Category: Low Country Living

“Dancing Hourglass Diamonds” Quilt Is Done

This quilt is the 3rd quilt in my series of 4 using Latifah Saafir’s Hurty Ruler for making half-rectangle triangle blocks. (I’m sorry about the feet of the ladder showing–I can’t get rid of the feet without losing the edges of this larger quilt).

I felt that this busy top needed a border to stop the visual motion that comes with this block. I wasn’t thinking of blue at all when pawing through my stash, but found myself “just wondering” about this blue fabric–leftover from a wideback backing. I had been thinking about red or green. With this blue, however, magic happened instantly.

This pic lets you see the center in a bigger way–and I’m betting your eyes will do what mine do–which is to “see” all the diamonds that form, big ones and little ones dancing all over the place.

To make this hourglass unit, one first makes the half-rectangle triangle unit with the ruler. Next, you cut that unit on the diagonal. Next you pair those two pieces with other pieces to get the four colors of an hourglass block.

In some places, I sewed this hourglass unit to colors that made a more solid diamond, in order to draw the eye around the quilt.

Here’s the backing–a Tilda fabric with which I instantly fell in love. I like the thicker texture of these Tilda fabrics too. The rest of the quilt has been made using my stash, which is partly the goal with this quilt series.

I used the “Lovely” pantograph from Denise Schillinger (sold on Urban Elementz), and I used an ice blue thread. Isn’t the texture wonderful?

This quilt is No. 236, and I am so grateful for this quilty journey.

A Cold Thursday

We are having a period of freezing weather that meant I had to cover my camellias again yesterday and drip water last night. Kalanchoe and the thriving geranium came back inside yesterday. There will be two more nights of this freezing weather here, with tonight being the coldest.

We were getting spoiled with some beautiful sunny and warmer days. The grass was starting to turn green. But, it IS February, and back in Maine, those folks are getting a lot of snow.

Kalanchoe’s floral gifts are still madly ongoing. She’s a crazy lady, for sure. And she brightens up every space she occupies.

Son Bryan covered his camellias with our last freezing spell and was rewarded with these beauties last week.

Camellias have the prettiest foliage too. The leaves are so glossy, green, and sturdy looking. His white one hadn’t opened yet, and I am now coveting a white camellia. That plant is full of buds.

I mounted another block on stretched canvas on Tuesday. It’s 10 by 10. I wanted to play with the Cat’s Cradle ruler. The block size here is 2.5 inches, but this ruler goes up to 4 inches and down to 1.5 inches. Yikes that little one would be…little. I think there is a bigger ruler for this block available now. Hmmm…

I’ve never seen a line of diagonal little squares that I didn’t like, and I wanted to play with that arrangement. Now I’m making 4-inch blocks from scraps–as a scrap buster project–as I have a lot of smaller scraps I can use.

I figured out what to do next with the 4th and final quilt for my half-rectangle triangle series project–made with Latifah Saafir’s Hurty ruler. I’m excited. This quilt is…bold.

The online sew-along project (Scrap Cabin) from Rachel Hauser’s blog Stitched in Color is done and needs to go on the longarm. Yesterday was Patchwork Gals meeting, and we heard about a new apartment project that will house homeless first responders (fire) and vets. I’ll be donating this quilt to those new occupants. The building will be finished in 2026, and the goal for area quilters is to provide 90 quilts, one for each bed.

This project is ongoing in other cities around the United States. And I’m so glad people are doing something about this homeless situation for our fire and soldier veterans. I sure hope it works to help them get restarted with their lives.

Design Wall Projects and Other Tidbits

First, the taller camellia (a birthday gift from my son and DIL) is BLOOMING! Five or six buds survived a fall drought and the freezing temps we had this winter. (Nationwide, this winter is the coldest on record since 1988.)

This bud was small and partially damaged, and I can’t wait to see some of the bigger buds open up. Isn’t it gorgeous? I think it is gorgeous, and I’m going to add 2 more camellias to my garden this spring by removing two gardenias that are so not thriving. The smaller, lower spreading camellia on the other side of the house turned to blooms in the late fall and only now quit opening up buds. It is a deep pink.

The top of my “Scrap Cabin” quilt is done. Thanks Rachel Hauser (Stitched in Color) for this pattern and for the online sewalong in January. Note: Rachel is going to have another sewalong in March if you want to check out her blog. Her new sewalong is a pretty quilt, and there is a nice learning method involved.

This “Scrap Cabin” quilt has chewed up a LOT of scrap fabrics, which was the point. And next time, I’ll not use the lighter greys in the neutral areas of the center as they dumb down the white areas, which are more flamboyant if kept to the white/light family.

Also, I made dumb mistakes while making that fabulous border. Each individual block unit measured properly, but the some border lengths were too long, and the outer edges were too big for the sewn edge. I knew the center was square. Anyway, I was sewing early evening, wanted to finish this top and didn’t measure the length of each border strip against the center before sewing. NO NO NO. I do know better. When I put the finished top back on the design wall, the borders were rippling in places along the edges and the quilt wouldn’t lie flat as one border in particular had to be eased in too much. Ugh! I was able to fix the problem with another long session of fixing the too-long border and tightening up the edge sewing. So I didn’t have to take off all the borders and start over. I know I got out of that mess lightly. MEASURE A BORDER AGAINST THE QUILT BEFORE SEWING.

Here is a link to Rachel’s finished top below so you can both admire it and see what I mean about these neutrals.

https://open.substack.com/pub/stitchedincolor/p/scrap-cabin?r=a3dgf&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

My little hand-sewn improv blocks–which I installed into an improv quilt top with my domestic machine–is on the longarm. It’s not large–a small lap size–so this project will finish fast. And it is…cute. I love improv projects. And as you must know if you read this blog at all, I love hand sewing at night.

Waiting in the wings is Month 5 of Tara Faughnan’s online Blocks2 class. The ironed fabrics and all the templates are just…waiting. And the 4th and last quilt in my half-rectangle triangle series is waiting to be finished. And I’ve been making some blocks from Annabelle Wrigley’s “Prickley Pear” quilt pattern to try the alternative setting. I don’t know where this one is going–and maybe not far at all. Maybe, only to the stretched canvas frames. Maybe the trash can, LOL.

Have a great week everyone!

“Dancing Hourglass Diamonds” is Quilted

And, she is trimmed and her binding has been installed, which happened in last Sunday’s quiet–after a long pause in finishing these steps. Recall that this quilt is the third in my half-rectangle triangle series made with the Hurty ruler designed by Latifah Saafir.

The texture on this quilt is really “lovely,” and is from the pantograph “Lovely.”

I’ve been using a small square ruler to trim. my quilts–this one is 9.5 inches. A smaller ruler gives me a lot of control, so thanks to this suggestion months ago from master quilter Bonnie Hunter on her Quiltville blog.

By early evening I had organized the binding and label–and was JUST going to install the label and ONLY start the binding. I had already set up this sewing area which involves surrounding it with extra flat surfaces (ironing board and a table). But everything went along so smoothly that I kept going. I usually sew from about 3 to 7 pm, and then eat and watch tv. I finished this binding by 7:45. I don’t look gift horses in their mouthes, so when something I’m sewing goes this smoothly, I…can’t stop. And, anyway, I needed some night handwork like sewing down binding on a large quilt. Besides, I ate a very late big meal at almost 2 pm.

And here it is–waiting for me after I eat a light supper while watching tv.

This final step is fun for me as it means a quilt is almost ready to share.

Let There Be Light!

My wonderful neighbors have helped me with the light situation in my house. The original lights were/are so, so, so dim–which meant that my upstairs quilt studio was really suffering from the lack of good light. Both rooms!

But, LOOK! See all the light in this room (no windows here) with this new light? I don’t have to turn on the longarm light bar now unless I am actually quilting with it.

We put the same light in the adjacent room where my sewing machines, cutting tables, and design wall live. When dusk happens, that room goes really dark despite all my added floor lights. I am so happy and grateful to my neighbors.

I’ve ordered more of the lights–these big ones as seen above and some flat ones that will just replace the very dim lights in other places in the house. Son Bryan is also on hand to help with this big replacement project–and all the new lights are now here and ready to go.

Below see my very FIRST Tilda fabric–bought for the Dancing Diamonds (third in my half-rectangle triangle block series) that is draped over the longarm in the picture above. (And which is now being quilted.). ***(I finished the quilting on Sunday late afternoon–post to follow soon.)

I love this fabric!! I love the print, of course, but I love the texture and heaviness of it. I am sick and tired of all the quilting fabrics that are so thin that it is difficult to work with them. At the same time, the quilt fabrics are more and more expensive. Quilters now are having to use starch to even cut straight lines on these thin fabrics. Bad Quilt Industry! Go Tilda! Go Kona solids.

I’ve got the center of the scrappy long cabin project done. Recall, this January sewalong is the work of Rachel Hauser’s Stitched in Color blog. Rachel Hauser is a VERY creative and fun scrappy quilter. I’m working on that awesome border now–the corners are all made.

At first I thought the blocks with really strong colors had to be maybe balanced with softer blocks–but I’ve changed my mind. The strong blocks are what are making this quilt sing. AND, this whole project is eating up a ton of the fabrics in my scrap bins. I’ve even had to cut some strips from fabrics in my stash to get the colors I wanted. ***(Now I’m making blocks for the awesome border.)

Tara Faughnan sent us a picture of the block for month 5 of our ongoing Blocks2 online class–along with the new fabric palette. I am so excited about this next block and can’t wait to start working with it. I have the fabric palette assembled, washed, and ready to go. February 1st came in due time, of course–and I’ve got all the materials organized, printed, videos watched, etc. But I will curtail my anticipation until I wrap up a few other projects.

I continue to love my air fryer–especially for french fries. Here, the fries, baby bok choy and some red peppers and carrots (also cooked in the air fryer), and some leftover meatloaf. The air fryer works with only a tiny bit of added oil.

Have a great week everyone!

I…Have Always Archived Information About My Quilts

I’ve been actively sewing quilts since about 1996. From the beginning I’ve archived information on every quilt I’ve made. And I can’t believe how many times I’ve gone back to check on some detail about a finished quilt.

I use big notebook binders, and inside the binders I use plastic sleeves that will hold my quilt information and that open on the top only. The pictures below are from volume 4.

What do I record? EVERYTHING about a quilt I might need to know down the road. Always, I include pictures, the number of the quilt in the completion lineup, the completion date, the patterns involved (sewing, quilting), the size, the backing fabric, information on the front fabrics if needed, to whom I gave the quilt or why I’ve kept it (quilts saved for grandchildren), thank you cards or pics sent to me by recipients, and so on.

Below, the left page is more information about the quilt on the front side of that sleeve, and the right side is the first info for that particular quilt. On the left you can see there is a thank you note included. You can see each quilt has a page where I take notes as I work on the quilt.

On the left below you can see I included the pattern for the quilt on the front side. On the right side you can see the backing of that particular quilt.

Another set of pages:

The back side of the right page above:

In the book I reserve pages for quilts under construction–so I keep all the numbers in correct order for when I create a quilt’s label.

I hope this post encourages the quilters who read this blog to start archiving your own quilt work and/or other sewing projects. YOUR work is important.

Another Snow Day

The water pipes are fine today, but we will have two more really cold nights, so I will drip water again tonight.

One of the “joys” yesterday was seeing the children in the snow, yes, but also the parents.

Out came golf carts to pull children on whatever worked–like the very thin boards that can skim retreating shallow waves at the beach. But there was a wide array of finding “whatever works.” And neighborhood dads participated in making sure lots of children had a try.

The local streets are still rutted with frozen ice where there was some melting and than refreezing. I wouldn’t take my car out on a bet, given that most folks here have no experience driving on ice.

This morning the detritus from all of yesterday’s play reminds us of all the fun in the snow. Most of our children were out all day, despite the cold. Whatever cold be used for snow play…was. Like these beach or tub toys.

My three youngest grands are still hard at it. The last video was them coming down a hill (hills are rare in this coastal plain) on single skis. It’s time for them to go to a ski resort I think.

And meanwhile, here’s another bit of joy from me:

Kalanchoe is now in full bloom!

And I have all four of my Wayward Arc projects finished. I so enjoyed hand stitching them.

I’m keeping the one on the upper left–it will go in my quilt room.

It’s A White World This Morning

My back screen door is frozen in a mostly closed position, but the sun is coming out later. That might melt away the ice that is glueing it to the little porch step. If not, I know what to do.

There might be enough snow for industrious and determined children to make a small snow man. I suspect they will try.

It remains to be seen if the trash and recycle trucks will come today.

Snow in Charleston, SC, is very rare, of course.

It is very cold for here, and will drop to low 20s tonight. I’ve been dripping water in a bathroom faucet as the Rinnai heaters are OUTSIDE on the side of our houses. Pipes freezing is always what we dread.

And now, a lovely sew day for me.

Sunday Update

Good morning all!

We are bracing for what gets called “really cold” here in SC. And we have gotten some much-needed rain. When it dries up a little today, I’m going to cover the camellias with tarps–which will stay on for the next three nights/days.

I’ve been enjoying quiet weeks and lots of sewing time. Here are my four blocks for this month’s online “Blocks2” class with Tara Faughnan–called this month “Wayward Arcs.” Tara always has a “curves” block project for one of our 6 monthly blocks with which to play. These are all improv and freehand cut–except to square them off.

I’m hand-quilting these four to add more texture and two are done and ready to be put on my 10-inch stretched canvases.

Here is where I am with Rachel Hauser’s sew-along scrappy log cabin.

Yes, this project is chewing up my stored cut strips. Yeah!!! Of course I’m still moving around blocks as I complete one. These blocks finish at 18 inches.

I’ve never seen anything as brilliant and special as the corner block arrangement Rachel Hauser gave us–to finish off the very lacey border she designed. Of course I had to make one.

And here’s how it will work with the rest of her border units. These are “tricky” to make–as they are cut and sewn on a 45 degree diagonal line. But they are WORTH the trouble.

Here are the colors up next:

And!! Oh my goodness! Look at the Kalanchoe plant! I brought her inside–actually there are 3 plants here–a gift from my neighbor on my birthday last year. I repotted them at some point, and in the fall tiny buds started appearing. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Have a good week everyone!

Sunday Update

“Pot-Pourri 5: Crosses” is finished. This is the TWENTIETH quilt made from the cut up Cotton+Steel/Ruby Star Society fabrics in my stash–cut about 5 years ago now. I went back this morning and added then all up. They are all out of my house, with a one exception–the EPP quilt I made by hand. I gave these quilts to various members of my very big family and friends network.

Sorry about the ladder legs in this photo but I can’t get them out and don’t want to drag out the ladder again this morning. LOL, there’s always…something. Anyway, this quilt has a home. It’s going to a baby boy.

I used a fun pantograph called “Folk Heart,” which laid down a really nice texture. I quilted with a pale grey thread, which disappeared up front, but shows on the this adorable backing from Ruby Star Society. Their bears are back… And the bears have always been some of my favorites. A light orange binding–not C+S or Ruby Star–does not distract but picks up the orange spots in the bears’ ears.

Here’s where I am on this month’s block from Tara Faughnan’s online class Blocks 2. This month is “Wayward Arcs.”

I am going to hand quilt some of these–and then put them on stretched canvas. And I’ll make a few more as well as I’m not tired of this fun yet.

I have three 18-inch blocks of Rachel Hauser’s log cabin sew-along made. Nine are needed. These blocks are strong colors–opposites on the color wheel which gives a lot of punch. They won’t stay together. Indeed, I’ll make some softer versions now.

Here are the softer colors for the next block: pink and a mint green. And low contrast which just relies on color.

This project DOES chew up a ton of fabric strips–my bins of cut strips are…going down.

It is cold today, but sunny. I have avoided checking on my covered camellias. But… I need to, of course.