Almost there!

This is the first round of The Pillow Talk {Swap} that I've participated in, and it's been fun.  It's always so nerve-racking to me to make something for another person.  Even though my partner made an inspiration mosaic and left comments on discussion threads and other PTS9 projects, I never know if I'm getting it quite right.

The top is now pieced and quilted, and thanks to some great tutorials on how to use an overlock stitch (I didn't even know it, but I had an overlock foot amongst my accessories!)  the pillow top and back have been serged.  So thrilled to have learned how to do this!  I'm just a few hexies for the back and a zipper installation away from finishing this pillow.

Then it's on to my 4x5 Modern Quilt Bee blocks.  The fabric pulls for my beemates were done fairly early, but I agonized too long over block choice.  I thought I'd get around to at least making the test block with my own colors by now, and I could offer up any number of excuses why I haven't, but I won't.  There will be some crazy times ahead since we are moving this weekend and the deadline is a week from Saturday...

Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Have a great week!

Weekend Sewing- Retreat among the Redwoods

I do so love a quilt retreat, especially one that's rustic and remote.  The South Bay Area Modern Quilt Guild organized such a retreat (their first) and were gracious enough to open it up to members of sister Modern Quilt Guilds in the area.

Who goes on a quilt retreat but forgets to bring her walking foot?  Yep, I'm the genius that did that.  Grand plans for quilting my Converging Corners quilt for do. Good Stitches and completing a pillow cover for The Pillow Talk {Swap} Round 9 foiled!  Several people kindly offered the use of their walking foot (feet?), and I actually tried a universal walking foot offered by Miriam, with whom I was sharing sewing space.  But my Singer 301A is a persnickety little thing, and she will only quilt with a walking foot modified especially for her (which I purchased from Jenny at Sew Classic).

Luckily, I was still able to work on these projects despite the forgotten walking foot.  I pieced the backing for the Converging Corners quilt, as well as the front of the pillow cover.

The pillow cover is based on the Batwing Block from The Farmer's Wife (I drafted my own templates).  I stalked my PTS9 partner's ispiration mosaic and favorites, as well as her comments on other projects posted to the Flickr group, and I hope I got it right.  Now I just have to figure out how to quilt it, as well as hit up some tutorials on how to actually put together a pillow cover.

Aside from these projects, I was busily engaged in making new friends with the ladies from the guild- such a fun and friendly group!  I loved the flow of chatter and exchanging of advice, ideas and (of course) fabric.  And there were so many great projects being sewn up.  Unfortunately, I didn't think to take pictures, but most of them can be found here. 

Since I didn't get to quilt Converging Corners at the retreat, that's the current task at hand.

The goal is to finish up the quilting today, then bind it before the weekend is over.

Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Playing catch-up

My sewing has been sadly neglected as of late.  October has been all about parents visiting, home showings, house-searching and kids activities.  The sewing list needs some attention.

Over the weekend my guild had another Charity Sew Day, so I was able to start a charity quilt (which still needs quilting).  Jennifer pre-cut strips of studio remnants donated by the ever-generous Julie of The Intrepid Thread.  Our challenge was to piece a Strip and Flip crib-sized quilt top using a tutorial from Cluck Cluck Sew.  Here's my contribution:

We deviated from the tutorial a teeny bit by using twenty 2.5-inch strips rather than the called-for twenty-seven 2-inch strips.  This is a quick and lovely quilt top, and a great way to use up half of a jelly roll.  Or you can use those favorite prints you've been hoarding without depleting them since you only need a 2" or 2.5" x WOF strip!

I also managed to start a few bee commitments despite the busy schedule.  Kate sent Metro Living and Field Study pieces for the September Design Camp block but a mailing mishap caused a delay in the fabrics reaching me.  Just a little left to do... I'm only a couple rows short of finishing the second block.

October's blocks for do. Good Stitches are EPP stars.  Rachel requested  this pretty fall palette.  I've finally gotten around to cutting the fabric, and as I've fallen in love with English paper piecing, these should go fairly quickly.

In other sewing news, I'm eagerly anticipating the Get Your Curve On class this weekend.  Time to start pulling fabric and getting my gear ready...

Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.