Something Old, Something New Challenge Feb.

I hadn't posted on this yet, since I got into all or nothing thinking.  I'm thinking I had to finish my two posts from January.  Not so as I read more.  So first I did get my Lollipop Trees quilted, Old UFO, and also used a skill I hadn't tried before which was a binding on the machine with two fabrics making a piping.  The second was a new skill in knitting of making cables.  I didn't finish the headband, but I am very comfortable with doing this now.  Now for pictures.  

Quilted and bound

Close up of binder

Progress on the Headband, my new skill of cables

I have picked up a BOM that I've been getting since July.  That qualifies as old.  It will have 4 to 5 blocks a month.  Since I don't want to put it away I think that will be my old.  I started by making one block at the retreat I just came home from.  
As for my new, it will be a string quilt from novelty prints from my grandson.  I figure I will need 80 -7.5 in. blocks.  Something else I started this weekend.  Now to get pictures of that.

New BOM

Novelty string quilt beginning

Finished that binding! Retreating again!

Yes indeed, finished that binding and now have another finish for 2014.  Dare I say I enjoyed it!

I love the backing on this quilt too.  I've had this a while and it has more cream with red than white,  But it really looks good.

Still working on CS mystery, I'm taking the last 3 rows with me to a retreat I'm going to today.  I hope to get the rows together.

I've cut up a box of novelty strips to string piece Andrew's string quilt.  I hope to make a huge dent in that pile.

I have 6 blocks on Apple Crisper's black and white blocks to do.  I didn't get last month's done so am due 2 sets.  One set is already done.

For good measure, I'm also bringing Block one of a BOM in 1800's from Needle Niche in Athens, TX.

So off to have fun and sew I go!

Binding goes slowly

For years, I've complained about Binding, didn't want to do it, didn't like it and paid whomever would do it for me.  Well, I'm changing my mind.  I've been at home for a week with what has to be Flu symptoms and so didn't feel like sewing.  Finally, by day 3, I picked up the red and white quilt and started working slowly on binding.  For some unknown reason I've been enjoying it. I had just finished a small wall hanging and enjoyed the binding process.  Could it be; IS IT BEING 65!  Who knows!  Still I'm enjoying it.  I even started thinking what else is in there that I could quilt quickly and bind.  Who knew this reversal in thinking would happen!  Sorry, didn't have any pictures so today you have to list to me babble.  Till another day.

The final link-up and progress on Celtic Solstice Mystery

 http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2014/02/celtic-solstice-mystery-link-up-finale.html 
Go see Bonnie's site at the address above.

I got into my sewing room today ready to make more blocks for this quilt.  I'm determined to work until I finish it as a top, then I'll be getting someone to quilt it.  I have looked at so many others and their great quilts, which helped me decide to make two types of alternate blocks.  I like the stars and the original way both too much.  I'm planning to make the border the way Bonnie did.  My quilt will have 25 blocks which will be big enough for me.  I have really enjoyed this mystery and looking at so many others blogs.  What fun.  Thanks to Bonnie..

Quilt Finishes

                                                                                          



 

While in Baton Rouge on a quilt retreat, I quilted my Tall and Skinny Challenge so that I could enter it in the GTQG Show that's coming up.  I worked on this 3 whole days while I was there.  Now mind you this piece is 18 in. by 60 in. so it not a bed quilt.  However, I had done a lot of thinking and practicing and worked hard. I was working on my 1080 Bernina machine   Since it's for a show I tried to be neat and have good stitches.  I also tried a new binding for it too  In this method, You cut for a flange and sew it on by machine.   It was pretty simple, You cut 1 3/8 in of main fabric and 1 5/8 of flange fabric.  Sew these two together and fold in half.  Then sew with flange fabric up on the back of the quilt.  Bring it to the front and stitch it down.  I went back and stitched down the corners by hand. It finished this piece off very nicely.

By that quilt you see a midget quilt.  This quilt is 8 by 10 inches and I made this Sunday afternoon for the Mini quilt auction.  I loved the fact that I pulled out my drawer of 1 1/2 in half square triangles and put them together to make this.  It has a mixture of fabrics including batiks, 1800's and just regular stash.  Then I picked out a border and quilted it.  I'm feeling braver about quilting now and I think it turned out pretty good.

While I was on a roll of binding, I finished up the Small pyramid quilt I had English Paper /Pieced for another finish.  

It feels good to have this done only a month into this year.