Charm Dash Quilt Along – Homage to the Amish

charm dash quilt

Ms. Midge you created a wonderful pattern for charm packs. She put out a call for bloggers in January and so glad I emailed her.

Following a pattern is not normally my thing, but I set out this year to try new things. As soon as I saw the pattern I knew the colors I wanted to use. Solids, lots of solids with a black background. Why black you may be asking? No clue other than I have a bolt of it sitting in my sewing space that was looking neglected.

See trying new things: black background, using a pattern and being apart of a blog hop.

I had a number of solids scraps left over from cutting the Bright Birch Quilt squares and wanted to use them. The olive greenish color is a bit out of my normal color palette. Most came from my scrap basket that is currently overflowing. (That’s a whole other project)

solids

Cutting the fabrics was not difficult and had very little waste. I appreciate when a designer creates without much waste in cutting and trimming. I have avoided some patterns that I’ve been oogling for a while because there is so much waste in cutting and trimming. Who wants to waste good fabric?

For a baby sized quilt I needed 12 blocks and I opted for no borders. I made labels for each of the background pieces to help with organization. I would encourage anyone making this pattern to do something similar, helps to keep things straight as you’re piecing.

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I started by blocks in February at the IMQG Sewing Retreat. Another quilter said, “the black makes the block look Amish.” Hmmm. I had not seen that in my design choice but think the name Homage to the Amish is quite fitting.

charm dash block

My plan was to have this quilt prior to a road trip a couple of weekends ago. I had really wanted to try hand quilting it to fit with the Amish theme.  Of course that didn’t happen so the quilt had to come with me on a business trip to Iowa. Yes, I brought my sewing machine in my carry on. TSA was quite surprised.  I quilted most of this from the comforts of my hotel room in Dubuque, Iowa.  Prior to leaving I had it all marked and basted.  Straight lines in an off centered X kept coming to me as I was basting.

charm dash quilt basted

Too bad I ran out of thread on my trip.  Can you say late night sewing upon my return??  How else would I operate, I mean seriously.  Hubby and I turned on the Walking Dead episodes we were behind on as I finished up my quilt.

For the binding I went bright orange solid.  The backing is perfect for the little guy that will get this quilt.  This fabric has been in my stash for a few years waiting for this couple to have a baby.  That baby I was holding the fabric back for is now a toddler, oops.

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I’m loving the density of this quilt.  It’s not too heavy and is still snuggly.  Pdawg gives it his seal of approval, I mean stomp.

charm dash quilt

charm dash quilt

If you can’t tell this quilt is going to NYC, not very Amish.

charm dash quilt

If you are looking for a charm pack pattern to add to your collection, you should really consider picking one of these up.  Pop over and get your own copy of the Charm Dash pattern instantly on Etsy.  

Ms Midge

Catch up with all the other bloggers during the hop, the schedule is below.

 

Friday 13th March – Sarah Goer –  Things I Make

Monday 16th March – Linden Vine –  Vinelines Quilting

Wednesday 18th March – Crystal McGann – Raspberry Spool

Friday 20th March – Anita LaHay – Day Dreams Of Quilts

Monday 23rd March – Progress Report – Ms Midge

Wednesday 25th March – Tsoniki Crazy Bull –  Me Being Crafty

Friday 27th March – Tisha Nagel  –  Quilty Therapy

Monday 30th March – Progress Report – Ms Midge  

Wednesday 1st April – Kathy Gordon –  Kwilty Pleasures

Friday 3rd April – Angie Wilson –  Gnome Angel

Monday 6th April –  Roslyn Russell – Sew Delicious

Wednesday 8th April – Abby Rudakov – Things For Boys

Thursday 9th April – Final Post and Linky open  – msmidge.com.au