Not My Style, And That’s The Point

Sometimes I am given scraps, or even a partially finished quilt, that just isn’t my style. But, it is an opportunity.

It pushes my creativity, design skills and problem solving abilities. It makes me a beginner again. It makes me learn.

Sometimes a not-my-style quilt is just what I need.

ps–Judy asks a good question: What was I actually given? AGAIN, I didn’t take a picture of the starting point. But, there were a few pinwheels finished, with a dark purple strip sewn to one side. There were several sets of squares (light purple and background) sewn together all the way around, ready to cut on the diagonal, trim and sew together into pinwheels. There was extra yardage of both purple fabrics. And a few odds and ends of both colors.

Pastel Baby Finished

It isn’t my usual style, but I do like it.

Small (32″ x 32″) and sweet.

The back isn’t my very favorite, but it did use fabric that I had on hand.

And finished! Another warm baby in the world.

Coin Quilt Tops Finished

That pile of scraps has become two baby quilts.

They are about 35″ x 37″. And it is fun to see them side by side.

They still need quilting, but soon…

Is this something you would like a tutorial for?

Hearts Desire(d): A Wedding Quilt For Sparkle Jane

It is hard for me to believe, too. But Sparkle Jane is a grown woman and recently engaged.

He is a really good man, and they have been dating for over 1-1/2 years. We like him a lot and feel really good about the arrangement.

Which brings me to my point.

Many have you have watched Sparkle Jane grow up. Others are more recent arrivals. But, all are invited to help make a wedding quilt for them.

It will be based on this pattern: Heart-Blocks-Pattern.pdf (cluckclucksew.com)

And these colors.

Make one block either 4″, 6″, 8″ or 10″ (or more than one if you want to). The block can use one color, or more than one. Bright white background, please.

Let me know you plan to send a block, and I will share the address.

It would be lovely to have the blocks here by about April 1, 2021 to give me time to assemble and finish the quilt.

Thank you. What a lovely way to celebrate, surrounded by the caring and love of myriad quilters.

ps–All blocks will be acknowledged with the maker’s name and location on the (very large) label, if that information is included.

pps–Questions? Suggestions? Do tell!

ppps–Some have requested the paint brands and numbers: VALSPAR GREEN: 5008-4C April Arbor, 5008-4B Cactus Shadow, 5008-4A. VALSPAR BLUE: 4007-6C Deep Twilight Blue, 4007-6B Bountiful Blue, 4007-6A Nostalgia. VALSPAR PEACHY PINK: 2003-4C Snow Pa, 2003-4B Salmon Bisque, 2003-4A Brushed Rose. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CRANBERRY RED: HGSW1031 Cerise, HGSW1032 Adored, HGSW1033 Very Cherry, HGSW1034 Dreaming Pink.

A Vintage Rescue

Sparkle Jane spotted it, wadded up in a pillowcase in a scrap bag. It sort of appeared at her shop, snuck in and left without a word. Many mysteries…

And she brought it to me. “Mom, you can do something with this.”

Well, I can try, but what is it?

It appeared to be a fairly large vintage flimsy that had most likely been washed. It was so tangled I couldn’t even flatten it out enough to see what it was.

So it sat for a while. But, while I was home with Covid, it became interesting. What is it really?

I started from a corner on the back. Trimming threads and fixing any popped seams that came up. By the time I was done (the picture is EARLY in the process) it looked like a fairly large long haired cat had taken up residence on the cutting table.

It was STILL too rough to really see, so I turned it over and started pressing. And pressing. And pressing. More than 2 hours of pressing

Sort of flat…

To the quilter. Who did an amazing job. A thick batting helped to absorb the waves in the blocks. SO much stitch-in-the-ditch. So much detail.

Finished

And now, it is the centerpiece of the guest bedroom. I look in every time I pass and feel great happiness that it is finally finished. I wish I knew who the original maker was. I would take it back to her and show her that her work was not wasted.

How old is it? There is no polyester in the top as far as I can tell. There is some original feedsack material. 1950s or maybe 1960s…

A Good Scrappy Start

These jelly roll leftovers came in a scrap bag. After the last batch, I vowed to take some process pictures of making a quilt with the leftovers.

This will be another coin quilt. Can you see it?

2020 Spool Count

For several years I have kept and counted my empty spools at the end of the year. Silly? Maybe, but the art teacher enjoys them, and I enjoy the counting.

The total for 2020 is 48.

Here are past years for comparison:

2019: 23

2018: 23

2017: 36

2016: 40

2015: 103 (the year of partial spools and the 52 in 2015 project)

Another “Adoptable” Quilt

One of the fun things about Adoptable Quilts (a collection of leftovers, orphan blocks, and coordinating scraps) is that it probably isn’t something you would have done in the first place.

They are also low cost emotionally and financially. I like to look at them as a puzzle or challenge…There IS a quilt in here SOMEWHERE!

This is a lot of light pastels. Not my usual color run. But there is potential.

Successful adoptions generally find or make a common denominator: color, size, pattern, something.

This time there are a lot of 2-1/2″ strips (some sewn into sets and some loose), some 5″ charm squares, and a little miscellaneous scrap. So, I was looking for multiples of 4″ finished….

Using the strip sets and charm squares/scraps, I created this 8″ block.

Random-ish layout and ta-dah! A baby quilt. The finished top is a little smaller than I generally like, but I was out of pieces. 32″ square.

And, it was FUN!

ps–The leftover pieces are being cut into pieces for Welcome Home blocks or 1-1/2″ squares for my current leader-ender project. Not much goes to waste. Or back into inventory.

Scrappy Binding Attached

These two little quilts were made by a different member of Sparkle Jane’s (Daughter) charity sewing group.

But, we did the binding, using our scrappy binding bundles.

Quick and easy, and pretty good looking.

Welcome Home #2

This past weekend did not go as planned. A Saturday morning visit to a walk in clinic with Husband turned into a trip to the emergency room turned into a nearly three day hospital stay.

We are home now, and he is on the mend, but, WOW, that wasn’t what I had planned.

Once I could leave the hospital to get some supplies, I grabbed a quilt.

Stitching down binding is a great way to pass the time. And quite a conversation starter.

And it is finished. Welcome Home to a future owner. And welcome home to Husband.