Category: Quilts

Counting Down

I have two quilts in process at the moment, both requiring more than 100 blocks.

Only 15 to go for this one.

And about 30 for this one.

I am counting down and looking forward to the assembly process. I really want to see what they will look like and it has been a long time coming …

Digging out a Faire UFO

I don’t have a lot of UFOs. In fact, I have two.

This is one of them. I started it more than a year ago–designing blocks and playing with color.

Then…it went in the box. And under the table.

Why? I am not sure. I dug it out and am ready to go. I think part of the reason is that there are 8 different block styles and each has separate cutting directions. So, I am going to try working on one block type at a time, making as many as I think I will need of that one, and then moving on.

I call it Faire and Square. Hopefully it will soon be fair-ly finished.

Sudden Attack Of Cute

The cleanout of last week brought so many potential projects out of hiding, but this one rose above the others.

A few small panels, 10 in all. Not necessarily my style, but, in what I can only describe as a sudden attack of cute, I HAD to make something with them.

It turns out that it will be TWO somethings. Watch here for updates, soon!

QUICK TUTORIAL: Trash Quilt

My first version was called the Trash Quilt, because I literally found the fabric in a trash can at church. I tried to rename it, but the first one stuck!

This is a great pattern for scraps, or you could use fat quarters. If the fat quarters are perfectly cut, you will need 16 of them. If they are a little short, add a few more to make up for it.

TRASH QUILT

60-1/2″ x 80-1/2″

MATERIALS

384 3″ x 5-1/2″ rectangles (Have fun with colors and possibilities. This is a great time to experiment)

batting

1/2 yard binding

4 yards for backing

ASSEMBLY

  1. Pair up those rectangles by stitching two along the long edge. Again, don’t stress too much. Have a good time. Quilting is supposed to be fun.

2. Create a total of 192 blocks. UNFINISHED size should measure 5-1/2″ x 5-1/2″.

3. Lay out the blocks 12 x 16. The layout should alternate blocks horizontally and vertically.

4. Assemble

5. Ta-dah!  A Trash Quilt top.

6. Layer, quilt and bind, as desired.

TRASH QUILT Gallery

your beautiful creations here…

https://weddingdressblue.wordpress.com/2022/06/09/trash-quilt/

Another Quick Finish

My sister-in-law is a graduate of the University of Georgia. Sort of a big deal.

And she “needed” a quilt. It is the same design as the recent “trash quilt”: rectangles 3″ x 5-1/2″.

YAY for a (last minute) finish!

ps– I stitched down the binding as we traveled to visit her and I had to take the pictures in a hotel hallway.

Second Chances Quilt: “Is It Too Late?” to “Great Update!”

The blocks arrived, warped, wrinkled and neglected. They had languished for years and been through at least two previous owners. (Maybe this should be a “Third Chances” quilt?)

But, the fabric was interesting and the hand piecing was precious. The shine of the sateen begged, “It isn’t too late for me to be beautiful.”

First step was the square up the blocks. This was a worrisome because of the hand piecing, but it was mostly just points and distorted corners. They would still hold together. The chosen size: 11-1/2″.

Once squared up there were still problems. ALL of the outside edges of the pink pieces were cut on the bias. The blocks wanted to wave and bunch in the middle even as the sides wanted to stretch. The only hope was sashing.

I went to my local quilt shop, not even knowing exactly what I was looking for…maybe something with pink, black and cream? But, then I saw it: A blue floral print from the Little Women collection by Riley Blake (While this line is fairly recent, you may or may not be able to find it. But it is worth the search.)

Initially, I thought I should put the blocks on top of the sashing as I stitched them together, believing it would be easier to watch for problems and adjust while sewing. That was not the case. I finally tried putting the sashing on top and things lined out much more smoothly. Surprising, but lesson learned.

The blocks became rows, and the rows became a top, complete with a matching outer border. It is about 1-1/2 times as wide as the sashing. I like the extension and finish it gives the top. Alas, there are still bubbles and waves. The bias refused to give up easily.

My friend Jennifer, who does the hard longarm work for me, has a trick of using high loft batting in these situations. It might seem old fashioned, but it absorbs the “excess,” which is what needs to happen.

The final result is all I hoped for. The beauty of the work of the original maker shines through. The simple back picks up the green in the floral print. And there was enough of the pink fabric that came with the blocks for the binding. Talk about lucky!

No, it wasn’t too late for those blocks.

The final size is about 55″ x 67″. A nice display piece or throw to cuddle under, and to think about the value of second (or even third) chances.

NOTE: This post also featured in the Online Quilt Magazine.