Two quilts a-going...

May 22, 2013

Steve's mom and I pampered ourselves with manicures and pedicures. I'm very pleased with the nail salon I found. The work is excellent and the customer service even better. We went to Wendy's for lunch and did a little shopping at her favorite thrift store. I thought it was fun.

Later that afternoon I drove to Kingman to knit with Weds Purls at The Spinster. I finished the crocheted dishcloth I started with Karen and continued knitting Square 29.

Woven Stitch Dishcloth
Crocheted using Size H Hook

Closeup of the single crochet stitch and chain

This pattern makes a very close-sttich fabric. Crocheted with 100% cotton yarn makes this dishcloth nice for using and maintaining.

May 23, 2013

Today I joined the quilters at the BHC Guild. We were given directions for the purchase and cutting of fabric prior to today so I was ready to begin stitching. The pattern "Stacks" uses lots of different colors and different shapes, mostly squares and rectangles stacked to make a block. Each block has one pinwheel in it. So we were directed to make 20 pinwheels matching a dark color fabric to a light color one. This took most of the morning and early afternoon. I was really pleased to learn how to match the edges so that the points all matched in the middle. Since there are 20 different colors I could make ten blocks that looked the same by using each color once, but I chose to make 20 different blocks by not using any one color at the same time.

Here are my designs.

               

 
             
                      

             

                      

             

                      

             

                      

             

                      

             

Somehow I missed one square. Oh well, I will catch it later.

It was really interesting to see how everyone chose different colors and formed the pinwheels. If the squares weren't placed together correctly, then the pinwheel didn't form. Many were needing to use the seam rippers to rearrange the colors. I didn't have to because I was SO careful. The first square was stitched using two colors. Then two squares were stitched to form a rectangle, which included four colors - two of each. The step was repeated and then the second rectangle was stitched to the first one. And voila, a pinwheel was formed. But each color had to be placed just so or the design wouldn't be right. Fun!!!

Once I arrived home, I placed the pinwheels on my bed in a 5-rows X 4-rows pattern to see if I could form some kind of pattern that I would enjoy seeing in the quilt. I did fine using the dark, light, dark, light, dark exchange until I placed the other pieces with each pinwheel. I didn't like the color combinations at all. So I decided that each block will consist only of the two colors in the pinwheel within that block. I will place the color that matches the color of the pinwheel that I want to "pop" from the design closest to the pinwheel. The other less dominant color will be furtherest away. The background pieces are white, which really makes the colors in the block vibrant. I will share what those look like as I design the layout of each block. I am going to do one block at a time and match as I progress.

May 24, 2013

Today I worked on Vickie's quilt. Steve is coming home for this Memorial Dad weekend and I wanted to get as much progress as I could so I won't be sewing while he is here. But also, I will need to purchase the backing fabric and JoAnn's is having a Memorial Day sale, which if I can get the fabric for a major discount then I will be ahead of the game. But I didn't know how much fabric to purchase until I finished the borders to determine the measurement of the finished quilt top. Also, not sure if I had enough fabric to add the final border. So I spent all morning and afternoon stitching the number of squares needed to complete the inside border. This border is comprised of 124 quarter-square-triangle units. There were about 50 completed, so I made the remainder. I was really thankful for learning how to make those pinwheels because the technique was similar. But I did need to study the pattern very carefully to learn what to do. I did figure it out and completed the borders. Now I still need to attach that border, the outside solid-color, and stitch the binding together. Then I will be able to send the quilt to the quilter's and Vickie's quilt can be sent to her after all these years.

Anyway, here are some photos showing what I did.

Two fabric strips (one red, one purple) right-sides together

I marked the fabric as you can see in the photo to show the measurements needed to make a 4.25" X 4.25" square. The I drew a line from corner to corner to form a triangle. Then I sewed 1/4" on both sides of the edge of each triangle marking. I cut between the stitching and pressed each triangle open to form the squares.

The pressed-open triangles forming squares.

I then matched two squares, right-sides together, making sure that a red was facing a purple and the stitching lines were aligned on top of each other. I then drew a line from triangle point to point. I again stitched a 1/4" seam on each side of the line.

Preparing the new triangle sewing line.

Stitching the new triangle seams

After stitching the seams, I cut on the drawn line and separated the square into two new triangles. I pressed each open and then re-matched them as I had done earlier.

The new triangles

 Now each of these triangles are matched to each other with red and purples forming a new seam, making sure that all stitching is aligned to form centered points. These quarter-square-triangle units are then stitched end-to-end form one long panel that will become the inside-middle border. There are two 30-unit panels and two 32-unit panels required.

Two squares ready to match and seam.

The new piece - 2 quarter-square-triangle units forming a rectangle.

Several units

One 30 quarter-square-triangle units panel

All four panels complete awaiting attachment to the quilt.

This is what I did today. I am pleased with the effort and progress made.

Now to prepare the house for Steve's arrival home.

Two Quilt Beginnings

May 20, 2013

Hopefully Steve will be home for a visit this weekend. I will be busy all week, which will help the days pass quickly. I really miss having him around all the time. After all, we are retired but with him driving the tour bus during the tour season it doesn't seem like it at all.

It is my goal to knit one block each day for the Learn-To-Knit Afghan. Today I will do my best to complete Square 29.

I got quite a few rows completed on Square 29 when my mother-in-law asked me to join her at Bunco in the Club House. I decided to stop and join her taking a break from the frenzy. It was good for me. I enjoyed the company of the other ladies playing the game and I actually won the most Buncos while losing the most games. I won $8.50 - only $6.50 if I subtract the playing fee of $2.

I checked my mail while I was across the street and found a package containing my gifts for Mother's Dad from Vickie. I loved everything she sent to me - a box of chocolates, a devotional with recipes, a fictional book, an extraordinary report that James wrote for class about his Grampa, and the most wonderful little book recorded by Vickie answering questions about her and me. I loved everything. My daughter is so thoughtful and I adore her. She also sent me a package of quilt pieces. I think they might be the pieces to a quilt I started for her back in 2008. Not sure, so I sent her an email asking about it. If so, then I will be completing that quilt for her. It has been a while since I saw the pattern and the colors of the fabric are gorgeous batiks. I will share a photo of that later.

Well, I only completed half of the Square. My daughter, my son, and my husband called and I spent lots of wonderful time talking to all three of them. But now I am tired and decided to put the Square down until tomorrow. Good night, all.

May 21, 2013

Today was VERY busy. I spent most of it cutting all the pieces needed for the summer quilt "Stacks" that the guild is doing for three of the summer workshops. I also attended The Needlers and helped Karen re-learn how to crochet by starting a crocheted dishcloth pattern with her. Sherry was there and she worked on a very detailed cross-stitch pattern she is making for her daughter.

20 various prints to each be cut into 5 different sizes.

The pieces all cut and ready to be pieced.

The quilt pieces that Vickie mailed to me were from the quilt I started making for her in 2008. I sorted through all the pieces and reacquainted myself with the pattern. There are three borders around the center piecework. The first border is already sewn in place. The second border is formed by lots of little triangles sewn together. About one-half of them are cut and ready to go but I will need to put the other half together from scratch. Then the last border will still need to be added afterward. I may wait until the other ladies who are more experienced quilters return this winter to get their help since I'm not really sure if I can do it by myself. Anyway, I have the summer projects to do first. Here is a photo of Vickie's quilt so far.

Vickie's Quilt
Queen-Size

The outer purple border is the edge of the quilt. There is still two more borders plus the binding to be added. More pictures of this quilt to be added later once I start on it in earnest.

May 15, 2013

May 15, 2013

I have now started Section IV - Twist-Stitch Patterns. Twist-stitch patterns are related to cable patterns, in that their effects depend on moving stitches diagonally to the right or left. But twist-stitches usually move only one stitch over one stitch at a time, while cables can move larger numbers of stitches at once.

Square 25
Wave

This is a good-looking, easy and useful pattern for all kinds of garments, which also lends itself to panel formation when worked in a single repeat.


May 17, 2013

Square 26
Twisted Columns

This easy-to-work pattern makes a thick, cosy fabric for coats, jackets, pillows and blankets. The background stripes (Rows 1 and 2) may be worked in many different colors instead of one second color.

May 18, 2013

Square 27
Wickerwork

This easy pattern shows one of the pretty fabric textures that knit, purl and twist stitches can make.

May 19, 2013

Square 28
Twining Rib Pattern

The first 4 rows of this pattern, if repeated over and over, will make a typical Twisted or Baby Cable ribbing. Such ribs ay also be worked closer together, with only 2 or 3 purl stitches between them instead of 4.

While working this pattern I was thinking how nice it would look in a sweater. Ha, maybe a later design...maybe!

This finishes square 28. Only 35 squares left to knit. I'm not even half-way yet. I am doing my best to knit one block a day so I have all 63 blocks completed before the snow birds arrive in October.

This afternoon I will meet with The Knit Wits for their monthly meeting. I will continue knitting the scarf I started for the Mystery Project at The Spinster. I knit all morning getting Square 28 completed so I could change projects. I am really looking forward to seeing my three new friends again and meeting some new friends I haven't met yet.

After the meeting I plan to stop at Jo-Ann's Fabric & Crafts to purchase some fabric for the quilt planned for the Guild's summer project.

Gonna be busy this summer. Just as well - Steve is gone all summer, too, and I have lots of time left free to complete my projects without him needing me.

Back from the gathering of the Knit Wits. It was much fun to sit and knit while I visited with Karen, Leslie, and Pat. I also met Mary who helped started the group many years ago. Julie was there, too, but this was her last meeting because she is leaving in a couple weeks to move to Ohio where she will get married and start a new life. There was lots of sharing and I finished the scarf while I was there.

First Summer Mystery Project
at The Spinster in Kingman, AZ

After attending the meeting I stopped at JoAnn's Fabric & Crafts and purchased the material needed to make the twin-size quilt that we will be making during the next three workshops. I need to cut out the pieces before Thursday when we will start sewing them together at the first workshop. I chose some really bright and cheery fabrics. I hope they look okay when the quilt is finished. I chose a solid white for the background color. Here's hoping...

May 1, 2013

So here are some more blocks...

Square 21
Florentine Frieze

 Florentine Frieze is a handsome pattern for sweaters. It looks pretty when worked in more than two colors, by changing to a new color on each first and eleventh row.

Square 22
Diagonal Weave

 This handsome pattern demonstrates that slip-stitches (made on Rows 1, 2, 5, and 6 in this case) may be moved over, a couple stitches to the left or to the right, when they are being picked up for re-knitting. This technique is not difficult, and it does create some striking effects.

Square 23
Honeycomb

This is one of many Honeycombs, an especially firm, close one that makes nice jackets, pillows and hats. This square is much thicker and heavier than the others. Reminds me of double-knit pieces.

Well, I am almost finished with Square 24, the Cottage Check pattern. It will complete Section III. Then I will be off and knitting with Section IV - Twist-Stitch Patterns.

I received a very nice email from one of the ladies in the knitting group from Jessica Knits & Crochets in Scottsdale, AZ. She gave me an update of what's happening with the group and inquired as to how I was doing. I explained how I started my new group here in the RV resort. I told her about the knit shop "The Spinster" in Kingman, AZ and some of the activities that are planned for the summer there, including the Mystery Project that will start next week. I shared how the ladies here in Bullhead City, AZ finally contacted me and asked me to join their group which meets monthly. I agreed and we are all going together to Kingman to begin the Mystery Project at the same time. I am real excited about meeting these neighbors of mine and making new friendships with them, my fellow knitters.

With all of these knitting groups and the quilting guild, I should be busy with lots of projects this summer. If nothing else, I will be able to complete the ones started. Do you really believe that? I expect I will complete my blocks because the winter projects depend upon those being finished. But with Mystery Projects and new Guild quilts planned for this summer, I suppose I will be busy enough and maybe without the necessary time to complete projects already begun. But there are only a few of those anyway. Some quilting I still want to do that I hope to finish for gift-giving at Christmas and my "in-progress project" the vest I am designing. With Steve gone most of the summer, I really have hopes that I will finish them all and be totally ready to start the winter season when the snow birds return with a clean slate ready to be filled with more "new projects". The never-ending story.....

Okay now, I just finished the last square for Section III

Square 24
Cottage Check

This square demonstrates a class of patterns in which one strand of color chases the other strand in the same direction, so there are 2 right-side rows at once, then 2 wrong-side rows, etc. In this case the first of each pair of rows is worked with Color D, the second with Color A, so the turns come only after A rows. Naturally one cannot work this way on single-pointed needles, so it must be done on a circular needle or a pair of dpns.