Project Update and Questions - Help!

I've been quilting with my walking foot inside the edge of each block and  outside the edge of each circle.  I am 80% finished with the border.  I have two questions - well many questions but I will keep it to two!

1.  How do I hide the ends of my thread when my quilting does not go off the edge of the quilt?
2.  Where do you start when you are filling in the background of the quilt?  Quilting the field of the quilt is the part I have been the most nervous about.  I am planning to either stipple it or do swirly lines that make circles.  These were both taught in my class in October.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

First Quilt - I Need to Get Busy Quilting!

Quilt Front

This is my very first quilt!  I had hoped to give it to my nephew on his second birthday.  He turned 3 last week!  He loves anything with wheels or any type of ball he can throw so it is designed with circles (balls) and vehicle fabrics.  I've been struggling with each step because I don't want to ruin it.  I've come to the realization that if I don't hurry, he will outgrow the fabric before I get it to him. 

I took a quilting class at the Quilt Expo this fall and then posted about practicing my free motion quilting.  I've been busy with costumes for the high school, making my daughter's dress, and all kinds of projects that distract me from finishing.  I decided that this will be my next project once I finish my son's sweater throw.  (It is embarrassing to admit I started buying sweaters before I bought this quilt fabric.  First time projects intimidate me!)

Quilt Back

I used my Sidewinder Bobbin Winder to load some bobbins today in an effort to try to get ready to quilt.  (I had 10 minutes to be creative today!) I am just going to have to give it a go.  The thing is, he won't care one bit if I do a good job so I just need to get busy and get to it!

Putting it out there that I have this project that needs to be finished ASAP will hopefully make me accountable!  Let's see if it works!

My Fall Project - No Time To Post!

My daughter had a dance the first week in December.  We started shopping in early November and hoped we would get as lucky as we did last year.  Unfortunately, we found nothing!  We even started shopping in the $250 range in pure desperation.  If you know me well, you know that is way out of my comfort zone!  We still did not find anything appropriate.

On a lark, I went to Hancock fabrics during one of their $.99 pattern sales to see if there was an easy pattern that would look well on her.  I found one that seemed to be exactly what she was looking for.  It lets you design your own dress by choosing from the different options.

My daughter loved the pattern - but a different view!  I liked this one.

She picked the bodice that had no room for error on the fit. 

And she wanted only one layer of fabric on the bodice instead of just sewing two layers together and turning them right side out as the pattern called for.  So not only did I have to fit the bodice just right, figure out how to change the construction,  then I had to trim the single layer of chiffon in satin bias tape! 

After four bodice cuttings, sweating over inserting a zipper into a skirt and bodice that had 2 layers of fabric  (chiffon over satin), using boning for the first time, and completely cutting out the skirt twice because the first one was way too short, this is the final result:

Getting ready for the dance at her grandmother's house.

She felt beautiful and I was so relieved she liked the dress.   And best of all, she had a great time at the dance!

PS - Total cost of the dress - $27.00.  Her fabric was on clearance - $2.00 a yard.  Had I not purchased a lot of extra fabric, it would have been a lot less.  But thank goodness I did!  It was considered a fall color and they were already putting out the brights for New Year's and prom! 

Progress!

Felted Sweater Throw Update

In quilting blogs I've read about the importance of checking your color combinations by taking a picture.  I am so glad I did!  The throw definitely needed more orange.  I thought I didn't have any pieces big enough so I decided to sew some orange scraps together.  Instead I was able to cut two very narrow strips.  I added those, mixed it up some more and was ready to pin it all together. 

Overlapping the edges 1/2 inch in what Betz White describes in her book, Warm Fuzzies, in a "shingle" technique took some time. (The pieces are all lapped in one direction and then reversed for the next strip. When sewing the strips together, they are lapped in the same direction.)  Being precise was important so I couldn't eyeball it as I usually do.

Using my 1/4 inch foot, I sewed the pieces together.  This left a 1/4 seam allowance on both sides of the throw. 

I've been studying on this throw for a long time and have read at least three books on recycling sweaters.  One book insisted that stabilizer is necessary for sewing the sweaters together without stretching them out of shape.  I have to admit there is a little bit a waviness to some of the seams, but I just didn't want to go the expense (hence the thrifty in Oh Sew Thrifty) or to the trouble to remove the stabilizer later.  I think it looks fine.

Next I will clip my threads, even up the edges and decide how to embellish it.  This is for my 17 year old son, so nothing fancy.  The throw in Warm Fuzzies has ribbed edging on the ends only.  (It mimics fringe.)  Or maybe a blanket stitch all the way around the edge instead?  And/or a monogram since I hope he will be taking it to college someday?

Any suggestions?

Reality Check!

Day 1  Ready for accessories.

Day 1 of actual use! 

I imagined that I would add baskets, great lamps, and a nice rug. In the end I thought I would have a nice place for my children to study. It is really no different than before - only better furniture!

I will not quit! We will find some great ways for them to organize their space. When they go off to college they will have roommates so they need to learn to pick up after themselves. This is one of the first rooms you see when you enter my home, so I really do need some cooperation - or a big screen!

IKEA Tables - Surprise!

After shopping all day, Tracey and I settled on these IKEA kitchen tables to use as desks.  They were too country for the IKEA chairs, but when we found these wicker chairs at Ballard Designs we knew we had a good fit.  Because it was the very end of the day we rushed back to IKEA expecting to pick up the two tables and head out. 

To pick up your furniture at IKEA you have to find it in the self serve furniture area.  Everything is organized by Aisles and then Bins.  To add to our confusion the bin numbers were missing on this aisle.  Luckily we had the item number as well so we were able to confirm we had the right table even though - Surprise! - it came with 4 chairs!  Then the dilemma, what to do with the unexpected chairs?  Final decision - college table and chairs for my children's first apartment or if needed extra chairs for parties.  Either way, the chairs were an unexpected bonus.  Which just confirms, Tracey and I have incredible luck when we shop together!

Dynamic Duo Strikes Again!

Everyone need a wonderful good luck charm to shop with!  I have my friend, Tracey.  Not only do we have a blast together, but we always manage to find the most incredible bargains or one-of-a-kind treasures.  We go to estate sales, thrift stores, consignment stores and flea markets.  Tracey is always game for whatever adventure I dig up and vice versa.  I should do a post to show you some of our best finds!

Yesterday we spent the whole day looking for furniture for my former parlor - soon to be study hall.  We found a pair of black wicker chairs at Ballard Backroom.  Not only were they exactly what I was looking for, but they were also on sale.  Originally $400 a pair, I got them for only $125 incl. tax.

Yes, it is so warm on the first of February that my doors were open!

They are perfect for the IKEA tables we found.  More on the tables tomorrow.

Do you have a shopping buddy that you always have fun/luck with?  I hope so!