Fall Table Topper Flimsy

Fall Table Topper Flimsy Finish

It feels like a Friday, and definitely like fall. My sewing goal is complete, though, admittedly, it's a carry-over from weeks before. I have another underway already. A simple Christmas door hanging for my mom will brighten the hallway. I'll show you soon. 

The weeks of dreading the garden tear out are over since we had our first freeze projected for Sunday night last. I spent the day making hard decisions on what went where. This is my first winter with a greenhouse, and figuring out what will work. The last fall vegetables are in the house, mainly tomatoes and peppers, and the winter hardy things are going strong. Lettuces, kale, and many herbs will be good for another month or so, and some will be brought into the greenhouse yet to winter over there. It's no wonder I feel relief. 

Pumpkin Season

Pumpkin Season

This pattern was purchased some time in the past, and I've wanted to make it, but could never find the time. (I have a lot of patterns in that category!) It's called Pumpkin Season by The Pattern Basket. My mom lives in a small apartment now, and I wanted something quilty to hang on her door for the season. That was a good reason to carve out the time this weekend, and it's entirely ready to hang in just a couple days or so.

I do want to make one comment in defense of the wavy edge look in the photo. The tiny gingham check is causing that visual wave more than anything, though it's curved up over my counter to hold it for the photo. It lays flat when it's on the table, but I may still give it a steam from the backside to make sure it lays very flat before hanging it. Lesson noted and learned using a check fabric for binding. 

Easy Drunkard's Path Block Method

An Easy Method to an Accurate Drunkard's Path Block

1 Drunkard's Path Block

Let's start by setting the record straight. The single block above is called Drunkard's Path. Several of these blocks can be assembled into a larger block then called by another name, or to be more confusing, Drunkard's Path.

From left to right starting at the top:

Row 1: Dots, Drunkard's Path, Drunkard's Path Variation, Drunkard's Pinwheel

Row 2: Baseball, Steeplechase, Millwheel, Peace Dove

Row 3: Cleopatra's Puzzle, Around the World, Dove, Over the Bridge

Row 4: Indiana Puzzle, Falling Timbers, Fool's Puzzle, Around the World (not an error, but a second with the same name)

Also, the Turtle, requiring additional piecing...

...and my favorite, I Wish You Well.

I've done curved piecing in the past, and it's doable in larger pieces. These individual pieces would finish at 2.5", and I just couldn't do it. I had to come up with a method that worked for me, was accurate, and didn't involve inset piecing. 

Fall Coffee Table Quilt

Fall Quilt for 2023

There is such a smell of fall in the air already! It makes me want to pause, and feel the last days of a warm sun. It says rest to me. That the time for pushing hard is over soon, and I can get back to quilting. I'll be caught up. I hope so.

Every year I reach the same point when houses are displaying fall decorations, there's a mum in every pot, and I'm still trying to keep my chin above water from summer. I feel perpetually behind. So this year I started planning a fall project in July! I worked on EQ8, and planned a specific piece to cover our coffee table. I sewed in the foggy early hours, and often in the dark of the night. It's not done, but the hard parts are sorted. Want a peek at some fun blocks?

Diversion Into a Wool Embroidery Sampler

Diversion Into a Sue Spargo Sampler 

I am lucky enough to live within driving distance of Sue Spargo's Ohio store. I whole-heartedly recommend visiting if you are ever in the northeastern Ohio area. It's as much a museum of her wool art as it is an enticing store. There are rooms full of threads, fabrics, and projects. It does not disappoint.

Star Upon Stars #5

Star Upon Stars #5

Hands down, the best part of making this quilt has been the surprise of what each star will look like! I've become a bit of a kid in wanting to see it as soon as the first star point has been sewn, too. The magic folding mirror is amazing! How did I ever live without it? You can see the original fabric pull for this block in my post, First Side Setting Block for Star Upon Stars.

I love the heavy, dark ring of blue and brown. The 2 green-blue diamonds show nicely against the background too. 

Ocean Waves: The In-Between Times

Ocean Waves Quilted

This pattern was always on my bucket list. It was often found among Amish and Mennonite quilts shown in vintage quilt books, but rarely have I seen it in person. I've mentioned it was a Craftsy kit from way back, but I really loved how the fabrics were good replicas. I'm tickled how subtle the pinwheels show, but it's just enough to think it would make a good Christmas quilt, too.

First Side Setting Block for Star Upon Stars

1st Side Setting Block 

Using the leftover strips from the last block I made, I flipped the points around to see if I could give it a different look. I really love the red squiggles in the outer points in the block above! The background is more cream than white, and the turquoise stars are solids instead of a mix of fabrics. It works for me, and was a great use of leftover strips so a super short cut!

Three Quilts Done and Dusted

Twin Quilt No.1

I started twin quilts for twin girls back in January 2023. I had a sense I wanted them to coordinate, but not match, and be nothing too fussy. The girls are early school age, and I hoped they would grow with the sisters.

Star Upon Stars #4 Finished

Star Upon Stars Block 4 Finished

It goes without saying I'm ready to have this block done. Summer has been long, and aside for a tiny dry spell it has been green throughout. Nice weather meant less time I could sit inside guilt-free to sew, and more spent with my head and hands in garden beds. It's not even every other day now I get to sit down to piece, and that certainly slows a big project. But 4 are done with pieces to do some half blocks already stripped from leftovers, and I hope to do a few of those before moving on to a whole new block.