Strippy Baby Quilt

The strippy baby quilt has been completed! This quilt was made for a baby shower being held today, which I found out about just a few days ago. The short time meant I needed to come up with a super quick quilt to make.

After looking around at various ideas on Pinterest, I decided to make a quilt-as-you-go strippy quilt. My main inspiration came from MaryQuilts.com. First I chose a focus fabric (the one on the left end) and a fabric for the backing (the monkey print.) Then I pulled one light print and five brights that coordinate well with the focus fabric.

I didn't have time to put together a whole tutorial and series of photos of my process, but the construction is a basic stitch-and-flip technique. I can tell you what sizes I cut the strips. These will make a quilt that measures 36" x 42.5".

Focus fabric:  Cut 4 strips @ 5" x 37"

Light fabric:   Cut 8 strips @ 2" x 37"

Brights:  Cut 1 strips from each fabric @ 3" x 37"

My backing and batting were both cut at 38" wide x 48" long. I laid the backing out wrong side up, then spread the batting over it. I marked a horizontal line across the center of the batting as a guideline for my first strips. I started at the center of the quilt with the red strip right side up and one light strip, wrong side up, with the two strips laid along the guideline. Stitch the strips down through all layers (batting and backing.) Press the light strip flat. 

Next lay another light strip wrong side up against the other edge of the red strip. Stitch light strip down, then press. Continue adding strips, working out toward both ends of the quilt. Once all the strips have been stitched down, you can square up the quilt, trimming along the four outer edges. Add a binding and your quilt is finished! 

I will be sharing this with the following linky parties.:

Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Let's Make Baby Quilts at Michelle's Romantic Tangle

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict 

Julie in GA

Stash Report Sunday 9/27/15

For the second week in a row, there were no additions to my stash this week. It feels so good to be clearing out a little space in my sewing room!

A couple days ago I found out about a baby shower for a co-worker that is being held on Monday. Wait a second, did you say this Monday?! Unfortunately, I don't have any baby quilts in reserve, so I made a cute quilt-as-you-go baby quilt yesterday and will finish the binding on it today.

Here are the fabrics I used in the baby quilt. The print on the left is the focus fabric, and the monkey print is the back of the quilt. I will show the finished quilt tomorrow (I hope!) and maybe include instructions for how I made it.

TOTALS: 

Used this week:                    3.50 yards     

Used year to date:          129.625 yards

Stashed this week:                    0  yards

Stashed year to date:      105.875 yards 

Net year to date:              23.75 yards used

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.  

Julie in GA

Throwback Thursday--Feathered Star

When I lived in Milwaukee, one of my favorite stores for quilting fabric was the Ben Franklin Crafts store in Oconomowoc, WI. They had (and still have) a large quilting area with a great selection of fabrics. Every year they would sponsor a quilt challenge which required buying their Challenge Pack, usually 3 or 4 fabrics in 1/4-yard pieces. A recognizable amount of each challenge fabric had to be used in the entry, along with other fabrics of my choice. For this quilt, I believe the challenge fabrics were the large floral print, the blue, and the plaid.

Feathered Star Medallion
Ben Franklin Challenge 1998
29" square

1998 was the first time I entered the Ben Franklin Challenge with this Feathered Star quilt. My piecing looks pretty good, especially for someone who had been quilting only a couple of years at this point. The bigger problem, both then and now, is in the quilting. This quilt definitely needed more quilting in the background areas, maybe some stippling around those flowers. Perhaps someday I will go back and add more quilting to this little quilt.

Check out other Throwback Thursday quilt posts at Krista Quilts. Even better, add your own post to the link-up. We'd love to see your quilts from the past! 


Julie in GA

Orphan Adoption Giveaway Winners

I find it very difficult to part with any of my stash of quilting projects and/or fabrics. Even UFOs that have been stashed away in boxes or bins for many years can seem too precious to give up, even though it is unlikely I will ever go back and finish them. 

Cynthia at Quilting is more fun than Housework just hosted the Fall 2015 Quilty Orphan Adoption Event. I believe she is planning to repeat this event again next March. Cynthia motivated me to pull out a couple of old projects to give away.

I offered up the following two projects for adoption, and it's time to announce the winners!

The first "orphan" is my Envelope mystery quilt blocks and pieces to make more. Winner #1 is Sherry who commented:
"WOW! Both projects are wonderful. It would be a pleasure to complete either one of them. My guild was just discussing upping our charity program to include more groups yesterday. . . either of these would be a great addition to our cause."

The second "orphan" is the Simple Symmetry partial blocks and extra fabric. The winner of this prize is Kat. Here is her comment:
"Hi, these are great projects! I'd love to have either one or both for my charity, Covered in Love. We provide quilts to the families of patients who pass away in the local hospital. Thanks for sharing!"

Congratulations to the winners! I have emailed both to send me their mailing addresses. Thanks to everyone for your interest in adopting my orphans. Keep watching for the next orphan adoption event in March at Quilting is more fun than Housework.

Julie in GA

Design Wall Monday 9/21/15

After avoiding this project for over a week because of my frustration with the pieced border, I pulled out my Tell It to the Stars quilt again last night. The good news is that I finally got the pieced border to fit (although it took close to two hours with lots of adjusting of seam allowances.) The bad news is that I have only finished the first side--there are still three more to go! They will have to wait until tonight or later in the week.

This quilt was Judy Laquidara's 2014 mystery quilt. For some insane reason, I decided to change the spacing on that pieced border instead of following Judy's instructions. I know now that I should have stuck with the original plan, but I will plow ahead and get the rest of my version finished soon (I hope!)

I am linking up to Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times and to Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt. Check them both out for lots of amazing quilting inspiration!

Julie in GA

Stash Report Sunday 9/20/15

For the first time in almost a month, there were no additions to my stash this week. Woohooo! It's time to get back to stash busting!

I made 28 Wonky Star blocks for Alycia's block drive. My sister has also been making blocks, and we are going to combine our efforts and put them all together into a Quilt of Valor.

In other stash reduction efforts, I have offered up two projects as part of the Quilty Orphan Adoption over at Cynthia's blog. You can read about my "orphans" HERE, then go check out the others available for adoption at Quilting is more fun than Housework. It's not too late to join in--the link up is still open all day Sunday. Maybe one of your unloved projects could find a new home!

TOTALS: 

Used this week:                    3.25 yards     

Used year to date:          126.125 yards

Stashed this week:                    0  yards

Stashed year to date:      105.875 yards 

Net year to date:              20.25 yards used

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.  

Fall 2015 Quilty Orphan Adoption

We all have them squirreled away in our quilting spaces--UFO projects that will never be finished, fabrics that we wonder why we bought them, orphan blocks and leftover pieces from past quilts. These orphans and UFOs are taking up valuable space, and in some cases lead to unnecessary guilt every time we unearth them from whatever box or bin they are hidden in.

Cynthia at Quilting is more fun than Housework is hosting an event to help all of us clear out some of those orphans and UFOs. It's time for the Fall 2015 Quilty Orphan Adoption Event. Each participant posts information and photos of the project/pieces they want to give away. Many are asking that the orphan project be finished and donated to charity.

I have two UFOs that I am offering up. Both were projects that were started in classes, and I just never went back to finish them up. I will ship to anywhere in the U.S.

#1 Envelopes: This project was a mystery class that my sister and I took together. We were told how many medium and dark fabrics to bring, and we did most of our cutting in advance. I was going for jewel tones, but ended up with a few blocks that don't fit in with the rest of the group very well (like that grey and red block near the center.) There are 24 blocks made, and they measure 8-1/2" finished.

This photo shows parts that have been cut for 9 more blocks.

Here are the parts for an additional 13 blocks, which are partially constructed.

Altogether you get 24 finished blocks and pieces to make 22 more. I will include the instructions for the pattern too. If you cut two more blocks from your stash, you will have 48 blocks total. That would make a nice size throw quilt measuring 51.5" x 68" without borders. I would love it if the person who get these blocks would donate the quilt to charity.

#2 Simple Symmetry: Another class project that just didn't hold my interest. The class was taught by Paula Nadelstern. She taught us how to use a symmetrical print to make beautiful kaleidoscopic effects. Here is the fabric I used and a photo of Paula's sample.

 I made enough blocks for two rows. The blocks have not been stitched together yet, and you can see the individual blocks at the right end. Each row when sewn together will measure approximately 7" x 21". 

In the next photo the top row of blocks have been rotated 180 degrees, completely changing the look of the row.

With the Simple Symmetry UFO, you would receive all the blocks shown, two additional yards of fabric, and the instructions brochure from the class.

Leave me a comment to let me know which "orphan" you would like to adopt. I will choose a recipient for each one next Wednesday, Sept. 23rd. Be sure to check out the rest of the quilty orphans over at Quilting is more fun than Housework.

Edited 9/23/15--This giveaway is now closed. The winners are Sherry and Kat, who have been emailed to get their mailing addresses. Congratulations on your adoptions!

Julie in GA

Orange Moons

My applique circle blocks keep moving along, with four more blocks being completed this week. I am trying to get a good range of colors from yellow-orange all the way to red-orange, and I like the collection so far. 

The following photo shows the original quilt that inspired my project. This quilt is called "True Colors" from the book Simple Circles and Quick Curves by Nancy Mahoney. As you can see, the colors on Nancy's quilt blend from one column into the next, such as red into red-orange into orange. I am hoping to achieve a similar gradation in mine. Before long I will put all my blocks up on the wall and figure out which colors need additional blocks made.

"True Colors" by Nancy Mahoney
from her book Simple Circles and Quick Curves

Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge every Saturday and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday. 

Also happening this weekend at Quilting is more fun than Housework is the Quilty Orphan Adoption Event. This is your chance to pass along an old UFO that you will never finish or fabric you will never use. You can also see what items other quilters are giving away. Check it out HERE. 

Edited 4:30 p.m.--I just added a blog post with two of my "orphans" that are up for adoption. You can read about them HERE.

Julie in GA

Wonky Stars

This past week has found me making more Wonky Star blocks for Alycia's QOV block drive. You can read more about it and find her instructions HERE.

I have completed 15 blocks, and there are several more cut out and ready to be put together. These blocks are fun and easy to make. Maybe I can finish enough for a whole quilt? 

I am linking up to Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict and WIPs Be Gone at A Quilting Reader's Garden.

Julie in GA

Throwback Thursday--Around the Twist

This week's Throwback Thursday quilt is a scaled-down version of the Around the Twist pattern, using 3" finished blocks. I liked the pattern but wasn't sure about making a large quilt from it, so I decided to try it out in a smaller size. It was probably the first time I ever set quilt blocks on the diagonal too. According to my records, I made this quilt top in the fall of 1995, around the time I took my first quilting class.

Around the Twist
23" x 31.5"

I was happy with the way the quilt top turned out, but the problems began when I attempted to quilt it. I had taken my first free-motion machine quilting class in 1996, and decided to use what I learned on this little quilt. My first mistake was using a thickish polyester batting. It made the quilt hard to handle, and the machine quilting really pulled the quilt in toward the center. I also don't like the look of the shiny nylon thread used for the quilting. It has been hanging around unfinished ever since then. Every once in a while I run across it and think about taking out all the quilting and trying again, but haven't talked myself into that yet.

Check out other Throwback Thursday quilt posts at Krista Quilts. Even better, add your own post to the link-up. We'd love to see your quilts from the past! 


Julie in GA

Design Wall Monday 9/14/15

After many UFO completions over the past several months, I've been feeling the need to play with something new for a change. I made a very quick and easy baby quilt top on Saturday (see it in yesterday's post.) My other new project is making Wonky Stars for the block exchange being hosted by Alycia. 

You can find Alycia's instructions for making these blocks HERE. She will be accepting blocks until Veteran's Day, 11/11/15. I have been the pieces cut for several more blocks, and I'm hoping to make enough for a whole Quilt of Valor.

I am linking up to Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times and to Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt. Check them both out for lots of amazing quilting inspiration!

Julie in GA

Stash Report Sunday 9/13/15

This week turned out to be a draw as far as stash busting efforts. I bought some fabric, but I also used the same amount. No change to my total for the year.

I showed the two fabrics that I bought in yesterday's post. Both are intended to become quilt backs. Some of my usage for the week was making a little quilt top to go with one of those backings.  Here is the group of fabrics I pulled. I took black and white photos of the fabrics to make sure I had the order right for the gradation of light to dark.

The quilt top is based on this tutorial by Jasmine over at Quilt Kisses. She has recently made 13 little quilts using this design. I changed my strip size just a bit from hers, and also made the border wider. It was very quick and easy. I think it took me almost as long to choose my fabrics for this as it did to get it put together. 

Diagonal Squares quilt top
40.5" x 48.5"

TOTALS: 

Used this week:                  2.875 yards     

Used year to date:          122.875 yards

Stashed this week:              2.875 yards

Stashed year to date:      105.875 yards 

Net year to date:              17 yards used

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.  

Orange Scrappy Fun

My scrappy orange productivity has continued for a second week. I finished 5 more circle blocks and 21 bowties. That might be enough bowties for the month, so I will need to find a different orange project to take their place for a few weeks.

I stopped at JoAnn Fabrics today looking for a fabric to use as the final border on my current UFO project. I struck out on that quest, but did find two clearance pieces that will be great for rainbow projects. The orange piece is flannel, and I am thinking I will make a quick kid's quilt featuring orange with the flannel on the back. The neon hearts fabric is a remnant of fleece that will be perfect as a quilt back on one of my rainbow quilts.

Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge every Saturday and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday. 

Julie in GA

Design Wall Monday 9/7/15

Happy Labor Day to all in the U.S. and Canada! I hope you are enjoying the day off and getting lots of time to quilt.

The majority of my quilting time last week was spent on my Tell It to the Stars quilt. This was the 2014 mystery quilt by Judy Laquidara. I had the center of my version all put together last fall, but ran into some problems with the borders and stuck it away in a box. It's time to get those borders finished and this quilt top done!

I decided to change the pieced border a little bit from Judy's design (you can see her finished version HERE.) I reduced the number of blocks that needed to be pieced for the border and also added a pieced corner square to that border. After the pieced border, there will be a narrow border of the background, and a final wide border. 

My biggest problem on this quilt right now (besides pinning and stitching all those endless border seams!) is that I don't have a fabric for the final border. I went to three different quilt shops on Saturday looking for a Southwest type print, but none of them had anything. I have found some possibilities on-line, but would much rather see the fabric in person to be sure I like the colors and scale of the print. The search continues...

I am linking up to Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times and to Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt. Check them both out for lots of amazing quilting inspiration!

Julie in GA

Stash Report Sunday 9/6/15

There has been lots of cutting and sewing happening in my sewing room this week, but nothing completed. No fabric used to report.

In a weak moment, I ordered some fabric from Connecting Threads (at least it was all on sale!) I got mostly RWB prints, plus a couple of lime green and blue pieces to join the others that I have been collecting for a new project. I must have been in a stripey mood--I didn't realize until the order arrived that almost all of my choices were stripes.

TOTALS: 

Used this week:                      0.0 yards     

Used year to date:              120.0 yards

Stashed this week:                5.25 yards

Stashed year to date:          103.0 yards 

Net year to date:              17 yards used

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.  

Quick Start in Orange

I got off to a quicker start than usual on my blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this month, mostly because I started cutting up my orange scraps in August. I knew we would be using orange in one of the remaining months, and I had some time available to get a head start on it.

There are already 31 Bowtie blocks stitched up, and plenty of orange squares cut for the rest. I was slowed down a bit by running out of pre-cut background squares, so I have been working on cutting up more light squares. Check out the gradation of colors!

I got totally carried away while cutting orange circles for my applique blocks. So far I have three blocks stitched and three more prepped, plus about 15-20 more circles cut out. I will have plenty of hand stitching to do on the train this month.

Be sure to check out all of the wonderful scrappy projects at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge and at Oh Scrap! over at Quilting is more fun than Housework on Sunday. I am also joining the link-up for Scraptastic Tuesday.


Julie in GA