Funky Flowers backing...and little Red

 The backing for Funky Flowers needed a little extra size, so leftover pieced strips worked very well.

 I experimented with machine embroidery for the label.

 Machine embroidery?? Yes, I have a new Janome Horizon Memory Craft 7700QCP (hereafter known as Little Red).  And I love it!  The entire Funky Flowers throw was stitched on it as I learned all the bells and whistles.  It even tap dances!! 

"Funky Flowers"

Not my favorite fabrics, not my favorite block pattern --- but it has grown on me as I've been stitching.  The black print inner border and second pieced border are attached.  The 3rd border, a black stripe, is just clinging to the design wall until I decide if it stays or if I need to find a darkish green print...(It's 12 hours later now and I think I'll keep the black stripe).    Rather than making the borders three different widths, I have decided to keep them all 2" finished.  The design needed to be tamed just a bit. I think the borders will do that.  

folk flower throw

Piles of pieces going together...













Cleaning up edges before joining sections...The camera decided a flash was needed.













Bunch kitty always tries to help...











I thought that 9 (12") squares are enough for the throw.  I'll add 2 or 3 borders...maybe pieceing together some of the scraps for the middle or outer border...I'm not fond of this fabric, but it was what I had on hand for the quilt class assignment.  It will feel good on a cold Winter evening...

a necessity...

I was spending more time looking for things than I was spending at the sewing machine.  So I took a break and have (somewhat) organized my stash on this sagging shelving unit.  It isn't pretty, but it will suffice...at least for awhile.  There's more shelving in my sewing area...and more storage bins...so I hope to get back to the machine soon.  That will be after I return from a few days spent with my daughter and her family.

flower pieces

 I finally chose these 9 fat quarters for the folk art flower quilt/throw.

 A pizza box makes a good storage place for all the stacked/whacked pieces. 

 The burrito party favor of left over fabric will be pieced and used as a border.

Thursday quilt class

...drawing off a 'stack and whack' pattern for Thursday's quilt class...I think I'll do 6 blocks instead of 20.  I don't want to have too many UFO's hanging over my head.