sew what's new?

  I've started a project from my sewing room closet, that is probably 8-10 years old. A friend from Illinois took me to the Joyful Quilter's Shop in Winfield , Illinois called The Quilt Merchant. It is still there too. I bought a quilt kit that was on clearance with the pattern. Material and pattern designed by Darlene Zimmerman. It is called "Many Blessings". I have also made six more placemats for Meals on Wheels. Something to brighten up a day! 

Been making more masks and sending them off..... All the masks have been sent off to people I love and care about. I had others than those pictured , but they were already in envelope to be mailed. Must start some more. I have been useing elastic hair bands for latest masks. As soon as I sent them off, I received the soft elastic that I ordered. Of course! I am trying to keep up with making placemats to use up leftover blocks. So I finished up six more to be donated to Meals on Wheels. My quilter Karl Muller gave me a call that two of my quilts were done. I'll be sharing those as soon as I get the binding on. Chatter later, be kind, be patient, Martha.

Yes besides the covid -19 counts! I have been making more masks, but mine are not like most posts of masks. I don't find the ones with pleats very comfortable. So I tried another pattern of the four free patterns Moda has on their blog and web site.  I also have some 1/4" elastic left, about 10 yards, however I find it is stiff and uncomfortable to my ears. In previous masks I have used fold over elastic. I have run out of that and am in limbo while more is on its way.  So for the last 8 masks I have used pony tail holder elastic bands! Works well and is gentle and soft on the ears. I have also finished binding another charity quilt I recently got back from the quilter's. Took some pictures on the deck this morning because the weather is so nice! Binding as you can see is scrappy black from that dreaded 2 1/2" strip bin! I also had enough of this black algebra fabric for the backing! I made one more placemat from my remenants. ...

I've had a small interuption to my sewing from the 2 1/2" box. Nothing major, needed a new iron that would produce a lot of steam! Better Homes and Garden highly recommended a CHI iron with 1700 watts and a titanium ceramic plate. Price was reasonable, so i succumbed.  I have had two Oliso irons and have been dissappointed in them both.  Rowenta is fine, I've had one of those, just thought I'd try something different. So far so good! Lots of steam with a lot of holes on plate. Not real heavy either! I've made all the block parts for my scrap quilt. With 24 of each piece made, I'm ready to start tommorrow putting it together.                 These are the first two rows sewn together. There was also a slight pause in my quilt sewing, because of a little squirrel sewing. Some placemats got into my way and I got a bit nutty about them. Couldn't stop at one but managed to get out four. On the plus side,...

Taking a little vacation time in September , about three weeks. Going to see Yellowstone, Devil's Tower,Cody museum, and Little Big Horn.  Of course the most important thing are the visits to my son and daughter and their families!  But of course I will share some pics when I get back! In the meantime I do have some pics of a few other things that I have been working on..... four place mats for one thing.....                    All made with leftover blocks from other projects. I have finished my third Saturday mystery block...... I also accomplished to sew up four journal book covers..... I also have reached another point reached on my Mrs. Hartigan's. So that's what I've been up to, chatter later, Martha.