I've been in and out of town over the last month, which included some excellent fabric shopping at Portland and Santa Monica quilt shops! I've managed to squeeze in some sewing time between my recent travels. Here's some of what I'm working on this week.
Sewing with the Kiddos
Both of my kids are working on quilt projects during their summer vacation. I shared a peek on my Q3 Finish Along list. More recently, my daughter has begun quilting her project. She's using a walking foot and decided on rainbow-like arches of quilting with rainbow variegated thread, inspired by Allison's HST quilt. She's "driving" while I assist, reminding her when to stop and reposition her hands, and holding the weight of the quilt for her while I advise on the general path she should be taking. This part is slow going. It's not the best ergonomics for me, leaning over her as she sews, so we only do one pass at a time. Here's the beginning of her quilting.
And my son has one row and one column left to piece on the twin-sized bed quilt he's making for his sister. She's been hogging the sewing machine (and I'd need to switch the foot and thread), so he's kind of on hold.
Star Light Star Dark Quilt Along
I'm participating in the Star Light Star Dark Quilt Along with Jessica from Quilty Habit. This week we got our first piecing instructions which were to make these 18" star blocks. I'm loving how this project is going so far. We had the option of a 4-block or 6-block version for the quilt along and I decided to go with four. Purple is obviously my first color and I'm using yellow and orange as my second color. The left blocks of the quilt will feature the lights and the right blocks will feature the darks. I'm choosing to set mine with same colors in diagonal placement, as shown below. Our next step is to piece the small stars next week. See others' progress on Instagram.
Bee Blocks
For The Bee Hive swarm Tisha this month we're making Tic Tac Toe blocks with grey and low volume, using a jewel toned fabric for the feature X. I love how fast this block goes together, and that it's so easy to chain piece! :-)
For Serenity Circle of do. Good Stitches this is our palette, heavy on the lime and low volume. I LOVE IT! Wondering if my purples aren't pink/fushia enough. Hm. I'll have to think on that. Work in progress fabric pull. :-)
La Passacaglia
I finally dove in and made some fabric selections for my new La Passacaglia project. I have loved so many of these quilts that I've seen in progress and finished by others on Instagram. I don't have an overall plan for the colors and fabrics I'll use throughout the project, but I cut out the first 90 pieces for rosette #1. Hand piecing, here I come!
Thanks for visiting. What are you working on this week?
I'm linking up to Let's Bee Social and Needle and Thread Thursday.
Bo Brackmann
Always fun to see what you're up to regarding quilting...and so fun to watch the growth your son is displaying in his quilting. So happy that your daughter is liking it as well.!!
sarah
Post authorThank you! We're all having a good time. :-)
Helen
Loving your stars in the quilt a long , and more importantly I love how your kids outfits blend with your blog header !
sarah
Post authorI hadn't even noticed that about their outfits! :-) Thanks for visiting, Helen!
Amber
Awesome progress!
sarah
Post authorThanks, Amber.
Allison
Thank you for the link Sarah. I'm so happy to be a little part of inspiring the next generation of quilters ☺ Those times spent hunched over the sewing machine with your children will become one of the special memories sewn into those lovely quilts.
sarah
Post authorThat's such a sweet sentiment. Thank you, Allison.
Jess @ Quilty Habit
Your daughter's sewing is so fun to watch! Yay for the walking foot! Every time I see your SLSD quilt I get giddy. Great job doing the prep for your handsewing. That must have been so time-consuming.
sarah
Post authorThank you! It didn't take as long as I thought it would... Now, any guesses how long it'll take me to prep all the pieces and get them sewn together!? ;-)
Mel
What fun summer projects for all!! Can't wait to see at a future show and tell!!
sarah
Post authorHopefully we can get some finishes ready in time for the next meeting. :-) Thanks for visiting!
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
I love the update on the projects your kids are quilting. The ergonomics of helping your daughter do sound like frequent breaks would be important. Do they ask to work on the projects with you or is this something that is scheduled at all? I'm loving seeing everyone's large stars come together for the Star Light Star Dark QAL. The orange and yellow are going to compliment the purple very well for you and I love the diagonal layout you are going to use.
sarah
Post authorThey ask to work not he project. Sometimes we make appointments to work if I'm not available when they want to sew. I agree that it is so fun to see everyone's project on SLSD. I can't wait to see more! :-) Thanks for visiting!
Sandra
How I'd love to do the Starlight QAL but just too many other projects on the go. LOVE your fabrics for La Passacaglia! Fireflies?! I love seeing them here at night just magical. Wonderful that you're getting both your kids to quilt!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Sandra. I have about a million WIPs, but just couldn't resist the Star Light Star Dark QAL. ;-) It's really going together so fast, though, so that's good. The fireflies were my starting point for the project. The perfect size for fussy cutting. Win! I'm so happy to be able to share quilting with my kids. I'm glad they enjoy it. :-)
Paige
Loving yours and everyone's SLSD big blocks, now I'm questioning my fabric choices. Sounds like your children are really enjoying their projects! And your EPP is beautiful!
sarah
Post authorI just popped over to your IG and/or first SLSD block is AWESOME! I think your fabrics will look great in the finished project. Thanks for visiting, Paige.
Anja @ Anja Quilts
I love that your children are into quilting. Can't wait to see the finished projects. This is the first I've hard of La Passacaglia. Now that I've seen your project, I want to do one as well.
sarah
Post authorThanks, Anja. I'm not really a hand piecer... let's be real, I don't even hand bind. But I am so drawn to this quilt design. The book was a little hard to find, but when I saw one for sale I scooped it up. Took a while, but i'm glad to have started. :-)