Insanely Insane

It seems like I am having a hard time getting to the sewing machine this summer.  

One month is almost gone and I don't have anything to show for it.

I am keeping up with my monthly obligations, but that is about all.

BUT--

(and this is probably WHY I didn't get anything else accomplished)

I am almost finished with my Leader/Ender project.

What is a Leader/Ender you ask.

Well, it is a second, no brainer, easy peasy quilt that I 

piece anytime I am at the sewing machine. 

First, I run a unit thru the sewing machine (the leader).

Such as these two 

 triangles

My leader

Right behind that, I chain piece whatever project I am currently working on.

When that chain is finished, I run another of my Leader/Ender project thru (the ender).

This piece stays in the machine after I have cut all of the chain piecing off.

It will automatically become the leader for the next round of sewing.

I always have a leader under the machine.  Why do leader/enders you ask.
 Well--

*it kind of "tricks" the machine into thinking

it is still sewing.

*I have no more points going down into the needle hole when I start

*I don't have to mess with those pesky long threads at the beginning

*I don't have to keep rethreading the machine because I used my threadcutter

and it came unthreaded when I started sewing.

*BONUS-I get a second quilt finished without any extra work or time

Now that the leader/ender class is over, back to the story.

I will be finished with my current leader/ender project soon.  Just a few more of these blocks to go, and I will have made 98 - 6" blocks - JUST AS LEADER/ENDERS!

All  half 

square triangle units.  The inside block finished 3" and uses 3/4" finished half squares with 1 1/2" ones for the star points.

So, I have been playing with some ideas for my next lifetime leader/ender project(s).

My inspiration came from a customer's quilt that I quilted for their guild show in September.

No, I won't show the entire quilt, but I will give you a preview.

Yes, they are 3" finished bow ties.

If you follow our Patchwork Plus facebook page

www.facebook.com/Patchwork-Plus-134736059870382/

you have seen the teasers of my new project.

48 darks

 and 24 lights cut from stash and starched

then

cut and divided into 48 blocks

and these will be sew into square in square blocks.
And yes, the will finish 2 1/2"

I need 1023 to be set on point with these 48, I only have 975 to go!

While I was doing this one, I am also starting to cut for future Leader/Enders

I think I really do have my entire life of these planned.

As I pull out my reproductions I will be cutting for the above quilt as well as for

my version of the bow tie quilt

 1400 - 3" finished blocks

and our new BLOCKSWAPPER program at the shop

 A modified 9 patch

-  Here are my 25 blocks due at the shop August 1.

Call the shop  618-251-9788 if you want to join us.

First set of blocks will be due August 1.

I need 410 less the 150 I will have from Blockswapper.  So I only need to make 260 more.

 This Bow Tie leader/ender quilt will be done with 1930's reproductions - 3" finished.  1440 blocks needed

and another 1930's leader/ender

1064 - 3" Nine Patch blocks

and as if I didn't have enough to do--

I am planning an applique quilt for when I just want to sit and watch TV

This one is only 143 5" finished blocks.

So, I think I really have ALL of my LIFETIME quilts planned with leader/enders.

I did manage to get these blocks completed for the new Temecula Album Sampler BOM

starting July 1.

Happy Sewing