Long Weekend: Not Quilting: Dana Point Weekend

So, my husband and I took a few days and drove up the coast to Dana Point for a little holiday.  I thought when we married that we'd be doing this on a regular basis, but that hasn't been the case.  Oh well.  We started by dropping some things off to Goodwill.

A little cat my mom used to have on a shelf.

Cake decorating books from a friend in Australia, a basket it the shape of the state my son's ex-wife was from, assorted blankets I tied with my mom.

Am empty case for dinosaurs.

I hope they can distribute party paper goods.

My mom's jacket.  Destroyed by moths.

I like the way it is designed.  Should have had my husband take a photo actually showing how nice it looks....

After emptying the trunk, we drove up Pacific State Highway.  It's a pretty road, has the Pacific Ocean on the left and houses or businesses on the right.

We stopped in one of my favorite cities, Encinitas for lunch and had a visit to their beautiful library.

I didn't take photos of the library, but it's the best.  They have a place to buy coffee (as a fundraiser), and you can settle into chairs to look at books and the ocean!

 Brave New Quilts was organized sort of by different design principles of different artists.

Quilt with Tula and Angela, had a nice combination of color theory, piecing, and fun free motion quilting.

I've heard of Christina Cameli, but this was the first book I'd seen by her.  There were lots of ideas for different designs, but for a beginner like me, there was not enough step-by-step instruction to actually do the designs than she has in the book.

Once we got to Dana Point we stayed at the Best Western.  Walked for dinner to a BBQ place, read, next day walked to the harbor, had seafood dinner, we left after breakfast the next day.  Drove up to Irvine to go to another bookstore, then back down to San Clementine for a super used book store. Then home.

The only picture I seem to have taken is the design on the duvet at the hotel...

Oh we went to lunch in Irvine, this was outside the restroom. It was huge, so I only took the corner.

and this is the book my husband checked out of the Encinitas Library!  He is teaching a class on Educational Games...

WIP Charity Top: Jordan Fabrics How to Cut A Rail Fence Quilt

I've never made a rail fence quilt.  September is charity top day at my once a month group, so since I had found this YouTube, Jordan Fabrics How to Cut A Rail Fence Quilt, I decide to find some fabric and make a top.  Several people were also looking thru the fabric, so I think that part could have gone quicker, but it was nice to chat to folks.  I found four fabrics each about 19 inches wide and started cutting 2.5 inch strips.  I followed his tips and cut several fabrics at the same time.  I subcut those into 8.5 inch strips and got to sewing the blocks.  At the end I needed more of the darker blue.  I was going to use some different fabric, but then I discovered that I could piece together enough to make the final strip.

It's unusual for me to follow directions!  I cut the fabric for a top all at the same time, used only a few fabrics, and cut several fabrics at the same time.

It felt like I was working rather quickly, but I'm not sure...  I think it took about five hours for me to get this top pieced (including picking the fabric, ironing, cutting, sewing, chatting).  Unfortunately, I did not pick out backing fabric, so I was not able to get the batting for the quilt.  But I'll get that and work on it the next Saturday group that I can attend. Gosh, that won't be until January.  : (  But at least it's a start of a charity quilt!

Since I have more time, think I'll add some borders to make the quilt a little larger than 40 inch square.

Crumb Quilting Adventure - Making an Odd Shaped Block Square | Ep. 8

I'm continuing with making crumb pieces that will eventually turn into blocks following Darlene's directions.  

Crumb Quilting Adventure - Making an Odd Shaped Block Square | Ep. 8

Notes:

1.  She prefers to make the blocks larger than they need to be so she has 'good' pieces that are cut off and can be used in a different block.

2.  For pieces near to the end size, try putting on paper and drawing what shapes you need to add to make it the correct size.  'Build it out'

• Anticipate how it will look after sewn (remember you will lose fabric with the seam), try to have a straight edge (rather than sewing two pieces on to make it straight). So either trim it so it's straight, or plan where to insert a little piece so the edge will be straight.
• Maybe try a little piece of 'sashing' so the meeting of two pieced units is not full of seams!
• Have generous ends so they line up, put straight edged fabric on top to use as the sewing line.
• Place the new strip so it is wonky, so when you sew it on the block pieces get squarer.

Now that I have larger units sewn together I was able to use these tips right away!

First here is my larger than needed piece of work.  At first I thought to put the cut lines at the side.  In looking at it though I thought how the bottom seam then would have a lot of seams.

So I moved the template down.  This way I would get three pretty good pieces to be used in another block, and what remained was interesting too.

Cut, and I have the block!  Also see the larger pieces that can used in another block!

Now here is a piece that needed more to be the correct size. (Instead of using a piece of paper, I used the template.)  It is tall enough but needs material added to the sides.

I found two pieces that looked like they would be perfect.

But then I remembered the seams would take away a lot of fabric, so the extra pieces that had seemed so perfect, just weren't!

These next pieces were larger, but when I put the cutting template on the top, I could see again the seams would make it too small.

I remembered Darlene's suggestion to use the double strip piece as a sort of sashing to help minimize the number of seams when pieces were joined...  This arrangement seemed perfect so I took the pieces to the machine...

But the way I placed the fabric made a little corner be too short.  I had to add fabric.  I added so it was slanted.  The first piece wasn't enough, so I added another one.  I also sewed a piece of fabric to the part that would be cut off...

And here I have the block with three bits with parts that are large enough to add to another block!

Even though I didn't use the paper idea, using the template and being reminded about the seams really helped.

On to Episode 9 for more inspiration!

Aside:  My husband tells me the wind currents will not send the Brazilian smoke our way.  I searched and can't confirm that for myself.  But who ever will be getting that smoke will need to stay inside on some days to protect themselves...

Crumb Quilting Adventure - Sewing Vlog - I Make Mistakes | Ep. 7

I'm continuing with making crumb pieces that will eventually turn into blocks following Darlene's directions.  

Crumb Quilting Adventure - Sewing Vlog - I Make Mistakes | Ep. 7

Here are the tips from this video:

1.  Use the sewn together strips as the base, and add various parts of blocks to that strip.

2.  Add interest by sewing a strip on another piece so it's on a diagonal.  Then add another strip or piece of a unit to the other end so you end up with two pieces.

So I did my version of this with these two groups of fabrics.

And this is what I ended up with!

I think the sewing to put strips together is a great one and I will get going with doing more of that.  Since I do not have larger pieces of fabric put aside for this project, I will use the strips I have.

On to Episode 8 for more inspiration!

A non-quilting aside.  

It is 90 degrees here this evening.  To do our bit, we are old-fashioned and only use fans in the house.  We have several window air conditioners but huddle together when we use them.  We haven't turned them on (except to check that they work) for several years now.  Today I put ice packets in front of several of the fans, so the wind is blowing the ice temperature toward the room, and that seems to help.  But can't do that easily in the sewing room so I'm turning off the iron and sewing machine for today.

I wonder when the smoke from Brazil will make its way up here?  And if it will be strong or diluted.  Several years ago we had two very big fires around us a few years apart, and we followed directions and stayed inside.  We could see the flames, but it was separated from us by several blocks, streets and gullies.  We saw an ember blow on top of a neighbor's shake roof and ran over to help them put it out before it took down their home.  Days later, when I did go to the store, there was enough ash swept up in the parking lot that it looks like snow.  The air was clear, but it was difficult to breathe.  We had enough food and electricity to keep things cold so that wasn't a hard environment to live (in the house looking at the fire and listening to the news) as long as we stayed inside. Everyone got new roofs after those fires. The second set of fires were farther away, but there was one out the front and one in the back yard so I really felt surrounded!

Can't remember when it was but once the electricity went out. (It was 2011!) Not just the city, but in our entire county, or maybe it was the southern part of the state!  What a mess the traffic was.  We couldn't cook.  We couldn't go out to a cafe as they were closed.  We couldn't watch TV.  That was really difficult to live thru.  And it was only maybe 12 hours starting at 3pm.  We had and have flashlights handy in different closets just in case.  But it was scary and uninteresting. Our son's friends came over for company, we tried to play cards to entertain ourselves.

We are using public transportation most of the time now.  A very un-Southern California thing to do.  But we investigated and now have pretty much mastered the system, and it is quite nice.  During a good month I probably drive two or three trips.  But I don't know if that is enough to do for the environment.  I guess we could plant some trees, but the use of water here for so long was restricted, something in me thinks it will be again. We should get a new, more environmental car soon.  After I go thru and get rid of our garage and storage boxes!

I haven't used a plastic bag for storing food all year, unless it was already used so I washed it out before using it again.  It was been rather easy to switch to using glass containers to store left overs in the frig or freezer. Glass is easier to clean too.

I remember when plastic bags at the grocery store were first started being used.  And liquid soap.  1973-74 when I was at university in Sweden.  It was such a new thing.  The first liquid soap there came in containers shaped like a bar of soap. You'd squeeze a drop on your hands then sort of rub them on the container.  Funny.  But think of all the containers that are floating in the ocean now.  : (   I am glad California sort of forced us to use reusable bags for grocery.  It's pretty much second nature to put a few in my backpack so they are handy in cases when I stop at the store in between the trolley and the bus on the way home.

A bag from store I went to in South Africa. Says it all. 
I think of it as I go thru things to get them ready
to donate or give away.  Freecycle is great for
things that Goodwill won't take.  (Opened
containers, food, non-working items)

We always have days here that are 90 degrees.  I just thinking of all these other things now.

We are planning another trip to Europe next summer.  For a family wedding and to tour a bit.  To make up for the flight I have to not drive for 8 months.  I read that in an article about the Swedes cutting back on their flights to help with the environment.  It cost so much more in time and money to take a train, but I guess the bigger picture is that it needs to be done more....

Oh gosh, and we are going to Eastern Africa in the fall.  I should never drive again, or eat meat!

I'm continuing with making crumb pieces that will eventually turn into blocks following Darlene's directions.  It took me a little bit, but I found some larger pieces of fabric to follow her steps!

Crumb Quilting Adventure - New Piecing Technique - Easy Tiny Wonky Blocks | Ep. 6  Part 2

But first I tried to make do with some strips that I found...

1.  I sewed the together.

2.  Then I cut them apart and rearranged them, then sewed again.

3.  Then I added them to units that are on their way to being parts of blocks.  After pressing and cutting, this is what I ended up with!  I like the way the pieces that were added are different widths.

So today I did a better job of actually following her directions.  I'll paste them again below and will insert photos.  Hmm.  I didn't reread these before I sewed.  We'll see how well I remembered the tips in episode 6!  

Steps:

Start with four or more pieces of fabric about the same size (say about 5 x 8 inches-ish).

Hmm my pieces are much larger than 5 x 8, but I think I estimated
that measurement anyway while I was watching the video.

Put two together, straighten one edge. I marked the sewing lines - that was suggestion in her video.  Sew on that edge.  (Hmm.  I started sewing on the line.  In the end it turned out the same.)  Then move the presser foot about 1 or 1.5 inches and sew the fabrics together with a straight line.  Can do these wonky or straight.  

She turned the fabric each time she came to the end to continue with the seams about 1 to 1.5 inch apart.  Since I had three pairs of fabric, and didn't want to have these fabric over represented in the quilt, I chain pieced one one on each, then cut thread and sewed the next line.

Skip the initial line and then cut to separate the fabrics so each line has about 1/4 inch seam. I started to the left of the first seam and cut - again it looks the same as hers in the end.  Except I had forgotten to trim the extra dark purple off so to not waste those bits I added a step.

I sewed another piece of fabric to the end of extra dark purple... Pressed the seams to see the fabrics.

So when I was finished I had the longer double strips and also a few two fabric blocks.  I also used her trick to add one of the pieces to a larger piece that had too much of the same fabric, so this cut that fabric in half.

Continue and make a bunch of these.  Hmm I had a hard time finding the initial six pieces of fabric, so I didn't do any more fabric picking for this next step...

Repeat the initial steps again.  This time instead of just two strips you will end up with two strips each made up of different fabrics!

And yet another Hmm...  I forgot this step when I was originally sewing.  But sewed some left over strips for this blog post...  Sew two sets together until you have another little pile of fabric strips sewn together and cut apart.  (Goal is to have some that measure the same top to bottom.)  Depending on how to cut there could be a different number of strips needed to get the same measurement.  

Now you have a bunch of different strips sewn together - about the same measurement in one direction.

So then I flipped back to her previous tips and used the double strips as the base, and added already pieced pieces to that.  I didn't take photos showing sewing onto the strips, but this is what I had before pressing.

One of the pieces that I added to a double strip did not have a straight edge, so I used the edge of the strip to determine the sewing line.

Here they are after pressing open.

 Here are the double strips sewn together. I found another piece about the same length so used that too.

Here I used the double strips and filled in with other pieced units.

And here they are trimmed!  I used a longer ruler to be sure the edges were all straight.

So then I sewed things together, and this is what I ended up with:

Sew these together to make a crumb block all of little pieces, or combine with larger pieces of fabric for a different look!

I'll let you know right now that I'm sort of blocked on how to get these pieces of fabric together.

On to Episode 7 for inspiration.

YouTube Improv: Crumb Quilting Adventure - 6

I'm continuing with making crumb pieces that will eventually turn into blocks following Darlene's directions.

Crumb Quilting Adventure - New Piecing Technique - Easy Tiny Wonky Blocks | Ep. 6

Here are the 7.5 inch square blocks I now have finished and trimmed...

Crumb Sewing: It takes a while to sew enough together to get a block 
sized piece of work, but it is very stress releasing kind of sewing to do!

She shared another way to combine the fabric to make crumb quilts.  This time starting with larger pieces of fabric to end up with small little pieces in strips and then blocks!

Steps:

1. Start with four pieces of fabric about the same size (say about 5 x 8 inches-ish).
2. Put two together, straighten one edge.  Sew on that edge.  Then move the presser foot about 1 or 1.5 inches and sew the fabrics together with a straight line.  Can do these wonky or straight.  She turns the fabric each time she comes to the end to continue with the seams about 1 to 1.5 inch apart.
3. Skip the initial line and then cut to separate the fabrics so each line has about 1/4 inch seam.
4. Press open to see the two fabrics!
5. Continue and make a bunch of these.
6. Sew two sets together until you have another little pile of fabric strips sewn together and cut apart.  (Goal is to have some that measure the same top to bottom.) Depending on how to cut there could be a different number of strips needed to get the same measurement.
7. Now you have a bunch of different strips sewn together - about the same size.
8. Repeat the initial steps again.  This time instead of just two strips you will end up with two strips each made up of different fabrics!
9. Sew these together to make a crumb block all of little pieces, or combine with larger pieces of fabric for a different look!

I didn't have larger pieces of fabric handy, but followed her suggestions from before and made strips to add more blue to the units...

1.  Pulled out more strips and scraps.

2.  Picked a blue strip, and then pieces to add to the mix!  In some cases I sewed smaller pieces together before joining them to the blue strip. Lined the pieces up and then sewed them down with 1/4 inch seam to the blue strip.

 3.  here is how it looked on the back.

4.  Here is how it looked on the front.  See how the pieces are flapping on the strip of blue?

6.  Pressed the seams down.

7.  Cut the pieces apart. Notice the top right unit, I goofed and sewed the pieces so they were facing each other.  So that has the blue in the center.

8.  Trimmed the pieces up using the blue to determine where the edges would be. Most of the pieces have 90 degree corners.

Here are the scraps I have sewn together or pulled out to consider adding to blocks:

I will look for larger pieces of fabric so I can do the suggestions Darlene shared in video 6  Crumb Quilting Adventure - New Piecing Technique - Easy Tiny Wonky Blocks | Ep. 6 !