Stash Update - Week 16

During the KCMQG retreat, there were many shopping opportunities. There were two quilt shops within walking distance.  One quite small shop that gave us each a 20% off coupon and one very large shop, packed with fabric, but no sales, discounts, bolt ends, or remnants. 

The large shop had just about every line of fabric that I have ever heard of and not just current lines. Since they don't discount, they also have lots of fabric from 2012 and earlier. It was fun to look around, but I was not tempted to buy anything (rather, I could not justify it...) 

I did buy the variegated thread and 6 fat quarters that I used in the batik quilt at the small shop. 

At the retreat, I used half a layer cake (1.25 yds) for some wonky cross blocks for a group effort donation quilt. 

I also won a French General Layer cake (3 yds) and was given two fat quarters by Tammie of Marmalade Fabrics.  Tammie brought a gazillion Kona Solids fat quarters and let each of us pick whichever two we wanted. I picked Bright Peri, and Crocus because my stash is purple deficient. 

Marmalade Fabrics  was our meeting sponsor at guild last week, too.  I always like to patronize our sponsors, but I only bought 2yards. Three Kona half yards (rich red, red and pink) and a half yard of a print from Mod Century, by Jenn Ski. 

I originally didn't report the fabric for the batik quilt since my niece bought most of it for the project. My thought was that I wouldn't count it coming in or going out.  In order to have these numbers reflect the true picture of how much sewing I have done this year, I decided to add it into both totals. It doesn't change the net, but it gives a more accurate picture. 

She sent me seven yards and I added four for a total of 11 yards.

My other finish was the Poor Sad Quilt.  I used 4.75 yards for borders, binding and backing.

Fabric  added this week - 16.5yards

Fabric added YTD - 58.08 yards

Fabric used this week - 17.0 yards

Fabric used YTD - 54.18  yards

Net Stash change - +3.9 yards*

I think I am caught up on reporting all the fabric I have added and used in completed projects. I hope I will have a couple more finishes to report next time and get the trend 

line reversed!

Linking up here to stay on track!

*I found a math error after auditing, so I fixed it this week.  I know you probably are not going to call me out on it, but I thought I would disclose!

Finished - The Batik Quilt!

I finished the batik quilt!

 Lots of firsts with this quilt. Besides the ones that I mentioned here, I also used a 40 wt variegated thread for quilting and I sewed a hanging sleeve on with the binding. 

I quilted wavy lines along the diagonal 'stripes' , the lighter stripes more densely than the darker stripes.  I also quilted a smaller scale of the same thing in the little squares. 

I need to hand stitch the bottom edge of the hanging sleeve to the back, but I  am still calling it a finish.  

The next quilt in line for finish is this ABC quilt that I started before we went on vacation in March. I had the blocks put together and sewed them together at retreat last month. 

I have never heard of quoits!

Very sweet vintage images!

After a photo of the completed top was posted in our guild Facebook page another member 'Crafty Tammie' offered me a panel of "Recess" if I wanted it for the back.  I traded some Denyse Schmidt fabric for it, since she is hosting a DS swap and I thought it might come in handy. (and, so I wouldn't have to report it as an addition to my stash!)

I assembled the back today.

And I think I like it better than the front!

I am debating using it for a top, and backing it and the ABC quilt with solids.  If I use them both as quilt tops, then I would have two to donate. 

What do you think?  Can it stand on its own as a quilt, or do I use if for the back?

WIP Wednesday - Batiks!

I started this quilt at retreat last weekend. I made great progress, but I needed some different colored thread for the appliqué part. (the small 'accent' squares are appliqué). I was too lazy and cheap to walk back downtown to buy thread that I knew I had at home, so I rolled it up in the tablecloth design wall and worked on something else until time to go home.

My sewing room is such a mess! I need to take a few cubic yards out of it so I can work, but it is overwhelming me. So instead of making room to work, I am sitting on the sofa doing embroidery.

What are you working on?

KCMQG Quilt retreat

I am packing for retreat tomorrow! I am taking the travel projects that I didn't touch on vacation, but also another project for a niece. She asked if I would make her a quilt if she sent me the fabric and pattern. It will be the first time I have really followed a pattern (other than just block tutorials) and the first time working with batiks.

She ordered some from Hancock's of Paducah and I have supplemented to replace the ones that were not available after she ordered. ( I am not counting these fabrics either in or out of my stash, since they were furnished for the project)

Another first is that every piece has curved seams. At guild last month, Trisch demonstrated the Curvemaster foot. I am thinking it might have been a good idea to order it. I will have plenty of alternate projects to work on, though it it gets too frustrating.

The retreat is in downtown Lawrence, Kansas. I have not spent any time there in many years, but it has always been a favorite of mine. I am sure it would be a livelier place if the Jayhawks were in the final four, but I know we will have a good time.

This is the pattern. I don't have the book with me, so I will edit later with the 'credits'.

Not all the fabric is represented, but this is the color scheme.

Retreat Recap

I spent the weekend at the first annual Las Vegas Modern Quilt Guild retreat!

Nine members and two guests traveled to Southern Utah for the weekend. We stayed at a wonderful vacation home, surrounded by great scenery (we found the house through homeway.com) While we did venture out for various errands, lunch and shopping, mostly we stayed in the basement theatre/billiard room and sewed.

This is the theatre side of the room. The other side accommodated four more sewing tables, two cutting stations and a pressing table. It was perfect!

I worked on these blocks. They are made from Elizabeth Hartman's Octagonal Orb Block tutorial featured at The Modern Quilt Guild Blog (which was originally inspired by Heather Bostic's pillow). They finish at about 17" across, so I plan to make 6 more, if my fabric holds out. I used a fat eighth stack of Flora, by Lauren and Jessi Jung.

It doesn't look like I got very much accomplished, but I feel like each of the completed blocks was eight blocks in one! I also cut pieces for 3 more orbs and I made some progress on embroidering some of Ruby McKim's Roly Poly Circus blocks for a quilt for Dearest Sister's grandbebe number five (another girl!)

Sharon brought a tiny pieced block as challenge/gift for each person. The pieced block was about two inches square made of tiny half inch squares.

These were some of the challenge projects. Clockwise from the top left: Andrea's beer pong cozy, Cindy's pot holder, Bev's coaster, my pin cushion, Maria's tiny cushion to protect the bed of her featherweight when it is folded up, Tracie's tissue cover and Darlene's iPhone purse.

We all had a great time and by Sunday morning, the discussion had turned to how many days we should add to next year's retreat! We drove home under rainy, overcast skies, but that was kind of a nice change, as well.

I am looking forward to seeing some finishes at show and tell next month!