Leader/Enders Progress

Posted on April 16, 2018 by katyquilts

First of all, I’m glad so many if you enjoyed the little pattern matching tutorial the other day. It isn’t something I’ve tried to do before, but I won’t be afraid to try it again in the future.

I am still turning my tiny squares into two inch four patches as leaders and enders. Here’s a shot of my container as of last week.

Here is my piecing set up.

Can you see what is hiding in my drawer? Yep, my container of squares. When I sit down to piece something, I just open the drawer and my leader/ender bits are ready to go.

I try to always have a set picked out and ready to go.

As I finish and press them, I drop them into this little bin.

When I get a pile of them, I stop and count.

When I get up to 25, I put them in the enamelware pan and add 25 to my post it note inside. This way I don’t have to keep counting the whole mess.

I need at least 800 for the quilt I want to make. I’m making progress!

Have a great day!

Posted in Leader/Ender, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Slow Stitching Sunday

Posted on April 15, 2018 by katyquilts

I loaded this up and finished the quilting.

I tried to add cactus needles in the quilting, even though they do not grow like this on real saguaro.

I found the perfect print in my stash for the back. It is an old American Jane print. Now it’s time to bind!

Have a great day!

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Tutorial ~ Matching Prints

Posted on April 14, 2018 by katyquilts

I finally got around to working on the crib skirt for Tiny E. I realized I needed to match the print to get the length I needed. My first run at it met with mixed results. But back to the drawing board and I came up with a method that was good enough for me. So I thought I’d share it. Here are the two pieces I wanted to sew together.

I pressed one selvedge under an inch or so.

Then I placed the piece with the folded edge on top of the other and lined up the design. When it looked good, I peeled it back and used a glue stick to keep it in place.

I set the glue with a quick press of the iron. Then I opened it up and used the pressed line for a stitching line.

I trimmed the excess seam allowance away.

Then opened it up and pressed once more. It isn’t a perfect match, but I am rather impressed with myself!

Have a great day!

Posted in Tutorials, Uncategorized | 14 Comments

Finish It Up Friday ~ Swap Mini

Posted on April 13, 2018 by katyquilts

I finished my mini for the swap and sent it on it’s way! I hope the recipient loves it as much as I do.

I kept the quilting simple with just straight lines through the geese. I do love the rope pattern in the green strips

I used a Mary Koval print for the back and bound it by bringing the back around to the front and hand stitching it down.

After that, I added another line of quilting just around the edge. I think you can see it here.

My mini finished at 10 by 14 inches. The geese are one inch high and two inches wide. I like it so much, I may have to make another for myself!

And one more photo, because the sun was just right to show off the quilting!

Have a great day!

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts , Confessions of a Fabric Addict , Busy Hands Quilts , PrettyPiney

Posted in Civil War Repro Quilts, Doll Quilts, Finishes, Swaps | 19 Comments

Throwback Thursday ~ Shirting Quilts

Posted on April 12, 2018 by katyquilts

I’m still working on the cactus quilt. The top is together and I hope to start quilting it today. In the mean time, I thought I’d share some of the quilts I’ve made using shirts worn by my hubby, my son, my son in law, and a few bits from my dad. I gave this first one to my dad a few months before he passed away. He used it up until the moment he entered heaven. Now I have it back again.

This one I made for my first grandson, Big L. I wish I had a better photo of it.

This one was for Big E.

This belongs to Little L.

And this is Little E’s quilt.

This last one I have been saving and I don’t think I’ve shared it before. It will be for Grandson #5, henceforth to be known as Tiny E, due in July.

Have a great day!

Posted in Baby Quilts, Throwback Thursday, Uncategorized | 14 Comments

Cactus Quilt Part 3

Posted on April 11, 2018 by katyquilts

I got up this morning thinking about how to create the setting sun for the cactus quilt. I decided to draft a rough paper foundation and then improv it.

The next step was to add the semi circle. I pieced it in. It isn’t perfect, but good enough.

I puzzled it together with the background. I may add a strip of background to the top and I need to decide on the ground. These are my three options at this point.

I am loving using my hand dyed fabrics in this! Hopefully I can get the top done today.

Have a good one!

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Progress

Posted on April 10, 2018 by katyquilts

I’ve made a little progress on the cactus quilt. First I lowered one of the arms.

Then I thought this cactus should bloom in the desert. But since this baby is a boy, I used a friendship star block instead of a flower. I also started adding in background bits.

Then I started thinking it would be fun to add a sunset. I think this pinky orange bit will work.

I don’t know how I’ll piece that yet. And I’m not sure about my choice for the ground. Daughter #2 who lived in AZ for six years suggested adding a bit of purple into my sunset as well.

Hmmmmm……

Have a great day!

Posted in Baby Quilts, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

DWMonday ~ Cactus Quilt

Posted on April 9, 2018 by katyquilts

One of my goals this month is to make a baby quilt for grandson #5. Daughter #1 picked this fabric for the crib skirt. She has a cactus theme for the nursery.

I need to get going on that project, but I decided to skip to the fun part and start on the quilt. I pulled these hand dyed fabrics.

I cut 4 1/2 inch squares, HSTS, and quarter square triangles and put them on the design wall.

This is my take on a free cactus mini quilt pattern found here. It was a good starting point. I didn’t get far with the littles here this weekend. Maybe this week!

Have a great day!

Posted in Baby Quilts, Design Wall Monday, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Slow Stitching Sunday ~ Swap Mini

Posted on April 8, 2018 by katyquilts

I set aside my vintage churn dash for a bit. I decided to hand quilt my mini for the swap.

I’d like to get this in the mail this week. It will be hard to let go of!

Happy Sunday!

Posted in Civil War Repro Quilts, Doll Quilts, Hand quilting, Swaps | 3 Comments

Another Use for my Accuquilt Cutter!

Posted on April 7, 2018 by katyquilts

My sweet grandsons are here for the weekend. They love to be in the sewing room! So I decided to cut some felt shapes that they could play with on my design .

I cut several layers of felt at one time using my die cutter. In a matter of minutes, we had a new game.

It was a hit with the toddler set! You can check out all the latest deals on Accuquilt dies and cutters here.

Have a great day!

This post contains affiliate links.

Posted in Accuquilt, Crafty Things, Uncategorized | 9 Comments