sew what's new?

I finished another quilt top using my 2 1/2" strips. I made twelve blocks , three rows of four and then wanted to make it a little bit wider as it only finished at 48 1/2" wide. Didn't want a border all the way around.  Didn't want it to look fenced in. So I decided to make a border only on one side. I had plenty of 2 1/2" and 4 1/2" strips left and decided to make a 4 1/2" extra border using them. I have the backing sewn together, as I somehow have an abundance still of fat quarters of flannel left in my scraps. I will be taking this top to the quilter's today! I also began another top with these 12 1/2" blocks. I will be working on these later today, keeping busy and still working on that 2 1/2" bin! Thanks for stopping and taking a look at my day! Martha.

I have still been working on my bin of 2 1/2" strips since coming home. I first started drawing up and coloring blocks I thought I might like to do..... Started with top block and pulled out some strips and cut them to appropriate lengths. I had some grey Kaffe print leftover from a backing. It was about three yards long but only 24" wide. I decided to use it as my stable background. Soon I had a few made and decided to stagger them to make a sort of ripple effect happen. The blocks are rather large 16 1/2" square. So I am only making 12 of them and plan to make a little border all around to slightly increase the size.  I am staggering by making a half block in the beginning and end of the middle row. Top row is sewn together , however middle row is not as of yet!   I got my extra blocks quilted and bound, they are about 24" square. All for now chatter later, Martha.

This past week I have been enjoying myself at Craft Camp in Pillager, Minnesota. I had a great time! Enjoyed the people, food, and the sewing time! I brought my 2 1/2" strips, thinking that I would try and get rid of as much as I could. I also brought about 20 patterns for 2 1/2" strips. Here's a pic of the first quilt top.... The second quilt top.... I also did a test block for a charm square pattern that I intend on  using for  a lap quilt ....  A butterfly block! I had three blocks leftover from the first quilt top. I intend to use them as Charity quilts for stillborns. I just need to put extra borders on to make them a little larger... I have two of these ! I also finished the first month of my Mystery Quilt from my Third Saturday group today... Chatter later, Martha.

Yes I do live in Minnesota, besides that I have been working on a grey, black and white quilt! So that's what I 've been looking at for the past two weeks. This is what the designer gave directions for, however I thought it a bit too small so I added some borders. First a small one finishing at 1 1/4" and then a larger one that will finish at five inches. I  have asked the quilter to quilt gnomes on it , as my daughter likes them. I am putting flannel on the back. Grey, black and white flannel of course. Chatter later, Martha.

I've been working on a quilt for my daughter using 2 1/2" strips.   Here I have 23 diamonds made, with 5 more needed. I must make these before continueing on.... I actually made 8 more in case they might be needed to help with variety.  I need to make 2 different blocks with these diamonds, four of each kind. The seams need to be pressed open when joining them together. The first block uses only three of these diamonds. I love my seam stick to press open seams. It makes it so easy! Here are my four blocks that use only three diamonds each. This is what I call one block. All for now, chatter later, Martha.

My projects for this month will be mainly trying to use up my huge bin of 2 1/2" strips.  In making as many quilts as I possibly can out of this, so that I may get this container off my sewing room floor! I have  a large selection of patterns that mainly use 2 1/2" strips and a bit of background fabric. My first pattern is a pattern my daughter choose last year for one of her grey,  black,  and white quilts she wants for her living room. I can see this being made with red, white blue, and gold strips for Quilts of Gratitude or Quilts of Honor.  Maybe just scrappy using all colors too!  I begin by sewing three strips together and press seams one direction and then using the 45* angle on my ruler cutting more 2 1/2 strips..... Which I get 3 pieces from each strip and I need 81 of these for my quilt.... I have already made 44 of these, so the next few days I will be making more of these. I will update you as to my progress as I move along.

Wishing you a very happy new year and I had my first finish today! I am trying  to start the year out right! I used the same  pattern I used for my daughter's checkered purse by Noodlehead ,so far I have used two of her patterns and for a beginner bag maker they are gold star! The best! When my daughter said she needed a bag for book club , fireworks went off for me. My granddaughter is transferring to NIU (Northern Illinois Universary) from a local junior college. I think she might be in need of  a book bag with a much bigger campus. I am hoping she likes the color combination that I have picked out. Pictures to follow..... I put the blue seam   utensil in the pocket , so that you could tell that there is a pocket. Instead of using fabric for shoulder strap, I used webbing as I wanted it stronger. The inside has pockets and is a red Kaffe fabric! Got it all packed and just have to wait until post office opens tomorrow! All for now, Martha. Hope your