This and That
It’s Tuesday once again, and I have a little of this and that to share with you today as I join up with Texas Quilt Gal for her To Do Tuesday linky party.
I did pretty well with my to do list, but I can’t show you anything from the list since it’s all secret sewing. I did get a couple other projects done, though, so I do have something to share.
Here’s the update on last week’s list:
- Test Pattern Quilt – Done!
- Queen of Gadgets Blog Hop – Gadget chosen – I think?!
I was happy to finish the test quilt top, and I look forward to sharing it with you in mid-September. It was another fun pattern, so be watching for it!
While searching for something for another project, I came across a gadget I haven’t used yet. What better time than for the Queen of Gadgets Blog Hop, right?!
Is a sewing notion considered a gadget? Asking for a friend – heh heh. Anyway, I think this will be a fun way to explore this gadget that’s been hiding in my quilt room. My day on the Hop is September 20th, so I need to get going on this project.
Tula Hexie Quilt
I really should come up with a better name for this little mini, so if you have suggestions, let me know.
The hexagons in this little mini were a pre-cut pack (42 ct.) given to me by my daughter. I paired them with Kona Dove triangles. I decided to stack the hexagons rather than offset them, and I’m pleased with the result. The top finished at 26 inches square. For the quilting, I kept it simple, stitching along the hexagon rows vertically, just inside the hexagon. I used a variegated Aurifil thread (Berrylicious #4647, 50 wt.) and it blended very well.
At the last meeting of our local quilt group, I came home with a yard of lavender seersucker from the free table. I wasn’t sure what to use it for, but then noticed that it went pretty well with the colors in this quilt. I haven’t used seersucker for a backing, but might as well try it, right? It quilted up easily, and the quilt is pliable and soft. I chose to bind the quilt with the Kona Dove so the top and bottom hexagon shape was visible.
Wilbs thought it might be helpful if he showed you how small this quilt is (or how big he is?). I don’t really know how I’ll use this quilt, but it’s cheerful and fun.
New Placemats
In my ongoing practice of free motion quilting, I decided to make some reversible placemats using fat quarters. I made them large, 18″ diameter, because I expect they will shrink a bit in the wash.
I had a fun fat quarter bundle, so I using four of the fat quarters, I made two reversible mats. I practiced a loop-de-loop design using a lime green thread. The quilting was going really well until Wilbs jumped onto my shoulder and broke my concentration; things got a little wonky after that. Even so, I’m slowly getting a bit more comfortable with free motion. Here are the two placemats, back and front.
I didn’t think to write up a tutorial post on these; it’s a pretty simple process. Let me know if you’d like one. For the binding, I used another of the coordinating fat quarters. I did the entire binding process by machine. Even hubs noticed that they coordinate with our dishes.
Alrighty, let’s get down to my to do list for this coming week. Things are about to get a little crazy here, but for good reason. My quilt room is going to undergo an expansion, so that means I have to move to another room temporarily. I’ll be busy with the room rearrangement project for at least a few weeks.
I’ve also started this quilt project. I have had the panels and fat quarter bundle for awhile, thinking I’d have to pick up some other fabrics. I was surprised to find that I had enough background fabric in my stash to use (not the Bella as called for, but Kona Snow). I have the background fabric cut for the blocks, and will be working on the rest of the cutting this week. I’ll share a bit more about this project as I begin working on the blocks.
Okay, my list for the week:
- Finish clearing alternate space for my sewing
- Finish cutting Firm Foundation blocks
- Photos of test quilt
- Queen of Gadgets project
That should keep me busy. Thanks for sticking with me as I share a little of this and that and a lot of chatter!
Happy stitching, all!
Wendy
Take a Walk with Me
23 Comments
Helen
“Hexadots!”
texasquiltgal
LOL at “Asking for a friend” 😀 I can’t wait to see what you do with your gadget post. You’ve got some fun projects going on. I think Wilbs has indicated your future use for your Tula (my fingers kept trying to type “Tulsa”) mini. The FMQ on it looks great! All I can think of name-wise is “tabbouleh” – lol!
Welp, my squirrel blinders fell off when I clicked on the “Firm Foundation” link, and now I’ve downloaded the pattern. That is gorgeous fabric on your place mats!
Thank you for sharing with us at To Do Tuesday!
Diann@LittlePenguinQuilts
A sewing room expansion? How exciting, Wendy! How long do you think it will take? I love your little hexagon quilt – the backing is pretty, and the Kona Dove is perfect for the triangles and binding. Looking forward to seeing your gadget project – I would definitely put sewing notions in the gadget category! (They’re meant to make the process easier, right?!)
TerryK
Love those placemats and I’m looking forward to the gadget project. . . although, I’m a little concerned about Gertie’s exuberance when she reads it!
karen
nice round placemats – I like that. cute hexie quilt too
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Can’t wait to see your test quilt! Fun Tula Hex finish! Firm Foundation–ohhhh!!!!
Melody
Your quilts are always so bright and cheerful! Love those placemats!
TextileRanger
What a lovely variety of projects! You are so productive.
I look forward to hearing about your sewing room expansion!
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
I love that Wilbs was testing out the Tula Hexie quilt and giving it a size reference for us. The circular placemats look great with your dishes – are they Fiestaware? And did you use straight of grain or bias binding to finish them? I’m full of questions today, apparently! I hope that your sewing room expansion project goes well, that sounds really exciting!
Mari
Very cute little hexie quilt, and I love the placemats! So bright and cheery. What did you use to cut them so perfectly round? If a garlic press counts as a cooking tool, a sewing notion counts as a gadget. Have fun with the sewing room expansion– very exciting!
Rochelle Summers
what a cute hexie project. Paths and stepping stones as a name? So exciting that you will have an enlarged sewing room. Hope the inconvenience isn’t too long. Beautiful placemats and yes they do go with the dishes. Have a great week.
Laura
A sewing room expansion…that is great! Can’t wait to see photos!
The placemats are a great idea for fmq practice…fun!
Love the new quilt project, too! I so want to start a new project, but am holding off for now! 🙂
Sandra Walker
Those are really fun placemats! I know I sure enjoy using my rainbow ones. That’s quilt is the perfect size for Wilbur to use this winter when he’s on your lap. He’d could sit on it or under it (if he’s that kind of cat)!
Katherine Duquette
Wendy, it never occurred to me to make round placements. My dishes are red Fiestaware and they would look cool on a round mat.
I found that Songbook collection on the Moda website awhile back and immediately took a liking to the prints.
Happy moving your sewing room and expanding.
laura bruno lilly
Hmm, gadget conjures up visions of something more mechanical. In that vein, a walking foot could be a gadget but a rotary cutter more of a tool with quilt clips being a notion. A bit nit-picky, but that’s my 2cents’ worth! I love the fabric in those placemats! Great job on both ‘finishes’.
Vicki in MN
Liking those new placemats! So onward with the quilt room reno, YAY! So are ya knocking out a wall and you will expand into Big J’s office and he moves? So excited for you!!!
Sherrie
Hi,
I really like your Hexie quilt…so colorful and beautiful.
And those place mats are really cute. Have a great day!
Danette C Stankovich
I love the quilt you will be working on – Songbook. I should have purchased the panels when they were available. I do have the small panels and I have used one of them on the back of a quilt. Your round placemats look like they are just the right size to use.
Bonnie in Va
I’m trying to come up with a cute name for your dots and stripes… but haven’t succeeded yet. I’m terrible with names for quilts. Heck, remembering people’s names too. Sigh.
Quilting is in my Blood
That hexie quilt is cute especially with Wilbs on it, but I’m in love with your placemats (and would love a tutorial!).
Sharon
So funny, “Asking for a friend.” Tell her yes! Nice little hexie quilt, thank you for Wilbs modeling! I have the fabrics for Firm Foundation, hope to get to it soon!
Debbie
Love your round place mats. We just recently got a new round table and I need to make some new placemats. Love the little hexie mini. How about “Connect the Dots”. We use to play that game with our kids, where you make a grid of dots and connect them with lines. Maybe it will help you think of a better name!
Vicki Welsh
I love your little hexie quilt and your placemats!