August One Monthly Goal

 

Do you make a list of projects you want to complete?  It's been a HUGE help in me getting them done.  This month was pretty good.  I wanted to finish the white, blue and yellow top, and I did.  I wanted to finish the red and cream quilt, and I did.  I wanted to finish the Island Batik Ambassador and Studio 180 tool challenge and I didn't, but there are reasons.  

 

I wanted to make the blue and black quilt for my great nephew. Although I planned a twin, he has a full size bed, so I have to go a bit bigger.  I ordered another bolt of Island Batik Navy basic, but it's on back order, so I set the project aside for a bit.  I wanted to use the Navy in the blocks, as well as some Stashbuilder strips, and for the border.  I may decide to finish the blocks with the Navy I have and wait to add the border when the fabric ships.  

I changed directions, though, so I have a different top finished, after having issues (bad planning on my part).  Here's the blue and black, and the top I did get done, except for the outer border and quilting and binding.  

This uses Floralicious, which has precuts available now, and Coconut and Aqua basics. 

I did get the red and cream top done.  This is a commission, and was delivered yesterday.  I will be making shams to match, and actually have to make this bigger.  We forgot she wanted it to cover the wood on her sleigh bed, when she agreed on the design.  Fabric is Red Elegance by Nancy Zieman for Riley Blake.  Panto is Heather by My Creative Stitches, and I used Red Wine Aurifil 40-three thread top and bottom.  

The other was a vary satisfying finish.  I started this for a book blog hop, but ran out of the blue and yellow fabric (the book didn't have accurate info at the time) and finally found some for sale.  I replaced the wrong units, and got it quilted and bound. 

And I did the binding on the blue ornaments runner.  

So, except for the Island Batik challenge, I did actually get it all done!  Very exciting, and I'm really proud.  Check out the rest of the one monthly goals projects here.  

Linking up with Elm Street Quilts.  

Island Batik Tool Time Challenge

 

This month Island Batik worked with Studio 180 Designs and Deb Tucker to create a design with a tool that was provided.  We were also provided with the optional extra worksheets for the tools, and were encouraged to watch the free videos that Deb's created to show how to use the tools and create designs.  The tools and fabric were provided as part of the Ambassador program.  I also use Aurifil Thread 50 wt for piecing, and Schmetz Microtex needles.  

My tool was Split Rects.  It makes multiple sizes with the correct angle for the split, from 1/2" by 1" to 4 by 8" finished size units.  The unit is similar to a half square triangle unit, but it's a rectangle in even proportions.  The optional designs include a single and double diagonal seam, too.  I looked at that, but with the other projects I needed to get finished this month, I wanted to go simple.  

My original design was to add the Split Rects units to 4 patch centers, for 12" blocks, and to make a scrappy blue and black quilt for my great nephew.  I got 6 blocks done in June, then set it aside to finish another project.  

I used some of the Stash Builder rolls to make the 4 patch units, and yardage of the blues and Solid Black.

This is the EQ8 version.  I liked playing with the direction of the blocks, and finding the twisted star as a secondary design.  But when I found out Noah has a full size bed, and I don't have enough of the Navy Basics fabric (it's on back order) I played with a second plan. 

An easier plan.  One that is also smaller.  And possible to finish this month.  But you all know about the best plans, right?  

I grabbed the 10" Stack of Floralicious, and the Aqua Basics and Coconut neutral, and played on EQ8 again. 

I used the Split Rects tool to create the sashing.  Long story short, I made a mistake in the sizing.  I looked at the tool, saw it had a 2  1/2 by 5" size, and cut to make lots of the units.  I cut 16 pieces of Floralicious into 5" squares.  But that would make a 4 1/2" finished unit, not 5", so I had trim down the Split Rects units, and squares to 4 1/2" or 4" finished.  

I also opted to make it a smaller size, basically a baby size quilt, instead of lap.  Here's the top.  I also opted to piece all the Split Rects units going the same way, not as illustrated above.  I used units in both directions, but piecing was easier to just keep them all the same.  It's actually a very fast assemble with a little bit of sparkle for a quick project.  It allows Floralicious to shine, but it's more than a simple sashing.  

Chain piecing for the win!  

Then comes the precision trimming.  I use a Highlighter Tape to mark the lines I need to follow and the corner of the unit, so I can easily find them and make sure I'm accurate.  I use this removable tape on many of my rulers.  It makes finding the right spot so easy.  I'm sure you can find it in stationary stores. There are other similar ideas on the market, one with arrows.  

But once I realized the 5' finished was too big, I carefully pulled up the tape and moved it to the 4 by 8"  line.  There was a little waste because of my mistake, but not much when trimming the properly cut size, according to the tool. 

Here's the current top. 

I added a border of Coconut and I'm thinking about the next border I want to add.  I have squares I can cut for piano key, or more of the Aqua if I want to go solid.  Or maybe I'll use some of the Split Rects to make a wavy border, then add the Aqua.  I'll let you know when it's done. 

But using the tool was great.  I have a few of the Studio 180 tools, and like them all.  The directions and videos are great, and the options are many.  You get perfectly sized units each time, so your top is almost perfect!  There are also tons of supporting patterns, where you can use the ruler again.  I love that, most of all.  So many templates are only for one purpose.  These have multiple sizes and many patterns, and since the unit sizes are standard, you can use them for patterns that call for the same size pieces, too.  

Please visit all the other Ambassadors to see what they've done this month.  I actually feel like a slacker after seeing how creative they were.  Jaw dropping designs! 

Carolina Asmussen ~ Carolina Asmussen Designs
Megan Stanionis Best ~ Best Quilter
Pamela Boatright ~ Pamelaquilts
Jennifer Fulton ~ The Inquiring Quilter
Vasudha Govindan ~ Storied Quilts
Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts
Mania Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for quilts
Carla Henton ~ Creatin’ in the Sticks
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
Denise Jackson Looney ~ For The Love Of Geese
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Sally Manke ~ Sally Manke, Fiber Artist
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack Made Mine
Carol Moellers ~ Carol Moellers Designs
Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads
Sharon Riley ~ Sew Riley Designs
Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde
Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail
Jennifer Strauser ~ Dizzy Quilter
Jennifer Schifano Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
Alison Vermilya ~ Little Bunny Quilts
Sandra Walker ~ mmm! quilts
Suzy Webster ~ Websterquilt
Janet Lael Pedersen Yamamoto ~ Whispers of Yore

You have to look at Megan Best's blog.  Her quilt went traveling!   So funny. And Carol Moeller's design, Vasudha's, etc.  Really, go look at them all.  Get some inspiration and then get the tools.  Sally's design is great, too.  Have fun reading!

Thanks for visiting

Maryellen

One Monthly Goal August

 This One Monthly Goal link up has been such a help to spur me on to getting things done.  I challenge myself to pick something that needs to get done, but also that I can get done.  I always add more than one thing, though.  What is your goal this month?  Link up with One Monthly Goal and let us know.  

My first goal is to finish the Red Elegance commission quilt.  I am working on the stars round, and then have a few solids and a Piano Key.  I want it quilted, bound and delivered this month.  

The second goal is to finish the blue and black Island Batik and Studio 180 Split Rects challenge.  It needs to be done by the end of the month.  I'm making a fairly large quilt, but the blocks go together fast, and I already have 6 done.  The hard part on this one is the layout.  I've played with the blocks on EQ8 and have 4 options I love.  

Minor goals would be to bind the Christmas Then and Now top, and to replace the "substitute" squares in a quilt, because I finally found the actual fabric I've been searching for for a year.  I want to get this quilted as soon as possible, then as well.  I'm just going to keep stitching until these things get done.  

Have you seen my #AlwaysSewingAugust hashtag?  I challenge you to do something sewing related for at least 15 minutes a day, and share a photo with the hashtag on Instagram.  I'll cheer you on.  You can spend more than 15 minutes, but it's so good for your brain and stress level to do some sewing related project, and you can make good progress in 15 minutes.  Garments, quilting, hand sewing, mending, it all counts.  Just use the hashtag!  Let's see what we can accomplish, and support one another doing it.  

Thanks for reading, and get your goals started! 

Maryellen