Update on Plants and Gardens

Eggplant starting to blossom

 

Tomatoes are getting very large. A few blossoms here and there. In the foreground the yellow squash is really taking off.

Throw Yourself a Cutting Party!

 If you have been quilting for more than a few years, you probably have fabric scraps busting out at the seams. I know I do! Scrap quilts to the rescue. I have made about 6 scrap quilts this year and still have more fabric.

This is a scrap quilt made with 4" finished half square triangles.

 A cutting party is where you make a list of quilts to make, sort your scraps then cut the pieces you need. Here is what I do.

Plan Your Quilts and Cutting Requirements

Here are the quilts I have planned and the size strips I need for each.

The Bowtie Quilt

This week I started working on 2" finished bowtie blocks. I bought the new 4" Qube Mix and Match plus the companion sets. If you don't have an AccuQuilt cutter yet, I have included instructions below to make a 4" finished bowtie block the traditional way.

These pieces were cut using the 4" Companion Set - Corners. The background is cut with die #11.1 and the small triangle is cut with die #12.1.

Product Review: Fusible Fleece for Sewing and Quilting Projects

Many of us like to make projects such as purses, bags and totes. In addition to being quick and fun to make, these projects are useful and make great gifts. Before making a project you need to decide how stable you want the finished product to be. If you're making a reusable bag for groceries, you might want to add a thin layer of batting to give it just a little body. If you're making a wallet, you probably want a lot of stability to hold credit cards and cash in place. Fusible fleece, available in various thicknesses, is one solution.

Lightweight fusible fleece was used to make the lining in this Mondo Bag For more information see the article, How To Make A Mondo Bag.

What is Fusible Fleece?

Fleece is a synthetic material made from polyester. It is available in different thicknesses or lofts. Fusible means an adhesive has been applied to on or both sides of the fleece. The products discussed in this article have fusible material applied to one side only. The fusible material appears as small bumps on the surface.

Fusing to Fabric

Follow these basic instructions to fuse fabric to fleece:

1. Place the fusible fleece on the ironing surface with the adhesive (bumpy) side facing up.
2. With right side facing up, place the fabric on top of the fusible fleece.
3. Use a hot iron to melt the adhesive, fusing the fleece and fabric together.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for using steam and for fusing time. I suggest using an applique pressing sheet while fusing the fabrics together. The applique pressing sheet protects the fabrics and holds them in place as you fuse. The video below demonstrates how to fuse fabric to fleece.

 

Lightweight and low loft, adds a layer of softness, body, and stability. Fuse to fabric, cardboard and wood. It is sewing machine safe, will not gunk up the needle. Black works especially well with dark fabrics. Machine wash warm, delicate cycle. Tumble dry low or dry clean.

• White
• 100% Low Loft Acid-Free Polyester
• 45″ by-the-yard width

Happy quilting!

Carol

Fertilizing the Pecan Trees

Today I fertilized the two pecan trees in the west lawn. They are just about the only plant on the property that has not shown any green yet. A friend told me that they are the last to green up.

I have no idea what type of pecan they are. I fertilized with Nirto-Phos. 

Citrus & Pecan Tree Fertilizer 16-8-4

​Citrus & Pecan Tree Fertilizer:

• 16% nitrogen promotes vigorous growth.

• 3% zinc and 1% iron for better nutrition and production.

• ​16% sulfur has a soil acidifying effect. A slightly acid soil provides for the maximum availability of phosphorus needed for flower bud formulation and increased fruit and nut production.
  

CODE	SIZE	PACK	UPC
NP-PC168-20	20 LB.	100/PALLET	6 12294 90003 6
NP-PCF-4	4 LB.	6/CS	6 12294 90029 6

Each tree is about 8 inches in diameter. I put 8 cups (8 pounds) of fertilizer around each tree. 

Another Scrap Quilt - Half Square Triangles

Using nothing but scraps and my AccuQuilt Fabric Cutter, I made this quilt with half square triangles. If you look at a log cabin block you see it has a light side and a dark side.