Katie and Kwilts
A little about me and a little about my quilting....
Sunday, February 5, 2023
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
excess fabric and precuts
Over time I have been gifted fabric that might not necessarily be my tastes, but I've always appreciated when I've been thought of and because I do quite a bit of quilt making for charity, I accept what is offered. Often times, it is 1 yard or less and many times just pieces. I decided I had enough small amounts and pieces laying around and figured if I was ever going to use any of it, I should do precuts with it. I don't like working with small pieces. For awhile I made fabric postcards and entered a few exchanges, so those smaller bits and pieces came in handy. Not so much anymore and I will never do a 'crumb' quilt! I started cutting and did 4½", 6½" and 10½' squares. Nope I did not do 5" as I can't ever remember doing or wanting to do a quilt that used that size. If I'm going to have something, I want it to be something I will use. Purged quite a bit of those pieces but decided to take it further. I matched up ½ yard to 1 or 1½ yard fabrics that I thought would look good together and cut them into precuts of 10" and 2½" strips for layer cakes and jelly rolls. There might not be as many different prints as a manufacturer precut, but the fabrics will match together and I will be more inclined to use them now. I used my 4½" and 6½" squares with scraps of different whites to make up some scrappy quilts.
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
OMG, thought I was lost
Been a long time since I came over to my own blog. Not even sure how long it's been - not that I had / have many followers anyway.
I am still quilting, just not as much for charity as I used to. Quilters for Comfort is still in existence, but we're not doing near the volume we used to, nor do we have the participation we used to have. Because of our structure, it called for a lot of mailing of packages and quite frankly, shipping whole quilts can get a little pricey.
Lately, I am spending time purging fabric. Had way too many scraps that I was certain I wouldn't use. I had cut them into specific sizes and they were in zip bags. I took quite a few to Goodwill - I sure hope some quilter felt they'd hit the mother lode :-) I also purged garment fabric. I rarely sew garments anymore - so another thing I did not need to have taking up space. Not too long after I did my big spring purge, I was gifted with a large amount of fleece. I almost told the lady no, but decided I could use if for making donation quilts. I will be cutting up pieces of fabric into strips and doing simple strip quilts and using the fleece for batting/ backing. I think it will make some nice cuddle quilts.
I am running out of family & friends to give quilts to, so I truly am cutting back.
As with most sewist, I've made my share of face masks. Another way I used up scraps. I did not sell mine and I was sad to hear / read that some who did sell were made to feel bad doing so. Just don't think we should judge another when we don't know their situation.
I'm sure I could write a book, but don't really want to bore you. I will add one picture for this post. It's for a niece who got married almost a year ago. It's the Northern Star pattern from Missouri Star Quilt Company. Easy enough pattern, but a bit time consuming, but my niece loved it so it was well worth the effort.
Friday, August 31, 2018
almost a year
So what's happened in a year.... Spent Christmas in Florida with my sister and her husband. Had a total knee replacement in January. I was prepared for pain which, fortunately was minimal. I was not prepared for loss of energy. Took almost 4 months to get it back. Yes, I have made quilts. I do stay busy on that front. This spring I discovered I enjoyed making Fairy Gardens and broken pot gardens - I should have stayed off Pinterest - way too many ideas. I am gearing up for Christmas already and also have a couple big projects I will be working on. Life is good and I am blessed.
Will I be back often, probably not... But just thought I would pop in here and let those few who care know I have not fallen off the face of the earth.
Katie
Monday, September 11, 2017
just some chatter
these are the quilts I got done at Sew Fest. I really like the 4-patch lattice (bottom) and have some fabric that I will probably make one for myself with. Just a lot of bias edges, so need to remember to starch a bit heavier.
The hurricanes hitting our country - my heart goes out to those people who are struggling with clean up and repair / rebuild. Irma became personal as my sister lives just outside Tampa on the coast side. To say I was thankful that it hit as a Cat 2 versus the 4 they thought it might be is putting it lightly. She is without electric, but their home is intact and undamaged. Still don't know how the boat faired, but I was more concerned over their safety and them having a home they could return to. After Hurrican Harvey, there was a big cry for quilts on the groups I belong to through FaceBook and as quilters, I know we all wanted to help and do what we do - make quilts! I am hoping people remember that the most immediate need to disaster victims is always food, water & shelter - a quilt can not provide that but a monetary donation to a reputable charity can. So please consider a monetary donation - maybe in the amount of what it would cost for postage to ship a quilt...
Until next time ...
Katie
Sunday, June 4, 2017
February, huh?
I have not done a lot of quilting or piecing. I guess it's more a little here and a little there. Quilters for Comfort has slowed down a great deal. Surprisingly, we don't have members coming forward with organizations to donate quilts to. Our annual Sew Fest will be held in Oklahoma this year and we have two different veteran organizations that will be the recipients of those quilts.
Okay, I do have a few pictures: This one is a row done in Patriotic colors and will be paired with other rows that others have done to make 'row quilts' at Sew Fest:
I met up with a cousin the first part of May that I had not seen in over 40 years. I had wanted to make a quilt for him and his wife, but really wasn't sure what their style or what colors they would like, but I had made up some blocks and didn't like them. Still have the blocks and still not sure what to do with them:
Then we did a Fat Quarter block exchange at QFC. Those who participated sent every one in their group a FQ, then as many 12" blocks as possible were made from the FQ and returned to the sender. Here is the quilt I assembled from the blocks I received. I sent out the floral fabric. I had one block left over and I will make a pillow from it:
This quilt was made for one of the QFC members who underwent extensive shoulder surgery and is now doing physical therapy. Whenever we know one of our members are facing a challenge, we try to make sure they get a quilt. The designs are fairies and I believe they are from Ace Points..
oops, sorry - I didn't realize this bottom one was sideways ...
Then I did take a break from fabric anything and did these arrangements in tea cups. I had seen the 'floating tea cup' arrangements on Pinterest and knew I had to try them. It really wasn't that easy to find nice pretty tea cups with matching saucers that weren't part of a set! But I found these and they are so pretty. I really enjoyed making them and would like to make more, but not sure who I would gift them to..
So anyway, there's a little of what I've doing.
My daughter-in-law graduated with honors from the University of Arizona this May so my babysitting (for now) has slowed down drastically. She's planning on taking a year off from school and then heading back to get her Masters and ultimately her doctorate. I admire her determination to go after what she wants.
I could start rambling and I won't put you through that. Basically wanted those of you who care to know I am still around, still plugging away and maybe someday might actually get something of significance done :-)
Katie
Thursday, February 9, 2017
just not sure
If I have a specific project, I get in and get it done but for the most part I have to force myself into the sewing room. Once I get in there, I find I sew maybe an hour and I'm wanting to be done.
I decided I needed to finish up some projects. Most were tops just needing to be quilted. I am really having a time even getting that done!
Anyway, enough of my woes. I sure wish I could find my passion for sewing and quilting again. I loved it while I had it....
Katie