Sister's Choice Quilts

Fancy Summer Breeze

Isn't this pull of fabric happy? It is a combination of Lori Holt's "Prim" and "Flea Market", Corey Yoder's "Spring Brook", and Lily Ashbury's "Fancy". I think Lily Ashbury was ahead of her time with those fun bright-hued fabrics. They are hugely popular now with designers such as Lori Holt and April Rosenthal putting out two or more collections a year.

My Lily Ashbury fabrics are several years old and were pulled out of my "Happy Fabrics" bin for a new project I have in mind. 

How cute is this pattern "Summer Breeze" by Carried Away? That border is wonderful. It is a mini quilt, only 26" square. I have enough fabric to make six of these quilts, I swear. I will just be dipping my toe into it. I sure do love shopping from home!

Here is my first little test pinwheel block. I think I love it.

What prompted this new project, when I have six UFOs in process?

Well, I was trying to get out some springy table toppers/runners to decorate for Easter, and was sorely disappointed in my lack of them. I had plenty of fall decor, but not much cheerful, light and appropriate for this time of year and going forward. These rich, color-saturated colors are perfect.

Please somebody tell me I have enough fall-colored quilts. And for heaven's sake, if I start yet another red and white quilt, somebody call the quilt police.

La Rouge Baskets and Half-Square Triangles

I think I mentioned in a previous post that my son gave me a large quantity of beautiful French General fabrics in dark pinks and faded reds. As it happens, the most recent issue of American Patchwork and Quilting has featured a gorgeous basket quilt made with French General fabrics. I was so inspired, I did not have to think twice about making this quilt. It is a big undertaking, that's for sure. 

The quilt is queen-sized (92 1/2" square), calling for 64 8" basket blocks and a border of 52 6 1/2" basket blocks. Good grief, that is a lot of basket blocks.  This quilt is going to take me awhile.

Basket blocks call for a lot of half-square triangles. Each of my 8" blocks needs 12 half-square triangles. I will be making two blocks at a time, and wanted an organized system for making them. I decided to go with Star Singles triangle paper in the 1 1/2" finished size (2" unfinished). There are a lot of triangle papers out there, and I was introduced to this brand about 12 years ago and prefer it to the others. I order mine from Shabby Fabrics.

The secret to successfully using triangle papers is to use a very small stitch on your machine. I set my stitch length to about 1.65. With two fabrics right sides together, stitch on the dotted lines all around the paper.

Trim it up on the outside solid line.

Cut it in quarters on the solid lines. Then cut each of the four squares in half on the solid diagonal lines. You will have eight half-square triangles from each triangle paper. Since I need 24 hsts for two basket blocks, I use three triangles papers to get the right number of units.

Here is a trick for removing the paper.  Fold the paper on the seam line and crease with your finger. Because of the tiny stitch length you used, that paper is going to tear off so easily.

And you know what? If you have stitched carefully on the dotted lines on the paper, your triangles will measure exactly what they should be when you press them.

For my "system", I am filling individual sandwich bags with the units to make two identical basket blocks. Once I fill all my sandwich blocks, I will start making the blocks. Right now I have 12 blocks ready to sew together. Once I empty all my sandwich baggies, I will start over cutting the units for more basket blocks.

I am pretty excited about this project. I know it will take me the better part of the year, but what the heck. I certainly am not going anywhere....

In other news, my dad is still doing well. Recovering from his mild stroke, no aftereffects from the COVID vaccine. I won't go stay with him until Friday afternoon this week, then I'll come home Sunday and one of my other sisters will take over. Our snow melted, but we are expecting a big storm any day now which could bring more. Fingers crossed I won't have to drive in it!

Hope you all are safe and warm and cozy!

 

 

 

 

Jelly Roll Jammin'

The Internet has been all a-buzz about jelly rolls in the past couple of weeks, so of course, I had to do something with them too. Primitive Gatherings has just come out with a really pretty new collection called "Redwork Gatherings," as well as a pattern, especially for jelly rolls.

This quilt is so easy. As a matter of fact, the name of the pattern is "Take It Easy." Honestly, I think you could make it in a weekend! The quilt is good-sized, 72" x 78". If you love red and white quilts, this could be a lovely addition to your collection.

I got my strips all starched and ironed, then cut into the strips required by the pattern. I can plug in a podcast or an audible book and stitch away.

Did you start any jelly roll projects as a result of the recent promos of them? I know I don't use them enough. It is a fun way to use up every bit of a couple of jelly rolls! You could even make it smaller and go with just one.

Saying goodbye to September. Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

It's All About Contrast

See what I mean?  I made the block on the left as part of the Moda BlockHeads 3 Sew-Along.  Block #37 "Broken Dishes" by Laurie Simpson. My first effort did not have much contrast.  It's ok but look at the difference in the block on the right. Greater contrast in the color tones makes the block on the right much more interesting, I think.

This block pattern is worth printing out, even if you are not doing the Moda BlockHeads 3 Sew-Along.  The construction of it is totally unique. You might think it is four hourglass blocks with larger background corners attached, but you would be wrong.  The construction of this block is so different.  Go ahead, make one. It will blow your mind!

Much starching of fabric has been going on. Out on my side porch, rack after rack of fat quarters has been saturated with spray starch and hung out to dry. I got it all ironed yesterday, and I am ready to start a new project.

Aaahhh. Just look at those beautiful fabrics.  Evelyn's Homestead by Betsy Chutchian for Moda. Plum, green, black, pink, and navy. I will use these in a new sew along sponsored by Fat Quarter Shop, called Sewcialites. If you haven't heard about it, you must click on the link and read up on it. I think it is going to be so much fun.  Whether you like modern fabrics or more traditional ones, this may be a project that appeals to you. Kimberly Jolly of FQS will do videos every Friday on how to make the blocks, setting suggestions, and more.

I need another sew-along, or any new project whatsoever like I need a hole in the head, but what the heck.  Life is short; you might as well be sewing. And that's what I'll be doing this weekend.

Cinnaberry

So, this is happening.  My son Ahren gave me a fat eighth bundle of Cinnaberry by 3 Sisters for Mother's Day.  Moda had a free pattern for using it, which called for a layer cake and an additional 1/3 yard of each of the cream fabrics in the line, plus more cream for the setting triangles.  They also used a package of Cake Mix #4 piecing papers.  Well,  I didn't have what they were asking for to make the quilt, so I improvised.  Here's what I had:  the fat eighth bundle, eight additional cream fat quarters and 1 1/2 yards of a cream print for the setting triangles and border/binding. 

I used my Easy Angle ruler to make the 4 1/2 inch half square triangles.  I didn't even trim them up, as they were all coming out right at 4 1/2".   

Laying out these 244 half square triangles without messing up the design is taking longer than making the things in the first place.  Get one of these units turned wrong and it will haunt you forever. Ask me how I know that.

You can tell I was getting tired down there at the bottom left.  I had to quit and promise to pick up again tomorrow.  

I think this is going to be an outstanding quilt to display during the holidays.  And honestly, a red and white quilt is good pretty much all year long.  I love the fabrics and the simplicity of the quilt design.  Overall, it has a very elegant vibe, doesn't it?

Check in with me later this week, I hope to have made some progress sewing the diagonal rows together!

Something New

I am visiting my father for a couple of days this week, so I won't be doing a full-blown post today.  We have been attending to a couple of long-overdue doctor's appointments.  Remember the MRI I had back in February?  I finally got in to talk to the doctor about my results.  That is what, five months I had to wait due to the pandemic?  Goodness.  And my poor dad has been experiencing some troublesome changes in his vision which really need to be addressed.  

It turns out my hip doesn't hurt because of arthritis or other disease.  I had a small tear in one of the tendons in my hip!  It isn't hurting so much anymore, which is a sign that it is healing.  The doctor kept asking me "You didn't have some sort of trauma or injury to your hip, did you?  Are you sure?"  Um, no.  I am sure I would remember if I had fallen or otherwise strained myself.  Unless it was all that walking in Ireland and England last September....

The photo above is a new little project I started this past weekend.  Sunflowers are just so perfect for this time of year, through September really.  I associate them with late summer and harvest and all the lovely days before Fall truly kicks in.  I love this block, which is a design by Lynn Hagemeier of Kansas Troubles Quilts.  I will fill you in on the pattern and other details once I get home and back to my sewing room.

What Was I Thinking?

Well, this is a UFO in all sense of the word.  I discovered this little project box in my sewing room closet and just stared at it open-mouthed.  What had I been planning?  There were the makings for flying geese units, some strips in various sizes, a whole lot of black and orange fabrics.  No pattern, no notes.  What in the world had I been thinking I was going to make with all this?

I started searching through my books and found a super cute pattern that I think will work great for this mystery assortment.

Are you familiar with the Moda All Stars book "Mini Marvels"?  It has patterns for 15 little quilts that are full of wonderful design elements.  Right there on the cover is a great little quilt that involves flying geese and log cabin blocks.  Here is a better picture of the quilt:

The pattern is called Cabin Skein and is by Carrie Nelson.  I will have to cut my flying geese and strips down to a smaller size for this project, but that is easily done.  This will be such a cute October table topper in those black and orange fabrics!  It will finish at about 20" as I recall, just right for a candle or little vignette of some kind.  

I have to confess, I got the sixty four 1 1/2 x 2 1/2" flying geese all made and thought "I'll just get cracking on those 4 1/2" log cabin blocks".  Wrong.  I made two of them and they were so wonky and misshapen I was ashamed.  I am so used to using trim tools and special rulers to ensure the accurate size of my blocks that I guess I can't live without them.  I have the Creative Grids Log Cabin Trim Tool in both the 8" and the 6" sizes and my blocks always come out perfectly.  So, I got on the computer and ordered the 4" size.  It should come by Wednesday and I will be back in business. 

Sometimes you just need the right tool for the job!

Quarantine Chronicles Day 296

It may not be 296 days of self-isolation, but it sure feels like it.  I had a live video phone call with one of my sisters yesterday and I was embarrassed to have dirty hair, no makeup and sweats on.  She looked much better than I did, I assure you.  It was nice to at least touch base with a living soul other than my husband.

The fabrics in the basket above are slightly different than the ones I posted last week.  I swapped out the former blues for some new ones that are brighter in tone.  The color is called "Cadet Blue".  I like it.  I also received the neutral fabrics I ordered online.  When I order online I try to shop independent shops that have an online presence, rather than "big box" fabric stores.  I occasionally order from the larger outfits, but right now it is the small companies that are getting my business.  And they are so grateful.  In three out of my last five orders I got a nice handwritten note included telling me how much they appreciate my business during these troubled times.

The Piecing the Past Sew Along starts next week, and I am excited about it.  I  have gotten about half the fabrics starched and pressed and ready to go.  I wish this sew-along was a little faster paced than a block a week, but I will live with it.  Heaven knows I have enough other UFOs to work on to fill my time.

These are my most recent Book of the Month Club selections, which got here in record time despite the delays in shipping I hear folks are experiencing.  Have you read any of them?  I love the title "The Guest List- You'd Kill to be On It".  Makes me want to jump right in.

Hope your week is going well.  Gosh, every day is feeling kind of the same isn't it?

Productive Weekend

I did not set foot outside my house for the past three days, and got a lot of sewing done!  My husband being glued to the tv watching various football games also helped my productivity level.

What have I been working on?  Well, a couple of things.  My main sewing project is First Flake in navy and white.  It is simple strip piecing, but you have to have your wits about you when you are laying out the pieces because it is very easy to turn one of those half square triangles the wrong way and end up spending some time bonding with your seam ripper.  I speak from experience.  I have 18 rows completed, sewn into two nine row sections.  I think this is such a striking looking quilt and cannot wait to display it.

I've also done some wool appliqué, which was fun, but ended up looking like a ten-year-old did it.  That's ok, I am enjoying myself and know I will get better with practice.   In 2020 I want to listen to more audiobooks, and these little projects are a good thing to work on with my hands while I do that.

That super cute mug is one of my favorite new things, from Anthropologie.  Only $12 and worth every penny.  I love the look of the tiny subway tiles and the beautiful initial.  Don't worry, if your name doesn't start with "N" they still have you covered.  It makes me happy when I have my coffee!

Triangle Zipper Pouches

These two funny looking things are triangle zipper pouches.  I watched a couple of YouTube videos to get the basic instructions.  They went together easily, with a few trial and error mishaps.  I sewed those D ring tabs on wrong about four times but got it right in the end.  I will provide more details in my next post.

For now, as it is late, as I write this, I will say, the smaller size was the more successful.

You can whip these up in no time, I will say that.  More tomorrow.