Cutting is done, layout has begun

I have settled on this palette of hexagons (6-1/2" on each side) for my colorwash quilt. 

I am not too sure about my first layout. This is as close to design wall as I get, the design mattress. As in any process, I am even questioning if I am going the right direction. Maybe light alternating with a dark hexis. I could rearrange them in an interpretation of a grandmother's flower garden.  

I really love that midnight blue color, I may incorporate more of that in this plan. 

Over the years, I have been more discriminating in my thrifted fabric purchases. Some of it isn't quilting quality, some aren't pretty prints, and some I have just lost interest, such as chintz and batiks.

As I use up my thrifted remnant stash, my focus will turn to buying fabric in collections. At first I skoffed at the prospect, but when I bought my first full collection of fabric, I was delighted. I have also learned that popular collections can sell out. 

Linking up with Jennifer at inquiringquilter for:

And Kelly at myquiltinfatuation for Needle & Thread Thursday. 

Ending this post with a Pattern of the Day, a 1969 Skater's outfit.

Gypsy Wife meets Jelly Roll

While I missed National Jelly Roll Day on September 21st of having a finished quilt, I had the germ of an idea for a quilt top. I had a couple of partial jelly rolls and completed quilt blocks in 12", 11", and 10".

This was the quilt that was beckoning me. I happened to have one extra day and I put my foot down and devoted the afternoon to sewing. This came together really fast. It is going to be a very pretty quilt. Mystery quilter should be proud of how I used her orphan blocks. 

In the Gypsy Wife quilt pattern, there are vertical strips of fabric, with the blocks offset from each other. 

My process on this was to sew together 6 strips from the jelly and then fit it to the 12" block. I made the 11" and 10" blocks 12". I really am rogue quilter and "wing it" when it comes to perfect measurements. I just take the strips and square them up after I sew them all together. As long as the blocks are squared up and the fabric squares up at the finish, I'm happy. 

I haven't checked my stash, but I may have to spring for some retail border fabric to complete this quilt top. 

Linking up with Kelly at www.myquiltinfatuation.com for:



Wendy at wendysquiltsandmore.blogspot.com for the~

Jennifer at www.inquiringquilter.com

Sewing Time Measured in Vinyl

Hello to my Russian audience, your views have overtaken my American ones. This has happened a few times before and I am not sure of the source but whoever loves me over there, mucho love back! 

Finally finished! My composition quilt aka art with fabric blog hop started in 2018. The inspiration was this 1954 Composition painting by Greta Freist. 

While my last quilt based on a painting was done in raw edge applique, I actually pieced this one. When I finished the first round of piecing, I had a decidedly long creation that was fit only for a wall hanging then made the decision to make it bed-sized. 

I used numerous colors of thread in matchstick quilting. 

I have also been loosely participating with the FB group, American Patchwork & Quilting in their UFO Challenge. At the beginning of the year, we listed a project per month we hoped to complete by year's end. I had originally intended to create another quilt based on a piece of abstract modern art, but I hadn't finished this one. So it became my number 10, posted for the month of June in the challenge. My first quilt completion for the year under this challenge. 

I measure my sewing time by vinyl length. When the record stops, it is a forced break to get up and flip the record over or put on a new one. If I have listened to one or more records, I know I have made progress. One of my fun finds was this 1976 recording of Disco Duck.

Magic of the thrift gods - another Marjorie Baer find of a necklace. The exact same Goodwill but months later. Couldn't believe my eyes that I found another of this San Francisco jewelry maker.

Reselling update: 5 more items were listed, including a twin-sized quit top. First test of a textile like this. If it sells as well as expected, I may have found my retirement business. 

I could do simple patchwork like this. It is pieced fabric in the center with large piano keys and green borders, then a repeat of the center. 

Here is a definite thrifting splurge, this Regulator 31-day clock. In my previous life, I collected clocks. I even had a cuckoo clock purchased in pieces restored. But back to this clock, I figured priced at $32.50 with a $10 discount coming, it was a buy. 

I think it was marked as missing parts because I think the key had slid deep into the clock. When I got it home, the key slid down and I was able to wind the chime. Funny enough, the moment I hung it on the wall, I noticed it was already set to the correct time. That meant previous owner must have wound the clock before donating it. I think you have to wind them once a week. 

While I had a major pep talk with myself over this purchase, I am delighted with it. She keeps perfect time and I love the sound of a wind-up clock. 

Linking up with Cynthia at quiltingismorefunthanhousework for:

Moving it forward Monday at emsscrapbag.blogspot.com.

Wednesday Wait Loss at www.inquiringquilter.com

Needle & Thread Thursday at www.myquiltinfatuation.com

And, Off the Wall Fridays at ninamariesayre.blogspot.com

Making it an even 100

I couldn't resist rounding off my post total for 2018 to an even 100.  

It means I can show you the progress I have made on the basket block quilt. I've made a few more test blocks, these are the best of the bunch. I have ordered some yardage in Cowgirl Country, denim floral by Sara Khammash, it really does "round up" the basket blocks. It is the border fabric in the left top block. 

I have committed to a UFO quilting challenge that will have me working, hopefully, on a different project each month. This schedule might pose a problem as some months I am not very "quilty." 

Linking up with Jennifer at:

On the sewing machine front, the vintage White I recently acquired needs a lug belt before I can test its capabilities. It has been ordered. I have the CAMs too, found on an auction site. 

I am also working today, doing very important legal business, accepting subpoenas on behalf of the department. I am still in pursuit of a permanent legal analyst position having accepted a limited term position two years ago. It did not go permanent, so I need to secure another job, whether it is with this department or another. 

It is my favorite time of year in the thrift stores, when cashmere *sings the word* sweaters begin to appear. This apparently brand new Charter Club argyle is one of three I have found in the past week.  

I haven't highlighted a Pattern of the Day in awhile, so here is one from my collection. 

Tunics from 1969
Would be called Boho now

Our trail cams are up and running again. It was hard to maintain them during our intense summer heat. We'll see what critters are crawling around the property. 

Stay tuned, looks to be a fun and interesting New Year!