Quilt Design Board

While I work through my new sewing table design ideas, I thought I would try a project that I can complete within one day. So I searched the internet to figure out how to make my own quilt design board. After reading through a few different versions posted (thank goodness people like to share their hard work online), I decided what my design board was going to look like.

I went to JoAnn Fabrics and bought 3 yards of white flannel lined vinyl tablecloth fabric. I knew that most boards sold at home improvement stores came in 4 by 8 foot sheets so I used that measurement as a guide. The tablecloth fabric came in a 54-inch width so it was just big enough to cover 4 feet. The vinyl was thick enough to cover whatever the looked like so it seemed like a perfect choice. With a 50% off coupon, the fabric was only $4.98 per yard so I spent less than $15 for the vinyl.

The I headed to Home Depot where I bought a sheet of Owens Corning Foamular. It comes in the standard 48 x 96-inch sheet, just like I expected. The tougher choice was deciding the thickness. It comes in half-inch through 2-inch thicknesses. I knew I had to get a feel for it. When I thought about the vinyl covering, I decided on the 3/4-inch thickness. It was thin enough to not be too bulky but thick enough to handle the weight of the vinyl. It only cost $8.44 for the sheet. The hard part was getting it into the car. I had to bend it slightly to make the 4-foot width fit in my little SUV, and thank goodness for the SUV or else I never would have gotten it home.

The foamular has a tongue on one side and a groove on the other, so pieces can be locked together. I took a razor knife and cut off the tongue on the one side of the piece. I laid the vinyl flat on the floor, flannel side down and plopped the foamular on top. I made sure it was evenly placed on the fabric.

Starting from the middle top I used duct tape to tape the fabric to the back of the board. Then I moved to the middle bottom and did the same. Then I moved to the middle of each side and taped the fabric down so it was tight and even. I worked towards each corner then folded a miter into the fabric and taped it all down. It was the easiest project ever!

Synchronized Squares Quilt Along

I just ordered the Ready, Set, Snow Layer Cake by Me and My Sister Designs for Moda Fabrics and the Bella White for this new quilt along. Sadly, the fabric by the yard isn't available yet so I hope I don't have to wait too long to get it and finish. I loved doing my first quilt along so I can't wait to start this one. It's a great way to stay motivated.

Time for a New Sewing Room

My spring project is going to take a little longer than I anticipated. I started by emptying my sewing room. It was very difficult to pack away my sewing machine. Then I had Jeff remove the cubicle which was so tedious - too many parts. I tore out the old dirty white carpet, ripped down the wallpaper and realized that this job is bigger than me. I hired a painter to repaint the room and ordered new carpet. I put in some high quality commercial carpet so it would be easy to keep tidy when I sew or paint or whatever crafty thing came up. I hope my patience holds out, it's going to be worth the wait.

Project Linus Quilt in memory of Stephen #2

I finished my second Project Linus quilt but I haven't added my 'Stephen's Grandma' label as of yet. It will be done soon! I think this was a good sample for producing many. I look forward to making more out of some funky flannels for older children in need.

Superbowl

In honor of our wonderful Green Bay Packers, I thought I would take the opportunity to post this photo of the Raggedy Ann and Andy-gone-green and-gold just for the occasion. Go Pack Go!

My daughter, Bailee made these, she makes the hair as well as everything else that makes the dolls.

Finished Postage Stamp Quilt

Here is the finished product. I machine quilted it with simple wavy lines which seem like a nice contrast against the perfect little squares. It was so easy to complete when stuck at home with 3 feet of snow on the ground. I felt so productive and the snow was a nice excuse.

Rachel Griffith's Postage Stamp Quilt Along

For a few years now I've wanted to do a quilt along. Things always came up though. Either I discovered the quilt along after it started or it was a pattern that I wasn't fond of doing. So when this one came along, I knew I wanted to participate. I ordered the fabric, Moda's Dilly Dally. I chose it because the finished project will look great in the guest room.

In the process, I learned that I love jelly rolls. These precut fabrics are a gem to work with and the project went quickly since I didn't have to spend any time cutting strips. During the first week, we stitched the strips together. The second week, we cut the strips and stitched them into blocks. The third week, we put the blocks together to make the quilt top.

Now that I have the quilt top done, it's time to add the batting and backing and start quilting. As luck would have it, there's a blizzard hitting the entire midwest today and I have plenty of time to get quilting.

Fons and Porter's 4-Patch House Quilt

I started this quilt last winter. The colors had such a cozy, warm-me-up-in-winter feel that I couldn't resist. And I love the checkerboard look.
The pattern is from one of Fons and Porter's books called Leftovers. I love most everything they do so it's always a struggle to decide which one to make next. But as summer came, I put it away even though I was almost done with the quilting. It was difficult to lay the large, flannel-backed quilt on my lap when it'w warm outside. It's hard to think of wintery things in the few warm months that we have so I packed it away until the summer ended. Then summer turned to fall, then turned to winter and I was reminded by the chilly nights that I could be spared if I would finish my house quilt. So I got it out and for a few hours over the past couple of weekends, I got it done. It's nice to get this off of my to-do list and even nicer to curl up in it on a cold night.