Solidarity Quilt Block

Quiltmania magazine has a challenge for us. They are requesting 10 inch (finished), quilt blocks in reds. They will make quilts to donate to health care facilities around the world. You can make a block from the blocks they are giving for free, or one of your own. I made my own design using needle turn applique because I love to applique. It is ready to send when they notify us to do so. 

The second photo is my border for a 2012 quilt by Sentimental Stitches. The original quilt is called Benjamin Briggs. 

The quilt blocks were a BOM with 24 blocks plus a border. I have made 16 blocks; and now I think it is enough to make a large wall hang. 

So, I took one of the blocks and I am adapting to make the borders. It will be a pieced border and much easier to handle as I am needle turning this applique.  I am not using the original border for this quilt.

10.5 inches Solidarity block (unfinished)

16.5 inches by 8 inches border blocks ready to be washed and ironed.

Summer knitting

I have completed 2 knitting summer tops this past week. 

The white one is my own design and I made the pattern. That is how I learned to knit at age 12 years old. I get a non stretch top that fits well, measure it, draw a sketch; and after I make a gauge patch for the thread used, I calculate the number of stitches, rows, etc to fit the sketch created. It is not difficult, it is simple math.

The pink top is even easier, the pattern is a free download on Ravelry website.

It is called Bamboo Summer Top by Nancy Ricci. 

I did not use a bamboo thread, mine is actually recycled silk and cotton. It is a very pattern to make; but I am making a few changes on my own.

my own design

Nancy Ricci pattern with some added rows on the shoulder to make the neck opening a little lower

Bee Challenge for June 2020

My wonderful bee, the CPBEE had a challenge for June 2020. 

To make these cute little houses to trade among ourselves. 11 friends are participating and we decided to make 3 houses for each person.

These are my little ones. (I have made more than that). I plan to make a quilt with 53 houses. One for each week of 2020. There will be a couple of trees also, courtesy of some generous friends that made them to trade with the rest of us.

Due to this social isolation thing, I sent mine to the bee; and soon I should get the ones from my friends.

If you want to make your own, the pattern is called "Village" and is from Moda fabrics and Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.

It uses charm packs, or any 5 inch squares you have. the houses are 5 1/2" X 7" unfinished.

They are very fun to make.

Please take care of the ones around you.

"Village"- pattern compliments of Moda Fabrics and Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.

Work in progress

This quilt top in progress is being made with a layer cake (10 inch squares). The pattern name is: "Algorithm Quilt" by Gudrun Erla from GE designs. It is fast and fun to make. It will be a donation quilt for my guild. 

Boots and more boots

If Cinderella went to the Houston Rodeo she probably would loose one of these. Who needs crystal shoes???

This is a top I finished a couple of weeks ago. It is now waiting to be quilted.

Photos from the floor. No editing.

Marshall Mystery Quilt 2019

I have finished my quilt top for the Quiltmania 2019 Mystery Quilt by Jan Kingwell. It is actually half quilted, when the Bernina got "sick" and will probably need some expensive "treatment".

I changed the final setting because I didn't like the split stars on the corners as the final clue on the magazine suggested. 

I am shocked with the quality of the fabric. I have never had this much problem with fabrics before (see photos below), I am wondering what is the thread count and when did the industry changed so much....

Marshall sandwich top half quilted. 

back of the blocks with the seams shredding excessively.

The lint accumulated when I just shook the quilt top before making the quilt sandwich. I did NOT try to remove the threads from the seams, this is just what fell off. :(

African Fabrics Quilt Top.

I have loved these blue African fabrics (mostly Senegal), for a long time. They were bought in NYC, Pittsboro, NC (The French Connection store), and the colorful borders were from my friend Barb fabric collection. She bought them in Houston, at the International Quilt Festival through the years. We found out that we probably bought it from the same people that also have the store in Pittsboro. The back will be more of the same fabric in the borders. 

Please stay healthy and take care of everyone around you.