Category Archive: quilts

DH and I did our walk in a different park today.   The scenery is lovely and there are some small waterfalls along the way.  It used to belong to the railroad, but now is converted to a walking and bike trail.

After walking,  Starbucks called our name and we met two daughters and 2 grandsons there. This is the middle daughter, Jen, with her two sons, Spencer on the left and Bret.  Both boys were happy to get a chance to pose for this blog.

Then back home to work on the yard and in the greenhouse.    By the way spring really is here, the yellow jackets are back.  They are a sure indication.

The tomato seeds that I started two weeks ago are up now and needed transplanting.   I transplanted 5 different kind into small pots which will be shared.   I really appreciate being able to work inside a greenhouse where the wind and rain don’t reach.

Tomorrow, I will move the volunteer tomatoes.   I had thought there weren’t any, but this week they surprised me.

I don’t know what type they are as I had several types planted in this area, but they are NOT the tiny ones that volunteered and we transplanted last year.  And because of location I know they are not Romas.   So they will be a surprise when they have tomatoes.  They could possibly be purples, which would be wonderful.

We scored a new record for rain in the month of March.

photo courtesy of daughter Kati

Perhaps you’d like to see the steps to a sock, starting with the  heel flap, which I make about 2″, using half the stitches.

The first photo is the front, the second is how the back of the flap looks.

Then the heel is turned.

Next the stitches are picked up on one side of the heel.   I used an extra needle to pick these up as it is easier for me.  This is the most difficult part of knitting socks and is not difficult.

Then I knit across to the other side and pick up those stitches the same way with an extra needle.

When I knit across the front, I knit in the pattern.  The stockinette stitch feels better under the foot.     I have now knit the entire sock circle and am working on the ankle area.     Because I knit a 7″ leg, when I fold the sock at the heel, I am half done and can easily see how far to go to finish.

Yesterday I think I failed to suggest that when you are done using the tube of glue, it’s a good idea to put a pin in the top to keep it from clogging with the glue.   This makes it so much easier to use the next time.   I leave the pin in there whenever I’m not using the glue.

After the final press, I did put dots of glue (and pressed) around the hat to adhere it to the background before taking to the machine.  In that way, the hat doesn’t move around while I am trying to sew around it.   This morning when I picked up the project, it was all ready to go.

I sewed around each of the hats.   I used a 1 width and a 2 length on the little zigzag that takes 3 stitches to the middle and 2 more back.    With this setting it takes one bite on the background and the next on the hat.  I also used a monofilament thread which is nearly invisible

.

As I went around the hat there were times that two stitches in a row hit the hat – no worries.   There were other times that two or three stitches missed the hat.   If only two, again – not to worry, but if I missed three stitches, I did go back, but not to remove stitches.

This thread is difficult to see and so is easy to just back up without cutting the thread and start again where you missed.

Now the little hats are secured and need the poms.

The circles need to be cut enough larger to be able to go around the cardboard template and be pulled together on the other side.   I ran a thread around near the edge

Then laid the cardboard on the center

As I pulled the two ends of the thread, the fabric wrapped around the cardboard

I then pressed it good and used a bit of the Best Press to hold it.

Now it was time to remove the cardboard and give it another press and some glue to hold it in place so I could sew.    A note here.   I have found trying to sew on appliques like this that aren’t secure tend to move while I am sewing.

I sewed around each pom and this block is also finished.

One thing I’d like to caution, especially beginners on, is that life isn’t perfect and there are imperfections in this work as well.   But the block looks good from a few inches away and the stitching is secure and the quilt will take a fair amount of use without being hurt.  And the block  is DONE!

Today was sew fun day.  Most of the projects didn’t appeal to me,   But I did come home with a Clover Press Perfect – a take and press mat that I can use to steam my sweaters etc. on when knitting as I can pin into it.

And I needed another gallon of Mary Ellen’s Best Press which is absolutely the best thing I have found for ironing and pressing.   It is a starch alternative.   It does come in smaller bottles, but with the quilting, I use a fair amount of it.

This afternoon I spent more time on the stocking cap blocks for the BOM which are appliqued.   To do this, I first traced the pattern on freezer paper and cut that out.

I ironed the shinny side to the front side of the fabric and trimmed the fabric to roughly 1/4″ larger than the pattern.   The pattern can be used several times.

Next I clipped the curves and corners.

With the piece turned over so the pattern is now on the bottom, and I am looking at the back side of the fabric,  I used small dots of washable glue to the seam allowance – a bit at a time -turned it under and pressed.     This held it until I could sew it and will wash out.

(Use a washable glue with a small spout, both Aileen’s and Roxanne’s work well.)

I then turned it over and checked to make sure it fit the pattern okay.   It received a final press and was taken to the machine – to be continued tomorrow.

Today I caught up on the Aurifil Block of the Month.   These blocks are very basic and fun to make.    Each month this year she has invited a guest to create the block.  This particular BOM is one that still has all the months on-line, so you could still join if you wish.   (Often they take the old one down as the new one goes up)

I walked into the studio this morning and as it was too cluttered for me to work, I started by folding and putting away some of the fabrics.

Then I spied this box of bags on the floor.   These are the BOMs that I want to do this year.   The artist puts together a block for each month, and if one actually gets each one done by the month , one will have a finished top by the end of the year.   Since I am now two months behind, I decided to end the cleaning and start on one of these BOMs.

From Head to Toe A knitter’s Gifts by Denise Russart  is one of the BOMs I planned to do.

I pulled out the fabric and finished the March block as it was straight piecing.

The February block is applique, so is only pinned together so far.

Today was  a shopping day – first to the local nursery with samples of a couple items growing in the greenhouse of which I’m not sure (and neither were they).   We made a few purchases.   It is still to early to get any garden plants.

But the half-inch baby slugs are really enjoying this rain.  So we purchased an organic product to reduce their number.    And even though the banana trees look dead, I was told that sometimes the rhizome isn’t, so purchased some fertilizer for them, just in case.

Then off to Costco and Safeway before returning home. to put everything away and eat lunch.

As I was knitting this afternoon, I noticed this mini parade walk by and then stop to see what was going on.   Apparently the girls found some seeds  and Mr. was crowing his head off, telling all would be predators to stay away.