Economy-Size Spools

Posted on March 8, 2010 by Quiltobsession

Saturday, after making some of the small spool blocks, I decided I would try some larger ones so printed out the shapes for and pieced a few of them while we watched the Academy Awards last night.

When I looked at the size of these ones I immediately thought they were the economy-size spools! They seem enormous compared to the little ones I was making Saturday. These big ones finish at 5″ while the little ones finish at 2 3/8″. Mr. Q.O. likes the big ones as well as the small ones. I prefer the smaller ones, although that may be a result of the fabrics I’ve used to try out the large ones.

Here you can see the difference in size.

And here, as usual, is the back — this time of one of the large blocks.

We have had the most glorious weather the past few days. Sunny, mild with temperatures around 10 or 11 Celsius and no wind. They say today may be even a touch milder. Our long-range forecast makes it sound as though spring is really here. We may have some cooler days but I think winter is, for all intents and purposes, finished. And there’s another sure sign of spring — the window washers have started so hopefully we’ll have nice clean windows within a week or two.

Lester is ready for spring. He was stretched out on the windowsill, although there’s not much to watch out on the roof garden yet.

Smudge patiently waiting until time for his yogourt treat.

Spools

Posted on March 6, 2010 by Quiltobsession

After reading about Klosjes day, I decided to devote stitching time on Saturdays to these little blocks! Each finishes at 2 3/8″. They’re tiny. But addictive. Seriously addictive. Perfect use for a charm pack or two.

While there are other methods of making them I’m hand piecing them, as I love to hand piece and love Y-seams for the continuous stitching that they make possible. I’m using 1″ squares and half hexagons from the 90-degree 1-inch hexagons in the Patchwork of the Crosses Inklingo collection. I was able to print three of the half hexagons on each charm and have a plan for the border for this quilt, however large it ends up, using that third half-hexagon from each charm.

I have no idea how many of these little beauties I’m going to make, but as Mr. Q.O. is quite taken by them, I have a feeling it may be as many as is needed to make a lap quilt for him.

An alternative plan is to make a doll’s quilt using these tiny blocks and then start another set using the shapes using the long half hexagon from the 1.5″ 90-degree hexagon collection and the 3″ squares from the Drunkard’s Path collection to make somewhat larger blocks.

The other night Lester decided to “help” when I was working on the Quaker Patchwork cross-stitch. Great huge kitty paws on the chart make it rather difficult to keep one’s place!

Smudge was, as usual, perfecting his lounging.

Spools Continued

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Quiltobsession

While the skating had me glued to the television Thursday night, I did manage to stitch these little spool blocks. There are a number still left to do and I’m quickly revising my goal of stitching to finish while watching the Olympics. The new goal? Whatever I manage to stitch during the Olympics will be more than good enough.

My favourite figure skating competition starts tonight — the dance pairs. I doubt any stitching will be done during tonight’s short program or the final on Sunday. I do have a new idea for a block that I absolutely have to stitch. I’ll get some fabric printed this afternoon and hopefully get at least one block of it done sometime this weekend.

Lester was curled up with a teddy bear after watching some of the skating while draped over my knees.

While Smudge was relaxing in his kitty bed:

Spools, Spools and More Spools

Posted on January 29, 2010 by Quiltobsession

After the finish of the big block on Wednesday night, I had to work on these little ones. Each of the spool blocks finish at approximately 2 3/8″.

They are really fun to make — sort of quilters’ candy. The back of a couple of them:

I gave my eyes a rest from contacts on Thursday. Two days of 14 to 16 hours of wearing contacts after not wearing them for at least 6 years was probably pushing it a bit, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to give them a rest. Today I’m trying out the third type.

Thursday was an odd day as far as weather goes. One minute the sky would be grey and snow flying by the windows. A few minutes later the sun was out and the sky blue as could be. Very little, if any, snow stayed on the ground but it is bitterly cold. Wind chills of -17C again.

The cats figured the best way to deal with that kind of weather was to curl up and nap. Lester decided to cozy up to a bear:

Smudge was happy curled up on his own:

More Little Blocks

Posted on January 21, 2010 by Quiltobsession

Ten more little spool blocks done. And they’re the perfect thing to work on right now. With any luck, I’ll get the remaining little blocks done over the next week to 10 days, then stitch them together and get the small top made.

I’m very impressed with the Sunbeam iron. It gets truly hot really fast. Took me seconds to press the 10 little blocks.

Smudge, trying out for the hypnotic stare event:

Lester is resting up for the catalympics. Not sure whether catnaps are an event, but if they are …

Some Little Blocks

Posted on January 20, 2010 by Quiltobsession

My hands are really bothering me again, so I’m grateful that I tend to print and cut out lots of shapes for different blocks. Much as I want to do another Farmer’s Delight block right now, there is no way I can cut the shapes out until this flare-up dies down. But no worries as I have many projects on the go, ready to stitch.

Tuesday night, I decided to play with the Drunkard’s Path units I had stitched. This is one of the 6″ blocks I put together.

Oh, how I love that Rouenneries fabric! The back of it:

A few of the little spool blocks were put together as well. These are very quick to make and a little doll’s quilt will be done relatively quickly.

The back of one of the little blocks.

I love this shot of the boys. I think it’s one of the best we have of Lester.

Spool Blocks Started

Posted on November 30, 2009 by Quiltobsession

A quick half hour on the weekend and I had printed enough of all the shapes I need for a small teddy bear quilt made up of the spool blocks done. The blocks finish at an odd size — about 4.8″. I’m going to use a set of 5 x 4 for this little quilt.

Unusually for me, I decided to use muslin and, as I had a couple of charm packs that I thought were perfect teddy bear colours, I used those to print the half long hexagons and squares. I can get exactly 9 of the 1″ squares printed on each charm.

There’s some wastage with the half long hexagons on the charms as I only get 3 from each charm, but I have plans for the third of each fabric.

And here’s the first block done. It has been a long time since I used muslin. While I think it’s perfect for these blocks in a teddy bear quilt, I remember now why I don’t use it more often! It seems much thicker than the other cottons.

The back:

We have been spending a lot of time upstairs with Winnie, which has meant less stitching time. She has made huge strides. I can pick her up, pat her and now she jumps up to sit beside Mr. Q.O. I’m calling him the cat whisperer.

It was a rather overcast weekend and the kitties caught up on their sleep. First Lester, all curled up in one of the kitty beds:

And Smudge sprawled on the love seat:

Spool Centres

Posted on November 26, 2009 by Quiltobsession

The spool blocks I mentioned yesterday have me fascinated. I’m thinking that my spools will have some very colourful 1″ square centres. I have these 1″ squares all ready to use:

And these:

Now I’m thinking that each spool block will be of a different thread colour, as shown by its centre. Between spending time upstairs with Winnie and a bit more work than I had expected, I’m not getting much stitching done this week but the planning and dreaming about quilts is fun! The little spool blocks will be fun to have to pick up and stitch.

Lester on the windowsill. We’re still having amazingly mild weather for late November. I am not complaining. The longer it stays mild, the better. If we don’t see snow before January I’ll be happy.