Focus Update

I began the RSC18 Squared Away Sampler in March of 2018.

My last update was in November of this year, where I shared that I completed the quilting.

I tried a new-to-me technique, and finished the quilt with a flange binding.  (I used Susie’s Magic Binding method.)  I like the results, but I felt that my binding was too wide, so when I try this again, I will experiment with the measurements.

The days have been overcast, foggy, dark and short, so my picture taking isn’t very good, but it is enough for you to see my progress.

I am so happy to put a UFO finish on my FOCUS list (I keep it updated for myself here)!

I have a thing or two to learn about loading the backing straight on a frame.  Ha, ha!

Close up of the flange binding:

Close ups for the fun of it:

* To see all of the monthly posts for the RSC18 Squared Away Sampler, simply put RSC18, or Squared Away Sampler, in the Search box.

The Vintage Ornaments quilt has been pin basted!

I have no idea how I am going to quilt it, except that it will be with the domestic sewing machine, and I will begin by stitching in the ditch to stabilize the layers and remove some of those pins.

A few more bow tie blocks have been sewn, but no photo to show.

December will probably be too busy to do much more with my list of sewing goals (as I am sure it will be for you, too).  I have discovered, however, that a few minutes here, and a few minutes there, do eventually add up to a finished project.

Enjoy the season!

RSC18 Squared Away Sampler Update

The RSC18 Squared Away Sampler quilt is so busy that I don’t think one can tell that it is quilted unless one is looking close.

So I chose to do an all over design as opposed to custom quilting (and it is quicker to do… there is that).

Here is a close up view…it really is quilted!

It might be easier to see quilted bees from the back, but not much easier.

More bow tie leader/enders have been made.  I have taken the time to pack them in packs of 1o for easier counting.  There are 399 plus a few in the basket.  I want to make 768 for the setting that I have in mind.

A personal little shout out to Donna…I think I am doing well so far with my Focus list!  I am keeping an updated version for myself here.

Focus

I recently joined an internet group called the Stashbusters.  I have been lurking and enjoying all of the hustle and bustle of this very active group.  For several years now, the internet is the only social life that I have had with like minded hobbyists.

They are in the midst of finishing up projects for 2019 and making lists for 2020.

They are extremely prolific, and I am overwhelmed.  It is all a bit much for a girl who works a complicated schedule at her day job.  For simplicity, I will say that I generally work split shifts six days a week.

Not very friendly for planning any kind of activities, let alone hobby projects.

I do think making a list will help me focus, so I have adapted Donna’s idea for myself.  I will update the list as I complete the projects that I have on it.  There will be ‘squirrel projects’, and that is okay.

I am keeping it simple; it is what I need.  The list will be pinned to the bulletin board in my sewing studio.  I want it where I will see it (otherwise there is no point)!

Something Old….I don’t have a photo of the Lone Star project.  I began it a million years ago (maybe not that long, but a long time ago…in the 90’s).  I will find it after I work on the Floral Reflections UFO.  I do have photos of that project.

The pattern is out of print.  I believe I also began this project sometime in the 1990’s.  I have all twelve blocks fused.   My next step is to machine applique the blocks.

Something new…I am currently working on the Vintage Ornaments quilt:

Creative play…Begun in January of this year, I bet those who have seen this project on the blog think I may have forgotten about the Candace project.  Not so.  She is waiting to be thread painted.

Handwork project…Drunkard’s Path…no photos…but I do have quite a few hand pieced blocks made.

Leader/Ender…Begun in 2018, I haven’t updated this project on the blog, but I have made lots of bow tie blocks, many more than this photo shows.

Scrap Project…RSC18. I made the Squared Away Sampler and it is waiting to be quilted.

This list will carry me into 2020.  Maybe far, far into 2020.  I am slow, but I do finish eventually.  All that matters is to enjoy the journey.

This and That

I haven’t spent time in the sewing studio…not a lot anyway.  So I do not have a lot to share.

I have pieced a backing for the Lets Sew Quilt Along quilt.  I don’t have a photo of the backing, but here is a reminder of the flimsy:

I have added borders to the Squared Away Sampler from RSC18:

Many moons ago (many, many, many), I created a stitch reference book for my Bernina 1530.  The book became a very useful too, and I used it quite often.

When I got the Janome 6500, I thought to do the same.  However, I only thought about it and never got around to actually doing it.

I finally decided to make the time to create the book.  I am learning about the machine’s capabilities, and becoming much more familiar and comfortable with the machine. 

Not all stitches resemble what is shown in the manual!  For this reason alone, it is worth the effort!

Why didn’t I take the time to do this sooner?!

I have eight pages stitched out.  I have yet to stitch the buttonholes and letters.

When I am finished, I will create a book with the pages and keep it close to the sewing machine.

Have you created a stitch reference book for your sewing machine(s)?

November OMG 2018 Update

My OMG (One Monthly Goal) for November was to piece my Squared Away Sampler blocks into a flimsy (quilt top).

I am happy to report that I met that goal!

You can read about it in this blog post by clicking here.

I am still on the fence about whether to add another border or not.  Most of the time, I think not, but then again….

I know I’ve been absent from blogging, but work is really busy and demanding this time of year.  There is little time for much else.

So if you would like to see more eye candy then go visit Elm Street Quilts OMG (One Monthly Goal).  I will be linking up there!