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.

The Big Snow Storm ...

... that never was ... thank goodness!!!

For a week the weather report was that a HUGE snow storm was heading our way from Alaska. Projected snow fall would be at least 12 inches. So we prepared ourselves. Gassed up both vehicles. Stocked the pantry. Stacked firewood in enclosed deck. Had full gas cans for the portable generator. Charged up the cell phones. Did all the laundry. We were prepared for a power outage and being stranded by our road being drifted shut.

Flakes began falling ... so small ... and dry ... and slowly accumulating. To our east traffic was still moving slowly along highway 103.

By mid afternoon we could no longer see the highway as the snowfall was picking up.

By "night fall" the scene out the front door (east) noted very little change.

This morning we awoke to clear skies and sunshine, and discovered that it snowed through the night. The bulk of the storm had moved through our area with very little fanfare. What was projected at 12 inches, then 10, and finally in "ball park" of 8 inches...in reality measured at a little over 5 inches. A blessing indeed.

Our lane and road were not cleared until mid-morning, giving us this "quiet white" landscape.

The view out the kitchen window was just as "quiet" ... only sign of life were a set of coyote tracks. Discovered them running from road, across back yard, through fence and continuing through open field to railroad tracks.

While the snowfall was less than expected it is much appreciated and needed. It's beautiful and I'm so happy we don't need to be out in it! I rather enjoy viewing it from afar!

Pointer Sisters and "Shout"

Gotcha! This "Shout" is a color catcher fabric dryer type sheet you could use when washing garments that may bleed when laundering. I've used it when washing those bright colored sweatshirts, etc. It's also something to be used when washing a quilt the first time.

I do not pre-wash fabrics before cutting and sewing a quilt. I prefer manufacturers stabilizer vs me washing and starching, mostly because I'm lazy! One exception would be making a t-shirt quilt -- t-shirts are typically pre-worn and laundered many times. Complimentary fabrics being used for sashings, corners, borders and backing should then be laundered. The "Shout - Color Catcher" is always used! I've never had any bleeding problems. I do toss in a second sheet if I'm concerned about whether one would catch all of the dye.

So there you have it, my two cents worth ... regarding the first laundering of that new or favorite quilt.

Sent and Received

Getting-in-the-mood!

I'm loving my new and improved "sewing sweatshop"! After foundation improvements, fresh paint, additional work lighting and floor/carpet cleaning I was able to return everything to it's rightful place.

The sewing area was a snap ... if I didn't use it in that area it needed to find a new home. I soon discovered there was alot of freed up space. So the bulletin board, evidently, housed alot of used items -- but they did not need to be "displayed"! The pegboard housed ALOT of rulers and rotary cutters ... why? ... I don't cut in that room!!!

Because the cutting room sports four wall anchors ... two yet to be "disguised" ... an additional pegboard was mounted to cover two of the plates. A new home for my rulers and rotary cutters!!! Yeah ...

I am so lucky to have all of this organized space now. Fabrics, mags, quilt kits, and instruction manuals are neatly labeled and live on the bookshelves. Even had Larry install additional shelving "just in case" I found more fabrics, mags, quilt kits, etc. I just had to have!

I'm loving my new area and have even (after three years of waiting procrastinating), finally, begun working on a t-shirt quilt for Tyler.

Share-time

Proof that they can get along when there is an adequate sun spot. Sami is on right (or front) while Little Bit gets what is left, she obviously needs to sun her round little belly!