Sentimental Stitches » Shipshewana

Shipshewana Amish Quilt – Section 14

Gay — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 03:34:18 +0000

My progress on the Shipshewana Amish quilt came to a screeching halt. I started to put some of my sections together

sorry this picture is so lousy!

and just wasn’t happy with some of the colors I’d chosen. No design wall here at the lake and I only had a small basket of solids with me so…………..it’s time to put on the brakes and step back. I’ve already switched around the flying geese units to balance the blue and turquoise. I really don’t like the way the colors in the fan section (I know you don’t have that one yet) look but I’m too lazy to make two more blocks so I’m auditioning a couple of replacement fan blades and a different handle.

Until next time – here’s Section 14 for you to work on. I’m off to finish watching the John Mayer / Keith Urban Crossroads on CMT while we wait for a thunderstorm that’s headed our way.

Shipshewana Amish Quilt – Section 13

Gay — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:31:56 +0000

I am happy to say we are on the home stretch with this fun Shipshewana Amish Mystery Quilt. I am pretty darn pleased with the way it’s coming together.

I uploaded Section 13 this morning.

This is an easy section with a rotary cut, machine pieced block and three quarter square triangles sewn together for a filler unit. Remember, there’s a new tutorial for making quick sewn quarter square triangles. You can find it HERE if you need some visual help.

Three more sections and we’ll have the center finished!

When Quilt Blocks Go Bad – Shipshewana Amish Section 12

Gay — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:16:25 +0000

You’d think after quilting for over 30 years I’d be making practically perfect blocks with every one I stitched. Well, what a joke that is! In the last couple of days I’ve flubbed up two of them!

At first glance this Snail’s Trail block looks pretty darn good.

If you look at the illustrations for the Shipshewana Amish Mystery Quilt Section 10 you’ll see my snail is trailing in the wrong direction! Oops…….. Does it matter?
In some cases it might but in this one I think I can live with the snail traveling backwards. This is an easy mistake to make when you’re foundation piecing because the foundation is printed in a mirror image so the block will appear correctly after it’s sewn. If you don’t keep that in mind when marking the color placement on the foundation you can end up with a block like mine. I know better but oh well………….

This bad block is part of Section 12 uploaded today. I didn’t double check the black triangle after sewing it to make sure if extended into the seam allowance on the side of the block. I was already frustrated because I hadn’t added enough extra fabric to my measurements when I cut those pieces so I had to be extra careful when sewing them and guess I just got in a hurry and didn’t see my mistake until I had finished both of those 6″ blocks and sewn them together. Drat! I just can’t leave that bad boy as it is. I really don’t want to separate the two blocks and make another one so I’m going to frog stitch the end of the seam where mistake is and sew a little triangle of the background fabric on there so I have an extension into the seam allowance on the side.

This is what Section 12 looks like. It’s kind of a group of what I call filler blocks but we’ve now made enough sections I think I better work on an assembly diagram for you. I have four sections to make yet but with only a small group of solids with me at the lake I don’t know if I’ll get them finished. Right now I better fix the bad block and have a go at that diagram.

Shipshewana Amish 10 – 11 and Triangle Tutorials

Gay — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 02:44:37 +0000

I finished my two basket blocks from the Shipshewana Amish quilt and have been working on some of the other blocks. As I was sewing I wondered how everyone was sewing half and quarter square triangle sections together. I know I’ve tried just about every known technique and keep coming back to the same ones. I decided to share what I do with you because there’s quite a few filler sections made with either

half square triangles

or

quarter square triangles.

There is a tutorial on making half square triangles HERE and one for making quarter square triangles HERE.

I uploaded the instructions for Section 10 last night and Section 11 tonight. I’ll do my best to upload another section in the next day or two. Clutch has been doing a pretty good job of being patient while I’m sewing.

There have been a couple of times when he’s decided enough is enough. I couldn’t believe it when he climbed right up on my stitching on top of all the pins and needle while I went to get a cup of coffee and had no intention of moving when I came back.

Does that face not say “no more stitching for you!!!”

I think I’m liking it!

Shipshewana Amish Quilt Section 9 and Eight Point Star Tutorial

Gay — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:26:51 +0000

I’ve been keeping busy catching up on my own blocks for the Shipshewana Amish Mystery Quilt. Now that the drawing for the whole quilt is complete I’m jumping all over the place making a block here and a block there. I should focus and put a section together so you can see.

I just uploaded the instructions for Section 9. It’s a fun double star that I think you’ll find easy to piece. Tonight I’m going to piece the two baskets from Section 3

As I was working on the eight point star for Section 8 I took some pictures and put them together in a little tutorial on how to hand piece a block like the Lemoyne Star that has “Y” seams. You can find it HERE in the Instructions under hand piecing.

It was a cold here last night and there are frost advisories for tonight. Is this June? Clutch will be deep under the blankets tonight!
I think I’ll get settled in and start on those basket blocks and the instructions for the next section.

It’s Been Almost A Month Since Shipshewana

Gay — Thu, 13 May 2010 21:27:50 +0000

I know it seems like I’ve fallen off the face of the earth but I really haven’t. It’s just been one deadline after another and as my dear friend Brenda said “you need an assistant”. Problem is, I can’t afford to hire one so it’s just lil’ ol’ me for now.

If you haven’t already downloaded them, I did post the May block for the Beyond the Cherry Trees quilt and Sally Post Floral Sampler. That leaves finishing the Shipshewana Amish Mystery quilt and the Charm Square Twist for the So Sew Easy Schlep Bag as unfinished promises.

I received the first strike-offs for the Petticoats & Polka Dots fabric. I can’t tell you what a strange feeling it is to see your name printed on the selvege.
Quilt Market is taking place next week in Minneapolis so be sure to ask your favorite shop owner to stop by the Blue Hill Fabrics booth and place their order for the whole collection. It will be shipping in September. They should also ask to see my second line “Lady Grace“!

I’ve been busy working on samples for the booth. It seems no matter how much you think you’ve figured it all out ahead of time there’s still that last minute craziness getting ready for market. I can tell you that all of the orders from the Online Store have been sent out.

I’ll show you pictures of what I’ve made as soon as I can but while you’re waiting, grab a cup of coffee and take a look at my last couple of days in Shipshewana. I spent time at Sarah Davis Ltd. and then checked out some of the great quilt kits you can get at Lolly’s Fabrics.

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Announcement ! Announcement ! Annoouunncement!

Gay — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:57:28 +0000

I have some news to share with all of you and wish I had a recording of one of my favorite people who is blessed with the most lyrical way of making announcements for our table at the Dear Jane Retreats in Shipshewana. Did I mention the retreat is coming up in about a month? It’s actually 23 days for me and I know I’m not alone in counting down the days. I haven’t missed one in over 10 years and can hardly wait until we’re there.

Back to the special news announcement…………..

I’m proud to announce I have joined the family of designers at Blue Hill Fabrics!

My first collection is a children’s group called Petticoats & PolkaDots.
I’ll give you a sneak peek as soon as I can but know you’re going to love it as much as I do. It’s guaranteed to touch your heart and inspire your stitches.
If you’re a shop owner you should be able to place an order for it soon. I’ll be in Chicago at Troy’s Fabriganza April 11 and 12 on my way to Shipshe to introduce the collection and share quilts and other projects I’ve designed using the fabrics.

I’m trying to coordinate everything to keep things running smoothly and could use your help.
Please go to the new Sentimental Stitches facebook page and become a fan!

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You’ll be sure to get the latest updates on fabric releases and new patterns. We’ll also avoid crashing my current page where you may have signed up as a Friend. If you get too many Friends, facebook freaks out and we don’t want that to happen.

After you’ve become a fan of Sentimental Stitches , please become a fan of Blue Hill Fabrics and let them know how much you’re looking forward to Petticoats & PolkaDots!

If you follow me on Twitter you should continue to receive tweets as usual and if I’ve linked things correctly, facebook and Twitter will work together. If you aren’t getting tweets, follow Clutch and I by clicking on the link in the sidebar or HERE.

Now on to some practical things like excess fabric and just general stuff that’s in the way.

I’m sorting my fabric stash and putting fat quarters, yardage and scrap bags in the Online Store for a while before I move them over to ebay. I’m going through color by color so keep checking back. If there’s something special you’ve been looking for I might just have it and the prices will be easy on the piggy bank.

Most of the linens and quilts will be on ebay.

Boutique clothes and jewelry…..not sure where they’ll go first. I might try both places!

I need to take care of some big financial obligations before the end of the month. After that I can spend time on more free quilt patterns for the blog and just have fun with all of you. Help Clutch and I if you can.

Excitement – Exhaustion – Midget Blocks & Amish Sampler

Gay — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:26:56 +0000

It’s been a busy time around here with all the parties and family gatherings for Christmas. I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and were able to sneak a few stitches in here and there.

I think I’ll keep the tree up until just after New Years. I’m not quite ready to pack it all away.

Some of us got caught up in the excitement of Christmas morning opening their gifts.

Only to collapse in a heap by the end of the day!

It was nice to have both boys and Rob’s Mother here for the day but it exhausted Clutch beyond belief. He didn’t want to miss a thing and by the end of the day we all wondered how he was still standing. I think he slept most of the day after Christmas too.

There’s a new Midget Block for those of you stitching and collecting them. It’s Block 90!

I also posted Section 7 of the Shipshewana Amish Quilt.

A Last Look At The Dear Jane Retreat-Fall 2009

Gay — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:07:36 +0000

There isn’t very much free time once I get home from the retreat.
I’m baking, cooking and cuddling Clutch today. Still have to finish thawing out the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow! I look forward to a few restful days with family and hope to do some hand stitching on one project or another.

I thought I’d share a few more pictures from the Fall 2009 Dear Jane Retreat.

My good friend Theresa took this one of me working on some hidden stitches in the Cherry Quilt.

I took a couple of close-up shots of the Dear Jane quilt we made for Elaine. She’s our coordinator extraordinaire!

A pretty 1930s quilt a Yoder’s.

I just loved these two quilts. A set of preprinted blocks, some simple piecing and you’ve got a great quilt.

A beautiful batik quilt for sale at Lolly’s Home store.

This Piece ‘O Cake pattern is usually made with bright polka dot fabrics but I like this pastel version too.

The lights of Shipshewana on Saturday night. Do you know what the sound is you hear in the background of the video? The video’s a lousy one but the sound is music to my ears.

My last trip through Lolly’s on Saturday.

Sunday morning loneliness.

The Kit for the Minkee quilt

Gay — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:13:00 +0000

The Kit for the Minkee quilt, originally uploaded by sentimentalstitches.

is going home with me. It matches one of Clutch’s favorite blankies.