sewbizgirl

Actually, Kass drew up that graphic for me to see. I think I'm going to go with the opposite of what she's showing: Black print on white background, but mostly white. The blocks don't have a lot of white, and white won't touch the sashing in many places.

Maude, the practice quilt is great. You have some beautiful blocks there.

Janice McC

A contact from a boomer has given rise to a topic I hadn’t expected. How do you measure your blocks? Blocks should be pressed, not ironed, and an acrylic square of the size you are measuring (or larger) placed on top of the block against one square corner if possible, not under the block. (If you are using it under the block, voila, measurement problems.). Look at the edges of your block. Are they straight? Are they wonky or uneven? Does the block extend to the ruler perfectly? Not so much? Too much beyond? Not at all? And always check in good light. Placing the ruler under your block allows you to inadvertently pull your block to size. Any 12 1/4 inch square block can be stretched to 12 1/2 inches and beyond. Please measure with the acrylic square on top. And please don’t use your mat for precise measurements. They’re often wrong. Mine is off 3/8 inch in 36 inches. Doesn’t seem like much but it adds up. Hope this helps.

joanelizbay

Kass that was a great mock up you made for Sew. I like the black/white dots the best..(or white/black) It picks up on some of the black in your squares. Maude that is a great job of setting your blocks! I probably wouldnt have noticed if you didnt mention the up side down row! I sent a quilt to my quilter one time and she emailed me that she thought the bottom row was upside down. Instead of sending it back she flipped it around for me...Such a nice woman to do that!

Not much sewing done this weekend..A old friend had a stroke last Sunday and I have been to the hospital and visiting with his brothers and son some...The worst part of getting older is losing dear friends..Hadnt gotten to spend all that much time when raising families, military, etc but had always kept in touch and been closer the past few years. He was a Ride Captain for the Patriot Guard riders and attended about every funeral for a veteran here in central Missouri over the past 5 + years. Rode in honor of my brother in law when he died...Now its his turn to be escorted to his final resting place...

Libster

Joan, sorry you've lost a good friend.
Maude, your quilt looks great! Well done.

sewbizgirl

I'm so sorry about your friend, Joan. Sounds like a wonderful man.

I played with my new Juki today. Got familiar with it and then fmq'd a quilt! Below are some pics.

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check out the 'saddle stool' I got with the machine. Soooo comfortable and great for your back.

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And try not to laugh at these first attempts at some swirls. Pretty bad, but they have a certain charm, don't you think?
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Janice McC

Joanelizbay, I’m sorry to hear about the death of your friend. You have my condolences.

Sewbizgirl, not laughing a bit. Looks pretty darn good for your first attempt. Love the quilt btw.

sewbizgirl

My sweet 90yo friend (who just stepped down as the leader of our charity quilt group) made most of the strips in that quilt. I made a few sections to fill in. She diligently saved every scrap of 2.5" strips she ever used. Most of those are binding leftovers, or the bits you cut off after you sew that final mitered seam. So if you save all your 2.5 strip snippings, you can soon make a quilt like this. I was going to donate it, but it reminds me so much of Mrs. Fancher that I can't bear to part with it. And now it has another memory associated with it... first quilt made on the longarm.

terriamn

Sewbiz great job on your new long arm, I’m impressed with your swirls. Have added a few to my quilts but haven’t had the nerve to try them on wid border.

annt59

Envelope arrived at 12:03 pm today inside my porch. So surprised it was delivered on Sunday!

D.Henson

Joan, very sad to hear about your friend.

SBG, how fun to fmq your first quilt on your new machine. Exciting!! First of many beautiful quilts. Enjoy!