The Sashing of Grandma's Apron Strings

I finished the last of the 42 blocks I need for Grandma's Apron Strings (previously called Someone's In the Kitchen with Dinah until I decided on sashing and changed the name of the quilt). 

I had decided to try some chicken scratch for the sashing and so embroidered enough pieces for 17 sashings.   This morning I decided before I went any further with the embroidery that I should try it out and see if I like it. 

I like it but unfortunately my chicken scratch shrunk up the gingham piece a little so my carefully planned 9.25 piece of sashing is just a little too small.   I tried to starch and stretch it into submission but I think it will be a little too short the proper 1/4 inch seam allowance when I go to sew rows together.   And I'll hate myself if I don't do it right. 

So now I'll be ripping out this chicken scratch.   Then I'll see if I can save the other pieces I haven't cut apart yet because they are a little longer but the piece is frayed a little on each end.   Boohoo.   It takes a long time to embroider one of these strips and a lot of white embroidery thread which is running low and I need sashing enough for 42 blocks.   I also get bored after doing the chicken scratch embroidery for two or three pieces of sashing. 

So I guess I need to buy more white embroidery thread and get busy.   I'll take it as one of my hand work projects next week when we have a family reunion camp out.   

You may not see this quilt again for awhile!

Slow Sunday Stitching

Oh Scrap! 

Chicken Scratch Fever

I've been working on some chicken scratch.  I think I'll cut these strips apart to use for quilt sashing.   They will go into a quilt I'll call Grandma's Apron Strings.  I think I have about 12 or 13 more quilt blocks to make for a twin sized quilt so thought I better get moving on the chicken scratch sashing because I need a lot of it.  It's a nice summer project.  After I get enough strips completed for a row of sashing I'll  test it out with the blocks to see if I actually like my idea. 

In re chicken scratch: 

I used to visit the thrift stores weekly and I felt sorry for any hand work items that I found so I usually purchased them and gave them a good home.  I know the makers went to a lot of work to create the items only to have them unloved and unwanted and hanging out in a thrift store.  Over the years I picked up several aprons with chicken scratch.  I used to use them as a valance at the kitchen window (tied over the curtain rod) but when we remodeled the kitchen we put in new windows and moved them to a spot with a nice view so I got rid of the curtains/valance. 

The chicken scratch on the aprons runs all the way from elegant like above ...

...to very simple...

...and all sorts in between. 

Sometimes the chicken scratch looks like cross stitch.  

Back when I used to make clothes I chicken scratched on a purple gingham blouse I made and on a little pink gingham sundress I made my daughter when she was around 2 years old - both items long gone.   Years ago I made a project bag crazy quilt style from old blue jeans and chicken scratched on the yoke of the bag.   

I've also seen chicken scratch called depression lace or amish embroidery. 

Slow Sunday Stitching at Kathy's Quilts. 

Sometimes I Actually Cut Into New Fabrics and Don't Use Scraps

I call them Apron Strings blocks.  They finish at 8 3/4 inches and are a bit fiddly. I'm using my kitchen themed fabrics.  This has been a UFO for a long time so I decided to delve back into it and make a few blocks . I think I now have 26 or so blocks and am aiming for 36. 

The block is from the book History Repeated.  See it there on the front cover? 

The actual name of the block is Wheel of Fortune. 

My sashing will be gingham with chicken scratch just like those old aprons I have in my collection of old aprons. 

Now you know why I call my blocks Apron Strings. 

Someone's In the Kitchen with Dinah.

Summer Kitchen

Someone's in the Kitchen with Dinah. 

(Possible quilt names if I actually named my quilts). 

Wheel of Fortune quilt block from the book "History Repeated". 

These finish at a weird size like 8-3/4 or something like that. 

I'm using kitchen themed fabrics on a pale yellow background. 

I think I have figured out what I'm going to use for the sashing - some chicken scratch embroidery just like you used to see on old gingham aprons.   I have a collection of some of those aprons I'll use for inspiration. 

Someone's in the Kitchen with Dinah

Three more blocks for 

Someone's in the Kitchen with Dinah. 

I'm having fun with these. 

Someone's In the Kitchen with Dinah

I couldn't stand it any longer...I had to start something new. 

I've spent most of the year trying to finish UFOs and I plan to continue with that. I've been a good girl. I've had 12 finishes since the beginning of the year.  And now for my reward...

I'll be using my kitchen themed fabrics in Wheel of Fortune blocks.  These finish at a weird size - 8 3/4 inches.  I've used a light yellow Kona (maize?) from my stash for the background.  I hope I'll have enough. If not...some blocks might end up with a different color of yellow for the background. 

The block is called Wheel of Fortune and is from the book History Repeated. 

I'm also making another block from the book - Blind Man's Fancy - the other block on the cover. 

The block is a bit fiddly but, to me, well worth it.  

Not a lot of people do fiddly things to reward themselves but I feel good. 

Design Wall Monday