African Sampler

Angela's mother who lived in Zimbabwe made this quilt from drapery and upholstery samples. She has been dead for several years. Angela rescued the tops (2 of them) on a visit to Zimbabwe and brought them to me last year to finish for her. She plans to give one to her grandson. This quilt definitely qualifies as meeting one of the UFO goals for 2013.
When I first opened the package from Angela the sizing and dust on the fabric triggered my allergies. Mother washed the tops and then I could work on them. Many of the patches still had the paper from the sample books on the back. Washing seems to have taken care of that issue also. All of the pieces have holes where they were punched for the books. I mended some of the holes on the backside of the top with muslin and the adhesive used for appliqué. The pieced tops washed amazingly well, holes and all.
Size: 65" x 89" Single-Bed Size
Quilting: Meandering design using light blue polyester thread (Omni from Superior Threads-named "Harbor Sky"). Free form quilting. 6 bobbins.
Backing: Cream-colored background with blue and brown "Prairie" print from Connecting Threads.
Batting: 100% Polyester (Hobbs)
Binding: Black, white and orange polished cotton print. The fabric was scraps from Granddad's and Tata's square-dancing outfits--many, many years ago.
Pattern: Squares randomly selected for the quilt. 6 x 8 squares on the top. The random placement of the squares is the real charm of the quilt.
Piecing by Angela Gora's mother many years ago. Quilting on long arm quilter January 30, 2013 (Patty). Binding by Patty. QC by Spencer.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:County Line Quilts

Blue Plaid Comfort

This is the fifth in our wool comfort project. It's a blue and gray plaid wool, with a plain blue side border. Rosalee was visiting and helped with the tying.

This comfort was added to the donation box at Mother's. Given to St. Francis Center in Redwood City February, 2013. We took 10 quilts or comforts to St. Francis Center. Four baby blankets from my house (3 pink ones and Gallopy), 4 wool comforts from Mother's, 1 baby blanket from Mother's (Red, White, & Blue), and one knit quilt from Mother's (blue print back).

Size: 64 1/2" x 79 1/2" Single-Bed Size
Quilting: Tied using a two-tone blue yarn
Backing: Blue flannel
Batting: 100% Polyester high loft (JoAnn's packaged brand)
Binding: Brought the blue flannel around to the front to make the binding
Pattern: Whole cloth
Piecing by Gra'ma. Tying by Rosalee, Patty and Gra'ma. Binding by Gra'ma. QC by Spencer.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:County Line Quilts

Country Gentleman

This is the fourth in our wool comfort project. It is a black, gray, and white plaid.
This one was given to John Lusk, Rosalee's son-in-law, to keep him warm as he recovers from surgery.
Size: 56" x 75 1/2" Lap Blanket Size
Quilting: Tied using black yarn
Backing: Gray flannel
Batting: 100% Polyester high loft (JoAnn's packaged brand)
Binding: Brought the gray flannel around to the front to make the binding
Pattern: Whole cloth
Sewing by Gra'ma. Tying by Patty and Gra'ma. Binding by Gra'ma. QC by Spencer.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:County Line Quilts

First Wool Comfort of 2013

This is the third one in our wool comfort project. It's a red and gray hounds-tooth check wool, for the most part.
This comfort was added to the donation box at Mother's. Given to St. Francis Center in Redwood City February, 2013.
Size: 60" x 78 1/2" Single-Bed Size
Quilting: Tied using black yarn
Backing: Maroon or dark-red flannel
Batting: 100% Polyester high loft (JoAnn's packaged brand)
Binding: Brought the dark-red flannel around to the front to make the binding
Pattern: Whole cloth
Piecing by Gra'ma. Tying by Patty and Gra'ma. Binding by Gra'ma. QC by Spencer.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:County Line Quilts

2013 Outlook and 2012 Year-End Report

2013 Goals

- Complete 40 long-armed quilts, including 3 for Karina's girls and 1 for Leslie

- Complete 6 UFOs, including 2 hand quilting ones (Many Steps to the Sewing Machine 1 & 2)

- Improve long arm quilting techniques, including feathers, flowers, and meander with a spine

- Improve binding techniques so that edges lie flatter (less ruffled)

- Make Mug Rugs to donate

2013 Outlook

County Line Quilts is not quilted out. With the net increase of stash in 2012, remaining UFO's, quantity of quilting magazines arriving monthly for inspiration, and abundance of JoAnn's coupons, the outlook is bright for a busy and more productive 2013.

2012 Year-End Report

During 2012, 44 items were completed by County Line Quilts and associates.
The total includes 31 quilts "long-armed" on Gra'ma's machine. Five of these were UFO's (unfinished objects). Two quilts were made by Sr. Associate Frances during her summer visit. Two quilts (one of the UFO's) were pieced by Associate Hannah. One quilt was pieced by Member Sally. The rest of the quilts were made by Members Gra'ma and Patty. Six baby quilts were donated to the young mothers at Redwood High School via the church. One baby quilt was a commission for a friend's first grandchild. Eight quilts were given to friends and family, including 1 Princess quilt Frances made for her niece Rowan and 1 called "Hooties" made for first cousin twice-removed Marley. The last long-armed quilt was a king-sized scrappy beauty pieced by Gra'ma for Miff and Keith. Nine quilts are awaiting donation.

Two wool comforts were tied by-hand for donation. A third fleece comfort was tied on the "domestic" (sewing machine) and was donated to Street Church. Also, an old crazy quilt polyester knit comfort made by Patty 40 years ago was repaired and given to Street Church.

Seven table runners were completed and either given away or await donation. One cozy flannel cat nap pad was completed by Associate Leslie during her visit. In addition, an uncounted number of coffee cup cuffs were made using scraps of batting and fabric stash. The cuffs included a special holiday assortment for dear friend Ann.

The number of boxes of fabric stash did not decline in 2012. For every quilt planned or executed, fabric was bought for backs, bindings, etc. resulting in a net increase of stash. Also, Patty joined the Peninsula Quilter's Guild and won 3 baskets of fabric at their meetings.

In summary, 2012 was a busy year and showed a positive increase from 2011.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:County Line Quilts