2011 UFO Challenge #2 Kourageous Flax, July 31, 2011

Flax (UFO#2) July 2011

Here's my Kourageous Flax finished. I had it completely finished today. Just in time for the end of the month due date.  This block is my July 2011 UFO with Judy's Patchwork Times.

Here's a photo of Kourageous so far. I've got seven blocks complete...bring on August's challenge!

Check out what could be next.

Sunday Stash Report, July 31, 2011

Here we are concluding yet another month of 2011.  I'm working hard today this last day of July to finish up my July UFO.  Goodness where has this month gone?  Hopefully I'll get it done.  I've got the collection of fabrics to choose from easy at hand, but still need to choose just which one of the animal themes that will be used for the Flax flower for my Kourageous project.  More on this tomorrow...wish me luck!

This week I've got several completions to share with you.  Of course you know what this means...something to report as USED!  YIPPEE!  First up is Kottonwood Kurl from the Bonnie Hunter design Roll, Roll Cotton Boll.  I finally got all the way around this big girl sewing down the binding.  She's a beauty don't you agree?

Next is Koncealed from the Debbie Caffrey design Secret Window that has been brought to us by Quiltmaker Magazine as a Mystery in three parts starting with the May/June 2011 issue.  I host this Quilt Along project on Quilter's Club of America under Groups/Quiltmaker Groups.  Becoming a member of the Group is FREE and works with the three magazine issues.  The final post went live on Friday with Secret Window Part 3 - Scrappy Cutting and Sewing...The REVEAL!

The beautiful flowers are a gift to me from Quiltmaker for my efforts on the online quilt along project.  Do you think it was planned that the flowers would match the colors of Koncealed?

Korrecting Koncealed is a second Secret Window project that was my double check to make sure the words on the blog posts were accurate.  It always amazes me how different fabric selections create such different projects. 

As I mentioned I can report fabric used this week.  I'd already claimed Kottonwood Kurl, but Koncealed and Korrecting Koncealed combined added up.  A good reporting week...notice I've stopped my purchasing spree?

Used this week: 21.25 yards
Used YTD: 165.5 yards
Purchased this week: 0 yards
Purchased YTD: 92 yards
Net Fabric Used in 2011: 73.5 yards

Did you use stash this week?  Look how other quilters are using their stash at Patchwork Times.

Design Wall Monday, July 25, 2011

Starting the last week of July 2011.  I've still several projects set as goals for 2011.  I really need to get busy! 

Of course taking on the unexpected workshop doesn't help, but it was very informative.  The workshop was centered on circles.  I don't know about you, not one of my favorite styles of sewing.  I went with the hope of learning a thing or two to make circles something I didn't regret doing in a project.  Can't say that my mind was changed that much.  I did learn two things that makes the process a bit easier to achieve. 

First have a stylus.  It's a tool that helps to pull and hold fabric.  In the case with the circles it helps pull the bottom fabric to meet the top fabric and avoid puckers.  I used the instructor's wood stylus and just loved it.  Quilt in a Day did have a metal stylus, but I ended up with a Clover awl instead.  The awl is very similar except that the tip is sharper then the wood stylus.  It does have a great handle just like the one on their seam ripper.  I'm on the hunt for a wooden stylus to include in my "tool box". 

The second thing is to put the flat piece on the top of the piece that has to be eased in the most.  I'd always done this the opposite way so I could see the potential puckers, but as it turns out you have a tendency to want to manipulate the fabric too much.  You still need to pin (use five pins) starting from the center then both ends and then between these pins.  As long as you keep with the 1/4" seam those pesky puckers won't intrude into the stitching.  The stylus and the needle down also provide some extra holders.  I even got to the point of assembly line sewing.  Yep felt much more comfortable with the process at the end of the day.

I've got the borders to put on yet.  This is the class sample that I plan to use as well.  I've got enough of all the fabrics so I'm thinking I will use the three browns.  My project is very Zen like so I'm thinking it will be gifted to Tammy since she's got her bedroom decorated Zen.  Don't spill the beans.

So what's on your wall today?