Retreat finishes - Clam Up Pouch

Last weekend I was away at the Modern Quilt Club retreat in the Leeds area. The second project I worked on was the Clam Up pouch which is a By Annie pattern.

I used a Tula Pink fabric for the outside and a Kona solid for the lining. This is the large size which me is fairly small. Probably not even big enough to fit a Terry's Chocolate orange.

Retreat finish - SCBU Mini quilt

This block from Me Time Delivered from was my Guild UFO challenge piece for November. I pieced the blocks on my embroidery machine before the retreat. Laid them out and pinned them into three rows ready to stitch together.

I was hoping for a quick finish and added a binding by machine on both sides. It was at this stage I realised how many things I hadn't packed - wonder clips, scissors and labels. I'd also left tooth paste behind but Alex came to the rescue.

I am not a lover of green and there was much teasing about how much green I'd used! However, it's complete and ready to donate to our local NICU. I donated seven other mini quilts before going on retreat to try and clear the decks.

Waypoint eight

 

I am still making Waypoint blocks to test @sariditty's new pattern. I have stitched eight blocks and have ten more to stitch at this weekend's retreat.  All of the blocks are now cut out and I have found a potential border print. I need to double check one more time that I have cut the right number of yellow stars and green stars. Then they can be packed way for Saturday's retreat project.

How to get the best out of your long armer

I have had a Handiquilter Avante for more than ten years and here are my top tips for getting th bet out of your longarmer.

1. Your backing should be 4" bigger than your quilt top on all or sides. This gives plenty of room for loading the quilt and using the horizontal clamps to keep the backing smooth. If there is insufficient backing, I will either decline to quilt your project or add borers to make the backing big enough which takes time and cost you money.

I now have the confidence to tell potential customers that I can't help them rather than risk damaging their project or my machine. I learnt that through experience!

2. Quilt tops and backings should be pressed and lightly starched. I advise using trouser hangers to keep the fabric crease free once prepped.

3. Get the best value for money by loading two quilts onto the same backing. By Annie recommends in her bag patterns to quilt more fabric backed with soft and stable so you have ready quilted fabric for more bags. I now use car interlining for the foam layer as it is better value for money

4. Whilst your quilt is being quilted, prepare your binding so it's ready to o once your quilt is quilted.

WIP Wednesday - waypoint

I am making progress on testing the Waypoint pattern for @sariditty. I have raided my stash for low volume background which are paired with yellow and green fabrics for the stars. I have sewn together four blocks and two more are in progress. I have worked out that I need a total of eighteen blocks for a quilt to donate to Quilts for Care Leavers.

I have a further seven blocks cut ready to sew at retreat in ten days' time and need to cut a further five blocks. I have some customer quilts in my queue at the moment so I can cut the blocks whilst my long arm is doing its thing.

Moda Blockheads 6

 

It has been a little windy here and a little difficult to get good photos. However, my Moda Blockheads 6 blocks are now quilted and bound and ready to donate to Quilts for Care Leavers next week. That will make a total of three to donate to Q4CL and I have our mini quilts to drop off to our hospital's NICU tomorrow.

I enjoyed making the blocks and combining the two different sizes of white spot on black fabrics worked. The purple block is too big for me compared with the other blocks, most of which are 9" square.

We have flu jabs today and a customer is dropping of some advent calendar panels and lap quilt for quilting today. Otherwise, I will be concentrating on stitching together some more test bocks for @sariditty.

Waypoint testing

I have made my first test block from the Waypoint pattern by @sariditty which is being released later this year. I am continuing to stash dive with more low volume prints paired with yellow and green fabrics. However, I realise that I have many low volume text prints which are directional and not suitable for this project.

My plan is to cut two blocks each day, stitch one and put the other aside to stitch at retreat in a week's time My long arm is all connected again so we need to add the pole when it's not raining outside and I'll be ready to quilt my Q4CL Moda Blockhead 6 project this weekend.