Slow Progress

When I decided to reorganize my sewing room, I decided it was also time to get all the bags/boxes of scraps out in the open and start working on them. After I made four big blocks (from scrap strips I had in a container) for a workshop I am teaching this month, I pulled out a bag of scraps and sorted them last night. I did get some cutting of pieces last night and this morning. I have a start, at least, on decreasing the number of scrap bags. The next bag to tackle is one of the bigger ones that I am tripping over on my route around the table on the way to my sewing machine.

The second picture is of some of the bags. There are a couple more bags around the corner. Over by the closet door are four boxes, also of scraps, but one box is 5 inch charm squares that quilt friends gave me for my 50th birthday. Each person gave me 50 squares, some of them were duplicates, and some were actually all charm squares, each square from a different fabric. I have been thinking about these squares for years trying to decide what I want to make with them. I haven't hit on that solution yet, but I have played with them several times hoping they would give me an idea.

The third picture is of a baby quilt I put together from a pattern a friend gave me just before the reorg happened. It uses 6 fat quarters, and you use all of each fat quarter. Now I must decide on a border treatment. Any suggestions? I cut fat quarters from each of the fabrics I used, so I have a little of some of the fabrics left. I don't think I have enough of any particular fabric which would be enough to make a border all around the quilt. The blocks are 15 inches square. I think this is big for a baby quilt, but it could be a small bed quilt for a toddler.

I am making progress on my sewing room reorganization, but it is slow. I keep getting distracted when I find little treasures, like a bag of teddy bear blocks in blues and reds. These were made by one of the teachers I worked with. She was giving away all her fabric, and even a Singer Featherweight sewing machine. She had so many projects in the UFO stage. I have finished a couple of them. While opening bags and boxes during my reorg, I found a bag containing five finished blocks, and some additional fabric to make five more blocks. I want to finish these. I think it would be a cute quilt for the new baby (a boy we are told).

The other day I found a bag wedged between the wall and a bookcase full of fabric. This is also where I store my round quilting frames. I pulled the bag out and there were two quilt tops inside the bag. I have no recollection as to where I obtained these two quilts. They are both made with solid fabrics. One is yellow and white, and the other is pink, red and white. I will get pictures of them and post them at a later date.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July. If you celebrate this holiday, have a safe and sane one. I will be spending part of the day at Ardenwood Farms working with other guild members. We do exhibit quilting at the Farm on holiday/festival weekends. We set up frames and tie Community Quilts, sell tickets on our opportunity quilt (which by the way is gorgeous), and offer a childrens' table where the kids can make paper quilts. That is a very happening place. The kids really like making their own quilt. They can take it home with them. Parents tell us on return visits that this is what their children remember most about their trip to the historic farm.

Happy Quilting