A Re-Do

Despite the hours spent in making a new nativity quilt sample and pattern, I was not happy with the outcome. My fabric choices were too busy and the tones were not working well together. A little voice kept telling me to make another one and do a better job. So I asked a bigger voice and my hubby told me to make another one and do a better job (love that guy).

Actually, it was a bonus because I tried something new for me... using fusible that can be put through the printer and it worked so well that I am re-doing all the pattern instructions to include that option for those who want to avoid tedious tracing. 

Here is the outcome. The color is a bit off, but I will use a better camera for the final 'portrait' for Etsy. It is small but can be made any size and with a vast assortment of fabrics, such as using an ombre for the whole sky instead of smaller pieces. Of course the background fabric can be light, dark, or whatever works with the fabrics chosen. The pattern will include coloring sheets and a few ideas to make it unique to whoever makes it!

Now to get the pattern ready and put it on my Etsy page. I've lots on my plate right now and am hoping to get this task finished soon.

Yellow DONE!

This yellow improv is finished. I still have a few yellow scraps left even though the entire quilt, border and binding (but not the backing) was made from a tiny scrap bin. Amazing. 

This is the quilting on it (see previous two posts for more pictures). I used a panto with butterflies and it went perfectly with the gal who will be receiving this. The binding was hand-done, mostly because I sit with hubby to watch hockey games and hand-sewing keeps me from wanting to be doing something more productive. 

The photo was taken in low daylight and is not very yellow. Here is an earlier one of the bits and pieces that were slapped on my design wall weeks ago. It shows the color better -- except the blue. The one above gets it almost perfectly. I should take a photography course and find out what makes cameras and colors so unpredictable!!

I've also nearly finished a top in all reds. It worried me, but I am excited at the way it turned out so far. The borders go on next and I will post a photo.

Also, not happy with the second nativity quilt so am making another sample. It will go on my Etsy page. Theory: If I don't like it, my customers probably won't either. Photos coming soon. In the meantime, happy quilting...

And a joyous EASTER! 

Two projects and a Gift!

 I come down to my studio first thing every morning to have devotions. My latest nativity project is on the design wall and there is a small window on the opposite wall, high up. It rarely lets full sun in, but when I looked at the quilt, the sun was shining JUST on the manger. I gulped and grabbed my camera but by the time I got the picture, the sunshine made a rectangle on the quilt. Still it was as if the Lord was saying "Good Morning" to me.  Here is the picture.

 

Brown scrappy is on the longarm, finally. I watched a video that showed how to keep a quilt nice and square while using those plastic clips instead of pinning it to the leaders. It really helped. This top was square and I was afraid of making it wonky. So far so good.

The last picture is my birthday gift from my son. He picked the one with the most buds on it... so if they all bloom at once, there will be 20 or so. I took care of a neighbor's orchids once and that is all I know. Google is a great pal! I hope this one loves the place I put it and the care I give it because it is so dratted pretty! That son is getting more thoughtful day by day... another gift!

Pattern Status

Nativity quilt #2 is finished, and the instructions are nearly done. Christmas week is not the best time for this task! However, I've already received some orders even though I've not decided the price. 

I've a question. One person asked if the pattern could be sent digitally. I thought about that and wanted to try it. Since the pattern is about 30 x 60" my biggest concern is whether it could be printed full size from a .pdf file. Happily, it can. It takes about 20 letter-size sheets of paper. Each sheet has registration marks so they can be easily lined up to trace every pattern piece on fusible.

Staples will print the pattern that big, but if I mail paper patterns, it adds that printing to the cost, as well as the postage. (Printing a pattern that size is about $5 CD) This might be the best for those who don't want to print it out themselves, but more expensive in the total price.

The other drawback of digital is that I have less assurance about my copyright being honored. Once the file is out there, unscrupulous people could easily give it to others or re-sell it. I know that most quilters are honest folk, but it could happen.

Any thoughts and suggestions about digital patterns would be appreciated. If you don't want to make a public comment, email me privately. epm dot mail dot 444 at gmail dot com. Thanks for whatever advice offered!

White Christmas

We are going to have a white Christmas. It is softly snowing, quiet and simply beautiful outside. I could have walked to the wildlife park and taken a few outstanding shots instead of these from my steps, but I'd rather be quilting. 

Actually, I'm working on the Nativity pattern and found a way to make it digital so that anyone who wants it that way can save postage and pattern costs by printing it on their own printer using Adobe Reader. This is an exciting discovery. Getting the directions perfectly clear for making the quilt takes time though. I will also include directions on how to print it!

"You Shall Call His Name Jesus"

This 'sample' is finally finished, well almost...

The label is made, ready to sew in place. Everything else is done except writing out instructions for the pattern, and getting the pattern printed and into envelopes ready to mail. I've not set a price for the pattern, but have had a few orders from people who have not seen the quilt!

But it is only a week until Christmas and there are many other things to do. So for the next week, enjoy decorating, shopping, wrapping, singing, baking, visiting with family and friends, and all the delights of Christmas!

Nativity 2, nearly finished!

This quilt is now sandwiched and quilted. The binding is ready to sew on, and I will likely do it front to back by machine and hand stitching on the back. It is a nice way to relax. The hanging sleeve is also ready to put on, again by hand and maybe during a hockey game on television.

At this angle, there is distortion... Mary's hand looks huge and Joseph's face looks too small. Not so! 

These pieces are fused, but needed to be stitched. I was dreading it and didn't want to stuff it into my DM so loaded it on the longarm. I bought a few shades of Invisafil and am pleased with the results. It is like sewing with hair, and required 0 tension on the top. I also put it in the bobbin. I used a size 12 needle, against the strong warning of my Avante dealer who thought such a small needle would break. I had no problems with it, even through backing, batting, and a top with fused layers. That size still left 'holes' but not nearly as obvious as the size 14 needles.

My stitching isn't perfect, yet at a short distance, it is invisible. Had I spent more money, I might have been able to match the colors better, but it is really hard to tell which color works best on each fabric. Pale blue disappeared on blue, but black also disappeared on dark green. As the "Dear Jane" quilters say, finished is better than perfect.

I will be offering the pattern for this as soon as I get it written. I've come up with a way to do it with transparencies, so am now looking for a bargain in the ones used on copy machines.

Progress on Nativity

Life keeps pounding away making time to quilt a serious issue, but there is some progress on this nativity quilt. Here is part of Joseph. The color in the photo isn't perfectly accurate, but it does show the super fabric I found in my stash for his beard! Next is the Baby Jesus and straw for His bed, then it will be ready to quilt.

I've come up with fresh ideas for the pattern for this one and am hoping to have it ready soon. 

This Saturday, I'm involved in a Quilts of Valour (Canada) Sewing for Soldiers day. From 9-5 about 32 of us will be making quilt tops for veterans and wounded soldiers. It is a labor of love and thanksgiving for all they have done.

A little progress . . .

Life has been hectic for us the past few weeks. My hubby was called to fly to a job site two times, staying for 3-5 days each. We had several deaths, young and up to 96. I put two items on Kijiji and got over twenty calls in one day. Never mind the normal stuff like quilt guild meetings, a quilt show, hair cut appointment, voting, medical appointment, day of prayer, and stuff like laundry and house cleaning. 

However, this quilt keeps calling me to add more pieces. I was worried about this face but am happy with it. I may do some shading on it, haven't decided. This picture shows less than half. Joseph and the baby Jesus are still to be done.

I've learned a few things on this one, so when it is done and the pattern is ready, it will have a few new tips for making it with less stress than it looks!

Nativity Two - Progress

Canadian Thanksgiving was lovely and leftover turkey means less time in the kitchen and more time in the studio! Here is the progress on the Nativity Quilt...

The first one is the left side, the other on the right. I'm hoping not to buy any fabric. Some of the pieces are tiny, but fused down and will be stitched. It is sort of like putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Fun. 

Baby, One-Block Wonder, and a new Nativity

Last Sunday we went to a nearby forested area and I took a few pictures. I left my camera in hubby's car and he left Monday for a project in Portland, so my camera sat in a parking lot all week. That is my excuse for being a tad late with a post. But I am inspired by the roots of this tree, and the invitation to walk in those fallen leaves...

First an easy finish. I pulled a panel out of a drawer for some practice on the longarm. It is a cute "cheater" quilt and will find a home soon.

Second, that one-block challenge with all seams on the bias still hangs on the wall. Here is a glimpse of parts of it. I had hubby pick up the backing for it in Portland, thanks to the "order online and pickup in store" policy at Fabric Depot (love that store). I've got a few ideas how to quilt it, and also bought some blue crystals, at the suggestion of a friend.

Third, I'm at it again with a new Nativity quilt. This one is the results of so many requests for the pattern for this one. As you can see, it is just in the beginning stages, and is fussy work, but I love the color contrasts. This is part of the top of the design. More pictures later as it progresses.

Also making plans for November 14, a Saturday. I'm working with the Canadian Quilts of Valour group to host a 'sewing for soldiers' day using the large foyer at our church. We will be making tops only, so no quilting experience is necessary. People will bring their machines, some thread, and be prepared to cut, sew, press, and have fun. If anyone lives in Edmonton, AB and wants to come, post a comment with your email so I can send you more info. This isn't on their website yet, but hopefully soon. It is an amazing way to say thank you to our wounded military men and women, and to our veterans.