Simplicity Bias Tape Maker Machine

Wowser! I am impressed! I finally took the time to use all of my latest gizmos to put the binding on my latest quilt.


I cut PERFECT 2 1/2" strips with my Accuquilt cutting machine, sewed the strips together and ran them thru my Simplicity Bias Tape Maker machine ( with the new binding tip) and wow - perfectly pressed binding - about a mile of it - in just a few minutes. As the perfectly pressed binding came off the machine, I wound it around an empty cardboard roller and it was ready to put on the quilt. I love these new gizmos! They make my quilting life so much better!

As Time Goes By - finished!

Finally a finish! I like it, but I am not really loving it yet. I quilted it on my HQ16 and did my first real "Custom Quilting" on it. Needless to say, I now have a ruler base on order, for my machine. SID without one was a nightmare!

On my design wall

I have been working on a sampler quilt for MONTHS! I now really MUST get it finished because it will be gift for my nephew and his bride when they marry this summer. The name of the quilt is "As Time Goes By". The blocks are all done and I am working through putting all the parts together.

I will be backing the quilt with a wide cream floral. I will use Warm and Natural batting in order to get a nice drape when it's on the bed. This quilt just screams for custom quilting so once it is together, I will get it on the frame and start designing the quilting.
As pretty as it is, I am at the point where I will be glad when it's done. Or, at least ready to be quilted. (It doesn't seem to me that these colors in this picture are very true. The colors are rose, burgandy, cream, light and dark forest greens.)

A blanket for Granddaughter Caris

This little blanket barely qualifies as a "quilt". The large squares are made of things that babies love to TOUCH. Flannel, satin, cuddly furry minky and soft cotton. I hope she likes it! The nurses at the hospital where she was born loved it! When she is a bit bigger, I will make a more traditional quilt for her.

Welcome to the family Caris Rose!

A trip "up north"

We made the trip "up north" to be there when they opened the grave for my dear MIL. The use of May Houses to store bodies awaiting burial until the frozen ground melts enough to dig a grave is a necessary evil. We stood in a wet snow storm to see Mom to her final resting place. Rest In Peace Mom Wills.

A trip "up north" also always means a trip to my niece's quilt shop! Jenny and Janelle are the proprietors of Two Sisters Quilting in Bear Lake. This little shop is a glorious place to visit! And, even though I have enough fabric and enough quilt "kits" on my own shelves to last me a very long time, I could not resist signing up as a member of their Civil War Tribute Quilt Block Of The Month group.

Judie Rothermel & Marcus Fabrics created this Civil War Tribute in anticipation of the 150 year commemoration of the US Civil War in 2011. Marcus Fabrics is partnering with Homestead Hearth Quilt Shop to create a special project to use these reproduction fabrics. Each of the blocks in this quilt represent a significant battle of the Civil War.

The blocks are full of pointy stars, large and small. This quilt will, no doubt be a challenge to complete! The first three months were ready when I visited the shop, so those three blocks came home with me. We will make another trip "north" when the next block is ready.

Laptop Computer Bag

I don't have a case or a bag for my laptop, and I really don't like taking it with me without some kind of bag, so I decided to shop for one. 85 BUCKS! For a bag! So, I went down to my sewing room and got busy. This really, really neat bag is the result of an afternoon of sewing. But.............my computer doesn't fit into it. :-( Back to the drawing board.

More "Quilts For Kids"

The little quilt for the "Quilts For Kids" project is quilted, bound, washed and dried - ready to put in the mail. But wait.... there's room for at least one more little quilt in that box! So, I dug around in my fabric stash a bit and viola! - another little quilt. If I can find suitable backing for this little guy, I can get it quilted and ready to do tomorrow. Now, two little people will have a special quilt to snuggle with when they are not feeling so good.