I had the floral log cabin up on the design wall, and in need of squaring up the edges. Got that taken care of and decided I needed a small border at least. So I added that. Now, she needs pinning and quilting. I ordered batting and it arrived yesterday, so I am putting that onto the list for the next week or so. 
My container of leader and ender 2 patches is filling up! I keep a stack of them next to the machine to use when I am joining blocks, and rows, etc. I finally got the mess of them pressed open.
Here's my Leader/Ender method....a la Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville.
Any leftover strip of binding or other piece 2 1/2'' wide gets cut into squares. I keep a tray of them on the cutting table. Every so often or as needed I sit down and match them into pairs. These are then stacked up and clipped together by my machine. At the end of the row....use a 2 patch L/E. That leaves something under the machine needle as I prep for the next row/block.
Part of the 2 patches were stitched as I put together this small lap quilt of string blocks. The blocks were 5 1/2'' unfinished ones I had left over from something. So this is only 40 by 40 inches.
I have options noted on my list.....
- Add a strip around this as border or frame.
- Add more blocks to make it larger.
- Add a frame strip and then add string row at top and bottom to turn it into a rectangle design.
My last bit of variety for the week was sewing up this watercolor for a table runner. Lots of rows mean lots of leader and ender parts:) It needs a good squaring up and pressing before I get it finished.
I stole this off facebook this week. May I add.....each day is a miracle too!
Happy stitching.
8 comments:
I like using leaders/enders. Every so often, it seems that you get a 'free' quilt! I love your string star quilt - very cute - and the watercolor table runner - so pretty! Your miracle sign brings to mind an old saying about not saving the good dishes for a special day because every day is special. ~Jeanne
I've tried leaders/enders before & wound up never doing anything with them. I probably need to try again someday. :) I love that string star quilt. In my eyes it gives the appearance of stained glass pieces. You have such a good eye for design & color combinations. That's a really pretty quilt. Love the miracle sign you found. Yes, miracles do happen each day....we only need to have eyes to see them. Thanks!
For some reason, I've never been able to make myself use the leaders/enders idea; don't really know why. Maybe I will someday. I too love your string star. Thanks for the reminder to consider the "options" when a quilt needs something more. Too often it is easier to just bind it and call it done when just a few minutes of considering the options would really make a difference in the outcome. ---"Love"
Wow, look at all your progress! I am doing tiny wonky stars as my leader and enders now. All your work just sparkles! I am in a sort of slump- dealing with cardio rehab and now PT for a pinched nerve in the hip- kind of getting old. All I want to do is sew.
Lovely sentiment, Debbie! My current leaders/enders are crumb blocks. I have to stop myself from just continuing to work on them instead of my "main" project!
I know what you mean about time getting away from us re blogging! I use leaders and enders as much as possible while piecing, it seems minor but there's hardly any thread wasted that way. I guess your options for that string block top are only limited by the size quilt you want to push through your machine when it comes quilting time! A piano-key outer border maybe?
I am with you on the leader/enders. I keep a different L/E project by each machine. I have made many a small bonus quilt this way, and even made a large quilt a time or two. I become immobilized if I run out of L/Es beside my machine. :)
The star quilt is pretty as is, and would make a perfect baby quilt size. But if you want a larger quilt, borders would work, too.
Great sentiment at the end!
I LOVE that string star!!!!
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