Friday Flaunt - Another Quilt for Austin

I've been making quilts for 34 years. After such a long time, I've learned two things about myself: 1) I can't get enough of making quilts! I don't do well with just one or two WIPs going at a time. By today's count, I am "simultaneously" working on six different projects.

And, 2) I have made so many quilts that I'm sometimes able to look at one I like and figure out how to make it. Of course, there are exceptions for intricate quilts, but simpler designs suit me best anyway.

This week has been one of those when I thought, "I'm tired of working on the same, long term quilts, and I'd like to 'whip-up' something just because I can."

So after seeing a particularly nice quilt on the Internet, I whipped it up. On Wednesday I cut out, pieced, layered and pin-basted. Thursday I machine-quilted, and finished with binding. Well hey. Why not have a personal quilt retreat in my basement sewing room? With our unseasonably hot weather, reaching 90F (32C) this week, it was the coolest place to be (pun intended!).

The quilt is 41" X 52". The focus fabric is a monster - or dinosaurs? - print selected by my DDIL Lyn for their baby, Austin. I had only to raid my stash for 20 different bright tone-on-tone prints and white sashing fabric. (Click to enlarge.)This white bulls-eye print - which a few of you may remember seeing on another WIP, my Snowflake Medallion quilt - is a favorite that's made by Timeless Treasures. The last time I found it at Prairie Star Quilts in Elkhorn, Iowa, I bought five yards. I also have it in black.

You observant Aussies might notice the orange starburst print that's from an Australian fabric designing team, Prints Charming.

The quilt back is pieced from my stash too.

The rainbow print binding fabric is a design that's printed on the bias. When strips are cut on the cross-grain, they look spiral on the quilt. I love that candy-cane effect.

Though I've already made a baby quilt for new grandson Austin, this quilt is also his, for "tummy time" when he's a little older. The bright colors should attract his attention.

And here's three week-old Austin, who I have yet to meet. In a couple weeks, I will go (big gulp, I'm flying again) to Tampa, Florida, to help take care of him. I can't wait!

While I'm blustering about grandsons, here's the latest photo of eight month-old Tay, in Sydney. I adore his curly-top head, and just want to nuzzle those chubby cheeks!

As long as I'm yammering about family, let me share this photo of two new Australians. Last week, our SIL and granddaughter, Celina, were officially sworn in as citizens of Australia. Good on ya, mates!

Perfectly Portable Project Roll-up Tutorial

When I was in Australia, I had the pleasure of making a returning for the May get-together of the Sydney Southern Cross Quilters. On the first Saturday of each month they meet in Waitara.

Sitting next to Loz, I got to see this cute roll-up in which she carried her hand-piecing.

She was working on a block from her "Farmer's Wife" quilt.

And what a clever way to transport her project!

It's a wonderful thing, made from just a heavy cardboard tube (like a mailing tube), a couple pieces of fabric, some batting, and a piece of ribbon.

After much scrutiny, a couple measurements, and some note-taking, I vowed I'd return home and make one for myself.

And voila! I now have my own project roll-up!

I chose to make mine with fabric "born" in Australia. This print from Marcus Brothers is from the "Rainbow Garden" collection by Prints Charming. Prints Charming is a shop in Annandale, New South Wales, Australia, where I visited last November!

Here's my finished 14"-long roll-up with my project laying inside. It's another Joseph's Coat block that I'm hand-appliquing following Kellie's (www.DontLookNow.typepad.com) Joseph's Coat Quilt Along.

I intentionally left a plastic cap on one end of the 1-1/2" diameter mailing tube so I could fill it with the tools I will use when working on this block. Pretty cool, huh? The project and storage all in one little roll-up!

The roll-up is not my own idea, but I thought you might like it as much as I do. So, I offer you my tutorial.

Just click this link to go to the Perfectly Portable Project Roll-up Tutorial.

The tute includes a supply list and step-by-step instructions with 18 photos. I hope you like it. Send me a picture after you've made yours!

Friday Flaunt - Under the Sea

You know... I'm so enjoying stitchery! After digging into Australians' perspectives on stitcheries, and writing the article about it for "Quilters Newsletter" magazine, I've gotten hooked on it.

I've always liked looking at the close-up photos designers take of their stitches, admiring the way the threads seem to lay like uniform beads across the surface of the fabric - linen, cotton, or whatever it may be.

That prompted me to photograph my own stitches in the same manner, and I have to say that surprisingly, I like what I see! This is the waterline along the top of the May block for "Under the Sea," by Cheryl Goss of Willowberry Designs.

These sea snakes make the fifth block in the series.

The June block of a seahorse has already been released.

And just how quickly did I get this piece stitched-up? In less than one week. Ya gotta love jet lag for gettin' stuff done. How 'bout that 15 hour time difference!? (Australia to Iowa)

Now I need another good bout of jet lag to get going on the next block!

Making Quilt Labels

It's been a week for making quilt labels, and what a good, completely-finished feeling that is!

Most often I make my quilts with sew-on Printed Treasures, a densely woven fabric backed by paper. I purchase mine from my LQS (local quilt shop); $18 for five 8-1/2" X 11" sheets. Not inexpensive, but it produces a quality result.

I begin by designing the label in my computer. My old PC with Microsoft Publisher software gives me the most options for making a snazzy label. The program includes numerous decorative borders that I can change in size and color.

This quilt label for the Riverside Lutheran Bible Camp auction coming up August 7, was designed with Publisher. The border is pine trees, suiting the front of this quilt.

With my new MacBook, I'm limited in the designs I can make because I'm using Pages software that came with my computer. The program has no border options except for lines, like this label made for Addison's quilt. But I like that I could include our church logo in the design.

Pages software also allows me to include logos and photos in label designs. This is the label for my newest grandson's quilt. Remember, Austin's the baby I'd nicknamed "Eric" before he was born.

This label made with Pages software finishes the requirements for the Embroidery Mini Quilt Swap I'm participating in. See how I included the swap logo in the label design?

This is a sneak peek of the quilt. I can't yet reveal it, nor what country it's going to, but it is winging its way to the recipient!

Whether I use Publisher or Pages software, I print the label on paper first. That's where to check spelling, layout, and the actual size of the label. My tendency is to design a label that's too large! Taking a look at it first on regular printer paper saves on wasted Printed Treasures.

I've also learned that it's best to design and print several labels at a time, to fill up the 8-1/2" X 11" page if possible. If you design and print just one or two labels, you end up with an odd-size page of Printed Treasures that may not feed easily into the printer a second time.

After cutting out each label, about 3/8" from the outside edge of the border, remove the paper backing. Don't be silly and forget to do this, as I have! A crinkly-sounding label is not what we're looking for here. Turn under and press about 1/4" on all four sides. Then use an applique stitch (blind stitch) to hand-sew the label to the quilt back on the bottom right corner. That's my favorite spot. When stitching, I try to use a heavier-than-usual white thread, or double the strands so the label stays on good and tight. With Printed Treasure - it being a much denser fabric than normal - you'll need a thimble too. It isn't always easy to get your sewing needle through the folded edge of the label.

I hope this information is helpful to those of you who haven't been labeling your quilts. You know who you are!

Addison's Quilt, Finished

In April I blogged about a group of us, Hope Quilters, making a quilt for Addison. She's a 2-1/2 year-old who's been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

To show their support and give Addison something to wrap up in during her hospital stays, family and friends donated fabrics that we used to assembly this 44" X 49" Attic Windows quilt, using this free pattern. To make the quilt larger, we simply added more rows/columns of 4" window blocks.

Isn't it a cute girly-girl quilt?

We hope the large variety of novelty prints will give Addison lots of hours of looking and chatter that will distract her from her illness and treatment.

Some of Addison's friends made blocks that we used to sew the quilt back.

Together, we're praying that Addison "will gain new strength."

Aussie Fabric

Now that I've been home for a week, and have had a chance - but haven't yet! - returned to Iowa time, I thought I'd show you some of the Aussie fabrics I brought home with me. They've been washed and are ready to be sewn into something, but I don't yet know what.

These are some fat quarters (AUD$5.50) from the "Emperor's Garden" collection by "A Day in the Country," Sue Ross. I absolutely adore this color combination - buttery yellow and turquoise.I have Doris to thank for bringing this "Emperor's Garden" collection to my attention. I found it in two colorways at the Remnant Warehouse. Some of these fqs actually belong to Doris.

These mini pin dots are also from Sue Ross' "A Day in the Country." I've never seen pin dots this teeny.

And I couldn't resist a couple pieces of Lecien fabrics that I've read so much about on Aussie blogs. It's fabric made in Japan that I haven't seen in my neck of the woods. Lecien also makes the Cosmo embroidery floss I love so much.

It's a treat to find a few fabrics that are different than what we have at home... even if they cost twice as much! Some things are just worth it.