Stitching Fused Appliqué Edges

Wow, it's been a busy day in my sewing space! First I cut fat quarters from all the block fabrics in the Quick Quilts sampler so we can photograph how a kit will look. With 35 different fabrics, that took about an hour. Then I got to work edge stitching the love birds and hearts on the Valentine table runner. I used red rayon thread for a little shine, and really enjoyed the process. Not as much as hand appliqué, but since it's fused shapes for Quick Quilts, machine blanket stitch worked just fine and helped define the edges of the shapes. I also took photos as I went so I could add a page here with tips for machine blanket stitch. Here's the end of the table runner now:

And here's a little closer shot:

Now the reward...a home pedicure and pink polish!

Quick Quilts Sampler Finished

I finished binding the Quick Quilts sampler today and here's a sneak peek. The pretty quilting is by Karen Dovala. Fabrics are from the Studio Stash collection by Jennifer Sampou for Robert Kaufman. We start the series in the January issue, which we're preparing for the printer now. Another project checked off the list!

Binding Matters

The Quick Quilts sampler came back from uber-talented machine quilter Karen Dovala today, so I'm glad I got the binding ready this past weekend. It took about an hour to machine stitch the binding on and trim the quilt edges, and now I'm ready for my favorite part...hand stitching the binding to the back of the quilt. This always feels soothing and triumphant to me, so even though the weather's kind of hot to have a quilt in my lap, I'm looking forward to the work.

I used a binding pieced from lots of the block fabrics for this one, to bring a variety of colors to the outside of the quilt. I think it will punctuate the edge of the gray outer border nicely. Full photo coming soon!

Progress on the Table Runner Design

Now that I have a design I like pretty well, I'm excited about making the Valentine table runner again. Good thing, too...I need to make serious headway on construction this weekend. Due date is September 1! Also on the weekend schedule: make binding for the Quick Quilts sampler and finish combining the 6 parts of a series quilt pattern into a single pattern, a process that usually takes the better part of a very focused day. Plus find time for some self-care (I need a pedicure!) and laundry and the other usual weekend chores. I'd better get some sleep...early morning tomorrow!

On Pressing, Etc.

Today I finished the top for the Quick Quilts sampler, and then had to make the hard decision about backing. I had lots of fabric left from the Studio Stash collection and could have pieced a backing from it, but somehow it seemed like a waste of really current, really cool fabric. So I decided to just go out and buy yardage and keep things simple. True confession...I went to JoAnn Fabrics. I love my local quilt shops, but on a Sunday afternoon, for just a backing, I'm going for the open store with sale coupons. I ended up getting a soft gray print from their Legacy line for $7.19 a yard, and I only needed 4 yards because it was 44" wide. Great solution.

But then I had to piece it (easy peasy) and press it. On an 80° day, not my favorite thing. Which got me thinking about my foremothers and what their pressing experiences must have been like. I actually have several pressing-related family heirlooms...my grandmother's wooden ironing board, a sprinkler bottle with metal cap, and two packages of non-stick ironing board covers (shown in photo). I must have been moving these things with me for the last 35 years, and I still can't bring myself to throw them away. The silicone one has a sticker price of 49¢, the Teflon one $1.19. The advertising copy on the silicone one claims it will give me "more satisfaction than ordinary cotton or ASBESTOS covers." Uh, like, less cancer? I wonder if the General Textile Company, maker of the Teflon cover, would still honor the guarantee: "This set will be replaced against any defect in workmanship or material." Guess I'll never know...I prefer a cotton cover  :)

Back on the Chain Gang

Every time I chain piece I hear the Pretenders in my head, so I thought I'd share :)

The sampler blocks are made, and here I am, back on the chain gang, chain piecing the sashing units.

No complaints...this is something I find very soothing and meditative. But it's not as much fun as making sampler blocks. Still, I'm coming into the home stretch, and then it will be on to the next project, the Valentine table runner. Onward!