WIP Wednesday -Saints Quilt Process

Phase I: An Idea: First I drew a sketch out on a napkin. Then I went into EQ7 and made several designs. I chose one with stars I liked but was told that there were 16 games not 14 so I went back and redesigned the quilt. I like this version even better.Phase II:

Mock-up:

I bought fabric

that I thought would be great in a saints quilt. I put them together in the star formation to make the quilt. I had picked using

the No Waste method for flying geese. I picked thread color and embroidered the designs I wanted. Thank heavens for my DD #1 and the man in Houma b/c without them it would have taken months. I found that the mock-up looked too washed out but it was what I wanted. So I picked new fabrics

Phase III:

Making the blocks: I wanted to use a black with tiny gold dots but needed 4 yards. My LQS was out of that fabric so I choose solid black for the inside and a black swirl for the points. I have decided to make a set of 4 and then embroider them.

I am in the process of making blocks and embroidering each of the smaller blocks - 16. I am

using a quilt as you go method that allows more quilting on the top than on the backing b/c it

allows me to hide the back of my embroider.

Phase IV:

Putting sections together and quilting. I

plan on adding triangles which will have info about the Saints in them along the edges The black will have New Orleans Saints and Who Dat Nation with lots of fleurs.

Phase V: Binding will be the gold.

lator Gators. have a blessed week

Time to Start - Process

Well, tonight Steven gave the go ahead to make his quilt. There were only 2 minor problems: 1) He thought the quilt was very small not as large as it is. I told him that the center was 28 inches by itself, he was satisfied. 2) He wanted to have it by September 9th when they raise the flag in New Orleans as his personal flag. I had to explain to him that while it would probably go fast that I had 2 other quilts to do as I worked on his.

So the plan is to use the quilt-as-you-go method that uses top and batting and washable stabilizer on the first quilting and then adds the backing with simpler quilting as a second step. The embroider will be the first quilting....I plan on using the designs I was given in Houma. Fantastic designs for this quilt. Then the second quilting will be straight lines.

Since I am doing it all on the Babylocks, it should go rather quickly if life doesn't interfere. I plan on bringing it to bowling each week to show him the progress. It should get other people to want one and give him more understanding about how much work it is. It should be done by the end of October if I do at least 3 blocks a week which is do-able.

I plan on continuing my handsewing while the big BabyLock does the designs for the saints and then sewing on the small BabyLock while the big one does the quilting in the center of the dresden plates. It is a plan but will I be able to execute it...I will find out.

Lator, Gators. Have a blessed week until I type at you again.

Design Wall Monday

I am still working on my Dresden plate for my secret sister. So much hand sewing and I am slow. I surely hope the quilting will go faster. I am going to start quilting the center while I finish hand sewing the sides.

I have made the trial block (center) for my Saints quilt...I think 16 inch blocks will be too big so have decided to do 14 inch.The flying geese for these blocks are huge so I have been practicing doing them with the no waste method...the formula is great but I still cut off my points so I am adding 1/8 inch to the point squares.These will become a raffle quilt for a friend involved in the Feral/Wildcat Foundation.

The next thing on my table is the top for the free motion quilt along. 3 fabrics and the backing all from the stash. This will be a finish soon.

AND I am still working on my presentation on labeling. I was informed that there will be a walkout of several members of the quilt guild b/c they don't think that labeling is needed or a topic worth a program. Oh, well, if you don't receive information that may open your mind to change, that is your problem not mine.

I also purchased a new computer...my tablet is giving me issues so I bought a new all-in-one HP desktop. It is big and fast and if my tv goes out I can watch cable on it. Geema has joined the 21st century.! whoo hoo

Lator Gators. Have a blessed week!

Sunday Stash Report

Well, the good news is that this week, I didn't buy any fabric and I sewed several items. Bad news is that I only count the fabric after it is in useable form and I didn't finish anything. Next week, I know I will be able to count 1 yard of muslin b/c I have treated it and printed on it for a presentation I am giving on Thursday. Then I will get to count 2-4 more yards for the same reasons on the 31st. But until then nothing can be counted as used.

Stash report:

Fabric Added: 0 yards

Fabric Used: 0 yards

Fabric Added YTD: 145.25

Fabric Used YTD: 91.75

Net stash busted/enhanced: -54.5