Erica's Stitches

I'm working on a mystery band sampler for the 35th Anniversary of my EGA Chapter. It started last January and I'm only slightly behind instead of really behind.   That's because I'm stitching 2 inch squares instead of rows.   When the band of the month is a repeating pattern, I can simply stitch one of the repeats, but for bigger designs like Pikes Peak or the EGA Logo I need to crop the pattern to make it fit in the square. I've been using scraps of leftover linen and basting the 2 inch squares.  Recently I basted 6 more squares so when I have a spare moment I can fill in the squares. I'm probably going to end up with more than 12 squares.  Some bands will become multiple squares.  I've also come across some patterns I'd like to include just for fun. Originally I was going to sew the squares together into cubes but now I think I'll add small fabric borders to each square and make a wall hanging. I'm hoping that this idea works o...

After a big delay I've finally started basting my big quilt.  Since I machine quilt I always pin baste.  Everyone assumes that I hand quilt.  But since I enjoy different types of embroidery I save my hands for that and quilt on the machine.  I've been going to the local quilt store and using their tables to baste but my wrists, shoulders and back are not looking forward to an all-day session.  I'd rather do it a little at a time over weeks instead of hours.   I dug the table out of storage and set up in an out of the way area.  In the first week I have 3 rows basted and another 7 left to go.  Doing it a little at a time sure beats doing it all at once even if its going to take longer. This is the final smoothing out of the quilt.  As it was pieced, the fabric was continually being ironed flat.  Now, I'm going to great lengths to get all 3 layers, backing, batting and quilt top, as...