A birthday quilt: log cabin quilt final step

Finally, the {log cabin quilt} is completed! It started in July 2012 and took 8 months to made it all together. It is not a difficult quilt to make, but I think that's the turn out for most of the quilts I made. I take time to make them and let them sat for a little time.  If you check on the {Flickr} you could see the process photos. Documenting each quilt's process from the beginning of fabric pulling, pattern designing, piecing blocks, more piecing, looking for backing fabric, quilting pattern, then last to the binding fabric. Quilters are busy, but surely enjoy all these decision makings, chatting about the new quilts, rewarding self with a good movie along with sewing and maybe a cup of tea and lots sweets. 

The original plan was have this quilt done before October 2012 and it was planned to be a birthday quilt to myself. It might sound a bit strange to make a birthday quilt to myself. Even though there are many quilts {here} are being loved and used each day, but none of these are for {Chase}. They are family quilts that we share together and rotate throughout the years.

Early on there were few {layouts} that I played around then I took everyone's suggestion on the barn raising layout and the quilt really turn out very sweet {me}. There are 7 different low value prints contrast dark value prints which made this quilt special.  I used up most of my favorite prints that time for this quilt and the dark blue/ retro look stands out its own and that's how I feel being 34, bold and calm{when I can}. Each print is cut in 1.5" wide and roughly 1/2 yard of each prints.

I look forward being 34 when I just turn 30. At that time, it took me a year to prepared graduate school portfolio. I didn't think I would make to any school or able to take care of S and going to school at the same time. However, I got accepted into two schools at the time, but I decided to come to N.D. With all the wavier and graduate teaching assistantship opportunity offer we were able to live and start a simple life.

Before we made our journey to ND,  I math in my head when I will graduate and how old I will be; 34 is the age. To be very honest, I felt 34 is so old at that time, but today I feel perfect being 34.  Graduate school surely taught me a lot more than academically. It also involved real world task, social connections, and a must is stands out for our own work and defense for it. 

In past three years, I gained..............

-  much more gray hair and that worries S a bit. There were Friday nights that I felt asleep on the couch and miss S was trying to pull my gray hair out. ouch.. yes! that woke me up..

-  much more confidence in myself that I will received the degree soon { in a week to have the show up and have my last review}.

- much trust in the friendship that built over the years and hope these friendship remain even after we move away.

- much new hobbies such as collection dishes, sewing pins, and much more... cook books are one of them..

- much fabric stashes.. of course.. a must for a sewer/ quilter. It is always what I buy for myself for birthdays, Christmas, Mother's days... S' birthdays..

- much close relationship with my sister who have been another great supporter throughout my grad study. We skype weekly and she is the the one that I can just {talk} to any little thing.. yes, included S pulling my hair..

- many new friendships via {1/4" mark} and {Flickr} that never reached my head that you come here read, comment, sending emails,  share your stories with me, watch out little S's growth...

- much more comfortable to live what we have and own! Simple and enjoy little things that's happen in our life!

- much respect to miss S for being a kind and sweet girl who has been always the cheerleader and supporter of mine! Thank her allow me to grow and learn to be an cool awesome mama. 

- a respectful citizenship in the new country, which I still am not sure how to introduce myself

so on..

34 is perfect age that I finally feel that I am able to handle events in positive and negative. I hope to keep this post and to remember why 34 is a great year to myself .  When S' turns 34, I will pass this quilt to her and she'll have access to read this post. At that time I will be 59.. closed to 60.. I will make a 60th birthday to myself, but before that I sure many more quilts will be made, loved, and used. I think that's a  good cause of making quilts. It contains stories, love, moments, time, and families as well. I am half way through being 34 and looking forward 35 to arrived!


About the Quilt-

Quilt Pattern: Log Cabin;  BIG book of Scraps Quilts: log cabin diagram
Fabric cuts: 1/2 yards for each fabric print cuts.
Binding: DS Fabric for Joann
Backing: DS fabric for Joann
Quilting: Hand-quilting throughout the entire quilt. The center was quilted 1/4" apart. Then I went with 1/4" away from the seam allowance.
Quilt size: 66"x66"

xxc

Log Cabin Mini Quilt

Hand-quilting on this mini quilt went fast! I quilted 1/4" away from the sewing seams, really simple! It turns out sweet! I have two more {log cabin} blocks still and set them with other blocks for my kitchen sink quilt!

For the backing, I had the idea of keeping the same backing print as of the {log cabin} quilt that I am still working on, but was thinking additional something else. I made a small log cabin paper piecing design. It is finished at 4"x4".

The obsession of  hand-quilting has been growing in me for last few years. It has been a goal to do more hand-quilting when the time allows and the project isn't complex. The batting is 100% warm and natural cotton batting. I must admitted it hurts my fingers and they get sore after awhile. However, hand-quilting worth all the time and effort! I also used polyester dawn batting for other hand-quilting projects which is way much easier on the fingers. I think it is personal preference about which batting for quilts! What type of batting do you use?

When quilting by hands, I don't worry too much of the perfectness, but always have an idea of collecting time while I was working by hands! When the piece is finished; it collects the moments and time with in the quilt. That's the value of the quilt that I see myself.

Backing,  I always curious about quilt backings... It gives more than one look! When I visit quilting blogs I always wish there are backing photo as well!

 Do you like making mini quilts? I do! I dream to own a wall of mini quilts someday!

 and now, they are living in the pin board.. a little crowd, but they make the room cozy and bright!

xxC

w.i.p. : Mini Quilt

After the {Wednesday's accidents} I cleaned up the sewing room floor; taped the cores with masking tape and unplug the iron when I am not in use. I learn my big lesson... I have bruises on the right side of the leg, but I am doing good! Just sore...

Remember the {log cabin mini} that I made from the last four {log cabin} patches? It has been hanging in the pin board for awhile now. Last night, I made a 4"x4" log cabin paper piecing design for the backing. It turns out really cute! I plan on hand quilting it while S' in music lessons, so I can have some hands on work with me.

Weekending is almost here...

xxC

Random: Ahead, sew!

It is getting harder to photograph during the later afternoons/early evenings.  We are in the {winter warning} till tomorrow morning and expecting 6" or more snow!?  We might need our snow coat, boots, and all the winter gears tomorrow morning. The wind is blowing really strong as the windows are making the sounds and on the other side of the room that someone is sounded in asleep!  Part of the reason that I love Fall and winter is that S doesn't question going to bed early, since it gets dark around 7p.m. here.  I am slowly working on the {Log cabin} quilt. I quilt  half an hour during the nights. I feel a bigger loop is needed, but  think a trip to IKEA might be better! I used  two of IKEA'S {VIKA ARTUR} for my hand quilting frame in my school studio. I'd love to write more about this later.  The only concern is we have a very small place here, so might not able to have additional quilting frame tool at home.  Plus a super messy sewing space!  S and I decided to work together this weekending... Our goal is clean up our space!

No sure if you can see from this photo. I hand-quilted the center piece 1/4" apart.  The texture of hand-quilting is very soft! For the first time, I didn't used white quilting thread. I went for Gutermann quilting thread {CA02776}. It is almost a light blue gray thread.

I stood up late again and finished seven {dumplings} exterior pieces and ordered zippers today.....hope they will arrive soon! I plan on scale up the pattern and make larger version. My sister has been asking for a makeup pouch since last year I visited home. It is scary to check my over due promises list. 

Finally, Finally... I ordered Anna's {241 Tote pattern}. I read through the file after I download it! It is a great and easy following pattern.  Have you seen {Elnora's 241 tote}. It is super cute!! I can't wait to get mine made and carry it with me! I think my sister might like one, too. 

Stay up late at night isn't my strength anymore! I blame on the dark coffee that I have been drinking lately! I slept through the alarm this morning then jump up when I saw the light came in the room.  I have try to be a little healthier, but I think coffee at 3p.m. isn't ideal... I might needed to get some afternoon tea instead! When I used to live in New York,  I used to  have tea break at 3p.m. with a gentleman from England whom rented a studio space from my boss. That was the first time I try tea with cream and was a new experience for me!  I think the same of the tea was earl gray.




xxC 

Random: Scraps are in

The scrap quilt is coming slowly, but gradually ! I hung them on the pin board, so I can see them {together}.  It would be great to seem them come together as a piece, but now they are hanging there.  The collective mini quilt between me and S still not completed. She decided to let me take over the embroidery part. The mini quilt has been hanging on pin board since school started. I needed to revisit it once the craziness is slowing down.

These six log cabin blocks didn't make it to the quilt. Not even the backing and  I kept it aside. I set them with my kitchen sink quilt blocks together, but decided to pull four blocks out this morning.

After assembling these four blocks.... maybe a tote? a pillow case? a placemat? a small table topper?
Maybe a mini quilt for Kiki, the hippo.

xxC 

Random: me in action

Hand-quilting is relaxing, but  I am not sure how long will this quilt take me.....

xxC

Radom: Satisfactory

My satisfactory....

xxC

Random: Log Cabin Step 3

 Light and Dark 

 Zig-Zag

 Field &Furrows

Barn Raising 

I managed four layouts for the {Log Cabin Quilt}. Do  you see one layout turns out better than the other ones? I'd love to hear from you.. 

xxC

Random: Log cabin step two

The sun is shining. The wind is gentle.  The windows are open again. Dear S is reading. The hood is quiet again! The basket is empty with cut fabric, but now storing  100 blocks of log cabin block. I made extra 5 blocks! I am thinking.. thinking of my backing.... something simple...

xxC

W.I.P. : log cabin

 { light value gathering}

{dark value gathering}

Last night I posted these two photos on my Flickr and asked everyone which value gathering is better. After reading a few comments I realized that I will get these two values either way as I place them. I must not thinking clear when I posted.  I have finished 26 blocks and have another 74 blocks to go!  What do you think? I have a few log cabin books and realized there are so many possibilities with this quilt block!

It is a great feeling that I am getting back to the swing of things and getting our home together and enjoy the cooler temperature along with great movies and sewing projects. I will be destashing some of fabric in next couple of days. Please come back and check them out!  As I am approaching the last year of schooling, I am also thinking about moving and reduce the moving boxes that we might have. Two years ago, I had 12 boxes of fabric, tools, and material etc. I hope I am not over exceed 20 boxes this time. Each year, we seemed to gain more household items and my studio at home is full of goodies that I bough back from trips or sent by friends.  It is scare to think that we'll be moving in 10 months and we aren't sure where we will be at this point. However, I really enjoy each day that I am home sewing and make plans for the time being. I think I sounded a little worry! I will be focus in school once it starts { in 2 weeks}. I think blogging will be a once or twice a week event for me to share with some fun sewing projects and some of our weekending events. 

This coming week I have a big job to do besides sewings! I must fill in my citizenship application form {It is my incoming week goal}. It has been delay for 3 years now! I am just not that focus on applying the citizenship. It is 20 pages long and lots information involved from past 5 years. On the other hand, I won't need to think about it anymore. Wish me good luck and no mistake that will be made! 

Off more photo taking and sewing more.. 

xxC