October Quilt Treats

Each month I have tried to share

a few of my past quilting projects.

It's especially fun for me to find and

look at some of the quilts I've previously made.

I love to look at how my skill level has improved,

how trends have come and gone and even reappeared, 

and how my journey as a quiltmaker has evolved.

For October I've dug into my small Halloween quilts.

 "Treat or Treat"

 2001

This little one is definitely a favorite.

It has both embroidery and crayon tinting.

It's a Bareroots pattern by Barri Sue Gaudet 

and is only 16" x 18".

Crayon tinting is when you color in the design with Crayola Crayons.

Heat set the crayon color with a hot, dry iron.

Make sure you cover the coloring with a sheet of paper

or the next time you iron 

you might put orange spots on your white t-shirt.

It's a fun process.

Give it a try if you haven't done it yet.

"Gourd Harvest"

12" x 28"

2010

This wool table runner was designed by Ginger Sanchez.

I enjoy doing wool applique and doing a buttonhole stitich around

each wool piece.

I had this pattern for a long time and finally

last year got it done.

Sometimes I buttonhole by hand and sometimes

when I can find the Aurfil wool thread, I do it by machine.

It's beautiful thread to use and 

they have wonderful colors.

Just use a larger needle, 90/1, and regular

50 wt. thread in the bobbin.

"Scaredy Cat"

16" x 26"

2001

The designer is Dana Thompson-Country Harvest.

This pattern was one of the first "wool appliques" that I did.

It is done with wool felt, which is different than

felted wool.

Wool felt is a blend of wool and rayon and is

a nonwoven product.

It can shrink quite a bit and bleed but is soft and easy to work with 

and is less expensive than wool.

I used wool felt because I didn't have real wool at the time.

It was before my friend, Becky, and I began 

hanging out at the Goodwill looking to repurpose wool garments.

Hope you have some Halloween quilt treats to bring out
and enjoy. If not
you can always find these treats.

Until Next Time-

Record Breaking

There are all kinds of speed records for

all kinds of vehicles, all kinds of events, 

and maybe even for quilters.

I did it.

I got the 3 projects I needed to get done even with a

minute or two to spare.

Just under 5 weeks, 3 quilts from start to finish.

"The Texas Two Step"

63" x 81"

The pattern is by Atkinson Designs.

I used Kaffe Fassett and Amy

Butler fabrics with a little Michael 

Miller thrown into the mix.

It's fun, bright and easy to do.

With the help of my machine quilting friend, Kathy,

this one went fast.

You've seen this one before, but

it's done and ready to hang at the store.

55" x 55"

I might have to call this one "Jack the Ripper" or

"Patience Pays Off"

It is a pattern by Primitive Gatherings, 

"45 and Life to Go".

I really like the black, brown and tan combo.

The last one is

"Oso"

32" x 38"

The pattern is "Oso" which is Spanish for bear.

It is designed by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.

This pattern was done with two charm packs

using a Kate Spain's fabric line .

The colors are fun with orange, turquoise, purple and green

all with an Asian flair. 

I'm coming in for a landing.  

Both my sewing machine and I 

need to decompress.

Phew!

Until Next Time-

Running Man to the Rescue

When you have too much sewing to get

done before the end of the week,

you have to call for help.

"The running man" to the rescue.

Cabbage, 

Hamburger,

Tomato juice,

Salt Pork,

and Rice

Put it together and what have you got?

Cabbage Rolls!

A true sign of fall.

 And a saving grace for dinner, multiple times.

Have a great weekend,