Perfectly Pieced Quilt Backs Blog Hop

Today is the publication date for Kelly Young's wonderful new book, Perfectly Pieced Quilt Backs. I was one of the lucky quilters who was asked by Kelly to make one of her quilt back patterns and share my thoughts on the new book.

It's no surprise that Kelly would write a book about pieced quilt backs. She shares photos regularly on her blog/website, My Quilt Infatuation, including both the fronts and backs of the many wonderful quilts she completes. This new book has patterns for 30 different pieced quilt backs, most of them very easy to make.  

Kelly asked each of us participating in her book release blog hop to choose one of the quilt back patterns to make. After debating over several of the designs, I chose the Toppling Tower pattern. First let me give you a look at Kelly's version.

Toppling Tower by Kelly Young

Sharing her version of this quilt back pattern will give you an idea of how easy her designs are to adapt. The pattern produces a quilt back that measures 72" x 72" (there are also two other sizes in the book.) That width was fine, but my quilt back needed to be almost two feet longer. I had decided to piece a back for this quilt, my ombre Positivity quilt top, pieced in 2021.

Positivity quilt top, 60" x 80"

Instead of a stack of 8 strips, my version of Toppling Tower has 9 horizontal bars, plus extra background fabric at the top and bottom for additional length. 

My Toppling Tower, 73" x 93"

Kelly's pattern was easy to follow, and I appreciated the fact that every design includes instructions for three different sizes. The designs in the book include 15 patterns that use scraps and leftovers (arranged by scrap size to make your backing choice easier.) The other 15 patterns are made with stash/yardage, arranged by the number of fabrics needed.

Not only does this book include patterns for 30 different quilt back designs, there is a link for 18 free downloadable bonus patterns for the quilt fronts. The book also includes full instructions on finishing your quilt. The quilt back designs are wonderfully inventive, and many of them would also work beautifully as the quilt front if you need a quick project.

Congratulations to Kelly on another amazing publication! (She has also published two earlier books.) Signed copies of Perfectly Pieced Quilt Backs are available at Kelly's Etsy shop. You can also find the book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Connecting Threads, Missouri Star, or ask for it at your local quilt shop.

My thanks to Kelly for including me in this blog hop. Below are links to the other quilters who are participating.

Sandra @ mmm...quilts

Rose @ Something Rosemade

Diann @ Little Penguin Quilts

Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts

Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal

Anja @ Anja Quilts

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting

Vasudha @ Storied Quilts

Kris @ Sew Sunshine

Leanne @ Devoted Quilter

Rebecca @ Rebecca Grace Quilting

Preeti @ Sew Preeti Quilts

Susan @ Quilt Fabrication

Kate @ Katie Mae Quilts

Sarah @ Sarah Goer Quilts

Linda @ Flourishing Palms

Anne-Marie @ Stories From the Sewing Room

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty

Gail @ Quilting Gail

Kat @ Scrapbox Quilts

Julie @ Julie's Quilts and Costumes (you are here!)

Jan @ The Colorful Fabriholic

I'm ready to check out all the other quilt backs everyone else has made!

Happy quilting!

Julie in GA

Best of 2021--Year in Review

The last day of the year seems like a good time to join the "Best of 2021" linky party, hosted by Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs. This is a great chance to look back at blog posts from the past year, reviewing which posts got the most views or the most comments, and which posts are personal favorites. 

 

1. Post with the most views: Spikey Rainbow Bowties

I was very surprised that this post had the most views because it is a very recent post (December 9th.) It also had the most comments of any post this year. I guess the unusual bowtie setting really grabbed people's attention.

Spikey Rainbow Bowties

60" x 75"

2. Favorite finished quilt top: Blooming Onion

This was a project from early in the year, based on the pattern Blue Onion by Karla Alexander of Saginaw Street Quilts. The quilt was made entirely from batiks that were pulled from my stash, except for one non-batik print.

Blooming Onion, 60.5" x 80.5"

3.Favorite Quilt-Along: Positivity QAL, hosted by Preeti of Sew Preeti Quilts for Mercyful Quilts

This was a great quilt-along with a simple block pattern and plenty of time to make the quilt. I ended up making two quilt tops, one that I kept (at least for now) and one that was donated. I was so thankful that Rebecca Grace offered to do the quilting on my donation quilt. 

Positivity #1 (the one I kept)

60.5" x 80.5"

Positivity #2 (donated top)

60.5" x 80.5"

Positivity #2 (quilted by Rebecca Grace)

4. Favorite Rainbow Scrap Challenge project: Scrap Magnet quilt

I've been participating in the Rainbow Scrap Challenge for several years, and this is one of my favorite rainbow quilts ever! I loved playing with the color combinations as I made each and every block.

Scrap Magnet

66" x 83"

pattern by Kirsty of Bonjour Quilts

5. Favorite mystery: Grassy Creek mystery (Bonnie Hunter)

I've followed along on several of Bonnie's previous mysteries and knew what to expect--very scrappy and lots of little pieces. I have learned to simplify a bit by making fewer parts for a smaller quilt. I also used a single grey fabric where Bonnie used grey strings. This is the first time I've made one of Bonnie's mystery quilts in the same colors as she used.

Grassy Creek mystery

64" x 79"

6. Favorite finished quilt: Volcano Nine-Patch baby quilt

This quilt was started after I found a baggie of leftover 9-patch blocks, strip sets, and fabric scraps from an earlier Blooming 9-Patch quilt. I was able to turn those bits and pieces into this wonderful baby quilt for my newest great niece, who is expected today!

Volcano Nine-Patch

42.25" x 52.75"

Life continues to be full of challenges, and I am always thankful to have quilting as a creative outlet. It keeps me sane and gives me great joy. Thanks to Cheryl for giving us all the opportunity to share our favorites from the past year. I'm linking up with her "Best of 2021" blog party.

Happy quilting and Happy New Year!

Julie in GA

Stitching and DeStashing--Week 35, 2021

My stash report shows a significant change this week, mostly due to the completion of another Positivity quilt top that I finished recently. I used 5.25 yards of fabric, all of it from my stash, for the top. I'm so happy with the way the background gradation worked out that I can't resist sharing this photo again.

My other usage for the week was 1.25 yards for 23 Kaleidoscope blocks made from my collection of 30's fabrics. Twelve of these blocks were made from fabrics sent to me by my sister Karen. I love the bright limey green at the bottom right!

2021 STASH TOTALS

Used last week:                            6.50 yards

Used year to date:                     139.75 yards

Added last week:                            0.0 yards

Added year to date:                   101.50 yards

Net used year to date              38.25 yards

Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch Challenge at Life in Pieces has us tracking how many days each week we get in at least 15 minutes of quilting time. Besides the two projects shared above, I also started yet another new project. There has been plenty of quilting time happening every single day!

15 Minute Challenge for 2021: 

8/22 - 8/28               7 of 7 days

2021 Total          238 of 240 days

Check out more stash reports at quiltpaintcreate and join the 15 Minutes to Stitch challenge at Life in Pieces. 

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

Positivity Quilt Top is Finished!

My One Monthly Goal (OMG) for August was to finish piecing the top for my grey and turquoise Positivity quilt, and I am very happy to report that it is done! 

Positivity, 60" x 80"

This quilt was started as part of the Positivity QAL hosted by Preeti, with the quilts going to Mercyful Quilts in California. I struggled with deciding on my color palette, then I decided to go with the scrappy grey background and a variety of turquoise, teal and lime green fabrics for the plus signs. I liked the colors together so much that I decided to make another version to send in for the QAL so that I could keep this one for myself. 

You can see how others did with their August goals at Elm Street Quilts. 

Linking up with:

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

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

One Monthly Goal at Elm Street Quilts

Oh, Scrap! at Quilting is more fun than Housework

This quilt wasn't made as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, but since our RSC colors for August are teal, turquoise and aqua, I'm going to link up there too.

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA

To-Do Tuesday 8/24/2021

Another Tuesday means it's time to update my to-do list for the week ahead and share how I did with last week's list. I'm linking up with the  To-Do Tuesday Weekly Link-up hosted by Chris at Chris Knits.

Much to my surprise, I managed to complete every goal on my list from last Tuesday. I'm hoping the next week will be equally successful.

To-Do List for 8/17 - 8/23

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day  ✔done

2. Hearts Applique--stitch at least one block  ✔done

I've lost track of how many bowties I made last week, but I have a total of 26 so far this month, along with one little heart block.

3. 30's Kaleidoscope--make multicolored blocks  ✔done

I made 11 blocks and shared them in Saturday's post.

4. Volcano 9-Patch--finish top  ✔done

This quilt top is done, but I need to get some photos and write up a blog post.

5. Positivity QAL--make the last 6 blocks  ✔done

I finally finished the last group of blocks!

6. Make progress on Scrooge coat  ✔done

Progress has been made, but there's not much to show right now.

As usual, many of my projects will carry over into next week. The main goal is to finish the Positivity quilt top, since that is my One Monthly Goal for August.

To-Do List for 8/24 - 8/30

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day

2. Hearts Applique--stitch at least one block

3. Glorified 9Patch--prep turquoise/teal blocks

4. Volcano 9-Patch--take photos, piece back

5. Positivity QAL--finish assembly of quilt top, take photos, and write OMG post

6. Scrooge coat--make progress

I'll report on my progress and post a new set of goals next Tuesday. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Chris Knits.

Julie in GA  

Design Wall Monday 8/23/2021

Half of my Positivity quilt has been hanging on the design wall, waiting for me to get inspired to make the last batch of blocks and join them together. Yesterday was finally the time to do it. Here are the final six blocks for my quilt.

After those were done, I started joining the blocks for the second half into rows, and here they are.

All that's left is to join these rows together, then stitch them to the first half of the quilt, which was completed more than two weeks ago. I hope to have a finished quilt top before the end of the week!

Check out what other quilters are working on this week:

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA 

To-Do Tuesday 8/10/2021

Today's to-do list post is going to be a rush job because I need to get moving sooner than usual for an appointment. I should have gotten this post written and ready to go last night, but it didn't happen. My apologies for the shortage of photos in today's post.

I did have a good week with the to-do list, posting check marks next to every item. 

To-Do List for 8/3 - 8/9

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day   ✔done

Eleven bowtie blocks were made last week.

2. Hearts Applique--stitch at least one block   ✔done

Two teal/turquoise blocks completed.

3. Make a new pouch to hold my applique project   ✔done

Pouch is done and was shared in Sunday's post.

4. Scrap Magnet--make 2 teal/turquoise blocks   ✔done

These blocks were shared in Saturday's post, along with two Homespun blocks.

5. Positivity QAL--join rows of blocks together   ✔done

Half of my Positivity quilt is together!

The list for the next week includes one non-quilting project. I have been working on a coat for our local theater company's production of A Christmas Carol, and I need to put in some time on that. 

To-Do List for 8/10 - 8/16

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day

2. Hearts Applique--stitch at least one block

3. Sew Colorful Stars--make 1 teal/turquoise block

4. Positivity QAL--make the last 6 blocks

5. Make progress on Scrooge coat

I'll report on my progress and post a new set of goals next Tuesday. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Chris Knits.

Julie in GA  

To-Do Tuesday 8/3/2021

I'm a week behind with my Tuesday to-do list because we were visiting family in Wisconsin last Tuesday. It was a wonderful trip, especially since most of the family didn't know we were coming--surprise! I took along a hand applique project and managed to find some time for it almost every day, so I did make a little forward progress.

To-Do List for 7/20 - 7/26

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day ✔done

I ended up with 36 medium and dark blue Bowtie blocks for July.

2. Hearts Applique--prep and stitch blocks  ✔done

Four hearts blocks are finished.

3. Positivity QAL--start joining blocks together  ✔done

Half of the Positivity blocks are joined into rows.

It's time for me to get back on track with regular quilting time every day, and my to-list for next week reflects that plan.

To-Do List for 8/3 - 8/9

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day

2. Hearts Applique--stitch at least one block

3. Make a new pouch to hold my applique project

4. Scrap Magnet--make 2 teal/turquoise blocks

3. Positivity QAL--join rows of blocks together

I'll report on my progress and post a new set of goals next Tuesday. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Chris Knits Melva Loves Scraps.

Julie in GA  

Design Wall and OMG

It has been several months since I last participated in the One Monthly Goal link-up, but I'm feeling the need for a little motivational assistance. Maybe this will help me stay on track.

Progress on my grey and turquoise Positivity quilt has been very slow over the past month or so. I did make six more blocks recently, and started joining the blocks together into rows. You can see half of the quilt in this photo.

My goal for the month of August is to make the final six blocks for this quilt, then to get all the blocks joined together into a finished quilt top. A bonus goal would be to get a back pieced for it too.

Check out what other quilters are working on this week:

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

One Monthly Goal at Elm Street Quilts

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA 

To-Do Tuesday 7/20/2021

Another Tuesday morning means another Tuesday To-Do List. It's time to look back at my list from last week, see how I did on accomplishing those goals, then post a new list for the week ahead. I'm linking up with the  To-Do Tuesday Weekly Link-up hosted by Chris at Chris Knits. 

I surprised myself by actually getting through the whole list from last week. I hope I can do the same again next week.

To-Do List for 7/13 - 7/19

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day  ✔done 

I made 12 more bowtie blocks in medium and dark blues last week.

2. Redwork embroidery--make progress    ✔done 

I finished all the stitching on the sack of toys and gifts. All that's left is finishing up Santa!

3. 30's Kaleidoscopes--make blue blocks   ✔done

I finished these blocks and shared them in Saturday's post.

4. Sew Colorful Stars--make dark blue and black/grey blocks   ✔done

Also done and shared on Saturday.

5. Positivity QAL--make more blocks for version #1   ✔done

I made six more blocks for my Positivity quilt #1. They are the bottom row in this photo.

We have a lot going on around here over the next week, so I am going to keep my list a little shorter.

To-Do List for 7/20 - 7/26

1. Bowties 365--make one Bowtie block each day

2. Hearts Applique--prep and stitch blocks

    This is a new project that was started a few days ago.

3. Positivity QAL--start joining blocks together

I'll report on my progress and post a new set of goals next Tuesday. I'm linking up with other To-Do Tuesday lists at Chris Knits.

Julie in GA  

Design Wall Monday--7/19/2021

Sharing photos of my finished quilt top and back for the Positivity QAL in yesterday's post inspired me to pull out my original set of Positivity blocks. You may remember my earlier post HERE, which included in-progress photos of 36 completed blocks. I only need to make 12 more blocks to complete this quilt top, but they have been sitting in a box, neglected but not forgotten, for close to a month. It's finally time to pull them out again and move forward with this quilt!

Here's the photo I shared in June of the original 36 blocks.

My plan was to continue the gradation of the grey background, adding a row of blocks at the top and the bottom using even darker greys. Yesterday I put half of the original set of blocks up on the wall, then laid out one of the darker rows. The two blocks at the left end of the bottom row have been stitched; the rest are just pieces up on the design wall.

After I finish putting together the other four blocks in the bottom row, I think I will get all of these blocks joined together. That will mean half the quilt top is done! Then I can concentrate on making the last six blocks for the other end.

Check out what other quilters are working on this week:

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA 

Positivity Top and Back Done!

Today it is time for the second link-up party for the Positivity Quilt Along. This quilt-along was started by Preeti of Sew Preeti Quilts to benefit Mercyful Quilts, which is overseen by Bernie. Today's link-up is being hosted by Bernie at her website Needle and Foot.

Our assignment for today was to share our finished quilt tops, and I am very happy to have mine done and ready to be shown. My blocks are made from a wide variety of sandy/tan background fabrics with blue plus signs ranging from bright to dark. The arrangement of blocks is mostly random, although I did try to keep the darker backgrounds around the outside edges of the quilt.

When I checked my stash for backing fabric, I didn't have enough of any one fabric for the whole back. A scrappy pieced back just didn't seem right, but I also didn't want to buy more fabric for the back. I discovered a large piece of an old Jinny Beyer fabric in medium blue that worked well with the brown and blue stripe. I was able to make a giant plus sign with the stripe, which seemed like the perfect finish for this quilt.

My quilt top and back have been sent to Rebecca Grace, who very generously offered to do the longarm quilting for me. I am so grateful that we were able to join forces on this project, and I look forward to seeing her quilting magic!

Thanks so much to Preeti for hosting the Positivity QAL. She has lots of info and inspiration on her blog--it's not too late to join the fun! Thanks also to Bernie at Needle and Foot for hosting today's link-up.

Linking up with:

Positivity QAL Link-Up #2 at Needle and Foot

Happy quilting everyone!

Julie in GA