CHECKERBOARD RAILS - ANOTHER FINISH

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!

MY HOURGLASS QUILT PROJECT

This quilt has been on the back burner for quite a while.  I only worked on it as a "leader and ender" project, only at my northern home, and only when I had leftover 2 1/2 inch strips in the right colours!

As you can see, by the picture of the finished quilt "with feet", DH held the quilt so I could get a picture of the completed project.

I made a narrow binding for this quilt, that matches the backing fabric, and I managed to use all but a few inches.  It feels good when I use fabric from my stash!  
Sometimes I have to change my mind on colours, and the amount of scrappiness in a project, but my goal is to use my stash before I go, so my family doesn't have to deal with it!

MORE MACHINE QUILTING

For the past couple of years, I've been making scrap hourglass blocks.  I finally decided that I had enough fun, and called the top complete!  I  found a large enough piece of fabric to make the quilt back and binding, so spent part of a day pin-basting.
 
It is now under my needle, being machine quilted!  I am using an all over design, just to make this quilt comfortable for snuggling.

Tonight is my guild's first meeting of the season. I have several quilts to take along, as well as goodies for the snack table, and the remaining photo CD's from our June quilt show - I've had requests from some members who were away during the show.
I have 2 community quilts that I quilted and add binding, the Diamond Tiles quilt that I am donating, and two quilts for show and tell.  I'm looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces tonight!

STASH REPORT AND QUILT PICTURE

Fabric used this week  7.875 yards

Fabric used year to date  83.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  62.125 yards

Net used 2018  21.375 yards

I seem to making headway - keeping the fabric used from my stash!

This is my version of Bonnie Hunter's Diamond Tiles block.  Block pattern was available in the May/June 2018 edition of Quiltmaker magazine.

All the blocks were made from leftover strips and squares.  Some of them should have had better contrast in the colours, but I used what was already cut - no exceptions!  I did use additional fabric for the sashing, setting triangles and binding, to brind it all together.  I am slowly working my way through years of leftover fabric strips!

 

ANOTHER FINISH!

I just put the last stitch in my Diamond Tile quilt.  The block pattern was found in the May/June edition of Quiltmaker magazine.
This has been a very popular pattern, by Bonnie Hunter, in her Addicted to Scraps column.  There have been many variations shared on the internet!

I decided to set mine on point, and used sashing between the blocks.

I quilted with Monopoly by Superior thread, stitching in the ditch for the sashing and also in the blocks.

I stitched a flower in the centre square of each block, using Rainbows by Superior thread, colour 801 - it has lots of bold colours!

  I then finished by quilting a similar flower in the setting triangles, and a wavy border, using So Fine thread by Superior, in a neutral shade.  I wanted the quilting to give dimension, but not detract from the colourful blocks.

This was a great way to play with scraps, as each block is different, although I used the same fabric in two of the centre squares!

I'll get some better pictures posted soon - DH, my quilt holder is out at the driving range, hitting a bucket of golf balls!

I'm getting caught up!

I've finished a couple of items lately.  Two are upcoming baby gifts, so I can't show them.  I also put the final stitches in my guild's block of the month project for 2016-17.

  It finished at 76 x 92 inches, and I called it 
"Use It or Lose It!"  
I love making scrappy quilts, and years ago my DH said that to me about my huge bins of scraps.  I spent 2 summers pressing and cutting all the scraps into usable sizes, and have made many scrap quilts since!




I spent the afternoon today, filling out my entry forms, artist statements and labeling pictures to be sent to Quilts Kingston - the quilt show in Kingston ON, sponsored by the Limestone Quilters Guild, and the Kingston Heirloom Quilters June 8, 9, 10.

I've been spending my evenings hand stitching some small thread catchers for the boutique, and I've also begun quilting my second large winter quilt project.

Last week, my southern quilting group, along with some non-sewing neighbour volunteers used our Wednesday quilting time to make pillowcases for Cases for Smiles.  In four hours, we made 360 bright, colourful pillowcases for kids in local hospitals! 
 

QUILT FIXED, AND ANOTHER PROJECT!

I posted this picture of the centre of my version of my guild's BOM quilt project, and discovered that I had twisted two of the green blocks.

I spent some time with my seam ripper, un-stitching the two offending blocks and turned them, ready to sew.

Much better now!  I was surprised that I didn't see the problem when I was pinning the rows together.

This has been a strange winter for me, as I am the type of quilter who rarely has more than 2 projects on the go at the same time.  Saying that, I started another project this week, but should be able to complete it soon.


I had joined the "Slow and Steady Quilt Along by Paula Storm" group on facebook, and finally found/made time to try my favourite block - spinning star.  I like trying new methods, and this was made by paper piecing the block using freezer paper.  You can reuse the pattern many times, as you sew next to the folded freezer paper instead of through the paper, so when the block is complete, you have no paper to remove, only pop off the freezer paper pattern, and make another block!  Paula has a blog with the directions and even videos of each row, as well as suggested quilting ideas.  You have to join the facebook group to access them.

I made three blocks and added setting triangles to make a runner.  I'm off to look for a border fabric in my tiny southern stash, but I may just add binding.


I'm linking to Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.   We are currently in Ormand Beach Florida, waiting to spend the evening at Bonnie Hunter's lecture and trunk show!

MY LATEST FINISH

I finally talked DH into being a quilt holder, so I could get a picture.  He's been so busy lately - 6 band performances in the past week.  They've been visiting all the local nursing homes before the band members begin heading to their northern homes for the summer.

The block pattern was ladder star, from Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville, in her "Addicted to Scraps" column in Quiltmaker magazine.  I used the leftover half square triangle units, along with some 4-patch blocks, for the border.

I did basic quilting in the blocks, and had fun making swirls in the neutral borders.  I used a variegated King Tut thread from Superior, colour #921 Cleopatra  
It had Variegated Colors:LIME-RED-ORANGE-AQUA-PURPLE, which coordinated with the Egyptian fabric I used on the back and binding.

You can see a bit of the backing showing in this picture. 

My quilting group, along with several other volunteers from my southern community will be making pillowcases for Cases for Smiles tomorrow.  I got my serger out, oiled it, put in new needles, cleaned out all the lint, so I'll be ready to sew from 11-4.

Now off to pack up all my supplies......

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 7.125 yards

Fabric used year to date  49.75 yards

Fabric added this week  14 yards

Fabric added year to date  44.5 yards

Net used 2017  5.25 yards

My stats are up and down like a see-saw!  Another internet sale found me last week.  I didn't catch DH's cold and cough, but have been feeling just a bit stuffy, with little energy all week - I think that made me weak enough to be lured in by a sale!

I took pictures of my last two finishes this morning.....

 The row quilt uses a pattern by Lori Holt.  I added a border from Judy Laquidara's book, "60 Pieced  Quilt Borders".  It was a sew-along a couple of years ago.  Since I was determined to use my scraps this winter, I used lots of 5 in squares, 1 1/2 inch strips, and all the background fabric was cut from small pieces that had been hiding on my shelves for quite a while.  I did have to cut into some yardage for some of the larger pieces, and for the final gray border.

I was inspired by Nann's Ripple quilt shown here.  It uses 1 1/2 inch strips, so I pulled all my pre-cut full width strips, and was able to make a smaller quilt, only 5 x 6 blocks.  I even used leftover binding strips for both quilts too!

Check out other's progress at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  28.625 yards

Fabric added this week 5 yards

Fabric added year to date  30.5 yards

Net used 2017  -1.875 yards

 

More backing fabric added this week, so I'm back in the red!!!!

 

I've been a bad blogger lately, but I've been working in any few spare minutes that I can find.  It seems like we're busy from morning to night. I did get another quilt top pieced, this time from scrap 2 1/2 inch strips - thus the need for more backing fabric.

 

The block pattern is called Ladder Star and is one of Bonnie Hunter's Addicted to Scraps in Quiltmaker magazine. 

Whenever I had a few minutes, I'd cut pieces for a block, then when I had 2 cut, I'd stitch them together.  I made 48 blocks, along with many bonus half-square triangle blocks, (stitched as leaders and enders),which I used in the 2nd border. The only "new" fabric used was for the 2 plain borders, but was also from my stash.

I really have to find some time to pin-baste quilts - I now have 3 waiting!

 

Check out all the progress shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times. 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  28.625 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  25.5 yards

Net used 2017  3.125 yards

No visible progress this week.  DH and the band have been busy, entertaining at 3 nursing homes last week.  Add in a day at Disney's Animal Kingdom with friends, and my quilting day, and the week just flew by.  I'm still trying to find time to pin baste my 2 completed quilt tops.  I've been making blocks for another project, using 2 1/2 inch strips from my bin.  I'm getting close to the 48 blocks that I need for the next scrappy quilt project.

This week the band plays another 3 days, with my quilting day on Wednesday, another Disney day planned with friends, and 2 quilt shows to attend on the weekend as well.  I'll try to squeeze in a bit of quilting too!

Check out the progress shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  0 yards

Fabric added this week  12 yards

Fabric added year to date 12 yards

Net used 2017  -12 yards

 Most of my purchases this week were backing fabrics.

Now I just have to find time to get them pin-basted.  They are all pressed and starched ready to go, and the binding is prepared as well.

My group wanted to work on a "row quilt" this winter.  I hunted through my files to find one that I liked and that could be made from scraps!  Back in 2012, Lori Holt offered a "row along" on her blog, a Bee in my Bonnet.  I had saved all the instructions for future use.  I've been busy sewing a row or two each day, enjoying the challenge of using my scraps before cutting into new fabric.  The pattern has 13 rows, consisting of 7 wider rows and 6 narrower rows.  

Since I wanted to use more scraps, I decided to change the final borders.  I hunted through my favourite resource - 60 Pieced Quilt Borders - Mix & Match by Judy Laquidara, and decided on border option #35.

I was able to dig into my 1 1/2 inch strips to make these cute 3 inch blocks.  All the neutrals in the quilt are cut from leftover strips, or from small pieces of fabric that have been in my stash for a long time.



Check out everyone's progress at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 0 yards

Fabric used year to date  0 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  0 yards

Net used 2017  0 yards

What a boring report - same old, same old!  I've been working hard every day, but not completing any projects.

I have 2 scrappy quilt tops completed, and the binding prepared for each.  I've ordered backing fabric, that should arrive soon, so I'll be able to finally have a finish this year!

I have a third scrappy top started, but it has been on hold while I work on the row quilt with my group - also using scraps!  

I think I see a trend - trying to use lots of pre-cut scraps this year.

My bin of 1 1/2 inch strips has shrunk by 1 1/2 layers out of three.  My 5" charms stacks are about half used, and I've even made a dent in my 2 1/2 inch strips.  I made scrappy binding for one of the quilt tops.  I also have a stack of 4-patches, made as "leaders and enders" using 2 inch squares, that will be turned into quilt blocks soon.

Check out the progress shared on Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

LOOKING FORWARD TO 2017

DH and I have had a great year.  Our family is happy, and we've enjoyed our time with our first grandson, watching him grow and explore.  We are fortunate to be healthy, and happy.

My goal again this year is to use more of my stash!  I've been making quilt tops from my pre-cut strips.  I have bins of 1 1/2", 2", and 2 1/2" strips, along with 2" and 5" squares.  I have completed 3 tops already, using 5" squares and 1 1/2 inch strips.
My latest is spinning spools, all made from 1 1/2 inch strips.  I'm currently working on another top made from strips - this one needed width of fabric strips in lights and darks, and my 1 1/2 " bin has almost no full width strips left!  Now I have to plan projects to use up all the short ends!

My southern quilt group starts our winter project this Wednesday.  They asked for a row quilt, so I found an interesting pattern to share with everyone.  

Hope everyone is looking forward to 2017!  Happy quilting.....

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  12.125 yards

Fabric used year to date  160.125 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date 33.75 yards

Net used 2016   126.375 yards

I managed to finish 2 wheelchair quilt tops with binding for my guild's community quilts program, using the remaining strips that I had cut for a previous strippy border.

I also quilted a wheelchair quilt that I brought home to complete after our last workshop day, but none of the fabric was from my stash.

I finally completed another project, that began with orphan half- square triangle units that were leftover from my guild's BOM quilt.  They were stitched into pinwheels, then I used fabric from my scrap bins to add corner squares.  Then more leftovers were used to tilt them left and right.  The only "new" fabric used was the funky striped fabric for sashing strips and the black cornerstones and binding.

Now I have to figure out what I want to work on next, from my huge list of possibilities.  But the decision will be left for another day.  I'm off to enjoy our long weekend - a pool party, then dinner at our friends' home, then off to the first concert in the park - what more could anyone wish for.....

Share the progress with Judy at Patchwork Times....

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  7.625 yards

Fabric used year to date 148 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date 33.75 yards

Net used 2016   114.25 yards 

My "used fabric" was from the "Out of the Box" quilt tops and binding that I completed for my community quilts group.

I was left with lots of 2 inch and 1 1/2 inch strips - leftover from the strippy border, so I decided to use them rather than put them back into the bin. I have two large blocks pieced that will become the centres of wheelchair quilts.  Now I have to get back to work, adding borders.

Check out all the progress shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Here's my Scrappy Trip Around the World, completed.  The block design is a free pattern from Bonnie Hunter.  The solid borders was made from a yard of fabric that I selected for my DIL's Storm at Sea quilt, but it didn't make the final cut.  The scrappy braid border was made as a "leader and ender" project last year, made from a shoe box full of cut pieces - a garage sale find!  It is hard to see in the picture, but I also made scrappy binding, from leftover pieces.  I hate to see good fabric go to waste!
I have some "one block wonder" pieces cut out, and I also pulled some fabric out that I've had for many years - and I've been playing with designs using EQ7.  I'm determined that it will be a finished quilt to return north next month!

Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  21.5 yards

Fabric used year to date  92.75 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  7.75 yards

Net used 2016  85 yards

With my three baby quilt finishes earlier this week, and adding my "Scrappy Trip Around the World" quilt, gave me a big jump ahead.  Pictures to come as soon as I can get DH to be my quilt holder.  Hopefully, I'll be able to keep up the pace, and resist shopping  -  LOL.

Check out all the progress at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I've been busy using some scrap 2 1/2 inch strips.  I made blocks, using Bonnie Hunter's Scrappy Trips pattern.  The blue borders are made from a piece of fabric that didn't make the final cut in my Storm at Sea quilt, and I also used more of the braid strips that I made as "leaders and enders" all last year.

When I was quilting with my community quilts group up north last spring, I found these "blue dog" blocks that had been cut from a panel, and then left behind.  I pulled some fabric from my small stash to turn them into two baby quilts.
The four square blocks needed 4 smaller pieced blocks to complete the top. 

 The six smaller, rectangular pieces were just sewn together, and then I added a "zipper" border, made from 2 fabrics.

Now I just have to find time to get all three pin-basted, so I can complete them.

Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Last Wednesday, some of my quilting group tried their hands at a small landscape quilt.  The pattern, "Tuscan Landscape" by Karen Eckmeier, was found in Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting magazine, July/Aug 2007 edition.  Many tried "free cutting" with their rotary cutter for the first time.  Mine was made with a few of my limited stash of fabrics here in the sunny south.
Then I decided to use some of my 2 1/2 leftover strips, so I made some "Scrappy Trips" blocks, following the directions found here.  I made 24 blocks, and tried a couple of layouts.


I have no design wall here, so I placed them on my living-room rug, and took pictures.
I find it easier to see the pattern when I can step back.

I used the same beige dotty fabric on the centre diagonal line in each block.

Of course, as soon as DH walked in, he spotted the block that I had stitched incorrectly!  23 out of 24 isn't bad......

I finally decided to use the first layout, with the blocks creating squares, instead of the more traditional trip around the world layout.

Off to correct one block, then sew them all together.
Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.