As much of the quilting world prepares for Quilt Market, urgently pushing to complete those finishing touches on booths, accessories, new bags, business cards, etc., I share that energy as I try to get a few last projects from my work in progress pile into the “finished” pile. My deadline is not the impending Market, however. I am entering the final week(s) before having a baby. Amazingly, I’m feeling pretty hopeful that I will be able to complete the quilting projects that need to be finished before baby arrives (let’s not even talk about the projects around the house, though–priorities, right?), and I’m trying hard not to take on more projects in the meantime.
Two of the big quilting projects are no strangers to you loyal readers, so prepare yourselves for yet another look at the Pinkalicious Hazel Hedgehog baby quilt I’m working on for my sister-in-law, and the Alison Glass Prismatic Medallion mini quilt I’m finishing up for my partner in the Alison Glass Mini Quilt Swap on Instagram.
Thankfully, I’m on the final binding phase for the Prismatic Medallion mini quilt. I’m binding it with my new favorite: Robert Kaufman Essex Yarn Dyed Linen blend in Charcoal, with coordinating 50wt Aurifil 1246 – Grey. I used straight-grain binding and next time will use bias binding, since I’m finding that the backs of the corners are a bit off kilter. Since the front corners line up perfectly and look nice and crisp, I’m not worrying about it, but I’m still searching for that secret tip to making perfect corners on the front and back when binding a hexagon. I’m in the process of setting up a skype date with Carla from Granny Maud’s Girl way over in Perth, Australia, since she says she knows the secret to binding hexagons–how awesome is this technological world and the quilting community within it!?
I’m hoping to have a mini finish to share soon!
I also need to finish quilting Hazel. I ordered the coordinating Aurifil from Hawthorne Threads, and now that it’s here, that can go back into my project circulation. I’m planning to do simple outline echo quilting on Hazel’s face and body with Aurifil 2423 – Baby Pink, since it is just a *little* bit pinker than her face and will add the texture without detracting from her features. The lighter pink color will be a fun addition to her bright pink legs and body. I ordered 40wt this time, since I love the added thickness that helps the quilting pop.
I’ve decided to try my very first matchstick quilting in the heart, since it’s a small enough space I don’t think it will be too crazy to complete before baby. Plus, I am going to try to quilt the baby’s name–Reagan–into the heart via negative space. For this, I’m going to use Freezer Paper for the very first time! I bought a big roll over a year ago when my late quilting Grammy said that it was an absolute must for paper piecing. I’ve never used it for paper piecing since I strongly prefer the foundation paper method, but I’m hoping to cut out freezer paper letters spelling Reagan, iron them onto the heart, and then matchstick quilt within the heart, but NOT on the letters. Is that as clear as mud? I promise I’ll take photos of the process, and fingers crossed that it works the way I envision!
I ordered my very first spool of variegated thread for the heart matchstick quilting, and I think the color is perfect–it’s Bubblegum variegated 3660! I ordered 50wt this time and very well might keep my panacea Dove thread color in the bobbin since with matchstick quilting, I’m afraid of running out of thread before I’m finished.
I also have another project, a pattern I’m developing, which I’m trying to finish before baby comes. For now, I can’t show you much, and the progress is not nearly as close to complete as these first two projects. Getting Hazel and the Prismatic Medallion into the finished pile will certainly help me focus on the new pattern, though, so little steps it is!
Finally, I thought I’d share my last and greatest work in progress, heading to the “finished” pile at an unknown impending date.
Here I am between 38 and 39 weeks pregnant with my third baby, a boy. He’s still in progress, but should be joining us on the outside world (aka finished cooking) in the coming weeks. Makers gotta make!
I’m linking up with Freshly Pieced’s Work in Progress Wednesday, and Molli Sparkles’ Sunday Stash, since I added some more Aurifil thread to my stash to finish these projects.
Night Quilter 
I admire how much you are getting done in these last week(s), Kitty! Your color selections for the thread are beautiful and I think the name in negative space is a brilliant idea. Good luck getting some finishes wrapped up soon!
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My head’s spinning! You are definitely in the nesting stage 🙂 Love all the colors of this post! BTW, keep us posted!
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Freezer paper sure is handy, but I’m not completely clear how you’re going to be using it. I’ll have to see when you tell us more. You’re looking good. Just to be clear, do you mean makers gotta make babies? Just kidding. You sure are keeping busy. I wouldn’t worry about getting all the household chores done before baby’s arrival.I found that it was actually easier, since I had more energy, when I wasn’t hauling the baby around all the time, just most of the time.
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Here’s to a breezy and soon delivery. I get your plan for the name; sounds workable to me. I think it will look good. Here’s to a finish sooner than the delivery.
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Good luck with the new arrival. Impressed you are managing to get so much done when you already have two children!
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Freezer paper works great for relief quilting!!! I use it all the time because I don’t trust marking pens… I’m so happy for you and your newest “make”. 😀
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Great work on your making – especially your new baby! Good luck getting it all done. Your projects look wonderful and I think your sister (?SIL) will love the quilt you are doing for her.
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You are amazing. Best of luck on the work in progress.
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I need to finish many many projects I have begun and are now in a basket as WIP. I love to piece, to buy fabric, to try a new pattern and then like the fluffy dandelions in the wind I blow away and look for another project. When I really looked, I figure I will be in my 70s before I get them done. (That is quite a few years away). I really need to start doing more machine quilting – trying to do everything by hand just isn’t feasible when you have the attention span of a knat. I think I need to go to the school of Kitty where you finish what you start.
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I’m looking forward to seeing the finishes! I love the look of matchstick quilting, but I just don’t have the patience to attempt it on anything. I suppose I might be able to manage a matchstick quilted coaster. A small coaster.
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There’s no hand stitching in your go bag is there? You are gonna be sewing up till the last minute aren’t you 🙂 I can’t wait to see how you quilt the Hazel quilt, it’s going to be magnificent!
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You amaze me Kitty, with your focus on quilting in these last weeks. It will do you and your baby son good though to focus on such beautiful endeavors.
I wanted to ask you about the plan you have for matchstick quilting in the heart and leaving negative space for letters. Will you be doing this by machine? I just did it by machine, using letters I printed out and then adhered temporarily with school glue. It turned out great except for one thing. As each sewing line hit the letter, I stitched a few stitches in place, lifted my presser foot an then set it down on the other side of the letter, starting again with more stitches in place. As a result I have bumpy knots around all the letters and I didn’t like that. I thought about tying off and burying all the threads, but don’t know… there would be so many. I was wondering how you plan to tackle the starts and stops in so many matchstick lines. I hope you can figure out what I am asking. 🙂
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You are such a beautiful new momma-to-be!!
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