Smallest quilt I've ever made

 I wrote an earlier post about finding a book filled with 40 patterns to make mini pincushions.  I spent this gray, rainy day sewing the smallest quilt I've ever made.  It was made with 1 inch pieces and it about killed me.  LOL  For those who didn't see the earlier post, the book is called Pin Pals by Carrie Nelson.  I recommend it!  The patterns are spot on and, while it might kill you to sew 1 inch pieces, the end result is so rewarding!

This little quilt was made into the 3rd pin cushion, I'm making 7 of the patterns as decorations for my sewing room.

2023 Capital Quilters Guild Quilt Show

 

About 2 years ago I began stitching tiny 2-1/2 inch blocks for a quilt called the Circa 1880 Nine Patch.  I knew it would be a long process to make a queen size quilt out of 2-1/2 inch blocks and I needed 716 of them!  I starched the fabrics I chose before cutting into it to help stabilize the 1 inch wide strips the blocks were made of.  Finished, the blocks measure 2 inches.

I've entered the finished quilt into 2 judged shows and it has won 4 ribbons, the last one being awarded last night.  The Capital Quilters Guild Show gave me a ribbon for Viewers Choice!  The quilt was chosen out of a possible 130 quilts.

8 mini pincushions

I found a book called Pin Pals by Carrie Nelson and had to have it!  

It has patterns for 40 mini pincushions and they are adorable!  I thought I would share my progress as I make 8 as decorations for my sewing room.

        

I decided to use Civil War theme fabrics on the first one. It went together quickly and I'm happy with it!

The second one took 4 hours to sew all the tiny half square triangles.  Each was 1-1/4 inch!  

Filling for all the pincushions is crushed walnut shells.  TIP:  Buy walnut lizard or bird litter at the pet store instead of the walnut shells sold at fabric stores.  It's much cheaper that way!  This 5 lb. bag was only $8.00!  

Award-winning quilt!

 I entered a quilt in the Raleigh, North Carolina quilt show held by Capital Quilters Guild. It was held on Friday, and I was pleased to see a special ribbon on the quilt when I visited the quilt show. The ribbon was an award of merit for outstanding achievement in quiltmaking. It was given by the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges. This quilt took well over 100 hours to make over 14 months. It has 7934 pieces and 716 two-inch blocks. 

2 of my customers are so sweet!  They sent a photo of themselves in front of the quilt.  

Ode to Sewing Machines #40

 Many of you follow my "Ode to the Sewing Machine" posts.  We've all seen the ads on craigslist, ebay and elsewhere.  The clueless sellers give those of us who sew a belly laugh, or two! 

Starting a new QOV

I bought a new pattern for a QOV top that I couldn't resist.  It uses one charm pack and yardage.    Here's a photo of the center of the quilt.  I'll add more photos to this post as I progress making the quilt top.

Update March 11:  All I have left are 5 borders and the top is finished.

Quilt for Sammy

 My grandson turned 2 months old yesterday!  He is a little brother to 3 yr old Joshua.  I made this quilt for Sammy and now that the binding is finished I can give it to him.

Quilt of Valor tops

 I'm working on more Quilt of Valor tops this week.  It is a privilege to do a small part in making these comforting and healing quilts for Veterans who gave so much of their lives serving our nation.  

If you sew, please consider becoming a volunteer to make quilt tops for these men and women.  You can find a local QOV sewing group by contacting the National foundation.  Their web site  is https://www.qovf.org/