A Couple of Quilt Alongs

Two of my friends are starting quilt alongs and have asked me to join.  One has not started yet, but I have been asked to blog and share my journey on this quilt along. I think that is a great idea, so I will be sharing Little Bunny Quilts Daisy Chain Mystery Quilt Along.

 The link takes you to her announcement of the quilt along.  Sometime next week I will be sharing my fabric choices.  Some of you know that I don't do "mystery quilt alongs" very often.  But, perhaps I should be more brave about it.  I am hoping to have fun with this one.

The other quilt along I am doing has already started. A Left Handed Quilter is hosting the LHQSQ 2.0 Quilt along.  In this one we will be making 25 blocks (or more if you prefer) for an on-point sampler quilt.  For a long time setting a quilt on-point scared me.  But then I did one and saw that it was easier than I thought.   One of those was my Crumb Quilt - also inspired by "A Left-Handed Quilter."

 This one has yet to be quilted but I really love this quilt top. 

So if you are looking for a project or two - join up with one of these quilt-alongs and let's see what magic we can make.

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Lemonade Squared and Pinwheels

The "Lemonade Squared" blocks are fun and easy to make so I made several and mixed them up with the pinwheels I had already made.

I am sure that I will make enough of these to make a baby quilt eventually. I love the way they play together.

Have a wonderful weekend and a great week!

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

More Fun Blocks

The method I was using for the pinwheels was not making me happy.  Thus, I decided to make different blocks.  The pinwheel blocks will still be used in the quilt, but I have to decide how I will use them.

The new blocks came about after I messed up an attempt to find another way to make pinwheels.  Let me just say I wasn't quite ready to start making 3D blocks- and those were 3D.   Some quality unsewing, frogging, seam ripping helped. But what to do with the pieces at this point? I had what was essentially two triangles that made a half square.  But if I just sewed them together each color was beside its like color....Hmmmmm.

What is that old saying? If life hands you lemons, you make lemonade.  I have no clue if this is a traditional block but until I learn better, I call it "Lemonade Squared."

After making the first one "the hard way,"  I figured out the easy way to make the block.  I used my Accuquilt Quarter Square cutting die that makes a 4 inch finished block.  I sewed two of the pieces together on the sides to make a half square triangle. Then I used those  triangles to sew to the sides of a square.  It makes a "Square in a Square" but with fancy corners.

These blocks are fun and easy for me to make. But the best part is that every one of them has come out great every time.  I may take a pinwheel and trim it from 5 1/2" down to 5" and use those as centers.  It will use up the pinwheels and add a few surprise blocks into the final quilt.

I am wondering if any of you do what I call "experimental piecing" as you make quilt blocks.  As my longtime readers know,  I love to say "what if????" ---and of course give it a try.


Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Playing with Pinwheels and Dual Feed

The weather is very cold here in Alabama.  At least we think it is cold!  Monday morning I woke up to a BRRRRR temperature of 22 degrees Fahrenheit.   Luckily,  my heat is working fine and I didn't have to get out except for one trip in the middle of the day. 

I decided to just play for a bit.  After watching a tutorial from Missouri Star on making pinwheels, I decided to try that method.  I pulled out a charm pack of bright lively prints and some solids.  There is a lot of the charm pack left, but I am not sure I want to make enough of these for an entire quilt.
Perhaps I can do some other blocks too and have a fun scrappy unplanned quilt.

Another fun thing that I tried is "walking foot quilting."  I watched a class on BluPrint with Jackie Gering to learn the basics.   My Janome 6600 machine doesn't have an actual walking foot, but it does have an integrated dual feed which is just as good.
A few curved lines and  a few straight lines later,  I realized that this could be very useful for some of my quilting.

That gives me three options for quilting methods:  free motion quilting, ruler quilting, and walking foot quilting. 

If it stays this cold who knows what I will try next.

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

A little Sneak Peek

The project that currently has my attention is a challenge for the Island Batik Ambassadors. 
(Full disclosure: Island Batik and Hobbs Batting provided fabric and batting for this project.) 

I started by making a test block - just to get myself ready to start.  

Then I made some wonky star blocks. 

Over a few days it progressed along and I am at the quilting stage. 

Here is a little sneak peek - but the backing is mostly what you can see. 

The backing fabric did not come with the Ambassador program - it was in my stash.

Wait?  Are there white pieces in my blue blocks??
Do I need to rip that out? 

All of the ditch quilting is done and now the question:

Do I quilt more on it or just trim and bind it?  

For now, it will sit while that decision is being made. 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Bound and Photographed - First Finish 2019

May I say "Hooray!"   I have my first official finish for 2019.  The Flamingo quilt is bound.  We took a trip out into the cold wind for a photo session.  The wind was blowing and it appeared that I would not get a good shot of the quilt.

But then, this isn't a bad photo of it. 

I persevered and got a photo of the back with it hanging reasonably straight. 

I love the wild stripe of pieced fabric.  I simply used the extra parts from the front.  The quilting also shows up pretty well in this photo.  I did a loose echo around the embroidery,  bit of ruler work and finished off with some meandering and wavy lines. 

Then I finally got a good photo of the front of the quilt. 

Notice that BLUE sky at the top of the photo.  That is so welcomed after several drab gray days. 

I hope you are following the Island Batik Getaway blog hop.  Here is this weeks schedule:  

Monday, January 14 – Fortune Teller
Sarah Goer –Sarah Goer Quilts
Sherry Shish –Powered by Quilting
Jennifer Fulton –The Inquiring Quilter

Tuesday, January 15 – Gypsy Rose
Jen Strauser –Dizzy Quilter
Janet Yamamoto- Whispers of Yore

Wednesday, January 16 – Paisley Park
Dione Gardner-Stephen- Clever Chameleon
Nancy Scott –Masterpiece Quilting

Thursday, January 17 – Soul Song
Carole Lyles Shaw- Carol Lyles Shaw
Toby Lischko –Gateway Quilts & Stuff

Friday, January 18 – Twilight Chic
Jackie O’Brien –If These Threads Could Talk
Tina Dillard- Quilting Affection

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Binding A Quilt

Today I am working on the binding of a baby quilt.  The requested navy blue is difficult for my old eyes to see. But I am winning.  I have the binding cut, pressed and rolled up.

The label is embroidered and attached to the back, but I won't show that as it contains personal information for the recipient.
As always, I watched my own video to remind myself how to cut the bias binding.  Here it is for your convenience.



Today I have Spanish class and Exercise group to attend.  Those will take up my afternoon. Maybe I can get the binding sewn on this evening.

Have a great day.  Smile at a child, smile at an older person, smile at people who just look like they need a smile.

For the left-handed quilters here is the video flipped so it "looks" left handed.


Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Classic Quilt Blocks- Unexpected Color Choices

Let's be honest here.  I have rarely made a lot of the classic quilt blocks. I am far more of an improv, or simple piecing kind of quilter.

I decided to try making some of the classic blocks. Perhaps this practice will come in handy for my first year as an Island Batik Ambassador.  We have challenges to make every month. So stepping out of my comfort zone is going to really be good for me.

Here are the three blocks that have come out from under my needle so far. I should mention that I tried an unusual color choice. 

Most of my points came out very nice.  That last block, not so much. I confess that I sewed it wrong more than once and spent quality time with Pointy the Seam Ripper.

So what do you think?  Orange and Purple?  Is it a color combo you would have thought to put together?  Do you find yourself surprised that you actually like it? (unless of course you hate it.)

Try sewing some blocks that you haven't tried before.  It is a great skill builder.

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Quilting and More

Yesterday and last night the baby quilt aka Flamingo Road got a great start on the quilting. I am using my new Ruler Foot and a straight ruler for a lot of it.  Here is the center of the quilt.

I really love the way this quilting emphasizes the center of  the quilt.

I am not sure that it was any faster than just doing free motion stitching, but I love the look of it. 

Now for the news!  My new year started off with quite the quilty surprise.  

I received and email stating that my application was accepted and 

that I have been selected as one of the 2019 Ambassadors for 

Island Batik

Technically it doesn't start until February.  But I am very excited to join some old friends in this journey.  Plus I am meeting lots of new  friends by being a part of this.

Right now as the 2018 Ambassador year comes to an end, the final blog hop has just started this week. And January is a great time for a Getaway.  So check out the Getaway Blog Hop.

Getaway Blog Hop Schedule

WEEK 1

Monday, January 7 - Crystal Ball

Maryellen McAuliffe- Mary Mack’s Blog

Sandra Walker- Musings of a Menopausal Melon

Tuesday, January 8  - Ditty

Stephanie Jacobson - Steph Jacobson Designs

Michelle Roberts - Creative Blonde

Wednesday, January 9 - Elk Lodge

Connie Campbell - Free Motion by the River

Anna Branch- Ark Angel Creations

Thursday, January 10 - Feline Fine

Bea Lee- Bea Quilter

Sharon Parcel- Yellow Cat Designs

Friday, January 11 - Flea Market

Geraldine Wilkins- Living Water Quilter

Jessica Caldwell- Desert Bloom Quilting

WEEK 2

Monday, January 14 - Fortune Teller

Sarah Goer- Sarah Goer Quilts

Sherry Shish- Powered by Quilting

Jennifer Fulton- The Inquiring Quilter

Tuesday, January 15  - Gypsy Rose

Jen Strauser - Dizzy Quilter

Janet Yamamoto- Whispers of Yore

Wednesday, January 16 - Paisley Park

Dione Gardner-Stephen- Clever Chameleon

Nancy Scott- Masterpiece Quilting

Thursday, January 17 - Soul Song

Carole Lyles Shaw- Carol Lyles Shaw

Toby Lischko - Gateway Quilts & Stuff  

Friday, January 18 - Twilight Chic

Jackie OBrien - If These Threads Could Talk

Tina Dillard- Quilting Affection

WEEK 3

Monday, January 21 - Winter Park

Jennifer Thomas- Curlicue Creations

Anita Skjellanger- Quilt In a Not Shell

Tuesday, January 22  - Bazaar

Karen Overton- The Quilt Rambler

Alison Vermilya- Little Bunny Quilts

Turid Bakken- Den syende himmel

Wednesday, January 23 - Blossom

Karen Neary - Sew Karen-ly Created

Leanne Parsons- Devoted Quilter

Thursday, January 24 - Boho

Laura Piland- Slice of Pi Quilts

Suzy Webster- Adventurous Applique and Quilting

Myra Barnes- Busy Hands Quilts

Friday, January 25 - Brookview

Vicki Schlimmer - Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting

Amy Warner- Sew Incredibly Crazy

WEEK 4

Monday, January 28 - French Blue

Pamela Boatright - PamelaQuilts

Joyce Mullis- Hearts Creations

Tuesday, January 29  - Midsummer Night

Kathleen McCormick - Kathleen McMusing

Connie Kauffman- Kauffman Designs

Wednesday, January 30 - Oh Deer

Jen Shaffer- Patterns by Jen

Jeanette Jones- Inchworm Fabrics

Thursday, January 31 - Snow Berry  

Sally Mannke- Sally Manke Fiber Artist

Joan Kawano- Moosestash Quilting

Friday, February 1-  Candy Cane Lane and Icicle

Terri Vanden Bosch Icicle - Meanderings along Lizard Creek

Anne Wiens- Icicle - Sweetgrass Creative Designs

Mania Hatziioannidi Candy Cane Lane- Mania For Quilts

Barbara Gaddy - Candy Cane Lane  -Bejeweled Quilts by Barb 

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

String Along - A Top is Born

After sewing ninety of the 6 1/2 inch string blocks, it was time to decide on a layout and just go with it.  I really liked the Four-patch that I had auditioned with the four similar blocks. So, I decided to use it as part of the design.  It is the only part that is different from the diagonal layout of the quilt.

I really love the way it looks.  There are so many different fabrics with only a few that repeat in a fairly consistent manner.

One fabric that is only in the quilt once showed up in the perfect place.  I promise that I didn't play this at all.

Can you see the yellow with the spider in it to the right of the diamond?  It is like the spider is crawling to the "web" created by the diamond.  That made me grin a lot when I saw it.

*** Cool hint: Save those triangles that you trim off when doing corners....they are  perfect for this type of block!

Now I have two quilts that need quilted pretty soon.
Have a great week.
Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

Ruling The Quilt

A friend intrigued me with the Ruler Foot for the domestic sewing machine.  This led me to watch a couple of classes on BluPrint (aka Craftsy) since I got a year of unlimited for Christmas.  I watched Angela Walters' class on "Point to Point" quilting and one by Amy Johnson.

This pretty much convinced me that "Yes, I do do that!"  so I found a good deal on a foot that came with an arc ruler.
It arrived today and I just had to play with it.  There was an interesting design on the package that I wanted to try.
I had a quilt sandwich ready to practice on - a large orphan block would work just fine. Maybe I can make something with the quilted fabric later.

I'm not sure how well you can see those curves, but the are better than I could do with free motion quilting.
Here is the back.

 That fabric is a bit too busy.... but  you can probably see the quilting lines better.


And the ruler foot and ruler are here.

I am thinking I will have a lot of fun with these new toys.
 It is a new year, and there are lots of surprises so stay tuned!


Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.

String Block Update

Even though I have a cruddy little cold,  I have been making a few string blocks.

Those are stacks of 10 but there are more than that now.  My best guess is about 85 at this point.

I tried making four that are very similar but not identical.

The color is truer in the top photo.  

The lower one has all the matching corners turned in. While the upper one has two in and two out. I am thinking that these would make a great pillow cover - or at least the center for one.




Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible. Of course if you are a "No Reply Blogger"- I can not reply. Links in comments will result in the entire comment being deleted.