Friday, November 30, 2012

LHQSQ - Block #72


Another 6” sampler block -

That you can make using -

2-1/2” squares -

And anything else -

That finishes at 2” -

Three across and three down -

Variations of the basic NINE-PATCH -

The sewn block will MEASURE 6-1/2” -

And FINISH at 6” -

===

Block #72 - Chocolate Cake -




Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -





Thursday, November 29, 2012

LHQSQ - Block #71


Another 6” sampler block -

That you can make using -

2-1/2” squares -

And anything else -

That finishes at 2” -

Three across and three down -

Variations of the basic NINE-PATCH -

The sewn block will MEASURE 6-1/2” -

And FINISH at 6” -

===

Block #71 - Rolling Squares -




Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -



Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Question for you -

This is the time of year -

When people buy Christmas gifts -

But as Quilters - we all want/need to make Quilts - ;))

So I have a question for you -

Have you ever been disappointed in the reaction -

That you received from the recipient of your quilt/gift?

My bloggy buddy - LindaJ - reminded me the other day of the caveat -

About not making a quilt (of any size) for someone who will not appreciate the efforts -

I think that before any of us go all gung-ho -

And get all stressed out -

We might want to remember that - ;))

In fact - I think that it should be a RULE -

Do not make a quilt (of any size) for someone who will not appreciate the effort.

Of course -

As with any of my RULES -

Feel free to totally ignore it - ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -



Tuesday, November 27, 2012

LHQSQ - Block #70


Another 6” sampler block -

That you can make using -

2-1/2” squares -

And anything else -

That finishes at 2” -

Three across and three down -

Variations of the basic NINE-PATCH -

The sewn block will MEASURE 6-1/2” -

And FINISH at 6” -

===

Block #70 - Rolling Stone -




Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -



Monday, November 26, 2012

Design Wall Monday - 11/26/12


DESIGN WALL MONDAY - 11/26/12
Check out all of us who link up with Judy L. at Patchwork Times on Mondays.
We have some awesome stuff on our walls!
Well, THEY do - ME - not so much sometimes - ;))
===


Another episode of -

Leisurely Turtle Race to Christmas with Squirrels Allowed - ;))


This last week I took a little break from my LHQSQ blocks -

And decided to get some quilts ready to quilt -

For that I needed my can of basting spray -

And my handy-dandy kitchen island -

I love my kitchen island -

It’s huge - ;))

I spray-basted “Do You See What I See?” -


Unpinned and spray basted a practice top -


And got a whole pile of stuff ready to quilt -


LAST year I told myself that THIS year would be the year -

That I would practice my Free Motion Quilting -

And get my quilts QUILTED -

I’m quickly running out of year - ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -



Sunday, November 25, 2012

QJ - Anniversary Quilt

QUILT JOURNAL - ANNIVERSARY QUILT

Quilt-As-You-Go
Preprinted blocks alternated with Machine Quilted solid blocks
One solid block is hand quilted

Queen-Size
Started - August 1994
Completed - January 1995

Made as a gift for my Mom & Dad's 50th Wedding Anniversary

Reference - McRee Hickman booklet
Quilt-As-You-Go method

The story is below -
In an edited version of the letter I included with the quilt -








QJ - 1995

===

January 1995 -

HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY MOM & DAD!!

Let me tell you the story of this quilt.

Some months back, I was trying to figure out just what to do to celebrate your 50th Anniversary. I wanted it to be really special. It finally came down to three choices:

1) Hand-quilt a wholecloth queen-size guilt.
No, that would take forever and I don't have the time.

2) Hand-piece and then quilt a double wedding ring queen-size quilt.
I could get a pre-cut kit but it would still take forever and I don't have the time.

3) Machine quilt a queen-size quilt from those stars you said you liked last Thanksgiving (1993).
Yes; you liked the stars; it would go together rather quickly. I had the time.

I figured I would need 25 stars for a 5 x 5 grid approximately 90" square. Off to the store I went. They had 12 stars on a bolt but 2 were flawed - OK 10. The clerk and I found a 2-star panel already cut - OK 12. I had 2 at home - OK 14. I could alternate with plain pink blocks and hand-quilt those. I got the fabric for the backing.

Off I went to the other store for the pink - they had a little over 2 yards left. I bought it all. Once home I discovered that I didn't have 2 stars. I had given one to a coworker - OK 13. I could still do it.

X O X O X
O X O X O
X O X O X
O X O X O
X O X O X

X = 13 STARS
0 = 12 PINK BLOCKS

TOTAL = 25 BLOCKS

In the meantime, I sent away for a booklet (McRee Hickman) on a new technique I had seen mentioned in a book. The booklet arrived and I cut the blocks. I had to fudge on the pink. After I cut out all the white backs, I found out the blue was 2 inches shorter in width and had to fudge on the blue and re-cut the white. There was no pattern - I had to make it up as I went along - like life.

I hand-quilted one pink block. Another coworker came up with a route for stitching the stars with a minimum of starts and stops and a very long continuous line. So far, so good! I stitched a few stars.

I set it aside for a while - I had lots of time.

I finished the quilt in January and mailed it to you early - just because. I included a verse from "Aunt Jane of Kentucky" by Eliza Calvert Hall.

HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY MOM & DAD!!



Saturday, November 24, 2012

LHQSQ - Block #69


Another 6” sampler block -

That you can make using -

2-1/2” squares -

And anything else -

That finishes at 2” -

Three across and three down -

Variations of the basic NINE-PATCH -

The sewn block will MEASURE 6-1/2” -

And FINISH at 6” -

===

Block #69 - Broken Wheel -




Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -



Friday, November 23, 2012

LHQSQ - Block #68


Another 6” sampler block -

That you can make using -

2-1/2” squares -

And anything else -

That finishes at 2” -

Three across and three down -

Variations of the basic NINE-PATCH -

The sewn block will MEASURE 6-1/2” -

And FINISH at 6” -

===

Block #68 - Peach Cobbler -




Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -



Thursday, November 22, 2012

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's hoping that you have a very nice Turkey Day with your family!

And have plenty of left-overs! ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -



Wednesday, November 21, 2012

LHQSQ - Block #67


Another 6” sampler block -

That you can make using -

2-1/2” squares -

And anything else -

That finishes at 2” -

Three across and three down -

Variations of the basic NINE-PATCH -

The sewn block will MEASURE 6-1/2” -

And FINISH at 6” -

===

Block #67 - Raspberry Cheesecake -




Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -



Tuesday, November 20, 2012

LHQSQ - Block #66


Another 6” sampler block -

That you can make using -

2-1/2” squares -

And anything else -

That finishes at 2” -

Three across and three down -

Variations of the basic NINE-PATCH -

The sewn block will MEASURE 6-1/2” -

And FINISH at 6” -

===

Block #66 - Saw Tooth -




Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -



Monday, November 19, 2012

Design Wall Monday - 11/19/12


DESIGN WALL MONDAY - 11/19/12
Check out all of us who link up with Judy L. at Patchwork Times on Mondays.
We have some awesome stuff on our walls!
Well, THEY do - ME - not so much sometimes - ;))
===


On my wall this week are my LHQSQ Blocks #61 - 72 -


They need sashing -

Then I can add them to the ones on the design wall in the hallway -


And start working on the last batch - ;))




Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -




Sunday, November 18, 2012

QJ - Red Miniature Watercolor


QUILT JOURNAL - WAL-MART/POLY-FIL BLOCK - RED MINIATURE WATERCOLOR

Machine Pieced

Original - 12 - 1/2" square
Started - June 27, 1995
Completed - June 28, 1995

Duplicate - 15-1/2" - 14-1/2"
Completed - July 1996


In June 1995 - Wal-mart/Polyfil had a Quilt Block Contest - "Back to Basics" -
To design a block using basic shapes -

I chose a square -

1" squares - 12 x 12 = 144 squares


Tuesday - 6/27/95 - I cut the squares
Wednesday - 6/28/95 - I sewed them together
Thursday - 6/29/95 - I turned in my entry at Wal-mart
Friday - 6/30/95 - Was the last day to enter the contest

I was the store winner - must have been the only entry - ;))

I also did NOT take a photo of the block before I turned it in -

So I made another one - to commemorate my win - ;))

I won a $25.00 gift certificate -

And used it to buy a 24" x 36" cutting mat -

The perfect size for my cutting table -

The duplicate won Third Place at the County Fair in August 1996




QJ - 1995 - 1996

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Interesting reading -


I was thinking the other day -

About how much a blog is like a book -

With periodic “Chapters” -

Some more frequent than others - ;))

And I thought how interesting it might be -

To choose a blog -

ANY blog -

And to read it like a book -

From the VERY beginning -

However far back that might be - ;))

Read about how the blog began -

Watch it as it evolves -

Watch how the author’s writing style changes - or not -

Read about the life and times of the blogger -

And maybe even get to know someone better - ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -



Friday, November 16, 2012

LHQSQ - Last batch


The original plan for my Left-Handed Quilter Sampler Quilt (LHQSQ) -

Was to make NINETY-NINE - 9-patch blocks -

All to finish at 6” - ;))

I have 60 on the design wall in the hallway -

All sashed and ready to sew into rows -


I have 5 more made - but they still need sashing -


I have 7 more cut and kitted up - and partly sewn -

And - if my math is correct - that makes 72 -

I still need 27 more -

So -

I made my final choices from the EQ7 blocks (public domain) available -

And printed out the block patterns -


I’m ALMOST there - ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -



Thursday, November 15, 2012

Secrets and Santa


In between my Left-Handed Quilter Sampler Quilt (LHQSQ) blocks -



And the Leisurely Turtle Race To Christmas With Squirrels Allowed (LTRTCWSA) stuff that Linda and I are working on -

With Christmas coming -

I’m also working on some secret stuff that I can’t post -

And it’s a real bummer to be working on something -

And not to be able to share my progress - ;))

But I can’t show you any of my “Santa” stuff -

‘Cuz I don’t want to spoil any surprises - ;))

Just in case the intended recipient reads my blog -

And you never know - he/she just might - ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -



Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Sewing right along -

I was sewing right along -

Foundation Paper Piecing some “Square in a Square” patches -

For my LHQSQ blocks -

And then this -


The one on the left was looking OK -


The one on the right needed a “do-over” -
It wasn't supposed to be folded over like that -


Or maybe it was just time for my nap - ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -





Tuesday, November 13, 2012

TUSAL - 11/13/12


I have joined hundreds of stitchers in Daffycat’s TUSAL -

Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long

To play the game -

I have to fill my glass container -

With saved thread clippings -

Or ORTS - Old Ratty Threads -

Fabric trimmings -

Stitching cast-offs -


And then -

On the New Moon -

Take a picture of the ORTS in my jar -

Post it to my blog -

And label the Totally Useless posts with “TUSAL” -

Done - done - done - done - and done - ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -


Monday, November 12, 2012

LHQSQ - Block #65

DESIGN WALL MONDAY - 11/12/12
Check out all of us who link up with Judy L. at Patchwork Times on Mondays.
We have some awesome stuff on our walls!
Well, THEY do - ME - not so much sometimes - ;))
===


Another 6” sampler block -

That you can make using -

2-1/2” squares -

And anything else -

That finishes at 2” -

Three across and three down -

Variations of the basic NINE-PATCH -

The sewn block will MEASURE 6-1/2” -

And FINISH at 6” -

===

Block #65 - Indiana Puzzle -




Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -



Sunday, November 11, 2012

QJ - Green/Rose Quilt

QUILT JOURNAL - GREEN/ROSE QUILT

Pre-printed panels of Rose Medallions - 4 x 6 SQ
Machine Pieced
Hand Tied
Queen-Size
Started - January 23, 1995
Completed - May 20, 1995

Made for our daughter and her husband -

As you can almost see from the scan -

Their cat likes it, too - ;))



She likes green and I wanted to try out my new basting gun -

So after checking for a one-way layout - I laid the panels side by side -

Trimmed the inner border 1/4" from the Rose Square on each panel -

And sewed the panels together down the center (1/4" seam) -

I used the trimmed inner borders for the top and bottom borders -

And did not miter the borders -

I centered them at the diamond at the center seam -

Attached the binding to the quilt top only -

Basted with the staple gun and hand tied it -

I trimmed the back and batting -

Turned the binding to the back and hand stitched it down -

Won First Place at the County Fair in August 1995



QJ - 1995



Saturday, November 10, 2012

LHQ - REVIEW - BROTHER SQ9050 -


LEFT-HANDED QUILTING - Review - Brother SQ9050

============
Note - these instructions are written in LEFTISH.
If you are right-handed - just reverse the directions.
============

Today I want to show you my new sewing machine -


Lots of features -

And VERY reasonably priced -

My kind of sewing machine!! - ;))

But first -

Disclaimer -
I am in no way affiliated with the manufacturer or supplier of this product - to my knowledge.
I did not get this product for FREE in exchange for a review - aka barter. I paid for it.
I have no intention of slandering or libeling anyone or any product.
I am simply stating my opinions - I could be wrong - you may disagree.
My opinions are based on my experience with this product - your results may vary.
I think that about covers it - if I missed something - let me know.
I am not a lawyer - and I am just trying to cover my a$$. ;))
===

I have THREE sewing machines already and didn’t really NEED a new one -
But I was looking for another basic sewing machine for piecing and found this -


It’s called the -

Brother SQ9050 - Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine -

Made by Brother - here -
Made in China


Description -

It is described as a "Computerized Sewing and Quilting Machine" -
And Includes a Built-In Sewing Font for Basic Monogramming -

I think that it's technically an "Electronic" machine -
If you define a "Computerized" machine as one with USB computer capability -
This machine has computerized parts - but no USB computer connection/port -

The USA version has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other) for the wall outlet -
I'm not sure if other versions are available for other countries -
You might need to contact the company about that - ;))

Where you can get it - 

I picked mine up at Walmart for $200 - here - ;))

If the store doesn’t have one in stock - have them order it for you -
I wouldn’t recommend ordering it online - I’ve had trouble with their site - ;))


What you get -

Some Quick Start Guides - an Instructional DVD - and a 77 page Operation Manual -


100 Built-in Stitches -


An Alphabet Font -


On a little Flip Chart -


There’s a set of buttons to tell the machine which set of stitches you want to use -


And then there’s the Start/stop button -
The Reverse button -
The Needle Up/Down button -
The Speed Control -


And a whole BUNCH of other stuff - ;))

What I LIKE about this sewing machine -

It came with a LOT of “extras” that other sewing machines do NOT include -

An extension table - 14" total -
Eight inches to the LEFT of the needle -


AND our favorite QUILTING goodies -

Walking foot -
FMQ spring foot -
1/4” foot -
Quilting guide -


It has THREE different ways to sew a 1/4” seam -

It has an ALPHABET font for monogramming - or quilt labels - ;))


LED light on needle area -
Button for needle up/down - raise or lower the needle -
Stop/start feature - you can sew without the foot controller -
Needle threader -
Stipple stitch - honest! - I’ll show you in a minute - ;))

What I DON’T like about this sewing machine -

The only thing that I DON’T like so far is that the default stitch is #00 -
And that is the LEFT needle position -
After I turn on the machine -
I have to change the stitch # to #01 for the CENTER needle position -
It’s not hard - it’s just annoying - ;))
===
EDIT UPDATE - 12/20/15 -
I found - on page 11 of the Operation Manual -
"Changing the initial needle position" instructions which state -
(1) Turn off the sewing machine
(2) Hold down the "+" side of the (graphic) (stitch selection key) on the left and turn on the sewing machine.
The initial needle position changes to the center needle position.
NOTE TO SELF -
Review the manual occasionally - you may have missed something - ;))

===

A couple of things that are not "bad" -
Just "different" than my Husqvarna/Viking Lily 555 - are -

It has a Vertical spool holder -
My Lily 555 has a Horizontal spool holder -
But the top thread guide may make it easier to use my Cone Thread Holder -


The presser foot lever is on the inside RIGHT side - not the back -
But I use my RIGHT hand to reach through to raise the presser foot anyway -
So that is a minor adjustment for me -
EDIT UPDATE - 12/23/12 -
CAUTION!! Do not accidentally hit the foot pedal-
When you are trying to raise the presser foot lever -
Your thumb may get caught between the needle bar thread guide -
And the presser foot lever - ask me how I know - ;))


The thread cutter is on LEFT side - not the back -
So I have to get used to pulling the fabric FORWARD -
And then cutting the thread off the LEFT side -

The bobbins are a different type - of course -
They are a clear plastic - not metal - or green plastic -
So that makes three kinds of bobbins in my collection now - ;))

How I use it to Sew a 1/4” Seam -

There are three ways to sew a 1/4” seam on this machine -

#1 - 1/4” foot -
Her 1/4” inch foot works really well -
Straight stitch - single hole foot -
Center needle position -


My HST came out at 2-1/2” like it was supposed to -


And my two little pieces cut 1-1/2” x 2-1/2” -
Came out at 2-1/2” square - YAY!! -


#2 - Stitch #43 - RIGHT side -
Zigzag foot "J" -
I lined up my little guide with the Seam Guide ruler -
I stitched two strips - 1-1/2” wide -


And it came out at 2-1/2” - Right on!! -


#3 - Stitch #44 - LEFT side -
Zigzag foot "J" -
I did the same thing using the other stitch -
I lined up my little guide with the Seam Guide ruler on the LEFT side -
I stitched two strips - 1-1/2” wide -


It was a bit weird lining up the fabric on the LEFT -


But it came out at 2-1/2” - Right on!! -


How I use it to sew some Sample Stitches -

Alphabet font sample -
I drew lines on some blue fabric about 1/2” apart -
And used a coffee filter as a stabilizer -
The top three lines are the three fonts on my Husqvarna/Viking Lily 555 -
The bottom line is the Brother SQ9050 -


With the Lily - I simply push the button with the letter I want/need -
With the SQ9050 - I have to push two stitch selection keys to enter the number of the stitch -
So it’s a bit more time consuming -
But I actually like the looks of the SQ9050 letters better -


“Stipple stitch” - Stitch #49 -
The one in the middle - I was fiddling with the stitch width and length -
But the ones on the left and on the right are at the default settings -


“Lazy Daisy stitch” - Stitch #27 -


“Loopy” decorative stitch - Stitch #75 -


Quilting sample -

I did a little FMQ - Leah Day style -
With my “broken” FMQ spring foot and the feed dogs UP - here -


Not bad - but I need more PRACTICE!! - ;))



Summary -

I have only had this machine for a very short time -
And I have just scratched the surface in terms of what she can do -
And I have some more testing/playing to do yet -

And some reviews have said that she develops tension problems about six months down the road - so we’ll have to wait and see about that -

But -

From what I have seen/done so far -

What it can do -

And - especially - for the PRICE -

I think that it’s quite a cool little sewing machine!! - ;))


Would I recommend this sewing machine?

YES

EDIT UPDATE - 8/29/13 -
As I told Miau in the comments below -
YES - she still does a good job!! - ;)) I use her mostly to do my piecing - and use Method #2 described above - Stitch #43 with the zig-zag presser foot "J" - and my stitch guide. Her tension messed up on me ONCE - I simply turned her OFF for a second - then turned her back on - sort of like re-booting your computer. When I turned her back on - all of the tension settings had re-set to the defaults - and she was fine - ;)) Would I still recommend this machine? - YES!! - ;))

EDIT UPDATE - 11/6/13 -
Today I was having some tension issues - loops were showing on the back of the fabric. I turned her off - re-threaded both the top thread and the bobbin - turned her back on - and she was back to normal - ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -



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