Wednesday, July 18, 2012

A finish, some progress and an update

I was determined to finish something yesterday and so, I finished knitting this baby hat.

There's a whole list of crocheted and knitted hats here. The one above is the Angled Preemie Hat. I don't think it's really a preemie size - more like a regular baby hat size. Way too much work and it took way too long since, after 20 rows of rib ( I only did 18), the pattern changed every 3 rows. I'm glad I did it and I now know how to make an I-cord. That's the long cord at the top of the hat that I knotted. So far, I have only repeated one pattern while making 8 hats. 

After much thought on how to quilt the border on this baby quilt, I was reminded by my quilting ladies Marg and Ann (the Champagne Quilters) that I could just use masking tape. It was a good suggestion because I am not a fan of any kind of marking on my quilts. I only use pencil or pencil crayon since the chemicals in wash-out or fade-out pens are unreliable. I don't know what they do to the fabric years down the road and I have heard about pen marks coming back after washing or in the heat or humidity - or just with time.

 I am not overly fond of masking tape because I tend to quilt too close to the tape and sometimes it gets sticky. In this case, the masking tape is the dollar store variety and so it has less 'stick' to it. Sometimes it doesn't even stay put for long. It may also be because of the heat and humidity in the air even though the a/c is on.

It's ready for a couple of turns. I decided to outline quilt all the pinwheels in the body of the quilt.


And this is what the Champagne Quilters are up to. We have decided to make some lap quilts for seniors and so we are using up some of the pre-printed panels that have been sitting in our stash for too many years. This is the third one and we have at least three more panels waiting to be paired up with backing.

If you are curious as to what other Canadians are up to this week, pop on over to The Needle and Thread Network. I'm also linking up to Esther's blog for WIP (Works In Progress.)

19 comments:

  1. Cute cute hat, Dolores! Your quilt is looking wonderful. I've used the very thin 1/4" masking tape before, but I suppose I could just cut the rolls down. Great way to use up panels!

    ReplyDelete
  2. The baby hat is really cute. Too bad it takes so long to make.
    Your quilt is going to be so gorgeous! have you tried a Hera marker for doing lines? It works really well and no ink or chalk involved.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Darling little hat:) Using masking tape sounds like a fabulous idea.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Love the hat, adorable. Thanks for the link to patterns too, that will come in handy. Didn't realize some marking pens reappeared, good to know.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Masking tape works for straight lines. If you want shapes, mac tack ( sticky shelf liner) is repositional as well.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Just a suggestion, we have "painter's" tape. Very similar to masking tape, but not as sticky and seems to come off of everything. Painter's use it to protect edges when painting. I use it on the "leaders" on my long arm to keep them out of the way. Another from the hardware store!!

    Sandra from Oregon

    ReplyDelete
  7. Cute hat and nice baby quilt. The lap quilts for seniors are a great idea, wish I had a guild here....

    ReplyDelete
  8. Being a non quilter, I just have to look and admire.Also love what the ladies are doing with the quilts for seniors.I also didn't know those pens may come back and mark the quilt.Good tip.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Dolores! Just wanted to pop in and say hi. Thanks for signing up to follow my blog. The baby hat is adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I also heard that the new pens (Frixon) can take the colour out of the fabric when you iron it. I was going to suggest painters tape too but not the frog one it has a gel on it I think.
    Barb@Witsend
    P.S. thanks for visiting my blog

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hello Dolores,

    Wow, that little hat is so cute. It reminds me of a Gumnut Baby. Google Snuggle Pie and Snuggle Pot and you will see what I mean.

    Happy quilting.
    Bev.xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a cute little hat, but gee changing the pattern every three rows! I have a simple ribbed toque pattern I make for all my prairie relatives on a rotating basis. I think there would be shock if I sent anything other that the 'accepted norm'

    whenever i see your hand quilting projects I am envious -- I do have one flimsy I am thinking should be hand done -- now, just to get to it!

    ReplyDelete
  13. The hat is adorable. I like the idea of quilting the pinwheels.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Sweet little hat! I would just glide the stitches of the cord to the other end of the needle and continue knitting. I must try this pattern for my next lot.

    ReplyDelete
  15. The baby hat is so sweet love the soft color. Have you tried painters tape , it is less sticky than masking tape and works the same way , I have used it many times and find it works great. Your quilt is looking wonderful and I love that you are making quilts for the seniors.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I have to do a baby quilt :-)
    Beautifully knitted baby hat Dolores, Lady of many talents
    :-) X X X

    ReplyDelete
  17. Oooh lots of baby work, how great! And I know these little knitted things can get fiddly and can take a while...but there's something so special about hand made baby things, isn't there?

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you for visiting my blog. Greetings from Finland

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for commenting. I appreciate your thoughts.