Hi Everyone! I finally finished all the blocks for the Mama Gypsy Quilt QAL that ended August 31st. I liked this pattern and it is a great way to show off some special focus fabric. This pattern was tooted a fat quarter friendly pattern, but I would have to disagree with that. Yes you can use fat quarters, but do not expect to use just fat quarters and the background fabric for this entire quilt. With the challenges of fabric placement that I faced in this pattern, I would be inclined to use fat quarters for all the large area blocks with some fat quarters from a fat quarter set, but the accents and diamonds that are formed, that is questionable. I did not have enough diversity in one fat quarter bundle to do this nor could one fat quarter cut all four triangles. Now pulling from your stash, that is a real possibility to use all fat quarters. I ended up using my half-yard bundle to get a satisfactory layout. I am very happy with my layout.
I could see doing an Alison Glass quilt using this pattern. It would look pretty fantastic.
So after finishing the last block on Sunday and putting together all the blocks, I decided that it was time to set this one aside. I have been ignoring many of my other projects and I need to percolate on what I want to do for the inside border on this quilt. I am inclined to use a non-Zuma fabric to setoff all the beautiful fabrics I have. I hope to make a trip to the fabric store soon to take a look at some blender fabrics that would go with it. I am thinking maybe a white grunge with pink or orange highlights would look pretty fantastic. Or maybe an ombre. I have a lot of remnants to use to cut the squares for the pieced border and so I will need to focus on that. I want it to look good, hence the break. (My ADD really is kicking in. I NEED to move on for a while.)
Sew-A-Long Updates
#100days100blocks2019
I am managing to keep current on this still. Sometimes it has been a close call getting the finished block sewn, photographed, and posted this past week. With all the available space being hogged by Mama Gypsy, there just was no place to work on cutting or sewing. Tomorrow will be my last pre-sewn block that I did this week. I will need to do another fabric pull tonight for the next 6 blocks (seems to be my working number to help distribute the fabric throughout the quilt). As mentioned last week, I also have enough completed blocks to sew up two more blocks. Looking ahead at my weekend schedule, I should have some time to do that this weekend.
Here are blocks 67-73 (September 5th – September 11th). It seems like we just started this SAL but we are already 3/4 of the way done.
#FW1920EPPSAL
I only have two more seams to sew on my block 27 and it will be done! By the next post, I should be able to post a final picture. This block had 52 pieces! I have included the unit layout here.
I also finished cutting blocks 29 & 30 this week and glue basting them last night. Moving into a new color phase of the quilt. Have another 3 color transition block and my first all white block. Both have a lot less pieces and should go together a lot quicker. The more pieces, the longer it takes obviously.
Cosmos Mystery Quilt with Cotton Cuts
I finished up clue 2 this weekend. It is fun working on this. Interestingly enough, you really have to READ the instructions, not look at pictures and assume you know. Luckily the instructions are well written. I am loving being on Team Catherine. There are several other colorways out there and I like them too, but this is definitely my favorite.
Here are clues 2A & 2B:
365 Block Challenge
With finishing the Mama Gypsy, I have been able to get back to this challenge. Monday I spent some time catching up on printing out the daily blocks. I have them printed out through August 20th now. I also cut two more blocks to work on sewing this week. It really felt good to get back to doing this. It seems I do have a limit on the number of projects I can juggle. May 11th and May 12th are ready to go. As is normal for the 6 inch blocks, the sewing is a bit involved. I look forward to posting my progress on the next post.
Quilters Planner Block of the Month Sew-a-long 2019
I pulled out the September blocks to sew this week. It is an easy block and will go quickly. Should have pics next time. We only 2 more months of blocks to make. I have looked at it a couple of times to see if I could start putting the rows together. It really isn’t practical to do so.
Machine Applique Update
Schoolhouse Wooly Mug Rugs
No new progress here. Still need to finish whip stitching the red & burgundy pieces down, then do the embroidery embellishments. We now have hockey practice on Thursday morning at 6am, so I have mentally planned on working on this project then. New pics soon.
A Year in Words – Autumn
Lots and lots of progress on this one. I finished all the free motion quilting, embroidery embellishments, making the binding and the hanging sleeve. Literally only have to sew the binding on and that is my weekly goal with #onethingwithAmy It will be very nice to check off another project on the 2019 Finish-a-Long for Quarter 3.
Blooming Series – Pansies
Zero progress on this one. With goals to work on the other two projects this week, it is unlikely I will get to it this week. Just a reminder of where I am. I just need to machine applique the purple thread pieces then I can begin free motion quilting with this one.
Other Projects on the Sewing Table
Halifax Temperature Quilt
I need a feeder block project for when I am working something. This week I reviewed this project to see where I am and what I needed to do. I lost some of my tags so I decided to bag on my HST triangles with a label like I use with some of my other projects. I need to cut some more green and orange so I got that done. Generally cleaned up the project boxed and prepped stuff to move along on this one. I am on month 12 – August 2018 so after I finish, I will need to sew my rows together with their sashing trips for year one of this quilt. If you forgot or are just joining in on this quilt. Early on I decided to make this a 2 year temperature quilt. It turns out this will be her quilt to represent her years as a Master Oceanography student as of this month she is a PhD student.
I also have a little notebook documenting the lows and highs each day in Celsius and I am behind. It is on my to do list to update a few more months so I am not so far behind. My design that I had settled on was to sash between each month with black batik and border it with black batik. I want really wide borders. My intention is to add applique on the top and bottom borders for sure. Haven’t decided on the sides yet. I have started collecting pictures or diecuts to represent her first two years in Halifax. None of that is finalized yet, but I wanted it to be more than just a record of temperatures for her. If anyone from Halifax reads this, please, please, send me ideas of items that represent the town and Nova Scotia in general.
Hurrican Dorian was my kickstart to get this project back on track. Halifax and Atlantic Canada was hit pretty hard for them. Obviously not anything like the Bahamas. Luckily, the eye missed them. It just skirted the town. Caitlin mentioned that there was approimately 30 minutes with no wind.
Zuma Charm Squared (previously referred to as Tula Pink Charm Squared)
This last weekend I finally finished sewing the last block. I came up with a coloring chart based on the blocks made and a layout distributing the color.
I sewed the first row together over the weekend and laid out row 2. It is ready to sew. I am pretty pleased with how this is going to look. This will be my third quilt I’ve made using this layout. It is one of my favorites for combining charm squares and jelly rolls. There is usually enough left over from the jelly roll strip to make the cutest piano border.
A matter of fact, quilt number two is on my Quarter 3 FAL goals. Since I am in the mode, I may just pull out that quilt and add the border to that top. I have a sister that I think would absolutely love to have this lap quilt hanging around in her living room.
Halloween Placemats
I made these my September monthly goal. I still need to find and pull this project out to see where we are. After I do that, then I can start planning out my steps and how I will finish by September 30th.
Quilting to be done
I have two quilts that are half quilted. One is my hexagon charity quilt. That quilt is on two other goals list – Finishalong 2019 Quarter 3 and Sunflower Quilting Finishalong 2019 Quarter 3. I unburied it this weekend to put it out there to get done. It is now laying next to my machine as a reminder.
The other quilt is another longtime goal – 2010 NYE Quilt. It is one of my very first quilts. I finished all the stitch in the ditch. Normally I would do borders next then block by block. It is a queen size quilt and should go on my longarm once I am done with the borders. It is currently hanging on my ironing board in the sewing room. Cali loves to hide in the tent that it makes. Nothing will happen with this one this week. I am just putting in the spotlight as it has moved to the top of the list.
This turned out to be a little longer than I planned. At least you are aware that this is more of a diary. I am not trying to sell you or teach you anything. I am not adverse to doing any of that, just not where I am.
Safe travels and happy quilting,
Peggy Stockwell