Sewing and Stuff

Summer is in full swing here in the Salt Lake Valley and it’s hot, hot, hot. The next three days are supposed to be over 100 degrees F (37-42 C). I plan to stay indoors as much as possible for those 3 days, but I do have my last two physical therapy sessions on Monday and Wednesday. Even the dinner menu for the next week is easy and summery - salads, sandwiches, and a community BBQ on Wednesday. We have lots of frozen meals that can be zapped in the microwave if we want something warm. Luckily, the new air conditioner is working like a charm, so we’re all happy, including the kitties in their fur coats. 

I didn’t post anything last week because for the first time in months, if not years, I didn’t even go into my sewing room. I had a couple books in a row that were soooo good that I just didn’t have any ambition to do anything but read. Because I know I’ll get asked, the books were: Project Hail Mary (Andy Weir) and The Calamity Club (Kathryn Stockett). I also just finished The Woman in Cabin 10 (Ruth Ware), and it was good too. But I’ve got the sewing itch back again, so I’ve got some balance back again!

The first thing I did, beginning last Sunday, was to sew 30 aqua/turquoise/teal string blocks. They measure 6.5” unfinished. Regular readers know that I pin these into groups of 15 for our local chapter of Quilts for Kids. They add them to 15 other matching fabric squares, plus two border fabrics, and check them out as quilt kits to be sewn by volunteers. 

Then I sewed four quick Switchplate blocks that will finish at 3x5” in a quilt. I’ve been working on these since last year. Mostly I’m just finishing up the last few in every color as we go through the spectrum for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

I’m not looking forward to sewing these little things into a quilt top, but the end is drawing closer, so maybe I’ll make a start on it in the next couple months. 

I also whipped up these 4 Hollow Nines because I could. I added these a couple months ago, so there is no plan and no rush. 

Ruby quilted another couple little tops for me. The first one below is made from cat blocks that I was given to me in a huge batch of fabric last year by my friend Pat up in Ogden. They were actually made by her twin sister Kitty in California. Now, normally when I add labels to my Quilts for Kids donations, I put all the makers names on the back. This time, however, I think it would be really weird if I said that this cat quilt was made by Kitty L. and Cat K. So, I’ll probably label it from Pat and Cat. Sheesh, that’s not much better!! 

This quilt measures 37x43” and has a black and white wood-grain print on the back.

The second finish this week was another Strippie that I finished. I was so happy to use up this cute owl print that’s been in my stash for a decade or more. 

The color is truest on the photo below. 

And here’s a shot of the back.  This one measures 39x50”.

My least favorite thing I worked on this week was sewing together these blue blocks from June into a top. Well, almost a top. I still have to join the Framed 4-patch column in the center to the columns on either side. But it’s close enough for its flimsy pic!

I’m guessing it’s about 49x60” or so, but obviously I’ll get a more accurate measurement when the quilt is done. The backing will be some orphan blocks and chunks and strips of miscellaneous blue fabrics to make some room on the blue shelf. I’m going to play with that later today.

Have a great week!