Making a List

There is a challenge out there in blog land to list 17 UFOs to work on during the year. So when Kyle at Timeless Reflections blogged about sending her followers a '17 in 2017' UFO form created by her daughter, I was thrilled! Thanks, Kyle!

I was convinced I didn't have 17 UFOs until I started listing them--what a surprise! And since I love working from lists this was the perfect way to jump-start my year.

#1 to finish Morris Hexies top. Check. Though now I think I may add a border. 

#2 to finish Westering Women top. Check. This is Barbara B's Way West design :)

I had just enough pink and two different browns to make the arrows. The color in the 2nd photo is most accurate.

#4 to start quilting this very old UFO. On my way . . . 

Here are all the other projects waiting for some attention: Patch Basket, Red/Green applique blocks, Peto Playmates repro, Philadelphia Pavement blocks . . . 

.  . . Tumbler2, Marbles and Jacks, green hexie with birds . . . 

 .  . . Madder Stars, Plainfield Sampler blocks, Flags of the American Revolution, Tumbler1 and a very old Sunbonnet Sue hidden beneath that I didn't even list.

 . . . Broken Dishes, more stars, and even extra hexies that didn't make it into the final. I'm really looking forward to making some progress on these UFOs in addition to starting new projects :)

Have a wonderful week!




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Copyright 2017, Barbara Schaffer

 

It's A Huswif!

Well, I fell for another project to make in Quiltmania--a Huswif!

There it is all folded up on the right :)

This is the page that caught my attention. I needed some lightweight cardboard to stiffen each section and found cracker and cereal boxes to be just the right thickness.

Folding and stitching narrow strips of fabric over 1/4" elastic was a challenge.

I chose this fabric for the back. 

I had just enough 1" twill tape to stitch in between the sections and tea-dyed it to make it look old. I also had some leftover binding which was the perfect color to finish the edges. When it was all together I filled it with some vintage sewing supplies.

The buttons are for decoration only. I had stitched a strip of selvage across the top even though the instructions called for grosgrain ribbon. In the pocket I put packets of needles and needle threaders. 

I filled the middle section with an antique needle case, scissors, sewing kit, and a needle book which belonged to my mother-in-law.  

The lower section has another needle book, thread wheel, hooks and eyes, and snaps to complete that vintage look :)

I'll keep it displayed on this dresser where I can see it every time I go to my sewing room :)

Happy Quilting! 

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Copyright 2017, Barbara Schaffer  

Penny Rug Plus

The pennies that I made so many years ago are now all together in one small rug :) I really enjoyed this easy project from beginning to end.

After seeing a wool penny rug in Quiltmania I knew I wanted to make one just like it. It's 16" x 25".

I used moss green wool for the base . . .  

. . . and blanket-stitched all the pennies in place with 6-strand embroidery floss.

When it came time to add the backing I used this decorator fabric.

  
I trimmed the outer edge to 1/4" and finished it off with dark green floss.  Voila!

Other news . . .

I received this fun fabric from my DIL's mother for my birthday. It's from Livstycket a nonprofit design center in Sweden "that wants to give immigrant women the opportunity to learn the Swedish language in order to break through their isolation and take their place in the community." I think it will be perfect for the Gypsy Wife quilt I hope to make this year.

Last night was our guild's birthday bash meeting with refreshments, demonstrations and a raffle. I won a Binding Winder and a Mini Travel Iron--what fun! 

And this year's raffle quilt made its debut. The red and white houses are so appealing! I think a house quilt is in my future unless I win this one :)

I love the way the reds and whites alternate. So effective!

Wonderful border choice, too!

Have a great week :) 

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Copyright 2017, Barbara Schaffer 

 

Looking Back At My 2016 List

Last January I made a list of things I wanted to do sewing-wise in 2016 so I took another look to see how I did.   

First, I wanted to participate in at least one quiltalong or block swap. I actually participated in four.

I went on a journey west with Barbara Brackman and her Westering Women BOM series which began in January and ended in December. I started in Independence, MO, traveled through Indian Territory, crossed the Platte River and went over the Hill and Hollow . . . 

. . . to Courthouse Rock and Chimney Rock, on to Fort Laramie where I found the Sage Bud block a bit challenging, then followed the Rocky Mountain Chain to the Road to California :) Thanks, Barbara, for a fun trip!

Then for 6 months beginning in May I participated in Barbara's Morris Hexathon quiltalong. I never would have attempted these hexies on my own but with a goal of one per week it was manageable. I'm in the process of sewing them all together and hope to finish the top by the end of the month. Thanks, Barbara, for the challenge!

In August Barb V. announced her Broken Dishes block swap. It was my first time using Triangles on a Roll and I'm so glad I did. I've got a plan for all the red and white blocks I received but must wait for my hexies to come off the wall so I have the space to play.  Thanks, Barb, for another great swap!

In Sept. Lori at Humble Quilts announced her Quilters Madder quiltalong. I've participated in three of Lori's QALs in the past. I had enough madders and shirtings to make not only one but two small pieces. Thanks, Lori! 

Second on my list was to take a workshop to learn a new technique. Well, it looks like I'll have to carry this one over to 2017!

Third was to try my hand at wool applique.  

I made these two small pin cushions and filled them with crushed walnut shells. A first for me--wool and shells!

Fourth was to make a cute needle case or two. 

This little Needle Nest caught my eye in Kathy Schmitz's book, Simply Red. 

Fifth was to learn big stitch quilting. Maybe this year, lol!

Sixth was to become a better hooker. 

I still have a lot to learn :)

Seventh to add more pics to my Pinterest boards. Well, that's ongoing! I now have 35 boards. The most recent are Hooked Rugs Mainly Houses, Memories, Schoolgirl Samplers, and Book Art. It's also where I keep track of the quilts I make. Check them all out here.

Eighth to Stay Involved. Attending guild meetings and going to quilt shows is ongoing. 

Lastly--to Keep on Quilting! Have you seen the Gypsy Wife quilt by Jen Kingwell?? I envision using 60s and 70s fabrics to make this fun quilt in 2017!

Happy Quilting!




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Copyright 2017, Barbara Schaffer