Beach Bags

In getting ready for Christmas I have been looking for an idea for the women I work with. At knitting several of the women have been working on reusable shopping bags. I thought that might be a good idea. They can fold them up when traveling, grocery bag or even a pool bag. I thought they turned out pretty cute.

Next Project

I finally have decided on my next big project. I am going to do a string quilt. I had never seen one before until I saw what my teacher, Christie had done.

A string quilt is basically a scrap quilt. You use long strips from 2 1/2" wide down to 1/2". You normally sew them onto a light weight foundation in a diagonal pattern. You can put dashing between the blocks or not. Here is a picture of what I want to do. I am going to do a lap size.
http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/35467226@N02/5318403226/

I had bought some fabric a couple of months ago for a different project and then changed my mind. I as my focus fabric. I had to go to WalMart tonight. I found several fabrics that coordinated. It's a beginning.

At the Quilters

I dropped my top, back and batting off at the quilt shop at lunch today. It was fun picking out the quilting pattern and thread. When it is done, it will be trimmed and ready for the binding. They said about 4 weeks. I am assuming they are starting to get Christmas projects.

While there i noticed that they had all their Halloween fabric for 40% off. I had a brainstorm for Christmas. It remains to be seen whether it will be a good one or not. I think I am going to make holiday placemats for nieces, nephews and our family for Christmas. I think it will be a lot of fun. I may be insane! If I wait until after the Holiday and get it all 40-50% off it shouldn't be too bad.

Quilt Back

Worked on my quilt this afternoon. This is what I had to begin with. Two pieces seamed in the middle.

To make it look like I planned it, and just didn't run out of fabric, I made borders for each side. Like this. It came out perfectly.

Tomorrow it is going to the quilters. I am taking it to be quilted in a shop for several reasons. 1. I don't have frames, 2. It would take me several months and I want it done before January and 3. I'm going to get brave and enter it into JoAnn's quilt contest in January.

I'm Saved-Quilt Wise Anyway!

My friend Carole and I took a trip to the quilt store where I bought my fabric. I found it almost right away. It looked like there was only 3-4 yards left on the bolt which was fine. I only wanted 11/2.

We wandered all over and saw some great things. Went into the back room and looked at the sale fabric. They had their Halloween back there. There was a wall hanging that was really cute. I am not into wall hangings right now, but it was something to think about.

Solutions

Talked to my quilting teacher tonight and she gave me several options for the back. If I find the same fabric I can add on to it. If not I can use the fabric I have left over from the front to create a border which will make it the right size.

I am really praying to find the same one. It was kind of a funky print, and a batik, so I think the chances are good.

Quilt Top Finished

I finished my quilt top the other night. I love the way it turned out. Started to do the back tonight and I don't have enough fabric. I'm not really surprised. I bought it without knowing how big it was going to be and just guessing. I am not sure what to do. I guess part of it depends on if they still have the fabric.