APQ's UFO Challenge 2020 - May Finish

HAPPY SEPTEMBER! How come it's September already? That means we are heading towards summer (this side of the globe) AND Christmas! 

Thank you everyone for your comments on my previous post! I intended to make a few more blocks, but that did not happen. Instead I've made some mug rugs, but that is for another post.

As mentioned earlier, I worked on UFO's during the lock-down.

Here's Quiltsy Team and APQ's UFO Challenge 2020; #12 - May challenge (my UFO list #12)

Scrappy Star Batik Lap Quilt, finished May 3, 2020. The photo is not the best; too much light from the window makes the colors look washed out on the left corner.

I enjoyed working with these bright colors

Closeup of the star

Lots of yummy bright colors! 

For the back I have used a light blue batik.

I can't figure out what the problem was while quilting it; lots of skipped stitches that almost drove me nuts! I tried needles from 75/11 (as I usually use) to 90/14, (I always use a new needle), re-threaded several times, checked thread tension, Masterpiece quilting thread, a bucket with swear words! I'm quite sure the devil was sitting on my shoulder laughing his head off! lol Well, in the end I did finish it! 

Today's question; do you have skipped stitches issues while free motion quilting batik quilts on a domestic machine and how do you solve the problem? My sewing machine is Bernina Aurora 440 QE.

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APQ & QUILTSY TEAM UFO CHALLENGE per September 3, 2020.

#1 - Log Cabin #1 (my list #13) April - FINISHED!

#2 - PSQ / Pinwheel Lap Quilt (my list #10) January - FINISHED!

#3 - Scrappy 2" strips lap quilt (my list #15) ?? - FINISHED! photos missing

#4 - Black/White Wall Hanging (my list #7) 

#5 - Deer Log Cabin TT (my list #17) July - FINISHED! photos missing

#6 - Nifty Nurses WH (my list #3) ?? FINISHED! photos missing

#7 - Log Cabin bed quilt (my list #18) March - FINISHED!

#8 - Snowman village WH (my list #9) August - partly finished

#9 - Log Cabin bed quilt #2 (my list #14) February - FINISHED! 

#10 - Snowman Village WH Attic Window (my list #8) September - partly finished

#11 - Scrappy 1" bed quilt (my list #16) June - FINISHED!

#12 - Star batik lap quilt (my list #12) May - FINISHED! 

My UFO for July is finished as well, yet to take photos.

UFO's for August & September are partly finished. I ordered beads from the UK in July. Still haven't got them due to Covid-19, closed borders and no regular flights. 

HAPPY QUILTING!

 

Scrap Challenge and more

Midsummer came and went, can you believe we are heading towards Christmas and New Year again?! 

I've been super busy and I'm not sure where to start. Quite a lot to share, I may share it into two posts. Why don't I post more often?! :) 
OK, let's start with the Advent Calendars.

 When I wrote the previous post, four Calendars were already quilted and the binding thread basted. A little progress; the 24 felt bags and a lined drawstring bag (to keep the felt bags) are completed. Next step is to add 'gold' metal rings (to hang the felt bags). I may do one with buttons - instead of rings - as well, IF I get the right buttons. I went to the neighbor town earlier this week, but the shop where I usually buy buttons were sold out on those specific buttons. 

The Quiltsy Team's Scrappy Spring Challenge is done

(see previous post for details)

I made a scrappy star wall hanging. All batik are from my stash. 

I love how it turned out and have yet to decide whether to keep or list it in our shop. 

2019 is my 'year of batiks'. Ever since I started quilting I have 'collected' batiks, and batiks are often too beautiful to be cut, right?! LOL This year I'm trying to use up some of the batiks and after making a few quilts it has not made a dent! 

I have made scrappy star blocks off and on. After 35 blocks I pieced the blocks together

I'm not sure about the size though... As it is now, it measures 60 x 84 inches / 152 x 213 cm. Isn't that a bit too long for a lap quilt?? If I add one row (7 blocks) to the width, the size will be 72 x 84 inches. If I remove one row on the length, it will measure 60 x 72 inches.

I'd love to hear your opinion, please! 

I've bought the most beautiful batik for the back! 

I had in mind a multi-colored backing, but when I saw this one I couldn't resist! 

I've been naughty! In spite of SFD (Strict Fabric Diet), I have bought some fabric, BUT defending myself; only some FQ's I didn't really need! Haha! 

These fabrics are for binding on some other Advent Calendars

...and here's the brown batik FQ's I didn't really need! Well, yes, somehow I need them, because I have not more than a couple of brown batik left in my stash! Always excuses to buy beautiful fabric, isn't it?! :) 

Nasty 'winter' weather these days; rain showers and strong trade winds.

Birre-Liten knows best

...the best place in the sun! 

I have more to share, but that has to be another post. 

HAVE A FABULOUS DAY AND HAPPY QUILTING! 

Quiltsy Team Scrappy Spring Challenge and more

'Winter' is definitely here to stay. Cooler days and nights, which I love, but still.... BRRRR! The change in weather has caused my sinus infection to flare up again; blocked nose, sinus headache and not feeling well enough to do much. I'm one of those who can't sit still, I have kept myself busy sewing, which include rests on the couch and hot chocolate to drink. Good thing I'm feeling better today.

The best way to keep my fingers warm is to get busy and sew. A couple of items make me sew excited and I wish there were more hours in a day and I didn't have to sleep. 

First, Quiltsy Team on Etsy is having a challenge: 'Scrappy Spring Challenge'; make a table runner / topper or wall hanging using SCRAPS. We all have that scrap bin, don't we? Well, I can't say I have a scrap BIN, I have boxes with already cut squares (small leftovers from finished items) cut into different sizes; from 1.5 to 5 inches. I'm so organized! Haha! 

I decided to use batik squares for my challenge item...

and a sneak peek of the item. It's tread basted and ready for quilting. 

Click here to see finished items for the Quiltsy Team Scrappy Spring Challenge

The second item I'm sew excited about, is a table topper I have wanted to make for years. Don't remember exactly when I bought these fabrics. Yesterday I had in mind to make a Christmas/winter tea cozy. When I pulled out the fabric for the tea cozy along came these fabrics

I fuzzy cut all the deer blocks needed and made one log cabin block. Really, really love how it turned out! First priority is to finish the scrappy challenge and this one has to wait. 

I've made another Advent Calendar (four in all)

As you can see, I have left to hand sew the binding to the back, thread basted only. This calendar does not have pockets. For the complete calendar, I'm going to make 24 felt bags and add rings or buttons to the calendar to hang the bags. It will be listed in RedNeedleQuilts when completed.

I have a few finishes

These are to be listed in our shop one of the first days. The weather has not been on my side when it comes to photographing; rain showers and strong trade winds. Meteo predicts better weather the next days. 

Updates: Available in our shop: 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/700410988/quilted-table-topper-turquoise-daisies

https://www.etsy.com/listing/700411472/quilted-table-topper-daisies-pink-candle
https://www.etsy.com/listing/700411304/quilted-table-topper-daisies-turquoise

Yes, of course.... my insanity! LOL 

7 new blocks, 252 1.5 inch squares sewn together. I may have come up with a pattern for this one. What I have in mind is star blocks. I'll have to make one to see how it turns out, but that will be another post.

HAPPY WEEKEND! HAPPY QUILTING!  

Wall Hanging Progress and New Blocks

HAPPY MAY!

Where did the first months of this year go?! May already and the Southern Hemisphere is heading towards 'winter'. We've got a touch of 'winter' already; temperatures dropped 5-6 degrees C beginning this week. After a very hot summer, the 'winter' climate suits me better. I'm warning you; soon I'll be complaining about the cold weather! LOL

Not much new has happened on the sewing table, except I've been busy working intensively on one item; the NYB / sunflower wall hanging

More progress after I took this photo. Yesterday I finished quilting the eight 'sunflowers' and FMQ the background. Had a very bad thread tension day, but managed to sort it out by changing needle and re-threading several times. What a pain! Last night, before 'time for watching TV', I added the binding, just a few inches left to add before it can be folded over and hand sewn to the back. I discovered I missed a little bit quilting,  which I have to do. 

Do you tend to make the same blocks - blocks you love - for new projects or do you try new blocks? 

Here's a new one I hadn't done before. Well, new to me! :) I was playing around with the pink daisy fabric and made four blocks. It's going to be a table runner. 

I'm still waiting for the backing fabric for the turquoise daisy table runners/toppers. Non trackable packages from the US usually make it in three weeks, fingers crossed I'll get it this week! 

I received a package with spools end of last week. It was expected end of this week, sometimes the Postal Services surprise us! :) 

I also got fabric for the sleeve on the wall hanging, which I forgot to calculate and add when I ordered the backing. DUH! How come these gorgeous green batik FQ's ended up in the shopping cart as well?! LOL I'm running out of green batik and since this was a good bargain - $19.99 / 12 FQ's (Island Batik) - I couldn't resist! (My fabric diet is going a certain place!!!)

Earlier this week I finished two table toppers. The weather has been miserable all week, hence no photographing. As soon as the weather improves, photos will be taken and they will be available at RedNeedleQuilts 

HAPPY QUILTING AND HAVE A FABULOUS WEEKEND! 

Patriotic Table Runners and WIPs

Hello! 

It's Sunday again, two weeks into April already. Where did this week go?! 

Rain and thunderstorms today and Meteo has issued 'heavy rain warning' until tomorrow morning. No venture out in this weather and what is better than sew?! :)

The Norwegian National Day - May 17th - is approaching. 

I have a few patriotic quilted items in our Etsy Shop and after selling one table runner last weekend, I've been busy making two more. 
https://www.etsy.com/listing/505436334/patriotic-table-runner-quilted-norway

I had some fabric left of this fun navy blue striped ribbons and made a variation of the one above. (Soon available at RedNeedleQuilts) 

I was looking for a specific fabric the other day and instead of locating the one I was looking for, I found these

Aren't they beautiful?! Love daisies! 

I've been pondering what to make and it can't be anything else than a summer table runner! :) I pulled out a white tonal daisy fabric and a matching yellow to the turquoise (azure) fabric and made two different fabric combination blocks

DH is my biggest supporter. I often ask him for advises and this is his design

...and here is mine. I love both blocks, both would look great as table runner / topper. Hm.... I think I'll make one of each. 
Please tell me, which one is your favorite block? 

I haven't had much time for the Scrappy Batik Star blocks, but managed to squeeze in time to make two last night

...and in between, when I have some 1.5 inch squares for my insanity project....

Altogether I have 103 blocks x 36 (squares in each block) = 3708 squares!
For a quilt size measuring 72 x 90 inches, I need 6480 squares! Not more than 77 blocks (2772 squares to go)! YIKES! LOL Honestly, I'm not sure how big I'm going to make it. 
With all the blocks I already have, perhaps it's time to start sewing them together?!

HAPPY EASTER WEEK! 

Week in Review / Some Finishes and WIPs

It's late Sunday afternoon and time for a blog update. 

The sun is shining again today after a couple of days with heavy showers. The temperature has dropped 2-3 degrees (Celsius) and we do hope this is finally the beginning of 'winter'! This summer has been hot! Hot! Hot! More showers to come the coming days, meteo predicts, which is just perfect for indoor activities; quilting! 

In my previous post I mentioned a batik quilt top I was going to work on. As said so done and here it is in all its glory! Finished! 

I love how it turned out! I have used about 40 different batiks. It measures approximately 63.50 x 71 inches / 161 x 180 cm, a good size lap quilt.

For the back I have used a fun batik designed by Pat Sloan.

Soon to be listed in my Etsy Shop

Some weeks ago I finished my 2nd batik jelly roll quilt (see previous post).  I had sew much fun making this one. Love the vibrant colors! 

Don't you just love the back? I have used a gorgeous color splash batik in turquoise, pink, yellow, green etc. Measures approximately 56 x 70 inches / 142 x 177 cm.

Soon to be listed in my Etsy Shop.

I'm still working with batik... 

Some of the blocks for my 3rd batik quilt. I'm not sure how big I want it; lap size or bigger... Currently I have 20 12 inch blocks (sewn into quilt). I need 35 blocks to make a 60 x 84 inch quilt.... 15 to go! ....or more! :) 

Sneak peek on the NYB wall hanging! It is done and ready to be quilted. 

I bet most of you are sick and tired of winter and don't want to hear the word 'Christmas'?! Look what I finished today:

 Another Advent Calendar! :) 

Coming soon in my Etsy Shop.

... and finally...

... a few more coasters for the upcoming Christmas Fair in Vadsø, Norway. 

Time to sign off and get some sewing done this evening. 

HAPPY QUILTING and have a fabulous Sunday! 

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Under the Needle

Hello everyone!

Do you remember me?! :) It has been ages since my last blog post (almost one year ago). It became a bit overwhelming and I believe the break was needed. I have missed blogging and hope getting into the routine again. 

So much is going on under the needle so far this year. For years I have bought (read; hoarded!) batik and as all quilter's know; batik is too beautiful to cut into, isn't it?! :) For me, that changed this year!  2-3 weeks ago I finished a jelly roll quilt (no photos yet). I made my very first one some years ago (Quiltsy Team on Etsy challenge). I had sew much fun making it so I decided to make another one! All batik (except the backing) are from my 'batik collection'. I have another lap quilt top done and last week I finally got the batting and backing to finish it. I'm also working on a scrappy batik star quilt (photos to come). 

I'm currently working on a batik wall hanging. 

It's a fun design where New York Beauty blocks are used to create 'Sunflowers'. 

Here's a sneak peek. I worked on the stems yesterday and to be honest; a pita! LOL They are all done now and thread basted to the background. Today I'm going to add the leaves. 

In between I'm working on some small items for the upcoming Christmas Fair in Vadsø (Norway) My dear friend Kari will be attending the fair with her handmade items and kindly selling my items as well. 

I've made a heap with coaster. These are great as small gifts. 

I sold some Advent Calendars in my Etsy Shop last year and here's a remake of a sold one. 

HAPPY QUILTING!

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Progress on a Custom Order and more

It's Sunday again, a hot and humid afternoon here in Mauritius. 

The rainy- and cyclone season. We had some nice, cool rainy days, but now the heat is here again. I hate this time of the year! Can't wait for April when it starts to cool down a bit! 

I have accomplished quite a lot this week and I'm happy with the progress on a custom order that actually is a UFO. 

Last year, I made several items to a customer in Canada. She loves red and white and this time the order was several items made from a mix of cotton quilting fabric and woven fabrics; squares and stripes. I had quite some fabrics left and we decided on a lap quilt and mug rugs. We agreed on small and big squares randomly placed for the lap quilt and squares and rectangles for the mug rugs. I cut the squares last year, (see this post), but 'life came in the way' and first this week I have been able to work on it. 

Since my previous blog post, I have pieced the quilt, added the border, pieced the back and made the mug rugs. This morning I cut the batting and the next steps are thread basting and quilting. For the mug rugs I have left to add the binding. 
Don't you love these red and white's together? I do! 

In between, I have done small jobs on a few other items

Pieced a table runner that is ready to be quilted and added binding to another table runner, table topper and small candle mat. The most boring part left; hand sew the binding! :) 

I have two mug rugs ready to be listed in my Etsy shop! 
Aren't these poppies gorgeous?! 

...and look what landed in our PO Box earlier this week!
Thanks goodness I didn't have to go to the Customs in Port Louis this time!!! 

I bought an Island Batik Charm Pack; 'French Roasted' together with a coordinating black/tan batik. Gorgeous batiks! 
Have you tried the 'Bloc Loc' rulers for HST?  I bought two; 2.5" and 3.5". Can't wait to try them! ...and more blues for my scrappy blue/white Irish chain quilt! :) 
Don't worry, I didn't break my SFD! (Strict Fabric Diet)! This order was placed and shipped at the end of last year! 
I'm doing good on my SFD; no fabric shopping this week! :) 

HAPPY QUILTING AND HAVE A GREAT SUNDAY! 

Granny Square Quilt UFO is FINISHED!

A BIG THANK YOU to Jane, Karen, Elzaan and Rosemary for your lovely comments on my previous post! 

In between smaller projects, I've been working on UFO's. I don't have many, but those I have are lap or bed quilts. 

A couple of weeks ago (yes I know, I'm slow in blogging!), I finished the Granny Square batik quilt! 

Yep! It's green too... and brown! :) For years I have tried to convince myself green is not my favorite color... I think I have been wrong all these years! It's very easy to love greens; look out of your window and we are (most of us) fortunate to be surrounded by greens in all shades. The love of nature, I believe it affects us somehow... 

This is the first time I made granny square blocks and I really love them. They are easy and fast to make and gives a quilt a nice look. 

I think the yellow squares brighten up the corners...

I found a beautiful brown and green leaves batik for the back. Even better; it was on sale! :)

In the washing machine it went after it was finished. I threw in 3 color sheets and they came out RED! I thought I had pre-washed all the batiks earlier, but it could have been one of the browns I missed... Love the crinkled look after it was washed! 

I have 3 more UFO's to finish, but right now I can't decide on which one to attack! :) 

HAVE A WONDERFUL (QUILTING) WEEKEND!