Thinking Outside the Block

Since my Janome is STILL in the shop, I can't finish the quilt on my frame.  So I've started a new quilt.  I made a Scrappy Diamonds for my younger son two years ago but had a hard time trying come up with a pattern for my elder son, Bryan.  Where Devan requested bright greens, Bryan wanted black and white bandanna fabrics.  Impossible!  So here's what I came up with instead:

The pattern is "Thinking Outside the Block" and the king-size requires 144 of these blocks!  

The finished size will be about 103" square.  Much as I'd like to, I don't think it's gonna be finished by Christmas...

Thinking Outside the Block

Since my Janome is STILL in the shop, I can't finish the quilt on my frame.  So I've started a new quilt.  I made a Scrappy Diamonds for my younger son two years ago but had a hard time trying come up with a pattern for my elder son, Bryan.  Where Devan requested bright greens, Bryan wanted black and white bandanna fabrics.  Impossible!  So here's what I came up with instead:

The pattern is "Thinking Outside the Block" and the king-size requires 144 of these blocks!  

The finished size will be about 103" square.  Much as I'd like to, I don't think it's gonna be finished by Christmas...

Janome 1600p

After struggling for a week, I broke down and took the Janome to the shop.  This is the machine that sits on my quilt frame and I'm right in the middle of a quilt!  Seems there was a valid reason for my frustration.  There was a burr on the needle hook which did a fabulous job shredding my thread every 10 inches or so!  Ed said it was probably caused by a broken needle (I don't remember having a broken needle, or even a bent one!)  No matter!  But he also couldn't see an obvious cause for my tension issues, so it's time for a tune-up.  He's promised to fix it good as new.  Whew!

Janome 1600p

After struggling for a week, I broke down and took the Janome to the shop.  This is the machine that sits on my quilt frame and I'm right in the middle of a quilt!  Seems there was a valid reason for my frustration.  There was a burr on the needle hook which did a fabulous job shredding my thread every 10 inches or so!  Ed said it was probably caused by a broken needle (I don't remember having a broken needle, or even a bent one!)  No matter!  But he also couldn't see an obvious cause for my tension issues, so it's time for a tune-up.  He's promised to fix it good as new.  Whew!

Orchids

Like many quilters, I have several projects in various stages of completion.  There's one on the frame.  It may be there awhile, because the darn sewing machine is NOT cooperating!  I've spent the last few days trying to fix tension and thread breakage issues.  My husband could hear me expressing my frustration from the garage!  And I just starting cutting out a black and white quilt as a gift for my eldest son.  

At the same time, I usually have a needle-turn applique project in the process.  I've got it nearly applique'd and will probably get it ready for the hoop this weekend if I can decide what color to use for the back!

Orchids

Like many quilters, I have several projects in various stages of completion.  There's one on the frame.  It may be there awhile, because the darn sewing machine is NOT cooperating!  I've spent the last few days trying to fix tension and thread breakage issues.  My husband could hear me expressing my frustration from the garage!  And I just starting cutting out a black and white quilt as a gift for my eldest son.  

At the same time, I usually have a needle-turn applique project in the process.  I've got it nearly applique'd and will probably get it ready for the hoop this weekend if I can decide what color to use for the back!

Sweet Sugar Swirls

I've been working on this one since mid-summer.  I first saw this quilt in California made up in batiks.  That should have been my first clue.   Exact 1/4-inch seams are a must (and almost impossible for me to do).  And the bias edges are killers!  I've never had anything stretch the way this one has!  Starch is now my new best friend.

Anyway the top ended up like this:

I've had it on the frame for about two weeks trying to decide how to quilt it.  Yesterday, I finally settled on a tighter panto and so far I really like it.

Thank goodness, I'm not in a hurry!  Some of these quilts are taking me awhile to complete.