Stash Report Week 13

I'm going backwards. I'm unhappy with that fact, but there were a couple of the Moda lines that I knew I would get when the yardage came out. I had a list by my computer. At least I'm sticking to a plan and not purchasing just any old "stuff."

The order I was anticipating came in this week - 19 yards from The Fat Quarter Shop! I purchased backings for two Prairie Paisley quilts and borders for one. Those were all part of the plan. I have a tower of At Water's Edge that I picked up a while back, and the yardage for backing and borders came in. This was part of the plan, too. So far so good.

One setback I know will happen is the 2008 Patchwork Party that's just getting started. It's made from Prairie Paisley. I will end up with three Prairie Paisley quilts when all is said and done, but these are my colors and this is my favorite fabric! I've been waiting forever for the perfect fabric and this is it!

I have another order coming in next week for Hemming House yardage for borders/backing for a tower I already have. I'll count that next week.

Do you see the plan here? Really, look hard and you'll see it! At this point the only yardage I'm waiting to hit The Fat Quarter Shop is Dandelion Girl. My plan will then be complete. Of course, Spring Market is coming up, so I'm sure new inspiration will wallop me!

Jane and I went to the Glendale Quilt Show yesterday. There are always 40-50 vendors there, and I was looking forward to Quilts in a Bag and a couple of others. Yikes, they weren't there this year! There were maybe 20 vendors there. We had a nice time walking around, though. I bought an embroidery pattern and book, and one other book titled "More Timeless Inspirations" by Pam Puyleart and Terry Albers. There are a couple of quilts in there that will be easy to make and will bust some of that stash on my "color wall." Oh, I also picked up a wooden holder for the small iron. Now I can't find where I put the iron. It's here. I saw it last weekend. Sheesh!

I've been appliqueing up a storm, but that doesn't bust much stash until you get to borders and backings. I'll just save up those tops and bust them in one fell swoop when they reach flimsy stage. It's too hard to count the little pieces at this point.

This report, calculating the totals, has renewed my resolve to bust stash -- and make room for new stuff! I figure if I finish the year at least where I started, then I'm way ahead of my usual game! LOL But mostly, I'm inspired beyond all reason to sew and applique and finish things up. I was stuck working on a couple of large obligation quilts for a very long time, and it feels wonderful to be free now!

Year-to-Date Totals:

Busted: 134.0 yards
Purchased: 116.50 yards
Net YTD: 17.5 yards busted!

Bias Makers

Some of you asked about the Clover bias maker. Here are a couple of pictures on how it works. It's SO easy. But please excuse the little ironing mat. I spilled coffee on it one morning! LOL. But I had to use this so I could put it up on my cutting table under the light to photo.

This is the 3/8" bias maker. They come in several sizes. There are instructions on the package as to how wide to cut your bias strips to fit the size you're working with. This one required 3/4" strips.

You just feed one end into the bias maker. It helps if the leading edge is cut at an angle. (I figured out this one the hard way!)



Then you press with an iron as you pull the fabric through the bias maker. I put the iron right up against the bias maker and move them as one unit, although I have them separated a bit for purposes of this picture.



Then when you've pulled the entire length of your strip through the bias maker, just flip it over and give it a good press.



This is my applique piece in process. I've already appliqued the vines down. It's so easy because there's no needle turning involved!



So pull your bias makers out and start using them! I can't believe I've been appliqueing for almost seven years and was too chicken to try them!! LOL

Every time I put something on the floor to take a picture, Daisy has to run over and drop a toy right near what I'm photographing. Today she chose the water bottle that she stole from me earlier! She loves playing with those! LOL

Making Progress

I could have pressed the darn thing before I took a picture, huh? LOL.

I started trying to figure out how to lay out the appliqued scallop border tonight, and I'm just too tired. I'll play with it on Sunday. Real ready to get this one to the quilter - so I can get the embellishments on it! :)

Tonight I figured out something else on applique. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I've never used the Clover bias tape maker before. I bought every size that existed when I first started quilting, and I'm sure they're all packed up in one of those boxes in the garage. At the big quilt show in January I bought a couple of more. Then the pink/brown quilt needed a size I didn't have, so I picked up another one. Tonight was the time to figure out how to use them!

Boy, is that ever a snap! Much easier than using the bias bars! I made miles of vines tonight in like 55 seconds! Just a vine-making machine over here! I can't believe I've been doing it the hard way all these years! The story of my life!

Embroidery

I had some embroidery to do on All Things Christmas before I can assemble the quilt. I learned to embroidery when I was under ten years old, and did needle work for years, but it's been 20 years since I've thought much about it.

I found a little stitch reference book I picked up back in 2001, and it has been most helpful. This was the last bit I did, and while there was some improvement from the first block, I've still got a long ways to go to be proficient. I so admire all of the bloggers out there who show their gorgeous embroidery. I've been collecting patterns, so it's time to just jump in and start one. I think I need to get a little hoop, too, because it was hard to handle the block while stitching.

Jeanne mentioned her embroidery floss last week. I would love to know how everyone stores their floss. I pulled out a big glob of floss that was all tangled up, and spent a couple of hours last night winding it on the little cardboard holders. Now at least I can find the end of it! LOL.

I'm making the two pieced star blocks that go in this block and then I can piece the top together. The next obstacle will be to figure out the borders!

Oh, and speaking of Christmas ....... well, I was talking about embroidery on a Christmas quilt ....... I LOVE the Moda fabric, Peace on Earth. Check out this quilt! :) :) :) :)

Back to the the stars. I want to assemble that top tomorrow night!

Stash Report Week 12

I'm in a holding pattern. Buying and busting at about the same speed.

I had some flannel purchased last year to make a little boy's quilt. His mother (who doesn't understand quilting dynamics at all) said that the baby boy would be in the same room as his older brother in a bit, so perhaps matching quilts. I honestly don't know if I can make the exact quilt twice. Anyway ... so this flannel was just sitting there. I really don't like working with flannel. It's kinda like nails on a chalkboard to me. I made a freebie offer to my quilting group, and there was a taker. I feel sort of cheating by listing it as a bust, but it's out of my stash room. 11.5 yards busted.

No purchases this week, but I do have yardage of Prairie Paisley heading my way from The Fat Quarter Shop. This is my favorite line in the whole world. Really. No, no, REALLY! The purchase will be reported next week when it lands on my doorstep.

I'm almost finished with the embroidery on All Things Christmas and should be able to assemble the body next week. The borders and backing will be counted as a bust once I get those done.


Year-to-Date Totals:

Busted: 134.0 yards
Purchased: 97.5 yards
Net YTD: 36.5 yards busted!

Four Months Done

Another month finished. One more big appliqued block to be caught up with this BOM.

We got off at 1:30 today. Wow, no traffic on the freeways! I stopped by a shoe store, the market, the quilt shop, and then home by 4:00! Too bad I can't do this every day!

Started Another BOM

This one is Raspberry Truffle. I have already received five months of the seven months in this BOM, so it was time to start it! It's an adorable Bloom Creek pattern, and SO easy! I made the first and second month of pieced blocks on Sunday afternoon, and pieced and prepped the third month of applique on Monday. Finished up the applique tonight. I stand a good chance of getting caught on on this BOM by next week!