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Saturday, June 27, 2026

What's in this Bag?

It's time to move on with whatever is in this bag.  You may remember that when my great wardrobe malfunction happened some time ago, I discovered all sorts of long forgotten projects, including this bag.  And I promised myself that once my serious secret sewing was completed (5 quilts in total) I would work on this bag.  It contains two projects, string pieced blocks, and some chickens.  I'll tackle those string blocks first, I decided.

Two projects tucked away.

I wonder when I stitched these string blocks, can't remember so it was quite some time ago I guess.  I used up some tracing vilene for the base, I don't like to use paper.  Some of the blocks already had dark red and blue sashing strips attached, these strips were left over pieces from a long ago finished quilt.   Use what you have, we are told.


Blocks already made, time to add the rest of the sashings

So that's what I've been working on this week.  Sewing the strips into rows, then pressing.  Up and down, but that's good for my back between stitching sessions, so I'm not complaining.


Stitching rows together


Still stitching

Almost done, the top just needs a border - will I get it finished today?  Yes I can, in between some household chores.  There, a finished top, hanging sideways because the ground is wet.



All sorts of memories in here

It's Winter here, so time to take down my seasonal Autumn wall-hanging.  And replace it with Welcome to Winter.  I think this design, featuring a church in the snow, is for a Northern Hemisphere snowy Christmas, but I use it as my mid year Winter wall-hanging.


Welcome to Winter

Although we don't have snow on the ground in my part of the country, we have experienced quite bad weather over the last few days.  Freezing temperatures and heavy snowfall over parts of the South Island.  Winds fierce enough to cancel flights, and more winds and heavy swells causing the Inter Island Ferry to be cancelled.  There's been flooding in my old home town in the Hutt Valley, and more flooding in the Wairarapa with a bridge washed away. Winter has arrived with a vengeance.  


Wet and miserable day

But tucked up at home nice and warm, knowing I don't have to go anywhere the next couple of days, and with sewing and knitting to do, I'm quite comfy, thanks.

20 comments:

loulee said...

Oh yes, it's Winter! Love your strippy quilt top. Great way to finish up a UFO.

The Cozy Quilter said...

What a fun scrappy string quilt! Good to get this old ufo to the finish line. I love how fabrics bring up memories. You have been taking advantage of the bad weather by staying inside to work on your projects. Here, it’s going to be too hot to be outside so I will be doing some sewing too.
How are you going to quilt your string quilt? Take care!

Maureen said...

Gosh that string quilt is pretty! Admiring it hanging sideways I felt like I was looking through a big picture window

Julierose said...

Your strippy quilt turned out beautifully--the "window-pane" effect with the strip blocks is just lovely, Jenny. We are having high humidity levels here for the past few days--so mostly inside in the AC here. Stay warm and cozy--
Hugs, Julierose

Chantal said...

Bravo for getting the content of this mystery bag into a top, and what a wonderful top it is. I love the colours. Just GORgeous!! All the fabric was in the bag? just waiting for some attention? That's so cool! Sorry for the miserable weather. Gosh! You are really having it rough. Hope you stay safe and warm. Enjoy the sewing. ;^)

karenbbsnow said...

Awesome string finish, Congrats!!

Carolyn said...

Your string quilt is very nice, and best of all it is finished! I’m glad you are staying warm and dry indoors!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Look at that - from forgotten blocks in a project bag to a finished top in just a few days! Those blocks made a really pretty design, Jenny. Stay warm and dry in the nasty weather!

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Pretty string top! Strings always pull at my heart. Those little bits sure add sparkle to a block!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

glad you are comfy tucked away inside when it is cold and blustery outside. Have fun stitching and be glad you don't have the high humidity/heat that we have this week!!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Way to perk up those PASTEL strings with that bright sashing, Jenny!!

nestki said...

The houses in your community look like they would withstand any kind of weather.

Astrid said...

Glad you discovered what's in the bag. Your string quilt is beautiful, Jenny! I love the sashing, so pretty. Stay warm and have fun quilting / knitting.

Jo said...

That’s a great quilt ready for quilting. What size are the blocks.

FlourishingPalms said...

Oh, I love seeing the view out your window... even as wet and miserable as it may be. No doubt you are enjoying being indoors, and having something worthwhile to work on. I love it that you're finishing a UFO. There's no feeling better than knowing you're completing something. I had to smile about you getting up and down, sewing and pressing. A friend of mine Intentionally has her pressing station set up in her kitchen, so she has to walk (quite a way) from her sewing room/sewing machine to iron something. She explains that it's good exercise. What a great idea, right? I hope your ups and downs continue to help your back feel good.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Cozy inside and keeping warm, sewing up those strings made a wonderful top. I like the sashing you added.

Jenn Jilks said...

That is lovely to hunker down. 5 quilts! Wow.
I find it difficult to do indoor chores in summer. So much to do outdoors. I'm not sure my excuse in winter, though.

Karen S said...

That is a bonus to find all those string blocks. You have whipped up that quilt very quickly.
Stay snug and warm inside.

Maria said...

Your scrappy string blocks have been made up to a cute quilt.
Yes well and truely into winter here now.

Sue said...

Love the strippy top! And good on ya to get that project out of the bag & finished.