WIP Wednesday, 6/15/22

Not much to show this week. Although I did sew the bindings on four quilts, so that is a bit of an accomplishment.

Charlotte wanted to learn to crochet and has mastered the basics. So of  course that called for a cute bag to carry her supplies and crochet hook.

Berene of Happy Sew Lucky just designed a series of blocks called Yarn Junkie, which include balls and skeins of yarn, knitting needles and crochet hooks. I had some scraps of Essex linen and some canvas from the Purl line by Ruby Star Society that were definitely destined to be together. For the balls of yarn I used solids and some cross stitch fabric by Alison Glass. Berene had posted a bag she made so I basically copied it--she was kind enough to give me the rough dimensions.

A "live a colorful life" label (of course) and "worth the effort" by Kylie and the Machine.

An inside pocket for crochet hooks. I sewed a selvage in the pocket that says "Purl" and "I love yarn" but you can't really see it very well. 

And the cutest zipper pull, also by Ruby Star Society.

It was a fun project and I hope she keeps going with crochet.

I just finished Block 13 of Moda Blockheads 4, Evening Delight, posted by Debbie Maddy of  Tiori Designs. If it looks familiar, that's because it is an Ohio Star block, one of my favorites.

That's it for this week.

WIP Wednesday, 6/8/22

 After many starts and stops, this quilt top is finally completed! I'm super happy with it, and never would have thought I would be making such a bright yellow quilt. I'm waffling between two names: Mischief Managed--thanks for that suggestion, Paula (since the center blocks are from a pattern called Mischief), and Sunny Disposition, an idea from my friend, Bruce.

I'm caught up on my Moda Blockheads blocks.

Block 11, Moda Block-berry designed by Jackie MacDonald for Sweetfire Road.

Bonus block 5, Wheat Field.

Block 12, Friendship Star, a traditional block.

This is often true. But I'm trying to get better about actually finishing. 

Last week the setting suggestion for the Riley Blake Challenge quilt was released. It was a combination of plain blocks and Irish chain blocks. I liked the setting, although I didn't give much thought to how large the quilt would be--70" x 90". It's been a long time since I have finished a quilt that large.

The Irish chain blocks were surprisingly satisfying to complete. I worked in batches while listening to a good Audible book. For two reasons, I used a very pale pink combined with Kona snow. 1) I'm trying to sew only from my stash and I had a lot of pale pink (for reasons unknown to me) and 2) I didn't want the chain blocks overpowering the very pretty pieced blocks. I just wanted them to kind of whisper in the background.

I'm actually quite pleased with how it turned out. Mark's first comment was that it didn't look at all like my usual style, and I think I would agree with that. But I thoroughly enjoyed working with the Rosa collection by Crystal Manning and hope to find a good home for the finished quilt.

Until next week...

Quilts by the Water: Folk Dance, Capitola, California

 Awhile back I was given the opportunity to test a pattern by Lynne Goldsworthy (an online friend from way back in the heyday of blogging) and her two friends, Karen Lewis and Jo Avery. Initially I just had to test a block or two. But I enjoyed it so much, and was so excited to be working with my beloved stash of Oakshott cotton and a background of Essex linen, that I just kept going.

Some blocks were easy, like the sawtooth stars and the houses.

Some were more of a challenge, like the circle.

And then there was the applique. 

I am not one for needle-turn applique, so I chose instead to do a blanket stitch. I became very proficient at it and have come to enjoy it.

Besides piecing and applique, there was also English paper piecing.

There was such a good variety of techniques that I thoroughly enjoyed making each and every block.

I ordered a beautiful floral for the backing and some subtle Oakshott stripe for the binding.

I used extra blocks for the label.

We took it for its first photo shoot on a fall day.

This is the technique Mark uses to keep his arms from getting tired--paint roller extension rods.

When the idea for the second calendar popped up, I knew exactly where I wanted this quilt photographed--thanks to my friend Karen Foster @capitolaquilter: Just outside the Venetian Hotel in Capitola, California, with all its candy-colored rooms.

A year ago, we decided to spend a week there to celebrate our anniversary. 

We got up early one morning. I really wanted the sun shining on those colorful buildings in the background--and no people!, but the sand was in the shadow and it was really windy.

Thankfully there are photo editing apps for that. :)

During our time there we were able to spend  a couple hours with Karen--what a treat.

On our way out of town, we took a couple more photographs.

This is one of my favorite quilts.

Quilt: Folk Dance

Size: 60" x 80"

Designed by: Lynne Goldsworthy, Karen Lewis and Jo Avery

Made by Cindy Wiens

Quilted by Darby Mayers

Donated to MCC in 2025, sold for $90