Fanciful Quilts

  Table Runner Update!  22 November 2025 The infamous fall/winter 86” x 16” table runner is done. Package mailed to daughter & husband 2 days ago and expected delivery is sometime this evening.   Spring/summer table runner will be completed sometime today.  What I have learned when using a domestic machine: *Quilting an 86” length is hard on the arms and shoulders *Not checking the bobbin frequently can lead to using very bad words *Hand stitching the binding to the back of an 86” length project can take several hours  *I will not undertake a 3rd table runner of this magnitude ever again What remains now in my quilting world:  Get Ms Patience, aka the Q’Nique 15 Pro - in working order so she becomes Ms Daisy.  Don’t ask why I feel it necessary to name these machines but it’s definitely become a habit.   Life is good.... Sharon

  November 11th, 2025 Current project - which might very well be the world’s longest table runner.  86” x 16”.    The first idea was to make 2 table runners ..... one for spring/summer and one for fall/winter.  Common sense stepped in (which isn’t often) and thought - why not make it reversible?  That’s the plan.   Reverse will be consist of larger rectangles (courtesy of my beloved Accuquilt dies).  Bottom line:  quicker to put together and get it off to the recipients in time for their Thanksgiving dinner.  One can hope.   In the meantime, my Q’Nique 15 Pro is almost ready for her maiden voyage.  After 2 years plus of seeing her sitting on the frame in the SQS (Sharon’s Quilting Studio...lest you forgot), it was time to finish adding the accessories.  Encoder wheels - installed.  The mini screen (whatever that does) just has to be plugged in.  Oil will be added wherever the instruction manual says to add it...a...

  It’s been a long time since I captured any thoughts on the ‘net.  Why?  I haven’t a clue other than perhaps it just isn’t a big deal anymore. And the photo?  Our first snowfall of the season.  Started snowing yesterday evening and continued.  Snowfall depth?  Probably under inch.   To backtrack...... Around 8 years ago we decided it was time for mom to move from Oshkosh WI to Ohio...specifically, closer to where we live.  The trips to and from Oshkosh for medical appointments was getting more difficult as time went on.  She was living alone in a very nice condo...but alone.  It took awhile to convince her to move but move she did.  Lived alone in a nice apartment not far from our home.  Mind you, she was diagnosed with early Alzheimers but still able to function okay.  For a few years she was doing okay ....then COVID hit.  Within 2 years, she passed on her 92nd birthday.  Lots of events during that t...

  September 16th, 2020 Yes, it really is 2020.  Year of the C-19, Presidential election, riots, threats of defunding the police departments...and the list could go on. However!  Other countries have faced far worse trials and tribulations...so I'll just keep the focus on Jesus. Now, a few quilts have been made...the SQS (aka Sharon's Quilting Studio) (blame my husband for that misnomer) has been reorganized more than once.  I think the count is up to 5 times since we moved into this beautiful house 2 years ago (in June). And add other STUFF to life and you get the idea why just a few quilts. The biggest project that will soon start is the backyard. Quick memory share.  When we first looked at the house and walked out family room into the backyard, my first thought was - wow, sweet.  Compact back yard.  That thought was soon replaced when the back gate was open.  A few photos may help....  Easy to take care of...(ha)....and then we opened...

Okay, so I am taking a liberty or two with this "backed into a corner" bit.   Quilt backings. Oh, I long for the day when I believed the only way to back a quilt was to use muslin.  Pure, simple, off white muslin.  Easy to use, showed the threads beautifully if quilted correctly.  Showed the threads well if not quilted correctly.   All this to say .... just the perfect batik in my stash to use as backing for Tilt-a-Square was just a tad short.  As in - a good 30 plus inches too short.  Okay, so I piece. For whatever reason, I discarded the idea to just piece together the various lengths of batiks on hand.     Idea #2.   I pulled 7 different batiks and start cutting 10" squares.  Great idea for a backing.  I've done it before...and it worked out quite well.  Until the thought of "just" 10" squares was a bit - well, uninspired.  Snap the fingers (did you hear it?), and viola - HSTs.  And the fun b...

Goals for 2019....in writing....included one quilt a month.  As in fully quilted.  Might be able to finish January's project on time.  Imagine that. Hello, Tilt-a-Square.   You have not been my favorite project (understatement) but I have learned quite a bit about appliqué ... and that's not all bad.   Here she is.....  Started the journey in October and today the last stitch is done.  Now to locate fabric for the backing....which shouldn't be difficult.  Pieced backings are fun...as long as one doesn't choose a backing made of 2 1/2 strips.  Ever try quilting over seam after seam after seam?  Poor Mz Bailey (aka my mid arm) absolutely screams with agony..... And today's delight....SNOW... From the window of the front room.  Okay, granted it was taken several days ago but that white stuff isn't going away any time soon.  Still looks like that now.  If memory serves me correctly, it wa...

To date, the 2019 Great Challenge (aka finishing those UFOs/kits) has not happened.  In fact, I think I am slowly on the road to perfecting procrastination. So far, I have made quilted coasters.   Yes, I know.  Just four of them.  But lots and lots of fabric has been cut into strips....waiting. And then there are the wonky placemats.... And more strips were cut.  Absolutely no rhyme or reason or plan....just placemats with somewhat sedate backings.   In the meantime, current quilt project is languishing on the ironing board....and if it's speaking to me, I'm not hearing it.   On the homefront, the kitchen floor is looking very spiffy - as in very clean.   I've spent hours online looking for a specific door handle to the laundry room....which morphed into looking for just the right kitchen mat to go on the spiffy kitchen floor....which morphed into..... After quilting ...

THE Challenge continues.   Randomly selected number (1-71 projects at the time) was.... Tilt-a-Square.  A kit. As to what number that was, I haven't a clue.  It's off the list.  I modified the list, along with reorganizing the SQS.  If I think long and hard enough, SQS could mean something else other than "Sharon's Quilting Studio"....  Like.... "Simply Quiet Space".....or...."Something Quirky Stuff".....or... Darn squirrels. Tilt-a-Square.   Minus the borders....which will be tackled when this headache goes away....   Nothing like a wonderful (small) space to photograph a quilt top.  Once the borders are on, I need a larger floor space.   Honestly, it will never be one of my favorite quilts.  The pros:  I love the wonkiness of the blocks.  I love the colors.  I love that it's all batiks. The cons:  Applique.   Okay - one con.  But enough to either up the game of...

For the past couple of years (five?  six?  three?), I have chosen a word for the year.  Not even sure why this yearly "thing" happened....or even if it made a difference.  Looking back, probably had no impact whatsoever.  However, this year.... Flexibility.  It is now the 7th of January and I've come to the conclusion this word is revealing a portion of my character that does need some work.  Rather than go into great detail (surprise), suffice to share that it's a startling revelation and it isn't pleasant.  When something needs to be changed within, it is never pleasant.   Moving on..... SQS (Sharon's Quilting Studio) underwent a major (to me) organization.  What started out as numbering the fabric bins....anyway, a picture is worth a thousand words. First there was this....behind the closet door.  I sort of liked it.  Okay, it was a brilliant idea to move the cubbies into the clos...

It's been "awhile" since I last posted.   Can't share that I accomplished much other than a plan to reorganize the SQS (that's Sharon's Quilting Studio).  Several plans in fact.  No, make that over a dozen.  There was a quote I read somewhere - something about Perfection being a pipe dream.  God is perfect - I am not. We are in Ft Myers, Florida now and have today & tomorrow to enjoy the balmy temperatures.  Okay - maybe not so balmy.  However, 56F beats 22F at home.  We have a lovely balcony view from the hotel.....yes, this was taken this morning.  Beautiful sunrise.                                                        A bit hazy, yes ... but then my iPhone 5c is a bit - uh, challenged?  Okay - OLD. Brought along 6 placemats to hand quilt.  Wrong thread. ...

Tilt a Square is still tilting away.  I know - that's terrible, but it's getting late. Learned something new....  Not all decorative stitches are meant to be used as an appliqué stitch.  No kidding?  No kidding.   Next block under the needle.... I added tear away stabilizer underneath.  It worked wonders.  Old dog, new tricks.  Now the trick will be removing it.   Close up of the stitching.  Choosing a color that blends into the fabric has its pros and cons.  Pros?  One is - can't see the mistakes unless one looks very close.  Cons?  One is - you can't see the edge of the fabric while sewing.  It's all in the eye of the beholder.  Sorry - it's been that kind of day. I'll continue to plod on until all 12 blocks are done.  I'm kind of anxious to see this through completion.   Many blessings..... Sharon

First off - it cannot be the 4th of November already.  This means Thanksgiving is just around the corner.  Aaack.  I'm actually planning on cooking for more than the two of us.  Aaack again.   Project #33, Tilt a Square Kit, is coming along very nicely.  So far, so good.  Bad joke that sports the punchline "so far, so good" but I'll spare you. To date:   Yes, two whole blocks completed.  Appliquéd.  Without fusing.  Kit instructions call for trimming behind each appliquéd square before next one added.  First block:  okay, trimmed it.  Second block:  okay, not trimming.  I may regret the no-trimming by the time I load this top on to the frame, but at this moment, I'll stand by the no time decision. Care to see a close up of block #2?  Okay.... The plan is to use a different appliqué stitch for each block.  Twelve blocks - twelve different appliqué stitche...

...and progress.  Oh yes, progress. Project # - geez, what the heck was that number?  Oh yeah - #33.  Tilt a Square (kit). Can't say I'm overwhelmed with how these blocks are to be put together (again:  READ THE DIRECTIONS BEFORE BUYING).   Since I certainly cannot toss this project without gaining the reputation of - what?  Whatever reputation one gets when one doesn't follow through....and I'm sure it's not a nice name. With that in mind.... Here's the proposed layout of the blocks.  Yes, subject to change.  Always subject to change.   It's so nice to have a large ironing board.  If nothing else, it's great to lay out blocks.   And it's a great catch all for stuff that has wandered out of the room....and.....  Yeah, not a whole lot of ironing happens.   In the meantime - tomorrow, furniture shopping with mom.  Not much to buy.  Bed, dresser, couch, coffee table, chair ...