Three Quarter Log Cabin Scrap Quilt

It is a relief to finish this quilt. Making the improv blocks from scraps was so relaxing last fall, but they sat another year on a shelf as I tried to figure out how to use them all together. The solution of sashing to separate the crazy prints and colors has worked fairly well.

The quilt is big by my standards (73 x 95), since I quilted it on my tiny home machine. I find small scale free motion designs well suited for a large quilt because the small shapes, like these loops, allow you to stop and adjust the quilt frequently without interrupting or marring a larger, flowing design. 

I used an extra wide yellow backing from my stash and an old Erin McMorris Summersault print that I love for the binding. I think largescale prints are so interesting as binding because you get quite a variation along the edge or the quilt.

Patting myself on the back for using these blocks rather than letting them languish, and I hope the quilt will be useful and a blessing to a local child in foster care. 

Placemats for Meals on Wheels

At Thanksgiving I finished up the final placemat for my charity sewing project for 2018. This paper pieced pumpkins block is a free pattern in my Craftsy shop, by the way. The block had been sitting around for quite a while, so I added some cute flying geese to round it out to placemat size and quilted it simply with straight lines.

Today I rolled up all my placemats (made from leftover blocks, improv panels, and binding scraps), tied them with candy canes, and dropped them off at my local branch of Meals on Wheels to be given to home bound seniors with a holiday meal. I hope they make the recipients feel special. I didn't meet my personal goal as far as the number I hoped to make, but there's always next year, right?

Ketchikan Throw Quilt in Jacquie's Favorite Bundle of Painter's Palette Solids

I am excited to share the quilt I made with Jacquie's Favorites bundle of Painter's Palette Solids from Paint Brush Studio. This post corresponds to a giveaway this weekend over on my Instagram account, so head over if you'd like to enter for a chance to win a kit.

This was my first time working with Painter's Palette fabrics. These solids are so soft without being thin. The weight is just perfect for quilting.

Some of you may recognize this throw quilt as my Ketchikan Quilt pattern. Isn't it cheerful in this rainbow of colors? I used just a few blocks from the pattern and arranged them in a new way to make a smaller version of the quilt.

I chose the darkest blue from the bundle as my background. It is called Marine.

Jacquie Gering designed and made this modern Whirlygig quilt with her bundle. A free pattern can be found for it on Painter Brush Studio's website.

The giveaway for the Whirlygig quilt kit is open until Sunday evening, so be sure to enter in time or stop by Teresa's instagram page next Friday for another chance to win a kit.

Re-purposing Prototypes

These placemats started out as prototypes for the By the Fireside Pillow from Improvising Tradition. I don't know about you, but I'm just about at capacity for throw pillows around here (not that I'm promising to abstain from making more, mind you). Consequently, I was happy to re-purpose the tops into placemats. A simple trim down to 14 x 18, and they fit the bill beautifully.

I've quilted each placemat differently. Look how effective a simple all over square meander can be, even on a geometric design.

On the other I played up the geometric design by quilting the sections differently to make each stand out.

This pair of placemats brings my total number of placemats for Meals on Wheels to 10 which  is halfway to my goal of 20 by December. If you want to join me, add #placemats4mow to your social media posts to share.

Improv Quilted Placemats

These modern, quilted placemats made good use of some leftover improv panels and scraps of grey solids. They are placemats numbers five and six for my year long project to make placemats for Meals on Wheels.

Placemats are a great way to try out new quilting designs. They are so quick to make too. I went a little crazy with free motion designs on one, and on the other I stuck to my walking foot to create dense waves.

I'd love to have you join me in putting your random quilt blocks of scraps to use to make something beautiful and useful for a homebound senior. Tag your photos online #placemats4mow to share your work. You can donate your placemats to your local chapter or any other charity of your choice. I put a little extra love in each placemat by hand stitching the binding.

When Scraps Attack

 As you may recall, I finished piecing my scrappy Anna Maria Horner triangles quilt. I found a swath of white flannel for a cozy backing and got it basted. As I pondered quilting designs, it happened. The pile of scraps leftover from cutting all those triangles suddenly became irresistible. I had to stop everything and sew them into strip sets. Do scraps ever overtake your other projects?

The resulting rectangles made another set of placemats for a community service project for the year, which is a large stack of placemats for Meals on Wheels by December. These are perfect for leftover strips or blocks, paired with scrap binding and the odd fat quarter for backing.

I finished these quickly with some free motion quilting. Since the placemats will most likely be given to individual recipients, they don't need to match or be exactly identical in size. I'm eyeballing mine to be about 14 x 18 inches.

Now maybe I can get back to that quilt.

One Use for Quilty Leftovers

If you're like me, you have a drawer or container full of leftover, random quilt blocks or otherwise abandoned projects. There's something guilt-inducing about all the work and money they represent, just sitting there, unfinished, even if they are out of sight! I'm going to share how I'm turning mine into a project for the year to benefit a local charity.

I've taken blocks like this lovely thing I made on a whim to use part of a scrap pack of screen printed fabrics from Karen Lewis (back before she had her own fabric line), and transformed it into a quilted place mats. Really placemats are the perfect use for leftover blocks. A quick border can fill them out to the needed size as I've done with a couple strips of mustard solid.

Or, combine leftover strips like these extras leftover from making a custom Scattered Colors Table Runner. The small size of placemats is perfect for trying out new quilting designs too. I went to town with my walking foot, and I love the resulting texture and interest it adds to the simple piecing. 

I'm taking thriftiness and the urge to recycle up a notch too by using scrap batting (frankenbatting if needed), the last bits of low spools of thread, scraps of binding pieced as needed, and even odd fat quarters I realize I'll never actually use for the backing. Mine are about 14 x 18, but since they will be given to individuals, the placemats don't need to match or be identical in size.

If I make a couple of place mats a month I will have a nice stack to donate to Meals on Wheels by December. It makes me pretty happy to think of someone getting not only a meal but a handmade gift, and my drawer of abandoned blocks will hopefully be emptier. If you want to join in, donate to your local chapter and hashtag #placemats4MOW to share pictures online.

What's your favorite way to use quilty leftovers?

Castle Peeps Quilt

My dear friend Lauren humors my love of scraps by sharing hers with me periodically. That's a good friend, right?! In this last batch, she included several WIPS/UFOS (works in progress/unfinished objects). I couldn't resist the blocks she shared using Lizzy House's adorable Castle Peeps line. It's such a quirky, whimsical set of prints. The colors and fabrics are very Lauren, and the quilt also makes me think of forests and Robin Hood. Fun!

I finished up the improv log cabin blocks by making a few of my own to add to the mix (12 x 12, 6 x 12, and 6 x 6 blocks), piecing, and quilting the 36 x 48 baby quilt. I'm donating it to Project Linus and linking up to 100 Quilts for Kids.

I definitely recommend pairing up with a friend to swap WIPS and finish them, especially for a quick finish for a charity project. 100 Quilts for Kids runs through September 30th, so you still have time to finish up an old project, or a friend's project, and give a handmade gift to child in need. Remember, you can donate the quilt to any organization in your area that you like. Just link up for a chance to win prizes and see other quilters' contributions. I hope you'll join in!

Scrappy Improv Strip Quilt 2.0

I made a similar strips quilt from scraps about a year ago. In the previous version, I concentrated on value and color progression. This time around, I opted for a random arrangement of the same width strips in a limited color palette. You can see the effect is very different, even while the construction is exactly the same.

I was inspired by the colors in this collage. I used teal, aqua, gray, white, and chartreuse fabrics from my 2 1/2 inch strips bin of scraps. Storing my scraps in this way makes this type of quilt quick and easy to put together. Even the binding is made from leftover scraps of binding.

I quilted it simply with the serpentine stitch on my Bernina. The backing is a gray solid I had in my stash, divided with two leftover strips from the top.

I am donating this quilt to Project Linus, which gives quilts and blankets to children in hospitals or similar situations. It has been on my heart to make a quilt suitable for an older boy or teen, as I hear this is the type of quilt most seldom donated. At 56 x 75 this quilt should be just right.

I also want to encourage other quilters to make quilts to donate. As I hope this quilt proves, the design doesn't need to be complicated, the quilting ornate, or the fabrics a recent purchase for the quilt to be beautiful. The only thing I think is important is that the quilt be something you would be delighted to receive yourself. I hope this quilt makes someone feel loved.

Slash Pillow

One of the three sections of Improvising Tradition focuses on teaching Slice and Insert, a fun improvisational technique with many possible variations.  This Slash Pillow is a very simple project and a great way to try out the technique, especially if it is new to you. I used two colors of Essex linen and a bright accent color for a narrow binding. 

photo by Joe Hancock

 

I played around with the layout slightly in this variation I made recently for a school fundraiser.  I skipped the binding in favor of a quick envelope closure, and I practiced a fun, pointy free motion design.

Back to Bees

It's been a few years since I've participated in a virtual quilting bee.  I'm excited to join a couple of new bees with friends from my local KCMQG.  My first blocks are for Shea in the Crossing Borders Bee (at least I think that's name we settled on), who requested 6" x 6 " or 6" x 12" spool blocks and sent us some scraps to work with.  I was very happy to get to work with my favorite color.

I just had to make an Aurifil spool too.

The next block is a wonky log cabin in Quilt Con colors.  This is for the Blessing Bee which is a project for the guild as a whole, put together by the Community Service Committee.  Each month, members may make any number of 12" x 12" blocks they wish in one of three styles: wonky log cabin in these colors, wonky stars in pink and lime, or square in a square in orange and aqua.  Other members have signed up to assemble tops, make backing, quilt and bind.  I think this is such a great arrangement for a a bee, allowing everyone to help as they are able.  The types of blocks may change every few months, and of course, members are welcome to donate completed quilts they have made themselves.

Finished baby quilts will be donated to a local organization that gives birthday cakes and other things  to children who would otherwise not have a birthday celebration.  We are hoping to provide enough quilts for all the children turning 1, with hopes to expand if we are able. I'm looking forward to more bee blocks!

Wholecloth Quilt

While I was waiting for backing fabric for my atomic strips top to arrive, I noticed a fabric stack that has been sitting on my table for a while.  I traded fabric with Andrea from guild for this old Amy Butler Midwest Modern floral.  I have always loved it.  Large scale florals aren't always easy to use for quilting though; I really didn't want to cut it up.  So I set it aside with an aqua DS Quilts print and a Bespoken stripe to make a wholecloth quilt.

I used free motion quilting to trace the flowers and leaves all over the top. At 41 x 50 inches, it took two big spools of thread, but it was fun.

I had my heart set on using the stripes on the bias, so I thought why not round the edges too.  I love the softness of the curves for such a feminine quilt. 

This pillow was made from scraps, and I had a great time with the quilting.

Here is the back before I put the pillow cover together.

This is the first time I have sewn a lapped zipper on a pillow, and it was really easy.  This tutorial from House on Hill Road is great.  A zipper closure for an overstuffed pillow like this is a must.  An envelope closure would have bulged open.

This pair is headed to Project Linus as part of 100 Quilts for Kids, a summer and early fall sewing event that encourages quilters to donate quilts for children.  One of the best parts - this year you can donate your quilt locally, which makes it just that much easier to participate.  I'll add this post when the link up opens on July 1st.  I hope lots of you will join in!

Trellis Quilt

I pieced and chopped my multicolored strip sets into string-x blocks.  The quilt reminds me of a flowery  lattice against a stone wall.  The various grays from the charm pack I used recede really nicely, and I like the variation they give to the background.

This lovely old stone church with its shady garden was too perfect to resist for some snapshots.

I quilted free motion swirls on the strips and border, and in the gray diamonds I quilted straight lines with the free motion foot in alternating directions to create some movement up and down the background.

The quilt is backed in Farm Fresh flannel in a sunny yellow crosshatch.  Flannel is just the best for baby quilts.  It finishes at 41 inches square.

I made this quilt entirely from my scrap bins and stash.  That is a great feeling.  And I'm so happy to be able to donate it to Project Linus.  This is my third quilt for them for the year, so I'm well on my way to be able to donate my goal of four for 2012.  I hear they are in need of larger quilts for older kids, especially ones for boys, so that's what I'll shoot for with the next one.