WIP’s and more
I feel like I should call this blog post “WIP’s and more WIP’s” or “The Battle of the WIP’s”. I have a growing number of works in process, but I’m enjoying myself immensely. So it’s not really a battle of WIP’s but a battle of time. I know we can all relate!
I’m co-teaching a block of the month class (via Zoom) and it’s getting towards the end of the year. This means I need to get all of my blocks sewn together, finish up the applique borders and… you know the drill. Here is the center of the quilt so far. I have a lot of work to do!
I just finished teaching a 6-week Zoom class through my local quilt shop, The Granary. I led 35 awesome students on a mystery quilt journey. Now I need to finish up my sample so I’m ready for our reunion class where we show our finished projects. I’m making mine into a table runner. I still need to add the borders (waiting on fabric), but it should be quilted by Thanksgiving! That’s the nice thing about table runners. They are a fairly quick project to make.
And finally, I’m keeping up with the Stitch Pink blocks from Moda Fabrics. Every day for the month of October, Moda has been releasing the instructions to make one quilt block to raise breast cancer awareness. These have been so fun to make. I’m in my sweet spot as I piece these blocks together. I have twenty so far. This is a group photo of all of them, but not necessarily how I will have them arranged in the final quilt.
I’ve been making these blocks with blue and white fabric and then adding in the occasional cheddar orange block. I like it, but it would be so pretty just all blue and white. What do you think? There’s few enough that I could re-make the cheddar blocks but that would probably push this WIP into the UFO category. We don’t want that.
I’m really enjoying the Zoom platform for teaching and for taking classes. I was able to take one class at Pacific International Quilt Festival with Julia Larina (Quiltoff) on Quilting a Dream Big panel. I learned so much in this class! It was more of a lecture, but Julia broke down the FMQ designs she uses and then demonstrated the actual quilting at the end.
Last night I was able to catch up with Karen Miller from Redbird Quilt Co. at her Fall lecture series on Zoom. This was very last minute for me, but it worked out perfectly with my schedule. It was all about how she free motion quilted the Bicycle Quilt that her sister, Janet Nykiel, made. I love Karen’s style and her tips are wonderful. It ended with a demonstration of how to FMQ a curled feather. I’ve got some practicing to do, but this is what I managed on my iPad:
October is flying by and I feel the holidays breathing down my neck. I was out of town last weekend, and we’re flying to Austin for Halloween weekend. That makes for a packed month with lots to do, which lead to my recent and unplanned blogging break (anything over 10 days is a break to me).
My plans for The Crafty Quilter are to share a technique for squaring up a quilt block that is larger than your ruler and a round up of Christmas sewing projects that you can make (quick and easy). I might even get a new project tutorial designed by December, but I don’t want to promise anything yet. If you need some ideas (like yesterday) for Christmas projects, check out my Gift ideas to make and give for the holidays from 2017.
Thanks for hanging in there with me. I’m always excited to share new things with you and to show you what I’ve been up to. Thank goodness for this virtual community that keeps me sane and happy during this pandemic. I will be glad when the dust settles and we can enjoy some normalcy, but for now I’ll have to rely on Zoom.
Do you have a sheet you can email me re the binding on your Christmas Cookie Crumb Catcher? I love the piece and had no trouble making it but guess I need “binding for dumimes” help. Pat Wahl
Your blue and white quilt is gorgeous! I think the little spots of cheddar really make it pop. I think it would be less striking with them.
Your projects are gorgeous! The touch of gold is perfect as is the dark background – a very nice touch for these blocks!
I really like your Moda sampler! While I agree that it would lovely in only blues and white, I like the pops of cheddar. You could also use cheddar binding (or a flange with cheddar) if you are worried that there isn’t enough cheddar to tie it together.
I LOVE blue and white, but the cheddar really makes it pop!
I agree, leave the cheader.
Your blog posts are so inspiring. I adore your October Quilt Pink project, especially the touch of cheddar. I, too, have been taking advantage of zoom classes as I am my father’s caregiver and it is 24/7. Thank you for sharing.
Leave the cheddar blocks in, Julie! They add the spark! 🙂
absolutely agree with all the above — those cheddar blocks really make the quilt!
Keep the cheddar! All blue&white would be bland.
Hi, Julie. I always love seeing your beautiful WIP. Thanks for sharing them.
I too are enjoying the October Stitch Pink Blocks. I have chosen to add a small print pastel green to go with the pink. Your blocks look great. I think I will substitute for some of the blocks . Keep up the good work.
Truth is, Julie, it’s beautiful with the cheddar blocks. BUT, it would be equally as beautiful all blue. That’s because the quilt blocks themselves are beautiful, as is the layout of the quilt. So, take a deep breath and enjoy the quality of your workmanship and whatever colors make up the quilt.
Julie, I really enjoy seeing all the different projects you do. You are so talented! I really think that the cheddar blocks in your blue quilt give it a little spice. I like it.
Your WIPs are gorgeous! I look forward to learn how to square up a quilt block bigger than the ruler, this has always perplexed me.
I just love your Stitch Pink October project. The cheddar is a perfect pop of color and looks spectacular so I was surprised when you said you might want to change it to all blue and white. You should of course do whatever your heart tells you. It will be beautiful either way. Thank you for all the work you put into your newsletter!
Beautiful, fantastic work Julie! Love the blue and white and even the cheddar with it. All the projects are awesome and gorgeous!
LOVE the Cheddar in your quilt!!
Love the cheddar blocks
Robbie
Your work is always beautiful!! I really enjoy seeing all your quilting projects
Hi Julie, those cheddar blocks among the blue are quite eye catching. This quilt looks warm and soft already. It’s going to be a beautiful quilt. I wouldn’t change a thing.
I’m curious about your technique of squaring up a block that is larger than your ruler. I’m looking forward to this.
I really love the cheddar blocks you’ve incorporated in your Stitch Pink (blue) quilt. Don’t change a thing!
I love the splashes of cheddar. They really brighten up and add additional charm to the quilt Julie. They look great!
I love your quilt with the cheddar blocks and would encourage you to mix in more! It’s gorgeous! I also seem to have the never ending WIPs problem.
Hi Julie. I have to say I love the flashes of cheddar in your Stitch Pink blocks!