Finished: Navajo Code Talkers

My 2014 quilt starts are becoming finishes :)  I finished up the binding today, but while I was sewing that down I decided that the black sashings and border needed to be quilted.  I planned not to do anything in them (they are only about 1.5" wide), but with the flannel backing, I believe the shrinkage is going to be more than with other flannels I've used.  I like the puffy-after-washed looked, but with not enough quilting it will look distorted.


I love the way the quilt drapes! I think this is a combination of the flannel and the top being made with a lot of homespun fabrics.

The backing is a butter yellow and some scraps of two other flannels I had on hand.  I didn't quite have enough of the yellow, but piecing backings is something I enjoy so it doesn't bother me that I had to piece with scraps.

I mentioned in my previous post that this quilting isn't my best. I actually had issues with Aurifil in the bobbin. The thread is lighter in strength, but I haven't experienced that before. I'm going to have to play around and see if I can figure out why it was doing that. I don't know if it didn't like how fast I was going with my Juki or a different issue.

And what happens when you toss a quilt down on the floor?


The inspector comes along to test it out and be sure everything is ok!

I haven't had a chance to work on Clue 2 of the mystery this weekend, but tomorrow it is in my plans!

Navajo Code Talkers

An update on the comfort quilt I am finishing for the scout I mentioned in the previous post... he had surgery, it went well, but it is still iffy on what the future holds.  He should be allowed to go back to school this next week.

I am finishing up the binding while watching more of my favorite Hallmark Christmas movies.  Tonight there is one that I haven't seen yet (though i realized just now I have missed The Amazing Race... oh well).  The quilting isn't my best, but when I made this quilt top I had a utilitarian quilt in mind--I think the quilting does reflect that (not at all fancy).  I was frustrated with some of it, and my walking foot wasn't cooperating, but I did figure out a solution to help with a gathering issue I was having.  My plan is to have the binding finished this weekend so that the hubby can give him the quilt for me.



Flannel backing to go with the plaids and homespuns on the front.  I think that screams comfort, I am hoping it delivers.

Desert Stars, Finished!

It seems more nordic to me than desert, mainly in design. The colors that were preferred were teal and browns (as in desert tones) and the Stonehenge line did fill that need.  Kind of nice to have the quilt turn out nearly exactly like my EQ6 plan.



I first attempted to take a picture on the living room floor, but this guy saw what I was doing and decided he needed to inspect the quilt. Such a stinker.


Now I am going to have to see if I can fit the quilt in someone's carry-on for our trip on Friday.  I really didn't think I would be finished with the binding before Thursday, but little by little it got done with a little help from Amazon Prime and watching the first two seasons of Vikings... I got hooked this year during season 3.  I've decided that I don't think we've ever stopped living in barbaric times (considering current events).  I think about my ancestors living in the rain, cold, and constant struggles and have to say that I much prefer today's time.  Sure, I live in the PNW, but it isn't on a rocky fjord.  Plus I really like having hot water at the ready :)

I think I need to quilt up my Orca Bay now.  I think that will be my fair entry for this year.

2014 Primitive Gatherings SAL Progress

I just about had February get away from me before making a blog post.  I just haven't felt much like blogging and really all I have been doing is making churn dash blocks for the final round on this SAL (40!!).  I did make one more grandmother's flower garden flower while I was in California during the last week in January, but I am not too impressed that was all I got done (I only need to make 13 more for the quilt!).  We drove down, and I didn't feel like doing any sewing at all.  That was a good 12hrs each way that could have been sewing (ok, I did drive part of the time), but I like watching things go by.  We don't go places far away very often so I enjoy the travel part.

Approximately 36.5" square at this point:

My SAL is not very square, but I think I will be able to quilt it into submission when it is time.  I may end up doing a strip border at the end so I can square up to try and at least not have wavy edges.  I can't square at the churn dash round without losing points.  I'm not sure what happened with it going not-square on me, but I have a feeling that it happened around the time I got my featherweight (square in a square round).  That was my trial with learning the machine and I have found that the fabric against the feed dogs gets fed pretty liberally and not as even on top.  This is good to know for the future, but it made things interesting at this point.

I still have applique to do on the red strip round, and I have eight corner flowers to do for two of the rounds as well.  I hadn't been feeling much like applique lately--especially after getting the featherweight, but I guess it's time to get busy with it.

Updates! A Featherweight and Progress on 2014 SAL

Two weeks ago I purchased a 1947 Featherweight 221 from a friend on the Washington State Quilters list.  I just started looking, put out feelers in case anyone knew of one local that I could purchase, browsed ebay, shopGoodwill (like ebay) and craigslist and was pretty much put off by how much they were being bid up.  I knew eventually I would own one, and decided to be patient.  Well... then came the first of the month when one regional facebook group allows for sale postings.  And Mary W still had her featherweight for sale.

It took me this long to finally sit down with it since I'd been sick and had no attention span to really play.  Today I did, and I think I am in love.  More than I thought I would be!

It has 5 bobbins, bobbin case, 7 feet, brush, screw drivers, manual, needles, keys (2), lubricant, oil... All in great condition. The light also works, but I have since ordered an LED bulb along with more bobbins. Also... an invoice from when it was serviced:

If you look at this at flickr at a greater resolution, you'll see the service date and the price for a cleaning and oil for $5.50, in 1953.


A question for those in the know... is the power cord suppose to be white like this? It seems like it has a powdery substance on it. Should I be concerned?


It sews a great stitch!



I love the original owner's identification still on it.


Such a pretty faceplate!

I oiled it (with the oil I currently have, not sure if the oil in the can is still ok, will have to read on that), and lubed the motor, and tried it out while working on part 4 of Primitive Gatherings' 2014 SAL.


Just two more rounds to go and the top will be finished. Hopefully I will be done before 2015's SAL is announced :)

One funny thing, while working on the top I decided I am going to use up the threads that are on the 5 bobbins before winding with what I have.  I ran out--or I thought I ran out--of the first bobbin, but when I pulled it out I found that it had a different color thread underneath what I had been sewing with :) Making do!  The featherweight also came with a 500yd spool of cotton thread, with a price of just .39!  I don't know if I'll use that or just keep it in the case.  Mary originally purchased the FW on craigslist, I'm not sure how it made its way from Colorado to Portland, Oregon, but I am thrilled to have it now.  I am thinking about naming it Miss Lee which is mine and my mom's middle name.  Seems appropriate.  Or, maybe Josephine? :)

And then I looked across my sewing room and found the kitten found a box (which currently has printer ink stored) to nap in. I'm surprised it didn't fall off the spot it was resting on.

Oh Loki....

Edit: I think I may have found Josephine by the power of the internet.  If it is the same person (and I don't want to renew my ancestry account right now to dig deeper), she lived from 1914 until 2008, age 93, and died in Englewood Colorado (which isn't far from Lafayette).  Still no clear connection as to how the featherweight made it to Oregon.

SBOW: Finished Center!

Tonight, to close out 2014, I finished up adding the extra appliques that extended outside the blocks.  I am still unsure if I am going to do the last applique border, it is already larger than the space I planned to hang it from.  Though, the applique would not take very long so I won't make a decision for a couple more days.  Right now I will keep it up on my design wall so I can admire it before I decide the next step.  As usual, it was hard to photograph, but you get the idea. I really do love it.



Little closer for the center where I changed out my initials for the cat:


2014 had some good and some not as good.  2015 is going to be great with adventures I am positive!  Happy new year!

(Just wanted to add, this quilt is from Primitive Gatherings called Sunflower Gatherings)

SBOW Block 13... again

I have sewn down all the pieces that were extending beyond the original blocks in the quilt top (that were already fused underneath pieces already sewn).  This morning I decided to prep the blocks that need more pieces and embroidery, that's when I discovered that I wasn't paying attention to block 13 when I first prepped and appliqued!

All those leaves... they needed to be under the yellow flowers.  In order to make them fit I had to adjust and trim down.  I was already wondering when I finished block 13, "is this it?" because it kind of seemed bare.  Too bad I didn't double check at the time.

Here's what it will look like when it is finished.

I have five blocks prepped with the extra pieces now.  I plan to watch the Seahawks and sew away!

SBOW #13

Finally... I am mostly finished with block 13.  I still need to add on the flower blossoms once it is attached to the quilt top.  At this point I need to finish sewing the middle row which this block is a part of (13 is the center of the quilt), and then start attaching the pieces that extend from the original blocks.  Hopefully that won't take me long, but seeing that my "block of the week" has turned into a 7 month project, there's no telling when I'll be done.


Block 13 is suppose to have the quilt maker's initials in the center of the ring, but I decided to add my cat instead since she was such a huge part of my life. Losing Gracie this past September has really left a hole in my heart.  I decided to honor her in this quilt.

This weekend I plan to sew up the rows and then get started with the applique that needs to be added.  I am unsure if I am going to add the final border of applique as well, but I will decide that after I am done with the block steps first.  The pieced borders are all ready to be attached now as well (I finished up all that sewing while on retreat in September! Whew!  A lot of four patches to be sewn!).

Two Finishes

I finished up the repair quilt tonight, including a soak in Quilt Wash.  I don't really think it helped get a stain out though.  I am going to leave the rest up to the owner, I am really not sure what else you'd attempt to get out a yellowed stain.

Before:


After:


Binding:

In the end I decided to cut away the old binding and attach the new in a French fold binding.  I am happy with how it came out, and the corners came out very nice.  I attempted to practice the other method on a small practice square and it turned out pretty terrible.


And finally part three is finished with my stitch along.  The reds made my camera go crazy!  I had to redo two sides and when I reattached it, I realized that the flying geese weren't going around in the same direction. Sigh.  I'm not ripping and redoing again.  I have part four ready to go, maybe I will get to it next week.

SBOW: Block 11

Finally, a new update.


I finished up block 11 tonight.  I really should have finished this days ago, but I have been in a bit of a funk and sewing just hasn't been calling to me.  This block has (I think) four more flower pieces to add on after the top is sewn together.  They remind me of Christmas lights, and I can't say that they are my favorite of this quilt.  I should have changed them up a bit.

I have two more blocks left and the top will be finished (minus the applique border--still thinking on that).  The center applique block of this quilt has initials appliqued of the maker, but I am thinking about putting in a cat instead in tribute to my Gracie.  I am pretty sure losing her is a big part of the reason for my moods recently too, she has really left a huge hole in my heart.  I have a facebook friend who recently wrote something about our pets aren't kids, basically to stop referring them in this way (and he does have a dog).  I didn't respond to that, nor did I ever reference Gracie in that way--I know he wasn't talking about anything I said, but the fact is that some pets just leave huge holes in our hearts.  Seeing that he posted it so soon after I wrote about her being put down was not great timing however.

They become a big part of our families (if we are lucky) for  a large number of years.  I think sometimes people say things without thinking--or in an effort to just be a curmudgeon or sarcastic, but quite honestly I have loved our family pets more than some people I have to be in contact with.  Pets have a way of bringing out joy and calmness in people who are otherwise stuck (be it depression or mentally incapable for whatever reason).  If animals didn't bring out these human emotions, service animals would be ineffective and non-existent.

So no, our pets aren't human kids, but you cannot dismiss or diminish their part in the lives of people who love them entirely.  Anyway... I guess I had to get that all off my chest.  I can't say I feel better, but eventually it will be as with any loss.  And for anyone who doesn't know my story, I have buried two parents when I was 32 and 33, along with grandparents, mother in law, uncles, and a nephew.  I do know close loss of the human kind.  Maybe they are different to some, but that loss is still there and the pain can last for a long time.

Maybe now I can get back to sewing again.

SBOW Update

I am a couple of days after getting home from the latest retreat I attended at Royal Ridges in Yacolt, WA, and I think I have my stuff finally organized and put away.  I mainly worked on getting all my four patches and alternate blocks made for my Sunflower Gatherings quilt.  I was able to finish those and the pieced border, though I was two four patches short so I had to wait until I got home to be totally done with the alternate blocks and border.

Yesterday I received the applique border pattern and pieces, but I'm still not sure if I will complete that or not.

Block 9 finished at the retreat:


Block 10 started, and almost finished.  I want to do a little detail stitching on the large leaves and I still need to stitch down the small leaves:


And what I have finished so far.  The outside pieced border is not arranged on the wall yet, but it is finished:


I am so close to being finished.  After getting the last three blocks done I will put the top together and then sew down the applique pieces that extend.

I had a great time at the retreat, but I didn't take any pictures.  Still waiting to see if any show up :)  I think I am fully rested from lack of sleep, but I may need to try an afternoon nap today just to make sure!

SBOW: block 8 finished

Just a quick upload, not a great picture, but it will do.  Beyond the bird tail and branch, there is one more flower that extends to the alternate block.  Not feeling very inspired to prepare block 9 yet, maybe this weekend.

SBOW: Block six

Finally....


This one has leaves extending to the left, and a couple of berries (and maybe leaves, I can't remember) that extend as well.


Six together

Yesterday I started prepping four patches for the border... there are A LOT of four patches involved in this quilt.  I have had a difficult time focusing this week, and when that happens, the simple stuff feels like too much.  I need to get over that and just enjoy it, otherwise: why bother?  I tend to make things because something about it makes my heart sing.  This will likely be the reason I would never create things to sell.  If I don't like it very much (pattern, fabric, process), then I don't want to spend the time.  However, it changes if I have a person in mind, that changes my focus.  I suppose it's all in the perception.

So people who are very practical would probably ask why do I spend so much time and money on a hobby that I won't sell or make it profitable?  It's more expensive to pay a therapist I'm sure.  I find joy in creating, I find that these talents have helped me in giving to others as well.  Creating took a major backseat with the addition of my youngest son, but little by little I am able to carve in a little more time to create.

Yesterday I was in a bad mood and feeling basically sorry for myself.  Things weren't going my way (yes, I know... it is very pitiful, but it is something we all feel from time to time), the time out I gave myself to organize for the outside border of my Sunflower Gatherings (the quilt above) helped give me that space to snap out of that mood.  Cheap 45mins of therapy right there.

Anyway, whatever it is, find something that will make your heart sing and try to give yourself 30 minutes or more a day doing it.  It makes for a great attitude adjustment time, and those around you may thank you :)

SBOW: Sunflower Gatherings block 5

This one took me a little longer to do... I dare say that I may be getting burnt out on wool applique again?  Only eight to go, gonna keep plugging away!  I changed the centers of the blue flowers to be more "Forget Me Not" like, they originally had centers of the same blue fabric from the large part of the flower.  There are two blue flowers that extend into the alternate blocks.

I also got the directions for part 3 of the SAL, so I plan to put that together this weekend.  Flying geese for the that round, along with some more wool applique :)  I think that project is suppose to end in November, so there is plenty of time to join in if you want (from Primitive Gatherings, it's free).

New Project

First, let me say that it is a pain in the rear to have two different gmail accounts (my normal email is run through gmail even though the domain is different).  I am so tired of gmail being connected with everything that google acquires!!  I am frustrated with automatically being signed out of my email when I want to simply create a blog post.  And don't even get me started on youtube and the connection with g+.  I am wondering if I can just deactivate my g+ account and not even have to deal with it.  ARGH!  Google is VERY FRUSTRATING right now.

On to a new quilt that will be a gift.
Trying to decide if I am going to be happy with the outcome of this quilt--or if I am being too critical.  What I had to go on was teal and light browns/earth tones.  I found the Stonehenge fabrics by Northcott to have some great earthy browns.  I ended up buying fq packs and yardage (ton of...) of teal.  Overall the fq packs (I bought "Sandstone", "Tree Bark", and "Copper Penny" packs from The Fat Quarter Shop) were good for variety, but unfortunately I made some wrong cuts and had to buy more... For the amount invested, I am feeling a bit disappointed.

Picture with a flash and no other lights on, a little washed out.


So for the amount of mediums and darks vs lights, I had to change around the fabric placement.  I originally had a different plan in my first test block (top left corner), but I am pretty much done with buying fabrics for a while.  For the light parts, I had a variety of cream batiks.

I'll keep plugging away, but with Kevin not seeming too excited about it, I'm not sure how I feel.

Navajo Code Talkers

I think I figured out why I was drawn to this quilt pattern (Navajo Code Talkers), it reminded me of the simplicity and fabrics from my mom's quilt that her grandmother made for her:



It was originally tied with pink yarn, but over the years the wadding inside was clumped and there were many seams and areas that needed to be repaired.  Twelve years ago I took it apart and trimmed this one patch quilt, repairing areas that needed it and quilted it diagonally.  The backing is the same backing, a piece of woven blue and white plaid.  Perfect for this quilt.



I just love the fabrics.





I've always loved Mom's quilt, and I am glad to still have it--though it was basically totally remade.  But I am happy to still be able to see the quilt and remember her and know that I worked on something that my great grandmother also did.

Here are seven sections that I have worked on for the Navajo Code Talkers quilt:




I have pulled out some very old fabrics, some CW repros from my Jane quilt, and some newer fabrics for this quilt.  The blocks are generally finishing at 4", but the entire block put together with strips will be 15" finished.  When I bought the pattern I did not realize they were that large.

I am enjoying this project, and it is clearing out the cobwebs as I think about what my granddaughter's baby quilt is going to look like!