Checkerboard Rails was a "leader and ender" challenge from Bonnie Hunter in 2017. I had it on my to-do list, and finally began sewing blocks over the past year. I had lots of 1 1/2 inch leftover strips, so I would cut a stack to use, as I was working on other projects. I picked up white and black fabric for the checkerboard parts, and cut some strips - which were also sewn leader and ender style.
I decided to do an "on point" setting, so made a plan for a single bed size quilt, using Electric Quilt. Since most of the quilt was made with scrap strips, the software helped me to find out how much fabric I used, as well as helping to plan the borders, and determine the size strips and triangles that were needed.
It was surprising when I counted my completed blocks that I had enough, and decided to finish the quilt. I used a dark gray fabric for setting triangles, then used a varied of gray fabric for borders, along with one of leftover coloured strips.
DH helped my choose the binding colour of solid black from several different choices.
I stitched a fairly open design to quilt the blocks, and then had fun with the setting triangles and borders, stitching a different design in each. I used some variegated thread when stitching the borders, and it shows up as tiny pops of colour when the light hits the thread, as well as creating great definition.
This quilt is going to be set aside for my grandson - he is only 4, and still enjoys his special quilts with his favourite characters, and other child-like designs. I know he will grow out of them and then this will be ready when he wants a more grown-up quilt!
Thanks Bonnie for another fun design!
During the winter, a former member of my southern quilting group called to ask if I would like some of her quilting scraps. She and her husband were selling their home, and returning north permanently. Of course, I said yes!
She loved making flannel quilts, so there were lots of various size strips and pieces in lots of different colours and prints. There were also some cotton scraps. I found some odd shaped triangles in gold and burgundy, along with some dark print pieces. I decided the largest cut I could make from all the pieces, and ended up with some flying geese, squares and half square triangle pieces. After a little playing with various arrangements, I was able to piece a small table runner.
I pieced the dark print triangles and stitched them together to make bias binding. Amazingly, I had exactly 2 inches of binding left over after joining the ends. I machine quilted the gold parts with gold cotton thread, and then used a variegated thread to stitch tiny flowers in all the burgundy pieces.
The shiny polyester thread makes a simple project sparkle!
I'll have to send a picture of the finished project to thank her for the gift!
When picking up the assorted bits and pieces that had found homes on my cutting table, I came across this orphan block.
The centre square was a basket
set on point which didn't coordinate with the remainder of the blocks that I collected several years ago during a shop hop.
Later, a friend made a vest with an Easter panel, but didn't use any of the applique pieces. I made the block larger, with corners so that the basket would sit upright and I used the flowers, eggs and bunny with paws to fill the basket.
I checked through my seasonal fabrics and found a few that were Easter related. The corner blocks and the outer border were fabrics that I used in an Easter dress for my granddaughter, and the green print with bunnies was in my stash. I used the border fabric to make binding, and will put it into the row of quilts waiting for quilting.
It was the most enjoyable "tidy up" job that I've done this year!
We've both been busy since our return home. Medical, dental and eye exams, along with various tests etc. We've also had 2 extended visits with DS2 & family. The last was to help them with some extra yard work, and to get their gardens ready for planting. Our grandson (4) was a great help too!
I've attended a guild meeting, with my extra job of organizing the social group who helps at various jobs during the meeting, as well as providing snacks for the whole group. I've also attended an executive guild meeting, bringing more snacks, and I spent the morning with the community quilt group, and brought home 3 basted quilts to finish. We had a new, more efficient water heater installed, and tomorrow our furnace and air conditioner are being inspected and cleaned.
The three quilts are quilted, and binding and labels are sewn on each. I also cut out a baby dress for smocking for my granddaughter. I have not done any for a long time, so had to stitch carefully, so I didn't have to remove any stitches.
I also finished the top for my version of Bonnie Hunter's "Checkerboard Rails" quilt. I also made a pieced backing. Now I just have to clear my cutting table so I can pin-baste the quilt.
We planted 2 large pots with herbs, and picked up one tomato plant, but have to keep checking for the other variety that I like - they seem slow to arrive at the garden centre this year, but they normally arrive by May 24 (date of the last frost), and the long weekend was celebrated early this year. We've noticed that some of our neighbours are getting the small beds in front of their homes cleaned up, new edgings, some plants etc. The neighbourhood should look lovely when everything is blooming. I had 4 tulips bloom that were missed by the squirrels. They don't seem to bother the hyacinths or daffodils, and we've made a note to pick up more in the fall.
I'm off to sort all the bits and pieces on my cutting table - then I can get to work again!
I decided to do an "on point" setting, so made a plan for a single bed size quilt, using Electric Quilt. Since most of the quilt was made with scrap strips, the software helped me to find out how much fabric I used, as well as helping to plan the borders, and determine the size strips and triangles that were needed.
DH helped my choose the binding colour of solid black from several different choices.
