Kathy's Quilting Blog: January 2022

Monday, January 31, 2022

Kathleen Tracy Valentine Mystery 2022

This week I joined the group called Kathleen Tracy Quilts on Facebook. This was the pattern everybody seemed to be working on in the group. I decided to join in on the fun and make one too. All of the pieces in this quilt were cut with Accuquilt dies. It went together rather quickly.

Don't you just love that border neutral with the snowy trees and the cardinals? It definitely reminds me of the Ohio weather here right now.

I know it adds another project to my WIP list. But this little piece only needs to get its turn on the longarm and a little binding (already made in the pink fairy frost fabric in the center.). Hopefully this mini won't be a WIP too long. It's perfect for Valentine's Day.

The real reason I was interested in joining the group is because one of my other WIPs is a Kathleen Tracy mystery and I need to make more blocks and find out the layout. I found a photo of it from the group. Mission accomplished. Happy Monday.

It's the last day of January. I'm going to finish playing with red scraps. I liked making these hour glass blocks so much I'm going to start just one more RSC project before I put the red scraps away. Stay tuned.I'm linking up at Love Laugh Quilt for Monday Making.

Sunday, January 30, 2022

String Quilt Top Complete

My Sunday commitment project has become a flimsy again. Boy, this process is really working for me. I pick an old WIP and work on it each Sunday. I try to get it to the next step if I can. Old projects are moving further down the WIP list! I think this red border really tames the wonky rows of this quilt.

I'm linking up today for Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.

Saturday, January 29, 2022

Last Saturday of Red for the RSC22

I had another productive week with red scraps.We had a couple of snow days in a row. I managed to pull out a quilt project that I hadn't work on since 2016 called Folk Art Birds. The pattern is from Kathy Doughty's book, Making Quilts. I got all of the red blocks done.

This week I made the last two sets for my Rainbow HST quilt. I got the idea from Jennifer who blogs at Life's Little Adventures.

I played with some other red scraps this week since my red bin was so close and this project called From the Heart came to my e-mail from Pam Buda:

I think I like taking a cutting project in my sew-to-go bag instead of hand sewing for now. I'll keep a bag packed for when I sub at the local schools that allow me to do so on my planning periods.

I made FOUR big pieced backs out of large red scraps this week, FOUR!!! I was so happy that they were done and ready to move to the quilt room that I moved them before I took a pic. I did get to take a picture of the last one. (I wanted to get my things not needed and taking up room in my sewing/computer area before the big snow. I knew the driveway would be an icy mess soon. It is now.)

Here's the pieced back for my Be Positive (plus) quilt which was an RSC project. (Don't mind the white fabric going across the top. I put a temporary fabric like this sheet to hook it onto my longarm frame when it's less than five inches longer than the quilt.)

Here's the red pieced back that was made for my string quilt:

Red backs will be going to:

Be Positive

String Quilt

GO! ABCs

From the Heart (little quilt above in this post).

I also made backs for Cabins by the Lake and Stay Centered. Woohoo! RSC progress for sure. As soon as it's warm enough I hope to get to use my longarm.

We had another surprise snow day on Thursday due to frigid (zero degrees F) temperatures. I made more 3.5" rail fence blocks with the left over 1.5" strips after I finished my Folk Art Birds blocks. This time I finished 42 red blocks and 13 "other" blocks. 421 of 900 blocks complete already!

Although it's now even more cold in the longarm room, I feel I had a super productive month of progress of playing with red scraps. My scrap bin doesn't look like much came out of it, but after making all those backs, I know that it is.

I'm linking up at Angela's blog, SoScrappy, for the RSC22.

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Friday, January 28, 2022

Glad Tidings is Complete

I finished this cute mini called Glad Tidings.

I started this little project on 12/18/21 as part of a fun little sew along with Pam Budah at Heartspun Quilts. The mini measures 12" x 15". I probably could have picked a better quilting design for it. I loaded it on the frame with another table topper and just keep going with the quilting. I think it's fine.

It fits on my son's "office" table. It's going into the Christmas decorations box. We'll see it again after Thanksgiving.

I'm linking up at Joy's blog, The Joyful Quilter, for the TABLE SCRAPS Challenge LINK PARTY.

I'm also linking up with:

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Snow Day Squirrel

Due to frigid temperatures (zero degrees F) we had a snow day from school today. I decided to tidy up my sewing area. I don't really like it when my 2.5" squares scrap bin is so full that the pieces get all wrinkled. I decided to start sorting the Halloween colors out (purple, black, bright green, orange...). I am going to save them for a my Cheddar Jack project that has been on my WIP list for a while.

Then I went through the 2.5" strip bin and pulled out the pieces that were long enough to cut three 10.5" strips of the same fabric. I will combine them with the 2.5" squares above to make waffle blocks. This project has also been on my WIP list. Ahhhhh. Mindless sewing day after my chores are done.

I call this a Squirrel because I still haven't put together my OMG (Maroon Sampler Quilt). I know in my heart it's not going to get quilted this month due to the cold temps. I just didn't feel like working on it. Maybe some other month.

Stay warm!

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

WIP Wednesday 1.26.22

I started a new project that I hope won't be on my WIP list for long. It will get quilted as soon as it's warm enough in the longarm room. This is called From the Heart, which is a doll quilt sew-a-long with Pam Buda at Heartspun Quilts.

We got about 12.5" to 14" of snow. We had some fun outside.

I finished making the red HST sets for my Rainbow HST quilt. Ready for February color of the month.

I got FOUR backs ready/sewn during the FNSI (Friday Night Sew In.) I used large pieces from the red bin that is out because red is the color of the month for the RSC22.

1. I made a one-fabric back for Cabins by the Lake.

2. I made a red, pieced back for the string quilt.

3. I cut a little back for the new project I started this week -- Pam Buda doll quilt sew-a-long.

4. I found fabric for a back for Stay Centered.

Then on Saturday I made a back for GO! ABCs. Whew... that's a lot of scrappy backs!

I'm glad I got my sewing machine back from the repair shop. Hope the homemade grommet holds up.

I assembled all the sting blocks. Putting a border on this quilt is my next step. It's wonky. I'm going to live with that. This is one of the first string quilts I ever started. I did stitch the blocks on phone book pages, but removed the paper before I put them into blocks. Lesson learned...

I made a binding for at least four quilts. Each time I make binding, a 1.5" HST gets cut with the corner pieces. You can see what I mean here. They get sorted into their respective bins and become another new project. See how I just keep adding projects to the list?

48 Items remain on the WIP list.

Pieces Need to be Cut & Sewn

1. Cheddar Jack cat pattern

2. Digging up Bones (Owen's dinosaur quilt)

3. Rock Island Campfire Quilt

4. Picadilly Circle

5. ...And Sew On BOM at Quiet Play (one block to go)

6. RSC16 Folk Art Birds

7. Full Stop, started RSC21 (January,2021)

8. Leah Day Building Blocks QA

9. Dresser Scarf (My Grandma's WIP from the 1970's found 1/1/20

10. Classic Meets Modern BOM

11. Gypsy Wife QA started in August 2017

12. Mod Mod QA (from Block Lotto, circles w/lines)

13. Unity Quilt Along with Bonnie Hunter (started 4/1/2020)

14. Rail Fence Blocks 345/900 complete started during the pink month of RSC21, January 2021

15. Maroon Sampler Quilt--I found this on 2.6.21

16. Kite Girl (RSC14)

17. Amish Country BOM (from Lynn, Johnna's mom)

18. Kathleen Tracy's 2019 Mystery Quilt Facebook QA started in March, 2019

19. 2.5" Scraps from Dani -- making "cracker" blocks

20. Waffle Blocks (August 2019 -- RSC19)

21. Little Houses (2.5" blocks)

Blocks Still Need to be Made

1. Bluepatch Mystery Quilt

2. Finding Nemo Scrappy Trip quilt

3. We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler

4. Drunkard's Path Variation quilt

Blocks Are Made But Need to be Sewn Together (and/or Some Sashing)

1. Tula Pink's City Sampler 100 Modern Quilt Blocks 5/17/17 QA

2. Cruise blocks won from Libby

3. Cathy's CRAZY BY DESIGN Dot Dot Dash Bag, Won April, 2018

4. Split Stars (blocks won from the Block Lotto, October, 2012)

5. African Violet baby quilt (Block Lotto inspired)

6. Tall Fly (blocks won from Block Lotto)

7. Pre-printed cross stitch pillow sham (May 2018)

8. Sonja's Windows string quilt

9. Flower Baskets (blue and white with some applique) Block Lotto win 10/1/18

Quilt Back Needs to be Made (Tops are Done)

1. Card Trick (pink and blue)

2. Hunter Green Star Quilt

3. Good Fortune -- A Bonnie Hunter Mystery started Thanksgiving weekend, 2018

4. Plus Quilt (Be Positive) started in 2016; quilt top completed 1.1.22

Ready to Longarm

1. Bubble Gum Pink & Navy Quilt

2. Gobble, Gobble, pattern by Lori Holt, started February 2021 (back made 11.15.21)

3. Rescue Quilt from my SIL (patchwork squares)

4. Pink Patchwork Quilt (CM) longarm quilting for a friend with Cosmos

5. Pumpkins & the Beanstalk (a 2nd quilt)

6. Glad Tidings (Pam Budah sew-along mini) (Started 12.18.21)

7. From the Heart, Pam Budah doll quilt sew-along (started 1.21.22)

8. Stay Centered started February, 2021

9. Cabins at the Lake (from Fons Porter Magazine)

10.GO! ABC Quilt started during the pink month of RSC21, January 2021

I'm linking up with Susan at Quilt Fabrication for Midweek Makers. Come join the fun and inspiration!

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Binding Making

Today I'm working on making some binding.

I know the black binding is for Cabins by the Lake. The blue binding (that is just sewn and not trimmed and pressed yet) is for my string quilt. The red binding is for the Be Positive (plus) quilt. The orange binding is for Gobble Gobble. Other little pieces of binding are left over from other projects waiting for the right mug rug or small project to come along.

My favorite size binding for anything crib size or more is 2.25" wide. I also use 2.5" binding often. I am blessed that I have those Accuquilt strip dies to make the cuts so nice and accurate.

When I make binding, I quickly trim the angled pieces that occur when I sew them together. Instead of throwing them into the scrap bin, the little corner gets carefully placed on my Accuquilt 1.5" triangle die. This makes a new useable triangle for another "someday" project.

It seems like the projects I've been working on these past few months often cast off either 1.5" triangles (like above), 1.5" squares, or 2.5" squares. Hence why I am often starting new little projects. I keep them all in the respective bins. I have bins for the neutrals and bins for the others of each size.

Right now my 2.5" "other" bin is overflowing. It's getting to the point where I'm going to have to press them. I don't like having to press them before I use them, so don't be surprised if another project gets started to keep them under control. I don't like to let these little, accurately cut pieces to go to waste.

Today is our second ~~marathon sewing day~~ snow day in a row. I'm hoping to be productive. :). I might visit my longarm room just to quickly load something. Brrr. It's too cold in there to quilt. Even though some finishes could be on hold, other projects are getting closer to the to-be-quilted stage.

Monday, January 24, 2022

Monday Making

Last week I had time to take a small cutting project with me to a substitute teaching gig. I like to be productive on the planning period of my shift. I cut out all the pieces to make From the Heart, which is a doll quilt sew-a-long with Pam Buda at Heartspun Quilts.

I think it turned out kinda cute. Now it just needs to be quilted and bound. I cut a piece of the background fabric for the back. The binding is ready to go. Yes, it adds to my WIP list, but once it's warm enough to longarm quilt again it will be off the list before you know it.

I'm linking up at Love Laugh Quilt for Monday Making.

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Sunday String Quilt Progress

I made a lot of progress on the string quilt this week!

So when I started making this quilt, I was new to string blocks. I did use phonebook pages as foundation pieces. I think I messed up when I removed all of the paper before I sashed the blocks. This made them quite wonky. You can see that the blue lines do not match up at corners. Two of the rows are too short, so I added a piece of blue sashing. One of the rows is too long; I just trimmed it straight... What a mess. But it's still quaint. I just kept on sewing and using this as a learning experience. Next time I won't remove the papers until the blocks are sashed!

I'm linking up at Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework for Oh Scrap!

Saturday, January 22, 2022

Successful FNSI

The FNSI (Friday Night Sew-In) was so successful I forgot to take pics of the results. I got a lot of BIG things done. By BIG, I mean to make pieced backs for a few quilts so that I can move them closer to the finish.

1. I made a one-fabric back for Cabins by the Lake.

2. I made a red, pieced back for the string quilt.

3. I cut a little back for the new project I started this week -- Pam Buda doll quilt sew-a-long.

4. I found fabric for a back for Stay Centered.

I didn't get the back for GO! ABC done, but the big pieces of red are still on my sewing table ready to be put together like a puzzle to move this one to the next stage of being quilted. Woohoo!

RSC22 -- Red Progress

I made three more sets of 3.5" HST for my Rainbow HST quilt. I got the idea from Jennifer who blogs at Life's Little Adventures.

Oops! I did it again. I started another project -- but for perfectly good reason. Ha ha. I started substitute teaching regularly again (part time.) There is a desperate need for substitute teachers in my area (and I think all over the country.) One local school district started paying double what the other school districts pay. It's one of the districts that I signed up for right before Covid. It requires a lot of additional paperwork and referenced, but I did all of that back then. I am only working two half days a week this month. I may work more the rest of the school year depending how Owen does at home. So far he's been doing great. I have three good neighbors for back-up if he needs something. Anywho... I decided to take a quilt to cut instead of a hand sewing project in my sew-to-go bag. The new project I started is Pam Buda's doll quilt pattern called From the Heart. This is a free pattern on Pam Buda's site, Heartspun Quilts until January 23, 2022. So if you want this free pattern download, act fast! This project is all cut and ready to sew. Finished doll quilt is 14" x 20".

I'm continuing to make 3.5" rail fence blocks. Only three red ones were made this week. 345/900 done.

I'm linking up at Angela's blog, SoScrappy, for the RSC22.

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Friday, January 21, 2022

Machine Repair Notes for the Record

Sometimes I'm so glad that I blog because I have a record of things--at least as long as Blogger will allow me. My old, faithful Husquavarna sewing machine has been at the repair guys house since before Christmas. I got it back today. He had a lot of cleaning to do. All of this was packed in the bottom of the machine. It's not the easiest to take apart and get to this area. Honestly, I clean the lint out regularly with a brush from the bobbin case. This is the lint that my brush must not reach.

The real problem was that the rubber grommet that keeps the motor of my machine straight is severely worn. Because the motor sits a little crooked, the belt slips off. My repair guy made a temporary grommet, but can't guarantee that it will hold up very long because it is not an original part. For some reason only dealers can get this part. He cannot get it.

Here's another photo of my longarm properly threaded. Sometimes my brain goes goofy and I don't thread it correctly causing me to have all kinds of tension issues. It's finicky like that...

Nolting 23XL treaded properly:

For some reason I don't always remember how to use the three holes above the tensioner.

Thursday, January 20, 2022

FNSI -- Friday Night Sew In Plans

Today I'm pulling fabrics to make pieced backs for quilts. My goal is to get backs made for Cabins by the Lake, GO! ABC, and the string quilt (which isn't fully together yet, but I have an idea what size it will be.) Wish me luck.

Cabins by the Lake will have a one-fabric back (easy peasy) of the plaid.

GO! ABCs will have the three or four read fabrics on the pile on the right. I think a red, pieced back will be nice for this quilt.

The other reds on the top of the pile on the left will be for the string quilt.

Now that all the fabrics are somewhat pulled for the project, I'll be joining Wendy for our first FNSI for 2022.

Visit HERE and join in the fun.

Snow Pics -- January 2022

Here's a few more pics of our Ohio snow in January, 2022. It was after 5:30pm when I took these photos.

Above is a snowball gun that his aunts bought him. It doesn't shoot very hard and works like a slingshot. He really likes it. I have one too, but I feel I can throw a lot harder and farther with my arm. LOL.

Here's an action photo with the snowball coming out of the gun:

This is what the driveway looked like after my husband ran the bull dozer up and down. He had to take the day off work because the equipment needed was up in the field and he couldn't get to it to jump it. Then he got the trusty bull dozer started and made paths to everything.

So I saw some cute pics on Facebook that a local photographer took. She had the kids throw snow up into the air and it made a really nice photo. This is what happened when we tried to do it...

Photographer I am not. But we do have tons of fun trying.

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

WIP Wednesday 1.19.22

This week I had a sweet little finish. I finished this Flannel Table Topper. It measures 20" x 22".

I finished making all the block elements of the Full Stop quilt this week! Angela at SoScrappy designed this sampler quilt for the RSC21 here. Her tutorials for each block are. beautifully done! We had a long weekend with Teacher Development Day on Friday, MLK Day on Monday, and a snow day yesterday.

I know some of the people that live in other states get a LOT of snow. It's a nice 25 degrees outside today. But I find it funny when quilters measure snow. Here's my 12.5" Omnigrip ruler in the snow in front of the house off of the front porch. You can see that the snow is just a little bit higher than the ruler. My husband didn't get the right equipment running in the dark when he got home from work. Hopefully he'll be able to come home early and plow today. Quilt marathon for me... All I know is that when the snow is up over my boots, as long as it isn't up to my waist, it's a workout to just walk in the yard. Feeding and watering the chickens is a real chore going up and down that slippery hill. But it gets done.

Here's the current situation of my truck. If need be, I could brush if off, put it in 4-wheel drive, and pull it into the tracks my husband's dually made and we could get out. But for now, quilt marathon. LOL.

Then I stuck my 12.5" square ruler in the snow on the planter that used to be the old iron kettle that my grandparents used on butchering day. It's not as deep, but it is in the windy area where you don't want to be standing when it's cold outside. It really blows across that area.

Oh, I did start one new project this year (so far). I'm call it Rainbow HSTs. I don't have a current 3.5" project. I am making 3.5" HSTs in the color of the month. I was intrigued with what Jennifer posted about the magic 3, 6, & 9 scrap quilt theory. Jennifer blogs at Life's Little Adventures.

Each Sunday I have designated to working on one old WIP. I try to get the quilt to the next step until it becomes a flimsy. This week I framed all the string blocks. Boy, these blocks are a little wonky...

I still haven't gotten my sewing machine back from the repair guy. My dear friend saw him over the weekend and he told her he still has it. That means it's not done yet. I was sewing along on an old Kenmore since mine broke right before Christmas. It froze up on Tuesday. I will take it and put it in the truck and drop it off when the repair guy calls me to tell me that mine is done. (Fingers crossed.)

Now I'm sewing on a little bit newer Kenmore 10 that was left behind when a relative's ex left. I think it's kinda a crappy machine. Not all of the parts are there, but I made due with robbing from another machine.

Funny story... when I was having issues with the older Kenmore, I went to the other house to get the above machine and my mom's "Dressmaker" machine. I was getting frustrated with the older Kenmore and couldn't get the tension just right.

I opened the bobbin case of the older Kenmore and the bobbin shuttle fell out in two pieces. Luckily I found the tiny screw that went with it. I asked my husband for his tiny screwdriver. He happily wanted to work on it. So I set the bobbin shuttle for the above machine next to the one in pieces. I went to change clothes while my husband went up to the other house to get his tools. When I came back he proudly said, "I fixed it already!" like a proud husband. Then he told me that he fixed the other one as well. Oh no!!! He said the screw on the other one was loose too. I then told him that when I purchased my longarm and was trained by the sales person how to use it that when it comes to tension, that screw does a lot of work. I was taught by the longarm guy that when you turn that screw you only adjust it the width of the hair on your arm! My husband jumped up, came over with his little screwdriver and untwisted the screw. LOL. It only took me about 15 minutes and I had the right adjustment on it. It was sewing great until it froze up.

But on Tuesday I still wasn't happy with the way the Kenmore 10 (in the photo above) was sewing. I don't have a good vibe from the person that left it behind. My mom's beautiful Dressmaker is still sitting in my sewing area in the box. I decided to get it out and give it a go. I still have all of my fingers and I haven't been scalped by catching my hair in the belt yet. I'm going to play with it some more this week making quilt backs and getting to know the machine. Isn't she a beauty?

I also have a Singer 221 sitting in the garage. Hmmm. I have never used it because it doesn't have a wooden base. I wonder if this base will fit it. If I don't get a nice stitch on the Dressmaker I will try that one next. It's a super cute machine!

49 Items remain on the WIP list.