Design Wall Monday

I finished stitching all the rows together on my trip around the world quilt, but it still hangs on my design wall to remind me to do the next steps -- sandwiching and quilting.

For some reason, when I think of a trip around the world, I think of a safari - so I thought this fabric that I recently bought on a whim would be perfect for the backing.

Also on my design wall are a few x and + blocks.  Someday they may become a scrappy quilt.  I just make one now and then when I'm in the mood.

There's a tutorial for making this block here, and here's a quilt (not mine) halfway to finish.  I love the chaotic scrappy look!

Hop on over to Patchwork Times and check out the links to see lots of great design walls today!

Hand Stitching Week One

This is where I've been sitting every morning after breakfast, watching the morning news and slowly making progress on this quilt.  Thank you Bonnie for giving me a little push in the right direction -- My plan is to stick with it when the month is over and continue this routine until it's done.   I quilted for 6 1/4 hours the first week.  A lot of hours this week were spent taking an old quilt apart to square up the blocks -- but I don't suppose we get credit for unstitching.

My next hand quilting project will be finishing this one that sits in the other corner.

Check the links on Bonnie's blog to see the progress others are making.

This one's for you Barb!

I've been reading all over the internet that September is National Sewing Month.  How convenient that it falls so quickly after my full retirement.  Now I don't have to wonder what to do.

Bonnie of  Quiltville's Quips & Snips!! has asked quilters to join her in celebrating this month by devoting an hour a day to hand sewing.

 

I decided it was time to pull out this quilt that's been neglected for far too long.    I'm off to a late start for the month, but the weatherman says that, beginning tomorrow, the high will be about 70 for the next ten days.  That should be cool enough in the evenings to have a quilt on my lap.

There'll be days when I won't get in an hour, but I hope by the end of the month my total will be 30 hours.  So my challenge to you - my favorite sister - log more hours than me and I'll give you a dollar for each hour you do some hand stitching in September.

If you want to see what Bonnie and other quilter's are accomplishing, there are links on Bonnie's September 3 post.

Happy Stitching!

Design Wall Monday

I'm linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times today.  Check her links to see what other quilters have on their design walls this week.

When I visited my kids downstate in the spring, I made my usual stops at the quilt shops in Howell.   One of the fabrics I couldn't resist was this black print.  I had no idea what I'd use it for and I only bought a fat quarter, so I didn't have too many options.

Then I saw this quilt made by Rita of Red Pepper Quilts on flikr and got inspired.   I started pulling fabrics from my stash and came up with this.  I had two 2-1/2" squares of the black fabric left from my fat quarter when I got done playing.

Without a doubt, this is the only kind of  "Trip Around the World" that I'll be making in my retirement.  I'm sure I'll make another quilt in this pattern -- I just don't plan to travel outside of the USA - there's too much here I haven't seen yet.