Christmas Piano Runner and other finishes

Our guild challenge has been to make 2 blocks each month.

I decided to make a piano runner each month with 3 blocks.

Below is my December offering.

I had this Santa in the chimney pattern and fabric in my stash.

I had the idea to use a snowflake stitch as I quilted the block.

Can you see the small stitched snowflakes?

Trying out fabric for the binding.

I was going to use a red and white stripe but decided to go with a red bandanna print.

The mug pattern is from Lori Holt's Quilty Fun book.

After quilting the wavy lines I realized the appliqué was not attached.

So I straight line stitched around all the pieces.

Not the usual way to do it.

Santa is holding a string of lights or ornaments.

The kit had buttons but I liked these beads.

Ho, ho, ho!

Miss Ava's class had a dress like a Roman citizen day.

I made this shift from a Violet Field Threads tunic pattern.

I liked the elastic at the waist that gives it a little shape.

My machine had a perfect stitch for the borders.

I used some heavy white cotton sheeting that was in my stash.

She wore a wrap of purple knit that was also in my stash. 

These little angel finger puppets are for my Cherub Choir kids.

The choir is going to sing a song about ten little angels in our Christmas program.

I bought some sparkly felt for the wings.

The other felt came from my stash.

Secret sewing is happening but I'll share later.

Happy Sewing!

Surprise Win & Recent Guild Session with Ricky Tims

I was checking my email and saw that I won 3rd place in the Online Table Runner Challenge.

The prize was delivered yesterday.

Looking forward to sewing these up.

Uncommon Threads Quilt Guild hosted Ricky Tims at Germantown UMC last week.

Wow! His Houston AQS Best of Show Winner was fabulous.

We were blown away by the intricate sewing and loved hearing about the design process.

He sewed it all on his domestic sewing machine.

I did not touch the quilt.

The back shows the quilting details.

Here is another of his quilts.

He calls his method 'Loco Motion'.

We invited our guild and all our friends.

The turn out was great. 

We had some people join us on Zoom.

All the participants had fun and learned some new tips & tricks.

But the best part was seeing the winning quilt up close.

Working on my final piano runner.

Here it is. Sort of finished.

I'm going to stitch around the appliqué Santa, chimney, and snowflakes.

There are buttons for eyes and some buttons for a string of lights.

Next up some secret sewing for Christmas.

Shhhhhh!.

Happy Sewing.

Catching Up

Martin and I drove to Powder Springs, GA to visit my brother and sister-in-law last week.

We had fun eating Doreen's delicious meals and were able to watch them square dance and round dance.  

I introduced them to American Mahjong, too.

The photo above is at the dance venue. 

Don't they look cute in their coordinated outfits?

And... we picked up my 'new' sewing machine thanks to Doreen's thoughtful purchase.

The first finish on the new machine is the banner above.

I bought a panel with Alice in Wonderland illustrations and the letters to spell out

"Mad Masquerade". Perfect for Halloween. 

I backed the flags with a black and green stripe from the Sewing House.

There were no directions so I hope this is what it should look like.

This morning as I checked my email I stopped to read Nancy Zieman's blog.

They were announcing the winners of the table runner challenge.

I was not expecting to see one of my piano runners but SURPRISE!

I won 3rd place and a very nice prize.

So glad I took the time to enter.

Next up - I'm making some finger puppet angels for my choir kids and

gifts for board members and the final piano runner for December.

Oh, yes-

Ricky Tims is visiting our quilt guild next Tuesday.

Can't wait.

Happy Sewing!

A Couple of Follow Up Finishes

Here is my reproduction 1870's mini fan quilt for the Cotton Exchange Museum Show.

One person made 10 mini quilts! All different.

She was the contact person for the show.

There were only 25 entries in all.

I had fun researching the fan block.

Second Place winner above. 

First Place winner below

Wendy Johnston is a fabulous designer and quilter!

Friday and Saturday I attended the MQA Fall Gathering in Winona, MS.

Next are some quilts I really like.

I finished my Liberty poplin blouse.

Joey gave me a gift card to the Sewing House. 

I decided to buy fabric to make something for me.

The front above.

The back below.

The color is correct in the photo above.

I was going to sew some of this blouse with my recently repaired serger.

But I didn't want to start serging with this expensive fabric.

I made French seams on the side seams and sleeves.

The other raw edges were top stitched.

I followed my own steps on the sleeves 

instead of setting them into the armhole as the directions showed.

The sleeve bands were sewn before the sleeve was finished, too.

Here I am ready to wear my new creation.

Next time - November piano runner.

Happy Sewing!

September Quilt Challenge Blocks AKA Piano Runner

My plan for the October piano runner changed when I saw the sashing fabric below.

The Trick or Treaters are so cute I came up with three appliqué blocks to frame with the new fabric.

Below I was trying out the layout.

The background fabric is navy constellations on a beige background.

The Halloween fabric has a navy background.

Pumpkin or Jack O'Lantern?

Mr. M liked Jack.

I used raw edge appliqué to attach the centers.

The shapes are echo quilted with grey thread.

The sashings are quilted a quarter inch from the seams with navy thread. 

I used the Halloween fabric for the backing.

The binding is a green and black stripe from the Halloween fabric line.

The label came from a label panel. I added details.

The bat and pumpkin appliqué shapes are my designs. 

I like how the quilting works on the back.

Find the Hat.

Where is the Jack O'Lantern?

The Bat is tricky to spot.

My sewing machine was struggling as I finished the binding.

I took the machine straight to The Sewing House for emergency maintenance.

This is my favorite sewing machine. My mom bought it for me when Emily was a preschooler.

The verdict - motor needs to be replaced - none available to purchase.

I am using my travel Babylock right now.

It doesn't fit my sewing cabinet but a ruler and a plastic tray fill some of the spaces.

Saturday I attended my first sewing session for My Midnight Garden.

This week I finished the two blocks below and a crescent moon block.

My birthday was this week, too.

Joey gave me a gift card to The Sewing House.

I bought a floral Liberty poplin and the grid fabric below.

Today I cut out the blouse shown.

Next to finish the blouse with my serger and second best sewing machine.

Happy Sewing!