Mystery Top Finish

Days Filled With Joy understands her job.  If you are in a funk, there is nothing like a good mystery to get your mojo going in a positive direction.

I don’t know that I was really in a funk, but any excuse for a good scrappy quilt, right?!

I am so pleased with how this turned out.  As I chose to add sashing between the blocks I ran out of the original background piece and had to (after looking at FOUR different stores) do the outer border from something different.  Indoor light and quilting will hopefully minimize the differences.

Thank you, Joy, for a fun quiltalong.  I have really enjoyed myself.

Black And Bright Blocks

The Black and Bright blocks are complete.

It was breezy out and I couldn’t get better pictures, but there are 9 in all.  Trying to decide what to do next.  Sashing and setting…borders?  I’ll share more when there is more to share.

Just a note, I did about 15% bright in the black/white blocks.  I tried 10% first, but it wasn’t quite enough.  This feels about right…

Quick Quiltalong

Susan introduced me to Joy, of Days Filled With Joy, who is currently hosting a quiltalong.

Yesterday I did steps 1 and 2.  Today 3 and 4.  I am not sure when the next one is coming, but if you already have 2-1/2″ squares, or can easily cut some, you might want to consider joining.

No, I don’t know what it will look like; it’s a mystery (ooo…oooo…spooky music).

No, I don’t know how big it will be; it’s a mystery (ooo…oooo…spooky music).

But, won’t it be fun to find out!

Leader-Ender

It was time to start a new leader-ender project.  It has become such a habit to have fabric under the needle constantly that I feel a little lost without one.

I wanted to use up more of the small background scraps that were threatening to take over, so I have started to sort them and cut them small:  1-1/2″ squares.

That is a size I also precut as colored scraps after I clean up after projects, so there were enough in the bin to get started.

I am no sure where this will go in the end, but I am happy with the start.  So far there are about 40 16-patch block finishing at 4-1/2″ square…

For more information on the whys and hows of leader-enders, go HERE.

New Project: Black And Bright

There are some disadvantages to having a highly organized scrap system. One is that you can be struck in a moment with a new idea and immediately grab fabric and GO!

That is what happened with my new project:  Black and Bright.

I was looking at my blacks scrap bin, which overflowed.  (Several of the 2019 quilts had black in them, which had created an abundance of scraps.) And, pouf! An idea.

Here it is in progress…more details coming soon.

National Quilting Day 2020

Quilting is both a social and a solitary hobby.  I am mostly a solitary quilter who socializes primarily through this blog.

But, for those of you who socialize more in person, while stores and guilds and shows and stitching groups might be closed, the sewing machine is definitely open.  And this is a great day to celebrate the obsession hobby we share.

I hope to have a few hours of piecing time today in between cleaning and serving others in my home and neighborhood.

Soon I will share what is accomplished.  I have been working on a leader-ender in the background that is now the primary project.  A wedding quilt for a friend.  And a mini-tutorial.

Ready!  Set!  GO!

Star Kissed Quiltalong: A First Finished Top

If you are new to the Star Kissed Quiltalong, Welcome!  You are right on time.  You can get all previous posts and information by clicking the Quiltalong Button to the right (Thank you, Susan) or by going HERE.

In the meantime, I have finished a Star Kissed flimsy.

This is the original idea, based on 1-1/4″ squares.  But remember, you do not need to do that size.  There is also 1-1/2″, 2″ and 2-1/2″ to choose from.

I like the super scrappy look, both in the colors and the backgrounds.  I even made each star point a different fabric.  You do not have to do that.

Anyway, the next set of directions, turning your 25-patches into square-in-a-square, should be up on Monday.

In the meantime, keep sewing those scraps!  YAY US!

Star Kissed Quiltalong: Patch Pieces–Centers And Corners

If you are new to the Star Kissed Quiltalong, welcome!  No, you are not late.  Today is the perfect day for a new idea. You can find all you might want to know about the quiltalong HERE, or you can link from the button to the right or the menu above.

It’s finally time to get sewing! YAY!

Hopefully you have decided what size squares you are going to use and how many blocks you are going to make.  If you need more thinking time, feel free to stop by the QUILT SIZE CONSIDERATIONS post for information and suggestions.

Whatever size base square you are using, these directions are for ONE block.  So, if you are using 2-1/2″ base squares and making a baby quilt, you only need to create ONE set of a single 25-patch and FOUR 4-patches.  If you are using 1-1/2″ base squares and making a queen size quilt, you need to create THIRTY SIX  25-patchs and ONE HUNDRED FOURTY FOUR 4-patches.  (Don’t give up already, it isn’t as bad as it sounds.)

Go to your cut squares boxes, or start one now.  Get out some scraps (you do have them, don’t you) and start cutting.  The more the merrier.  You can do it “anything goes” style or controlled scrappy, but remember that the star points will give a dominate color to the quilt anyway and “anything goes” is kind of fun.

If using 1-1/4″ squares, the finished 25-patch should be 4-1/4″ or 3-3/4″ finished.  The 4-patches should be 2″ or 1-1/2″ finished.

If using 1-1/2″ basesquares, the finished 25-patch should be 5-1/2″ or 5″ finished. The 4-patches should be 2-1/2″ or 2″ finished.

If using 2″ base squares, the finished 25-patch should be 8″ or 7-1/2″ finished. The 4-patches should be 3-1/2″ or 3″ finished.

If using 2-1/2″ base squares, the finished 25-patch should be 10-1/2″ or 10″ finished. The 4-patches should be 4-1/2″ or 4″ finished.

Let me know how it is going, and feel free to ask questions.  I look forward to hearing and seeing your progress.

Star Kissed Quiltalong: Quilt Size Considerations

It is time to decide what size quilt you might want to make.  There are so many options!  Aren’t choices fun?

You will notice that I show “base square” sizes, then the block size those will create.  Then, a variety of size quilts you might want to make along with the number of blocks that will require.

NOTE:  The finished quilt sizes assume a single sashing between blocks and a single border the same width as the base block size.  I do plan to share a few other options later, but this is enough complexity for now, I think.  The baby quilt sizes will be improved with a triple border, for example.

NOTE:  n/a here means, Not Advised.  Just that the block size doesn’t lend itself well to a quilt of that size.  Too big, or too small, or too awkward.  You are, of course, free to give it a go if you wish.  And I am interested to see what ideas you might come up with.

So, what do you think?  What size base squares are you considering?  What size quilt do you want to make?

Next week the first set of directions will be officially published!  YAY!

Star Kissed Quiltalong: Block Sizes

A few more thoughts on scale.  It is remarkable how different blocks look made in different sizes.

I have tried the Star Kissed block in four sizes now.  Here they are based on 1-1/4″ squares, 1-1/2″, 2″ and 2-1/2″.

The blocks finish at 10″, 14″, 21″ and 28″.  WOW!  There’s something to think about!