Binding, Bingeing and Finishes!

Well another Sunday has rolled around.  I spent quite a few hours in the sewing room this week.  I finished my Cheddarback quilt blocks for February,  they can be seen here.  I also cut and sewed the binding to My Trailing Vines quilt.  Yes, that is the official name, since I was inspired by Susan Mc Cords Trailing Vines but I did it my way as the song goes.  I combined the idea of an English Strippy Quilt and Trailing Vines by widening the sashing and quilting cables in those strips.  My original intention was to do a knife edge finish that is often done on Strip Quilts, however, as usual I was a bit over zealous in my hand quilting and quilted all the way to the edge of the quilt.  I remembered too late, to leave about an inch or two unquilted to turn under.  Well, there was no way I was going to undo those hand quilted stitches, so I came up with a solution.  I decided to match the binding to the  strips on the quilt so that it would have the illusion of a knife edge.

It really wasn't hard to do, I just had to mark a quarter inch seam each time there was a fabric change and then had to sew on the other fabric and stitch!  However, I felt like it was going to take forever!  I had to walk away after doing a few questioning why I torment myself this way.  But I came back to it later, always remembering you get out what you put into a project.  Yes, it's a small detail, but it's those small details that make it or break it for me.  So what do you think was it worth it?  My answer is always yes, it makes it, and I guess that is all that matters.  So today, I will binge on the new Season of Outlander and stitch my binding down, now it doesn't get better than that!

I finished Santa # 2 this week, but haven't started on #3.  I want to thank all of you that gave me the obvious solution of outlining the ribbon on the wreath.  Well, it was obvious to all of you, not to me!   So I am grateful for your comments.

I also completed the January stitches on the Threads and Linens 2020 Crosstitch Mystery.  On to February stitches  where I have just about completed the flower in a vase.

 I hope you find joy in some hand work and add  a bit of detail that makes that next project special for you too. I will be linking up with Kathy's Quilt's to see what others are hand stitching and the joy it brings them!

February's Cheddarback blocks

I am pleased that I completed another month of Cheddarback blocks!  The twelve inch block this month was a real challenge.  Gay opted to use a different block but several of the quilters in the facebook group were so kind to share how they went about making the block that was in the original quilt.  The rest of the five inch blocks were not as challenging.  I used hst paper to sew the little triangles for the basket block and that really worked out well.  When the hst's are that small trimming after sewing can be more difficult. With the paper they came out the exact size.

 

I ordered the binding fabric on line for my trailing vines!  I just couldn't find the right shade of pink locally.  I know some quilters have difficulty ordering on line and getting the right color but I have always had pretty good luck.  So getting the binding made and sewn on my machine is my goal for today.

Santa #2

It's been another busy week here at my house.  But, I did enjoy some slow stitching in the evenings!  I finished the hand quilting on my trailing vines quilt.  However, the fabric I ordered for the binding has not arrived so it is on hold until that happens.  I guess I should work on the label this week so I can stitch it in place when I stitch the binding on.

I also started Santa #2 and made some great progress.  He is still in need of his trousers.  I am a little disappointed that I didn't stitch him on a darker fabric as the bow on the wreath doesn't really show.  So I think I will be playing with coffee/tea dying some aida in the future.

Since I am no longer hand quilting I thought I would start another project to enjoy in the evenings.  I joined a SAL that is offered at Linen and Threads.  It's a Quaker inspired piece that really caught my eye.  It started in January so I have some catching up to do.   I don't think that will be a problem since it really is a fun piece.  It incorporates initials in the stitching but I am going to wait till the rest is stitched to decide what initials I want to use, or if I want to do something different.  Choosing a color for a project can be difficult for me, so I chose brown one of my favorite colors. I got a good start on January's chart and am so glad I started this one!

Slow Stitching Progress!

Well, after a trip to town, I was able to finish up Santa # 1.  He really makes me smile and I am so glad to have started this journey!  Santa # 1 was released in 1984.

Santa #2 got started this week!  He was released in 1989.  I have finished the border and started stitching on Santa!  He's a bit more complicated and there are more stitches so he may take a bit longer.

Hand quilting is still happening on my trailing vines.  I am adding some extra stitches in the final strip.  After I stitched what I had originally marked there were some places that were just to large to be left unquilted so more straight lines were added and I am adding those stitches!  I still need to go out and look for binding fabric and make a label,  just haven't had the time.

 Tom has been tearing out our old  fence and rebuilding a new fence and he seems to alway need my help.  We work well together, however after a few days I begin to miss my relaxing sewing.  I have been crossstitching in our front room and we recently purchased an Improved Meyer Lemon tree.  It is living there till there till the chance of a frost it over.   It just started to bloom and gives out a very light scent that is just heavenly!  The blooms are small, but so pretty and I have always wanted to grow one! No wonder I just want to stitch!