Afternoon project

The lesson I learned about handling bias edges while working on this project


were completely forgotten a short two weeks later while constructing this small table topper. The flying geese units were made using the Square in a Square method and ruler and the outer edges are "bias", handle gently, no pressing with hot iron, use a wooden iron only until top is complete...


It took three tries to get the bottom row attached with the seams lined up and then just as I was going to attach the borders, I realized that I had attached it upside-down. Aghh! Another two attempts to line up the seams and I had to call it close enough. Next project with Flying Geese I will make using the Quilt in a Day method and ruler.

Here's the completed Table Topper ready for donation to the CQA for Quilt Canada 2008 in St. John's, Nfld.

Up next....

The Shoppe Girls have decided to get together and work on some machine quilting techniques. We will each put together a simple quilt top and practice our free motion quilting. The quilt I chose is simple square and rectangles with a half-square triangle border. The pattern is from the January 2008 issue of The Quilter - Isn't it Rich?

I have cut all the pieces and laid out rows to distribute the colours evenly throughout the entire piece. I kept moving pieces around and will probably make a few more changes as I sew the rows together. Some of the colours look brighter in the photo than in real life, so I hope it all works. It will be 110" x 110" king size quilt when finished.

Quilting Blogs

Some exciting stuff in February! As I follow links from blog to blog, I come across some pretty cool stuff. My latest discovery is Sew,Mama,Sew! February is quilting month at Sew,Mama,Sew! and there will be lots of giveaways and interesting stuff to keep me entertained during the coldest month of the year. Go here to get all the details. There will also be a Quilt Block Sew-along each week with a photo group on Flickr. Well, that might be another good way to use up some of my stash. The first block will be posted on February 1st.

Over at Crazy Mom Quilts, you can participate in a Quilt-a-long. It is almost over now, but the block instructions you can look at the archives and find the instructions for the earlier blocks. Hmmm, maybe we could start a blog for the Guild's B.O.M. program. Something to bring up at the executive meeting, anyway.

Tote bag for workshops

I have stack of drapery fabric samples sitting around and decided to use some to make a tote bag to carry my cutting mat and rulers to the next workshop I attend. I bought a pattern some time ago and I was able to find it! After reading the directions, I see I will have to make a few changes. The pattern suggests using denim or canvas, no quilting, no lining. The drapery fabric is lighter, so I'll use some light batting and add a lining.

My last completed project

This table runner is from a kit I purchased a couple of years ago. Once I started, it was finished in an afternoon except for the hand stitching on the binding.