For 2011: STITCH IT UP

So Elizabeth at Don't Call Me Betsy posted this wonderful Lofty Quilty List, and I think it's a fabulous idea to outline the projects one wants to complete in the new year. Since I'm an odd duck in the quilting world (I don't have a stash; I mostly buy fabric as I plan projects), I thought I'd pull out those planned projects and WIPs and get them in one place:

WIP Wednesday!

Hooray! The best thing about being between semesters is that I can actually SEW, and I have the mental energy for trying stuff out! To wit:



I finally have something to share for WIP Wednesday: These hexagons are my first crack at English paper piecing, and they are destined for a mug rug for a good friend. I have discovered why hexagons are such a craze! Basting was relatively straightforward, and sewing them together was more fun than it really has a right to be. *g* I'm really happy with how these turned out, and I think the mug rug for me is going to have to be a hexie one, too!

(Note that this isn't my only WIP. In fact, today I got a whole bunch more pinwheels done for my daughter's Tweetygigs quilt. But this is the only WIP with photos...)

Finish! Dad's Sawblades

I'm so excited to share: My fourth big quilt, ever, finished! I present: Dad's Sawblades, the coziest lap quilt ever!



51" x 64"
Flannel front and back, cotton batting
Quilted by Jan Johnstone at Adopt-A-Quilt



A little detail! I love the way it scrunched up in the wash, although I must admit I was surprised at how much it shrunk. I think it lost 8 inches or more...



Don't you love my new labels? *g*

I began this quilt in 2004; I bought the fabric from the quilt shop where I learned to quilt on our visit back to Ames for my Ph.D. graduation. It sat stagnant for several years until my dad delivered my beautiful handcrafted sewing cabinet and we agreed on a price that included a quilt for him. So finishing this was perfect!

My dad's a master woodworker, and my sewing cabinet is gorgeous. He's not the kind of dad who is particularly demonstrative, but how he feels is obvious from what he makes, and I only hope he gets the same message from my quilt for him.

Teeny projects are just my speed

As the semester comes to a close (and what a semester it has been!), the only time I have for sewing is when I can steal it. So I'm ridiculously pleased with the three teeny projects I've managed to complete in the last couple weeks:



A Christmas ornament for my Ho Ho Holiday Swap partner, Tricia Ann (from the fabric she sent me, even!), and two mug rugs that are currently winging their way across the country to Invisible Internet Friends.

Friday Night Sew-In: November

This month's sew-in was really quite successful! Yesterday my daughter and I went to pick up Dad's Sawblades from the long-arm quilter, so last night's task was to prep the binding and sew it on the front. Thank goodness for the big sewing table my dad made for me--it really helped me manage all that fabric!

Now it's ready for the handsewing, which I'll do on the long holiday car trip:



And a close-up of the quilting, which may disappear a little into the flannel once the quilt is washed:



It is so soft, and will be very warm, I think. I think Dad will have to be careful that my mom doesn't swipe it!

EDITED TO ADD: I'm so excited to have something to link on Fabric Tuesday!!

November: Friday Night Sew-In!

Joining late again, but:



Yesterday I got notice that the long-arm quilter was finished with Dad's Sawblades quilt, so tonight the plan is getting the binding ready and (maybe) machine-sewn, so it's ready for the hand-sewing that I can do while on our long Thanksgiving car trip.

Layer Cake Quilt-Along: Block 1

Last weekend I took advantage of the extra hour in my Saturday and got the chance to do just a little sewing (which proved to be very good for my mental health!): so I did the first block in the Layer Cake Quilt Along.

And here's my version of the Alabama Spinner block, designed by Gene Black:



I'm using Dream On by Urban Chiks, and I was a little dismayed by the fact that there's not a lot of contrast in this particular layer cake (compared to some of the other gorgeous blocks in the flickr pool). BUT! I still adore the fabric, and it will be a lovely, springtimey quilt when I'm done. And I am really quite pleased with how this block turned out. *g*