The Last of the Silhouettes

 This will be the last of the silhouettes I cut, for now.  I've decided not to use them on the Colorwash quilt; they're too small for the quilt, and the proportion isn't right.  I'll save them for one of the grandsons' quilts.

I've ordered more fabric cutting mats, because it didn't work well at ALL to reapply spray-on adhesive.  It was only sticky until it dried -- and then it was... uh, dry.  The only way I got the last few shapes cut was to give the fabric itself a quick, light spray, and then I had to remove it from the cutting mat fast, before it stuck so tightly that small appendages were ripped off, and edges all frayed out.

One of these days I'll try another type of fusible, too, just to see if some kind other than Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 might work better.  I think this fusible would've been just fine, had my cutting mat been sticky enough.

Anyway, I'm pleased to have learned how to import shapes into the Sizzix eclips2, and to see that it will cut any intricate shape I give it.  Buying those shapes ready-made is higher'n a kit! -- around $15.00 per piece, depending on size.  These cutouts will look cute on a little boys' quilt one of these days.

More Silhouettes

 The cutting mat wasn't sticky enough after all, and the Sizzix eclips2 was evidently hungry, so it ate a couple pieces of fabric and fusible web.  But I managed to get three good cuts -- a grizzly and a couple of eagles.  

I scrubbed the mat again and then applied the Elmer's spray adhesive that somebody recommended -- and now the thing isn't sticky at all.  So much for that recommendation.  Tomorrow I'll go to Hobby Lobby and get some Krylon Easy-Tack, which somebody else recommended.  The video shows that she can pick up the mat by pressing her fingertips to it, after applying the adhesive.  I certainly can't do that with the Elmer's.

Making Silhouettes

 The Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 arrived today, just in time!

But first, I patched half a dozen pairs of pants.  Then I got out my Sizzix eclips2 and started playing!

Well, that is, first I scrubbed the fabric cutting mat good and proper.  I was all prepared to spray it with adhesive, when I decided it felt sticky enough, and thought I'd just give it a try.

And, after making this moose the size I wanted, cutting fabric and fusible web to the size I needed, I positioned everything just right... and clicked 'Cut'.

And here it is.  Wheeeeee!  It cut it, fabric, paper, fusible, and all, almost perfect!  On to the next shapes.

Borders on Colorwash Blooming 9-Patch

 Yesterday I got the four borders put on the Colorwash Blooming 9-Patch quilt.  And just in the nick of time, the Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 Double-Stick Fusible Web has arrived.  Now to scrub the fabric cutting mat for my Sizzix Eclips2 cutter, and then to apply some spray-on Elmer's Adhesive... and then I'll start importing the silhouettes.  This is a-gonna be fun... 

(Sorry about the skewed picture.  The mulberry tree is taking up too much room at the other end of the deck, and I can't get far enough away, whilst standing on a chair, to be exactly centered at the foot of the quilt.)

The last four pictures were taken last night in my quilting studio.  Teensy kitty was supervising.  

Central Section, Colorwash Blooming 9-Patch

The central section of the Colorwash Blooming 9-Patch is done. Now for the four borders, and then the silhouettes.

Two More Diagonal Rows, Blooming 9-Patch

 I put together a couple dozen 9-patch blocks... and two more diagonal rows on the Colorwash Blooming 9-Patch quilt.  It's almost halfway together.  When finished, it will measure 111" x 120".

More Piecing on the Colorwash Quilt

 Today I made a couple dozen of some of these blocks... a dozen of others... and added two catty-cornered strips to the Colorwash Blossoming 9-Patch quilt.

Piecing Colorwash Blooming Nine-Patch

 This evening I got back to working on the Colorwash Blooming Nine-Patch quilt.  

I put together 12 of the first block... then added a couple of rows to the corner piece.  I put together 8 of the last block... and quit for the night.

JoeAnn's 'Ladybugs & Friends' Quilt, Finished

Today I finished my customer's 'Ladybugs & Friends' quilt.  It measures 70" x 83".  I used light silver So Fine 50-weight thread on top, and dark charcoal Bottom Line 60-weight thread in the bobbin.  The pantograph is called Bugs & Bubbles.  That's one intense panto!  If I ever use it again, perhaps I'll print a bigger version of it.  (Or not.  It is pretty cute.)

Quilting JoeAnn's Ladybugs & Friends

 Today I started quilting my customer's 'Ladybugs & Friends' quilt.  I'm using light silver So Fine 50-weight thread on top, and dark charcoal Bottom Line 60-weight thread in the bobbin.  The pantograph is called Bugs & Bubbles.

JoeAnn's Shadowbox Favorites Quilt

 My customer's Shadowbox Favorites quilt is all done.  I used a soft yellow 40-weight Omni thread called ‘Butter’ on top, and light yellow 60-weight Bottom Line in the bobbin. The pantograph is called 'Angelica'; it's one of my favorites.  The quilt measures 63" x 87".

JoeAnn's Daffodil Quilt, Finished

My customer's Daffodil quilt is done.  I used a soft yellow 40-weight Omni thread called ‘Butter’ on top, and light yellow 60-weight Bottom Line in the bobbin. The pantograph is called 'Deb's Daffodils'.  The quilt measures 62" x 62".

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