1080 Squares

Surprisingly, there are 1080 small squares! It didn't seem like I was making that many squares during construction and piecing. By using Bonnie Hunter's method for this scrappy Trip Around the World, this quilt top came together very quickly.

Next step is designing the back of the quilt. The back will not be constructed as quickly as the front since I'll be cutting out each of the 50 States. My classes start up next week; so, I will only be working on the back design during my free time, which will be weekends.

Grandmother Flower Garden Half-Hexis

A numerous years back I made a quilt using half-hexis and the grandmother flower garden pattern using Bali-pops. Since I enjoyed that project, I decided to make another one using the quilt-as-you-go method to attach the rows. After selecting and grouping the Bali-pop strips, I cut them into half-hexis.

The half-hexis were arranged into flowers for the front, and leftover half-hexis were incorporated onto the back. I used my Singer 224 to attach the half-hexis to the back fabric with a decorative stitch.

For the front of the quilt, I pieced the half-hexis together into rows.

Next, I hand-basted the sandwich of muslin, batting, and back of quilt together. After drawing my starting line onto the muslin, I placed my first two rows down on the line and stitched them into place.

From there, I continued to add rows using my Davis NVF.

I decided to use the quilt-as-you-go method for quilting since there would be no quilting lines to distract from the simplicity of the flower garden motif.

Another Season

My mom asked me if I could make a mini quilt like the one I gave her for Mother's Day. She wants to give this quilt as a thank you gift for receiving free organic veggies from friends whose kids own the farm mentioned on the mini quilt, One Straw Farm.

Since I no longer have some of the same fabrics, I changed most of the fabrics. I like the background fabric for this project since the vegetable/fruit look like little, round, red peppers. The paper-piecing was done on my Singer 201, quilting and binding on Davis NVF, and the decorative stitching on Singer 224.

Side One

I love the look of the New Wave Quilt pattern from Elizabeth Hartman/ www.ohfransson.com. Just one of many patterns that has been on my to do list for quite some time now. It's a very easy pattern to follow and assemble.

 

After arranging the layout of the colors, I spent the day piecing with my Two Spools machine. It has been a couple of months since I have sat down with this machine. I love this machine for piecing.

Side One finished; tomorrow I start on Side Two.

Sharing

Yesterday, I participated in the sharing portion of the quilt guild meeting for the first time. I nervously showed off my newly done chevron baby quilt and my Shattered Bones quilt. We are told to give a quick description on the quilts; so, I informed the guild that these quilts were pieced and quilted using 100 year old sewing machines that I treadle. While walking back to my seat, a lady handed me her business card with a note written on it stating that she had a treadle that she wants to give me. During the break, I spoke with her to make arrangements for picking up the machine after the guild meeting. Yes, I came home with beautiful Red-Eye Singer 66-1 machine, gorgeous cabinet, and treadle!

Somehow vintage machines have a way of finding their new steward.

Check out these feet!

You are looking at Melinda's feet. Yes, I got myself another Two Spools, an Eldredge, in original cabinet.

While keeping a eye out for a cabinet for Mr. Two Spools, my National, I spotted another Two Spools down in Salinas. She was hiding in Steinbeck country just waiting for me to pick her up. I purchased her from a man who's grandma used the machine. Melinda is so much smoother than Mr. Two Spools. Funny how two machines can act so differently. Mr. Two Spools would always gallop, but Melinda just hums.

Well, I had to rearrange the sewing area; so, Hank got moved into the straight-leg that Mr. Two Spools was sitting in. Mr. Two Spools has an honorary spot on the book shelf under Thistle Marie.

Here is a look at the new setup. Next to Hank on the right under my cutting mat is my first treadle with Jasmine sitting inside; she is my Singer 15-90 free motion machine. I figure that when I wish to do some free motion quilting I will just rotate Jasmine with Hank.