WIP Wednesday - Kissing Booth & Test Quilts

I'm happy to say that I've actually got a couple of items in progress.  Ok I have lots of items, but really I have three items that I can say are really in progress right now.  I was able to finish my t-shirt quilt on Monday, quilted and bound, so I was able to start piecing my Kissing Booth turning 20 quilt top on Tuesday.  I love this pattern because it goes together so quickly.  I have the center pieced...see how pretty it is

It has three borders, and one of them is pieced.  I have the pieces cut, but still have to assemble them and then cut and add the other two borders.  I also have two test quilts that I have all the fabric assembled and need to cut and start sewing.  I can't show them to you yet, but I'm sure you'll be snippets of them soon. It is going to be a busy week, but I love it!!!!  I'm linking up with WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Drop and Give Me Twenty - Wrap Up

Ok I think I did something sewing related every day last month.  Some days were pretty short and I'm not sure I got a full 20 minutes done, but most days were more than the 20.  Here is what I did on the last week.

On Sunday I got Sharla's first t-shirt quilt loaded onto the frame.  Both the top and back as well as the batting.  I also wound my bobbins and loaded the thread, oiled the machine and tested my tension.  I really wanted to start quilting it Sunday night, but I was tired.

Then on Monday I got it quilted.  It was a much smaller quilt than the other ones I've been doing, so it went quickly...well relatively quickly.  I did have some thread issues, and I'm not sure why.  I think it might be going from the t-shirt material to the cotton and back.  I did do loops on this one instead of the meander. Which was fun.

I also finished my Trails End quilt top on Monday.  I had pieced part of the rows last week and just needed to get the last couple of rows sewn and it all put together.  

Tuesday I got the quilt trimmed, and the binding cut, but that was it.  I got busy doing other things and didn't even get a photo that day.  On Wednesday I sewed the binding and got it pressed.  I have to say I am really liking my June Tailor binding express. It does make the ironing easier.

Thursday night was a made binding night. I attached the binding to the back and the front.  I do it by machine, because I hate hand work.  I had already created the label last week, but screwed up on cutting it, so I had to play with it a little to make it work.

And here it is all done.  Over all I've very happy with the progress I made this month doing the DaGMT.  I have quilted 4 quilts and pieced two tops.  And that doesn't include the ironing and organizing of fabric that I did as well.  

A Lovely Year of Finishes March Goals & 30/30 Sewing Challenge

Ok since I've got basically the same goals for both of these I'm lumping them together. So far I've been doing great on my ALYOF 2014 goals, and really want to keep going.  And to help make sure I reach my goals I'm joining the 30/30 Challenge Sarah at Berry Barns Designs.  Now for those new to each of these, A Lovely Year of Finishes 2014 you set one goal for each month and then report back to see if you completed that goal (I normally have more than one goal). And the 30/30 challenge is to carve out 30 minutes for 30 days to accomplish your sewing goals.

My goals this month are to quilt one quilt a week.  I've been successful in doing is for January and February, and want to continue the progress.  I believe that I will quilt in this order, my first t-shirt quilt, Sharla's disappearing 9 patch, my disappearing 9 patch and Sharla's turning 20.  This may change a little, but I know I'm starting the month with my first t-shirt quilt.

I don't have photos of my t-shirt quilt, but here is Sharla's Disappearing 9 patch

And my disappearing 9 patch, sorry the photos aren't great, but they were taken in the hallway outside of the classroom where we took the class and taken with my ipad.

I don't have a photo of Sharla's turning 20 top, but I do have one of mine, and hers is the same fabric except for the outer border.  I may change up and do another one in this ones place, but for now it will give you an idea of what I hope to accomplish.

In addition to getting some quilting done, I want to cut out and piece my Kissing Booth turning 20 quilt.  It is an easy pattern and I'm doing the smaller version using 12 fat quarters, so it is definitely doable.  I also want to get the fabric for the next test quilt I'm doing.  Yes I was asked to test another quilt by a different designer, and it is pretty cool.  I think I have everything picked out except the background and backing fabric, but need to make a trip to the fabric store.

Here is the fabric for the Kissing Booth turning 20, I pressed it last night to get it ready.

It is going to be a busy month, but that's the way I like it. I'm finally getting to the quilts that we really want quilted.  The ones before were more for practice.  I'm also hoping to go to the Dallas Quilt Show next weekend, which I'm sure will lead to some fabric purchases, and hopefully lots of inspiration. If you've not checked out A Lovely Year of Finishes 2014 or the 30/30 Challenge, the names are linked as are their buttons on the side bar.