Couch quilt

I've had a few plans for quilts for other people coming up, but with my new machine I wanted to have a "practice" piece first. We didn't have a quilt/throw/blanket for curling up on the couch, so that was what I planned for my practice piece. I wanted to do something simple, since I was really trying to get to the quilting part this time. I know. That is usually my least favorite part, but I wanted to try out the stitch regulator. So, I made several improv log cabins, completing them with white and trimming to about 15 inches, I think.

I had a rough start on the quilting, but just kept going after tearing out several really bad parts. I think I was sort of getting the hang of it by the end of this quilt. I did learn that my machine is picky about thread. I've always just used coats and clark quilting thread, but the Bernina just wasn't having it. I had to run to JoAnn's for Gutermann thread instead. Things ran much more smoothly after that.

I like how the quilt turned out, but I'm glad I decided the first quilt was for us. The blocks add just a touch of color to our otherwise blah living room.

My New Love

What is this?My new baby, my bernina.

Isn't she pretty?

I don't know how to use it, but it has made it out of the box. I am excited to play. Three classes are included with the purchase, but it will be a few weeks.

My last machine was purchased in 1999 for $120, very basic. I was ready for an upgrade. I tried out a few different brands at the dealer, and I just didn't know how lovely sewing machines could be. I loved them all, but was excited about having the Bernina stitch regulator that comes with this machine. I tried showing Allen the foot and telling him what it does. He just isn't any fun when it comes to sewing stuff. So, I've turned to the internet with my excitement.

3 Quilts/3 Weeks

As mentioned before, I've previously been a quilt or two a year kind of quilter. Last year, I made 4 quilts. Now, I made 3 in the past 3 weeks. All three of these quilts are for the prayer shawl ministry.


I started the first one the day before I read about project improv. I had already planned on making a log cabin quilt, alternating white and color. I deciding to change things up a bit, so I went from all 2 1/2 strips, to strips that were also 4 and 5 inches. I then started putting them together, trimming edges to make things a bit wonkier. I do like how it turned out, and I think the bright colors combined with the white really emphasize the wonk. This quilt is for the mother of a childhood friend, who has breast cancer.

I was almost finished with the first top and had just told Allen that this was the last quilt I was going to make before we moved. Then, we heard the news about Brian. I decided that two more quilts were in order.

I had really enjoyed the wonky log cabin, so I decided that I would continue to play for awhile. Instead of cutting exact strip lengths, I just grabbed my scissors and started cutting random width strips of all of the fabrics I was using - freedom! Working this way really fits my personality- kind of messy, plus I don't tend to get things exactly square, anyway, now I don't need to! Anyway, I pushed the blocks a bit more with this one, but kind of evened things out with the white. This quilt is for Brian's son, Nate.

For the next quilt, I pulled out a few fabrics that I had purchased together, with no specific project in mind. I thought they would make a beautiful quilt for Kirsten, Brian's fiancee. Again, I just started cutting the fabric in random widths. I had this wild floral that I used for the centers and a bit on the sides. I really love this quilt. By just butting the blocks up against one another, it is more difficult to tell where one block ends and the next begins. I want to keep this quilt, really it is one of my favorites.

yes, the picture is upside down, but Allen was holding it the wrong way.

And, you can see why I like the quilt. See how nicely it fits into my living room.

I used these same fabrics to make my red/aqua block for the project improv charity quilt. I'm not sure that I'm as crazy about it as some of the blocks in the full quilt, or maybe I just like them all put together better. It does need to be ironed and squared up a bit (like I said, not so good at the square thing.) Either way, I'm done quilting for awhile. My sewing machine, along with most of my other worldly possessions, will be packed in about 10 days.

When we are settled, I would like to continue quilting improvisationally. I am already looking for fabric for future projects.

Yes, I do have a few travel photos and the kids to post, it will have to wait a few days. Seriously, 3 quilts/3 weeks does not allow much time for other things.

A New Quilt for Old John

Several years ago, John and Joy were cleaning out a shed on their property. In it, they found quilt squares made by John's mom in the 1940s. (They were paper pieced onto newspaper from 1944.) At the time, I didn't know what to do with them. This time last year, I pulled them out again, and decided they needed a new life. I asked Joy to send me photos of John and his mom. I then sewed everything together into a new quilt for old John.

mini quilts

I made a couple of mini quilts or prayer cloths for our Prayer shawl ministry.

This first one was made for a lady who recently lost her mother. It's about 21" square.

This other one was made for a soldier. It's approximately 18" square (and yes, I use the term "square" rather loosely on this one.)

One Week

I made a commitment to make a quilt in a week. One week. Up until this time, I've kind of been a 1-2 quilts(not counting more arty quilts) a year kind of quilter. I recently joined a local Prayer Shawl Ministry. I volunteered to make a lap quilt. When I was asked when I could complete it, I found myself saying "I can do it by next week." As I walked out of there, I thought,"Did I just tell her that I would make a quilt (from planning to picking fabric, etc.) in A WEEK?" Anyway, I did it, but it didn't allow for blogging, or mopping, or much laundry, really.

This is the completed quilt, in part following tutorials from Crazy Mom. (Thanks!)

I made log cabin blocks and did free motion quilting. The quilting was actually fun! I've never enjoyed the quilting part before. It was around the size of 48x66.

The quilt was made for a woman in the states with terminal cancer.

Christopher, helping.

Baby Quilts

A couple of quilts that I finished this summer. Both of these babies are in Alaska, so I wanted something "Alaskan" for their quilts. So, fish and dragonflies it was.Baby boy Madden quilt
Baby girl Krabbenhoft quilt. This quilt was inspired by Tiffany dragonfly lamps. I don't know if the idea transferred as well into fabric, but I still like it.