Spinning Star

Hey, one post done already and only a few more will equal my output from last year. I guess I will ignore that error message on the top of the page for now.

OK – so what did I do quilting for 2022 – not much.

I started planning a temperature quilt. I selected the fabric colors and started cutting and sewing the basic blocks. But, I started with the colors for the high temperatures, thinking that I would quickly get to the colder temperature blocks. The plan was to start the actual sewing of the quilt.

Nope, that didn’t happen. But, on the plus side, every now and then, I did sew what I cut. I am using HST papers, so I did a limited trimming of the blocks. I think keeping the papers on the fabric will slow down any raveling of the edges. Everything is in bags. labeled with the high-low range.

For 2023, my plan is to restart cutting the blocks for the colder temperature ranges and make the HSTs. Then, I can actually start the quilts – I am still planning to make several quilts.

My second plan for the year is to clean up the quilt room, locate all those projects in process, and sew them or donate to a group.

Third, I would like to start some new quilts. An idea I have is to make many smaller tops that I can match with a backing and then send off to people who will do the quilting and binding and donate them. That will be a way to use up the stash. I am currently looking for quilt ideas which are fast and easy.

I need to locate my camera battery charger so I can continue to document all of this activity!

After quilting, I plan to continue a renewed interest in cross-stitch. I did start three small projects last year and actually ordered three more in December. My goal is to finish one project and then start on one of the newer ones. I just hope that I can control my projects and keep them under control. And, I need to search the sewing room for whatever supplies I have for cross stitch. I think I have some frames, floss, and a few small projects from a trip.

That’s enough for now – onto some fabric cutting!

Liz

It’s been a long time for posting. A New Year’s resolution is to post more often in order to document my quilting and now cross stitching projects.

But, a problem that has popped up is an error comment from Word Press. So I will stop here and test out the actual posting.

Liz

I’ve been busy with a bunch of stuff, so didn’t have time to cut any fabric or make any HST for the temperature quilt.

But, since January is over, I was able to print off the monthly temperature report and update my spreadsheet. Here are the temp ranges for the three years. This worksheet will help me figure out which combos I need to get sewing so I can try to work on the 2020 quilt next week.

There are 38 different temp combos to make…. I better get moving on this.

In other matters – OKC has been hit by a nice little snowstorm. I think we have about 6″ on the ground with several more to go overnight. So, I am not going anywhere and most schools, businesses, etc were closed today and will be tomorrow. It will be a great day to cut and sew HST.

This was a thinking week over sewing activities. Last week, I typed the to-do list in the wrong order and I had some paralysis. But, I think I have the plan for the year. BTW, I think I talked about all of this during the last week, but it is a nice summary.

• Decide on design for 2020, 2021, and 2022 quilts – vertical/horizontal and squares/HST

I’m using HST for all three quilts. I can decide on the overall design after I have played with the block on the design wall. Then, if I decide to do a 2023 quilt, I can use squares since I won’t be doing three quilts at once.

I might use sashing in one of the quilts, but again I’ll wait until I see it on the wall.

• Determine a way to keep each color organized – binder or bags

Tentative plan is to use bags to keep combos separated and then baskets to stash all of them. By the end of the project, I’ll will have made over 100 color combinations and I’ll have some HSTs leftover for another quilt. I’ve made labels for each bag.

• Cut some strips and squares for each of the colors

Started with one 2″ strip and 5.5″ strips,and further cut into squares. I came up with an estimate for 2022 combos and increased the number of strips and squares that I’ll need, Anything to reduce future cutting.

• Make a mini quilt with all the colors as an inspiration and to track colors

In process with colors from red to yellow

• Make some strip sets and HST for the most common color combos and figure out to keep track

Since I decided to concentrate on HSTs for now, I figured out the combos for January – March and will concentrate on making the HSTs for those months. Then, if I have time to spare, I can work on other combos. I finished on set (100-65) but will wait on cutting until I need it.

More important, I came up with a monthly schedule which will make my to do report easier to accomplish.

• Week One – cut fabric and make the basic blocks for month
• Week Two – work on 2020 quilt
• Week Three – work on 2021 quilt
• Week Four – work on 2022 quilt

Tuesday To-Do for February 1, 2022

Yikes – February already….

• Finish the cutting for the project
• Get the January temperature chart from the Mesonet and determine the needed color combos
• Start sewing the color combos that are needed for January
• Finish the mini-quilt, at least to flimsy stage

It will be a lot of sewing, but I am looking forward to it. Besides, it is supposed to be cold and possibly snowy the rest of this week.

So, 9 out of 22 colors have been cut and bagged. It’s taking me longer now since there are more strips and squares to cut. And, getting the squares in the correct color-combo bags takes a bit of time.

I am doing the cutting on the dining room table. I have a nice routine started in cutting the strips, then squares. Put the squares in the proper bag. Next color….

I sewed the strips for the mini-quilt and it is looking good. I added the yellows, but still need to take a picture for you to admire! I will confess that I almost had a melt down when my sewing machine just whirred and didn’t move. I just used it yesterday and today it doesn’t work??? I looked everywhere for the cause – some thread caught up, major dust issues? Nope, I was about ready to get the Featherweight out, when I realized that the bobbin winder lever was on. I have no idea how that happened, but at least I figured it out and did not rushed out to the Bernina store for “repair”.

While I was in the quilt room, I noticed that my small travel cart was just sitting there, empty since there has been no travel to retreats. But, I have a new use for it. If I put the completed color combo bags in the travel cart with all the supplies I need to sew and trim the HSTs in this cart, I could move it to whatever room I want to work in. It’s probably easier than putting everything in baskets and carting them around. If I am cooking something, I like to be in the kitchen area to watch the progress. But,I can still trim the HSTs.

I also decided that I need to move the power strip from underneath the sewing table to the top of it so it is easier to plug in the iron. I’m getting too stiff to keep bending down and crawling under the table to get to the strip. I found some strips that have a very long cord attached to a round power strip that also has charging ports. It can just be on the table or be attached to the wall with screws or tape. I’m thinking of attaching to a side of the table, so it is out of the way, but still accessible.

I was going to say that it is getting closer to getting some sewing down on these HSTs, but once I was by the machine, and it was working… I couldn’t resist and grabbed the HST papers and sewed one set. I am not planning on trimming the paper since it is the 100/65 temp range and I’m pretty sure it will be late summer before I need to use it.

But, one set is done!!!

And, many more to go….