DWM: Still on the Road to Llano

Last week I didn’t have much time for sewing and then had migraines over the weekend so I’m still trudging along the Road to Llano.  The blocks are finished and the rows sewn together so I’m making some progress.  This week I should be able to get the pieced borders made and complete the top.  I was really hoping to get it all finished by Thursday but that doesn’t look very promising.

Here’s the top so far (well most of it—there’s not enough space in my sewing room to take a picture of the whole design wall!).  It looks a little Christmas-y with the red and green.  It will look very different after the borders are on and that dark blue print will be more predominant.  This was a fun top to piece and I already think I’ll make another one.  I like making quilts with piecing that’s a little more challenging.

For more inspiration be sure to check out other design walls at Patchwork Times.

 

Technorati Tags: piecing,DWM,Road to Llano

Starting the Quilting Marathon

When I made the “Get it Done” list for July I noticed that there were several tops to be quilted so yesterday I started the quilting marathon.  I hope I can quilt and machine sew the binding onto at least eight quilts in the next 10 days.  We’ll be heading to Michigan for a few days with Jim’s siblings at Magician Lake and it would be nice to have lots of hand sewing for the car ride and sitting in the evening.  I just picked up the latest Jodi Picoult book Storyteller on Playaway at the library so that will give me 18.25 hours of listening while I quilt.

These first two projects are for Quilts Beyond Borders.  The bindings have to be stitched entirely by machine so I won’t have any hand sewing on them.  For this one I just quilted swirls.  This seems to be my go-to design.  I can do it quickly and there’s not much thinking involved.  It’s hard to get “trapped” where you can’t stitch your way out of a section or corner.

Here is a close-up of the quilting—it’s so easy to do!

These quilts come to me already pieced with the backing and binding provided.  I just add batting, do the quilting then machine sew the binding.  This one had a rayon challis backing and I was so afraid the tension wouldn’t be good on the back.  Thankfully, it worked out just fine.  I used Superior Omni in the bobbin and a yellow/gold variegated King Tut on top.  The backing fabric is really pretty and coordinates very well with the front!

For the second one I quilted an overall “water” pattern.  Again it was easy and went pretty quickly. 

And a close-up of quilting:

This one had a cotton backing.  I used Omni in the bobbin for this one too but Signature cotton on top.  Both combinations worked well and I didn’t have any tension issues.  Gotta love that!!

The next one is loaded and ready to go!

Technorati Tags: quilting,Quilts Beyond Borders,charity

DWM: Road to Llano Part 6

It ended up being a busy weekend so there wasn’t much time for sewing.  Late yesterday afternoon I was able to sneak into the sewing room for awhile and finish Part 6 of Road to Llano.  I’m really liking this project.  Many of the projects I’ve done lately have been quick and easy.  This is a little bit more complicated piecing and the results are going to be wonderful.  My favorite quilts are the ones that take a little more effort.  I’m really, really hoping to get this finished this so I can show it at our little sewing group’s quilt show next week.



Get more inspiration by clicking the design wall links at Patchwork Times.

Technorati Tags: Road to Llano,piecing

Getting it Done-July 2013

Since we were gone a good part of June I really need to kick it into high gear and finish some quilts in July.  There is a huge stack of tops to be quilted again so I think my efforts should be concentrated there.  I didn’t make a list for June but I don’t think I finished much of anything.

My list for July:

• Finish Sunny Side Up
• Finish Road to Llano
• Quilt and bind the six Quilts Beyond Borders quilts
• Quilt and bind A Day In the Country
• Quilt and bind Fresh Cut
• Quilt and bind Marmalade
• Quilt and bind Off Track
• Quilt and bind Double 4-Patch
• Quilt and bind Twister
• Piece 20 Tula Pink blocks
• Make scrappy nine patch

Whew!  That’s a lot of quilting but they all have backs and batting ready to go.  I need to print this list and post it in my sewing room so I stay on track this month!

Check out everyone else’s goals by clicking the links at Patchwork Times.

Technorati Tags: Getting It Done,goals