Irons in the Fire

This week whizzed by and saw me anticipating several projects.

My first objective has been to complete Austin's quilt top - the one I'm making as a recreation of his artwork. These past few days have been spent making and appliquéing bias tape. I made the tape with help from my friend, Selina (SelinaQuilts) who loaned me use of her 1/2"-wide Clover bias tape maker. It's so nice to have a Villager-friend to borrow from! Thank you, Selina! Now I need a 1-/2" bias tape maker!

To shape bias tape circles, I used as templates my ruler work Quilter's Rule nested circles in three sizes.

The top finished at 62" X 71", so is a nice size for actually using. I need a live consultation with Austin to discuss possible names for this quilt.

After doing a "victory lap" around the quilt top (called that by Christa Watson) to stabilize the edges, I soaked the quilt top in Quilt Soak water, in the utility tub. I felt that was necessary because I used Elmer's Washable School Glue to adhere the bias tape before stitching it. I want to make sure all that's removed.

I hope basting and quilting happens this weekend because on Monday July 9 our Central Florida MQG Inspiration Challenge pieces are due.

In the meantime, I've been anticipating what I'll need to do to make Amazing Grace church's Early Learning Center (ELC) pieces. The ELC open house is July 12 from 4-7 pm and I'd love to have some or all of my items made and hanging.

This chevron print arrived from Fabric.com. It's a Henry Glass design called "Big Splash," and will be the fabric that covers three hard-board valances in the director's office, main office, and staff room.

Pulling other colors of prints from the colors in the Big Splash fabric, I'll cut 2-1/2" square (some already cut are on the upper left) to make four patchwork kites that will hang in the vestibule area, outside the main office. There will be one large kite and four smaller ones. I used graph paper to draw those, and count how many patches are needed for each: 78 for the large kite; and a total of 186 for the smaller kites. Instead of batting, I'll use Annie's Soft and Stable on the inside, so the kites will hold their shapes as they're hanging vertically on the walls. That piece of orangey-red Blueberry Park fabric (lower left) will be binding for at least one of the kites.

As for the valances.... I'm going the DIY route and will follow this DownHomeInspiration blog tutorial for making your own. I've thoroughly read and re-read how to do it. Dan and I went to Lowe's to get this panel foam. 

If all goes as planned, these five sheets of panel foam will be enough to make three valances 14" high by 54" across the front. I'll have to piece both the panel foam and the fabric (match the chevron prints), but I expect to make it work. My goal is to have a prototype made by next week, so I can hang it to see how it looks. 

Last Tuesday morning found me hurrying home from line dancing to be at the computer to register for QuiltCon. I'm excited to go to Nashville, February 21-24, 2019. I got into both my half-day workshop choices: Deconstructing Design with Sarah Nishiura; and Fingerprint Improv Curves with Mel Tuazon. And I'll attend five lectures, on Thursday and Sunday. When I went to QuiltCon 2017 in Savannah I used an all lecture pass, and it was great. However, I didn't find the 2019 lecture topics as appealing. Still, I know with certainty I won't have time on my hands! I love to inspect all the quilts, and I'm making arrangements for meet-ups with Instagram friends. 

Today is Friday, so that means: housework. Vacuuming is particularly needed in my sewing room. Rotary cutting improv shapes sure leaves behind more fiber bits as compared to other types of cutting. And gee. the sooner I can get it cleaned up, the sooner I can start making another mess! Linda