 

 My Instagram feed for this week.

Have a wonderful weekend! 

Ben Biggs in the Sewing Room with a Needle

I got to spend some more time with the BBiggs quilt. Since the borders are pretty much the same it is a little boring to show you, but I thought I'd let you tag along and show you how I'm doing it. 

After appliqueing the second border I added it by centering it and the quilt and matching them up first, then the ends. It fit together really well. 

 One side...

 And the other....

I then took three measurements so I would know exactly how long to cut my other two borders. I measured  on the two sides and through the center. Mine was exactly 70" at all 3 measurements. (miracles really do happen!) . Personally I think the border is a bit wide at 10" so I didn't need to be super exact. Chances are I will trim them later. I plan on checking Gay's blog and seeing what the original size is and how it is quilted before I make that decision.

 Then I measured from the swag down, so when I started on the other two borders, they would all be relatively close. This photo turned upside down, but my measurement is 5 1/8" from the edge, Since it is already sewn I need to add 1/4" for the seam allowance.

 I cut my border 10" x70 and creased the center so I'd know where to place my swag. I measured from the bottom up to find the 5 3/8" placement. (again, my photo is upside down)

 For the bud placement I put the pattern sheet underneath my fabric and laid out the pieces on top. I'm fusing, so once they are placed I iron them down ready to use a tiny zig zag with matching thread.

I left the corners open because I'll need to improvise on the swag pattern a little. I  won't attach the right border until the machine applique is done. I will also applique the swags before adding the red three bud thing. That way where the swags meet I don't have to be that neat. 

I hope that makes sense.

 The talented and generous Cheri of Quilts by Cheri has started a little sampler on her facebook page. Here's my first 4 blocks.

My instagram feed is filled with Elsa!

I also sent my registration in to go on the mission trip to Peru in November! So exciting!

Have a really wonderful weekend.