Design Wall Monday

Just a quick post to show you what I'm working on. If you follow my blog, you will know I have a free block of the month going this year. We are through the first six months. The blocks are designed as 14 inch calendar blocks and there are two each month. There have also been some projects made using the blocks. Since I only made one calendar for my house, I have 12 extra blocks that I'm putting into a quilt. Here are the first six months of the blocks with the sashing. 

  The second six months are also put together. I will show you those with July's blocks in a few days. If you are new to my blog and would like the instructions for these blocks, they are in the pages just below my blog title.

I'm also working on my grandson's quilt. It's layered and ready to quilt(next project).

 I'm really happy with how it's turning out! I have a nice soft minky fabric on the back, perfect for cuddling on cold winter days.

Be sure to check out more design walls over at Judy's Patchwork Times.

I'm Back

Sorry it's been so long! I've had a few health issues and haven't felt like sewing. I have however been able to devote some time to hand stitching and have finally finished my grandson's Christmas stocking.

I'm really happy with how it turned out. Now I just need to wash it and turn it into a stocking. I'm starting my other grandson's stocking today.

During this time I did not totally neglect my sewing. I dreamed up projects and found some wonderful online sales. I ended up with a nice pile of fabric. I always like to wash my fabrics before I sew with them. I hate to think what chemicals I'm breathing when I'm pressing if I don't. I decided this time I would actually finish the edges first to eliminate fraying. I going to do this all the time from now on...yes it takes more time, but look at these nice neat piles of fabric with no hanging frayed strings.

The pile on the left is from a gift certificate my daughter sent for Mother's Day. Thanks Jessica!!! The other pile is sale fabric. Yeah!

I used partially wound bobbins to zig zag the edges and ended up with an added bonus of a bunch of clean, ready to use bobbins.

 Aren't they pretty and shinny and all ready to go. Do you wash or not and how do you deal with fraying?