Sunday, January 22, 2017

First Finish of the Year & A Little Applique


I don't normally machine sew in the evenings but this week I did on several projects.

One project was quilting the Postage Stamp quilt. After she was finished, I took her outside for the pictures in the lovely sunshine but had problems with the wind. 


Then I spied a trellis in the flower bed. This works!

The binding was left over from another quilt. There is about 18" left, into the strips box it goes!






Of course the backing is from my mother's stash, a pale lavender. For someone who didn't like purple or lavender, she sure did have a lot of that color.

I quilted this crib quilt with a spiral. Kind of lost the curve on the one end, but, oh well. She measures 40-1/2" by 50-1/2". I'm keeping this one for myself. There are 1200 squares in the center.


Since I was machine sewing in the evenings, I didn't get as much applique completed as I normally do. I do have the main part of the vase completed.





I'm slowly adding the stems to the flower buds. Maybe next Sunday I'll have this block finished.


I have a new tool. I've purchased an Ott light with a magnifying glass. 

I've had excellent lighting in my corner all these years
but I've been experiencing eye strain with all my evening applique. The black thread on black fabric is hard on my eyes. 

The light and magnifying glass can be on a stand or it can be screwed onto the side of an end table. I tried it on the stand, but the magnifying glass was too high. We screwed onto the end table, perfect height. I'll let you know my critique after I've used it a month. They were on sale at JoAnn Fabrics last week, 60% off. I don't know how long the sale lasts, I gave the sale brochure away.

Linking up to  Kathy's Slow Sunday StitchingQuilting is More Fun than Housework, Em's Scrapbag, Love Laugh Quilt, Fiber TuesdayEsther's Wednesday WOW!, Sew Fresh Quilts, WIP'S With FriendsMy Quilt Infatuation, Finished Or Not FridayCrazy Mom Quilts, Confessions of a Fabric Addict

30 comments:

Deb A said...

I love my OTT light- it lives right by my recliner at night. Your quilt is just lovely - love the scrappy binding on it.

The Cozy Quilter said...

I have an Ott light by my sewing machine...it really helps! Sewing with black thread on black material is very challenging! Love your postage stamp quilt...I'm sure I have enough fabric in my stash to make one or two of those!

CathieJ said...

I love that Ott light with magnifier. Your quilt and blocks are very pretty.

Kaelyn Angelfoot said...

Lovely applique! I have a few ott lights scattered around the house. I also have a LED lit magnifier that I adore even more that the Ott Light. It has 20 superbright LEDS surrounding the magnifying glass. I hope your new light helps!

Mary said...

I've been thinking about getting a similar light and will be interested in hearing how you like it. A postage stamp quilt is on my bucket list!

Quilter Kathy said...

A fabulous finish! Love that scrappy binding!
I'll be interested to hear what you think about the light... I think it's time for me to get something stronger!

Gretchen Weaver said...

I didn't get this lamp for the light, it was for the magnifier. The magnifier also has a ring of lights so it shines directly on the applique. It is going to take some time to get used to, it really magnifies! I think a month is a fair test of time.

Gretchen Weaver said...

I think it will take some time to get used to the magnifier. I will definitely let you all know my opinion.

Gretchen Weaver said...

The magnifier has lights on it, I suppose they are LED. I wasn't paying attention and the first time I turned them on, the magnifier was facing up and I was blinded! Lesson learned the hard way.

Gretchen Weaver said...

I'm always happy when I can use something from another project. I thought of this binding immediately when I was thinking about bindings.

Gretchen Weaver said...

I have several OTT light scattered throughout the house. I use one by my sewing machine too. The lights in the sewing machines just aren't placed where they should be, at least my machine's isn't. It shines just to the left side of the foot, not on the foot itself.

Tanya Quilts in CO said...

Your postage stamp quilt is lovely and the scrappy binding is perfect for it. Great job with the quilting of it!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

A postage stamp quilt is on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing yours with Oh Scrap!

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Love that Postage Stamp quilt! Especially the binding. I am going to play with one. That is a nice ott lamp it will be interesting to see if it works. Your applique is coming along!

maggie fellow said...

that is a lot of squares but so worth it.

em's scrapbag said...

Your postage stamp quilt is fabulous! Enjoy your Ott light!

Carrolyn V said...

I love your postage stamp quilt and am inspired! Binding it in scraps just enriches and furthers the scrap theme. Love it! And thank you for reviewing the lamp. I have looked at it so often.....hmmmmmmmmm........And thank you too for keeping politics out of your wonderful blog. Some of the blogs I have enjoyed have seemed to find it necessary to comment on the nasty, horrible election period we have just had. It makes me no longer able to follow those blogs. I want blogs to share in the beauty of our craft....not the negativity of people's souls.

Gretchen Weaver said...

Thank you for your kind comments. There is too much unkindness in the world and I try to keep it out of my posts. Blessings!

Gretchen Weaver said...

Most of the binding was leftover from the pinwheel crib quilts I made last spring. I just had to cut a few more strips. I really like it when I can use up what I have on hand.

Gretchen Weaver said...

Thank you. The binding was leftover from another project and was perfect for this quilt. Blessings!

TheEclecticAbuela said...

Your postage stamp is wonderful!

Marsha Cooper said...

A finish, what is that?! It looks so nice.

Kate said...

The postage stamp quilt turned out beautifully!

Stephie said...

Ooh what a great finish, and one off the list already, wow! Your story of the backing made me laugh, maybe your mum had so much purple in her stash precisely because she didn't like it (and didn't use it)!!! Well, it was a great gift for you, it looks perfect. I've often though about an Ott light, but they're so, so expensive here (and I never see them in a sale with 60% off!), I look forward to reading your review soon :)

Jayne said...

What a beauty! Postage stamp quilts are just amazing and yours is no exception. The spiral quilting is an added bonus!

The Inside Stori said...

Love the postage stamp quilt....have always wanted to make one....but since I dislike stitching patchwork.....I'll be satisfied by looking at yours!

Tu-Na Quilts said...

You mean, quilters actually finish their postage stamp quilts? I've been working on mine off an don for almost 2 years. Thanks for the inspiration. It's gorgeous!

Gretchen Weaver said...

Postage Stamp quilts do get finished when the quilter decides they don't want to make the king sized version after all and settle for crib size. I'm using the 4-patch blocks up in the revised postage stamp block for the RSC.

Ariane said...

Wow! I love your finished quilt! It's gorgeous!! The quilting is amazing!!

Sue said...

Love your postage stamp quilt Gretchen, and the blue Churn dash quilt. In fact everything is lovely! LOL! :-)