Arcs

When I last mentioned my Wayward Arcs piece made during Block Studies Collective in January, I was debating whether to add to it, and maybe even take it to QuiltCon to use during my hand-quilting class with Tara Faughnan @tarafaughnan. Well, I did both!

Before I went, I 'basted' it lightly by machine-stitching several vertical lines. Then for the hand-quilting class, I packed both Wonderfil #8 perle cotton and Aurifil 12wt, expecting to try both. But I found out in class that Tara prefers and uses Wonderfil Spagetti 12wt (that is, when she's not using Wonderfil GlaMore 12wt, a metallic thread), and so I tried it.

I was surprised how much I loved it. Tara and I compared the Aurifil and Wonderfil 12wts, and the Aurifil was just a bit 'fluffier?' It's hard to describe, but for hand-quilting, I really liked the Wonderfil also, and purchased some green and off-white to use while quilting my little quilt.

Over the weekend, I finished hand-quilting, and then stitched on a wide (3/4") binding. Just for the record, I'd backed the little (19" x 26") quilt with a printed fabric from stash, and used Quilter's Dream Request, which is especially nice for hand-quilting.

It sure felt great to be hand-quilting again, and I love the finished texture. I know it takes more time, but I'm seriously hoping for more hand-quilting in my future.

QuiltCon Phoenix | Etc.

This random wrap-up post is mostly for me.... just as a reminder of a few more QuiltCon moments that are worth reflecting back on. 

First off, Rachel @snippetsofsweetness and I flew out of the new-to-us Paine Field Airport very near our homes. With just two gates, it was so much smaller and convenient than we were used to.

photo taken by Rachel, since she had the window seat!

After an uneventful flight and getting settled into our hotel, we had the most delicious salads as a late dinner at the hotel restaurant, Carcara. It was a welcome time to relax and breathe in the reality that we had a few days to spend together, something that doesn't happen much these days.

On Friday night, we had dinner at Cornish Pasty Co. with a delightful group. All invited by Yvonne @quiltingjetgirl and joined by her husband Michael @wabi_sabi_overland, Rebecca @rebeccalynn207, Krista @poppyprint and CJ @cj.molen, both long-time friends. It was too dark to get a photo of our pasties, but the company was excellent, and we enjoyed the evening.

Come Saturday, Rachel and I ventured off together after attending the Keynote with some guild members, and joining in the guild photo. We first headed back to Blanco Cocina so Rachel could enjoy it too. Oh how I wish Blanco had a restaurant near us back home! 

Then we ubered over to Palabras Bilingual Bookstore, a shop Rachel was keen to see and experience.

It was an enjoyable outing! After, we ubered back to the convention center for one last round through the vendors and quilt exhibit, saying goodbye to QuiltCon. It was bittersweet for sure!

February Fabric Usage

Oh dear. Depending how you look at it, things may have gone from bad to worse. But I'm not going there. Life happens, and even good opportunities happen, and taking advantage of them isn't always (usually?) a bad thing.

First, there were just a couple of stash restocks - Essex linen in Natural, and Kona Snow. While I was ordering, I took a follower's suggestion and ordered just a bit of AGF Studio Pure Solids in Mink, as a possible 'match' for the Pantone COTY Mocha Mousse. (I'm sticking with Painter's Palette Mocha.)

THEN my friend Kristina at FabricBubb @fabricbubb announced she was moving back to the PNW and was having a big closing (temporarily) sale. Since I needed a few things for our guild BOM, I took that opportunity to stock up on several solids + a few prints just to help a girl (Kristina) out.

Finally. I went to QuiltCon. Enough said? One of our favorite connections through Seattle MQG is Island Quilter @islandquilter, and they had a booth, so I had to stop by, say HI, and purchase a few yards.

So I'm not feeling terrible about it. But I am hoping to keep focused and really use some of it up as I move forward. March is a busy month for me outside of the studio (ie. a couple of short travels), but I'm looking forward to working on my list of projects that will be using fabric I now have stashed.


February Fabric Usage

Used up: 8.69 yards [4.59 projects + 4.1 recycled/donated]
Brought in: 15.5 yards
Net: 6.81 yards

Octad

When I posted about February's Block Studies Collective focus, Big Slice, I really thought I was done. I loved the block, and pinned it up on my design wall, its bright colors continuing to cheer me on.

The more I looked at it, the more I was inclined to quilt it up. I mean those curves just looked downright fun to quilt. So one day, I layered it with some batting and backing, and got to work.

What looks like black and white in this block is actually Konas Nautical and Orchid - dark blue and light purple. With that in mind, I chose Aurifil 50wt 2515 [Light Orchid] for quilting. Mostly, I just followed the curves of each arc, both inside them and in the background. Then big ole diagonals through the cornerstones and melons.

Backing was a two-tone pink dot, and binding more of that dark Nautical.

I'm so happy I decided to finish this big block (20.5" x 20.5"). I continues to make me smile!