Tag Archives: HQSweet16

WIP Whoopsday - Mostly Cats

WIP Wednesdays, ,

I was perusing my Instagram feed to figure out what to post for WIP Wednesday, and it’s most pictures of me snuggling with Nina. While I’m happy to slather the internet with pictures of my cats, perhaps you’d be interested in this shot of my midarm studio area?

I finally hung my finished Favorite Things BOM! Sewing the sleeve on the back dragged on (as it usually does), but it’s now hanging joyfully behind my HQ Sweet 16 Cindy for inspiration.

I should have more to show next week since I will have done the first of three Christmases (my parents, ours, and my in-law’s) by the next WIP Wednesday!

Sunday Stash - All the Emojis

Sunday Stash, ,

GUYS! I quilted my first quilt on Cindy, my Sweet 16.  It was definitely a learning experience, as expected.

  • Learning 1: The lime green thread that doesn’t play well in Jan (the Janome) also doesn’t play well in Cindy. So even though I’ve been holding on to this stupid spool for three years, I’m just going to ditch it because it’s pretty much unusable. I’d love to say I’ll never buy this brand again, but the label fell off so now I can’t even curse it.
  • Learning 2: Rather than puddle the quilt in my lap and quilt front to back, on Cindy, it works better to quilt back to front so the quilting is always moving towards me; with the bigger table, more of the quilt is supported by the table than before. My inclination is also to go right to left so the quilt puddles on the right, which is unfortunate since I installed the extension to my table on the left. Ah well, I’ll get used to it.
  • Learning 3: Rolling up the quilt under the needle and folding it in on itself is not an effective way to keep cats off an in-progress work. In fact, it apparently makes a cozy kitty nest.

Yet still, it was a productive weekend. In addition to the Emoji quilt I finished (to be donated for community service), I also finished my class project sample from my time with Wendy Butler Berns.

The finished quilt is about 13×19″ or so.  The hearts are tacked on, along with the nest and egg, after quilting.  The birds are made with Texture Magic, and the branches are appliqued on in a method I had not done before (and doesn’t use fusible).  Check out Wendy’s Craftsy class to learn more (not an affiliate link, just a helpful pointer)!

  • Used this week: 5.5 yards
    • 1 yd for storage bag for Sparkling Gems
    • 0.75 yd for Textured Tweety quilt
    • 3.25 for Emoji Quilt
  • Used Year to Date: 276.25 yards
  • Added this week: 0 yard
    • Woohoo!
  • Net Used YTD: 164.5 yards
  • YTD Used for Charity: 104.75 yards (38% of total used)

See more stash reports at Patchwork Times!

WIP Wednesday - Sweet Quilting

WIP Wednesdays, ,

Over the weekend, my Sweet 16 was delivered, but I had to wait until my husband got home to carry the actual machine upstairs.  Apparently I am a delicate flower who chooses not to take chances lugging a (not inexpensive) 45 pound machine up a flight of stairs.  Once that happened, I got the machine set up and turned it on and…

Promptly didn’t touch it again for 2 days. I’m in the middle of a big old piecing project, so wanted to make progress on that. Also, my brain insisted that I might mess up the machine, or prove that I’m an idiot about free motion quilting, or perhaps it might explode if I turn it on again? Let’s be honest, my brain is an jerk that works against me sometimes.

Last night I took my laptop over to Cindy (her name, because my Janome 6600 is Jan and my Featherweight is Marcia), and decided to take the plunge and a) thread it and b) QUILT SOMETHING. My laptop was there to play the video on threading; turns out I didn’t need it!

Nina was there for moral support, and some mild judging.  Verdict is that it works great!  I have time booked at my LQS for my official one hour orientation, and have two small quilts ready to sandwich and quilt on it.

Smunday Stash: Potentially Challenging

Sunday Stash, , ,

This week I did some panicky sewing to make a skirt to wear at Sew Pro (which I forgot to take a picture of, of course), but I also ended up purchasing fabric at the AQS show in Chattanooga. And a HandiQuilter Sweet 16.

Let me just say that the bundle of 12 FQs was a little cheaper than the sewing machine, but I’m sure I’ll get pleasure out of both! It’s getting shipped out tomorrow, so I should have it in within the week.

You’ll learn a little more about the 12 FQs on an upcoming episode of The Stitch, which we’ll be filming on Saturday live at the Chattahoochee Evening Stars quilt show! We’re doing an “Ask Us Anything” episode again for one of the two we’re filming, so leave a comment here if you’ve got a burning question and Lynn & I.

I’ll be writing more about Sew Pro over on The Stitch TV Show site.

  • Used this 2 weeks: 1.5 yards
    • 1.5 yd for skirt
  • Used Year to Date: 242.75 yards
  • Added this 2 weeks: 5 yard
    • 5 yd assorted FQs and stash fabrics
  • Net Used YTD: 131.75 yards
  • YTD Used for Charity: 83 yards (34% of total used)

See more stash reports at Patchwork Times!