Back to a bit of my machine quilting

So I finally got in the mood to do a bit of quilting yesterday. This is my set up at my kitchen table to hold the weight of the large 68" square quilt.


I finally finished the "Stitch in the Ditch" on my picnic quilt--although a lot is beside the ditch and some crosses over back and forth. Oh, well. At least it's a start.
I did learn a good trick from one of my on line quilting friends, though: move the needle from the center of the foot. It helps tremendously--especially when I figured out to move the needle to the opposite side of where the seam allowance is pressed:


AND I also played around with my free motion--outlining the butterflies on the border. 1 border down and 3 to go.

Then just the binding and I'll be done!

Yes, I am home

No, I haven't been at the beach all this time; don't I wish. It was a wonderful, though short trip. Some beautiful scenery (Check out my daughter's photos on her 7/21 posting.), and a wonderful time watching the 11 grandchildren enjoy the beach.

I have been doing a bit of knitting since we got home. I just put the sweater fronts on my blocking pad this afternoon and you can see the completed back and the sleeves-in-progress.


The quilting has sort of taken a back seat for now as I've been doing some other sewing. However, I'm hoping to get my Janome back on the kitchen table soon and work on my machine quilting project. Hmm, I thought I had a photo of that set up from a couple weeks ago, but can't seem to find it. I guess I'll just have to take you another one. Until then, keep on knittin' and quiltin'.

OFF TO THE BEACH

Hooray, we're off to the beach for a couple days.
I'm taking knitting with me, but not sure I'll have the sweater done for my granddaughter before we return home. I made a mistake in the pattern yesterday, didn't have it in me at the end of the day to figure it out, so the mistake is still on the needles! It is a long drive, though, so just maybe.
We shall see and I'll let you know. Meantime SC beach, here we come!

The best thing since . . .

sliced bread. I think that's the expression, anyway isn't it? Oh, and since I'm about to talk about "sandwiching", I guess the sliced bread reference fits!

Well, my daughter, Anna Maria, let me in on the secret a couple weeks ago about taping my quilt to the floor for sandwiching it, then basting it right there where it stays put and nice and taut. Wow, what a treat!


I used a curved needle to do the basting, but I have heard others recommend the very long (but straight) "doll" needles.


So it's all basted now and just waiting for me to have the nerve to try stitch in the ditch machine quilting on it. (It's 72 x 72.) I think I'll do that on a day when I can use my kitchen table instead of my little sewing machine cabinet. So, that's where I am in the quilting world.

As for my knitting world projects: yes, I'm still working on the pretty lavendar sweater for my granddaughter. No, I didn't get it done it time for her birthday, but she was here last weekend and tried on what I have finished and it FITS and SHE LIKES IT. Whew, that's awesome, considering she just hit the teen years.

And when I have her sweater done, I'm making something fun for ME.


My daughter got me this book

a couple years ago and I think it's about time that I have fun with it. (I'm sure hoping that referencing and giving the title info, etc., is keeping me from breaking any copyright laws.)
Hopefully if you don't hear from me for a few days, it's 'cause I'm busy knitting and quilting, or enjoying myself with all the children and grandchildren at the SC beach for a couple days.

Picnic butterflies

My picnic quilt top is finally assembled.


I was looking for a red and white checked fabric with black ants crawling around for the sashing, but alas, I looked to no avail. However, I found these lovely butterflies,

and I would consider butterflies invited guests at my picnic whereas the ants would have been uninvited.

So I guess it all works out, Huh?

After looking at photos of my "picnic" quilt several times right here, I wasn't really happy with the layout. Luckily last week both of my artist daughters were here and they helped me rearrange the blocks for my picnic quilt (that sadly I have not worked on since then). I think it's a lot better.


I intended for my husband to take a photo of me last week with both of the girls, but sadly neglected to do it. (Ask me about our trip to the Grand Canyon sometime--you guessed it, no photos!)
However I did get a photo yesterday with Anna Maria when we were in Nashville. Well, at least you get to see my new haircut!

IF ALL ELSE FAILS . . .

...check the trash can.

The "picnic" quilt that I've been working on was going along just fine. I really wanted a second block to have a wonderful teacup print fabric that a dear friend had sent be, but there just wasn't enough to cut all the pieces. Luckily, I hadn't emptied my sewing room trash can.
So I checked the trash can


and, voila, there was just enough for be to be able to piece a few scraps in to one rectangle


to complete the second block.


And here are all the blocks spaced out as they will be in the completed picnic quilt.


I think maybe I will quilt it using modified version of another friend's idea and make "place setting" shapes around the quilt. Not sure what I'll do in the middle. Stay tuned and I'll let you know.