A quilt for Hunter

This quilt is Elizabeth Hartman's Dogs in Sweaters pattern with paw prints added as a border.  I will try to remember in the future to wash my quilts in Synthropol.  I washed the backing because it was an inexpensive flannel that my sister warned me might shrink.  She washed it for me in her new washer.  The white with grey dotted fabric showed signs of discoloration from the loose dye from the flannel.  It was washed in hot water and dried in a hot dryer.  After I quilted and bound I washed the quilt again.  I did not expect the backing to discolor the light fabrics on the top but it did.  I washed it one more time with synthropol after I added the label and the label is obviously a different color than the same fabric that is next to it.  I guess I had better warn the recipient to wash with dark colors.  

I used Warm and Plush batting for the first time on this quilt.  After it was washed the quilt has so much texture.  I quite like it.  I used MicroQuilter thread and it was practically invisible before it was washed.  The color of the thread darkened and the stitching is more prominent.  

This shows the difference between the before synthropol and after synthropol washings.  What is interesting is that the white on the Dalmation fabric remained white but the white with grey dot background fabric discolored.  Makes no sense to me.  I am still happy with the quilt and look forward to giving it to my sister to give to my niece when she sees her next.  She is on baby watch at the moment.  
 

GG Quilt Completed (including the elusive label)

The construction of this quilt has a nautical theme.  The Mariner's Compass Center was surrounded by Storm at Sea blocks with a Wave block variation of the Snail's Trail for the border.  I quilted pairs of captital G's (for Georgia Grace Sheppard) in the waves.  I marked and quilted feathers in the white space.  The upper triangular white space I used a Westalee Spin ruler for the circles of feathers.  I used a circle ruler to quilt all the circles that were printed in the fabric from the Horizons collection by Kathy Doughty.  The quilt pattern is a derivative of the one published in issue 127 of Quiltmania by Robin Long.  I did use the Robin Ruth Designs Fat Robin rulers to create the the compass center. Although I personally like paper piecing there was none needed to make this block.  I did have a little trouble following the directions.  I have a learning disability which causes me to struggle with all things left right and directional.  I made a practice section as advised in in the magazine which clarified everything for me.  I love these rulers and plan on using them for the center of this year's thequiltshow.com  BOM.  I was attempting to make a modern quilt on the backside.  I had done something similar on another quilt.  I do not think I achieved my vision.  This looks more like hunks of fabric sewn together to make a back rather than a backside quilt.  The previous one that I had done had pieced blocks in the stripes and was light grey on white print.  I wonder whether the position of the stripes or the monochromatic feel made the difference in the outcome.  As you see I have a label on the top of the short strip.  I more often than not forget to add a label.  As my quilts get launched out into the world I do think of the joy i get from the histories of the quilts from other centuries.  Next project Dogs in Sweaters for a nephew expected in May.  

Really handy gadget

 

    Paula gave me this handy gadget.  I have used it for trash and holding my beverages.  Before this wonder tool I had spilled my coffee on my projects on multiple occasions.  This truly solves this problem.  Today I figured out that I could use it for holding my tools while I am quilting.  When the quilt covers the whole surface of the table tools tend to get lost.  I am using to hold my rulers and marker etc while I quilt.  It keeps them handy and not lost under the quilt somewhere.  Yeah!!.

 The quilt top is done.  Storm at sea blocks surround the mariner's compass center and the border snail's trail wave blocks were added for the border.  Note to self:  I can make a snail's trail block using my Storm at sea accuquilt die by adding the 6 inch half square triangle on my flying geese die.  I added a 3 inch quarter block to the border to make the wave turn the corner.  On to the backing.

Update:  I have a new Reliable Velocity iron that I do not know how to operate.  I used a double bat that I struggled to fuse using Quilter's Select Free Fuse.  To make it work I needed to use steam on a number 4 (medium) setting.  I fused the batting on the floor but I purchased another wool mat and dug out my June Tailor Ironing blanket to reflect the heat and steam from the surface of my cabinet.  I wish I had another one so I could cover the whole surface of the table.   I just iron where I have the ironing blanket.  I wonder where I can get the material that is on the underside of that blanket so I could customize a top to use on the top.  Hmmm.  Something to investigate.

 The center of the Mariner's Compass completed using Fat Robin Rulers.  I did a practice unit.  That was necessary step for me.  The rest went quite smoothly.  Now I am working on the next ring which is done reprising the directions for the first ring so I think I can handle it   I am contemplating switching up the outer borders using Storm at Sea or Snail's Trail blocks.  The pattern is from Quiltmania #127.  

Surgical Face Mask Pattern

Surgical Face Mask Pattern

Border Challenge

I have been working on Manor House from Quiltmania mag.  After finishing the first two sections, I decided I needed to do the border so that the sections will be well balanced inside the border.  I have gone off script from the pattern for the third section so I decided I want to do the bottom section next and finish with the 3rd section.  I did the top border and then started down both the left and right sides.  After I got about halfway down, one side was 1/4 inch shorter than the other.  Panic struck.  I did not know the background fabric was not printed straight or if the dots were more irregular than I had thought or if the patches were not well cut or if the corners of the triangles were shredding off.  I changed my strategy and continued down the right side being careful to measure every fifteen inches so that the triangles were properly placed and sewn.  I measured and marked the bottom corners and did my best to square up the patches as I went across the bottom and the up the left side.  It went pretty smoothly.  I am putting it away for the time being.  I may not be able to be down stairs with my sewing machine while my mother recovers from her broken leg.  This will give me some handwork I can do in whatever space she resides for the next hunk of time.  I am disappointed that the green vine ( and the leaves too)  does/do not show up well.  I may have to do some embroidery to punch it up.  I will reassess after I finish the other applique and see the balance of values in the whole piece.