I finally got around to finishing my "Case of the Diamond Necklace Mystery Quilt" from Inklingo.com. All pieces were printed on my inkjet printer using Inklingo. It is entirely hand pieced by me. I still need to quilt it, but at least I can show a picture of the completed top that I will use as a table topper.

Note: " Inklingo" is where you download pdfs that have the shapes for quilting patterns (with and without seam allowances). The pieces are easy to cut out and can be sewn together by hand or machine, and also as English Paper Piecing. I love it for it's wonderful accuracy, and ease of use. If you are interested you can visit the site for more information, many patterns, and lots of tutorials/videos to help you learn how it is done. ​  You can visit Inklingo here ​Inklingo

As of this date we have awarded 35 quilts (QOVs) at Westside Baptist Church.  This is such a rewarding activity.  The pictures below show me quilting one of them.

This blog entry will introduce you to another site, "Stitch and Sew" by Sally Perkins.  Sally has some wonderful articles, including the one below.  At the end of this introduction to her site, you will see a link to take you to read about her methods of "ending stitches."  Enjoy.

How to End Stitch Your Quilting Project
Are you coming to the end of your quilting project and are not sure how to finish it off? After all the time and effort you’ve put into creating your beautiful quilted masterpiece, it’s important that you complete it perfectly. There are a number of ways you can do this - here is one example: 

• Make sure the needle and thread goes through each layer, reaching the back side of the quilt.
• Make a loop with the thread and put the needle through it to make a knot.
• Pull so that the thread goes into the ‘quilt sandwich’ once again, checking that the it moves through the batting fabric.
• Trim the excess thread.

Some quilters also choose to finish a line of quilting by putting the needle up through a seam line, taking some backstitches into the center of the seam (which won't be noticed) to ensure the thread is secured. But you will find that there are many ways you can end stitch your quilting project, so choose the best method that suits you.

You can read about the various methods by clicking "Stitch and Sew"

I have had a request to provide pictures of  the back of my POTC blocks to show how they are pressed.  You can see my piecing method in my May 2013 posting, and a lot of my individual POTC blocks in the February  2013 posting.

This piecing method (stopping at the seam intersections) allows the seams to open at the intersections in a swirl.  The result is that the seams and intersections lie very flat, without the bumps intersections usually have.  Hopefully the pictures will be clear enough that you will see how they are pressed.  Note that because this is hand pieced, we do not press the seams open.

Although I do not consider this block to be as pretty as some of the ones I have made, the picture of the back of it was the clearest to see the seams, intersections, and swirls.

The process for pressing these blocks is to wait until the block is complete before pressing, and when you do press, be careful that you do not stretch, or deform, the pieces.  If you press while constructing, there is more chance to stretch the pieces, so please wait till the end.  This is gentle "pressing" not strong-armed "ironing."  Be gentle. :o)

After the block is complete, begin in the center with a swirl right in the middle - just finger press it to get it started.  The seams will all go in the same direction to create the swirl.  Move to the next round and make the seams go in the opposite direction, creating swirls at the intersections as you go around.  Continue in this method, making sure the seams in each round go opposite of the previous round.  For closer detail, please see the 2 pictures below.  It may help you to finger press all rounds/seams before you try to press with an iron.  Another option is to use a miniature iron to make each round more accessible.

NO SEWING DURING  the storm of December 14 & 15, 2016.  It didn't seem like an "ice storm" just lots of rain while it was cold enough to freeze it onto the trees, bushes, and grasses.  With this storm, my sewing machines got unpluged to protect them from power surges.

When you live in Oregon where you get plenty of rain, it just means that if it gets to 30-32 degrees while it is raining, you get ice on everything.  So, we woke up to a winter wonderland that did NOT include snow.   It is strange that the roads themselves didn't get bad, so it wasn't bad to walk or drive since the ground itself was still warm.  However, because the ground was already saturated with rain, the ice on the trees made them heavy. A lot of branches broke off, some falling on houses and into the streets, and some trees  fell, pulling up the root balls - just too heavy with ice.  The above-ground telephone lines had icicles hanging, making them look like they had fringe. 

I took some pictures Thursday and Friday.  The sun came out Friday and started melting some of it.   When the sun hit the trees and bushes it looked like liquid silver - so pretty!  The pictures just can't do it justice - you just need to imagine liquid silver.

My opinion - it just isn't worth the risk to my quilts.  I've always said, that anything left in your quilt (not washed/rinsed out) can lead to future issues.  I don't leave the air-erase pen marks in my quilts, either.  You need to understand that these are chemicals and many chemicals don't like other chemicals (i.e. laundry soap, etc.) and may decided to come back to stay if another chemical affects it.

I would like to reference an article from a quilter (Jenny Lyon) who researched this question about using Frixion Pens to mark ours valuable quilts.  I have avoided using them because I had heard of issues that have come up when quilters use them.  As convenient as they are, I just didn't want to risk it.  I like what Jenny did, because she went right to the manufacturer with her questions.  You can go to this page to read her entire entry, or read an excerpt from her article below.

ARTICLE EXCERPT:
So in summary, straight from the manufacturer’s mouth so to speak, a summary of using the Frixion pens on fabric:
1.      Frixion pens combine gel ink and thermo ink. You are marking your quilt with a gel pen that disappears.
2.      The marks will reappear if the quilt gets cold (anything below freezing I think-I did not confirm the specific temperature) unless the mark is completely removed with an ink remover. Even after a thorough steam of the marks, they will reappear in the cold. This is part of the inherent chemistry of the ink combination.
3.      To completely remove the ink so that it will not ghost or reappear in the cold, you will need an ink remover and also may possibly need to scrub the area. The manufacturer has tested Amodex and Mötsenböcker’s Lift-Off 3 and found them to be fairly effective in removing the ink.
4.      Frixion pens sometimes leave a ghost mark after steaming. This is the thermo ink showing on the quilt, not the gel. The Pilot rep said to rid the piece of ghost marks you would need to treat it with the ink removers listed above.

So this is a definitive summary of the Frixion pens straight from the pen’s manufacturer.
For me, I will not use these pens very often because I frequently do competition pieces. I cannot risk having any problems with the marking method I use. I think they are great pens for other marking needs but we need to be aware of their limitations. And remember that the Pilot pen company did not design these pens for fabric.

*******END OF EXCERPT*******

In reading other posts, I have seen comments that even these removers didn't help their precious quilts.  Nope, not worth it.

I think these are the cutest fabric boxes and I simply love them.  Instructions can be found here:  http://seaside-stitches.blogspot.ca/2013/03/fabric-box-tutorial.html

For me, they make great little thread and fabric scrap trash boxes to sit beside my sewing.  They are portable, so I can take them with me to classes or sewing functions, which means I don't need to locate a trash bucket to use when I am out and about.  Since there is only batting inside, they mash flat for transportation, or can be used to carry supplies.  I used the instructions from this site to make my first one, but then I saw a picture somewhere else that showed the little pockets on the outside of the boxes, rather than inside.  Both are just too cute for words!  :o) 

Below are my boxes.  The red one was made as instructed by Seaside Stitches.  The blue one is the one I made with outside pockets.  To make it, use the instructions for the original box, but sew the corner seams with wrong sides together, then flatten the flaps up against the corner and tack in place.

I know it's been awhile since I posted.  Quilts of Valor has kept me soooooo busy.  However, I have had a little time lately to do some handwork.  I purchased the book "The New Hexagon" by Katja Marek, and am enjoying making these hexies. 

In my previous postings, I have raved about Inklingo, and still believe it is the best way.  However, I decided to do a "fair" test on methods (English Paper Piecing (EPP) and Hand Piecing) as a comparison to see what is best for me.  I used Block 1 from the book for my tests.  The following are the results:

 Example #1 - Traditional Hand Sewing
1. Copy the pattern onto freezer paper.
2. Cut the pieces out.
3. Iron the pieces onto the back side of the fabric to temporarily attach it to the fabric.
4. Trim the fabric to 1/4" seam allowances. 
5. Use a mechanical pencil to draw a line right against the paper edge to mark the seam allowance, then peel the freezer paper off the fabric (5 minutes).
6. Hand stitch the pieces along the drawn seam line (30 minutes).

Total time to make = 35 minutes.  No paper inside while sewing.

Pros - no basting; no paper left inside; easier to sew without paper; stitches do not show; takes less time to complete. See my February 2013 blog posting about my hand stitching.
Cons - outer edge of block is not turned under for applique.  It is done separately if desired.

Example #2 - Traditional  EPP
1. Copy the pattern onto lightweight cardstock.
2. Cut out pieces.
3. Pin pattern pieces onto fabric.
4. Trim the fabric to 1/4" seam allowances.
5. Thread baste seams down around the pieces (15 minutes).
6. Use a Whip Stitch to join the pieces (60 minutes).

Total time to make = 75 minutes.  Paper remains in block.

Pros - outer edge of block is turned under and can be appliqued as is.
Cons - paper remains inside until added to another block; harder to sew with paper inside;  stitches show; takes more time to complete.

Example #3 - Glue-Basted EPP
1. Copy the pattern onto freezer paper or cardstock.
2. Cut out pieces.
3. Pin or glue pattern piece onto back of fabric.
4. Trim a 1/4" seam allowance around pattern.
5. Glue baste the seams down around the pieces (5 minutes).
6. Use a Ladder Stitch to join the pieces (50 minutes).

Total time to make - 55 minutes.  Paper remains in block.

Pros - outer edge of block is turned under and can be appliqued as is.
Cons - paper remains inside until added to another block; harder to sew with paper inside;  stitches show; takes more time to complete.

Summation:
In summary, I still feel that traditional hand stitching/piecing is better than EPP, whether done with Inklingo, or just stitched from templates as in Example #1.  My hand stitches don't show, and it is easier on the hands because there is no paper inside while sewing.  Additionally, the paper is not left inside to deal with until sewn to another block.  Although EPP is portable, I believe hand piecing my way is more portable than EPP.  There is no basting involved, and fewer tools are needed.

As with so many quilting projects, there is more than one way to do things.  Everyone should try different methods and techniques to find out which works best for them.

Check my February 2013 blog posting for a video on how I hand stitch.

Circle attachments are made for most sewing machine brands.  Above left is a Pfaff maker, and above right is a Janome maker.  Attachments may vary in how the fabric is attached.  The Pfaff maker above has a place to stick a thumb pin, so the pin goes into the fabric to hold it.  However, the Janome maker has a built in pin that sticks up.  The fabric would then be laid over the pin and pressed down to secure it.  There is a black cap that fits over the pin to secure the fabric and protect the hands. 

Most circle attachments adjust to make circles from 2" up to 10" diameter.  When you begin sewing with the attachment, the fabric has no option but to stitch in a perfect circle around the pin.  In this example, the spotted white fabric has been appliqued using a satin stitch.  It  is a perfect stitched circle.  After the applique is complete, multiple circles of decorative stitches have been stitched around it, creating a beautiful stitch out of perfect circles.

Sometimes an attachment will fit a different machine.  The Pfaff attachment above is mounted on a Janome machine.  In the following pictures, I am using the Janome attachment on a Janome sewing machine.