2013 Finish-A-Long: Q1 Finishes

There's always a hopeful sort of feeling when one posts a new Finish-A-Long list, as I did just three short months ago. And I'm more than pleased to be able to report that I finished my list!

Mod Crosses - The blocks for this quilt were all done when the quarter started, but I was short on time to get the rows together before an appointment with the long-arm quilter. Thankfully I made it and was super pleased with the finished quilt, and hubby and I took it out for a fun photo-shoot.

Quiet Book - This project was intended as a Christmas gift for grandgirl, but the details took longer than I anticipated. At least she enjoyed it when I finally finished it.

Merry Stocking - Another belated Christmas item, but at least it's ready for Christmas 2013.

Scrappy Trip - On a whim I joined this sew-along on Instagram, and maybe even due to its impromptu nature, I thoroughly enjoyed putting these blocks together straight from the scrap bin.

Mod Angles Cushion - This was one of those finishes that really made no sense to have dawdled on so long. The blocks were already made, and once I sat down to stitch them together, it was a quick finish. And the quilting on this one was immensely satisfying. {tutorial here}

So that's it for this quarter - time to start pulling together a new list!

Linking up with Q1 post quarter link up at shecanquilt.

Mod Angles Repeat

Just a little redo today, as each Finish-A-Long finish deserves its own post. This cushion was pretty quick, considering I already had all the  Double Flip HSTs pieced. I did some easy-going organic straight-line quilting - still one of my favorite quilting treatments, and I love it on this 'mod' cushion.

For the back, I pieced together what little Chicopee I had left. The lapped zipper technique from house on hill road (under that flap) is about as easy a zip installation as there is.

I don't remember where I got the idea for the 'bound' finish for the edges, but I love this method of finishing a cushion. Here's a pic from the original tutorial. 

Basically, you quilt the front, install the zipper in the back, then place the front and back wrong sides together. Machine stitch the binding around the edges, just like any mini quilt, then turn to the back and hand-stitch. (Though I bet you could machine-stitch the binding, if that's your preference.) Anyway, no turning inside out, and it makes a nice neat 'flange' that I really like. Try it. I think you'll like it!

This project is on my 2013 Finish-A-Long, Q1 list.

W.i.P. Wednesday

Thanks to a fun-filled, sew-till-you-fall-asleep quilting retreat last weekend, I have plenty to show for myself, which actually feels very very good. Mostly littles, but still . . .

Completed projects
Merry - Hubby's Christmas stocking may be late in coming, but worth the wait. I posted it here.

Sweet Heart purses - This project was timely and fun, a quick tutorial by Simple Things. So fun in fact, I made a second.

Open Wide Zippered Pouch - Again, after making my first . . .

I couldn't resist making another. Very fun indeed.

Mod Angles cushion - If this looks kind of familiar, it's because I made it with my Chicopee practice blocks from the tutorial I wrote back in October. The hst blocks were inspired by don't call me betsy's Double Flip HSTs tutorial.

Ongoing projects

Scrappy Trip Along - I'm SO excited I got my blocks all pieced into a top. The backing should arrive any day, so I hope to get quilting on this shortly.

Emerald mini/placemats - These two projects may have merged and become one. TBD. Meanwhile, I'm piecing blocks - 3 1/2", 6 1/2" and 9 1/2".

x and + blocks {#xplusalong} - I managed to get 12 blocks done and have 12 more ready to stitch up.

Woodland cross-stitch sampler and Modern Crosses quilt - no progress.

Upcoming projects
* flannel pillow for grandgirl
* table topper for mom
* scrappy Metrolink
* Polaroid block projects

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday.

2013 Finish-A-Long: Q1 List

It's time to link up with Leanne/shecanquilt and the new year's Finish-A-Long! If you've stopped by A Quilter's Table anytime recently, you've seen most of these projects, but they are nonetheless at the top of my first quarter to-do list.

Modern Crosses - The 60 blocks for this quilt are done! Now to piece rows together. Hopefully it will be handed off to my longarmer this week. I plan to make the scrappy binding while it's away.

Quiet Book - Since this was officially a Christmas present for grandgirl, I want to finish it pronto and get it back in her sweet little hands.

Christmas Stocking - Hubby said, "You've got a whole year to get it done." And I replied, "No, it's going on the 'to-do-asap' list, so it's ready for Christmas 2013!

Scrappy Trip Along - A month ago, this quilt was not even a twinkle in my eye, but today, it's all I want to do, and as soon as I deal with the above projects, it's all holds back on this one. Two blocks done, and I'm working on cutting strips . . .

Mod Angles Cushion - When I made the original Mod Angles Cushion, I first made some practice blocks. They are too pretty not to use.

So there's my list - hopefully manageable, as you never know what else will come up to tempt and motivate!

Linking up with the 2013 Finish-A-Long, Quarter 1!

Various Sightings

It's been a while since I shared Triple-Zip sightings {here and here}, so I hope you'll bear with me! I actually blame Leanne of shecanquilt, who made TWO this week! But before I show off some zips, I'll just mention how crazy it is to see your project on a post where you need a translator (from Portuguese) to read about it, like I did on Criar com Tecidos. A metric converter would also be a necessity for a reader of "Create with Fabrics" to make my tutorial. Lovely.

The tutorial was also shared on Ninth Street Notions, along with other fat quarter projects; at Sew Pretty Sew Free, where free tutorials are shared every day; on Lola Pink's Great Tutorials(!) board on Pinterest; and on Sew, Mama, Sew!'s Sew It! ~ Bags board! Humbling to be sure.

So on to the actual pouches. First, Grandma G outdid herself and made her fourth Triple-Zip!

Deb of Trio Stitch Studio resized it and made one using some delicious fussy-cutting.

And Leanne, like I said, made two this week! I just love her use of patchwork!

 

While I'm at it, I might as well mention the fun convo I 'overheard' about my matched binding tutorial. {here}. And I quote: "...check out her post on Striped Binding...another clever technique." And regarding the striped binding tutorial, "The striped binding looks like way too much work." Cracked me up.

And to wrap up this self-gratification post, check out SharHen's very own Mod Angles Cushion also made with my newest tutorial! This is the first I've seen, and it made me so happy!

W.i.P. Wednesday

It's been a real treat having my sewing machine back in the house! And note to self - and you - if you have a local shop that services your machine, do take advantage of the knowledgeable staff there. When I picked up my machine, I asked my favorite salesperson to sit with me a bit. And in addition to confirming that a few issues with my machine had been taken care of, she also cleared up some confusion I've had with tension while quilting, as well as introducing me to a few stitches I'd never tested out. Very fun. So it's been a good sewing week, and I've got plenty to share this W.i.P. Wednesday.

Finished projects
Sew Lux Design Challenge project - This tutorial wasn't live yet when I posted last week, so do check out my Mod Angles Cushion over at Sew Lux Fabric & Gifts.

Modern Baby Quilt block - This pattern is by Malka Dubrawsky, and is a mass of y-seams. It went together really nicely though, and I love the finished block. Marci of Marci Girl Designs chose this for her month in the Always Bee Learning bee.

 

Scrappy Charity block - This is actually a super-sized x and + block that finishes at 17.5" I used this tutorial  from badskirt, just increasing the size. I've been asked for the dimensions of each piece, so they are listed below.

center cross: 2 - 4" squares, 1 - 4" x 11" rectangle

cross edges: 4 - 4" squares

background: 8 - 4" squares

corners: 1 each of 4 different 7.5" squares

Ongoing projects
Hurricane Sandy Help! blocks - In less than a week, Jennifer of knotted thread "collected" 350 quilt blocks to make quilts for those affected by Hurricane Sandy in New Jersey. How awesome! I signed up for two scrappy blocks and six black/gray, and I have half my blocks done so far.

Mod Pop Quilt-along - So excited I have FOUR blocks done! That's all the complete blocks I need for the baby size quilt. Now it's on to the rows to fill in around them.

Christmas lap quilt - The two side panels have been added to the center. Now to make the blocks for the top and bottom. The strips are all cut, and I need to piece them to make 20 blocks.

Modern Crosses quilt - I've done quite a bit of piecing on this, but nothing more picture-worthy quite yet.

UR Priceless Blog Hop project - My little frame pouches are done! Come back tomorrow to see how sweet they are!

Upcoming projects
* October & November bee blocks
* scrappy Metrolink
* more frame purses
* Polaroid block projects
* placemats
* Binary quilt using blocks from Modern Blocks Bee
* Christmas!
* Dresden project - back on the 'sometime' list, and probably no time soon

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday, which is being hosted by my friend Svetlana from s.o.t.a.k handmade! I hope she has as much fun as I did!