Katie's quilt.

I've been working on the "TicTacToe" quilt for my niece Katie. It's come along quite nicely once I got those tiny 4 piece blocks done. So, here's a pic of the quilt top so far.

Now I'm auditioning borders. I want to use the three colours in a border but I'm not sure of the widths. So here's pics of the three I've looked at so far.
Door # 1

Door # 2

And Door # 3.
I think I like Door # 3 the best. How about you? How do you choose what to use for borders?
I'm going to use the dark navy as the binding.
Now all I have to decide is how to quilt it. Any suggestions?
(And don't say "with thread!")

Friday Night Sew In, a finish ready for gifting.

This is my nephew Terry's quilt. I started it in February, then got distracted by another quilt, and some cross-stitching, and some parenting, etc. It's been on the frame for 2 weeks waiting for me to quilt it. Tonight was the night. What better project to do on a FNSI. So, after 2 1/2 hours the quilting was done. I was able to square it up and put the binding on, sew down the binding by machine and tuck in all the loose threads tonight. Now, it's ready for gifting, which is a good thing since his birthday is less than a month away!.

Remember how your teacher always told you to read the entire test before starting?

Well, this is why. This is a lovely pattern, and I'm making it for another niece. It was written in 2006, that's not before rotary cutters were born. So just why does it have antique instructions?

See that little line about cutting 136 little 1 1/2" squares? Then you have to assemble them into 4 patch blocks.
Cutting 136 little squares, of two colours, so that is 272 little, tiny, 1 1/2" squares.
Well, that's just not going to happen in my reality. Strip piecing, here we come.
I always have difficulty getting my blocks exactly square, so I like to cut them a bit bigger, then trim. So here is where the "read it before you cut" part comes in.
Take one strip of each colour and sew them together, then layer one on top of the other so that the red is on the blue, and the blue is on the red. Nest them together so the seam is lined up.
THEN cut them into units 1 1/2" wide (I did 1 3/4") , Keep the two layers together, then sew a 1/4" seam down one side. Presto - 4 patch. Now I trim it to the required 2 1/2" square.
So now the pattern calls for adding a 3"triangle ( 3" square cut in half) to each of the four sides of those teeny, tiny 4 patch squares.

There's that little line about cutting 136 squares into triangles. Deal with all those bias edges? Well, that's another little thing that I avoid at all costs. So, here's h0w to avoid working with bias edges.
First take that 3" square and draw a pencil line across from point to point.
This is where you WOULD HAVE cut it.
Now take one four patch and line it up on that line. Sew it on using a 1/4" seam. *For illustration I used only a 2 patch piece.* You can extend your stitching onto the back triangle if you want because the little point at the top and bottom will be trimmed off later.

Now turn the whole unit around, and sew another four patch against the other side of the line.
Of course, you will sew several of these in a row before proceeding with the next step, right? Now, cut them apart through the middle. This way the bias edge is sewn down already and is stable. Press open, then repeat with the other side of the four patch so you have a triangle on opposite sides now. Trim off the little tips. I stacked three on top each other , then trimmed.

Now do it all over again to the other two sides of the four patch. This time don't bother to trim the tips off because you'll be trimming the whole patch to 3 1/2" square.


Find the reference marks you need on your ruler of choice, and trim the blocks to 3 1/2" square. Note how the 45 degree angle mark lines up with the seam in the four patch.
Ta da~ One teeny, weeny, floating four patch. It's "floating" because the points of the four patch are not designed to reach the edge of the block when the side seams are sewn. So, it "floats" in space between the blocks on either side of it. Repeat until you have 68 of these little beauties.

It seems fiddley. But it's still easier than handling 1 1/2" squares, bias edges, and trying to get them square and on size.

Now, why didn't the pattern show that?

It's Friday Night Sew In time!!

Well, it's time for another FNSI. March the 18 th is the night. If you've never joined this virtual sew in, it's time! There's prizes to be had and everything, and you get some stitching done. Could there be anything better?
Just click on the FNSI banner on the left sidebar and it will take you to the signup link on "Handmade by Heidi". Then get ready to sew!

Yeah, Weekend getaway for ME!

There are a group of Moms that have been going to a cottage retreat, twice a year, for the last 7 or so years. We started as scrapbookers, making it a scrapbooking retreat. Most of us are not as avid scrapbookers anymore, probably because our kids are in the "don't take my picture" age. So now a few bring their gear, but most of us just "retreat". (eat, drink, talk, hot tub, drink, eat. Repeat)
I haven't been able to go for the last two times, so I am pumped! I get to go this weekend!!
The plans are made:
Kid care - check
Pet care- check
Gas in van - even got it before the price soared today - check
Plan to bring quilting stuff - cancelled. I've finished 2 quilts already this week, and I figured since the other ladies aren't "sew-ers", they'd probably not get a "rush" from hearing a sewing machine all weekend. Unlike quilters, who, as you know, consider that sound to be music to our ears.
Trip to Walmart to buy a ball of yarn and a crochet hook - check.
Try to remember how to make crocheted dishcloths - how hard can it be, it's a square. Duh.
Packing several quilt magazines for everyone to drool over - check.
I just have to pack the suitcases, and woohooot!
Now all that is left is a short chat with the weatherman - who has predicted snow tonight and tomorrow - it better not be enough to snow me out of going or snow me in when I get there (as enticing as that may be.)
So, I hope you have a good weekend. I will!

Oops, I did it again!

Oops. I fell for another one. Yup, another Singer. This time a 1947 Featherweight. She comes complete with her case, several bobbins and other attachments including a ruffler, even a dried up tube of lubricant still in its box. She needed a good oiling because she was bone dry , but other than that she's in great shape. Can't wait to sew with her.
Now I have 6 machines, and that better stop , here and now.
Janome Horizon 7700
Janome 6260 QC
Singer model 27 treadle, 1904
Singer Featherweight, 1947
Elna Supramatic, "Grasshopper" circa 1950
White "Jeans Machine" circa 1970

My name is Teresa, and I am a sewing machine and fabric addict........

Busted!!

I thought I'd try the prewound bobbins available these days. You know the ones, the paper bobbins with thread for about .65 cents each?
So, being the brave person I am, I bought ONE. Just ONE. Just to try it in my machines and see where it worked, and where it wouldn't.
But, I didn't even get a chance.
When I came home today, THIS is what I found.Then I found its twin.
What I did not find, was the thread.
Now, when something like this happens, it means two things have happened.
1. I must have dropped it out of my bag of fabric before it made it into the cupboard.
2. Neeka found it.

So, before you fall for that "sweet little Who, Me?" face, remember, schnauzers are nick named "paper schnauzers" for a reason.
She has never met a scrap of paper, tissue, paper towel, corner of a book, and now cardboard bobbin, that she didn't feel was "hers" to nibble on.

And I definitely can tell the difference between cat claw marks, and doggie teeth marks!
(ps. my boarder found the tangled mess of thread and not knowing what it was, recognized that it would be hazardous for any of the pets to ingest and put it in the garbage. Yeah, no vet bill.)

Note to self. I really need to try one of those disposable prewound bobbins and see if they fit in any of my machines.

FNSI result for this month.

This is a quilt that was started 30 years ago. It belongs to a "friend of a friend." Seriously.
Anyway, the lady who made it started hand quilting it and faced a lot of difficulty because the sashing and the backing is a heavy decorator chintz. She could barely get a needle through it, and consequently gave up. It's been in a closet ever since. Until my friend suggested she call me.
I'm flattered. It's like being given a piece of art and asked to complete it. She has given me rather free reign and did request some SITD work, so that's what I'm doing.
That decorator chintz is giving me issues too.
There must be a lot of polyester, or cast iron, in it because I'm dulling needles like crazy. I went through three and then started having problems with thread breaking. And breaking. And breaking. So I switched to a larger needle, a # 16 and now it's going better. But it's dull now too, so I just put another in. Note to self - stick to 100% cotton.
So the result for FNSI is
-binding on, check
-borders quilted, check
-sashing quilted, check
-seven out of 16 blocks quilted, SITD around each twice, plus around the tree. Then embellished with freehand elements of weather - snow, rain, sun, wind. Check.
-tired mommy - check.
That's it for tonight.



Here's the list of what else transpired since noon.

-Walmart - groceries from their sales flyer
-Costco - remainder of groceries
-three other retailers - looking for Shout color catchers - unsuccessful. Turns out they aren't in Ontario - yet
-pick up DS at school and feed him a snack, which he refused because it was "Mexican Fiesta Day" and he was still full from Nachos and candy.
-pick up DS's friend and drive them to Boys and Girls club for friday night usual night out.
-drive to local sewing shop to pick up second in command sewing machine from her spa week, do not pass go, do not collect $200, Pay $200
- drive home, eat, start sewing
-stop sewing
- pick up DS from B&G club and go home again.
-continue sewing while intermittently responding to "Mom can I have a snack" by preparing said snack. Repeat several times. Does this kid get spoiled or what? Can't get his own snacks while Mom's quilting? Sheesh!
Oh, and I forgot. Let doggie out every half hour so she can sniff the wind.
Break up frequent spats between doggie and one of two cats.
Answer phone. Don't they know it's FNSI??

Nite folks

Another Friday Night Sew In - Yay!!

I really don't need an excuse to quilt, but hey, when one is handed to you, well, why not! This week is another Friday night Sew In. Just click on the logo to go to the sign up page.
Til friday then!

A really cool way to make the "HunterStar" block

Found this link on a blog and had to check it out. For a really great way to make a "Hunter Star" block, check this out. I really think it's going to have to go on my 'to do' list.
Here's the link - it even has video!!! How cool is that!

http://www.alfordinn.blogspot.com/2011/02/deb-tuckers-rapid-fire-hunters-star-for_12.html