Fall Fabric and More

Last week I missed a report.  Pretty much just missed the week altogether with everything that was going on.  I did do the Thankful Thursday posts, but it turned out both of them were on Fridays.  I don't know how I was that far off!! But now I think I am getting back to normal.

Fabric In: I cannot tell a lie.  Fabric came in.  Lots of it.  I was out thrifting on my first day in 20 years that the girls went back to school and I didn't.  That was strange.  I was looking for something specific, so I took the opportunity to make the big loop of thrift stores.  I didn't find what I was looking for but I did find some great deals on fabric - and I have a purpose for all of it.

White 100% cotton still on the bolt $2.  I haven't measured it yet so will carry this over to next week.  I can always use white, especially with another hexagon quilt finish fast approaching.

Dark green with brown details: 2 1/3 yards $1.50

This just says "fall" to me!

Lilac flannel: 1/2 yard $0.50  It has already been made into burp cloths and reusable makeup wipes.

And the lilac said "baby burp cloth!"

I had been telling myself I could just use what I have to make items for the craft fair in October, but at these prices I can't not buy it. 

Fabric Out:

These are pretty addicting for a car ride.

Flannel blanket with crochet edges.  Ladybug blanket was finished a while back, but not reported.  Pink rosebuds was finished a week or so ago.  Farm blanket got finished on the trip to get College E back to school.  4.02 yards

More burp cloths. 

Made some more burp cloths.  I love making these.  Sure hope they sell at the craft fair.  3 yards

Love the polka dots.

Bright hexagons got a binding.  0.34 yards

Pillowcase set.

Second pillowcase was completed.  Little S made one at the library class a while back and there was just enough fabric to make a matching case, so I finally did.  It sure would have been easier if they had been cut at the same time so I didn't have to remeasure to make sure they were identical.  2.2 yards for both.  I don't think I reported the first pillowcase back in June, but if so I'll readjust my numbers later.

Fabric Purchased since last report: 2.83 yards
Fabric Purchased YTD: 74.34 yards

Fabric Acquired since last report: 0 yards

Fabric Acquired YTD: 22.65 yards

Fabric Used since last report: 9.56 yards
Fabric Used YTD: 121.26 yards

Total: 10.81 yards destashed

Don't forget to check out the August Giveaway.  Help me get more fabric out of the stash.

Kate over at Life In Pieces has challenged us to try to stitch 15 minutes each day.  This was definitely an odd last few weeks.  Considering everything that was going on I am happy with my progress.  I love that 15 minutes can make a difference in productivity and attitude.

Days stitched since last report: 12/14
Days stitched this year: 217/237
Success Rate: 92%

Linking up to QuiltPaintCreate and Life in Pieces to keep accountable.

Thankful Thursday

When I started my summer sewing class at the library it was an experiment of sorts with a lot of unknowns.  First of all - would anyone come?  Then - would I enjoy teaching sewing?   Could I come up with appropriate projects?  Lastly - where do I go from here?

Would anyone come?  Yes, they came!! I had the young girl who started it all because she wants to become a designer and needs to learn to sew.  Her mother came along for the ride.  My Little S was a captive participant, but with a good attitude. Then we got a library volunteer who saw us sewing and dropped everything to join us.  After the pajama pants party we got another young girl.  Plus, the library ladies stopped by as they were able to see what we were doing and ask questions.  Then the library asked me to teach a monthly class that they would promote.

Pillowcases

Did I enjoy teaching sewing?  Without a doubt!!  I am a teacher.  I come from a long, long line of teachers on both sides and I love teaching.  This was different than teaching academics and there were no discipline problems since everyone wanted to be there.  But teaching is breaking things down into understandable manageable steps and I can do that with any subject you throw at me.

Could I come up with appropriate projects?  With a bit of research and creativity, yes!!  We made a travel tissue cover, a pillowcase, a reversible fabric bin, and a tote bag with pockets and handles.  All straight lines.  All finished in 2 hours or less.

Reversible Fabric Bins

Where do I go from here?  Teach sewing as a business.  Grown Up R is putting her natural skills and her college degree to use helping me set up a sewing business.  Since I am in the middle of a job search this makes sense for me. This time next week everything should be ready to go.  I am excited with a little nervous thrown in there for good measure.

Tote Bag with Pockets

So today I am thankful for my daughter for her unwavering support, my students who were willing to be my guinea pigs at the library, and my friend who only sees the possibilities.

Thankful Thursday

What a week this has been!  In the midst of getting College E ready to head back today and Little S starting tomorrow I held a sewing class at the library yesterday.  Way back when I picked the date I had no idea what the week would be like.  But sewing is my therapy, so all is well!

Learning to use her mother's machine!

We had 5 brand new sewists come to the class.  Little Miss A had sewn with her grandma and had her own machine, but that was a quite a while ago, so she was really starting from scratch along with everyone else.  They were all so excited.  I love the enthusiasm when they first press the pedal and see it go!! First they practiced sewing straight lines on gingham and pivoting at the corners.

Slow & Steady

We talked about different kinds of fabrics and sewing projects.  Also demonstrated the different parts of the machine and dos and don'ts.  I love teaching about using a "spider".  Did anyone else learn about "spiders" way back from Eleanor Burns on TV?

Separating the project from the spider.

Now I use Bonnie Hunter's leaders & enders method, but by starting with the spider the students learn why it is so helpful.  After we get the straight lines down, we will move on to leaders & enders.  They were duly impressed by my X Marks the Spot Quilt which is the result of consistent leadering & ending!

Lots of Leaders & Enders

Then they were pedal to the metal making travel tissue covers.  That is such a fun first project.  Guaranteed success and practical too.  Perfect for Back to School!

Unsewing.  It happens to all of us.

By the end of the class my stress of getting all my girls to the right place at the right time with the right stuff was gone.  I know that if I had stayed home I would not have taken the time to sew, but teaching the class was just what I needed.

Careful straight line stitching

I am so thankful to these ladies of all ages for giving up one of the last afternoons of their summer vacation to learn to sew.

Cowboy Quilt and More

Fabric In:  Nothing at all was added to the stash this week.  Yippee!

Fabric Out:
Cowboy Quilt top is finished.  2.7 yards

Cowboy Quilt

Bright Hexagons got quilted so the backing can get counted out.  2.33 yards

flannel bear backing for bright hexagons

4 more burp cloths for the craft fair.  1.4 yards

Mickey Mouse Burp Cloths

Jungle Animals & Checks

Fabric Purchased since last report: 0 yards
Fabric Purchased YTD: 71.51 yards

Fabric Acquired since last report: 0 yards

Fabric Acquired YTD: 22.65 yards

Fabric Used since last report: 6.43 yards
Fabric Used YTD: 111.7 yards

Total: 17.54 yards destashed

A better week for fabric getting used.  The Cowboy Quilt progress was a bit of a surprise, but sometimes things are just ready to get done.

Don't forget to check out the August Giveaway.  Help me get more fabric out of the stash.

Kate over at Life In Pieces has challenged us to try to stitch 15 minutes each day.  I had another good week.  I think the end of summer vacation is motivating.

Days stitched since last report: 7/7
Days stitched this year: 200/216
Success Rate: 93%

Linking up to QuiltPaintCreate and Life in Pieces to keep accountable.

August Giveaway

I am nearing the end of my hexagon block journey.  This was an idea that Little S saw and liked.  I have worked away at it as Leaders & Enders for about a year now and am winding down.

Brights pinned and ready to quilt.

The bright hexagon quilt just needs a binding.

Tropicals on the design wall.

The tropical hexagon blocks are done.

Pastels waiting for some friends.

The pastel hexagon block layout is in need of a few more, but there are no more in the precut bag that will work with this color scheme.

So I have decided to give away the remaining precut hexagons.  Many are fussy cut for an I Spy quilt.  Some are from the same fabric.  There are approximately 75 hexagons in total.

Variety of Hexagons

Warning: there were cut with scissors about 15-20 years ago and are not uniform.  The winner may want to trim them down to be smaller uniform hexagons or cut them into squares or take your chances like it did!

Approximate size

Just leave a comment telling what is most unusual block shape or tricky combination you have sewn.

As always thank you for participating.  A winner will be chosen at the end of August.

Giveaway Winner for July

And the winner is ....

Moira!

Moira said:
"Love the panel! Favorite state - Arizona would have to be at the top of that list after spending 30+ yrs there. However, I'm currently in TX where the job and my new house is. I do like TX, and also like to visit Massachusetts (love, love, love Boston!). But really anywhere God decides to place me is where I'm happy being."

I am so glad these cute bears are finding a new home.

Bye Bye Bears!

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Check back soon to see the August Giveaway!

BOM Challenge - Month 8

Good thing I was ahead of things, because this week has been a bit hectic.

But because I had gotten ahead I had also gotten confused about which block was which month.

In July I reported that I had made an extra month 6 to make up the the lack of a month 7.  That wasn't the case at all.  I had month 7 and it was this block.

BOM Month 7

Which made month 8 be the duplicate of month 6.

Bottom line is that I am current and no longer confused.  I have a Month 9 and have it set out to work on next so maybe I will keep it straight for the next month.

Linking up to Jo's Country Junction to show out BOM progress.