Sunday, April 29, 2018

All Seasons Basket Quilt - Vintage Quilts Inspiring New Creations

Between working on the house and travelling to take care of our grand children this weekend I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to finish my project for this month's Island Batik Ambassador challenge.  I ended up packing up my machine and supplies and taking the project with me, and really enjoyed being able to show the kids what I do, and talk with them about how quilts are different from blankets and how I do the machine quilting!

I was able to do some stitch in the ditch around the blocks and finish the large border before we left.  I really like the pointy loop I did here, and plan to try this again, stretching it out a bit to look more like an overlapping heart!

I wanted to try out some ruler work, but forgot my extension for my machine.  I did try a curve in the open space of the basket, but ended up free-motioning the curves in the background.

I added some loops above the curve and wishbones in the lover part, which filled up that area nicely!

I did some overlapping spirals in the setting triangles.  I used a green variegated Aurifil thread on the whole quilt, and was really pleased with how well it worked.  (4653 50 wt)

At this point I decided to add the binding and call it done :)  I caught a break between showers and took the quilt outside for some photos.  Next time we visit I'm taking a stack of them, what a nice yard for pictures!
So pretty!
I've been loving using bits and pieces to make up a backing, too.  It's fun to see sizable chunks of some lovely fabrics.

The pattern I used for this quilt is my All Seasons Basket.  The fabrics were all provided by Island Batik, and I used a variety of lines. 

Thanks again to Island Batik for another fun challenge - I love how using their lovely batik fabric can make a traditional pattern look entirely modern!

You can see my previous posts about this challenge below:
Design inspiration.
Making the blocks.
The finished top.

I hope you enjoyed following along with this month's challenge!

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Christmas all Year Block 4 - Hourglass on Point

I'm running a little behind with my block this month because we have been working on some house repairs and maintenance, what fun...
Yikes - here's a tip for you - buy a one story house if you want to do your own painting!  It's looking much better so far, but so much work! 

Now we are taking a break from our house work and are taking care of our grand children for a few days...much more fun but also tiring.

I did manage to get my block four done for you - it's a fast one, thank goodness.  The challenge is in the measurements, but I am confident that you can do it!  The measurements for this block use the 1/8 increment on your rotary rulers.  Just remember to measure twice, and cut once!

Hourglass on Point
Just sew two four patches and two half square triangles.  Sew these together into a four patch unit for the center of the block. 

Then you just sew the four large triangles to the sides.  Finger press the long side in half to find the center and pin this to the seam in the block.  I sew the two opposite sides first, then add the second two pieces.

Here is my finished block:

Here is a tip for using a directional fabric.  If you place your two squares right sides together and cut them on the diagonal at the same time, you will have four triangles with each one facing the right way for a corner of your block!  Those directional fabrics can be quite tricky!

Have fun making your block!

Friday, April 20, 2018

CityScapes Baby Quilt

I finally finished up this cute little baby quilt from my CityScapes pattern so I could take it to work for a shop sample.  The main fabrics are "So Darling" from Lewis & Irene and are just adorable with little deer, rabbits, and bluebirds!  The mint ticking stripe is also from that collection, and I added the solid blue, pink polka dots, and yellow sashing with green cornerstones.

I took a chance and used up the last of my pink thread - two slightly different shades of Aurifil 50 weight.  I used the lighter pink on the back and the darker on the top  I had about half a bobbin of thread left by the end, but I made it!

I quilted hearts and loops - always a fine choice for a baby quilt!


This sweet little quilt measures 38 x 38, but my pattern gives you all the information you need to make up to a king size quilt.

So cute!

Always fun to have a finish - can you believe my sewing room is actually looking pretty respectable these days?  I've got most of my piles of pending projects whittled down.  A few more to go and I will be able to start something just for fun again!

Linking up with:   Busy Hands Quilts for Finished or Not Fridays 

Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts
and



Monday, April 16, 2018

Scrappy Baskets - Finished top!

I was having such a fun time with picking out the remaining fabrics for my Scrappy All Seasons Basket quilt that I went ahead and actually got the top finished this weekend.  All of these fabrics were provided by Island Batik as part of the Island Batik Ambassador program.

Isn't it fun and colorful?  Keeping with my theme of using up what I already have, I pieced the back out of some more chunks and strips from my Island Batik stash:
I am quite the hoarder and had a hard time of letting go of some of these fabrics!  The strip on the far left was a piece from my very first Ambassador box four years ago.  Anything more than 1/4 of a yard is always hard for me to give up - I know I can use it for something beside "just" a backing.  Can you picture me hovering over my overflowing box of fabric, petting the pretty fabrics and murmuring "my precious"? 

The next step will be going through my stash of Aurifil thread to choose something for quilting.  I'm thinking I will actually use several different threads and custom quilt this one!  I just got a new toy to play with and I think I will try some ruler quilting on this one using my new foot.

Are you a fabric hoarder, too?  I'm pretty sure I'm not alone in this!

Saturday, April 14, 2018

Scrappy Baskets part 2

Yep, still having fun with the scrappy baskets.  I finished the pink one on Thursday and the purple one on Friday.  I'm having such fun putting these wonderful scraps together!  These were all provided by Island Batik in different Ambassador boxes I have received.  I love scrappy, and am not shy about combining fabrics from different lines - it makes the quilt so fun and unique!

I do believe the pink is from the Cherry Berry line.  Fun!
This pretty purple was a 10 inch square, I don't know what the line was.  It has trees on it, though!  Here is how I cut the pieces from the square, I even had a bit left over.
I like being able to cut a single triangle by using my Easy Angle ruler. 

Now I've started auditioning fabrics for the borders.

I think the green and blue with the lemons will be the first border.  That came from the Sour Apple line.  Then I will choose a blue for the final border, and another of these blues will be the binding.  Or maybe the seashell print.  We'll see!  What do you think of the aqua blue corner stones?  Too bright, or just right?  The jury is still out on that one.  That fabric is one of the blenders - the color is called Pool.  I am getting down to the last scraps on this, it has been included in several quilts and is definitely one of my favorite colors ever!

Have a wonderful weekend!


Thursday, April 12, 2018

When you plan your quilt, but another idea captures your mind!

That's the funny thing about doing a challenge quilt.  At least for me!  I can have an idea all planned out, walk into my sewing room, pick up some fabric and end up going in a whole different direction!  At least I can use my original idea for another time! 

This months Island Batik Ambassador challenge is one that really speaks to me as I love vintage quilt design!  I am a good hand quilter, so often find myself being asked to hand quilt grandma's quilt top and I really enjoy working with the traditional blocks and fabrics.  One of the fun things about working with batiks is that they instantly give a traditional quilt block a look that is more modern.

I had my whole quilt planned out, but for some reason when I walked into my sewing room yesterday, I spied a stack of fun colors of my Island Batik Scraps and thought that it would be really fun to make a new version of one of my older patterns.  I love my All Seasons Basket pattern in florals, but I think it's going to be super pretty using my batik fabric!

Since I'm working with scraps (which is one of my favorite inspirations behind vintage quilts), each basket will be a different color.  Not sure what I'll use for the sashing or borders at this point, but sometimes it's fun just to play with what you already have and see what happens! 

I'm loving the yellow basket!  The background is a lovely pale yellow basic called Oatmeal - I barely had enough for my background pieces, but I think it's just perfect for my baskets.  If I hadn't had enough, I would have gone scrappy with the backgrounds as well.  That's what the quilt-makers in the past did - use up what they had, even if they had to piece smaller bits together to make it work.  I love seeing details like that in traditional quilts.  Not to say that all quilters did this, there are many lovely vintage quilts that you know the fabrics were carefully chosen and purchased for that purpose. 

Are you inspired by vintage quilts?  What's your favorite vintage block or pattern?  I'd love to know!

Have a joyful day!

Tuesday, April 10, 2018

Crazy Jane - Row I finished!

I am definitely slowing down on my progress, but trying to stay determined to keep working on the Crazy Jane blocks.  Row J had a lot of tough blocks, but it is now finished and added to the rest of the center blocks!

Row J has a ton of applique.  Oh Jane, why did you love making those melons so much?  I think I will take a day and just prep all of them at once, then I can grab a bag and sit down for a bit of applique in the evenings.

When I'm not working on this, that is:

Yes, I've managed to find another person with a Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt that needs to be finished!  This one is in reproduction fabrics.  It's queen size and they want each hexagon to be quilted all the way around.  Yikes, I think it's going to take longer than I thought it would.  Last night I found that my thimble had a hole in it and snapped the eye off a needle!  Had to go through my drawers to find a better thimble to use.  I think this is the third one I've worn through now.   

I also have some shirts to finish putting together - I have to put the sleeves on, hem the bottoms and bind the neckline.  They are cute, so I will definitely try to remember to take a picture.

I was trying to take some new quilt pictures yesterday afternoon, but my handsome helper showed up and distracted me - 

He looks really nice on that bright quilt!

Guess I'd better get busy, plenty to keep me busy for a day or two.  Have a happy day!


Saturday, April 07, 2018

March Projects Recap

Wow, it really seemed like March went by quickly.  Did it seem like that for you as well?  It was fun to look back on my blog posts for the month and see that I got quite a few projects finished!

 I started off small with my mini for the Small, Smaller, Smallest blog hop.
Fabric provided by Island Batik
Then I went a little bigger and finished up another Island Batik challenge, which was from the fall - Lover's Kiss using Pumpkin Patch fabrics:
Fabric provided by Island Batik

Then I made a small quilt for a Project Quilting Challenge - A Stitch in Time:

I finally got my String Quilt that I made back in January quilted.  I'm challenging myself to create no UFOs in 2018!  Finish what I start is the name of the game!

I used up some of my selvages:

And finished up a Snowman Quilt:

I made a journal for the final Project Quilting Challenge:

And block number three for Christmas All Year:

Last, but not least I finished up my Island Batik Ambassador challenge - a conversion quilt:

Fabric provided by Island Batik
So, I guess it's not a wonder that I am a little tired out!  That's a lot of quilting for one month.  I haven't had time to do much quilting so far this week, but I did take a fun class with Lawry Thorn yesterday.  I'll be showing more of this when I get further along, but here are the blocks:

So much fun working with these colors!

Have a happy weekend - hope you get to do some quilting!