Showing posts with label Quilts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quilts. Show all posts

Sunday, March 5, 2017

Year of The Scrap blocks

Making scrap blocks.



When thinking about my Year or the Scrap project. My first thought was to try to use the smallest scraps I had to make blocks to later turn into a project. I started cutting 1.5" squares 1 by 1 with a Sizzix die that only cut one square. Of course, it will cut 8 thicknesses of fabric in one pass.

I decided on a block with strips of fabric made up of 5 1.5 inch squares, each separated by a 5 inch strip of white, like so... You can see the result above.


I also had a die that cuts 1.5 inch strips. I decided to utilize this to cut squares more quickly. I laid the scraps vertically and ran them through the machine, then folded them and laid them horizontally and made another pass.



Let the chain piecing begin. First pairs, then sew 2 pairs, then add one square onto the strip of 4 squares.




Sew white stripe between the rows of squares and you see the result above.

I had a great thought that I know is not original, I would square up my blocks using my 5" square die.





I now have a stack of 35 blocks. I want to make 72 and use a background square between each. This should yield a quilt that is about 67 x 67. Whew, I have a long way to go.

Saturday, March 4, 2017

The Year of the SCRAP

My first post in a while. Thank you to anyone who stops by. I know the year has been "in progress" for over 2 months now, but, I have declared 2017 the "Year of the Scrap" in my house. 

I had some "Christmas money" and, of course, it would go to quilting tools and/or supplies. I had been thinking about a die cutting machine for some time. So, I did some online research (shopping) and decided on a Sizzix Machine. The hard part was which one. The Big Shot takes 6" wide dies. The larger Big Shot Plus will take up to 12". So, I went Big, or Big Plus I should say. 

This was the start of the "Year of the Scrap". I am a little bit frugal (cheap) so I decided I would use the Sizzix to bust a large portion of my scraps into usable pieces and turn those into quilts. 

This is how I justified the cost in my own head. I wouldn't buy fabric this year. That rule has a few exceptions that include: Background fabric (solid or other), as well as anything Carolyn Friedlander or Kate Spain. There will probably be other exceptions. I just ordered a great solid bundle of modern solids from Craftsy. Another exception will be sale items from my LQSs. 

Now, scrappy is a bit hard for me. I try to make sure the colors blend and that there are not 2 pieces from the same color family next to each other; You get it. Doesn't make much since because I really like scrappy quilts. 

I have read from some of the scrap quilting guru's out there that you should save any scrap that is 1.5 inches square or larger. I made this my rule. I also decided that i would try to get the largest piece possible from each individual scrap up to 5" square. That may change. 

I have discovered a few things since starting this year long project. 
1. Scrap busting is really messy.
2. Quilting is messy but scrap quilting is REALLY messy.
3. Scraps grow.
4. It takes a lot of 1.5" pieces to make a quilt. 





The messy part. 
Be Back Soon!

Monday, October 26, 2015

Dog Gone Cute!! QAL

Dog Gone Cute

It's My Turn 
AND
Here we are! 
With my finish of my project in the Dog Gone Cute QAL. 
Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts designs the cutest patterns, many with animals. 
I just had to do this one 'cause, well, you'll see!

Sew Fresh Quilts


Lorna writes the most amazing patterns with multiple charts and step by step instructions. In this pattern there are 2 block sizes giving you a multitude of options. 
This was so much fun and a bit outside my box. 

My Pups, Zoe and Jade, loved it! I hope you do too. I wanted to do two blocks, one for each. I debated about what to make with those blocks. I remembered these left over blocks from a Shop Hop last summer and I put them together to make a small quilt. 



It now has a place of honor
hanging above one of my machines, LOL.



I appreciate your visit and hope you will leave a comment. Come back, ya'll.

Ellen

Saturday, August 8, 2015

Big Block Quilt - In Progress


Big Block Quilt

In Progress

I have been trying to decorate my new office. I knew I wanted a quilt as the main piece (of course)! Fabric came first. What would I like to look at every day?
I choose Sphere by Brigitte Heitland for ZEN CHIC for Moda. Wow, that was a mouthful. I have had a charm pack in my stash for a long time, but I came across this modified "Swoon" block on Pinterest.


The block was modified to use HSTs and solid blocks and was enlarged to 36".
The solid blocks were 5" and the HST's were made with 5 1/2 inch squares; so there went the idea of using my Charm Pack. Oh well, one can always buy new fabric. I purchased a fat quarter bundle of this fabric and then I needed a background color. Thought about gray, but no. I knew it had to be navy, just really made the other colors stand out! I modified the pattern even further by including more fabrics, including the yellow-orange center.

Getting it together was a bit (LOL) challenging.
I have it basted and ready to go. I am going to save my plans for the quilting until next time....

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Sunday, July 26, 2015

Falling Charms Baby Quilt

Sweet Baby Boy Quilt

The sweet baby boy that received this quilt spends his weekends with his parents, grandparents and cousins on a beautiful cove on the Tennessee River. They Boat, fish, ride jet skis, swim and go trail riding in their Jeep. Nice way to grow up, huh. 

I selected Boat House Fabric by Sweetwater for Moda Fabrics.
The pattern is Falling Charms, you can see the tutorial by Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company here: 



I kinda stretched it too much in this pic. :(
Quilt measures about 40 x 40. 



The quilting is free motion, meandering with stars. I love dense quilting!

 I love the back!

A friend at Tampa Modern Quilt Guild had this fabric to use for our Project Linus Quilts and I "Really Like IT". 


 Blurry pic of label. 

I received a lovely note from his parents and that meant the world to me. Hope it becomes tattered and torn from being dragged around at the River House. 

Aren't quilts just the BEST?
YES!!

Saturday, May 23, 2015

New Projects Coming Soon.


Sneak peak! Falling charms baby quilt. Picture is without binding. Good news, binding is on. More pics and details to come.

Thursday, January 8, 2015

Central Park Quilt

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This quilt top was made from the other half of a Central Park Jelly Roll. The Citrus Sunshine Quilt was made from the first half. The solid is Kona Stone. I designed the quilt from a pattern I saw on Pinterest, with  some changes. I think it is fun. 
This will be Quilted on the Beast, my new, to me Brother PQ1300. That is MY dream machine!.


 Sharing on WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Quilted Wall Hanging for Sewing Room

Special Gift

I finished a gift for a special friend just before Christmas but, unfortunately, I haven't seen her to give it to her. (Hope she doesn't read this, she usually doesn't visit blogland, LOL.) 
We work together and have been alternating a couple of days off during the holidays. 
She keeps me sane at out crazy job and is my quilting/sewing buddy, what more could you ask???

I found these wonderful, free paper pieced letters, designed by Dori Hawk at 
"The Quilter Community" online. The link to her alphabet quilt is: 


She is very generous to share her talent with the quilting community. 

I wanted to make a small wall hanging for my friend's sewing room. 
The blocks originally were about 6 inches square but I enlarged them to 8". 
The wall hanging measures approx: 18" x 34". 

The letters are outlined. There are wavy lines between the letters and some McTavishing on the squares on the upper right and left.

The fabric in the letters is Daydreams by Kate Spain.
Other fabrics on the front are from my stash :)
The backing and binding are from my LQS, owned by my friend Barb.
Crafty Threads, in Oldsmar, Florida (Tampa/Clearwater area)



 Some bobbin work above!




Sunday, November 16, 2014

Modern Turquoise Pillow Cover

Modern Turquoise Pillow Cover.



Improv pieced. Striking Colors and Quilting make this piece HAPPY!
It measures 14 x 14". Straight line quilting except for McTavishing on the outer left and lower leaf print. Bound in black. 

Shared on 
 

Saturday, September 6, 2014

"Beach Fantasy" Art Quilt




"Beach Fantasy" Art Quilt

I believe we all feel a pull toward the ocean. Just look at a map of the population!! I am fortunate to live within a 20 minute drive of the beautiful beaches of the Gulf of Mexico in Southwest Florida. I can feel it calling me almost daily. I don't make it that often but I feel good knowing that I could go almost any day. 

 This small art quilt was created using curved piecing, then free motion quilted using 6 colors of thread. It was then embellished with natural shells from my extensive collection :) of hand picked treasures. A couple of pearls for a bit of whimsy. The borders were then applied and it was mounted on a 9 x 12 inch canvas. 
This is my entry on Finish it Up Friday at
Check out the many great finishes at


 


 Close ups of the quilting and embellishment.


Thank you for visiting. Please leave me a comment. I would be honored if you choose to follow me.  

Update: 9/28/14
Threading My Way_Featured

Lets get to quilting!! 


 

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Wonky Pillow

Wonky Pillow

I have had this QAYG (quilt as you go) piece started for a long time. I had a basket of scraps that I would dive into from time to time and do a row or two. It really never grew any bigger than about 7-8 inches. I decided I would finish it off with a different technique. MORE McTavishing!!!! on a large neutral border.

Well, when I did the FMQ on the border, it shrank more than the middle, so the middle was kinda, well,,,, puffy...Hmmmm... ok, I will do some stuffing, like trumputo in that part. It worked out fairly well.


 
I layered the top and the back of the pillow wrong sides together, basted it. then bound it like a quilt. It measures 15" square




Sharing on 

Finish it up Friday 
On

Crazy Mom Quilts




Let me know what you think!

Monday, August 18, 2014

Grey X Pillows Cover, Finish!!

Grey Pillow Cover Finish

After piecing this, I was in a quandary. How shall I quilt this piece. I had been practicing some McTavishing on my Vintage Singer 237. Was it time to try it on a "real" project?  Guess so.
Update. I have had several comments regarding McTavishing. It is named for its creator Karen McTavish, award winning quilter and author. http://www.designerquilts.com/about.html

Also, my guild mate Katherine Ringo has a great youtube video that explains the technique.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp34yI9SUeY

http://katiesquiltingcorner.com/

I am pleased to have this project featured by Pam from:

 Threading My Way_Featured


I did my version of McTavishing in 2 quadrants and alternating squiggly lines in the other 2.

Each quadrant was quilted with a single piece of (top) thread. Except, of course some of it was cut off in the squaring and resizing process. ;).
I also debated about how to finish the pillow cover. When I finished the piecing and took it to show and tell at the Tampa Modern Quilt Guild, I felt it was, well, boring.  So, I began to think how to finish it off to have a nice accent. I like to use orange for my accent but I was thinking in another direction on this one.
 I found some fabulous green and light grey by Art Gallery Fabrics at my fabulous LQS, Crafty Threads http://www.craftythreads.com/ and decided on a 1/4 inch piping. 



 That is a shadow in the lower right, oops. 

I will take some other pictures soon when it is stuffed with a pillow form. Please leave me a comment to let me know that you have stopped by.
Thanks, ellen
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