Tyler's Finished T-Shirt Quilt!

It was truly another labor of love! Finished quilt is roughly 100 x 100 inches, the second largest I have made to date. Because of its size it was "sent out" to be long armed ... "stippled" or an allover roving design. I am very impressed with how it turned out ... t-shirts were well worn and spanned several years. Their quality was still good and once reinforced with proper stabilizer they were sturdy! I must say, I love this quilt ... probably because it is for grandson Tyler.

 

... Eating Spaghetti 101 ...

If you are almost three years old ... and love, love, love spaghetti ... you literally throw yourself into your work ... and comment that it is "very tasty" ...

... and when the pasta is gone ... you finish up with peaches and a cupcake ...

... then ask if you can go outside and "schwing" now ...

... the infamous t-shirt quilt ...

Well now ... another quilting project coming to an end. One of the tasks I do not enjoy is the binding! Cutting off the excess fabric after a quilt has been long armed is labor intensive ... especially when said quilt weighs over five pounds AND your work space has been reduced ... hmpf!!!

The quilt is big enough for a queen bed, but could also fit on a king - if one isn't to particular about the length of the "drop". I set up a table and move machine over so that I can accommodate all the "fabric" of the quilt. While this photo may make it look awkward, it works for me - 

I lost much of my "cutting room" space when mid-arm machine and frame came back to live in our basement. The up side is that money will be saved by doing the machine quilting myself ... mid-arm does have a computer so it should be easy-peasy!!!

Once the handwork for binding has been completed the finished t-shirt quilt will be ready to share.





Wednesday with Beth

 

 

 

Beth had a ganglion cyst on the top of her left hand ... it wasn't so much "bothersome" as it was very "unattractive" and required removal! Initially doctor could not say that it was a ganglion because it didn't have the characteristics of one. It looked the size of a grape tomato beneath the skin and you envisioned one of the little creatures from Men in Black to emerge at any time!

 

Surgery went well and without incident ... she was prepped, went to surgery, returned and with the help of grandpa read her text messages, graduated to being able to do a one-handed text and now sports a very "boring" looking splint that will be removed in a week.

 

One of the many rewards to being a grandparent ... caring for your baby's baby ... loving it!

"The Jake Cave"

Jake's quilt is finished and ready to give him. Thought about popping it into a box and mailing. Was reminded that I will be going to Denver with him for basketball games ... so it will be personally delivered!

I'm loving how it turned out ... simple quilting so as not to detract from the center "O" (Ogallala Indians)! This should keep him warm AND give his "cave" some ambiance.

March Madness!!!

A week-end in Kearney for 9th grade boys basketball. The Ogallala traveling team got 2nd place!!!

Back row: Brittan, Jordan, Brandon, Nick

Front row: Dakota, Jake, Easton, Ethan

February ... Road Trip

Spent a week in Ogallala when #1 daughter and spouse were in Florida "for work". Dog sitting, Jake-watching and s-e-w-i-n-g! While Jake and grandpa did their own little week-end "road trip" for Jake's travelling basketball team I was able to begin and finish a quilt top project!

Jake has a "man cave" and needed a themed quilt to add to the decor. I got this far with layout before adding two outer borders. First border is another grey, with a wider black as second/outer border. Jake selected an orange for backing. Now that I am in my own sewing environment I can do the layering and quilting myself. Of course that will happen after Tyler's t-shirt quilt is at long-arm-quilters!

T-shirt quilt progress

I'm liking the look ... good choice of fabric Tyler!

Every square inch of usable t-shirt was put to good use!

"Southeast High School"

I am very proud of my progress! I didn't wait 30+ years for this one, just 3 years. I could state several reasons for the delay -  my inexperience working with a t-shirt fabric; not wanting to screw it up because it is for "my Tyler"; disruption of life with foundation repairs; or the ever popular "life got in the way". But for whatever reason here is the progress thus far.

Rows 1 and 2. The felt wall is 8 feet wide, another HUGE quilt.

Rows 1 and 2 joined with sashing. I've over-lap layered

the rows on the felt wall so I can see sequence without

having to look at my notes (not lazy, just being smart).

The "kid" is a Lincoln Southeast High School graduate.

T-shirts making up the quilt are from those high school

years, thus the metallic gold on black and gold dimpled

 fabric choices. Loving the fact that my cornerblock

seams are matchey-matchey.

 

Rows 3 and 4 are "awaiting" to be joined with sashing.

Sashing strips are all cut and ready for stitching.

Once rows 5 and 6 are joined, I will join the three panels together (1/2, 3/4, and 5/6). THEN I get to test my math skills (again) to see if I have enough of the gold metallic/black dimple fabric for the outer border! The fabric had been discontinued so ordered what was available from my favorite online quilt shop "Ladyfingers Sewing Studio" in Oley PA.

The finished quilt will be six blocks wide by six blocks long ... roughly 8 feet square. I'm sure the long arm quilter can handle this one too.

Dimples "metallic" fabric

Procrastinating ... again ... This time it was a "how do I" dilemma for a t-shirt quilt.

Before Tyler moved out in December, 2009 we "disassembled" some of his t-shirts. We very carefully folded up those that he wanted included in a t-shirt quilt and put them into a very nice storage container. The container was then placed under my cutting table where it "lived" somewhat happily, until that day when I decided I was tired of moving it to get at other containers with batting, shipping boxes, fleece, etc. etc. etc. Also, when my sister shared her t-shirt quilt pattern I knew the time had come!

I sat down and laid out my quilt top design, made a list of materials needed and began. T-shirt blocks are cut to size and are all stabilized. Tyler was here over the Labor Day week-end and selected the cornerstone and sashing/border fabrics. I ordered the "Dimples" fabrics from my favorite on-line shop "Ladyfingers Sewing Studio" (Oley PA) and they were received this past week. I really like the dark metallic fabric, which unfortunately does not show well in this photo. If you look hard enough that is gold metallic on black -- a perfect combination for a Lincoln Southeast High School graduate! Now to purchase a suitable fabric for the backing.

Dateline: Same day, early afternoon = Update to this post

Visited two fabric stores before finding this at ... of all places ... Hancock's! I bought the rest of the bolt because it was a good quality flannel. Now I can get this party started!

T-Shirt Quilt

I like a challenge ... so decided that after 2 1/2 years I should begin grandson Tyler's t-shirt quilt. It's an easy enough project. Afterall I have 4-5 different patterns to refer to and sister Debi just finished one ... so there is my "go to" person.

There are over 40 t-shirts to assemble into one quilt top. So far, so good. By consolidating the different block sizes there will be a total of 36 blocks (quilt top will be 6 by 6). I understand there is one more that needs to be included ... so perhaps the design will need to be tweaked to make room!

Here are the scraps that will not be used, and I still have nine blocks to go! The Knights band shirt on the rack is to heavy to include in the quilt top, and I don't want to cut it up, it's really a good looking shirt! I'm thinking a nice "throw pillow" to compliment quilt may be in order.

Gotta say the kid has a large assortment of t-shirts - band, plays, church. With every cut I see his handsome face ...

I sure do love my Tyler.

"Cat Woman"

... her elementary years

... her teen years

Aw-w-w-w

Jake got a "boo-boo" at football camp last week. He now sports a cast and will get to wear one most of the summer.

Scotch Blocks Quilt

The last time I posted status of Noah's "Scotch Blocks" quilt was February 1st. I'm pleased to report that quilt was completed on February 6th. Insert the "Yoo-Hoo Dance here". Took the quilt top and backing to Kris and it was long-armed by "tax day" (April 15th). Then of course, I procrastinated some more and didn't get around to doing the binding until the Memorial Day week-end!

I think the most difficult and time-consuming part of any quilt is the dog-gone binding! It took me eight hours to do the handwork and boy were my hands beginning to cramp up. But it is done ... it looks "fan-tab-u-lus" if I do say so myself! Judi has seen it, liked it and thought I had done a good job. She's the guru of quilting so that was a much appreciated compliment!

From sandboxes to climbing trees ... he's getting to be such a big kid!

Milestones ...

This has been a most interesting "spring". A visit from Tyler after first year at ORU, Beth graduating from high-school, Tyler turning 21, Noah going double-digit, Jake flying to DC on his 14th birthday and now Cooper going front-facing!!!

. . . and it's only May!

OHS - Class of 2012

Had a great time this past week celebrating Beth's graduation.

Jake (13), Beth (17) and Tyler (20)



Oh ... my ... goodness ...

Our beautiful Bethany!!!

Scotch Blocks Quilt = "Guilt Trip"

Received a telephone call from Noah last week ... "Hello Grandma are you finished with my quilt?" Did you ever have to tell a nine-year old boy "no"? I felt like a big dope ... I should have been working on it, but alas I procrastinated, dropped the ball, got lazy, whatever you want to call it ... I blew it BIG TIME!!!

One thing that should have kept me on track was the fact that the fabrics for this quilt were purchased during the 2011 Nebraska shop hop. How would I be able to make the 2012 rounds (April 19-29) if I hadn't finished it? I've found a wonderful long-arm quilter, have the sashing and backing. Why had I wimped out?

So this week I returned to the sewing room and focused on finishing up the block assembly. It took me less time to complete the last 16 blocks than it did the first 14. Now I should have smooth sailing ... only need to square up the blocks (yucky, tedious work -- maybe that is my excuse?). I need to get a move on ...

This is what it's all about ...

Not a good picture ... was using the cell phone. The "Man Cave" is also dimly lit ... but you can see everyone's expression. I especially love the way C is looking up at Gramps.

Jake

Boy meets pizza ...