Sewing Etc.

HQAL Update-April 14

I published this twice on Sunday, and it is still sitting in my drafts….third time’s the charm I guess!

The snowman adventure continues. Last time I was here:

I had just finished pillow cover number 2.

Today, I traced the patterns for the sides of pillow cover number 3. While I will not be finished as early as I had thought, I am going to have all four pillows covered before summer arrives in earnest, and the backs will definitely add a cooling look to the living room sofas.

Here’s number 3 in progress:

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another. If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.
Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Daisy, and Connie

SAL Update April 7

Happy Spring everyone! I am looking forward to green grass and tulips in the near future. They are definitely on their way, because we are having our first rain storm this weekend. It may still turn to snow tomorrow, but we have already gotten an entire inch of rain, so winter is on its way out! Things change quickly here in South Dakota. On Monday I flew home from Girl #2’s home in Connecticut and we had 6 inches of snow on the ground and more falling! But on to the project at hand!

Last time I was here:

There were many interesting guesses, but I don’t think anyone got it right….

Here’s where I am now:

There’s more to come, so check back!

You will enjoy visiting the other members of our group; all working on different projects:

Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Helen, MaryMargaret, Cindy

HQAL Update March 24

I am probably the very last to post today, but I have a partial happy dance to report. Snowman number 2 is quilted and now covering a pillow on the couch! I finished him this afternoon, after working on my current sewing project, which has a deadline.

This pillowcase has the same mittens on the top and bottom, and sleds on the side panels. The quilting doesn’t show as well as it might, but I think I am ok with that. Now that the decisions have been made, things are moving right along!

Hand Quilt Along Links

This Hand Quilt Along is an opportunity for hand quilters and piecers to share and motivate one another. We post every three weeks, to show our progress and encourage one another. If you have a hand quilting project and would like to join our group contact Kathy at the link below.
Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Daisy, and Connie

SAL Update – March 17

Happy St. Patricks Day everyone! Last update I had just finished an epic project, and took a little time off to finish some non stitching things before jumping in with a new cross stitch project.

It is going to be a fairly quick stitch. I shopped my stash of thrift store even weave, and selected this powder blue Aida for the background. I think it will work nicely.

I know you are wondering what this might be…well, you will just have to wait until next update; when I expect it to be quite recognizable!

While you ponder what on earth I am working on, you can visit the other members of our group. Those on the east side of the Atlantic have already posted, and the rest of us will be joining in throughout the day.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Helen, MaryMargaret, Cindy

HQAL Update March 3

The weeks are flying by, and it’s hard to believe it’s March already! My snowman pillow covers are moving a bit slower than I expected, so I am really glad I chose the backing that I did. I expect I will have all four completed by sometime in early summer, and the back side will work just fine.

The back, which should work through the spring and part of the summer.

I have finished the center of snowman #2, and am ready to start tracing the patterns on the borders. Because of the busier fabric, I may change to no. 8 perle cotton to quilt these.

Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Daisy, and Connie

SAL Update – February 25

Drum roll please!

I finished the bunny Saturday afternoon!

I think it needs a name!

Now I am off to see what everyone else is working on; I hope you’ll join me.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny,

Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Helen,

MaryMargaret, Cindy

It’s Orkney Time!

How long have I been working on this sweater? Ravelry says I started it March 19, 2020! I think it may have spent a good 18 months in time out though.

The last time I shared about Orkney it looked like this…

And then this….

Tonight I finished attaching the first button band, so I have come a long ways since the first of the year.

Next steps are to determine button placement and do the second band, and then the neck. I have jacquard ribbon to finish the inside, which currently looks a bit scary, though I double stitched with a tiny zig zag, so it’s fairly safe. (That’s what’s keeping me from trying it on!)

It is looking a bit small, but I am hoping it works out. If not, I’ll gift it to Girl #2, who likes these colors and is so tiny; it would definitely fit her.

HQAL Update February 11

Last check in I was here:

My first snowman was quilted. I had hoped to have him turned into a pillow case, but I am wrestling with a pair of Carhartt Artic coveralls that must weigh 10 pounds, so nothing but a couple of deadline pillowcases has found it’s way to the machine.

Instead I sandwiched another snowman and have begun to quilt him. I decided to add the cross hatching at the beginning of the process, so have begun to work my way around the picture.

The other members of the HQAL a have been hard at it, so I am looking forward to seeing what they have been working on these past 3 weeks. As soon as I get this first leg wrangled, I am going to take a break and enjoy their posts. I hope you will too!

Kathy, Margaret, Deb, Nanette, Sharon, Karrin, Daisy, and Connie

SAL Update – February 4

I have had a wondrous weekend getting caught up with craft projects, many of them quite long term. I’ll stick to my current SAL project today.

Here’s where I was last update:

I had started the rabbit ears, and was actually fairly close to finishing the first one. Here’s where I am now:

They are finished! I have one more piece to stitch, the top of the head! I think I will first choose the cotton for the backs of these ears and get them ready to assemble.

Grab yourself a cup and join me in checking out what the others in our group have done. We all choose our own projects, and report in every three weeks. Avis is our fearless leader, and reminds us of our posts.

Avis, Claire, Gun, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Sharon, Daisy, Cathie, Linda, Helen, MaryMargaret, Cindy

HQAL Update January 21

A short post today, as it has been a crazy weekend with the Young Artist competition this weekend.

Here is where I was:

Here’s where I am now:

I am essentially finished with this pillow top, just trying to decide if I should add some snowflake quilting around the snowman, or maybe some cross hatches. What do you think?