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Have you had the opportunity to make a t-shirt quilt? It is a quilt type that I get commissioned all the time to make. That is one part of my job that I really enjoy. This time I got to make a special t-shirt quilt for my grandson, Owen. His mom was cleaning and gathered up all his old t-shirts from elementary school. He brought them to me and asked for a quilt. It was fun to see all that he did, plays, sports, travel and camps. He even had some of his dad's coaching t-shirts. I have the quilt ready to be quilted. Owen picked out a satin for backing, yes, a satin. I think his dad, Christopher, will quilt it for him. Owen is a 7th grader now. I am sure there will be another quilt request made from his middle school t-shirts. Hopefully, the other 9 grandchildren don't notice because that is lots of quilts. Being grandmother, how could I refuse any of them. Today's block is Union Square. It has HST, flying geese and sq. in a sq. You will have fun with this one.
Union Square
Cutting Light fabric two 2 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once for sq. in a sq. four 1 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once for HST eight 1 1/2" sq. for flying geese Medium fabric one 2 1/2" sq. for center of sq. in a sq. four 1 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once for HST four 1 1/2" sq. for outer corners Dark fabric one 3 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice for sq. in a sq. four 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect. for flying geese Enjoy, Terry
Another week, another dollar and another week closer to spring. I don't mind the 4 seasons but I would make winter shorter if I could. Anyway, it does make great quilting weather. So let it snow and a quilting I will go. Today's block is Return of the Swallows. It is flying geese all around.
Return of the Swallows
Cutting Light fabric sixteen 2" sq. Medium fabric four 2" x 3 1/2" rect. Dark fabric four 2" x 3 1/2" rect. For extra help, check out our flying geese tutorial at Fabric Junction on youtube. Terry
Binding, binding and more binding. Sometime it seems like that is all that I get done. Thank goodness that I quit doing it by hand years ago. I would not be able to keep up. Besides my hands gave out some time ago so I bind only by machine. Being busy is a good thing, not a complaint. After a busy day, it is nice to do a simple block. Today's block is Practical Orchard. You can mark your diagonals first and sew, then cut if you like.
Practical Orchard
Cutting Light Medium fabric four 2 1/2" sq. one 3 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice use 2 triangles for hour glass Dark Medium fabric four 2 1/2" sq. one 3 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice use 2 triangles for hour glass Relax and enjoy, Terry
For Christmas, my daughter gave me a book that is a quilter's mystery. She thought that it would be something that I would enjoy. She was right. I enjoy quilting and also a good mystery. What more could one ask for in a book. Anyway, I started reading Forget Me Knot by Mary Marks over the weekend. So far so good. Today's block is No Name Patch. It is made of 4-patches and square in a square.
No Name Patch
Cutting Light fabric one 2 1/2" sq. four 1 7/8" sq. for the sq. in a sq. Light Medium fabric eight 1 1/2" sq. for 4-patch Medium fabric four 1 1/2" sq. for 4-patch eight 1 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once for the sq. in a sq. Dark fabric four 1 1/2" sq. for outer corners in sq. in a sq. Have fun and find a good book. Terry
Do you ever get your fingernails done? You know that I do if you have ever watched my youtube videos. It is one of things in life that I enjoy doing. About twenty years ago, I found out that there was a way from keep me from biting my nails. Yes, I was a nailbiter. I have always wanted long nails but as a biter that was not going to happen. For twenty years now, I have been getting my nails done. She does a French manicure because with all the sewing that I do I wear the polish off before it was time to redo. They look longer then they really are because of the way that they are done. On to today's block--Golden Gate.
Golden Gate
Cutting Light fabric one 2 1/2" sq. for center four 1" x 2 1/2" rect. two 2 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once Medium fabric two 2 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once Dark fabric eight 1 1/4" x 2 1/2" rect. If you have not seen the real Golden Gate bridge, take time to do so. It is impressive. Terry
There is nothing like breaking up the day with a visit to the dentist. There wasn't any problem but it changes the tempo of my day. First, you are busy piecing, then the dentist, then trying to get back in the swing of sewing. It seems like the dentist just sucks the life out of me. Enough of that, on to today's block--End of Day. What a neat block of HST and squares.
End of Day
Cutting Light fabric two 2 3/8" sq. cut diagonally once Medium fabric two 2 3/8" sq. cut diagonally once four 2" sq. Dark fabric four 2 3/8" sq. cut diagonally once four 2" sq. Just a reminder that you can sew your HST first then cut them. Your choice. Terry
What a great way to start the new year with soup night with the grandchildren. For Christmas, some of the grandchildren gave me some soup mixes that they liked. So tonight, I fix one and had bread and crackers to go with it. Cookies for dessert to finish it off. For today's block-- Birds in the Air. This one is a nice change of pace, made with five large triangles.
Birds in the Air
Cutting Medium fabric one 6 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once, use 1 triangle one 3 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once, use 1 triangle Dark Medium fabric one 3 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once, use 1 triangle Dark fabric one 3 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once Happy piecing, Terry
Happy New Year!! We've survived the cold snap. I don't recall it being that cold in years. It was thirty to forty degrees below our normal. That was bad. Hopefully, that was it for this year. On to our first block of the year. It is Battle of the Alamo. Sew the strips together then recut into eight 1 1/2" sections. Sew again to form the nine-patch section with the two 1 1/2" sq.
Battle of the Alamo
Cutting Light fabric six 1 7/8" sq. cut 3 diagonally once use the other 3 for HST one 1 1/2" x 12 1/2" strip two 1 1/2" sq. Medium fabric one 3 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once Dark fabric three 1 7/8" sq. for HST one 1 1/2" x 12 1/2" strip Stay warm, Terry
The end of the year is counting down. One of the things that I have always tried to do is to complete the lingering projects from the year. That does not mean that I finish all my quilt projects. These are the ones that I am making for the shop or was commissioned to make for a customer. This gives me a good feeling to begin my year anew. Since Christmas has pasted, I have been able to concentrate on them. Tomorrow, I have one quilt left to bind. Yeah!! Next, on to the projects that came in this month that have 2018 deadlines. For now, it is block time. Double Pinwheel is one of my favorites and a great one for any skill level.
Double Pinwheel
Cutting Light fabric one 4 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice Medium fabric two 3 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once Dark fabric one 4 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice Well, there is still time to finished one more before the new year begins. Have fun. Terry
Talen stopped by to help me make salads for Christmas eve. His favorite thing to make is the pinwheels made from jello and marshmallows. He is going skiing tomorrow so I am on my own baking pies. Before he left, he made his request for an apple pie. Today's block is-- Crosses & Losses.
Crosses & Losses
Cutting Light fabric two 2 3/8" sq. for HST four 2" sq. one 3 7/8" sq. for HST Medium or Dark fabric two 2 3/8" sq. for HST one 3 7/8" sq. for HST Enjoy your weekend, Terry
It was soup night with my grandchildren. It was an enjoyable evening. Some of them are starting Christmas vacation tomorrow and some had homework to get done. Their vacation starts Saturday. We will all be together again on Sunday. Even though things are busy, here is today's block--Aunt Sukey's Choice. You will make it in sections of 2 squares and rectangle, 2 flying geese and a center square.
Aunt Sukey's Choice
Cutting Light fabric eight 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" four rectangles for flying geese twelve 1 1/2" sq. eight squares for flying geese Medium fabric four 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles for flying geese twelve 1 1/2" sq. eight squares for flying geese Dark fabric one 2 1/2" sq. for center Don't stress out, relax, Terry
Friends and family are adding to their grandchild numbers. This is wonderful. I currently have 10 grandchildren. I feel very fortunate. Please, add these new babies to your prayers. One of the babies came a month early, so far everything is alright. Another one, the mother is having problem and they think the baby may come early. We pray that baby and mother will be fine. Last, but most important is my nephew and his wife. They just found out that the baby will be born with heart problems. Pray that mother makes it close to term and that the doctors know how to help the baby. Thank you for your prayers. Today's block is--Peace & Plenty. More HST and a few flying geese. I know that it is not new but look at all the different ways in which they are used.
Peace & Plenty
Cutting Light fabic four 2 3/8" sq. for HST eight 1 3/4" sq. for flying geese Medium or Dark fabric four 2 3/8" sq. for HST four 1 3/4" x 3 1/2" rectangles for flying geese Thank you, Terry
Wind, wind and more wind, with all the wind I don't know if we will have a white Christmas or just wind. Either way I am a little closer to being ready. Just about have all my gifts made and wrapped. This weekend my oldest son, Ryan will be receiving his doctorate in engineering. A must to attend. We are very proud of him. Also, another Christmas program with Christopher's children. Looking forward to see them perform. Snowball is today's block. Use the stitch n flip method when sewing the squares in each corner. Stitch n flip is when you place the smaller square in the corner and sew diagonally across the small square. Cut off the corner and press.
Snowball
Cutting Light fabric four 2 1/2" sq. Medium or Dark fabric one 6 1/2" sq. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Terry
My sister dropped off a beautiful poinsettia for me. This tells me that it is time for me to get my decorating done. I did change the quilt on my bed to my Christmas quilt. Maybe tomorrow, it is Christmas tree decorating time. We will see. Until then, let's go to today's block--Steps to the Altar.
December is the month that gets busy with the grandchildren's programs. Saturday, we watch two of the girls, Maeve and Brooklyn, in the Nutcracker and Sunday was Anya's choir concert. Next is church Christmas programs. No matter what it is, it is wonderful to watch them all. So if your schedule isn't full yet, here is today's block--Tulip Lady Fingers. Just a few squares and HSTs. I did this one as a tablerunner a couple of years ago. The runner is also on our youtube channel, Fabric Junction. Click HERE to go to it.
Tulip Lady Fingers
Cutting Light fabric four 2 1/2" sq. four 1 7/8" sq. for HST four 1 1/2" sq. Medium fabric four 1 7/8" sq. for HST four 1 1/2" sq. Dark fabric one 2 1/2" sq. Just a reminder that HST is for Half Square Triangle. Terry
Our quilters are busy, busy, busy like Santa's elves getting everything ready for Christmas. Today was their day off so Christopher and I stepped in. We spent the day long arm quilting to make sure that everyone's quilt is finished on time. It is always fun to see what others have made. The variety that our customers create is great. We are not to the bottom of the list but just a little closer. Today's block is Windblown Square.
Windblown Square
Cutting Light fabric one 4 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice two 2 3/8" sq. cut diagonally once one 2 7/8" sq. for center Medium fabric one 4 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice, use 2 two 2 3/8" sq. cut one diagonally once, other one use in HST Dark fabric one 4 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice, use 2 two 2 3/8" sq. cut one diagonally once, other one use in HST Have fun. Terry
Yes, I like country music. Just watched the CMA awards, in which I enjoyed all the performers. I do enjoy all types of music but country is my favorite. I like the old twangy sound of the old singers that I listen to with my dad. The country singers of the 60's and 70's that my mom like and everything since then. Maybe my enjoyment is related to the memories with my parents, a little two stepping or foxtrot with my mother in the kitchen to Eddie Arnold or Charlie Pride. My parents were avid square dancers, sometime I got to tag along. This block is in their honor--Square Dance. Make the sides using the same method as making flying geese. You will have extra fabric on the sides of the geese. After the geese are made, check to make sure they measure 4 1/2" to match the center square. Trim a little if necessary.
Square Dance
Cutting Light fabric four 1 1/2" sq. Medium fabric four 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect. one 4 1/2" sq. Dark Fabric eight 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect. I hope that you take time to dance even if it is by yourself while doing the dishes. Terry
My desk is full of things to do. I love being busy at work. To me, if I'm not busy at work, I may as well not be here. How about you? How is your week going? I'm not the only one who's busy around here. Terry posted another YouTube tutorial this week. It's called "Binding with Cuddle Fabric." Cuddle (or Minky) fabric seems to give people some trouble when working with it. Terry's video will help explain how to use it for binding without making yourself crazy. Here's the tutorial:
If you're running out of ideas for your next project, we might be able to help! Our Robert Kaufman Botanical Beauty is on sale this week. It's regularly $8.20. This week it is $6.50. What a beautiful start to a striking quilt.
March is a fun month for all of us here in South Dakota. We've been sweating at 70 degrees one day to shivering in our boots at 30 the next. Just this week we had snow blowing sideways in 50 mph gusts of wind. With these teasers of spring, I'm getting antsy to start my garden. I always say I'm going to start with seeds inside. By the time I finally get to plant them, the seedlings have dried up and died. So then I go buy starters from the store, get them in the ground, and then it snows. Or a deer eats them. Or something. I can't decide if I'm determined or crazy when I do this every summer. I'm still trying to figure out how those clever Canadians grow their beautiful gardens. Maybe I'll go visit sometime and find out. Until then, maybe you can comment below on some gardening tips for me. Thanks!
I'm not one to comment on the political process. I believe both sides have some ideas worth value and some that should be tossed in the trash. God in heaven rules and nothing is a surprise to him. But wow, am I tired! Are any of you taking a huge breath of relief that it's all over? What will we ever fill our time with now?
I know! Let's fill it with quilting.
How cute is this?!
A customer of ours from Virginia sent us this picture. She used our panels to make an adorable baby gift. I love these Northcott Connector Playmat panels. The kiddos can even run their cars and planes and boats on them. It's like a soft, portable train table!
Need some ideas for home decor for the holidays? Come look at our Thanksgiving and Christmas items. Currently on sale. Saving money on gifts just means you can make more gifts, right? I'll also let you in on a little secret. We still have a few Halloween items in stock. They are 50% off. Want to plan ahead? Or just like Halloween? Pick up a few things before they are sold out.
Terry has posted a brand new YouTube tutorial. If you have a bunch of scraps laying around, this might be your ticket to de-cluttering. You can watch this quick, 7 minute video here:
I hope that this week brings you interesting things to create, a friend or family member that loves your work, and the energy to get it all done!
