FNSI Report

My Friday Night Sew In (FNSI),(Wendy of Sugarlane Designs) began with an hour of sewing Friday morning, and continued with more time Friday night. And, continued into Saturday. Between other necessary things, I was determined to get the last 13 setting blocks for the North Star State quilt finished.

YAY! All that are left are the friendship star cornerstone blocks. It is so good to see it finally coming together. It seemed like such a good idea to do the quilt in miniature…or at least much smaller scale. I am glad to have found a use for my smallest 1930s (and a few others) scraps, but it has been harder than I thought it would be. Ah, well, the end is in sight. Probably fairly soon. I am shooting to have a finished top by the end of the month. Maybe sooner.

Also stitched are the strips of rectangles for the Two and Four Quiltalong. You can check back here on Tuesday for the details.

Is it too early to be looking forward to next month? I enjoy the FNSI so much!

FNSI Tonight

Tonight (or tomorrow) is the Friday Night Sew In (FNSI), organized and hosted by Wendy of Sugarlane Designs.

Get your projects together, put on the comfy clothes, and get sewing.

I plan for a big push on my North Star State Quilt

And more progress on the Two and Four Quiltalong.

See you soon with an update.

Couch Quilt Top Finished

Our front room needs updating generally, and a quilt seemed a great way to get started.

Inspired by THIS TUTORIAL, I used a different layout.

In some ways it is different for me with a neutral palate and relatively large pieces.

But still scrappy all the way with nearly 100 different fabrics represented.

Visible Progress

With four quilts active and all more or less in the same piece-till-doomsday phase, it was encouraging to push one forward a complete step.

With only 8 blocks to do, it became my main project for the weekend, and I informed Husband there would be extra sewing time (He is such a good sport).

The blocks were not only finished, but started layout.

And decided on one I am happy with. A few more adjustments and I hope to have a finished top to share by the end of the week.

PS–Here is the link to the tutorial: https://angelapingel.com/2011/09/cracker-scraps.html

Pinwheel Top Finished

A bag of half square triangles came in a hand-me-down package.

They turned in to this.

YAY!

Just a lap size quilt, 42″ x 56″, but it will be a nice donation quilt.

North Star State Update

It has been a while since I shared progress on my version (miniaturized) of the North Star State Quilt. But, I have been slogging along in the background, trying to complete (more or less) a block a day. Persistence has paid off and I have 56 of 56 basic blocks completed. YAY!

Next focus is the setting blocks. I have 31 of them so far, but it will take over 90. More slogging. But, I really do want to see how it will look finished, so I must carry on.

I hope to have the quilt finished sometime this fall.

One Thing Leads To Another

The kitchen/dining chairs really needed new seats. My father built this set in the mid-1970s after one of their old chairs broke while my mother was standing on it to reach the top cabinet to get down the silver chest for a holiday dinner. She broke several ribs. He was very angry and broke the old rickety set to pieces and made one that WOULD NOT BREAK.

I was given the set when I moved out on my own. What a great gift!

It has been used and used. Four children and all their friends. Meals. School projects. Game nights. Teary conversations. Grandchildren.

The seats have been recovered a few times.

But the table top also needed help this time. It looked a little shabby next to the new, shiny seats.

And that started to reflect on the condition and decorating of the adjoining living room, so I started a new quilt.

Yep, that is how things happen sometimes.

Safe Haven Alternative Finish: Top Complete

At last! The blocks sat for a year, more or less, before I came back to them and pushed towards a finish.

And I am pleased with it. Yes, the picture isn’t great due to size and adverse weather conditions, but you get the idea.

Final size is 84″ x 96″. A useful size and reasonable shape. It will be a while before it is a true finish. I need backing fabric and quilting and binding, but, this is a complete top and I am glad of it!

Safe Haven Alternative Finish: Step Four

First border. Narrow–just enough to set apart the blocks, but not to add too much to the height.

I think there are three more borders coming…the end is in sight.

Another Potential Project

Hand-me-down projects are so much fun to work with. I try to approach them with an attitude of curiosity: What can this be?

Still thinking on this, but in the meantime I can start ironing those half square triangles open and squaring them up.

It will be exciting to see what happens next.