Thread Count

That’s the pattern name not a reference to fabric thread count.  I had bought the pattern two months ago.  When I showed it to my friend she grabbed the pattern and ran.  She cranked out her quilt top in less than two weeks!  Here is her quilt.

I started cutting my fabric Saturday.  Sunday I subcut the strips and started sewing.  I was short on my background fabric and did not have it with me so finished cutting what I needed and finished sewing the strips today.  Then the fun of the layout!

This is the one I’m going with.   I hope to have a complete top by Saturday.  I added two more rows than the pattern called for.  I used less than a yard of background fabric.  Each row can be cut from a FQ or long 1/8th.  I have plans for several more!

What’s under your needle?

Peaches and Dreams

I acquired a few more FQs.  I was trying to get more fabrics on the darker end of the spectrum.  In the process I thought I could use a few more on the light end.  Not sure how well I did.

I’ll be sprinkling in a cream too.  That will help with the contrast.  This is a Judy Laquidara pattern.  Her blog is under construction.  She may lose everything so I cannot point you to a link.  Fortunately I had written notes before this happened so I’ll be able to recreate it.

What’s under your needle?

March OMG 2021 Complete

I had to go back and read my goal to make sure I had it all?  Three goals for the month.

1) Complete Marching Band by Atkinson Designs

This was to be for my daughter but she was surprised how white it was.  I had bought the fabric again because I wanted to make myself a quilt from the same line.  So now I have a quilt top and have to make her one.  I think I won that one!

2) Make a quilt kit from my scraps.

I won’t show them all again but I actually made 10 little quilt tops.  Two of the favorite ones are pictured.

3) I took the challenge from Prairie Moon Quilts to make something with a panel.  I had everything laid out and was not liking my mitered corner plan.  While searching for another panel to gift to a friend I came across a panel of motifs that coordinates with the panel.  I checked with the LQS where I got the panel and they had it!  Here is my final completed top.  Much happier with this result.

I’m linking up with Patty at Elm Street Quilts for her OMG finish linkup!

I’m off to figure out what’s on deck for next month.  I think if you paid attention to this post and the last one you won’t be surprised.

Up Next

I’m thinking about changing direction on my panel quilt.  I’m not sure I want to miter the corners.  There’s a panel in the line called Land That I Love by Henry Glass that are different motifs that I could use for cornerstones.  I had thought to make star blocks or something for the corners so this could work.

While I ponder.  I pulled out a box that I thought was smaller and was full of peach 30s repros.  Boy was I in for a shock!

The 30s have already been removed and took up about a quarter of the box.  How did I misremember?  It’s ok.  I’ll file the remainder with their mates and collect all my 30s fabrics in this box.  Below is what I have.  I will be adding a white to the group.

Do you have any 30s that run to the orange side that you’d be willing to part with?  I just want to add a couple more.  Here is the pattern I plan to make.

This is called Peaches and Dreams by Judy Laquidara at Patchworktimes.  Her free pattern is no longer online.  I did find her blogpost that gives needed strip sizes and basic construction information.  I don’t plan to add that border but never say never.  The fabrics are all ironed and I’ll start cutting this week.

Please let me know if you have any orange 30s FQs you’re willing to part with.

What Quiltygirl things do you have going?

That Box!

After completing the five little quilts and then setting aside stash to enhance the remaining squares I could not walk away.  I tried.  I have to finish my One Monthly Goal.  

I finished up all the cutting that needed to be done.  I sorted out the squares from the box that I would need for these five quilts.  I started sewing and finished with 35 rows.  That was Tuesday.  On Thursday I sat down and sewed until I had five little tops done.  All about 38” x 53”.

Once these were done I picked a few pieces I wanted to keep from the box, gave the rest away and tossed the now empty box in the trash.   I pressed the panel for my OMG and called it a day.

Today I worked on a tablet cover.  I botched that and my friend picked it apart for me.  I decided I needed my tablet in hand before proceeding.  I then worked on a small potholder called a hotfingers.  I had enlarged it to maximize the use of the 10” fabric square I used.  It may be too large.  I’m going to give it a test run and will decide what future ones will look like.

Finally I hit the bullet and worked on the panel.  I trimmed the panel itself.  Then I went about the arduous task of subcutting the border print into 4 equal pieces.  I could feel my hair graying quickly while doing this.  Once they were cut I lay them out to get an idea of the finished product and called it a day as my nerves were a little frazzled.

I only need to attach them then miter the borders.  Next time!

What quilty things do you have going on?

Two more and a Decision

I managed to create two more tops yesterday.  

It seemed like it wasn’t a very productive day, but when I look back I realize I had made excellent inroads on kitting up 5 more.  Also, looking at these two I realize I had to cut additional stash to make them.  For the 5 new kits I cut all the squares for one, for two the strips are cut and will need to be sub-cut into squares and for the last two the fabric is selected with no cutting done.  Not sure when I’ll sew these but I’ll at least get them prepped.  Progress!  

So my poor lonely quilting machine.  I got it cleaned up and ready to go.  I set the tension.  I just had to step up and go.  When I look at the quilting I’ve done so far I’m just disappointed.  I need to figure out a better way to try things before I commit to a larger surface.  I’m going to rip it out, load it backup and quilt something different.  I need to enjoy this!  I’ve done many others successfully.  Admit failure a lesson learned and move on!  We’ll see if this moves things along for me.

So I’m back to my OMG goals this week.  I have that panel quilt to attend to and plenty of month left to do it.  How are you doing with your goals this month?

Swooze

Sewn Up

I thought it was silly for me to make those kits and not try to sew them up.  Yesterday I did just that.  Got three together.

The last two kits have that blue checked fabric in them.  Most of the blocks that were in the box that started all this were cut to 8” but not those for some reason.  I’ll take the time today to cut those to size and possibly piece some to get the too small to size.  There may even be an alternate plan.

I still have a big stack of those yellow squares that have dots of color on them shown in the first picture.  I’ve already been auditioning additional stash to use them up.  I’ll count the squares today to see how much potential remains.  I have plans for two more after the current kits, possibly a third.  At that point I’ll release the remaining squares into the wild.

I’m not sure I’m in love with that green I’ll spread things out more to decide.  Love that pink though!  The box that held these is 11” x 11” x 5”.  5 little quilts with plenty of fodder for more.  How many quilts are in your stash?

Sew faster!

Kitted Up

I have a little blue cardboard box I got from an estate of a quilter who had passed.  Inside is a huge stack of approximately 8” squares.  Sunday I took the fabric out and culled things I knew I would never use.  The stack is still huge. 

I now had the recent memory o what’s in the box.  I tossed ideas around in my head.  Looked over blogs and saved pictures.  Today I took pen to paper and did some figuring.  I really wondered if I wanted to put a lot of effort into these particular fabrics.  I quickly concluded that I did not.  A simple layout of patches that will sew up quickly.

Remember my goal was to kit up one project.  I walked away with five!  I still have a considerable sized stack of squares not chosen for this set.I might be tired of them after I get these sewn up.  Then again I might not.  For some reason I only photographed three of the five but you’ll get the general idea.

These will be just under 40” square.  No particular destination in mind but there are always calls for quilts for a cause.  Stay tuned.  My purpose was to get the creative juices flowing.  I’ll have more scrap kitting events in the future.  Hopefully with increased complexity!

Are you picking away at your goals?  How’s it going?

It’s a Top

I managed to get away to the church today and sew the final three seams to form a completed quilt top.  I showed it to my daughter, the intended recipient, and her first comment was about the white background.  I told her I had reordered the fabrics to make myself a quilt and could easily remake this pattern with a different background or make a different pattern that used less background.  When she comes over I’ll show her options.

I also spent some time thinking about my scrap kit.  I’m using the term scrap loosely here.  I received a box of fabric from a lady’s estate full of squares.  I have the desire to make a tumbler quilt but felt there would be too much waste using these fabrics.  I chose these scraps because they were easily accessible and why not!  I’m going to come up with a four patch configuration of some sort.  There enough pieces in this box without adding anything to make at least three baby quilts.  Scary when I think about how many quilts are in my stash and sewing room.  Yikes!  I’ll start choosing squares and cutting so I can start sewing.

The other panel.  Here is a stock photo of the panel and coordinating print I bought.  I was trying to think of a clever order but I think I’ll keep it simple and use an orange that goes with if I can find it or just plain black.  The conversation print will be the backing.  Stay tuned!

Hope you had a productive weekend!

Marching Band Marching Along

I made great progress today.  I had hoped for a completed top but I didn’t quite make it.  Four quadrants though.  Marching Band by Atkinson Designs.  Fast and easy.

After I posted my OMG yesterday I went digging in the stash cave.  I found the panel I had my eye on immediately and pulled it out for a pic.  It will go together very quickly.   I love Americana.  A mitered border print and it’s all done.

While I was digging around I came across another panel I’d like to get done.  I had bought a conversation print but that will end up on the back.  If I can find a good orange that goes with that will be my border.  Otherwise it will be solid black.  I failed to get a picture but it’s a John Wayne panel.

While I was looking for the panel I was also looking for scraps to inspire my scrap project kitting.  I 

went to the stash room at least three times and just turned and walked out.  Too many choices!  Instead of digging I’m going to grab the closest thing and make it work.  That’s on my agenda for tomorrow.

It was a great day sewing with friends.  Progress on my goals.  Can’t get much better than that.

March OMG 2021

I have three items for my goals this month.

First, I bought a kit last month and started cutting it out on Saturday.  I knew immediately the top would come together quickly.  I have worked on it several days this week already and have a set of 20 blocks almost done.  The strip sets for the other 40 blocks are ready.  I’ll subcut them and sew the other already cut piece to those.  I’m shooting to have a flimsy Saturday.  Fingers crossed!

The pattern is Marching Band by Atkinson Designs.  The fabric is the line Purrfect Petals.  I saw the line and knew I wanted to make a quilt for my cat loving daughter.  When I saw a quilt from the line I went for it!  I love the fabric so much I bought a half yard bundle of the line to share with my friend.  She and I plan to make the same quilt for ourselves.  16 FQs and 3.5 yards of background for the twin size.

The second item is a panel that I bought last year.  There is a matching border print.  Shelly at Prairie 

Moon Quilts issued a challenge to make something from a panel so this will meet that challenge.  It goes until April 30th so you have time to participate.  I’ll add a photo once I find it 😳.

The third item is to make a kit from my scraps.  I have all sorts of ideas swirling in my head and I hope this helps me focus on one of those ideas.  Maybe there will be more than one kit.

Join in with Patty at Elm Street Quilts for One Monthly Goal.  This is the goal setting linkup.

Happy quilting!

Swooze