Taking a breather

The best laid plans go awry, don't they?  I've only sewn down 1/4 of the binding on the hankie quilt and set it aside Friday so I could put the binding on the cakes on stands quilt.  It's done!  There was a spot that didn't quilt right on the long arm that I had to fix with my Elna; I did that before sewing the binding on.  

It is ready now to give to "Bags of Love" along with three knitted hats.  I have more yarn for more hats, but I'm working on a scarf right now.  It's a TV watching project.

I wanted a break from big projects, so yesterday I got out the Lazy Girl "Lily" pattern and made a small purse - in just 5 hours!  It felt so good to accomplish something on the same day I started it.  I used some fabric from a big fat quarter bundle Mom and Jenny gave me for Christmas so all the parts coordinated.  

I'm thinking of making another one now that I am comfortable with this pattern which is quite detailed and written for someone who has never sewn garments before.  The pleats and darts were no big deal for me, having made clothes since age 12.  I made the necessary pattern pieces out of freezer paper so I can use them over again as I do more cutting.  I need more interfacing for another bag and would normally buy it at Joann Fabrics.  

Unfortunately, the shop was flooded along with others in the shopping center (and many other places) on July 10.  They are still mucking it out and rumor has it, they aren't reopening.  My alternatives are Walmart, the evil Hobby Lobby (anti-gay, Christian nationalist), Joann.com, or Amazon.com.   Paul had things to buy so we went to Walmart, and it wasn't too busy.

Today I hope to gather the fabric needed for bag #2 and maybe work on a nametag to wear at various guild meetings.  I saw a cute one that uses selvages, and I have lots of those.  Small projects are so gratifying!

Selvage Sampler

I enjoy saving selvages and using them in various projects.  Last year, I started a sampler, attempting to make traditional quilt blocks using a solid and selvages.  Some blocks are a lot easier to make with selvages than others, I found.  I finally got the sampler to a size I can use and quilt myself - 54" x 54" - which is a fine size for a table cloth or picnic blanket.  The back is two leftover pieces of Indonesian batik that a friend gave me ages ago.  This quilt is really the ultimate in scrap usage!  I even pieced the batting.

Here it is, pin-basted.  I'm pretty much stitching in the ditch with an occasional diagonal here and there.  The center hexagon area was a little baggy, but quilting actually improved it, much to my surprise.  This will take me a few days to work on as I like to take breaks every hour or so.   That's fine as we continue Stay Home - Stay Safe.