Wednesday, December 17, 2025

What's Under the Needle?

Blocks 63, 64, 65 and 68 of Stonefields are foundation paper-pieced blocks. I don't think Susan intended them to be completed that way but that is how I decided to make them.

Blocks 63 & 64 are called Perfection Syndrome.


Block 65 was supposed to be the same as blocks 63 & 64 but I decided to make it the same as block 68 which is called Halfway House.






The rest of the blocks in section 6 are appliqued, you can read about those blocks on my Sunday posts. Stonefields is designed by Susan Smith.

The 2025 Laundry Basket Mystery quilt, which Edyta has now named Tennesee, has been started over. Again I'm using fabric I purchased several years ago for another quilt that didn't happen. For those of you who are interested in fabric lines, the fabric is named Pointe Pleasant and designed by Nancy Rink for Marcus Fabrics. The first 6 'rounds' have been completed.


I made a change to the flying geese 'round'. The geese are supposed to go around in the same direction but I didn't like how that looked against the corner block. I like my setting better.

The background fabric for the star blocks came from my stash. I didn't have a background cream that quite matched the other light fabrics but it was close. However the next round background fabric is a light gray and I think it will tone down the brightness of the cream fabric. The gray fabric used in between the stars is the same background fabric in the zig-zag round.

The dark blue of the stars makes a nice contrast to the softer blues and brightens up the whole quilt!


The light gray fabric is displayed at the bottom and is a part of the fabric line. As of now, the flimsy is a scant 54.5".

I've been wanting a cover for my sewing machine for years and I finally made one. Heartland Sewing Center had June Tailor kits on sale so I purchased one. I measured my sewing machine and thought it was the large size but apparently it's not. 

The cover looks baggy but it completely covers the machine. It's made with batting but I wonder if it would have been better to use a stiff interfacing? I would like to make a cover for my retreat machine, I think I'll try interfacing for that cover. I'll let you know how it turns out whenever I get it sewn.

MSQC has the kit on sale but I paid less at Heartland. Misty Doan has a tutorial at MSQC, I watched the tutorial before I cut anything. It really did help in making the cover.

Linking to To Do Tuesday, Wednesday Wait Loss, Put Your Foot Down, Free Motion Mavericks, TGIFF!, Finished or Not Friday, Off the Wall FridayPatchwork & Quilts

15 comments:

Linda at Texas Quilt Gal said...

Tennessee is so pretty. I haven't seen Edyta's version, but I really like the way you did the flying geese round. Nice sewing machine cover! I really should make one, mine gets dust and flying cat hair on it!

Melisa- pinkernpunkinquilting said...

Happy Wednesday, Gretchen. Your Stonefield blocks are so pretty. I love the pretty punch of yellow. Tennessee is a delight. You have been staying busy. Enjoy your day.

Kathy S. said...

Your version is better. Your Stonefield blocks are pretty. I wouldn't think your sewing machine would gather much dust. You use it so often. Ha ha. Happy sewing.

Lin said...

More elovely Stonefields blocks and gorgeous fabrics. I love how your Mystery is looking. xx

viridian said...

Your sewing machine cover works - I am sure it keeps out dust and inquisitive pets (if you have any).

time4stitchn said...

Good idea to do the paper piecing. It makes it go so more accurately for those square in a squares. Great sewing machine cover. I have one that ties on the sides, but I forget to put it on as I always think I will so some more.

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Tennesse eis a beauty! I like your change!

chrisknits said...

Love your Laundry Basket flimsy, I am still stuck on the 2nd clue! LOL. Now I need to make a sewing machine cover, so sweet.

Rebecca Grace said...

Your Tennessee mystery quilt looks gorgeous! And really, those blocks are named Perfection Syndrome?! Hah! It's like they know I am coming for them... :-). Merry Christmas, Gretchen!

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Lovely blue blocks, these Halfway House are very beautiful. Tennesee looks gorgeous, I love the star round too! Your sewing machine cover is a great idea, it's been on my list for a long time ;) Thank you for sharing your work in progress and linking up!

PaintedThread said...

I really like the blues in Tennessee.

Astrid said...

Beautiful blocks and your Tennessee top is so pretty! Love the colors and pattern. I like your sewing machine cover. I need one for my machine too, it's been on my bucket list since I got the new machine earlier this year.

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Wow!! Tennessee is amazing - the color combo is beautiful!

Andree G. Faubert said...

Hi Gretchen, your two quilts are gorgeous. The colours are so pretty. Thanks for linking up to FM Mavericks. Happy Holidays!

Kathleen said...

Love the colors in these blocks and in the Tenessee quilt. Many thanks for linking up to TGiFF.