Friday, May 10, 2013

Paducah, Paducah, Paducah . . .

Are you getting tired of reading about my trip to Paducah, where I attended the AQS Show?  This is my last post on this subject,
 until next year.

One of my favorite things when I leave Illinois and cross into Kentucky is this bridge over the Ohio River.  It's the only bridge I've ever seen made of flying geese units.  It's like it's welcoming me to the quilt show.



All the traveling I do during the course of a year is by air, except for this trip.  When I fly I have to really limit what I can and do take with me.  When I drive, look out, I load my car down and hit the road.  This year I brought my sewing machine and my Sew Ezi travel sewing table so I could sew in the mornings and evenings in my hotel room.

I took my pineapple block project that I had cut then put in a project box.  It was a great project to work on with its easy and repetitive stitching.


Good thing I didn't have a roommate, I pretty much took over this sitting area.

Here's my little pressing and trimming area.


My goal was to piece 10 pineapple blocks per day. I don't know where I came up with that number, but it took a lot longer to make each block than I expected, but I did manage to finish 30 blocks.  And here they are.


My blocks are 6 inches and I'm paper piecing them instead of using a special pineapple ruler.  Originally my goal was to make 100, I'm not done yet, but I am rethinking that 100 block idea.



36 comments:

  1. How industrious of you! great to see your set up in the hotel room and the blocks look beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I meant to add that I made a foundation pieced pineapple quilt for my son's 18th birthday gift - all in blue, red and white. It was fun to sew with the foundations on pre-printed muslin - and he loved it. See this post http://everystitchblog.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/seeing-red.html.
    Hilda

    ReplyDelete
  3. Beautiful blocks!!!
    You were very productive during your week in Paducah!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful....so are you thinking you need to make more blocks to make it fit your bed?
    wow, its soooo beautiful
    Kathie

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your red and white pineapple blocks are beautiful! Are you using scraps from your stash or fabrics purchased just for this project? I'm still looking for a "special" project to use my Thelma's Choice fabrics! Do you mind telling me what foundation papers you are using? I tried making pineapple blocks last year for Halloween without foundations and they were a disaster!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Your pineapple quilt is gorgeous!!!! Do you mind telling me what foundation papers you are using? Would live to try and make one after seeing yours. Are you using scraps from your stash or fabrics purchased just for this project?

    Robin
    jrlaqua@embarqmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I get lightheaded whenever you post a red and white quilt, and this one is over the top! I was going to paper piece an 8.5" pineapple block, but I think you have a good idea with this size. Like you, I need to rethink making a full-sized quilt.

    This is one of my favorites of all the quilts you have made.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow...that bridge is amazing and just love it. I would be driving crazy trying to look at it. How fitting to be on the way to Padauah and would think that would get the excitement started for me! Love, love those pineapple blocks and really nice set-up there Thelma....all the comforts of home to sew in (gotta love it) to be able to work. Keep up the good work and you will know when you have just enough blocks....can't wait to see!
    Gail

    ReplyDelete
  9. That flying geese bridge is fantastic! Love the pineapple blocks - looks like a lot of work. I'm sure they will make a wonderful quilt x

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very striking! Love those blocks.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm working on pineapple blocks too...as we speak! My original goal was I think 72. Now? I'm thinking about downsizing my design LOL. But first we'll see how I feel after finishing the 48 I have fabric cut for.

    BTW...like the red!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Paper piecing the Pineapple is the way to go! I did that pattern about 5 years ago by cutting strips...Took forever! Love that Pineapple look!

    ReplyDelete
  13. No I am not getting tired of reading about Paducah...

    love the pineapple block but not in any future plans of mine. LOL

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love your pineapple blocks and that bridge!

    ReplyDelete
  15. i love pineapple blocks but i hate all that paper tearing after
    where did you stay looks like a nice room we stayed in metropolis a short dist away thurs night as soon as we got back to our room there was a knock and a voice saying paducah pd open up ! do you open the door or not i oped to not and they were at the room next to us ! did not make me feeel any better but we survived the night
    thanks for sharing your trip
    diana y

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your pineapple quilt looks great!! Love that red!! Are your lights white or cream or a mixture? I can't decide if I should paper piece or use a ruler for mine....and of course, I bought ANOTHER pineapple ruler at a recent quilt show. Sometimes I am caught up in the moment and buy something that, later I wonder if I really needed! The bridge design is very interesting.

    Gloria
    gyates625@bellsouth.net

    ReplyDelete
  17. love the red pineapples, a quilt on my "to do"list:) I found your blog about longarming very interesting and i'm glad you shared your honest perspective. it took me nearly one year of lots of daily practice before i started up my longarm business.I probably could have done it after 9 months but i'm a perfectionist lol! It does take a lot of practice and now, sadly, i rarely get to piece. i too wish customers knew how much skill and effort goes into having their quilt quilted, especially when you are using pantos by hand and not computerized.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I loved reading about your trip to Paducah. The first year I went, my BFF and I shared a room. We both brought our little sewing machines, but truthfully I was so worn out by the end of the day, my machine stayed packed away. My friend did a bit of sewing, but we mostly enjoyed visiting with each other. She lives 1000 miles away from me, so when we get together we love to catch up, and not necessarily sewing.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Another stunning red and white quilt coming from you, I am not surprised. 100 blocks is very ambitious but somehow I know you will do it. Great set up in the hotel room.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love this quilt.

    Can you tell me where you found your paper piecing papers for that size? Would love to do a small one.

    suebennett1975@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thelma,

    Love the work area you set up in the hotel room!!! And.....your blocks are amazing!

    I am a new follower to your blog and am enjoying your posts very much.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Fabulous set up in your hotel room. You were incredibly productive.

    Your pineapple quilt is stunning, Thelma.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Your pineapple blocks are coming along nicely. I can't believe you toted all that equipment with you but I guess I'd need something to do when not walking around the quilt show ans what better than working on a quilting project right after you're pumped up with inspiration, right!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Your trip sounded perfect and your red and white pineapple blocks are awesome. Thanks for sharing your talent.

    ReplyDelete
  25. THE pineapple quilt is stunning!! joe

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thirty is quite an accomplishment! They are going to make a wonderful, two color quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your hotel room is hilarious! Love it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Can't believe you took all that stuff with you, but you used it and got lots done. And everything is so neat and orderly. Your pineapple quilt is just gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Love the flying geese bridge! One of my male co-workers stays in a hotel through the week, and he's always talking of how bored he gets. My room would look like yours, and I'd never have time to get bored! Way to go with all the pineapples.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Wonderful treat to yourself. Your work "room" is set up perfectly for production! You can make all 100 Thelma... I know you can!

    ReplyDelete
  31. I love to hear all the details and live vicariously through you!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I also love to hear about your travels...those blocks are just so vibrant...love the yummy red fabrics you are using for that gorgeous pineapple quilt. Your hotel room looked very inviting!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I traveled to a quilt show with a couple of friends and we stayed in a B&B. I took my featherweight to have if I bought "something" at the show that I just had to try out. ha! We did NOT have a lot of room in our shared room.

    I actually used my machine and mended the ruffle on the sheets in the room. They had come unsewn from the main sheet. I don't think the B&B host minded!

    ReplyDelete
  34. You never cease to amaze me! What a beautiful quilt in the pineapple pattern. Happy Mother's Day, dear friend, XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  35. Oh my ......... I was at Paducah our paths may have crossed and I didn't even realize it.

    ReplyDelete

I try to respond to all my comments but sometimes I just don't get the job done. Please know that I am reading your comments and appreciate you taking the time to add a little of yourself to my blog.