If you’re having a bad day or need to see some amazing colors, take a look at the #charmingplusquilt and #charmingplusqal tags. Those that participated created delightful versions of the quilt. Go check it out when you have a chance.
Scrappy Version
Can I be bias for a minute? This is one of my favorite versions of this quilt so far. These are my colors. Go look in my closet, most of my clothes are in range of this palette. Best part is that I had forgotten about this scrap stash I found hiding in a box. It’s the perfect baby size and is available for a new home. It’s available on Etsy.
I pondered what to back this quilt in and remembered there was an Amy Butler gray print in my destash box. It was the perfect size and really compliments the front.
Kona Navy makes for a binding that coordinates well with all the colors. Quick and easy straight line quilting and machine binding.
Bundle Version
At first I was scared to dig into this bundle and put it to use. However, it feels good to have finished something with the bundle and know it’s waiting for a new home. Update 8/4/17: This quilt has moved on to it’s new home.
The backing on this version was a bit tougher to select. I almost went with the golden yellow, but couldn’t find the right shade. Crimson Tate had this Follie print in stock and enough to piece a back.
In my stash was less than a fat quarter of the black and gray dots. Seriously, when I was adding the binding the last bit had just enough to make a seam. Cut that one close :).
Overall
Having made this quilt a number of times I’m digging the 3″ square size for blocks. I have some 1.5″ squares in my scraps. Wonder what they would look like in this quilt? Or mixed together with larger squares? Guess that means I will be making more in the future.
This was one of my last projects in 2016. The binding was finished on New Year’s Eve. Since then I have been working on some items around the house and projects. Plus, I really wanted to wait to show off this quilt after it had been gifted.
More geese made from stash and scrap fabrics. Ahhh….except
There are a couple of OOPS . Can you find them?
It could have been the burn out from working on a bagillion geese blocks between the two quilts. See the previous quilt here. Maybe it was the fabrics that were “straightened up” on a random day. I think it’s important to be honest note not every project is “perfect.” I’m okay with that as a maker. Honestly, you probably wouldn’t notice unless I mentioned it and you did zoom in on the above photo.
The last 5-7 sets of geese on this quilt were just a creative roadblock. In the end I love how it turned out. For the backing I dug into my vintage sheet collection. It’s a great selection especially if you knew the parents, they may be into sports.
Orange solid binding was a great way to wrap up this quilt. That is hand sewn binding on the back. No machine binding this time.
It’s now gone to our friends that are expecting a boy very soon. I hope they use it and enjoy the quilt.
Another quilt entered in a show with a dismal result. My quilt was rejected QuiltCon 2017. There was some wine involved after getting the email, but my perspective hasn’t changed on the whole process. Check the #quiltconreject tag on Instagram and Facebook for a delightful show of quilts. There are some amazing rejects!
I make quilts that interest me, challenge my skills and abilities. Maybe they aren’t show worthy and that’s okay. Let’s highlight some positives from this experience:
I accepted the challenge, even though I forgot I signed up
Worked, begged and borrowed with other quilters for their fabrics if they weren’t using
Quilted densely with almost free motion
Made and submitted a quilt by the deadline (BOOM)
This is a functional art piece. The title is “Wait, how many squares?” My concept was to create something that would get people talking. Looking deeper into the quilt and pausing for a moment to appreciate it. It’s for sale if anyone is interested. I’m going to post on Etsy over the weekend.
So how many pieced squares do you see created by fabric? Hint: the quilt is square.
The headline isn’t just click bait. It’s the truth. These are my tricks to work on multiple quilts at once.
Keep the plan simple
Similar color palettes are helpful
Batch work for cutting and sewing
Optional: wine or adult beverage of your choice, along with something to binge on Netflix.
If you have been a reader for a while, you may not be surprised by my tricks. However I wanted to highlight the process for those that may be curious. Currently, I have a commission for three baby quilts. Here are the details: all are for girls, simple patchwork, and two are for twins.
After discussing with my client, she wanted something similar to this.
I had a bunch of pink and purple already cut into 2.5″ squares from this quilt.
She opted to go with the smaller squares which makes more seams and work but the overall effect will be great. The color choices for both quilts are very similar:
Lilac, gray and white (1)
Pink, mint, gray and white (2)
Keep the plan simple
All 2.5″ squares. First, I head to my scrap bins and pull any 5″, 3″ and 2.5″ squares already cut in these colors. Then head to uncut scraps and start pulling out larger pieces in the various shades. I pulled a variety of purple and pink colors since I’m not sure if I want to add more variety to the layout. In digging through the scraps there were some softer shades of orange that I thought could play will with both color palettes. Prepping everything now into 2.5″ squares will save time if I need to add more later.
I did also select a few new fabrics during a shopping trip to make sure the quilt had enough variety. It was important to pick out fabrics I knew would compliment my stash and be able to use again.
Keep a few prints, solids, and colors nearby in case you need them. I had pulled out some khaki/tan prints thinking I wouldn’t use them with the twins’ quilts, but they added a nice break up in the colors.
Similar color palettes are helpful
To complete these quilts I will need big stacks of white and gray. Scraps were sorted through first, then on to the larger cuts of fabrics. To assist with color selection I spent some time at Crimson Tate picking out backing fabrics. I was able to get the backing and binding options selected for all three quilts before I started sewing. This helped me with planning colors to pick and draw from. Full disclosure: the fabrics purchased were not apart of my fabric budget for November.
Batch work for cutting and sewing
This is truly the secret right here. However, I needed the first two steps to prepare for this. As noted above everything is cut to 2.5″ squares. Each color is sorted and stacked.
Tips:
Put in a new needle, clean your machine, and oil if recommended from your manufacturer
Have a few bobbins wound
Keep a small pair of scissors nearby
Turn on a movie or show
Relax your shoulders and stretch a bit
Get sewing. Keep it random and don’t overthink combinations. You have already picked colors that work together, just sew and worry about the placement at the end. When you think you’re done, sew some more. To make a baby sized quilt you need about 320 squares.
Take breaks if needed. Break it out over a couple of days or sessions so you don’t overthink it. I have found overthinking my selections really slows the batch sewing down. If you feel like you want to add in something else, grab from your extras you already have set aside. You can always remove them as you are laying out the quilt.
Once you have completed all your squares, I find it helpful to press the seams open to help everything lay flat during layout. From here I just start sorting into piles. I sorted any pieces with gold metallic into a pile and then broke that into two. In the end I had three piles, one for each quilt.
During layout of the quilt, I grab some batting and just start laying out pieces. Generally I put the top row middle(ish) piece in first and then work my way down in a zig zag. Then I just begin filling in the quilt with my 2 block sets. Moving pieces around and exchanging for others if needed to complete the look.
Using my left to right sewing method I stack up each row and continue chain piecing until all the rows are finished. I do label the rows as I’m sewing them for ease later on. After each row is completed I press the seams in opposite directions to nest easily in the next piecing steps.
Quilting in simple straight lines takes no time. Plus machine binding. Throw those quilts in the washer, with a Shout color catcher of course, and dry.
Thank you for the kind words on this all stash baby quilt. I love this top and will be sad to see it go to it’s new home. Deep in my stash was a Michael Miller animal print that I had a half yard left of. Considering mom is a vet tech, it’s a great fit.
For the quilting I went simple horizontal lines to contrast the vertical columns. Plus, it looks extra crinkly once it’s washed.
The bolt of corn yellow Kona I have is slowly dwindling down, but there are many more yards to go. Maybe yellow will be my binding of choice for 2017. Ha!
Did you have a chance to look at the tutorial I shared? Easy peezy with those instructions. If you haven’t, it’s below.
PS…there is another version coming of this quilt with more all stash fabrics and an update on the dwindling fabric budget.
Shock is the best way to describe the morning we learned what took place in Orlando overnight. As I listened to the news stories later that day I was stunned. Mass shootings make zero sense to me, that is a whole other topic not fit for this blog.
Previously, I have mentioned that my brother in law is gay. This hits too close to home.
Well, quilters make things when people are in need and the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild has organized a wonderful quilt drive. They are projecting over 1,000 quilt will be received. Here are two I am contributing, my friend Rachael is sending along another. Look at that crinkly goodness.
Let me iterate that number again…
1,000 quilts
That is amazing. What is even better is what the OMQG is going to do with them. They have identified over 800 people directly impacted from the shooting. Survivors, deceased family members, first responders, and the medical community that served the injured.
With the three quilts Rachael and I pieced, we have still have some blocks leftovers. After a discussion with the OMQG and their current workload I’m not sending the remaining blocks. Instead, I will keep them here and make a quilt to donate to a local organization supporting the lgbtq community. This wasn’t an easy decision to make but still supports the original mission of the quilts.
Thank you to my wonderful friends and family that wanted blocks made and those that contributed to getting these finished. You guys are awesome.
Finally a shout out my coworker Christine. She sent me these wonderful blocks. Once I talked to OMQG I decided to make her own quilt and rock it. Digging through the stash there were lots of solids just sitting there.
Check out the back using all solids. Reminded me of Tetris as I was putting it together.
These are going in the mail today and heading to Orlando. My wish is that they provide comfort and peace to a person or family after this event.
