Sister's Choice Quilts

Idea to Combine Two Quilts

Thanks for all your suggestions on what I should do with my Piece and Quilt blocks. I am pretty discouraged with that project and do not feel the excitement and joy I did when I started it. I have decided to put it away for now. I will do something with some of those blocks and I know I have loads of that fabric collection to use in a future project. 

So, onward.

I have what I think is a good idea for another project. You all know I have been working on a free Fat Quarter Shop pattern called Spooky and Sweet with the Hey Boo collection. It makes a 30 x 34" inch wall quilt. However, I have an idea to use it as a center medallion for the Halloween Memories/Moonlight quilt, also made with Hey Boo fabric. 

I still need to make the little vampire ghost and finish the Spooky and Sweet project. I have it up on the design wall with the Halloween Memories blocks I've made so far and love the way they all look together. The Halloween Memories quilt has an alternate block that is an hourglass. I will make a few of those and see how it all looks together.

Anyway, I am excited to work on something "Halloweeny" going into September and October.

 

Let's Make Some Moonlight Blocks

I jumped right in and got six blocks made for the Halloween Memories sew-along. I am getting into the swing of it and am having fun so far. It took as long to get organized as it will to make the blocks. Just kidding, sorta. I am getting faster at it. I grab one of my baggies containing the block units and can assemble one in less than a half hour. Having a really good audio book is a must for this kind of sewing.

In my photo above, the black lattices really stand out, but there will be an hour glass alternate block that will separate all the blocks, so I don't think that will be so prominent once the top is together. 

A couple of you have mentioned in the comments that you don't really want another Halloween quilt, and I get that completely. I'm not sure I want another Halloween quilt but here I am. Anyway, I wanted to direct you to the Jolly Jabber blog, where Fat Quarter Shop is showing seven quilts for this project made with non-Halloween fabrics. Go check it out. There is a gorgeous blue and white version, made with Primitive Gatherings new collection, as well as a lot of other great ideas. 

New Project: Halloween Memories, Moonlight

Well, I don't know what I was thinking. I have a lot of works in progress and UFOs at the moment, so starting in on a complicated new project doesn't make a whole lot of sense. I even had to purchase a bunch of fabric for this one, which is even more impulsive. But, here I am, and you can watch me sink or swim.

The new project is from Susan Ache and Lissa Alexander's new book "Halloween Memories". The quilt is called "Moonlight". Fat Quarter Shop says they will be blogging about it on the shop's Jolly Jabber blog, and there was a post yesterday morning.

This quilt calls for a heck of a lot of fabric. It is a one block quilt and the idea is to have the colorful star and the dark lattice all be scrappy and in a gazillion different fabrics. The block background fabrics are supposed to be all different as well. Since there are 32 blocks in this quilt, I thought having 32 different colored blocks, 32 different blacks for the lattices, and 32 different backgrounds was just nuts. I have a great stash to pull from, but even for me, that's excessive. 

I had a fat eighth bundle of Lella Boutique's Hey Boo. I bought one background for the whole quilt, and additional fabric for an alternate hourglass block, and a couple of borders. A lot of fabric for a quilt that is 63' X 77". A lot of fabric.

I made a test block and as you can see, it is pretty darn cute. Those dark lattice strips are only 1" wide, so that is kind of a pain, but the final look is cool. I would not say this is a quilt for a beginner. Each block is made up of four half-square triangles, four flying geese, a square in a square block, and the lattice strips and posts. The pieces are not large, and you do have to really pay attention to your quarter-inch seam allowance on those lattices. 

In my opinion, the only way I can see making this quilt is to cut everything out in advance, put the pieces for each block in a sandwich baggie to have ready when you have time to sew a block. So, cutting and organizing is what I did yesterday. And I did not finish. It's a lot of cutting and a lot of prep work.

I managed to put together 9 packets (out of 16 total), each will make two blocks of the same fabric. I made my half-square triangle papers ahead, but didn't trim them. I have my square in a square papers in the baggie along with the fabric to make them. I also want to do 4 at a time flying geese, and have the squares all cut out for that. Basically when I sit down to make a block or two, everything is ready to go in those little sandwich bags. 

This is actually a great project for a quilting retreat. If you plan ahead like this for your sewing, once at the retreat you don't have to think. Just pull out your baggie and keep on visiting with your quilting pals while you sew. 

There are a lot of Instagrammers who are participating in this sew-along, and Fat Quarter Shop lists them and their Instagram names so you can follow along. Are any of you making this project?

Spooky and Sweet Witchy Little Ghost

Isn't she cute? This is the first block in the Spooky and Sweet Halloween Mystery sew along Fat Quarter Shop did a month or so ago. I like to know how my mystery projects end up before I plunge in and I thought this was a pretty fun Halloween project. 

I have to tell you though, I made this little block a heck of a lot harder than the FQS version. In their block, the head is a square, the shoulders aren't rounded, the eyes are plain rectangles and there are no pink cheeks. To achieve the effect I did, which I think is way cuter, you have to add flip and sew squares (really tiny ones) to the head, shoulders, eyes, mouth and cheeks. It was very fiddly, and took a l.o.n.g time. 

Plus when I thought I was finished I realized I hadn't added the little orange fingers or the shoulders. So I had to take it apart and add those. It took me hours. 

The idea to soften up those sharp angles wasn't mine. I got it from an Instagrammer Lisa @LUV2quilt4U
The fabric is Hey Boo by Lella Boutique, probably the most adorable Halloween fabric ever. I bought a lot of it, so you will be seeing at least one other project where I use it. That will be a one block quilt from Susan Ache's new book Halloween Memories. They are calling it Moonlight Quilt. More info is on the Fat Quarter Shop.

It was a day for puttering yesterday. I am on a roll with the Designer Mystery 2012 blocks and got Block 3 made. These blocks aren't hard and the pieces are big, so they go together fast. How funny is this? My friend Lisa said she just bought the kit from a friend who had never started it and she will be working on the blocks too. Twelve years later and Lisa and I still are on the same wave length! I have no idea how I'll set my blocks, so I will be following her closely.


You must admit those colors are gorgeous. Oh my gosh, that red. 

Hope your week got off to a great start!

 

 

Piece and Quilt Sew-Along and the Celebrate with Quilts Book

I have a confession to make. I've been holding out on you in regard to yet another sew-along I find myself unable to resist. Have you heard of the Piece and Quilt sew-along hosted by Moda Fabrics? It is based on the Celebrate with Quilts book by Lissa Alexander and Susan Ache, two designers who are known for their innovative designs.

The book is pretty incredible. it contains patterns for around 60 quilt blocks, each in four different sizes, and instructions to make a dozen quilts. We are making the sampler quilt shown on the cover of the book. This quilt is unusual because of its unique setting, called a "puzzle setting". There are no lattices or cornerstones in this setting. The blocks in the quilt are different sizes, 3", 6", 9", 12", and 18". They fit together ingeniously to form the overall design of the quilt top. 

The block-making schedule has already started (in April), so I have been working to catch up. I have completed the blocks for April, May, and June, and am just starting to make my July blocks. The block-making sharing for each month starts on the 3rd Monday of each month, and there are Instagram sites where people can show off what they have done. (Go to Instagram and search for #celebratewithquiltsqual or #pieceandquiltqal).

These are the blocks for April, May and June. I plan to start on July's blocks this weekend. The quilt is put together in rows, so I have to be aware of what colors and fabrics I've used in adjacent blocks so I get a good mix of colors and patterns. It is a unique challenge, and I am excited to see how it goes. 

Are any of you sewing along with this project? If so, I'd love to know what fabric collections you are using. I chose Lella Boutique's "Old Glory", which obviously has a limited color palette. Just red, grey, & medium blue. Clearly, I've been enjoying that color combination this summer! There is an Instagram group that shares photos of quilters' blocks, links referenced above

New Project: Window Garden

One of my new summer projects is going to be this pattern by Carried Away, called Window Garden. I have always loved the Cat's Cradle block and this will really show off a pretty fabric collection I plan to use.

Years ago I bought this Moda kit using a Lella Boutique collection called Farmer's Daughter. I have never made the kit, mainly because i just wasn't feeling the House block design. When I saw the Carried Away Window Garden pattern, I knew it would be just right for this fabric collection.

Don't you agree? I love the yellows, pinks, greens, and blacks. What I haven't decided is whether or not to use the XL Cat's Cradle tool to make the blocks. Each unit is 5", and I know they will come out great with the tool. I may have to experiment to be sure I have enough fabric first. With these trim tools, you get great accuracy but sometimes have a bit more waste from trimming. 

Next up will be to get all that fabric starched and ready to go.

Finally, I have one last summery project that I hope to convince a few of you to sew along with me. In my next post, I will tell you more about it. It involves fabrics in reds, dark blues, and light blues, and is based on the Moda Bakeshop sew-along Summer In the Country, which happened a few years back. I always wanted to make that quilt, and think now may be the time for it. Click the link to read the Moda Bakeshop FAQ sheet and see all the free block patterns.

Back in the Saddle...Again

I got back up in the sewing room and let me tell you:  I have plans.

Mercantile blocks need to be trimmed and sewn together. That project is on hold until I receive the additional backing fabric required for my setting triangles.

So I decided to work on the first of my three summery projects, which is to finish up the Jubilee blocks I started a few months back. I love these bright happy colors, which are from a couple of older fabric collections I have had laying around. I have 15 of the 20 blocks finished, so this will be an easy finish.

I am a tiny bit short of fabric for these blocks because I am using a layer cake, which I starched. Layer cakes will shrink a bit in one direction when you starch them, and I needed 3 five-inch squares and one four-inch square to make these blocks. I figured out a way to do it with the fabric I have on hand, but it was like re-inventing the wheel when I had to make a block after setting the project aside for months. That will teach me. Or not. 

For the Hourglass units, I am using my Lori Holt 4" Cute Cuts trim tool, which is working brilliantly.

Archie is settling back into being home after two weeks of boarding at our local veterinary hospital. I can't say the episode sat very well with him. He wouldn't eat while there and consequently lost weight. You can click on the photo to enlarge it to see. He had diarrhea from stress and was quite mopey and sad. When we picked him up, instead of being overjoyed to see us, like Ozzie always was, he acted trembly and afraid as if he were being punished. He was kind of grubby, so we got him to see our dog groomer for an "emergency bath". They promised to give him lots of love and attention. He has been sticking right by my side at all times. I think it will take a while for him to get over the experience. At least his appetite is back to normal now that he is home—poor guy. Next time we go away we will figure out something else so he doesn't feel like he has been abandoned. 

Patchwork Star

This cute block is called Patchwork Star and is one of the last five blocks in the Mercantile sew-along, hosted by Lori Holt of Bee in My Bonnet. I am enjoying making the blocks and think the quilt is going to be lovely, but to be honest, I am looking forward to having the sew-along be over and done with.

I think I am ready to just work on some projects at my own pace and not have to adjust my progress to any sort of schedule. I am in the mood to continue working with bright, summery colors and think I'd like to get back to the Jubilee blocks (from The Pattern Basket) that I started last month.  

And after I get that wrapped up, starting a red, white, and blue quilt project is at the top of my To Do list. I am thinking that I want to do the Moda Bake Shop "Summer in the Country" project from a couple of years back. Click on the link to take a look at the project and the blocks. If you never got around to making that quilt, you might even want to sew along with me! I'll keep you posted as to when I am ready to start. 

I have been a real homebody lately. I have been reading, starting a new journal, planning a trip to visit Ahren next month. Just general puttering. Auditioning clothes to pack for our vacation has been the most fun thing I've been up to.

I bought three rain jackets from Nordstrom which all got returned. These days I think most of us are shopping online. COVID really changed the shopping experience didn't it? The stores don't seem to carry as much inventory, and lots of us just got away from the habit of regularly going to the Mall. The biggest problem with shopping online is not being able to try things on to get a good flattering fit. I've bought a slew of things from Nordstrom, Talbots, Ann Taylor, and others. Most all of it went back. Nordstorm is great about offering free return shipping, but Talbots charges $8/95 to ship it to you and deducts another $8.95 from your refund if you make a return by mail!!!

Once I get my wardrobe sorted out, I'll share with you what I am packing.

Hope your week got off to a good start!

Hourglass Block of the Month from The Quilt Spot

I have not shared much about this block-of-the-month program, because I haven't been working on it. I signed up a year ago and the 11th month just arrived yesterday. The box where I was storing the monthly packages was getting full, so I opened it up yesterday and decided it was time to start in on making the blocks. 

The project is called Hourglass and is organized by The Quilt Spot. They have a huge selection of block-of-the-month projects, definitely something for everyone. This one is made with a French General collection called La Boheme-gorgeous slate blues, greys, and cream. Each month you make two blocks with the fabric and pattern they send. You also need a finishing kit for the alternate log cabin blocks, and borders.

If you sign up, you are on your own to construct the blocks and put the quilt together. There isn't any support group or actual "sew along" activity. Every month you get your next batch of fabric and pattern. Also, you can join up anytime, as there isn't any specified start date. This project is still available on their website. As I said, I've let mine sit for nearly a year and now plan an accelerated sewing plan where I complete two blocks each week rather than each month. 

If you enjoy the concept of block of the month sewing, but prefer to go at your own pace and convenience, you should take a look at what they have to offer. I know you will find something you love. Nobody pays me to share this information, I just do it because you might be interested.

My first two blocks. The quilt will have kind of a "night and day" effect, and each block seems to reflect that. (And yes, I did recover my ironing tabletop yesterday! This fabric isn't too exciting, but I had a piece the right size, and wanted something that didn't have colored dye that would transfer to my sewing when I ironed it.)

One thing I LOVE about their pattern instructions is that each unit is made oversized and trimmed down to perfection. I used my 3 1/2" BlockLoc trim tool and Lori Holt's Cute Cuts 3 1/2" trim tool.

I'm all set for Month 2!

That's it for today. Hope your week got off to a great start. Come back tomorrow because I am sharing a new tool that I just got and I think you will love it.

Sunny Patches Rows 1-5

If you would like to make a quick, colorful, fun, free, and easy quilt this summer, I highly recommend you check out the Sunny Patches sew-along hosted by Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts. Beginners and more experienced qulters:  this quilt will be right up your alley. Corey publishes detailed instructions on her website Coriander Quilts, but also does YouTube video tutorials where she coaches you step by step of the way. Also, she gives a beginner-friendly option for each of the pieced blocks, so don't let them scare you.
Did I mention the patterns are completely free? 

This sew-along started in March with the 29 Jelly Roll blocks. Each month (April through September) a pieced block pattern is released (for a total of six), with the sew-along slated to complete in September. All patterns are free and on Corey's website. She also gives you optional quilt settings for each monthly quilt block should you choose to make a quilt using just one block pattern.

All you need is a jelly roll of a colorful, summery fabric collection and some yardage. You will find perfect fabrics in recent collections by Fig Tree, Coriander Quilts, Camille Rosskelley, and Sherri and Chelsi. The quilt finishes at 69" square, but you could sure add a border and make it larger. 

More experienced quilters could easily complete what you see above in a weekend. First, you make the 29 jelly roll blocks, which are super simple. Just make sure your fabric strips are oriented horizontally before you make your large half-square triangle units. Pay attention to the cutting instructions. Anyway, make the jelly roll blocks on Saturday and get started on the pieced blocks on Sunday. There will be six rows, with one pieced block in each row. I think I am going to sew my four completed rows together as I complete them and then it will be a snap to add on the remaining two rows when the last two pieced block patterns are released in August and September.

As you know if you follow my blog, I have had a busy summer, with our son visiting, getting a new puppy, working part-time, and the usual running around transporting Eva to swim team, basketball camp, and volleyball camp. I still have had time to work on this Sunny Patches sew-along and have enjoyed every minute. Don't hesitate to jump in! At the end of the summer, you will have a cheerful summery quilt to put out next summer!