Glue basting

 

One of the things I have learned about from watching YouTube videos on quilting is glue basting. 

Back when I first started quilting, I only knew about long basting stitches with a needle and thread. That was very time consuming, but it worked well.

Next, I tried pin basting. That was not for me. I felt like my quilt layers bunched up, and all of those safety pins really annoyed me.

When I was working on my Patriotic Pot Holder quilt this past spring, I used basting spray. It worked really well, but everything in my pressing area felt sticky. 

Since I really didn't like the sticky residue, and since I'm quilting 10" square blocks, I decided I didn't need to use anything for my wall hanging. That did not work out as well as I thought it would. Some of my blocks came out a little off kilter. Lesson learned... I need to baste!

I still have some basting spray left, but I just wasn't ready to go back to using it. So, I went back to YouTube.

I found two different videos in which the quilter's used Elmer's washable school glue. The first quilter squeezed on the glue and then spread it with a foam brush. That did not look like fun to me. 

The second quilter just put dots of glue all over her batting, set the fabric square on top, and then heat set the glue with her iron. That seemed like a much more reasonable approach.

I spent about an hour and a half glue basting 42 blocks for my next quilt. One of the videos recommended waiting 24 hours before stitching to make sure the glue is completely dry. Mom and I had other plans for the day, so that's not a problem!

Lots of fun!

 

I had great expectations for the day. First, I wanted to finish sewing the next two sets of strips today. It took longer than I expected, but I did finish by lunchtime.

Next on my list was to finish "Hills and Valleys" from Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti. Again, it took longer than I expected. Still, I have another bookmark for my stash!

I had so much fun making fairy wands the other day that I ordered two more kits. They arrived right before dinner time, and I put them together after we cleaned up. I think they make a cute display, and I have an easy gift if I need one. 

Tomorrow... more fun!

Blue and white

Yesterday I went shopping with daughter Carol. She's looking for fabric to refinish a slipper chair that her Aunt Karen gave her. No decisions have been made, but it sure was fun looking!

Today I pieced blue and white squares. I think I might turn these into pinwheel blocks. I do love blue and white!

I am working on another bookmark, but I haven't gotten very far. My goal is to finish it tomorrow. I really need to stop reading books and watching YouTube videos!

Keepin' busy

 

I had quite a few squares left over from my most recent wall hanging quilt, so I decided to make them up into four patch blocks. I'm not sure if they will stay this way, or if I will try some different ways of cutting up and re-sewing to make different block designs. I really think a four patch lap throw would be great!

The first two rows of Joanne's quilt are sewn together. I think I'm going to sew two rows at a time and then join the pairs. It's a little too warm to have a quilt resting on my lap!

While doing some reorganizing, I found two charm packs that I thought went well together. Again, I'm starting with a four patch, but I'm not sure if this is the way they will stay.

This afternoon, Mom and I made fairy wands. I watched a YouTube video and thought they would be fun to make. I found a kit on Amazon, which was much less expensive than purchasing some already made. They arrived this afternoon, and we put them together in almost no time.

Many of our flower pots now have fairy wands in them. The sure do sparkle in the sun light!

Oops! I did it again!

 

I started my day off right by baking a loaf of bread. This time I chose to bake it in a bread bowl I purchased on Etsy. The bread turned out great, and I love the bowl.

Once the bread was finished, I worked on piecing squares for my next quilt idea. Mom and I hadn't gone on an excursion in a while, so I asked her if she was interested in taking a little trip. I didn't need anything, but we met daughter Carol at Michael's, and then went on to Hobby Lobby. We went to Cozumel (Mexican restaurant) for lunch, and then headed home. 

There was plenty of time left to craft. However...

I got caught up in reading, and spent the rest of the day lost in a good book!

The last strip

 

It has taken me all week, but I finally finished putting together the last strip for Joanne's quilt. I'm using the heat as my excuse, but the truth is I've just been lazy!

Another reading day

 

Today was uncomfortably hot and humid with absolutely no breeze until late afternoon. 

Dave and I spent the morning getting my sewing machine tuned up. With lots of road construction going on, it took us over an hour to get to the quilt shop. Luckily, they were able to service my machine while we waited. It turns out that the piece I broke was unnecessary. It was some sort of brake to keep the bobbin from spinning when I stop stitching. The man who was working on the machines told me that I would never sew fast enough to make that brake spring necessary, so I didn't need to buy a new part!

I did put my sewing area back together after lunch, but I had no ambition to do any crafting. Instead, I sat and read the rest of How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin. I thoroughly enjoyed this murder mystery, and I'm ready to start her next book.

My sister is coming down to visit tomorrow. It's supposed to be another hot and humid day, so I'm pretty sure we will simply enjoy each other's company!