What I've Worked On

I haven't taken time to write a blog post, wanting to be sure I have everything ready in the run-up to QuiltCon. I also thought I didn't have anything to post about, but then I realized... I have continued to create in between other pre-QuiltCon obligations.  

As happens to many makers, I had a squirrel moment about a week ago when I saw a foundation paper-pieced hexagon made by Canadian quiltmaker, Cristina @shipsandviolins.

(At left) Cristina's Good Morning, Mom! quilt hanging at QuiltCon 2025 in Phoenix is how I found Cristina, and first started following her on Instagram. She made this quilt after seeing her infant son smile at her one morning. 

Good Morning, Mom! got my vote for "People's Choice" (it didn't win) mostly because it made me smile too. It's now among those in the QuiltCon traveling show. 

Anyway, Cristina's Scrappy FPP Hexagon block pattern is being sold by her guild - Toronto MQG - as a fundraiser. 

Scrappy FPP Hexagon, 12" X 12"

For just $5, I got to "torture" myself sorting through bins of print and solid scraps to create color and value gradations, and sew lots of narrow seams. 

First I pieced the gradated aqua to green hexagon half. 

Then I pieced the gradated orange to yellow (and back to orange) hexagon half. 

The template makes a 15" square block that can be sewn into anything you wish, or follow pattern instructions to mount it on a 12" X 12" canvas. 

I'm pleased with this finish, and recommend the pattern to anyone who likes foundation paper piecing. Removing the ¼" pieces of paper (I used newsprint as foundation paper) was a bit tedious, but the result is worth it. 

On the round loom knitting scene, I'm making another Tiny Doll - doll #7 to add to the collection I will donate.

Pretty in pink. Her cap is in the works; then eyes and a nose. 

I've joined a newly-formed monthly knitting group, and already got a new-to-me pattern for a Waffle Knit Dishcloth using size 6 needles. The pattern is a freebie from a 2007 blog post by Homespun Living.

I knitted with "Loops & Threads" cotton yarn from Michael's, and struggled a little with the P2, K1 row. It seems that purling by the Continental method is awkward for me, perhaps because I've been using old aluminum needles from my Mother's knitting supplies. I'll be watching for a chance to buy bamboo needles. 

For those of you following along on my braided rag rug progress, here's the latest. Don't see much progress? Well, it's slow-going now that it's 47" X 60". On Saturday I stopped at a thrift store and shopped for color from the $1 men's t-shirt clearance rack. The lime and yellow shirts have been washed and are ready for cutting and braiding.

Will I see you at QuiltCon next week? Linda