Someone loves Halloween and embroidery

These quilts are amazing!!  Leisa does gorgeous embroidery-- not sure you can tell from the pictures!

More finished projects

I've been so inspired by some of the quilts that the Georgia quilters have made! 

Some finished projects

One woman came to the retreat and immediately opened up her suitcase to show a couple of great quilts that she insisted were really simple. RIGHT!!

Retreat time again

I'm excited that I'm heading to Georgia for a week of sewing with my friends from Wisconsin (well, even though DarLynn lives in Illinois, she's definitely one of the Wisconsin gang).

I will be posting pictures and updates!!

Hope everyone is working away on their bullseye blocks!! How about sending me some pictures? Randyiris@gmail.com

Have a great sewing weekend!!

Random act of kindness

I went into Whole Foods yesterday for dinner fixings. When I went to pay for the $16.07 of groceries, I realized I'd left my wallet in my other purse. Large store that it is, they were reluctant to accept my check without my id. 

I was just starting to write the check when a woman from the next aisle plopped a $20 bill down at my register, saying she was going to buy my groceries!! 

I was amazed. I wasn't even crying or screaming!! 

Confirms my long held belief that what goes around comes around!

My words for the day: do something nice and unexpected today for a complete stranger!! Maybe you already do that everyday anyway!!

Bullseye Quilt Source

I have been advised that this bullseye pattern has appeared in print previously in a book published by Country Threads called Quilts from Amy, written by Mary Tendall Etherington and Connie Tesene.

I highly suggest you order the book from any resource possible so as to avoid any appearance of trying to take the pattern without purchasing it.

I ordered the book immediately after learning there is a pattern.

I meant no disrespect nor ever intended to suggest that anyone take someone else's pattern.

A friend suggested that I remove my instructions altogether so as to avoid the appearance of impropriety.  I'm trying to figure out if I need to do that. If it has been in the public domain, as I think, then there is no need for me to retract the instructions. They are entirely my own creation and I take full responsibility for any errors!

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Bullseye - Part I

This block has 4 pieces:
the background, which is 9-1/2" cut.

There are also 3 circles, of 3 different sizes: 7", 5-1/2" and 3-1/2".
You can use a compass to get the right size or find a bowl or lid or other household object for the shape.

I traced them onto paper and cut them out.

I laid each circle out on the fabric to make sure the fabric was large enough:

Then I folded the paper circle into a pie shape; I also folded the fabric into fourths and laid the paper circle on the fabric, marked the outer edge

Then I cut on the marked line while holding the fabric in fourths:

I then placed the dark circle onto the background and sewed around the edge, approx. 1/2" from the outer edge. It doesn't have to be exact or a perfect circle!

You can press it just to make sure everything is in the right place, looking good.

Then I turn it over to the back side, snip a little slit in the center back and trim the excess fabric close to the stitching line to remove the excess fabric. You don't want more than one layer/thickness of fabric.  Keep in mind that you are going to be sewing two more circles on top so you definitely need to minimize the excess fabric. Be careful not to cut the circle, though!!

In two weeks, we will sew the remaining two circles on top just like we did the first, large one.  I like to make sure there is some contrast between the circles so my next one will be light;  the smaller circle will be darker.  We will continue to trim the back sides of the excess fabric.

Two weeks later,  we will cut the blocks apart and resew them back together.

Have a great week!!

Bullseye

Are you ready yet??

I'm posting instructions for the first part tomorrow!!

Here is what the quilt will look like!!

I am showing you the background pieces I've already cut that are 9-1/2" unfinished. Note that the more variety the better. 

Sew-A-Long, in 3 days

Just a teaser:

I am starting the sew-a-long to make the bullseye quilt on Friday.

Quick information:

you can use ANY kind of cotton fabrics.  You do not have to use flannel or homespuns.

If you want to get started, start pulling background fabrics. By that I mean anything NOT dark.  Mediums will be okay. They should NOT match.  The more difference the better!!

Cut them to 9-1/2" squares.

I know someone will ask how much fabric you will need.
It really depends on how large you want to make it and how many blocks you want.  The blocks will finish at approx. 8".
I made mine 8x9 blocks-- so that would've required 72 of those 9-1/2" squares.

Just think how many scraps or unwanted fabric you can get rid of!!

First installment will be Friday!!

WOOHOO!!!
Can't wait!!!

Borders finally on Just Takes 4ever

I suppose it's appropriate that I have finally finished the year long project sponsored by Just Takes 2/Sentimental Stitches since I've started the new project Ben Biggs.

I'm happy this can be crossed off the UFO list!! I'm sorry the picture came out the wrong way. If I were more adept, I'd turn the picture to make it easier to see (as I photographed it, actually). but i'm not. :-(

A Sew A Long -- coming soon

I've been thinking about this for a while and I've decided that I'm going to do a winter sew-a-long!!

Nothing complicated or lengthy.

I'm going to show everyone how to do that Bullseye quilt/blocks.

So, get ready.

Are you ready to play along?  It'll be either two or three installments, VERY quick and a great way to use up scraps.

Who wants to join in??

I'm thinking it'll start this Friday, Jan. 17th.

Stay tuned!!

Randy

Ben Biggs block

I've gotten most of the first block done-- just need to sew down the golds.

I didn't want red/green and love blue so figured I'd try this.

What colors are you using??

And the winners are...

I had fun choosing winners for the UFO list giveaway.

Here you go:

Can you email me with your snail mail address, please?
randyiris@gmail.com

Brenda

45th Parallel Quilter (finished a 12 yr old quilt)

Karen in Breeze Point (finished 11.5 ufos)

Teri (finished 23 ufos; has 30 for 2014!)

Susan has a Pile of Shame

Edie is the Queen of UFOs

Thanks everyone for participating.

Anyone doing the Just Takes 2 Benjamin Biggs quilt?
Some of my friends are doing it so I am going to try…add that to MY ufo list!

Randy