More String Blocks

I made some more string blocks last night and tonight.  They are rather addictive.  So much fun to look through the scraps and remember what I made with the fabric or when I bought it. (Sometimes it's both and sometimes it's neither.)

I also ironed a backing and a top to load tomorrow onto the quilt machine.  I have had errands or meetings every night this week after work.  Tomorrow I can come home right after work.  Love when that happens!

Dryer Sheet String Block



Dryer Sheet

 I use Snuggle dryer sheets and they measure about 6.25 X 9 inches.

I cut off the long edge so that the sheet measures 6.25 X 6.25.

I throw the little scrap of dryer sheet in my dog pillow that hangs on the door of my sewing table.  See here : http://hazeldellquilts.blogspot.com/search/label/Pet%20Bed

I place the first strip of fabric right side up diagonally on the dryer sheet.

Lay the next strip right side down lining up the edges on the right side of the strip.  I pin these first two pieces to keep them from shifting while I sew.  Sew, using a quarter inch seam.  For the next strips I just match them and sew without pinning.  You could still pin if you would like.

Press the seams open either by finger pressing or by using your iron.  At first I was worried about using the iron but I thought that these are used in a hot dryer so I just turned my iron down and it was fine.  You could use a pressing cloth to be on the safe side.   Add the next strip, right side down, to the the newest strip on the right and sew again. 




front



The strips are all sewn on to the dryer sheet.





Back

Ready to square up the block so that it measures 6 X 6.



Ready for the last cut.

Finished block!   Hope you have fun with this and if you feel there is something that needs to be clarified, let me know, I'll be happy to help.

Playing

I spent time this afternoon cleaning my longarm quilting machine and getting things set up to start quilting.  I'm going to get this going this time.  I have a number of tops that I would love to get quilted. (I counted at least 7 while I was rearranging.)

And I did a little bit of playing.  With all the cutting I've been doing, I have a couple of bins of strings.  So using a used dryer sheets as my base, I made up 6 blocks.  They measure 6 X 6. 

What a great weekend!

Longarm Quilting

I took a class today at A Quilting Place  http://aquiltingplaceomaha.com/     I have a longarm quilting machine but have been a little intimidated by it as I don't spend enough time with it.  So I took a class to refresh myself.  I know the Quilt Minsitry has many Project Linus quilts that need quilting, so I'm going to pick up a few of those and start practicing on them.

Baby Quilt I quilted at "A Quilting Place."

Bought some more Hobbs 80/20 quilt batting to keep at the embroidery that I started with the quilt I showed January 16th, 2011.  I wish I knew how to add the links to take you back this quilt, but I'm just not there yet.  But someday soon........

Friday Night

The snow has come back and we're to get more tomorrow.  A good time to sew.   I went to a purse party last night so I didn't get any sewing/quilting done.(Or blogging.)  Tonight, my project is washing my black fabric so I can start cutting sashing tomorrow.  My husband said to me that it seems like I've been doing a lot of cutting and I think he's right.  After the sashing is cut, I'm going to have to come up with a sewing or quilting project.  I did so well last year with my one a month UFO/WIP.  I think I need to get back to that.  I feel like I'm floundering without any direction.  Time to regroup and set some goals!

Winter

Winter has come back and I'm not happy about that.  I just want to take my bath, get into my PJ's, and snuggle in bed with a good book.  But I haven't.  I have been cutting some of the left over floral fabric into strips and squares.  For 15 minutes.  Then I'm going to go do all of the things I said I wanted to do.

Flower Cutting Is Done

I finished cutting out the floral fabrics for the Turning Twenty that I'm working on.  Now I have the sashing for the "lead" part of the stain glass look to cut out.  Once that is done, I'll be ready for a Craft Day or a Retreat.  I could even "Retreat" at home if I wanted.