Welcome back to this week’s edition of To Do Tuesday where I share all the quilty projects I worked on this week. We had a very pleasant weekend and the week has been fall weather.
I will be linking up with Carol over at Quilt Schmilt for To Do Tuesday linkup. Come join us.
Under the Needle Last Week 🪡🧵
Starting from the top left to right:
- I added the borders to my On Wander Lane applique project ~ Bunny Knoll as well as layered it in preparation for some quilting time. Pattern by Nancy Halvorsen of Art to Heart
- Finished this month’s Monthly Color Challenge ~ Brown. Free block from Patterns by Jen
- Not on my list is this 81 patch that will be used in the FFO of Let’s Talk Autumn cross stitch pillow. Next step is to quilt and wash this fall 81 patch block. Finishing instructions from Hands on Design
- I was able to sew up to more rows of 2023 100 days 100 blocks ~ Rows 7 & 8. Gnome Angel Maple & eucalyptus
- Got a good start on my September Temperature Cottage – Sep 1-12. Free pattern by Fat Quarter Shop
- Had a relaxing evening working on my Queen of Diamonds Block 3-1. This will be a half diamond in the end. Pink Door Fabrics pattern
- I finished a total of 3 AG Sky Scatter log cabins and
- 4 AG Sapphire camouflage log cabin blocks. Free pattern called Petit 4 by Fat Quarter Shop
Most of this was finished on my two quilt Zoom days this week. One was Friday after I got back from my mini vacation and the other one was yesterday Monday. I did nothing while on the trip as I was off having fun and shopping.
I found this cool quilt shop in Redding, California called Sew Simple. When I found it I had limited time. I ended up making three trips to the shop. I purchased some patterns that I was planning on ordering online as well as some supplies needed to make some bags. I have not actually made bags before but it is on my bucket list.
Top September Goals Update 🔝
Let’s take a look at this week’s progress on my 15 goals for this month:
- ✔️ * SAL: 2024 Temp Cottage Quilt ~ Finish August Cottage / Start September cottage
- ✔️ SAL: September 2024 Monthly Color Challenge block
- SAL: 2023 100 days 100 blocks ~ Finish assembling top
- * EPP: Lost & Found ~ sash 6 blocks
- EPP: Queen of Diamonds ~ Finish Block 3-1
- EPP: 1920 Farmers Wife ~ Start Block 48
- * UFO: 2020 Meadowland ~ assemble center
- * Applique: On Wander Lane ~ Finish Bunny Knoll
- Applique: Backdoor Banners ~ start September
- Applique: Gnome is where the Heart is ~ start January
- Small project: Patriotic table runner ~ finish
- * Long Arm: 2021 Sunshine ~ quilt it
- Long Arm: Halloween quilt ~ quilt it
- Long Arm: 2013 Fall quilt – load it
✔️ is completed and * is #1 priority for the category in September. We are starting with a total of 15 “top 3” goals from most categories. As you can see, I worked towards these goals last week but also on things not on this list. I just can’t help myself. 😝 Check out the sidebar for a complete list of September goals.
Top Three 🙈🙉🙊
- Sunshine Quilt
- Meadowland quilt
- Lost & Found EPP project
Just reminding myself. 🐒
Afterthoughts
I recently had a discussion with a few different people regarding what needles I use for English Paper Piecing. I know when I started this was one of the most challenging parts of the process. Many people use Milliners size 11 but I found them too delicate for me. I grip my needles pretty hard so I was bending them all the time. I played around with different needles before I came to love the Applique needles size 10. The eye of the needle is large enough for me to thread (by hand if I need to but I usually use a needle threader) but not too big that they don’t slide through the fabric. I bought Tulip brand recently but I have not had an opportunity to try them yet. These Clover needles have been my go to for several years now.
Other supplies for my english paper piecing that I could not do without are:
- leather thimble dots
- needle threader
- thread conditioner
- my little scissors
- clover clips
- needle minder
The other question that I get asked often is whether any of these supplies are prohibited on a plane. I have never even been questioned regarding these supplies including the scissors. My friend Mary Elizabeth was able to tell us during one of the discussions, the scissor blades have to be 4 inches or shorter. That makes most scissors good for the plane.
I began english paper piecing when I found myself sitting at sports practices or airports for hours. While I have tried taking cross stitching for these, I found EPP way easier to do on the go. I keep a picture of the block I am piecing in my phone for reference and I don’t need much space to work. On top of that, it is relaxing.
It really helps that my very first project is the 6 inch blocks in the Farmers Wife 1920 book. I am still working on this project. I found working with familiar shapes such as squares, rectangles, and triangles easier than hexagons. I was an intermediate beginner in quilting at the time. Hand piecing familar blocks was eye opening and has really changed how I approach machine sewing blocks as well.
I love puzzles so I find it fun to figure out the easiest way to put together units and blocks. I could keep going about the benefits of english paper piecing but I think this is enough. LOL!
You got any questions, let me know!
Peggy Stockwell in San Jose, California
Glad you had a little getaway! Interesting info about paper piecing supplies, I’ll bookmark for the future.
Yes! English paper piecing is a great “take along” project. When the airlines were being super strict about scissors, I would carry nail clippers in my quilting bag, and I was never questioned. Good luck on your list this week!