Echoes of Blues

Behold, I forgot keeping up with my blog! For some mysterious reason, last winter the quilting was put on hold and I dived into editing my first novel again for the 10th times. But in April, my daughter challenged me in getting back in that sewing room and work on my previous unfinished project.

Oh boy, it was good that I kept things organized and wrote notes in my quilting journal, otherwise, I would be lost in hour of frustration. This quilt below was completed in 2022, and the block was drafted in March 2022.

Since April 2023, I have completed Arcadia Avenue top and quilted at least four quilts, and I'll be glad to share those completed project in the coming weeks.

                                                           Echoes of Blue (50" x50")

MISTAKES 

 Even if I planned a few designs for the top, sometimes it doesn't work. The center of this quilt was quilting with a circle and a flower design, and you cannot see much of it. It took two hours to rip off the stitches, but it was worthwhile.

 

DRAWING DESIGN ON PLASTIC 

For the quilt corner, I wanted waves but wasn't sure it was going to work. So a great way to figure this one out is by placing a plastic vinyl over your top, and I draw the design with an erasable whiteboard marker. Wipe off the markings with a cloth.

HAVE FUN!

I free-motioned the waves in the corner, and I used a walking foot for the straight lines. I used a Grid ruler for the curves for the outer border. I did all the quilting with a Janome 7700.

 

                                          Here is a closer details of the quilting

MADE FROM SCRATCH

The backing, batting, and binding, all were used from pieces left from a previous projects. This quilt was entirely made from scratch.

Iron Board Cover

 

                                                              New Cover

My iron decided to spew rusty water on my ironing board cover. The rusty stains were still there after soaking it overnight in laundry detergent. Worst, the iron plate was dirty with an iron deposit. How did it get so bad? The other day, I pressed a top quilt with no sign of rusty stains. I did not take this lighting; I filled the iron reservoir with vinegar and let it warm up a bit. When it was hot enough, I pressed and steamed on a piece of fabric until all the liquid was gone. I had to do it twice with vinegar and twice with a mix of water and vinegar. It's stank! Most of the debris caught in the plate's holes vaporized out.

                                                    You can see the stain on the original cover.
 

I'm used to a drier climate and water with no iron in the water. I usually empty my iron when not in use. Maybe it was just time for a spring clean-up.

                                               The elastic hold in place the cover

 I purchased a curtain panel at a thrift store perfect for this. After the disaster, the cover was a ruin. I cut the new ironing cover a bit larger than the original one and sewed an edge so that I could insert a 1/2" elastic. This way, it will be easier to remove for a good wash. 
I was definitively not preparing to clean my two irons this soon, and now it's ready for my next project.

Simple Quilting Designs

 Hello Everyone,

For this small quilt top, I used only three main designs: A continuous feather going in one direction, straight lines that went through the small rectangles, and a loopy lines in the border-side.  I used the build-in walking foot on my Janome 7700 for the straight lines. For the feather, I used the free-motion foot. 

                                             Scoreboard Quilt- a smaller version from original pattern

Feather Design

Feather & Straight Lines

Cost Efficient

For the back, I used a part of a wide-backing piece from a previous quilt. And also used three stripes of batting that were cut off from a large quilt. Everything was reused for this smaller quilt. 

Finish It!

Th

                                             

This little quilt was used to practice wavy lines and instead of leaving it in a box useless, I sewed a binding on it and now I can give it away.

I'm so glad of the progress I've done far this year, considering I started quilting in mid-December.  Now that March is here with the weather warming up outside, I will sew less and less.

With difficult days ahead of us, be inspired by your own pace in life. Don't become subject to depression, discouragement, or doubts.  Everyday is a new day and whatever you do, do it to His glory. There is enough hate,malice, and envy in this world these day, we don't need to bring it to our quiet and peaceful happy spot.

Share your love for quilting with another awesome person. Or give a quilt to a person in need.

Creating With Orphan Blocks

 ARCADIA AVENUE QUILT

With each finished blocks, I'm amazed by the result how paper-piecing  gave such precision to each sections.

 

 

                                       Circling Geese Block #6

 CREATIVE DESIGN

This isn't the first time I've created a pattern with orphan blocks and usually I've used the EQ8 software for it. But for this particular project, it  became another matter, because all the blocks were of different size. Also not entirely savvy with the EQ8.  So draw my idea on graph paper and that didn't worked either. 

With that in mind, I placed all my orphans blocks on my design wall and started playing with their placement and then added fabric of greens and creams for the background. Few blocks  didn't' fit well with the overall and took them out.  

 

This are few steps I took to get there.

 

Step #1: Play with  the blocks placement and add background. This took me a few days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step #2: Balanced green background and darker purple blocks around. At this point, most of the placement of the larger Dresden and Flower Garden blocks gave a balance to the quilt.  but the bottom wasn't quite to my satisfaction and  added a few purple square to visualize that bottom area.

 

Step #3: Sew each blocks and added cream prints to connect any gaps between the finished blocks. All the background fabric are from my stash and it would have been prettier to have all the same background, but where is the fun in that (smile).

Step #4: It's not completed yet. I've to add a few borders. Something for next week perhaps. Imagine the creative quilting that can be done in those negative spaces! You can make a quilt from your orphan blocks and few pieces of FQ(fat quarter are pieces of fabric that are usually 18" x 22'. )

March has arrived with sunnier and warmer days, and I look forward to be outside a long longer.  Until then let's have fun with our stash. 

May God bless your week and enjoy every moment with Him. Let your LOVE and JOY in Him comfort those who need it. Be there for one another.

 

  

"Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,  to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.  For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared,  he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,  whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,  so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. " Titus 3:1-7

 

 

Winter Tree

 Hello everyone,

With February having only 28 days, my short list of set goals was challenged. They were realistic goals, so why didn't I finished them all? One main reason was the historical-political events that has occurred in Ottawa were hard to ignore.  Also it was important for us to spend time with friends and new acquaintance whom loved us, shared the abounding friendship beyond our expectation.

February goals

1. Winter  Tree quilt- Done

2.EQ8- Design a top for orphan blocks- Nope

3.Arcadia block #5- Done

4.Scoreboard quilt-Nope

 

 

Winter Tree Quilt 

 This quilt was ripped apart almost completely, because it wasn't laying flat on the floor. From experience, I knew it wouldn't get fixed by quilting it. From the begging one the fabric I've used was very thin and kept shifting or getting distorted when I pressed it. It didn't matter that I measure every thing right or starch that fabric to death. It still moved!

 

Winter Tree

 

So I watched T.V. and used my wonderful seam-ripper and started to ripped the quilt apart. Not regrets whatsoever. Sometimes, it's better to deal with the problem then leave it in a closet for month. Also I wanted to quilt this one in the time of its season.

 

This quilt was free-motioned and used the Creative Grids ruler: Elvira for the borders.

                                The layout is different from the original pattern. 

 

Arcadia Quilt 

                                                                       BLOOMING-  Block #5

I'm impressed with myself with the completion of this block. It's so precise at the seams. If you love precision in your sewing, then you should consider paper piecing. This is my first attempt at this process and with block #5 done and looking great, I may used that technique in the future. 

Creativity- Designing

Not much happening with that EQ8. These are the orphan blocks that I may put together. Some of these blocks were sewed together between 1992-2019. 

 

 

Let the fun begin by creating a pattern for these blocks! 

                                                      Restore Our Land, O Lord

When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dream.
 Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
    “The Lord has done great things for them.”
 The Lord has done great things for us;
    we are glad.

Psalm 126: 1-3 

-Go in peace and seek joy from the Lord-

 

 

Long-arm Machine

It's interesting that many people  think I own a long-arm machine. I don't! At least 95% of my quilt are done at home, but a few have gone to the long-arm services when I could afford it, which is rarely.   Long-arm services can cost between $200-350. All depends of the of backing fabric per meter, thread, and batting type you chose. Also the size of the quilt will determine the cost too.

  QUILT #1

The design I choose for this quilt turned out nice. When you've a geometric pattern, it's good to add a design that has wavy or circular movement.

The floral design gives movement to the entire quilt and the strips blocks seemed to disappear. 

For the backing, I chose a fabric that goes well with the top and has a blend of blues and brown, going from a light to dark.  This quilt is so reversible! 

QUILT #2 

This English Paper piece pattern, which took me five long year to hand-sew, if finally done.  For awhile I debated with myself how to quilt the top. There are so many great design for this unique pattern and another realization was that, I was a bit afraid to ruin it completely.  In the end, I decided to let go of my great ideas and  long-arm service finished it for me.  It turned out beautiful!

 

                                                                   Scrappy Milefiore

                                             Here is a closer view of the quilting design

                For the backing, I chose a blue and purple fabric that varies from a dark to a light tone.

                 Here is another close view of the quilting design on the back of the quilt. 

Quilt #1

This quilt was part of my 2018 challenge.  If you remember my challenge for that year was to sew all 18 tops from one magazine published in 2017. It took me longer than I expected it, but that fine too. challenge are there to incite advanced in your journey, not to hindered it. 

The Homestead quilt top was completed on May 2017 and you can view in under that date.

The Challenge 2017 was completed on September 2019 and you can view on my blog under that same date.

Quilt #2

You can view all my progress on my blog through, which I started in March 2016.

The pattern is by Katja Marek. 

https://www.katjasquiltshoppe.com/quilt-alongs/the-new-hexagon-millefiore-quilt-along/

What now?

Well, it's not over yet and I have to go back to quilting.

 “And as for me, this is my covenant with them,” says the Lord: “My Spirit that is upon you, and my words that I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your offspring, or out of the mouth of your children's offspring,” says the Lord, “from this time forth and forevermore.” Isaiah 59:21

 

Febuary Goals

 Hello everyone, 

All my goals for January that were written down in my planner were successful done.  Two quilt tops were quilted, 2 large quilt top were send to the long-arm services, the Homestead BMO 2021 top is done. In order for this to happen, I had to brake down the monthly assignments into daily mini-goals.

Also, I participated in the Declutter Challenge 2022 by Just Get It Done Quilt. The 20 days decluttering, not organizing, was a very helpful process.. It was insightful, rewarding, and hilarious at times to see everyone progress and some quilters are starting it, either in the middle of it.

FEBRUARY GOALS

Project I'm planning to complete this month are:

1. Winter Tree: quilt it

2. Design a top for a group of orphan blocks

3. Arcadia: Blooming #5. Assemble the block

4. Scoreboard: Quilt top

5. Sew binding of the 2 top that were send to the long-arm services.

 

Homestead BMO 2021

After I completed the Homestead top, I hung it in order to take a picture, but every time I passed by the quilt that day, my eyes kept glancing at the three blocks under the house. Why was that? When I realized my mistake, which I couldn't no longer ignored, I quickly folded the top and put it away, hoping my mind would ignore the obvious reason.

Was I able to ignore it? Nope!

 

The next day, I took the COURAGE  and harm myself with the seam ripper and removed  2/3  blocks. So what was the problem? It's all about balancing the fabric balance throughout the quilt. In this case,  I added to much medium/dark fabric in the center of the quilt.  By doing this, the house itself wasn't standing out, but rather blended with the 3 blocks.

 

BEFORE

 

 

 

AFTER

See the difference when I changed 2/3 medium/ dark blocks for 2 lighter ones? Now the house draw our attention to the center of the quilt as it's suppose too and the rest gives a pleasant overall of the quilt.

 

GRAPE CRUSH

For this quilt, I used non-slip machine quilting rulers by Angela Walters. It was my first time using those tools with a quilting-foot.

 

                                         Three different rulers were used to make this design.

 

Those rulers are thicker than your ordinary cutting rulers. This Slim ruler is the one I will be using the most.

 

 The rulers have white/black dotted lines that can be seen on either on a dark or light fabric. 

 

You can purchases Angela Walters' quilting rulers at Quilting is my Therapy or

Amazon.ca.

 

 The non-slip quilting rulers can be purchases in group or individually. 

 

What are your goals for this month? 

 

 

"He has made everything beautiful in its time"

 Ecclesiastes 3:11

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interlocking Star Quilt: Completed!

 Hello everyone,

What would motivate your sewjo in order to complete a forgotten UFOs or In Progress project? there is many ways this can be done, by challenging yourself into taking only a few that your REALLY want done this year and work on it at least 30 minutes a day. It's amazing how much sewing can be done in a short session. 

 Good Habits

In order to get back into a good quilting habit,  I choose two simple designs I was familiar with and quilting a section everyday.  It was fun to get back into business and because I hadn't free-motion for many months, my shoulders were tense and my hands position went to far up the plate. This was a good idea to restart with a smaller quilt, so I put my whole body into good habits.

       FRONT:  It's sad that you cannot see much of the quilting. I may have to retake this picture on a sunnier day

For the back, I used what was left from the scraps  (color strips). Also used some of the dotted fabrics.

Flange Binding

This was my first attempt at sewing a 'flange binding'. Okay for those of you who don't know about the part of a quilt, it's the edges. That very thin edge at the outer far part of the quilt. A "flange binding" it made of TWO pieces of different fabrics,  instead of one. Then the binding was sewed from the back first, turned to the front and stitched.  A quilt like this one takes me about 3-4 hrs of hand stitching. Now it took me about 1 hr. including the preparation for the flange binding.

You can barely see the wavy lines and circles, but that was intended because I rather see the quilt-design, not the quilting design. 

💙 Let's Go Quilt to His glory!

 

"He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coast lands wait for this law." Isaiah 42:4

Planning Goals in 2022

 I've started quilting in mid-December, because most of my time was spent outside on our property.  The weather has been rather mild in December and last Friday January 5 was our first true snowfall that will certain stay.  The temperature is dropping but all is good as we have a fireplace and it's near my sewing room. Perfect!  

After reading the goals I set for myself in 2021, I must admitted I did well considered not every project were worked on and only quilting for 6 months.  Gardening, raising chicks, landscaping, and having my daughter here for an entire month took my time away from the quilting and that's okay too. 

What was Accomplished in 2021

• New Hexagon Quilt top is done. ( A five years project)
• Forgiven ( creating my own design was completed)
•  4- UFOs completed with orphan blocks
  
• Arcadia Avenue (in progress) I haven't touch it!
• Mini-Monday Blocks sew-a-long ( participating in a group)
• Be My Neighbor (quilted) 
• Retro Tretro Quilt (sew-a-long)
• Star Cube quilt (sew-a-long)
  
• Followed at least 4 channel that inspired my quilting
• Kept a record of my progress in a journal but not much on my Blog
  

This is a rough estimation of what I've done in 2021.

 

What are my Planning  Goals in 2022

My project Tracker sheet is divided into 4 sections:

1.Arcadia Avenue Quilt (BMO)

2. Homestead Quilt (BMO)

3.Top Quilts

4.Designing & Creating

y.

                 Unfortunately, during my decluttering week 1, I found 3 finished quilt tops.

 1. TOP QUILTS

 

 I've organized them into three group: small, medium, and large.  Two tops have their back ready, so those one are going to be the ones I will be quilting first. 

                                   Interlocking Star quilt was sandwiched this morning

2. BLOCKS OF THE MONTH

Arcadia Avenue wasn't even touch last year. It's such a beautiful pattern, I work on it. This has turned into a UFOs. So sad.

Homestead quilt-a-long 2021 by IAQ. This is another beautiful simpler quilt and was part of their membership for many months. It was fun participating in the zoom meeting with other US quilters. Also, I had purchased new fabrics for that project. Again money spend $$$. It cannot be left in a box for years. Nope!

                                            A few of the Arcadia Avenue Blocks

                               Three sections finished from the Homestead quilt

3. DESIGNING & CREATIVITY

One of the benefit of drawing over a photo of your pattern, is you can SEE the visual effect it creates on your quilt.  Also I'm hoping to design another woman-quilt this year. It was so much sastifaying and learned so much from the process.  

In the End

My goals this years are simple: Just get it done! Also, I'm hope to be more active in my blog and my journal. My word for this year is COURAGE or COURAGEOUS. When there seem no end to what is going on our planet, only can I stand courageous for my God and pray for He fast return. Meanwhile, I'm bless to be able to quilt, garden, enjoy His word. How are you facing your daily struggles or stressful events your cannot control?

"And Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid or dismayed. Be strong and courageous. 

For thus the LORD will do to all all your enemies against whom you fight" Joshua 10:25