Unplanned Hiatus

The last few weeks have been void of sewing. I want to get back to sewing. I think I am somewhat prepared to begin again.

As my heading states, I was on an unplanned hiatus. The definition being "a pause or gap in a sequence, series, or process."

Beaquilter posted about her re-organizing achievement. I have needed to organize my sewing area for, can I say years? So I began with a room that accumulated too many things. And I am embarrassed to show this' but all the more to encourage me to organize. 

I know my short-comings: too many ideas and projects bouncing around in my head, as well as in my sewing area! I save scraps--those will be going, since every project creates scraps! I have a bit more to tidy up and some boxes to go through, but this is what it looks like now. I am fairly happy that I can sew again. 

I knew I would have to stop sewing for a week, or maybe more? Yes, it turned into a longer time than I thought. I did have a week's worth of interruption which was also unplanned. Our daughter and son-in-law signed the final papers to become new home owners. They went to the house 30 minutes after signing to find 2 inches of water filled the basement! I packed the car with all I could think we would need for a clean-up and drove the 2.5 hours to get there. My husband came the next day with more tools to help remedy the situation. 

This began 2 days before Thanksgiving. She was planning on having both sets of parents for a dinner after they moved out of the apartment. We worked moving them, and on the basement, taking time for a very tasty dinner that our daughter cooked on Thursday. The sump pump had failed before they got the paper signed and they had to discover it! A new pump was put in on Thanksgiving. We were all grateful a store was open that they could purchase it. The guys put it in and it was working well. Here are a few photos of the clean-up. My husband and I stayed until Monday, almost a week.

They vacuumed the water that covered the floor. 

They had to take out the carpet and padding in this one room. Even after they vacuumed it twice, it was still soaking wet.

They cut 24 inches of the wallboard out from the floor up because 12 inches had soaked up the water. Opening the walls up helped it dry. They had fans and a small heater to help dry it. 

I did get  some sewing done now that I am home. I had some orders for potholders and some reindeer candy holders. 

I hope you are having a good week and month!

Debbie Grifka Workshop

This afternoon, our quilt guild had Debbie Grifka teach a workshop. We used her pattern Turnstile to make small quilt tops using 5" pre-cut squares and background fabrics. It was a great class with 16 ladies in attendance. In the evening, Debbie presented a trunk show and lecture titled "What Do They Mean By Modern Quilting?"

Here are some photos from our workshop:

Debbie was always moving around, checking on us as we worked. 

Our cameras worked wonders as we tried various arrangements of our blocks. 

Everyone made progress to varying degees. Some got the 9 blocks sewn together. 

I was happy with my progress.

I thought her lecture in the evening was very interesting and informative. 

I was surprised that I would hear the names and see the quilts of 

some of the quilters I have participated with in bees 

and various groups. 

I enjoyed the day, but am so tired! 

I am looking forward to posting this and going off to sleep under a cozy quilt. 

WoB Blocks, Pattern Update

WOMEN OF THE BIBLE BLOCKS

I have finished two more Women of the Bible Blocks. I am a bit behind of sewing the blocks, but I am fitting little bits of sewing time into my busy days. I think the next week will be less hectic and I might be able to get more sewing into my days.
I took the fabric that I found in my box of 5" scraps and made Rachel's Double Cross block. 
I went to my scrap draw of greens and blues and paper pieced the Palm block for the study of Tamar.

Pattern Update

While still cannot reveal the pattern, I did get an email from Cut Loose Press saying that the pattern had been accepted and sent on to the proofing committee. I am excited and as soon as it is published, I will post a photo of my quilts on my blog. 

The sunshine we have had for the past 3 days has melted some snow, but it is still cold outside. I am glad I can sew in a sunny, warm room. Hope your days are sunny and filled with happy sewing experiences.  

New Resources and New Project Ideas

My order arrived from C & T Publishing this past week. It was very exciting to open it and scope out the books I ordered on their Spring Sale. Many cost only $3 or $5. I can't wait to get started on a project from one of these books. 

I looked through Wonky One-Block Quilts by Marlous Carter and I think I want to work on one of her designs. I don't want to put a lot of thought into the fabrics I choose, I would like to simply take some from the shelves that work into her suggestion. 

I have one quilt top to finish sewing borders and I will choose some fabrics. 

Earth Day Re-Purposing Project
I made this little child's apron a few years ago with some leftover lace, some 2-1/2" fabric strips and one leg from a pair of jeans. 

Here is a tutorial: 

Take 1 pant leg. Fold in half lengthwise. 

Mark a 12" section, curving upward slightly from bottom center to side edges. 

Also, mark waist with a slight upward curve. Angle from side bottom edge to side top edge. 

Cut on lines. 

Make curved corners at bottom. 

               

I used a glue stick to adhere the right side of lace to the front of the apron. Allow to dry, or press with iron. 

Use glue stick on back of apron edge and turn edge hem under so it adheres to glued edge. 
Again, let dry or press with iron. 

No pins to deal with when topstitching!

Use zig-zag or decorative stitch to stitch hem under and allowing lace to protrude from under apron. 

Sew together 2 fabric strips (2-1/2" x WOF) to create a long 2-1/2" strip. Press under 1/4" on each long edge. I used water soluble basting tape on the bottom edge to help with the 1/4" seam. 

Pin center of strip to center of apron, right sides together, and sew one edge of tie to the apron waist. 

Fold seam allowance of tie to back side of apron and pin to cover seam allowance at waist. Pin the tie ends so the 1/4" seam allowances match. Fold ends in. 

Topstitch beginning at one end and along tie seam to secure. 

Add a pocket if you wish. 
One little helper will be very happy with this apron.