Nines & Hourglasses

Nine patch quilts are my favorite - scrappy nine patch quilts are even better. This perpetual UFO didn't deserve to be neglected for so long. My sister, Connie, and I each started this quilt years ago. In order to get more of a variety of fabrics for our nine patch blocks, we took turns making ten 3 inch nines from one fabric, keeping five and giving the others. The hourglass blocks we did ourselves. The quilt has an applique border of vines, flowers and leaves. I've had the blocks pieced into four sections for some time. Anyway, the center is now one piece waiting for the borders. I hope it doesn't wait too long.

Flimsy, Blocks and Cross Stitch

I finished a flimsy that I had worked on two retreats ago. One block was cut incorrectly, so I needed to make an extra and then finish the sashings and borders. This pattern was in a Fabric Trends magazine from last year. The colors shown in the magazine were not my cup of tea, but I think these fabrics chosen by my LQS clicked. Connie and Helen have finished their tops, also. At the last retreat Connie surprised us with a cup that looks like the fabrics in the quilt.

The watermelon blocks are now finished and need to have 78 (I think) seeds added to the red parts of the log cabins. Most of these were pieced at the last "Sleep At Home Retreat" in June.

The cross stitch piece I was working on is also done and framed. I've made this pattern several times for others, but this one I'm keeping.

I'll leave you with a few photos from those last two retreats.

Sewing Progress

Phew! I've been working on block 7 of The Civil War Tribute Quilt from Homestead Hearth. It's a very pretty block, but a bit challenging. It took lots of concentration (and a little frog stitching), but I'm very happy with the results. Now I only to make seven more just like it! What?



This morning I made a new clothespin bag. Jim's been asking me to make one for months. LOL I used this cute clothespin fabric from the repro section and lined it with bleached muslin. Hope it will last a tad longer than the dollar store one it replaces.



Finally, here are pillowcases I finished for Abby and Ian. Kari and Abby chose the fabrics from The Quilted Cottage when they were here for my niece's wedding on the 18th. They went in the mail today.