Virtual Quilting Weekend—October 8-11, 2021
 

Welcome to the October VQW. What will you work on this weekend? I have some handwork to do and bind some placemats. Then I have a few projects to cut and prep.

next one will November 12-14. Any interest in one over Thanksgiving weekend?

Thank you for hosting again :) Even without knowing that this was VQW I planned to go into the sewing room today and deal with Bernie again. I have gotten two tops completely quilted down, started the third, and maybe Bernie wants to visit the shop again... maybe he just needed a break -- I needed a break!

So while I'd like to get "Aunt Debbie Bleeds Blue" quilted down, I might not be able to do that. Have no piecing planned, still have the hand bindings to finish on one of the tops, the other top has the binding on but not yet started on the hand part.

For Thanksgiving weekend, i pan to be starting the Bonnie History Mystery which starts on Black Friday. The two tops I got quilted down were the mysteries from the last two years, so I am on track with my goals :)

This is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada and I will not get much quilting done, Tomorrow, we are having lunch with old friends--the first time I will have eaten in a restaurant in more than a year!! I am very excited! And then we are going to DD's for Thanksgiving dinner. We haven't seen the grands since July. We are looking forward to some quality family time.

My plan is.....
1. Make sample blocks for a gift quilt. Just two!
2. Make more squares using the 2.5" squares from the Birthday Swap ( 7 done and 13 more to go)
3. Quilt a UFO
4. Deliver a quilt to my longarmer friend - maybe.

Will check in now and again between life activities that interrupt my quilting. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/wink.png

Thanks for hosting again Heather! I am in, I have 4 blocks to finish then to do the sashing on each one. Since these are big 15 inch blocks, I hope to get them all done this weekend and maybe even get top completed.

I am definitely interested in a Thanksgiving VQW, as Iceblossom said, Black Friday is the start of this years BH Mystery so I am sure that others would love a VQW as well.

I am looking forward to seeing what everyone is working on!

Heather , thank you for posting!
I just finished Christmas Adventure with Bev McCullough and my sashing came yesterday so I hope to get that done. Also a Mystery Christmas from Fat Quarter Shop that I needed black for came. I'm going to be busy in between watching the playoff games. My Bronx Boys got knocked out the first night but I still watch it all.

LOL -- first update/coffee break, also known as "some days don't go as planned". So for the good news, I sat down and adjusted the tension and Bernie has been working nicely! Yay, Bern!! I realized that I didn't start from the right set of lines and would need to take out some of what I just put in. Boo me.

So I stopped, and then when I turned the quilt over I realized I had the yellow thread still on the bottom (to help me adjust the tension. Unfortunately, the reason the tension is so important is that it is supposed to have blue thread on the bottom and yellow on the top...

In good news again, at least it is good contrast and the stitches large enough for me to see. And at least I didn't get too much done. Right now it is re-doable and not a design decision.

I'll follow along and hopefully will be sewing the last little bit on my LBB quilt that I started 7 years ago. I'm trying to decide about the color of the bird to go in the corner and started a thread asking for opinions. I'd love to hear what you all would suggest.

If I can I'll post a picture or two this weekend..... would love to get it done. I always love to see what other people are working on.

I always like to pop in for inspiration on these weekends, thanks! We are celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving dinner here tomorrow night, so need to get my food shopped for today. We are also celebrating our 39th anniversary today so hope to get out for a lunch, we will see.
I am doing some double-blanket stitching on a baby quilt and would be happy to complete that this weekend. I rejoined the guild after 10 years and tomorrow is my first 2 hour sit and stitch zoom meeting, so will try to have some hand stitching for that. I won a little 2" charm pack at retreat so have sewn that into a placemat to donate, hope I can do the quilting on it and have it ready for the binding.
Look forward to seeing/hearing about everyone's projects.

Good morning, everyone. Heather, thank you again for hosting, love these weekends.

I'm definitely in, I have a fall table quilt that I have been itching to start for quite some time now, I've got some hand-dyed fat quarters that I have been sitting on for months that I picked out for it. The pattern is from 256 Fat Quarter Quilt Blocks from House of White Birches, it was one of the very first quilting books I bought about 15 years ago, give or take. It was actually the first pattern that I ever tried and without going into a lot of detail, the quilt top was damaged beyond repair and I had to throw it away. I never picked it back up again until now, so super excited that I'm doing it now.

Then when I can, I'm working on another GFG, I just have not been happy in the least with any of my previous attempts, so I found some jellyrolls that I really liked a month or so back and I'm using those. The picture I've attached shows the rosettes I've done so far. This time, they're 1-inch hexies and my white fabric and two more jellyrolls came in this week, so I'll be cutting strips and hexies at some point.

That's about all I've planned for this weekend. The last few VQW's I pushed myself way too far to get a lot done and I've fallen short of my goals. This time, I want to just take it easy.

I am definitely interested in a VQW over Thanksgiving weekend, fiance and I have no plans other than dinner together and we do our holiday shopping online. No family is expected this year, so we're on our own, would be fun to designate another quilt weekend!

Pictures all ready! Love GFG's I have one in progress about 7 years nowhttps://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/hunf.png.

With luck I'm in for part of the weekend. Have the housework done but have a bit of running to do before I can cut out the next two fabrics on the current quilt. DH has to work a half day tomorrow so that is sewing time!. Unfortunately we have 3 commitments tomorrow one in the afternoon and 2 in the evening, so only morning sewing but Sunday and Monday are free!

Lots of great projects this weekend, Thanks Heather for another get together.

I'll be organizing stash for moving. Love the pictures of what all are doing.

I am waiting on fabric for a wildlife quilt. It is supposed to arrive on the 12th. I'm sure it won't but in the mean time I am going to figure out what I should start next - have a few options, see if I can get one of those going.

Okay, here's what I'm working on this weekend. I have one bird sewn on and three more to sew on. Then I'll have to start the embroidery and embellishing.

The first picture is where I started this morning. I had all 4 bellies and skinny wings sewn in the corners.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...bc64c4f4_z.jpglbbbird 1 by , on Flickr

And, here is where I am now with one bird appliqued on.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...52305182_z.jpglbbbird 3 by , on Flickr

Nanna, lovely hand stitching project.

Heather, I’m in for Thanksgiving VQW. I have projects that I could work on. LOL.

this weekend I plan to finish 2-3 project Linus tops for my guild (2 are 1/2 way completed). Then sew 29 blocks from BHMQ 2020 Grassy Creek mystery. It’s going to be a king size quilt. My goal to have it done by Thanksgiving. So I can start this years. This year will be a smaller project size. I plan to long arm 2 quilts for a friend. It’s quilting, no trimming. I’m also will be doing some beginner/ender pieces for other projects. If I get most of this done then it’s on to working on one of my to do quilting projects. Anyway, I have a lot to do this weekend.

tonight my goals, finish sewing a few more pieces on BHMQ step #4 & #6. Then trim #4 pieces and start pinning the blocks together tomorrow morning. I also plan to finish sewing 2 of the project Linus tops and lastly set up the top to quilt for tomorrow morning.

Happy Canada Thanksgiving everyone and happy sewing/quilting.

Friday Update
 

So today has been productive and then not so productive, lol.

I got everything cut down and ready while my fiancé was out hunting mushrooms, I think I got through it all in about an hour, which I think is pretty good. Which, a huge thank you to everyone that suggested a 60mm rotary cutter during the last VQW, I bought one in the middle of last month and cannot believe the difference, no hand or wrist fatigue and I was slicing through multiple layers like a hot knife to butter!

Picture is of three Maple Leaves, nine more to go. That has been the other productive part, finally having my scant 1/4" figured out on my sewing machine made it such a joy to be sewing again. I also used Karen Brown's hack of putting a ledge of masking tape on my machine, I never in a million years would have thought it was going to make that big of a difference, I wish I had tried it sooner.

My only problem today has been an error in the pattern that I did not catch this time, I really need to figure out how best to fix the pattern in the book because I have at least four more of these table quilts to make in the future. In the middle of the 12 Maple Leaves there are four blocks of Hour Glasses - each block has four, for a total of 16. I know that my 1/4" is accurate because my Maple Leaves are measuring out to 12.5", what the book says all the blocks are supposed to be. Sadly though, the Hour Glasses are not coming up to 12.5", it's more like 12.25", so I'm a quarter inch off. The book says to start off with 7 1/4" squares and use the two at a time method to make the blocks, but shouldn't the squares be 7 1/2"? Can any ladies that has their math brains up and running help me out? I don't want to keep making this mistake, especially with as many as I have in the future.

I'm leaving the Hour Glasses alone for now because I have to figure out how best to fix this. Should I tear them down and do a scant 1/8", or should I take the remaining fat quarters I have from the bundle, add some Muslin fat quarters and remake them after the correction on the pattern is done?

I'm all confoozled - lol! https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...s/confused.pnghttps://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png

Tried about eight times to get my picture to upload and it's just not doing it. Having problems with the network tonight, I'll have pictures later when Verizon decides to play nice. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/frown.png

Just checked in and see this thread, I forgot it was VQW. I am up early, getting ready to head to one of my favorite quilt shops for their early bird sale.😍 Did get some time at the sewing machine yesterday, hopefully will again tomorrow. I'll check back later to read and check out everyone's progress. Happy sewing everyone.🎃

Tldr- my quilt was rejected by the long arm lady and I am hand tying it.

I made a 99x98 top. Bought some 108 backing. Dropped at quilter and apparently it shrank in the wash because she didn't have enough extra on the edge. It's also a charity project - Habit for Humanity- so she said $300 to quilt and that's alot for charity - just tie it.

So ... Here we are. This has not been my favorite project. Probably why it's taking so long to finish.

I agree, Rff1010, that's a lot to spend for a charity quilt. Tying it will be okay.

It's Saturday, hope to get my last 3 birds appliqued onto the corners of my quilt. I have to set goals and my goal is to have this top ready for quilting by the end of the weekend.

What is the finished size for the block? Did you check the pattern online for corrections before starting? Hour glass units can be a bit tricky to square up but once you find a method that works for you it will be easy. Here are a few links that might be of use. Can’t wait to see what you’re working on.


https://www.generations-quilt-patter...ilt-block.html

https://www.scrapish.com/hourglass-quilt-block.html

RRsBrat :) Hourglass/Quarter Square units can be awful... they are one of the times I do my cut/sew large and trim down technique, which doesn't help the ones you've already made. So, I haven't actually tried it but by my first look at what I think you want done, I think I'd be coming up a bit scant too at 7.25. I'd start with a square at least 7.5, maybe even 7.75. With the idea that you are making four 6.5" units, the basic math for a 1/4" seam and how much to add for a triangle is 7/8ths, which you round up to 1" which makes for some (but not enough for me) extra. Keep in mind, that there are two sides to a seam so any extra we sew or cut is multiplied even if it seems tiny to us.

Glad your tape worked! On my old vintage machine many many years ago, I used a child's fancy bandage to mark my seam allowance. The bump of the bandage pad (which was still a couple inches from the foot/markings on the plate) was enough to keep the fabric in line. I just grab what for me is a handy bit of graph paper to get that exact width/distance.

As for me, I did get the quilting I got done yesterday undone yesterday, but that's as far as I got. Am now fortified with coffee and about to enter the sewing room again to put in the correct bobbin and re-adjust my thread tension and begin again.

edit: Forgot to add this link, I thought it was a pretty good discussion on the QST:
https://www.bonjourquilts.com/quarter-square-triangles/

Oh! and I'm past editing time but I keep forgetting to comment on Nana's beautiful handwork. I am so pleased and happy that you are sharing your skills and beauty with the rest of us! Keep up the good work. I am just in awe :)

I am not going to participate in this month's VQW but look forward to seeing what everyone else is doing. Everyone have fun.
I am still not on my feet after COVID. I am one week out of the hospital today. and have a block sitting on my cutting table now for over a month. If I could stand on my own two feet I would be working on that. Everyone have loads of fun.

Hi everyone, just got home yesterday from back to back retreats, so I may not be sewing much. But I have a ton of putting away to do! and another retreat coming up the 21st so I need to plan some projects for that one. I would like to attach the binding to my Omigosh quilt though, so maybe...

thimblebug6000 and GingerK--Happy Thanksgiving!

SusieQOH--is that the All the Trimmings mystery quilt by Fat Quarter Shop? I have my top done but haven't done the Halloween one yet. I was disappointed but not surprised the Yankees were eliminated first round. I'm rooting for the Rays now; I too watch til the bitter end!

railroadersbrat--I would remake the hourglass units and start with at least 7 1/2 inch squares, assuming your unfinished block is 6 1/2 and you're sewing four of them together to get the 12 1/2 inch blocks.

juliasb--glad you're home from the hospital and able to take it easy.

Sounds like there is enough interest in a VQW the last weekend in November so I will put that on my calendar.

I started working on the placemats yesterday and pulling projects for a November retreat. Didn't get too far yesterday; hopefully will be more ambitious today!

I am late starting - I had an app't out of town yesterday. I will start to FMQ a baby quilt as soon as I decide on a color of thread. Arkansas Crossroads in bright scraps. What color works with the 16 patches and the white roads? Because it didn't start as a baby quilt, the colors aren't what I would have chosen. I may try a pink thread just to see if I can make it more appropriate for a little girl.

If you have white roads, you could quilt with white and those bright scraps could be for a girl or a boy, Irishrose2. Would love to see a picture.

Good afternoon everyone!

I'm getting a slow start to my day, fiance decided to help out our neighbor across the road yesterday and we ended up staying up until 6am, so I'm just now getting myself into my quilting corner.

So the picture that finally attached is one corner of the quilt top, the empty spot is where the hour glasses will go, so the leaves will be surrounding the hour glasses. After talking to my fiance about this and seeing what everyone said here, I'm going to go ahead and remake the blocks, but I am going to try and tear down at least one to see if I can make up the difference. Since QSTs are such a pain, I think I'm going to go super generous and cut the new ones at 8 inches and trim down. I just wish I had remembered to make that change in the book the last time I did this pattern, LOL.

I had 4 sections of a Halloween quilt that I finished last time. Those are now sewn together and I need to figure out a border. I’m planning on also working some more on a Moda Christmas quilt. I don’t remember the name off hand, but it’s a black background with red/cream/limey green blocks. There’s also an owl and a gnome and some mushroom blocks.

I accomplished a lot today. worked on my competition quilt I am designing. Just about done piecing it. Also finished piecing a UFO table runner. Quilt it tomorrow.

Friday I finished the last 4 blocks, and today I managed to get them all sashed. Hopefully tomorrow I can get everything sewn together to complete the top.

Looking good everyone! I attended a 2 hr zoom meeting this morning and have been preparing food in between projects. Got my binding on my donation placemat finished, kind of weird size they are asking for 11 x 18”, maybe that is what fits their trays, not sure. Anyway I also cut out and fused my October monkey for the pumpkinpatchbc.com BOM I am doing. Huh, just got a message when I was trying to upload my pictures, there was a security error? Hmm...will post and then come back and try to edit with pictures like I had to do on my old iPad.
nope, it is not liking it, sorry but I don’t have time to resize at the moment if that might help.

Well, I finished out the day getting the corners done on my LBB flimsy. I didn't just get one corner done. I got all the corners done so the flimsy is DONE and ready for quilting. Don't know what sewing/quilting I'll do tomorrow.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f7325faf_n.jpglbb mitered corners , on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f0d54d88_n.jpglbb flimsy , on Flickr

Wow! This is a stunning quilt! Your work is fabulous , just spectacular, what a labor of love.

I am joining in on the last day to make 1 block for our guild president. It's due at our Nov. guild meeting. The block will be a House block. Our president is a homebody and loves to stay busy at home. Also, the stay at home orders for covid make the house block appropriate. Her favorite colors are orange and gold...so these will be incorporated into the block. I will tuck a cat or 2 in a window and beside the front door as she Loves cats! https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png

That sounds like the perfect block for your guild president. Hope you post a picture or two.

Sunday morning Update:https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images...es/biggrin.png
My plan is....
1. Make sample blocks for a gift quilt. Just two!
2. Make more squares using the 2.5" squares from the Birthday Swap ( 7 done and 13 more to go)
3. Quilt a UFO - half done (Cross hatching and finished going in one direction. Later today, the other direction!)
4. Deliver a quilt to my longarmer friend - maybe. Not happening this week-end.

IrishRose2, don't be overly concerned about pink and blue for baby quilts. Creating a lovely quilt to bless the child is all that is needed. I seldom make traditional baby quilts any longer and have seen the quilts slide from infancy to toddlerhood.. Most modern moms really don't lean on the traditional colors. Not that you can't do pink or blue, I am just letting you know it is OK to go in a different direction. I went to a first birthday celebration last weekend and discovered the monthly baby photos were all taken on my quilt! So honored! It is brown, green with baby forest animals. Not at all traditional colors. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/wink.png

I am working on an Arkansas Crossroads too this weekend too. Photos of VQW later.

A little late to the party but here's my list:
1. Make binding and sandwich a Halloween table runner.
2. Applique 2 elephants on a "Mommy and Me" baby quilt.
3. Try to straighten sewing room. Have to be honest, not sure this one will happen.☺
Beautiful work everyone!

Jean- all I can say is WOW!! Stunning work :)
WMU- love your fussy cut blocks!!
Raggiemom- yes it's that one you mentioned.I've never done a Christmas Wall hanging and thought it was a cute one. And yes, I wasn't surprised either. The Yankees were so streaky this year. I'm also rooting for Tampa Bay!! :) And I hope the Giants. I'm watching as many games as I can. :) But I'm tired ! Giants games are late. lol
One thing I'm mad about with Boston and Houston is that they got caught stealing signs and nothing happened, no penalties, no taking away Houston's WSC. That's just wrong!