Cassandra's Tale

 Apologies if you came here looking for a June mini quilt.  I attempted two different mini quilts this month and flamed out on both of them.  I think maybe the UFOs in my sewing room were making too much noise!

Instead, I can report I have finished assembling the flimsy for Cassandra's Circle - Barbara Brackman's appliqué BOM from 2020.

The BOM started in January with Washington's Plume as a center medallion block.

I managed to keep up with the monthly blocks using a combination of hand appliqué and invisible stitch machine appliqué.

Here are the completed blocks, trimmed and ready for assembly.  The blocks measure 18 inches, so the quilt was already pretty good-sized.

The quilt pattern came with instructions for an appliquéd border treatment.  I swear I purchased enough fabric to make the borders, but when it came time for cutting the fabric I realized I didn't have enough.

Decisions, decisions.  Do I hunt down more background fabric and proceed with the borders or add plain borders and call it a day?  Que background noise from the host of UFOs in the room...

Answer is:  add simple sashing and borders.  

Press carefully and start thinking about how to quilt.  

Now measuring 84 inches by 84 inches, it's going to have lots of quilty memories when it's finally complete!

A Buffet of Stitching

 My sewing machine has been taking an unintended break from sewing.  Several hand stitching projects have demanded my attention, so the sewing machine has been neglected.

I guess this is one way to neglect your sewing machine.  
(can't you just hear a Disney song in the background?)

For example, there's the new free BOM from Sentimental Stitches - Poppy's Polka Dot Garden.

Poppy's Polka Dot Garden, block 1

Poppy's Polka Dot Garden block 2

I've finished the first two blocks using a combination of freezer paper and back basting techniques.  Blocks 3 and 4 are still in the planning stages.  Block 4 (and the pattern calls for two of these blocks) is an 18 inch block, so I may wind up using machine appliqué to keep from getting too far behind.

Ok, I did use the sewing machine for the Cassandra's Circle Block #10.  Freezer paper and starch for prepping the pieces and invisible machine appliqué made quick work of this block.

Last time I showed this project, there were only two appliquéd sunflower blocks and an idea.  I hand appliquéd another sunflower, then set the blocks together with some fabrics from the stash.  Now it is pinned and waiting for quilting (I'm waiting on some thread).

Last - but certainly not least - the hexie flamingos are being assembled into a quilt top.  I've been hand stitching the hexies into small groups in an attempt to avoid having to stitch long, awkward rows of blocks together.  I figure there will ultimately be some long rows or columns that need to be stitched, but I'm avoiding that for now.  I have to pay attention as I do the assembly - it's too easy to get mixed up and sew a hexie in the wrong position.  I'm keeping the blocks pinned on the design wall and only taking down two or three blocks at a time to avoid errors!

Waiting on Zeta

 Of course it was bound to happen.  Six times this hurricane season, storms have threatened the New Orleans area, only to change course and go elsewhere.  The seventh time is our lucky time! 😝

Hurricane Zeta, now a Category 2 storm, is approaching the coast of Louisiana and will be affecting the New Orleans area by dinner time.  The main threat expected here is 70 - 90 mph winds.  Good news:  the storm is moving quickly, so it should be gone before midnight.

We have made all our preparations and are now in waiting mode.  We've been through hurricanes many times before, so we know what to do and what to expect.  We'll probably lose power, so I may be offline for awhile.

In the meantime, I'm trying to stay focused on some stitching projects.  

I started a practice block from Poppy's Polka Dot Garden.  I'm still an appliqué novice, and I've never attempted a block this small (9 inches finished).  I wanted to see how difficult the appliqué stitching would be with pieces this size.

I decided to try using the back-basting appliqué technique for the practice block.  It turned out to be pretty easy, although I need to be careful not to distort the background fabric too much.  I did try a freezer paper and starch prep for one of the green flower buds, and that worked pretty well, too.  Since this was just for practice, I probably won't finish it, but will start again once I figure out what fabric(s) I want to use for the background.

The background fabric in the practice block goes perfectly with the quilt name!  It's a Thimbleberries fabric from many years ago called "A Gardener's Touch".  I have at least a yard of the fabric, so I may use it for a couple of blocks - if I can find another background fabric that compliments it.

In cleaning out and organizing drawers and bins last week, I came across these sunflower blocks and sunflower fabric.  

The appliqué blocks were practice blocks (I like to practice!) from when I made my New Orleans Sunflowers quilt.

The sunflower fabric was purchased years ago just because I love sunflowers.

This morning it occurred to me I could combine the two of them into a project.  Maybe a table runner? 

As luck would have it (better than lucky hurricane number seven), I had enough of the appliqué sunflower fabrics left to make a third block.  I prepped another sunflower and it's just waiting for some hand stitching.

So that's what I'll be doing while waiting for Zeta!

Cassandra's Circle BOM Block Five

The sixth Cassandra's Circle block was posted this morning at Barbara Brackman's Civil War Quilts blog.  Thank goodness I finished the June block just in time!

Russian Sunflowers - Cassandra's Circle block five.

My plan for this BOM was to only use fabrics from my chosen fabric collection and not add additional fabrics if at all possible.  It has been an interesting challenge!

Full Circle: An Appliqué Challenge

I was finally able to take some pictures of my finished Quilty 365 quilt - aka Full Circle.  The quilt was the result of a challenge from Audrey of Quilty Folk to appliqué a circle every day for a year.  My circles wound up being sort of a fabric journal of the year, hence the calendar-like layout.  

Since the majority of the quilt was appliquéd in 2016, there are 366 circles, as that was a leap year.  As I did the stitching, I also kept a written journal of the rationale behind each fabric choice.  

Local long-arm quilter Cindy Braiwick really outdid herself with the quilting.  She came up with lots of special patterns for the circles, which really added a whole 'nother dimension to the quilt!

Not every circle has fancy quilting, leaving some circles to speak for themselves.

My son David suggested the name Full Circle.  

The finished quilt measures 76 inches by 90 inches.

Lots of memories in all those circles!

Cassandra's Circle BOM Block Three

During April, I got distracted with face mask sewing and other projects, and didn't get around to stitching my Cassandra's Circle block until late in the month.  I managed to finish block three well before the end of the month, but I forgot about posting my results.

Here without further ado, is my Cassandra's Circle, Block Three:  Palmetto Wreath.

I added a Fleur de Lis to my block to represent my city - New Orleans.  I learned a lot about all the variations in fleur de lis designs as I was figuring out my block addition.  

The next block in the series - Texas Star - has already been posted, so I guess I better get busy choosing fabrics and stitching!

Hospital Sketches BOM: Shift Change

I finished up the last Hospital Sketches appliqué block - Star of the East - earlier this month. 

I used machine appliqué on the last block,  even though I re-discovered the joy of hand appliqué on this project.  Sometimes you just need to get things finished, and machine appliqué definitely speeds the process along.

Now that the blocks are finished, I'm a little stuck.  I need some yardage for sashing and/or borders, but I don't have anything suitable in my stash.  The two quilt stores closest to me don't really carry much selection of reproduction or repro-friendly fabrics, so I may be hunting for awhile.

In the meantime, I'll be contemplating Barbara Brackman's newest Civil War-themed appliqué project, Cassandra's Circle.  The latest BOM will have patterns for a much larger quilt - 97 inches - if one completes all the blocks and borders.  I'm not sure I want to undertake a project that large, so I'm not sure if I'll make all the blocks or pick and choose.  Either way, I know I'll enjoy the history lessons presented with each block!

Hospital Sketches BOM: Hand Appliqué

For the past two years or so, I've been trying to perfect my machine appliqué skills.  I wanted to become proficient with machine appliqué because I believed using the sewing machine would help me finish projects more quickly.

My favorite method of machine appliqué is to prep the pieces using the freezer paper and starch method, then stitch the pieces in place using a small zig-zag stitch and fine monofilament or polyester thread.  I relied on a couple of resources to learn this technique:  Barbara Brackman's Quilter's Guide to Fine Machine Appliqué, Kim Diehl's Simple Appliqué, and the classic Mastering Machine Appliqué by Harriet Hargrave.

So there I was, happily stitching down lots of Mountain Laurel leaves for one of the Hospital Sketches BOM blocks, when my sewing machine developed a problem.  I knew I wouldn't be able to take the machine in to get checked out until the following week, so I decided to finish appliquéing the laurel leaves by hand.  

I quickly fell under the spell of hand stitching the appliqué pieces to the background fabric.  I also realized I could easily stitch a piece or two every morning before work - all I needed to do was sit down, thread a needle and stitch.  Somehow it seemed easier than prepping the sewing machine and doing the machine appliqué.  

Once I started to appreciate the soothing effects of hand appliqué, I figured I should try hand stitching another block in the Hospital Sketches BOM.  Tennessee Rose went together easily, especially since I was still using the freezer paper/starch prep method.

This morning I finished the eighth block in the series, Triple Tulips.  Only one more block left to finish for the Hospital Sketches BOM - and I guess I'll be using hand appliqué for that block, too.

Gathered Harvest block from 2018 BOM

Now that I've discovered how much I enjoy the hand appliqué process, I'm already thinking about future hand appliqué projects.  There's 2018's Gathered Harvest BOM that got set aside when Hospital Sketches started, and an Oak Leaf and Reel table runner pattern I've had on my wish list for some time...

This new-found love of hand appliqué seems like it will be a fun and satisfying enterprise.  My only concern is when will I find time for other hand stitching projects - like quilt binding and hand quilting?!

Quilty 365 Loves Autumn

Another month of Quilty 365 fun has come to an end.  I'm up to 331 blocks now!  I started my circular journal on November 4th last year, so the year-long journey is almost done.

I keep tweaking the exposure on this picture to get a better representation of the colors and fabrics, but it's just not helping.  I will admit I had Autumn on my mind as I chose many of my fabrics, so browns and reds and golds figure prominently.  As always, I tried to choose my fabrics to represent things that were going on in my life, but sometimes I just picked a fabric because I liked it!

The color red figured prominently in this month's circles.  It was the main color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this month, as well as the color for an online swap I'm participating in.  

 

September weather in south Louisiana tends to be a lot like summer weather - hot and humid.  On the days I was wishing for cooler fall temperatures, I looked for some autumn-inspired florals.

 

These circles marked some events - a birthday, a shopping excursion, getting caught in a downpour without my umbrella, a relaxing weekend at the camp.  

 

And of course, American football season really gets going during September.  Many of you know I'm a die-hard New Orleans Saints fan and their colors are black and gold.  My youngest son happens to work for a rival football team.  I don't have any of that team's licensed fabric, so I used an appropriate toile fabric to mark his team's season.  

I'm excited to start making October's circles; you can bet I'll be using lots of orange and Halloween fabrics!

Last but not least, I'm linking up with the other Quilty 365 stitchers at Audrey's Quilty Folk blog.

 

 

Quilty 365 Loves Flowers that Bloom in the Spring

 

Another month has passed, so it's time to report on Quilty 365 progress.  I always seem to be several days behind in stitching my circles, although I do choose each day's fabric in a timely fashion.  I've been making circles since early November which gives me a stack of 209 circles so far. 

 

May has inspired the most romantic group of circles yet!  I was inspired by all the wonderful flowers in bloom this time of year.  One of my favorite flowers - agapanthus, also known as Nile Lily - is having a banner year in the Crescent City, with massive blooms everywhere you look!

 

Agapanthus in bloom on the grounds of Newcomb Art Museum. 

 

This year's month of May contained a Friday the 13th.  I decided games of chance and skill were a good theme for the day! 

 

My Baby Sister also celebrated a natal anniversary in May.  She has recently re-discovered the joy of sewing.  She bought an embroidery machine and has been turning out all kinds of monogrammed and otherwise decorated tote bags and purses.  She's having a blast with it, so I thought this fabric snippet was appropriate!

I'll probably be the last Quilty 365 stitcher to add my monthly report to Audrey's linky party - but better late than never!

Quilty 365 Loves Spring

Spring has sprung in south Louisiana, and my Quilty 365 circles for March definitely show it!

 

Here they are, reflecting the March calendar page, with lots of fresh, Spring colors, textures and flowers.  I'm up to 148 circle blocks as of the end of March.

I don't have as many stories to tell about my circles as last month.  My fabric choices were a little more random and less related to specific goings-on.  Of course, a few of them do mark special occasions.

March 3rd was the anniversary of the "Star Spangled Banner" being officially declared the national anthem of the United States.  I thought this fabric was a perfect way to honor those broad stripes and bright stars!

 

March 17th - St. Patrick's Day.  The Irish have a long and colorful history in New Orleans.  We don't just have one St. Patrick's Day parade - we have several!

 

Another fabric that's been in the stash forever.  There were so many cute kids celebrating Easter on this fabric I had a hard time deciding where to cut.  I figured the sheep had to be included!

Last but not least, I created a selvage circle to mark my blog hop post for Diane Knott's book Scrap Quilt Secrets.  Hop on over to my post and leave a comment before April 5th and you might win a copy of Diane's wonderful book!

I'm still hand-stitching all my circles.  Well, not the selvage one, but all the rest!  I'm a little behind - my usual sewing time was taken up with some travel and another quilting project with a deadline.  I'm looking forward to catching up this weekend and taking breaks to look at everyone's circles over at Audrey's Quilty 365 link-up. 

 

Mardi Gras Birds - Just in Time for Spring

I finally finished all the hand stitching on my Mardi Gras birds applique project.  Mardi Gras has come and gone, but I still finished in time for Spring!

Whenever I think of birds and Spring, I am reminded of a ditty I learned in childhood:

Spring is sprung
The grass is riz
I wonder where dem boidies is?
Dem little boids is on da wing...
Ain't dat absoid?  Da wings is on da boid!

  I haven't done much hand quilting lately, so this project was a good exercise.  I didn't do anything fancy, just cross-hatch and outline quilting.  In the border, I just followed the design lines of the border fabric.  As I was stitching the border, it occurred to me I use this lazy pattern of border quilting on a regular basis, so I plan to use a fancy border stencil or pattern on my next hand quilting project!

 

 

Here's my "lazy" border quilting from the back. 

 

I just need to add some picture hanging strips to the back.  I learned this technique for hanging small quilts years ago from somewhere in blogland, but I couldn't tell you where.  The Command Picture Hanging Strips are a little like Velcro - you can feel when the two strips have made solid contact because they click together.  One set of strips is stitched to the quilt and one set applied to the wall.  The strips on the wall can theoretically be removed - your mileage may vary.  

Quilty 365 Loves Mardi Gras...and stuff

 

It's time for another report on my Quilty 365 progress.  Here are February's blocks, laid out to mimic the calendar page.  I'm still hand-appliqueing each of my blocks, but it might be time to try some machine applique.  Although hand-stitching is soothing, time constraints and wrist strain can be negative influences on the process. 

 

Mardi Gras influenced a lot of my fabric choices this month.  Purple, green and gold are the traditional colors of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, so I had fun playing with some favorites from the stash!  I don't really care for most commercial Mardi Gras fabrics (you can only toss beads, masks and confetti on a black background a certain number of ways before it gets boring), but I had at least one bit of scrap that became a Quilty 365 block.  The other fabrics are all things I've collected over the years just because they feature purple, green and gold.  On Fat Tuesday itself, I practiced appliqueing tiny circles to represent Mardi Gras beads. 

 

Another color that featured prominently in February was brown, as that was the color choice for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I realized that after blue, brown may be the next most populous color in my stash.  Some of the fabrics are fairly new, others are more vintage, and the brown paisley on the bottom is from a man's shirt I found at an estate sale.

 

February also had several birthdays.  My oldest son, who loves hiking and camping, got the bears and canoe.  The Tula Pink raindrops are in honor of the Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas (one of her signature songs is "It's Raining").  I have a friend who's nickname is "Grotto"; how often do you find fabric mentioning a friend's name?  And the seashells are for my friend Karen, who celebrated her  birthday on February 29th - only her 16th birthday - imagine that! 

 

Last but not least, I got to play with some Valentine's Day fabrics.  The tiny red hearts on the bottom right might be one of the oldest fabrics in my stash; I still have bits of this print that dates from the late 1980s.  The Victorian collage fabric on the bottom left is another oldie.  I've had it for years, but never used it because it was too pretty to cut! 

That's my circular tale of fabric love for February - 117 blocks to date.  I haven't attempted any block assembly yet.  I think I'd like to set the blocks on point.  If I at least start stitching them up in groups of four, it will speed up the top assembly a little.  I don't want to end the year with a daunting pile of 366 individual blocks to assemble!

Quilty 365 instigator Audrey is hosting a monthly link-up for other circle-loving quilters.  If you think stitching circles sounds boring, check out the link-up to see all the different ways quilters are interpreting the challenge!