Making Freely

With Christmas sewing done, I've turned my attention to catching up on a few WIPs (works in progress). 

At the top of the list is finishing the Like Totally quilt, a free BOM (block-of-the-month) offered in 2024 by Louise Wackerman and the Seattle MQG. 

Like Totally quilt top

Initially, I had thought to make this a quick finish with a wideback, intentionally purchased for this quilt top. However, after seeing several Instagram posts of pieced backings made with extra blocks that were part of the BOM, I decided to do the same. 

Besides using all the extra blocks, I pieced a couple more blocks from the same solid colors, and then dug into my canvas bin, full of orphan and test blocks, for filler pieces. I chose ones that seemed to coordinate best with colors in the top. 

Like Totally back

It was more than satisfying to piece this 58" X 58" backing for the 57" X 57" quilt front. Yep, I know the back is close in size to the top, but since I'll be pin-basting it myself, I can make it work. 

At our Central Florida MQG retreat last spring, my friend Rosemary was knitting dishcloths in between quilting projects and I admired the color of Sugar 'n Cream yarn she was using. I learned it was from Wal-Mart (less expensive than JoAnn's). Shortly after, I bought a cone for myself and wrote "May 2024" inside the cone. I then proceeded to knit dishcloths when on the phone, and attending Zoom activities. Every time I finished a dishcloth I made a hash mark inside the cone.

Today I completed dish cloth number 13 from that cone. I feel like knitting these is a good value for the money.

"What marker can I to use to fit into the narrow and deep slots of my half-hexagon template?"

was the question I posed in my last blog post. Thank you to the three commenters who offered suggestions. 

"Anonymous" suggested a Micron Pigma pen. Since I already had this micro-tip Micron Pigma pen, it was easy to try. It works! My hesitation to use it is related to the fact that marks are permanent. Since hand-piecing a couple blocks, seams looks fine when I'm careful to ensure the mark is inside the seam allowance. Thanks Anonymous!

Saturday morning was our Central Florida MQG annual holiday party with a gift swap-and-steal. It's always great fun to see what each quilter's gift reveals, and what she chooses to do when her gift is stolen, or she can steal someone else's gift.

The gift I took to give was an eight-color fat quarter bundle of Painter's Palette solids.

The gift I brought home was this gray corduroy, zipper-top tote with our Central Florida MQG logo embroidered on the side pocket.

Thanks to the talent of one of our members, Peggy, our chapter has recently begun using this digitized design. I am delighted to have this tote, which came with two sewing-themed emery boards.

Thank you, Peggy!

Book Recommendation

Pretty Dead Things by Lilian West is about Cora who has recently moved from California to a small Midwest town. She's adjusting to life while planning her wedding to the local dentist. Somewhat at a loss as to what to do with her days, while meandering the countryside she comes upon an estate sale. Having always been attracted to colorful things, she buys a $5 container of baubles, expecting to find buttons, marbles, and such. She also discovers a small diamond ring and wedding band, both engraved, and determines to return them to the owner. 

The owner denies knowledge of them, sending Cora to the next nearest relative, and then the next nearest relative. As she continues to search for the rightful owner, she also investigates rumors and old secrets that no one wants her nosing around in. 

The author takes the reader back and forth from now to 1953 where the local dark beauty, Clarity Grey is subjected to unfounded speculation and rumors completely counter to who she really is.

Linda's score: 3.9/5.0 

Linda