Finish It Up Friday ~ Freedom

Posted on August 20, 2021 by katyquilts

I settled on a design for this small banner.

I used this Accuquilt studio die to cut my stars. They also have star dies to fit the Accuquilt GO!

I originally wanted a print background, but I couldn’t find anything in my stash that I was happy with. Then I remembered I had this variegated thread.

I decided to use that to break up the white background. I used this American flag print for the backing.

I love the effect of the variegated thread!

Accuquilt has free embroidery files that you can download to finish the edges of these shapes with an embroidery machine. I decided to just fuse the shapes down and then quilt closely to hold them in place.

Love the texture!


“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.” ~ Ronald Reagan

Have a great weekend.

This post contains affiliate links.

Posted in Finishes 2021, Small Quilts, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

A New Die!

Posted on August 19, 2021 by katyquilts

I’ve wanted this Accuquilt die for a long time.

When it finally showed up at my door, I drew a total blank as far as how I wanted to use it. So I decided to just put some fusible on some fabric and start cutting.

I grabbed a solid navy and put some Heat N Bond Lite on the back. Then I cut it into 2 1/2 inch squares. My letters finish at 2 inches.

I started by cutting one word that has been on my mind much lately.

Then I added a few more.

I have no idea where this is headed, but I think this is on Accuquilt die will get a lot of use.

Have a great day!

PS From now until August 28, you can get25% off your order when you purchase a GO! Die using the code DIES25. Just click here.

This post contains affiliate links.

Posted in Accuquilt, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Progress and Some Q and A

Posted on August 18, 2021 by katyquilts

I told you Monday that my 30s quilt top was demanding more blocks.

I made all my 4 patches and got everything ready. I made four blocks while watching the Accuquilt Live show yesterday.

Then I fixed this block.

A kind reader pointed out my mistake a while back. I’m so thankful she did! It’s all fixed now. I hope to get the last three blocks finished today.

I’ve had some questions regarding this project. First off, I love these blocks, I’m just tired of this project! I will love it again soon. 😊

Secondly, I figured out this block from an idea in my head. Scary, I know. I have no idea if there is a name for it. I did a tutorial that you can find here.

Have a great day!

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Ladie’s Aid BOM Progress

Posted on August 17, 2021 by katyquilts

I finished the next block for Barbara Brackman’s Ladies Aid BOM.

This one seemed to take forever! Here are the five I have done so far.

I’m glad that I’ve managed to keep up with this. The next block comes out the last day of August.

Also, I wanted to let you know about the next Accuquilt Live , today at noon, Central Time. Just click here to register so you are eligible for the giveaways!

They have a special deal going today only also. Buy two get one free on GO! dies, Qubes, and mats. Just click here for that deal and use code SHOW3

Have a great day!

This post contains affiliate links.

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

I just can’t leave things alone…

Posted on August 16, 2021 by katyquilts

I finished these blocks at least a month ago, but I haven’t been able to get myself to put them together.

I have 42 blocks. I’m sick of making them, but this quilt wants 49 blocks.

Some quilts are so bossy! I want to get these last seven blocks done this week and then NO MORE!

Have a great day!

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Slow Stitching Sunday

Posted on August 15, 2021 by katyquilts

I’m in great need of some slow stitching today! I am bushed! I’m taking some rest time before cleaning up the detritus from the weekend sale.

I shared this vintage kit that I purchased a while back. My thought was to hand piece it. I discovered that the pieces were not accurately cut. Ugh.

You can see what a hot mess this point turned out to be! So, I’ve been searching for a solution and came upon this.

The stamp adheres to an acrylic block.

I was smart enough to try it on a scrap first! Wow!

I purposely bought a smaller stamp, even though I will have a lot of trimming to do. I’m perfectly happy with this ending up a smaller quilt.

I purchased a stamp pad with white ink as well to use on the darker fabrics.

This will be a great travel project. Though today, I’m only traveling as far as my couch.

Have a great day!

Posted in Hand piecing, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Busy, Busy, Busy

Posted on August 14, 2021 by katyquilts

You probably noticed that I’ve been working on downsizing my collections this summer. Hubby and I are feeling the need to simplify. Eventually, we will be looking for a smaller house here in Michigan.

So this weekend we are holding a massive garage sale with Daughter #1. It’s so much work to prepare for and as a result, there has been no sewing around here!

If you are in Michigan, I’m planning to downsize my vintage machine collection as well. I don’t want to ship any. I’ve done that many times in the past, but it is ever so much work to properly package them. Let me know if there is a vintage Singer on your wishlist.

Back to work, another big day ahead!

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Finish It Up Friday ~ Pomegranate

Posted on August 13, 2021 by katyquilts

I got this little top on the frame and quilted up!

When I use that blue pen for marking, I always run my quilt through a wash cycle without detergent, to make sure the pen markings are fully rinsed. I intended to have bigger circles in the sashing, but I accidentally started with the smaller ones and I didn’t want to rip it out and start over.

So much texture!

Here is the back. Nothing special, just grabbed it from the stash.

It’s just okay, but won’t be seen much anyway.

And here it is hanging in my hallway.

Have a great day!

Posted in Applique, Finishes 2021, Small Quilts, Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Surprise Update

Posted on August 12, 2021 by katyquilts

Remember this quilt that was hiding inside a comforter?

It has been reduced to this. I hope to make a mini out of these bits.

And this one?

Also reduced. Thought there was more usable fabric in this one.

I want to make a doll quilt replicating that pattern with this.

Happily, the comforter covers yielded a fair amount of usable fabrics for my vintage stash. These were tied quilts and they just do not hold up like quilted quilts. I think if I hadn’t bought these, they would have ended up in the trash. I’ll do my best to honor the original maker by letting the best parts live on.

Have a great day!

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Surprise #2!

Posted on August 11, 2021 by katyquilts

Ready for another mystery? I also picked up this comforter at the same sale as the one I showed yesterday.

Looks like someone else had already started snipping ties! I finished the job.

Here is the back. Such wonderful mourning prints!

And…..yes! Another quilt inside!

Even worse condition than the last. But still so fun to see!

Thus is the backing.

You can see this one was also tied. I thought those wide borders might be whisker guards, but nope, they were borders.

Such great fabrics!

Love this indigo.

It’s interesting how thus black fabric deteriorated.

Thus seems a common print for the time, but the base fabric is very coarse.

I think it’s so fun to study these old pieces. I hope you enjoyed these too.

Have a great day!

PS I’ve been cleaning out this summer and noticed the link to my eBay auctions on the sidebar needed updating. It’s fixed now in case you are interested!

Posted in Uncategorized, Vintage Quilts | 3 Comments