Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Keeping busy



I’ve finished up two hoopsfull of quilting on my Labor Day Stars.  IMG_0235The colors are a little washed out here, but I think you’ll get the idea of how I’m going to be quilting this.  I’m hoping that the quilting in the stars will give them a sense of movement.  This is my first attempt of stitching in (near?) the ditch, and I will confess that it might well be my last.  It’s a pain to stitch through the 5 layers (top, seam allowances, batting and backing).  Edited to add:  I thought that if I stitched right next to the seam, my stitches wouldn't get lost (considering that I'm using a very low-loft batting).  I'm considering unstitching those previous two blocks and restitching *in* the ditch.  I’ve ordered stencils for the setting triangles and the border. 

In between the two hoopsfull of quilting, we cheered our Ts on at another swim meet … this meet was a 3-day meet, but thankfully because it’s now being held at a larger complex, the days weren’t as long as they could have been.  The Ts did well, even though they faced some serious competition at this meet.
Whew!  I uploaded the video properly.  But unless I open the video, it's really hard to see what's going on.  That's T#2 in the far lane who was neck-and-neck with the swimmer in the lane next to her ... T#2 held on to finish 1st in her heat on her 100 fly.   

I also cut a few more tumblers since I mentioned here that I was hoping for a little larger finished quilt.  Not to mention that I’m wondering if I’ve chosen enough projects to keep me busy for 3 days at retreat.  I am sure that I have … but there’s just a little niggling doubt in my mind.  Typical … if I don’t have enough to worry about, I’ll just make something up.  <sigh>

There’s nothing on the schedule for today, and after a long busy weekend with not nearly enough sleep, I’m rather looking forward to a day where I can take things a little easier. 

It doesn’t seem possible that the time change will be this weekend.  I don’t know about you, but I’m not looking forward to the change.  I admit that it will be nice to see the sun rise earlier in the morning, but I’m so not looking forward it being dark by dinner time!  Disappointed smile

I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy ... have a great day!
Kathy

20 comments:

  1. Looking good --what is the fabric you used in the sashing?

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  2. When I hand quilt in the ditch, I always stitch on the edge eith no seam allowance, but I stitch right in the ditch, not just near it.

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  3. Enjoy your unscheduled day. I think you need it!

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  4. Your quilting looks great on the stars. I am with you on the time change, I will really miss our long summer days.

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  5. Love how you are stitching your blocks. When I hand-stitched, I always pressed my seam allowances to one side and then I stitched on the other side if I wanted to stitch in/near the ditch. I hope you have a quiet day today - I think you deserve it! Our first grandson hockey game is Saturday so our weekends are gearing up. ~Jeanne

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  6. It's always difficult to stitch near the ditch even with pressing seams to one side it always ends up that one of those seams will be pressed opposite of the side you want to quilt. I'm sure that's why my Biblical Blocks quilt took two years to quilt. Your quilted blocks look great though!

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  7. Very nice quilting! Love how you have chosen to go across the star points.
    I will echo the others with their stitch-in-the-ditch advice. That is how my Mom taught me to quilt decades ago (when I wasn't really interested in learning). You stick to the non-seam allowance side, even if that shifts back and forth down a seam line. The stitches should be hugging the ditch so well that it isn't really noticed that you are moving from side to side.

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  8. Wow, wow, wow! I really like the project in the hoop -- the colorway is very striking!! :)

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  9. You and me both, I am not looking forward to the time change. I don't like how it gets dark so early. I still get up when it is dark.
    Your video is nice, you are sure busy. I hope you get to rest soon, Your quilting is just lovely.
    Have a lovely day.

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  10. The quilt is turning out so pretty. Love those tiny stitches.

    Good job by T #2!

    I was just whining to hubby last night about the time change. I wish they would just set it to the real time and quit messing with it. I don't even know which is the correct time any more. lol

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  11. This time of year is about waiting for the light...and then saying goodbye to it too quickly and I wish they'd just leave the time alone :)

    Can't believe how fast those swimmers go! Almost as fast as your fingers..you have so much done already ! : )

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  12. This time of year is about waiting for the light...and then saying goodbye to it too quickly and I wish they'd just leave the time alone :)

    Can't believe how fast those swimmers go! Almost as fast as your fingers..you have so much done already ! : )

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  13. Stitching near the ditch or sometimes even in the ditch is painful. Your quilting looks awesome. It takes me weeks to adjust to the time change. :0(

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  14. I'm just across the river in Southern Illinois and have enjoyed these last few good days of fall. Little gloomy today, but we needed the rain. So not looking forward to the time change. Love the Labor Day Star and your fabric choices!

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  15. Beautiful quilting! It's rainy here this week and the weather man says it hasn't been this "cold" since February. I'll take this kind of "winter". I've tossed around the idea of finding a quilt guild here, don't really know how to go about it. Time to Google, I guess.

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  16. I don't evenwant to talk about the time changw

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  17. Love your quilty progress.. in the ditch quilting I like to preplan so my seams are away from where I plan to stitch.. but that doesn't always happen! lol
    I love the vid of your T winning that heat... thanks for sharing..
    I do not like standard time or anything to do with it! lol I will be happy when dst returns :)
    Have a blessed eve! Kathi

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  18. Hi, Love the quilt-your stitching on the border makes it look like movement with the fabric. Stitching in the ditch is so easy and I have to make myself not do that, but use some creative pattern instead. I had bible study this morning, then a lunch with all the gals and even some stitching time. An almost perfect day!
    Have a great evening my friend.
    Hugs,
    Noreen

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  19. Oh, dear, I thought the time change was a week from this Sat. Ugh! will try to gear up for it. You do not waste a single minute my friend! :o))

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