Project for the car?

16 years ago

Hello all, I'm a long time listener first time caller. Does anyone have a recommendation for a simple quilting project I could work on in the car on a long trip?

Of course, I'm leaving in a few hours, so I won't have time to stop at the shop for any new templates, etc. I don't expect to find something for this trip, but would like to maybe put together a basket with a small, simple project that is all handwork and doesn't require rotary mats, irons, machines, etc. so I'm all ready to go next time.

The only project I could think of is to do a traditional log cabin, since you can eyeball all the cutting as you go.

Any other ideas for car-friendly projects?

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Comments (15)

teresa_nc7
16 years ago
English Paper Piecing - paper shapes covered with fabric by hand, then attached together by hand - see Grandmother's Flower Garden quilts

Redwork/Bluework etc. - hand embroidery with a simple outline stitch on muslin; blocks looks very nice in a quilt on their own or added to a quilt with other patchwork blocks

handpieced 4-patch or 9-patch blocks
littlefire
16 years ago
Check out the following Aussie designers typepad for a free pattern - needlecase which you could adapt to be a tread keeper, work bag etc - its patchwork and stitchery and LOVELY
http://cinderberrystitches.typepad.com/cinderberrystitches/springberries-free-patter.html
cinderberry stitches typepad
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gerizone5
16 years ago
How about just making yo-yo's with your scraps. They have those yo-yo makers that make it real easy so all you'd need is the yo-yo maker, thread, needle and scissors.
deannabsd
16 years ago
Hey Amy,
Will you be driving at the same time?? ha ha. I see the teens driving, putting on make up, talking on cell phones,with no hands on the wheel so thought I would check!!

I worked on a crayon quilt in the car but not while it was moving. My husband was hunting and I brought along the crayon quilt project to do while I was waiting at the end of the road. Next week, we will go again and I purchased a nifty knitter to try some knitting for the trip out(4 hours) and while I am waiting in the motel.
grammyp
16 years ago
Teresa used up all my travel projects. I just wanted to say welcome.
toolgranny
16 years ago
Welcome. Yes, Teresa has the right idea.

My all time favorite is the Grandmother's Flower Garden. I may never get a quilt out of it but the blocks travel so well and in such small containers I can take it anywhere.

I've also done the pearl cotten embroidery on squares of muslin that became quilt blocks later.

Linda
laurainsdca
16 years ago
I'm probably too late with my answer for this trip, but fabric folded flowers is one, and any applique where you have cut the shapes out in advance.
biwako_of_abi
16 years ago
Amy: I'm sorry, I don't have any original ideas, but GFG or embroidery sounds good. And I just remembered that I did a QUAG on my American birds quilt, holding each block in my hand as I did it, with no hoop. So if you are working on a QUAG, you might take that along.
LittleFire: That site has some delightful ideas. Thanks!
bopeep
16 years ago
Sounds like you got a lot of good ideas. Deannabsd I have a nifter knitter, I love it, it is great to take to the doctors office or any place you are going to have a wait. If you have never used one go to nifterknitter.com they have a good tut on their.
bopeep
mrseldoo
16 years ago
toolgranny,

What size are you doing your GMFG in? Are you doing English PP?

Jen
toolgranny
16 years ago
Hexigons are 1-1/2" across. Don't know what the PP is.
Linda
amy_d-r
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for all the great ideas. I ended up making a few log cabin/courthouse steps blocks out of scraps of solids. They came out surprisingly well--I haven't done any hand sewing since I was a little girl so I didn't have the rhythm and the first ones took forever. Oh, and I was in the passenger seat when I was sewing :).

I had completely forgotten about English paper piecing--I've never tried it but it would travel very nicely. I love the links, too, they have so many great ideas. I need to plan ahead and just put together a few travel "kits" of fabric, etc. so that I'm better prepared next time.

Thanks again, everyone!

-Amy
teresa_nc7
16 years ago
The Grandmother's Flower Garden using hexagons is English Paper Piecing. I never cared for that pattern, but I found a star design that I like using gem shapes and a single hexagon in the middle with white diamond shapes surrounding each star. So there are other designs that can be done besides the GMFG block.

Here is the project I'm working on:

{{!gwi}}

The hexagons are so easy to cover, that's why they are so popular. I saw a quilt design using the hexagons, but with no green around as a border. All the "flowers" were butted up against each other. It made an amazing scrappy quilt.
ksjunklady
16 years ago
GFG quilts are easy to take along if you use quiltpatis. I bought these because I hate hand sewing, These are easy to whip stitch together, and I find I enjoy hand sewing when I'm working with my quiltpatis. There are several different sizes and even diamond and triangle shapes. Lots of great ideas out there.

To order online http://www.steigerfamily.com/quilting/other.htm

Here is a link that might be useful: quiltpatis
easystitches
16 years ago
littlefire, I loved that web site......but of course then
I had to visit all her links too! Wow, lots of wonderful projects to dream about!

Project for the car?

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teresa_nc7

littlefire

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Project for the car?

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amy_d-rOriginal Author

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