Report on May's Progress

This is going to be a picture-heavy post. Sorry about that. I really do need to learn how to do one of those mosaic thingys (It's a word because I said so).
1) I completed both colorways of the Blogger's BOM project for both April and May:

2) I completed Merry, Merry Snowmen block #4:

3) I completed the FMQ challenge for May by Leah Day:

4) I completed 61 scrap houses blocks. I now have a total of 146! I am getting close to being where I should be had I actually sewn one block a day since January 1:

5) I have kept up with the Prism QAL. I started machine quilting it on the last day of May:

Phew! I got a lot done in May. I have to sew like a demon in the summer because once school starts again in August, I will have a hard time setting aside time for sewing. Also, it is time for the Designer's Mystery BOM to start. That will add another project to my monthly to do list. Hope I can keep up.

It is really helpful to post about my monthly progress. Thanks to Lily's Quilts for the link up opportunity.

Progress on the Prism

I started machine quilting my prism quilt today. This is a first for me, so I am a bit excited. I used my wonderful table from Joann's that expands to 3'x5'. It is the perfect height to work at without straining the back. I taped wooden skewers to the table to mark the centers of each side. This is an idea I have read about in the past. As you put layers down you can no longer see marks. Using the skewers allows you to feel where the center line is.

I secured my layers by using large binder clips. I was surprised at how sore my hands were after clipping and reclipping after adding each layer.

After layering the backing, batting, and top, I began pinning. I started by putting one pin in the center of each triangle, but added more so that I had a pin near each point of the triangles.

I rearranged my sewing space to give the most support possible to the quilt as I worked. I have two portable tables. I used one to push the quilt onto as I sewed and I put the other on my left side to support the rest of the quilt as I worked.

Since this is my first experience with machine quilting, I am learning how to deal with the bulk of the quilt. This is certainly not a fast process. I have made quite a few horizontal lines of quilting with several more to go. I plan to also quilt the diagonal lines.

Another new experience for me is using a walking foot. I bought this sewing machine last September to replace my over 40-year-old machine. That machine was very basic, even when it was new. I now have this wonderful electronic machine. I also purchased a walking foot to use with the new machine. What a wonderful experience that is! I never had anything like that with the old machine. Do any of you use the walking foot for piecing too? It seems to me that I would really like that. I may do it even if it is unorthodox.

Thanks for stopping by.

FMQ for May

This is my best 8'x8' sample of this month's FMQ Challenge. This is Leah Day's contribution to this year long challenge. I think this is a technique that I will be able to perfect.

At first I had quite a few 'eyelashes' on the back. After doing some reading on the subject I discovered that it didn't have anything to do with tension. Rather, it was due to going too fast on the curves. It is a challenge to get the right speed of the needle and the speed with which I move the quilt matched so I don't get eyelashes. I am still afraid to try this on a quilt. I need more practice.

Merry Snowman #4

I completed block #4 of the Merry, Merry Snowmen BOM. This one was much simpler than some of the others. My applique skills are improving, but I think I really prefer piecing.

Paper Piecing Problem

Now that I am past 100 houses, a problem is developing with the paper piecing. A couple days ago, I noticed that my iron was beginning to drag and my ironing board cover was picking up some black marks. I cleaned the iron (OK, I lied. DH cleaned my iron) and put a piece of muslin on the ironing board. The black marks continued to show up and my iron is continuing to pick up some residue.

Here is a picture of one afternoon's accumulation of black marks. When DH and I discussed the issue, he remembered that when he took the pattern to be copied at Office Depot (he takes care of these kinds of errands for me. I know. I am spoiled), they changed copy machines during the process because one machine was having trouble with the thin paper. I now know that I have pattern sheets that came from two different copiers. One machine, apparently had a different kind of ink, or perhaps just put more ink on each copy.

So here is the problem. I am getting quite a mess when ironing these blocks. Have any other paper piecers out there ever had this problem? Is there a solution? I would love to hear about your experience with copied patterns.

I am trying to be very careful so that I don't smear any of the ink on my blocks. I have a lot of blocks to go in this project. I work slowly as it is. I don't need another problem slowing me down even more.

Blogger's BOM #9

I have completed block #9 of the Blogger's Block of the Month. Another fun block. I have a little wonky problem in the lower left section of the Christmas block. I will likely take that apart and fix it. How can everything go so well and then I get to one spot and get so off track?

Blogger's Quilt Festival

I am completely overwhelmed and honored for my quilt to be among the finalists in the BQF in the handquilted category. Thank you SOOO much to those of you who have voted for it. It is such an affirmation to get kudos from people who also love quilts. Thank you again.
Karen