It is Mellie Time

 

I used a narrow buttonhole machine stitch to quilt the icicle blocks.  I had used my embroidery machine to stitch the snowmen blocks.  I upgraded my machines embroidery software when I traded in my Bernina for a new model.  I made the satin stitches too narrow and too heavy, so I had to do repairs on my blocks while I was quilting.  The satin stitches caused the fabric to fray.  I thought I could just use some Fray Check but that did not hold up, so I had to restitch both by machine and by hand with some silk thread. Hopefully, I will remember this lesson. 

The quilt really puffed up after I washed and dried it.  I used Warm and Plush batting from the Warm company.  It is my favorite for baby quilts.  My sister Paula gifted me the Accuquilt die that I used to create the snowmen.  I used the designs for 8 of the snowmen that came with the die and then looked for other snowmen antics on the internet for ideas for the other blocks.  The added vinyl on the snow globe was my idea.  I used a circle technique that uses freezer paper which I learned from a Sharon Schamber publication.

This fabric is from the stash that I inherited from my sister-in-law.  The stash is mostly homespuns and not all 100% cotton.  This fabric was 54 inches wide so it was a perfect size for this quilt. The blue and off white were the same tones as that on the front of the quilt.  I think of this quilt as Winter on the Front and Summer on the backside. 

This quilt is for dear friend Terry Frost's grandson. I got it done when he was 2 months old and before winter.

 I accidentally hit the snow globe vinyl with an iron so I had to stitch a snowflake in the whole to disguise.  

Vanish Lite

 

To baste the sashing strip on the improvisational back upon which I am working, I used a hera marker to mark a half inch seam.  I was not confident that I could make a quarter inch seam work.  I pinned the stitching line on the front and I am basting using Superior Vanish Lite thread.  Hope this works.

As You Go

I am making an attempt to quilt as you go on Aunt Mellie.  This is fun but nerve racking.  Generally, my plan is to use some Kaffe striped woven fabric for the backing. I am stitching some built-in stitches to quilt the top to the batting.  The underside of built-in stitches is messy, so I do not want that to show.  I started with quarter square triangles behind the mariners' cross.  I bought a book on stitch as you go some decades ago.  I read it. and am relying on my memory.  The blocks are sashed on the front so I will sash them together on the backing as well.  I am planning on using 2 colors of bottom line in the bobbin, a bright red and a pink.  I am using some Superior Fantastico, Magnifico and Master Piece on the front side.  I am using Superior water soluble for placement of pieces on the back.  

Embroidery Machine applique

 Not everything becomes a quilt.  I decided to use this pattern I bought in New York on a Wool Row by Row adventure.  I decided to make some placements.  I had purchase some Bosal Craft Tex fusible placemat on sale a decade or so ago.  I used some cotton batting and fabric with some hand dyes and Cherrywood scraps for the applique.  

The corners do not lie flat I think I should have gathered the binding at the corners so that it lay better.  Maybe they will relax a bit with use.  I am off to digitize a couple more block patterns.  It has been so long since I did any machine applique that I had to relearn the software.  I should make some notes and put them with my embroidery module so that I can remember how to do it in the future and shorten the relearning curve.  Lots of fun.

Dodecagon 2

To make the second dodecagon ... so yes I know that a dodecagon has 12 sides and this shape has 12 papers makes no nevermind.... I used fray check on the edges of the woven fabric and ironed them dry between silicon sheets.  I fray check seemed to turn into clear rubbery substance.  I have always let it dry on its own before.  Learn something new every day.  I managed to have enough fabric in the center for the points to come together.  I was going to applique a circle in the center. but I like it as is so I need to go back and rework the first one I did to make the center look better.  

While going thru instagram I saw a Grandmothers flower garden quilt that has been quilted with concentric circles.  I am thinking that maybe I should quilt the pillow end of My Aunt Mellie's quilt like that.  Hmmm.  I wonder how many of these blocks  I will make for the border.  I keep changing my mind. At least 3 ..... I may quit when I run out of this selection of fabrics.  

EPP Dodecagon

 

Just finished my first dodecagon for the border of Aunt Millie.  I think I will applique a small circle over the center of the points.