Biggs Quilt Planning

 I got the Biggs squares trimmed to size and sewn together.  I'll be moving on to the borders next, but I've been trying to decide on how I'm going to quilt this.  Lin from the FaceBook group for this quilt had posted what her longarmer (Joy Voltenburg of Custom Quilts of Joy) had done which featured these annoying corner flowers which I have hated since the beginning.  She used a square on point to connect these and create a secondary squares pattern that I thought was perfect for blending the mixed squares on alternate background fabrics. 

I traced several of the intersections to get an average size that would work, since the buds don't all fall perfectly symmetrical in each of those 16 intersections. (Which is another reason I hated those buds)

I had already decided to do a combination of machine and hand quilting. 

While I've been successful getting nice texture, as shown in this picture from my quilt "Loud", I felt the quilting would be too dense on the small scale needed for this applique. 

I have always been happy with the outcome of this style of flower and plan to use a variation of it for the center of the joining squares. 

To add more texture, I either need some micro quilting, like I did on the following 2 pillows.

Or play with the texture that comes with hand quilting and varying the line width like I did on the shells. 

This of course made me think about how much I liked the sashiko inspired background diamonds that I did on Hearts Infatuation using fuchsia thread. 

And while I was considering past successes in microquilting, I thought about this dragonfly.  So now I am considering adding butterflies, dragonflies and bumble bees into some of the "blank spots" linked together with the shashiko fill. 

Clearly, I have created an extra project for myself.  I'm feeling the need to do a test "block" to see which of the variations that I've considered that I like best. 

Princess

The topic of dress-up clothes came up as a Christmas gift for my 3 year old granddaughter.  A picture was sent of a fur cape.  After a rummage of my stash, and a raid of a friend's, I was able to pull together this set with purchase of very little.  

The photo sent was a bit more "Frozen" inspired.  But I had tons of this pin-tuck satin.  So Little Red Riding Hood it is.   

They were once curtains when a teenager in my house was in her goth stage.  A couple yards of furry black minky and a frog closure was the main expense of this project.

Part 2 was this simple reversible brocade skirt.  The fabric was bought by Kim at a Bridal Store clearance, but housed by Beve.  Beve also supplied the bias trim for the hem.  The elastic and the grosgrain ribbon to make the skirt adjustable sizing, was from my stash.  

Next up was the satin dress.  I hate sewing satin.  I designed this dress from 3 different patterns. I wanted something that a little person could put on/take off without assistance.  Also, it needed to be able to be layered with other pieces.  And need to be adjustable sizing, either to grow with the person, or to be able to play dress up with other people.  Satin from Kim.  Broach from Beve.  Only expense was the gold trim. 

I had magnetic snaps from a purse project in my stash.  There are 2 snaps, on the inner and outer side of the wrap. Because of that, the inner snap can be moved to the outer position, increasing the waist line by 7 inches !

Beve has been working on princess dresses to donate for a fund raiser, so I made an extra of the satin dress as a way to "pay it forward" for the fabric donations. 

I had one more piece planned out of sequin material.  But due to satin trauma, I'll save that project for a birthday gift. 

November Finishes

 My November goal was to finish 4 more of the Benjamin Biggs Blocks. 

The first went quickly with just a few large pieces. 

The second wasn't to bad...

But the third was super fussy with lots of little pieces.  And I lost a day of sewing to Christmas shopping.   Our Thanksgiving weekend plans also changed.  Because of Covid, we cancelled the gathering at our house, and instead we did a 2 day, 1000 mile road trip to drop off gifts and leftovers.

I had hoped to do a little applique during the drive, but the roads were too bumpy.  So my 4th block got finished the first weekend in December. 

I also got a good jump on the final 2 squares.   I was slowed down by the fact that I can't find the download for block #20.  In a way it's good, because I don't think the leaves on those flowers are very pretty, so I re-designed them.  

I will likely get stalled out again, as I need to make some Princess clothes.   I have a cloak nearly done, but have 3 other pieces of the planned ensemble to make.