I was just notified by WordPress that this is my 500th blog post! I wish I had something more substantial to share.
I had scheduled an installation for HD Satellite TV at my house today and they let me know that I could expect the installer any time between 8 am and noon. So I hung out at home today getting some things done around the house and getting a lot of sewing done.
I got a call from the satellite company at 11 am letting me know that the installer would be late. But he should be at my place a little after noon. So I hurried and took a shower. At 3:00 I received a phone call from the installer letting me know that he was on his way and would be here in 30 minutes.
Once he got here we realized that there are too many trees around my house to install the HD equipment. This HD dish requires a better and more full view of the sky. I wonder how they can install ANY around Portland! There are a lot of trees here.
So, no HD Satellite TV for me. But I did get a new remote control out of the deal… and I needed a new one badly. It’s a beauty!
While I was spending all that time waiting for the installer I got busy and sewed up the remaining 15 blocks needed for the blue KFC lap quilt I started yesterday. I just love how the individual blocks look. These fabrics are so amazing together!
You might notice that the edges of that polka dot fabric are pinked. Some of the strips I used were from an old strip set a friend of mine gave me. I have to say, I’m not a fan of pinked edges in 2.5 inch strips. Depending on the company, the 2.5 inch measurement can be from the valleys of the pinking, or from the peaks. This one didn’t even seem to be a full 2.5 inches at the peak.
Wow. That’s a terrible photo! Basically, I had to sew very carefully so that the rectangles in this finished block would be a full 2.5 inches high. I’m not a fan of pinking. Did I say that already?
I got all the blocks up on my design wall and calculated that the finished size will be around 45 x 60 inches. I checked with my friend and she said that size will be perfect! She still doesn’t know what I’m making. It will be a surprise.
I moved blocks around several times. It needed small tweaks. I promise these are all different.
And this will be the final lay out.
It won’t take long to sew this quilt top together. But I decided not to do it tonight. It will have to wait until Tuesday night.
And I have to say… I’m loving sewing on this little Featherweight machine! Even the sound of it makes me happy. Someone asked me why people love these machines so much and I found this article with a quick search that sums it up.
And as I was talking to my friend on the phone tonight (the one who was just here visiting) I remembered a piece of fabric I’ve had for a long time that would be a perfect backing for this quilt. Keep in mind that my friend wants this quilt to wrap up in as she has her coffee in her garden in the morning.
It’s a Philip Jacobs design from his Snow Leopard line. I just love this for the backing!
I mentioned a few days ago that I was thinking about another Aboriginal quilt to make. My friend and I saw one at Boersma’s quilt shop in McMinnville, Oregon, that caught our eye.
It’s a pattern by Kitchen Table Quilting called Libby. You can find it here.
I had almost all the fabrics for this in my stash. I was able to find the few pieces I needed except for one. I had to substitute another fabric for that one (top row center).
I might use the off white Moda fabric in that photo for the background, but I’m not sure I’m in love with it. It feels a little blah. I bought that fabric at the same shop many years ago when they had an Aboriginal Fabric quilt there that used it. I never really had a plan for it, but I liked it with the Aboriginal designs.
I also saw this quilt when I was there. I really like the pattern. I have no idea what fabrics I’d use. It would be fun out of either KFC fabrics or Aboriginal designs. Maybe I should break out some of my batiks.
Here’s the pattern I bought.
With having to stay at home today, my dogs thought it was a very boring day.
It’s Sunday and I would normally share reader Frankenbags, but I’ve had to switch to a new computer and haven’t quite figured out where all the photos are. I hope to have them later this week.
agilejack 
Your quilt is beautiful as always. I love the backing fabric you plan to use – just perfect for sitting in a garden with morning coffee!!!
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P. S. Congratulations on your 500th blog post! Thank you for continuing to inspire your readers.
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It’s funny… I started out with this blog as a way to keep track of my projects… what I was working on, what my process was. I never dreamed it would turn into what it is. thanks for reading!
Anne
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Cool new pattern, Crown and Anchor, love the Jacobs birds for the back of the bodacious blue quilt, and you don’t miss what you don’t know.
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That backing seems perfect for that blue quilt. Plus, I already have it!!!
Anne
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Perfect, perfect!
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I know you’ll enjoy many miles on your Featherweight. I am the third generation sewing on my machine and this past weekend, my daughter in law used it to make her first quilt. It warms my heart to know four generations of Mrs Bowens will be using Eileen!
Sent from my iPad
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That’s so wonderful! What a treasure for whoever gets your Featherweight next!
Anne
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I hate those pinked edges too!
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sing it, sister!!!
Anne
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Thank you so much for the aboriginal fabric quilt pattern ideas.
Can’t wait to purchase the patterns and get to work.
My local quilt shops have all closed and shopping online is okay but less satisfying.
Hugs to your sweet dogs.
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I’ve done a fair amount of shopping online during the pandemic, but it doesn’t compare to visiting a local store. We’ve seen a lot of quilt stores close here. Mostly people who are retiring and can’t find anyone who wants to buy the business. it makes me sad.
Anne
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Cheers 🥂 and thank you for 500 posts! Sharing your journey ❤️.
That was a super cool article about featherweights – now I want one 😄.
I love your final layout for the beautiful lap quilt! Have a nice work week!
Hi Rico and Bender 💕💕
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I’ve always wanted a Featherweight, but I don’t know that I would have ever purchased one. Now that I have one, I think I should have bought one years ago!
Anne
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Where do you get your Australian fabrics? Do they send in-line?
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I have a local store, Pioneer Quilts in Milwaukie, Oregon, that has a good selection and has an online shop. you an find them with a Google search.
There are also a lot of sellers on Etsy.
Anne
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I was a young bride in 1968 when my darling mother-in-law gave me and each of my two sisters-in-law, a little white one for Christmas. I loved mine and years later one of my SILs gave me hers as she couldn’t get along with it. I have seven grandchildren now and the two youngest at six and eight are dying to learn to quilt so I think I’ll resurrect those old machines for them to use. I went on to buy Berninas and recently a Juki but I’ll always remember the smell of my Featherweight as I took it out of the box.
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Oh! I love the idea of gifting your machines to your grand daughters! And they can pass them on too!
Anne
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Oh… and the smell! I currently have my case on the back patio airing out. also has a dish of baking soda in it!
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I too like the background fabric behind your fabric rather than the plain cream. After using KFC it seems a much better choice to not do a plain solid.
Congrats on post 500. Wow. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed many of these posts. You’ve inspired so many happy Frankenbags and quilts I’ve made these past 2 years. And lest we forget… the biggest conrats for the new remote!! Who hoo
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I’m not a huge fan of plain backgrounds. For me it needs color or pattern. Plain white or black doesn’t get me very excited.
That being said, I’m not sure I love this for the background. I’ll have to look at it a few more times and then make a decision.
Anne
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Hurray for 500! That blue beauty is a really nice quilt in rapid progress to celebrate 500. Realistically we’re all moving forward with hopefully successful finishes, things in progress, things to start and dreams for the future. The everyday inspirations are all to be celebrated, it’s what keeps us going! Thanks!
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Well, I know it’s what’s kept me going over the last coupe years!
Anne
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love my featherweight! Due to its narrow foot and feed dogs, it keeps the fabric feeding through evenly. I always take it to retreats and then wonder why I don’t use it more at home.
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Oh yes! I’ve noticed how nicely it feeds the fabric through. Better than my Bernina, honestly!
Anne
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J have that Crown and Anchor pattern already but never thought about making it in Aboriginals! Hmmmmm…Think I’ll get that pattern out and look at fabric requirements! The quilt for your friend is just beautiful. How could you possibly go wrong using Kaffe. Your fabric combos are spot on. Congrats on your 500the post! That represents a LOT of work. I’m so happy I found you. More … More
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Stunning is all I can say! The Blue quilt is simply beautiful. My favorite of all the blocks is the Polka dots and flowers. You certainly have a way with fabrics and colors, Anne! You are the one who introduced me to the KFC fabrics. I am slowly building my stash. I love the way Harriet purrs!
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I think each block is prettier than the sum of their parts. The interplay of the two fabrics is really magic. You lose that in the wider view. But I do love the one with the blue polka dots.
I’m glad I converted you to KFC! Now cut some fabric!
Anne
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Inspirational as always, I’m planning another quilt before I finish the one I’m working on! PS I’m coming to visit family in Portland in October, wondering which of the quilt/fabric stores you might recommend I visit to find aboriginal fabric.
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The one closest to downtown Portland would be Pioneer Quilts in Milwaukie. they have a good selection of Aboriginal fabrics as well as Kaffe Fassett Collective fabrics. Also, lots of batiks and other fabrics.
if you’re able to drive a little, you an check out Boersma’s in McMinnville. They have a lot of fabric. A good selection of Aboriginals, KFC, batiks, and a ton of other stuff.
Anne
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I think that background fabric is perfect for that quilt and the Aboriginal fabrics. There are so few light true Aboriginals to use for backgrounds.
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I was looking for light Aboriginal fabrics last night and you’re right… there aren’t many out there. I’ll probably end up using it but might try a few light batiks to see if I can find something I like.
Anne
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I am enjoying your blog. I haven’t done a Franken bag yet but love the show and tell. I just ordered the Doug Lozo pattern- I like how it can show case a fabric I don’t want to chop up.
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I agree that patterns that allow the fabrics to shine are the best! With the fabrics I like, it’s god to leave them in big pieces and not torture them into tiny, intricate blocks!
Anne
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Congratulations on 500 posts. I just started following and don’t have time right now to backtrack, but maybe this winter. I have a small collection of KFC and hate to cut into them, but they don’t do anyone any good sitting on a shelf.
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I used to be hesitant to cut into my KFC fabrics. Now I cut them up with abandon and love every minute of it!!
Thanks for reading!
Anne
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