Life in Tee Harbor, Alaska

Quilting Projects

I've been sewing up a storm lately.  I really wanted to see how many projects I could complete and if it would be enough to have a table at the next craft fair which is coming up March 17 & 18.  I don't think I'll have enough by then, so I'll look into the next one... 

I finished the baby quilt I was working on and the mini one that matches.  I am happy with how it turned out.  It was machine pieced and machine quilted - in the ditch and a grid in the purple print area.  The backing is flannel.  I hand sewed the binding as I have no luck with the machine and actually prefer how it looks when it is done by hand.

Next, I pulled out an unfinished project I started 3 years ago.  I quilted it with a grid pattern and tried a free motion pattern in the border.  I wasn't happy with how the back of the stitches came out.  Upon some more reading, I think I was trying to move the fabric too fast.  So this one will be mine for the wall - looks really good in our living room anyway.

Next, I sewed up a table runner.  I used high quality fabrics from the quilting store for this one and had fun mixing patterns.  This one was also machine quilted - quilt in the ditch and then some grid quilting to enhance the shapes.  I just love the rich, buttery yellow in this one!

My latest project is a lap sized log cabin quilt.  I finished up sewing the blocks together today and sewed on the borders.  I need to decide what kind of material to use for the backing.  I'm thinking of using one of the calicos on the back, so that it will be reversible but it will add to the price.  Using muslin would be cheaper, but I'm not sure that is the "right" thing to use...  Here it is laid out on my bed - which is queen sized by the way.  I think this one would fit perfectly on a twin bed - with plenty of overhang.  Need to decide on the quilting design for this one - might try the freehand again.

I'm trying to learn about quality fabric - is anything that I can get at Joann's at a decent price considered quality?  All the fabric at the quilt store is $9 or $10/yd.  I want the use high quality fabrics in my projects, but maybe I can find a cheaper price somewhere...  I've decided to price my projects by the cost of the materials (retail) plus my labor.  I haven't decided on an hourly rate - I would like to make $10 per hour, but at this point I'm spending so much time on a project that they would be very expensive.  My tablerunner took me almost 10 hours to complete, plus materials of $22.  So at $10 per hour, the price would be $122.  Either I have to get quicker, or charge less per hour.  Lots of things to think about...

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3:16 PM, Saturday, February 24, 2007 .. Posted by CandyFoote

Wow!
What great work!
You are very talented!

Candy

Wow

4:02 PM, Saturday, February 24, 2007 .. Posted by HSBFrontPorch

I am totally impressed! Those are gorgeous! Well done, very well done!!!
~Nancy
www.HomesteadBlogger.com/UnlikelyHomesteader

Beautiful!!

7:24 PM, Saturday, February 24, 2007 .. Posted by kristina

Your quilts are gorgeous!! I am impressed! I'd love to learn to quilt but I just haven't had time. Guess I'll have to make time. I love your blog. Take care!

GORGEOUS Simply gorgeous

4:42 PM, Sunday, February 25, 2007 .. Posted by motherearth

Your quilts are beautiful, your color selections work really well together, maybe you should post these for sale on your blog? or ebay? I've made 3 quilts and am working on some red work right now, I'll post it when I finish...I'm not sure when that will be.

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4:06 AM, Sunday, March 4, 2007 .. Posted by haflinger

Very nice job on all your projects... Pricing is very hard I find.. Because it takes so long to do a project.
You asked about Jo-ann fabrics that is what I use because it that or Wal-mart that the only choice I have.. 2o minutes to wal-mart or 1 hour to Jo-ann Fabrics..
haflinger