Category Archive: quilts

2020
02/02

Category:
farming
Life
quilts
sheep

COMMENTS:
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Child’s Sunbonnet Sue Quilt

The neighbor girl who has been helping by playing with the pups needed a quilt – or so the pups and I thought since she didn’t have one.   So I made this for her which is 50 x 60.   I “enveloped” it and used the butterflies and ribbons where our ancestors would have tied the quilt.  The backing is so fitting since we live in Western Washington where we are setting rain records lately.

Even the pups have been bored with the rain and mud.  They are finding indoor activities, called “Who can make the smallest pieces out of Mom’s calendar”.   

The other “fun” activity we have had this week is an unexpected population explosion.  6 new babies in the last 3 days.   Either the girls had secret dates or there was a very young boy that reached sexual maturity extremely early.  We did purposely breed 5 ewes that we believe are due in April, but those are not the moms giving birth.    Oh, what fun a farm can be!!!! Certainly not boring.

We have been relaxing by putting together jigsaw puzzles.   Somehow they calm the mind and give one space to think. 

But really, who buys purple sheets?   I guess it’s better than dying my hair that color.  It was a daring stretch for me.

2020
01/29

Category:
Life
quilts

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Sunbonnet Sue flimsy

Using a bit of time here and there, the flimsy is done and the quilting has started.  I used the same layout my mother used when she made me a quilt using similar blocks when I was young.

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2020
01/07

Category:
farming
Life
quilts

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Time Flies

Time flies and this last year, the sheep have taken most of my time and energy, but I really miss the quilting and blogging.   I decided this year, it is important enough to at least get a little done each month.   This morning I pulled out these Sunbonnet Sue blocks and my goal is to make a quilt top from them before the end of the month.  After making 3 twin size quilts with the other blocks, these 15 were left over.   I’ll think this layout will work.   I am linking to https://www.elmstreetquilts.com for the sake of accountability.

The 10 pups have had a lot of extra attention this past week since the schools were on vacation.   Here the neighbor is telling them the story of the Lion King.   At their 10 week vet check this past Friday, the weights were between 18.5 and 25#.   No wonder we are going through so much food!

2019
06/20

Category:
quilts
sheep

COMMENTS:
1 Comment »

“Knock out” quilt flimsy

“Knock out” is the name of this pattern for this quilt, which I tested for http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com/.   I loved how easy it was to put together and will definitely make another.   The size is 55″ square – just perfect for wrapping oneself while watching TV or reading.  Now to have my quilting machine serviced and get this quilted before winter.

My neighbor came over twice this week and we put ads up for some of the fleeces.   Several were shipped out yesterday.  We have absolutely gorgeous fleeces, so I think we will sell out this year.

2019
06/17

Category:
Life
quilts

COMMENTS:
1 Comment »

Quilt that didn’t want quilting

 WOW!  I’m sorry for neglecting this blog so long.   I started this quilt a year ago and put it on the quilting machine early June.   I had plenty of time to get if quilted for a gift, but it didn’t happen.

First, I lost power and had to find the pattern again and set it up to fit as I was in the middle of a row.

After that, the computer on the quilting machine died and I had to get an upgrade as that one was no longer supported.   When that arrived, I had the machine serviced and the new computer adjusted.

Then I had to have the technician return as the program was not behaving correctly.  Even now, the thread wants to keep jumping out of the tension disc.

Then I ran out of the correct color of thread.  I bought more of the thread the end of February and tried to avoid going into the studio because this quilt just kept looking at me very accusingly.

The only sewing accomplished this winter was mending sheep coats.

Finally, enough is enough, and in order to get over this mental block, I took myself in hand and finished the quilt.   I had issues with thread jumping out of the tension disc and took the quilting out each time it did that and started over.  However, it is quilted.   As soon as I took it off the frame, I squared it up and bound it.   It is now on the way to its new home, and at last, the studio is once again calling my name.

2019
01/21

Category:
Life
quilts
sheep

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Churn dash blocks

This morning, I stopped to have some fun with those half triangle I was making yesterday.  They make the best Churn Dash blocks.  Playing gave me the energy to go clean the barn.

Did you see the moon turn red last night?  Here are some photos in case you missed it.   The first is one I took, but my Iphone would not capture the red color, so I borrowed a photo from the news.  It was amazing!

 

2019
01/20

Category:
farming
Life
quilts
sheep

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Sewing triangles

I tried a new to me way to cut half square triangles.   First  I stiffened my fabric, because somehow drawing on fabric tends to distort it.   So on the stiffened fabric, I drew corner to corner both way.  Then a scant 1/4″ on either side of that line, I drew a sewing line.  I sewed the 4 sewing lines, then drew another line across the middle of the block each way.    I cut on those lines as well as the diagonal lines

Then after pressing these squares open, I trimmed them to size.  I loved the fact that they didn’t stretch and I got 8 squares out of each larger square.   

 These half squares can then be used in any pattern using half square triangles.

AND THE LIVESTOCK

The sheep know that when I have done the cleaning for the day, food mysteriously appears in their feeders.    As soon as I have unloaded the last tractor load, they are on their feet waiting to eat.

Chickens don’t herd like sheep, but that doesn’t keep Bracken from trying.

I’m for more sewing time this week, though it will be slow while I’m still working on taxes.  I hope you are taking time for fun.

 

2019
01/09

Category:
farming
quilts
sheep

COMMENTS:
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Lamb baby quilt

It’s finished and even has the satin binding that babies love to hold next to their skin.  I will put this away for the right baby to come along.

Other than that, today, we changed a few sheep coats and did chores.   We seem to have filled our day.

Embroidering little lambs

These little blocks measure 4.5″ plus the seam allowance, when trimmed,  which is 1/2″  These blocks are taking about 1/2 hour each because one first lays the sky down, embroiders, then trims, then the grass, then embroiders that in place.  The the lamb is done, and finally batting and backing go on each piece.  But aren’t they turning out cute?

I now have these three rows done and another 2 embroidered, but not put together.   I  may not get it all finished in a week, but I’ll come close.   I linking up with Patty over at  Elm street quilts  

The chickens know a good perch when they see it and the sheep don’t seem to even notice.  The girls in this pasture got their mite medicine dripped on their backs today.   it beats having shots or oral meds.

2019
01/01

Category:
machine embroidery
quilts

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Lamb Crib Quilt

I was given this pattern for an embroidery machine Lamb Crib quilt by Heart n Sole.  I have been given a week to get it done.  I think I can do it, but it will be close.   It will make a nice quilt for my next grandchild – if and when.

It is made of little   4.5″ finished quilted squares  and then put together.   Then a backing is used across the back to cover all the seams and the original was then tied in the corners.   Today I made 30 of these little squares.  That gives me another 80 to go.  Since they are small, and the quilting is minimal, they go fast.