A Quick Look At 2012

Since this is the last day of the year I thought I would join 

others in blog land and take a look at what I've made this year.  

In looking over photos, I realized that I made many, many things 

that were never photographed.
I need to work on that for 2013. 

I have to say though that I am delightfully surprised 

that I finished seven quilts this year. 

Seven 

That's right, a big fat seven. 

Can you tell I'm thrilled?!

As our family says goodbye to 2012
We reflect on the precious times spent together with loved ones.
The wonderful day to day happenings filled with
little moments that matter most.
The highs and a few lows, that although difficult, have stretched us.
We rejoice in God's graciousness and love to us.

A special thank you to all who visit my little creative space here in blog land.
May your 2013 be one of overflowing
love, great health and joy.

Here's to 2013

Finished Chevron

The Chevron is done! 

 I wanted to show the completed Chevron Quilt from the tutorial 

I did last month for the Let's Get Acquainted Hop. 

I got it quilted and bound, but didn't get a chance 

to get it all crinkly and washed before delivering it to my daughter.  

I went with quilting that followed the zig zaggy chevrons 

and extended it in the borders. Edge to edge. 

The binding is a celery green with white dots that I love!

I pieced the back with what I could find in my stash and thought would work. 

I love the interest that a fun pieced back adds. 

Here's a close up. I didn't get nearly as many photos as I wanted. 

I gave it to her on Thanksgiving, so it wasn't really a priority. 

I'm still hoping to get a few more photos next time we visit, 

especially after its first washing.

Everything about this quilt says my daughter, 

the pattern, the fabric and the colors. 

They are all perfect for her.  

                                                              Amanda's Chevron

49 X 68 before washing

                        Ruby layer cake by Bonnie and Camille

Warm and White batting

Do you have a finished quilt from the tutorial?  

I'd love to see it!

Thanksgiving

I hope you all are safe, 

happy and enjoying a wonderful day 

with the ones you love.

Happy Thanksgiving

Doll Quilt Swap 12

Its time for another round of the Doll Quilt Swap over on flickr. 

This is round 13,  can you believe it? 

There have been 12 rounds of beautiful doll quilts swapped?  

I joined in on round 12, and it was so much fun, and such a wonderful experience. 

This time I'm very excited to be a swap mama!

The doll quilt I made for Nicole aka Peony Bliss

This swap is open to all active flickr members and all skill levels, from beginners to experts. 

Sign ups are now and will continue for about a week, 

with the swapping of finished quilts in February. 

February, isn't that great? That gives plenty of time around all the holidays. 

I've been involved in a couple swaps and each time I've learned something new. 

My goal has been to push myself and raise the bar a bit.

The doll quilt I received from Mona aka QuiltingCyclist

If your interested don't delay, 

sign-ups will be closing very soon, so head on over and sign-up. 

We'd love to have you join in. 

Chevron - Part Two

Part One is Here

Now that we have the left side rows done, lets get to the right side.
These are done the same way as the left,  in part one, except you will place your mark differently.
Start by adding a frame to each strip top. Press seams open. Place the mark 1 1/2" in on the right side of the strip, so it will lean the other way.

Once your units are complete, they will lean toward the left.
Trim them in the same manor as you did the right leaning ones in part one.

Continue making units, then rows to complete chevron rows 2, 4 and 6.

You know have 6 very long rows, 3 left side and 3 right side chevrons.

Take your 6 rows, 3 left side and 3 right side chevrons.
Sew the left side and right side of each chevron together very carefully,
so as not to stretch the bias edge, lining up the frame fabrics.

Gently press the long chevron seams open.
Repeat this for the other four chevron strip halves.
You should now have 3 complete chevron strips.

Now we can put the chevron strips together with frame fabric in between each chevron.

Lay your chevron on the floor and measure down the center.
Your center seam measurement should be the same as the outer edge measurement. Mine was 66".
Join two frame strips together to match the length of the row.  66" in my case.
Attached the frame strip to the right edge of chevron strips #1 and the right edge of chevron #2.
I used my walking foot because of the bias edge.

Now lets sew the left side of chevron #2 to the right side of chevron #1.
Lining the second side of the frame strip and chevron together is a bit tricky.
The chevron seams won't line up because of the 1/2" strip between them.
Place the chevron with the strip already attached, on top (no photo).
You will notice that the seam line of the top chevron strips will fall right in the middle of the frame strip of the other row (hopefully this will make sense when you do it) It really looks like it won't line up properly, but pin a bit and gently take a peek. I think you'll see how they fall together.
Pin well and if possible use a walking foot.  Press seams toward frame fabric.
Now repeat the same process for chevron #2 and #3.


It's time to trim the top.

I placed the chevron points at the 1 1/2 mark and with the ruler straight on the sides, I made my cut. I carefully moved my ruler along the width of the quilt top. It worked, but it might have been easier, space wise, to trim earlier.

Carefully move the ruler along the width of the quilt top and cut.  Repeat for the bottom of the quilt.


Finally, we are ready for the borders.
Cut 2 frame strips for the each side and the 2 strips for the top and 2 for the bottom. Sew them together to make them long enough. attached side and top/bottom frame border and Press.

Cut the outer border. Mine is cut at 3" wide.  Attach. Sew and press. (No photo of the border #2).

Now you have a finished chevron quilt top.       Isn't it beautiful?!

Hooray for you!  Layer and quilt as desired.


Here's mine. It finished right about 49 X 68. A pretty generous lap size, which is what I wanted.

  So Pretty - I love this fabric

I will be getting to the layering and quilting very soon and will update this post with a completely finished quilt when I do.

 If you find any area of the tutorial lacking, please let me know and I would love to see any quilts you make using it : )

Whoo Hoo, another completed top!

The Completed Quilt 

It's My Turn

That's right, it is my hop day on the Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop.

If you are new to my blog, thank you for stopping by.  

If you have been here before, I hope you enjoy learning a little 

bit more about me. I've included a few things 

I've worked on and a tutorial starting at the end of the post. 

My name is Wendi and I live in California. My husband and I have 

three grown daughters and three grandchildren. I enjoy quilting, knitting and creating things. 

I find it hard not to have something in my hands to do.

These are a few of things I've enjoyed making.

Question and Answer Section

Quilting - I've been quilting for about 20 years. I love the geometry and the precision.  I still have so much to learn, especially in the free motion quilting area. I haven't been able to master those uneven tension issues. I love both tradition and modern designs. Even though I have been quilting for a long time, none of my quilts reside in my home. I have a goal to finish a couple for our home within the next year.

Favorite quilt techniques - I love to applique. It's portable and relaxing.

Favorite quilting tips - Cut as precisely as you can and chain piece when possible.

Fabric wish list - No specific fabric line right now, but my fabric stash is lacking in grays.

Favorite craft or quilting book - I love books. Right now I am learning to knit socks, and I find
Toe-Up 2-at-a Time Socks by Melissa Morgan-Oakes to be very helpful. I don't have a favorite quilting book right now.

Binding by hand or machine - Hand. Always. I find it relaxing.

Favorite TV show when stitching - Big Bang Theory or a chick flick.

Before heading to the tutorial, I want to say thanks for stopping by my blog. 

I hope you'll stop by again real soon. 

Don't forget to head over and say hello to 

my blog hop partner, Kelly of Live. Love. Create. 

On to the tutorial

My tutorial for a chevron quilt turned out to be two parts. 

Part one is in the post below and part two will post on Saturday.

Chevron Layer Cake Quilt

Part One

Chevron Layer Cake Quilt

Finished size  49 X 68

I use a layer cake I had on hand to make this chevron quilt. 

I wanted the chevron strips to be the length of the quilt and not an actual block. 

I also wanted it to be a generous lap size so I "framed" the strips to add length,  

thinking the layer cake alone wouldn't make it long enough. I have found that the frames weren't needed, the layer cake would have made a generous lap size without them. 

 Part One - Fabric requirements, cutting and making rows (left side).

Part Two - making rows (right side) and assembly of quilt top

Here is my version. 

Lets start off with what you'll need.

1 layer cake (10 X 10 pieces of fabric)  - you will use 35 squares

1 1/3 yards of framing fabric (mine is a white print)

1/2 - 3/4 yard for binding

If you don't want borders, 1/2 yard will be enough for binding

A rotary cutter, cutting mat, long ruler (at least 24") and a second ruler is helpful.

Let's Start Cutting

Cut each layer cake square into 4 strips 2 1/2" wide.  I cut mine in half, then in half again.

From the frame fabric, cut 45 strips 1" wide by the width of the fabric  (yield 45 strips 1" by about 40")

** Before you cut your strips, make sure to straighten the edge of your fabric to avoid any crooked strips. I use two rulers. Fold your fabric in half, selvedge to selvedge, then again. You should have 4 layers. Place the horizontal line of one ruler along the bottom fold, near the left edge. Place the second ruler, on the left side, up to the edge of the first. Remove the first ruler and trim. Your edge should now be nice and straight. Perpendicular to the fold. 

Lay out your layer cake strips into six rows.  Each row should have 23 strips.
Move things around until you are pleased with the layout.

  Let's Get Sewing

Collect the top 7 strips from row one into a stack. We will split the row of 23 into smaller units.
Seven or eight is a manageable size, any longer and things get distorted. The smaller stack works best with the ruler length too. You could do 4 group with 5 and 6 strips, if you prefer.

At your sewing machine, put the top strip aside and sew the next six layer cake strips to your 1" frame strips. Four printed strips should fit on one strip of frame fabric.  Continue with the rest of the layer cake strips in the stack, so that each one has a frame fabric attached. Cut them apart and iron the seams open.

Keeping all your strips in order, and with the frame fabric up toward the top,
mark each framed strip 1 1/2 " in from the left side.

 Line the fabric above at the 1.5 inch mark, pin and sew strips together.

 Press seams open. Continue pairing these four strip groups, using the 1.5 inch marked sewing guide until all 7 strips are one larger strip unit. It should lean to the right. Press.

Time To Cut

Line up the 60 degree line along the bottom of the lower strip.
The side edge of the ruler should fall along the strips where they join.
It could be off a bit, mine was, just straighten as best you can.
You can use another ruler. Lay the 60 degree line of the second ruler along the side edge of this one, your frame fabric lines should run along the horizontal lines of the ruler  (Sorry, no photo)
When you are ready, carefully cut the long edge.

 60 degree line

Long edge

Now move your ruler over to cut the other side. Again placing the 60 degree angle on
the bottom edge. Place a second ruler along the cut edge, and butt the rulers together.
I placed my second, smaller ruler on the 1 1/4" mark, placed the long
ruler against it and cut the other long edge.
My strips ended up being 6 3/4 wide, from edge to edge straight across. The width doesn't really matter, you just want each chevron half strip to have the same measurement.
These edges are cut on the bias, so be very careful, they will stretch easily

One small unit of the chevron half section is done. Set this unit gently aside. Now collect the next 8 strips and repeat the process for unit 2 of row one chevron half.  Then the next 8.

Now you should have 3 sections of trimmed units.  Each unit containing 7 or 8 fabrics. Let's sew them together.  Line up the edges, off set by 1/4 inch so the long edges will line up nicely. Stitch and gently pressing seams open.  This chevron half strip should measure about 63. Gently lay this very long, strip aside so it doesn't stretch.

Congratulations,  you have one half of the chevron strip #1 done. Now go back to your quilt layout of 6 rows and repeat this process with row3 and 5.

Now we are ready for part two. I will post it on Saturday.

Yay, Its the Bloggers Quilt Festival

When the Festival rolls around I usually only have one or two quilts to choose from. 

Today I will show you my Kaleidoscope Quilt.  

I started out making this quilt for our family room, 

 but once I got sewing it together I realized it was really meant to be for my youngest daughter. 

I love when that happens, or even when one quilt sparks inspiration for another. 

I've always loved the kaleidoscope block and all of its many variations

and it was perfect for showing off the large scale prints of Kate Spain's Fandango line. 

quilting close-up

This is the most I've ever quilted a quilt and it was done on my home machine.

 I was really, really glad when it was done and about half 

way through I was wondering what I was ever thinking. 

pieced back

You can see the quilting design better here from the backside.

 I love this quilt. 

I love the fabrics, the colors, the pattern 

and it's special to both my daughter and me. 

Blogger's Quilt Festival Stats

Name - Samantha's Kaleidoscope

Finished Size  - 50.5" X 67.5"

Pieced and Quilted by - me

Best Category - throw quilt and home machine quilted

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Enjoy the rest of the Quilt Festival!

--- Wendi  

Hops and Scraps

Lets Get Acquainted Blog Hop is still going on. 

Actually, it is due to come to an end in a few weeks. 

I'm posting this weeks hop blogs so you can stop by and say hello. 

Oct 23       Tracey from The Peony Teacup

        Megan from City Stitches

Oct 25            Kerstin from Sunset Sewing

                                                         Jenniffier from Jenniffier's Sometimes Creative Life

After recent projects, I was tidying up my sewing room 

space and made the mistake of 

collecting my scrap bags and baskets in one place.  

Oh.....I   can   not    believe that I can't bring myself to toss out these scraps. 

Why must I keep everything!  

Want to see?

I've had this basket for many years, 

 as if it were actually a piece of furniture. 

A plastic bin to toss scraps right at my feet while I'm cutting. 

Last year I got some crazy idea to hang onto strings. 

I needed some for a project and didn't have any.......because I don't like to do string things!  

And these, the tiny of tiniest, but oh so cute and pretty!  

Some of these are only an inch big.

What to do, what to do?  I tried cutting up everything in a 2.5 inch 

square for a scrap vomit quilt, but so many of the scraps are not wide enough. 

Should I just toss anything smaller than say, 2 inches, and cut up the rest?

Suggestions anyone? 

Do you keep all your scraps too?

What do you do with them?

I forgot, I have another large shopping bag full, that I didn't take a picture of. 

Ugh!  I think I need a plan!

Or some help!  : )

DOLL QUILT SWAP

I'm back, I had ten days to finish my partners 

doll quilt for a swap, I got it done and mailed.  

I don't think my partner has received it yet, but look what I got!!  

Isn't she a beauty?! 

I love this little doll quilt, 

and received it from Caitlin of i don't do dishes.

She did a fabulous job!

I love all the color and color combinations, the small piecing and her attention to detail! 

DETAILS - She is a dainty 14 X 14,  

and features fabrics from Denyse Schmidt, paired with white. 

Very soon she will be hanging on the doll quilt wall along side my other Doll Swap beauty.

They will go together very nicely. 

A big THANK YOU Caitlin!

Here is a glimpse in progress of the quilt I sent to my partner. 

My partner likes traditional, so I went with 20 different 

Denyse Schmidt prints for a double pointed dresden.  

I'm not a fan of white.  I just don't like working with it, 

so I went with a gray, which I thought made the blades pop a little. 

Here it is, all quilted and bound. 

It is more quilting than I usually do and at first I didn't like it, 

but the more I looked at it, the more I liked it, 

and before I sent it, I actually loved how it turned out. 

 Hopefully my partner will too!

 I had time to make a little dumpling in my partners favorite color, pink. 

I had been wanting to make one, so the timing was perfect. 

Since this is a swap featuring DS fabric, I went with DS scraps.

The only zipper on hand the right size, was a blue one,

so I went with a blue lining. 

This little dumpling pouch was easy and fun to make,
I will definitely be making several more.

Now that this swap is over, I can get back to that ever
growing list of  Works in Progress and things I dream of making. 

Happy Stitching  : )