A UFO Finished!

Last February I decided to sort out my scraps and found this UFO. (Click the link to read the details.) The great thing about this project was I didn't have to purchase anything extra to finish it and was able to use up a lot of scraps at the same time. I was hoping to have it finished to use on the patio table this summer but I let other projects get in the way and I didn't finish it until yesterday. I can still use it but my patio table is one that has the umbrella in the centre and the table is small so I am not sure if the table topper will work but I just love the matching mug rugs.

When it comes to learning something new I don't have very much patience with myself to practice to get better at something. I want to be able to just sit down and be able to get it right straight away. The table topper was a perfect practice project for freemotion machine quilting. I am not pleased with the results but it is a practice piece.

Making More Progress

Earlier this week I finally finished basting this quilt and was able to start machine quilting it. I was hoping to be able to put it on the quilt frame but it is too wide for the space I have so I am using my dining room table. I couldn't decide how I wanted to quilt this so I decided to a straight stitch across the width of the quilt and maybe try a little free motion quilting in the borders. Hearts and loops maybe, we shall see.

I can only work on this a little bit at a time because I am finding it quite heavy so I hope it will serve the purpose of a weighted blanket. I think I may use some of the left over strips of plaid for the binding. Anyone have any ideas?

Free Motion Practice

Last week I decided to organize my scraps and in doing so I found this UFO that I don't remember making or even why I made it. It is the perfect size for a table topper. I decided to make mug rugs to match and finish these off to use on the patio table this summer. I also decided that this would be a good way to practice my free motion machine quilting.

When I layered the top with the batting and backing I found that the sides were not straight so I ripped out all the borders and did a quilt and flip quilt as you go method to reattach them. This way it was basted and my seams were corrected at the same time.

On to the machine quilting! I have not done much free motion quilting so this turned out pretty bad. I am not to bothered because it is only a practice piece and I will be using it outside.

I noticed that the bobbin thread was showing through the top. I loosened the top thread tension but it didn't seem to make any difference. Does anyone have any advice how to prevent this?

I also progress on the four mug rugs to go with the table topper. I didn't have any of the original check fabric left from the topper but I did find this smaller check that looks good. I haven't used my scraps very much but I hate to throw anything away so it felt good to use all scraps for these.

Friday Nite Sew-In

Tonight is the night! February's Friday Nite Sew-In is happening tonight. I am looking forward to practicing my free motion quilting or should I work on some hand quilting? Not sure yet but this is the type of fibre fix I am looking for. What will you be working on?

Friday Nite Sew-In

January's Friday Nite Sew-In is happening tomorrow night. Today I finally made some progress with my free motion quilting by making a "sew slip" by using this tutorial from Jill at The Quilt Rat. I think for my project for the sew-in I will practice my free motion quilting. I signed up for the free motion quilt along (see side bar for link) from Christina over at A Few Scraps but I am a terrible procrastinator and haven't done much with it. I am hopeing to make some progress tomorrow night.

Friday Nite Sew-In Results

I didn't get a lot done this time around. I made a Quick Strippie quilt top from Mary Quilts with the intend to use it with the free motion quilt along. My best friend was over for a visit yesterday and saw it, she liked it enough that she would like to have it. I decided to quilt it on my frame. I spent last night loading it into the frame and started quilting it. My thread kept breaking so before I got frustrated I walked away to try again later.

Free Motion Quilt A-long

In my adventures in blogland I like to read other quilters blogs. While reading A Patchwork Life I discovered a free motion quilt a-long offered by A Few Scraps. I visited her blog and it is a wonderful teaching on free motion quilting. I took a class about a year ago but I didn't practice so I thought this would be a good chance to take it up again. I am starting a bit late but I did my practice sandwich tonight.