Swift May

may 31, 2017

Last Day of May? I haven't had time to sit down today to write the post before June arrives and now, before intercom buzz I am sitting down with a big glass of water.  I don't have much finish patchwork, but lots work in progress {most of them are waiting for supplies/parts to arrive}. I've also playing a new sewing toy lately, but I'll save it for next post or so. The #cornfieldquilt is coming along really well. I tried to make two blocks a day, but it didn't happen throughout the weeks. It seems like I could only committed to make 4 a week now and sometimes 2, rather than 7 ( and that was the goal). I am hoping to make time and get 16 small blocks into one large patchwork soon! That would really help me to visually to see the quilt top scale and how the arrangement turns out! This will be a heavy quilt, can you tell with all the seams?

Over the long and rainy weekend, I made a rhubarb cheese cake, the best! It was such a trouble finding rhubarb around the grocery stores here. It was always the easiest ingredient for me to get while lived in Midwest. My friends grow rhubarbs in the their yards and I could always ask them if I could pick some and take home!  Oh, it is not the same around the city! I had travelled far away to find them and some grocery store didn't know about it? I found them at the Union square's farmer's market and got a good two pounds of them to take home. I used one pound for the cake and freeze the another pound. I would like to get another two pounds next time when I travel to the city. Rhubarb strawberry crumble just sounds so delicious at the moment, serves in warm with a scoop or two ice cream, yum!

I made a {Travel Outbound Bag} for my sister's upcoming birthday. The pocket print (Heather Ross fabric) was a gift sent from a kindly friend in early April and I had to made the bag right away. I think my sister will love it! It is really her colors and she'll be able to put pouches that made for her, her big planner book and mini iPad and little notes that she likes to wrote on recycled papers.  She will be able travel back to her room with one bag and not hundreds of items in her arms. I plan to stuff  few little gifts inside the bag, so she can find surprises within each pocket.

This week has been spring cleaning week around here. The workroom has been tidy up a little already and also made a list of supplies that needs to replenish soon. I've also been busy getting the apartment tidy as Julie and Peter will be here for a short visit. As there isn't a guest room for our friends, S is kindly offer her room for them and she will be staying in the workroom where the floor is just big enough for a twin size mattress. I just need to keep my eye out and not letting more sewing pins drop on the floor; keep her safe.  I made two pillow cases for them, new clean vintage sheets and just needed get quilts out for them to use while they are here. They've just text, they'll across the G. Washington Bridge... 

...............they are here... 
(post never hit the publish button) that day.. 


June 4th, 2017

 Lower East Side Tenement Museum 

 National September 11 Memorial & Museum 

 Roosevelt Tramway

 Central Part

 Time Square

 Citi Filed 

The time was fabulous together! We visited a few places together and got on the Roosevelt Tramway where we were above the East River and moving towards to Upper East side. We walked a few Avenues over to the Central Park and stopped for New York Style Bagel, yum!

On the Friday night, we made it to our very first ball game ever! It was a lot fun and new experience. Best to that was the free t-shirt Friday, so we each got a little souvenir to bring home. The night was rather chilly, but watching the ballgame from the upper bleacher with big crowd of people really warm up the soul and the cheering for the team made everything just twice fun and laugh!


Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd;
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack, 
I don't care if I never get back.
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win, it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game.


The time together always went fast and quick!  I had wished they could stay a few extra days, but they had plan on visiting relatives in New England area and more road-tripping for them. Saying goodbye is always hard,since we never know when we'd see each other again. But when we meet again, there is never a distance between the deep root friendships, cheers!

Scrolling down to the last bit of the post photo, you've probably have already guessed! Julie bought these feedsack fabrics in a Missouri Antique shop, for me! These are just really lovely colors in person and needed a gentle cycle of wash soon! I know that I'll getting back to use feedsack fabrics soon! Another appliqué bouquet or little patchwork making?

Julie and I always have so much to catch up about our plans and ideas about things ahead of us. Talks of parenting, talks of trips, talks of food and gardens and much more. Showing her the workroom and now she has good idea what the workroom space is like. She was amazed how small the place is and fitted all things in one room and of course she loves going through the stashes and seeing projects that she hasn't seen since last year. Julie was so happy to see the Farmer's Wife quilt top  as she would get a photo from me weekly on the progress of the blocks last year.

It is hard just type few words out for this special visit that they made to see us, not just friends, but family to us.  I am truly thankful for our Iowa family where here to check us out!

Our weekend also involved a trip to Bookcon in Javits Center. It was such a treat for S from Lisa who kindly sent the tickets to us. We were able to see what new books coming in the Fall and sitting in the panels with authors and getting to know their process of writing books and how they ship characters together... thank you, Lisa

Shop talk-
Thank you for checking out {Forest Hill Embroidery Pattern+ knit bag sewing}. It is a really great pattern to write and I really enjoy getting it out for you. Also thanks to you whom took time to send me Thank you messages and emails about {squares in square template pattern}. Oh, there's close to 800 of downloads, enjoy making them. I'll be making mini version of them here!

It has been a full and accomplished week around here! This time, I am having a little leftover coffee while write the post. Getting it ready and hit the publish button this time!  I'll need to head out soon and get a few wing nut to secure  the carriage bolts, so the sewing machine is not moving dramatically as it got speed up. It has been a minor issue lately and trouble some on some projects.

more soon!


xxc








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Ocean Wave Quilt in Scrappy Style + quick tutorial

It surely feels great when the last seam allowance was press and quilt top carefully iron out before fold up for photo day! This quilt might had been the quilt that I spent most hours and making good square trimmings. Gosh, it is ready to being quilted, any day now!  I also wrote a quick tutorial for you, if you would like to make one! 

There are total of 30 large Patchwork Blocks to make this quilt top. So the layout is 5x6. It is a closed to a queen size quilt and barely fit to the living room floor here.    

I chose using versatile and bold prints for the darker value prints; 80% of the prints are used from {Suzuko Koseki} prints, one of my favorite Japanese textile designer. The other 20% of the prints are used from last bit of older prints that have saved from years of sewing and also added a few new prints that I purchased earlier this year.

For the low value prints, I used 50% of Kona Snow (from Robert Kaufman) and low value prints that has smaller scale prints on. So, it gives some nice contrast as a whole.

The challengs of making this quilt I'd say were the time, patience, and determination. 

Time: This quilt started August 2016, but really started cutting and making efforts of making was last October. When the weather was cooler and I was able to stay time in the workroom for longer hours. Soon after that, it became a Snow Day project! It was just that perfect for the Snow Day, slow process. I was able to keep on sewing and making more HSTs during snow days.

Patience:  In the earlier quilting years, it seemed so important to start a quilt on the weekend and finish it on following weekend. Oh, it was surely fun and lots sacrifices, too! Lack of sleeps because I was young, quick dinner meals because mama has to get back to finish the quilt and poorly assemble/sewing jobs after all, live and learn!

This quilt really made me to take time to process every little step of making. Carefully cutting squares (good squares), accurate 1/4" seam allowance sewing ( it is very important if it calls that for seam allowance), HSTs (half square triangles) trimming is so time consuming (good trimming brings happy dance when it comes assembling). Matching seam allowance sewing ( for nice nice triangles outlook).

I preferred making small amount of cutting at a time for making a quilt, so I won't overwhelmed myself. I also do step by step job; cutting in one day, sewing in one day, pressing seams in one day, trimming in one day. Assembling in another day. It makes easier for me and allows me to work on other projects as well.

Determination:  This is probably the most challenge aspect in quilting for me over the years! That result many W.I.P ( work in progress) quilts, unfinished quilt tops, distract to new directions then end with many fabrics that might not work for the new projects over the time.

When I first started the idea of making an ocean wave quilt, just a few block to start with. I didn't plan on if I'd make a full version of it. I actually had plan on making a mini quilt instead. Then I though if I scale up wouldn't that be so fun? I knew the challenges that I mentioned (time, patience, determination) would come to me. Then I started to organized how can I make the quilt without feeling overwhelmed.  I planned once a week I would work on this quilt and little by little the time it will come together; step by step.

I wasn't going to give up making this quilt, but maybe impatience towards to the end; honest talk!

The assembling came really quick and probably is another favorite step in quilting for me. Especially when the seams are nicely match together!

I stopped working on the sewing when it is time ( dinner time, rest time, off accuracy moments). I took finished Patchwork Blocks to the ironing board then start press seams in the back. Sometimes, I have 3 large Patchwork Blocks finished for the day, sometimes 5, and sometimes just one! Never too little to call for a good accomplishment for the day!

The most pretty and surprise of the quilt is the pixelate look for the entire quilt. The versatile colors and the low values are nicely pieced together!

The last 7 Large Patchwork Blocks were harder to finish up. I ran out HSTs, a few hundred of them. Then I stepped away for a few weeks before started pulling out fabrics and repeated cutting, sewing, trimming, and pressing. I found good joy for the repetitive making process because it will be a worth all after it is all put together and use!

Unlike the other Ocean Wave Quilt that used flipped corners, I went with squares and HSTs process. Which means extra time and extra steps, but wroth every bit of that! 

Here is a quick and simple tutorial for you! You can decided on the color themes, making a big or small quilt. A mini quilt sounds really good to make! I'd make four patchwork units for a mini quilt, so that finished at 16"x16", fairly nice size for a quilt.  

You can download the quick tutorial images from the blog post and print it out!

If you make one, please tag me over on Instagram. I love see your scrappy style ocean wave quilt!  

@quarterinchmark 

Enjoy

xxc 

the birthday quilt

This is the 12th birthday quilt . I made it just a day before the new birthday arrived.  It has taken almost a year to finish and gift. The first few months were about collecting the fabrics that I had in mind for this quilt then I didn't plan the quilt size well, so ran short on a couple prints. I've gone back to the fabric store for more yardage cuts, but a couple prints were sold out by them. I had a little bit hesitation for changing color, the blue print was the second choice. But I went ahead and used it and though it turned out to be a nice breaking color, such a nice fresh add on! 

There are a couple music sheet prints I have used for this quilt as music has always been big part for S. Whenever I see a good music sheet fabric print, I like to purchase a half yard and collect them. A couple prints were from our trips to Japan last couple visits and have been saving for, as always! 

This quilt is quite different from other quilts that I made for her. It is a nice soft pastel combinations. Something soft, original, and fresh to speak! I've been thinking that in this upcoming time will be more noise in the change of learning new self and finding new paths of who she is. 

Maybe a quiet quilt that to represent a time that she could be think of something be thankful,  time to be quiet, life to be spontaneous, and speak with calm and generous...   

The quilt measured at 88"x84". It is considered a large quilt to machine quilt at home for me. It was taken a good 7 fully winded bobbins, one broken needle, and on small finger cut (ouch)! It always a joy and maybe feeling more proud to have another handmade birthday gift to be ready and being cuddle from time to time. 

The backing print is used a large music sheet print ( 2 yards) that I've had for years and pieced with the remaining fabrics from the quilt top then added few other prints that would go well with it.  I tried not to worry about the backing so much for this quilt. The randomness is just a nice call for it. Using fabrics that I have instead of acquire more for the backing is a big saving. 

The binding is used gingham print that I've been using for a couple of quilts now. I really like the classic finish look quilt. You might not know, but I like my binding a little narrower, so I cut 2" wide for most of my quilt bindings.  

I have been thinking so hard for the first teen birthday quilt ideas. Nothing spark my mind still. 

I knew it would be something simple, random, and loving! 

Meanwhile here are the previous birthday quilts that I made: 

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

2010 

xxc 

Random: Do things with great love

 #1 Ready and set! Backing fabric is still in search at this moment! Something like this {print}, so could add on a few appliqué pieces and create a quilt label, but I would like to use from my stash! It is not so difficult, but the challenging part is to apart some of favorite prints. The quilt pattern is by Jen Kingwell and pattern could be found in Quilt mania Spring 2015 issue and believed it will be a printed pattern soon. Check on the  #mysmallworldqal quilt along information from {verykerryberry}; great sewing tips and Kerry shared different sewing methods in each of the part post.

 #2 The collaborated mini quilt is completed and hung on the wall! The mini is hard to push forward. I set up a little goal each day and made few stitches from here and there. The hand-quilting is perfect for this quilt and the texture from the hand-quilting really is nice!  The quilt label is done within the quilt top and made it cohesively look as part of the quilt top.

** A wall of S minis!

 #3 Sashiko stitch sampler; Perfect for the summer basket tote! Cover up all the little essentials inside! A bit privacy for the basket tote contents! At this moment, not much inside, a few books from the summer that didn't get bring out! The sampler was purchased from {Pulo Soho} during my last summer visit.

 #4 Homemade Rasin scones; always need these homemade sweets for the bitter cold winter days! One gone missing before the door bell rang! It was me, had to taste it!

 #5 Alphabet sampler: the frame was purchased from IKEA. It was the first finished from the {eleven patchwork things}. Perhaps the spacing from the four sides could be wider?!

 #6  Welcome Sampler: A few oopsy-daisy..... the frame also purchased from our short stop from  IKEA.

 Maybe.. at some point, they will get hang up!

#7 Helpless detouring! You probably guess it right, I rewarded myself a slightly detouring making some fresh patchwork pieces. It felt really deserving! Kept one for myself, two shipped out, and one in the {shop}.

 #8 Patchworker always saves every bit of pieces! All these pieces were saved from the My Small World Quilt and it is in the {shop}.

#9 New hand crafted patchworks in the {shop} and a quick preview post is coming soon!  Half of the patchwork pieces from the basket has made their way to the shop!

 #10 Daffodil: That time of the year again?!  Took me 10 minutes standing in from of the floral section; should I bring daffodil plant or daffodil bunch home? Decision was made after seeing everyone placed the plant in the shopping cart. oh well!

 #11 The quilt top is ready! I had wished to push a little forward to completed the quilt and bound it before sharing here! The truth is, I can't wait to share! I used to avoid looking back all the fabrics that I have had. But I have much appreciation of these prints! This quilt top is around 45"x45"!

#12 Writing; This year is a serious of writing and journaling by pens and hands. I joined Midori Traverler Book journaling after a year of admiring these travelers around the world. They've encouraged me to follow along this new journaling path! Helping me to remember the life pace in the authentic way and  I've been finding it is such rewarding!

Today I will take a day or two off from the w.i.p. and start a few new projects! I ordered this {book} and anxious the doorbell ring anytime today!

xxc