Decisions, Decisions

It's always nice to have folks who can give me some ideas about finishing a block or quilt. (Just for the record, I've put away the center of my Talking Turkey wall hanging that I last asked about.  I'll pull it out later and see what needs to be done.  People seemed to like the lighter red and I did too so that's probably what I will use, eventually.)

Today's question has to do with this block I'm making for the quarterly BOM at Faithful Circle Quilters in Maryland.  I am fairly good at getting the monthly blocks done and sent up if I like the block.  I'm not so good with the quarterly opportunity blocks.  I had hoped to get this one done while Sharon was here but no such luck.  I'll see her in a couple of weeks so would like to have this one done so she can take it up.  I used a half of dresden plate I had left from a quilt I haven't worked on in months. (Note to self, need to finish this one up!)  I made up some more blades to make it a circle. I've picked my background fabric and it's time to get the center circle picked.  Sharon said I need two so here's what I came up with after she left.  Which do you like better? Dark center or medium center?  And, yes, they will be circles not folded up rectangles! 

OR

You can't tell but the bottom gold blade has a spider hanging near its web. Too cute for a fall colors block.  The object of this particular challenge was to use a specialty ruler... mine was the dresden ruler.  If you check back to Tuesday's post you can see Sharon's -- the two blocks with the fall colors -- one was the Rapid Fire Hunters Star and the other one I have no idea what the ruler was. 

Here's what's been visiting at our patio. He's big -- 5" or so long.  He's been back a couple of times recently too.  

I'm linking up with Can I Get a Whoop, Whoop? and Fabric Frenzy Friday.

Happy Quilting All! 

Stash Busting Report August - 2014

FINALLY!  I used more fabric than I acquired during the month of August.  In going over the year so far, I've had very few months where I used more fabric than I acquired.  Hopefully this trend will be continued.  

2014	Fabric In Month	Fabric in Year	Fabric Out Month	Fabric Out Year	Total In or Out Year
August	3.250	75.50	7.375	42.75	-29.50

I have 5 or 6 quilts in my closet waiting to be quilted and finished.  With the upgrade to Ruthie I hope to get several of these quilts loaded, quilted and then bound before the end of September.  I have a few quilts that I still need to figure out the backing but I know I have several that have the backing ready to go.  

Yesterday I got the last of the sashing on my Dresden basket quilt.  I don't want this too large so it may be done.  What do you think?  Does it need a border on it or does it look done at this point?

I'm thinking I'll use a black binding with it which should help to make it seem finished.  Opinions? Um, maybe not as I lose the cornerstones on the outside.  I'm not sure I like this. Do you think it needs a small border? If any, I'd think of about 1 1/2" finished.  The places I could hang it have fairly small quilt racks and I'm afraid the sides will droop if it is much bigger. 

So how about the same orange fabric? Um, or any color except the turquoise?  

I'm not sure I like that either.  I guess I need to do some thinking about this before I commit to anything.  Maybe the olive green.  I need to figure out the backing too.  The two or three pieces I tried were too small. I sure would like to use one piece of fabric for this!  But if need be, I can piece it.  So, share your thoughts in the comments.

Thanks for your opinions.  I've made a lot of progress on two of my goals for the week.  I am nearly ready to sew the last four rows of the mystery quilt together.  I purchased fabric for a small and large border this past month so I am good to get this quilt a top and off of the design wall! 

I'm steadily working on my sock which I showed before I ripped it all out. (See the horrible details here!) I'm trying to do a bit every night so it won't take so long to catch up to where I was.  I've got a plan for a UFO sweater and would like to start on it but don't want to until I have this pair of socks finished.  Fellow knitters -- Do you have any really good book for knit beanie-style caps that fit all head sizes from toddlers to adults?  I'm in the mood to use up some yarn stash and thought that might be a good way to do it.  Plus, Christmas is coming!  Thanks for your suggestions. 

Happy Quilting All! 

Design Wall Monday 7-28-14

Wait!  When did it get to be the end of July?  I could have sworn it was just the beginning of June! 

Here's what's on my design wall.  Now I need some opinions.  Do I set the blocks next to each other or do I sash?  And, what color do I use to sash.  I am totally out of the turquoise so that isn't an option. Um, but I have some of the lighter turquoise.  But the rest of the colors I should have enough to sash with.  And, any thoughts on borders?  This will be a wall quilt and my preferred hanging space can handle quilts up to about 36" so I probably can't do a lot of border and still be able to hang it there. I'm thinking of 1" finished sashing and then maybe the green for the binding which would act as a small border too... Please comment below and give me your opinions! 

1. I guess I am still working on one basket.  The turquoise center still needs to be stitched down. 

2. This is how I started. The colors really change the tone of the quilt.  I'm definite I want sashing now. 

3. Turquoise but that is all I have of this fabric.

4. Lots of yellow but not used in the baskets.

5. Orange and lots of it. I also have the two other oranges. 

6. Purple.. The other purples were scraps from my collection. 

7. Green more than enough to sash with. 

So help me out here.  I'm shocked surprised at what a difference the sashing makes.  Now some help on coloring.  Please leave a comment on my quandary! 
On to my goals.  Surprisingly I did a pretty good job on my goals this last week!  Woot! Woot!

Week of July 21, 2014

Make the Rainbow Color Challenge Block – red  √ sewing units together as my ender.

Finish the fish quilt (quilt and bind!)√

Get all handles on Dresden baskets√

Make backing for charity quilt √ and quilted it

Continue making star blocks from mystery√

Make a Snowman decoration at Diana’s√

Make the 3 yards, 3 baby quilts moved to this week!

Now this week -- I'll be tied up away from the studio three days so I won't be getting as much done as last week but I hope to make progress on this list.

Week of July 28, 2014

Shop Hopping!

Bind the charity quilt

Finish making star blocks from mystery

Make the 3 yards, 3 baby quilts

Tea Group and Alumni Event

Decide and work on Dresden Baskets

Work on next row by row block/s

Find and work on the Disappearing Star blocks

I'm linking up with Patchwork Times.   

That's it for today.  Happy Quilting All!