Blue February block

 

My current projects: 1. Hand quilting my vintage style quilt 2. Making monthly rainbow scrap challenge blocks (above), feb is blue 3. Still making triangular blocks for my Thousand Pyramids quilt. 

I decided to do a very large Bear Paw block for this year’s Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I really love these blocks. It’s going to be scraps of Kaffe or Amy Butler or whatever brighter pretty scraps are hanging around, then a coordinating solid. The background fabric is one I found as I cleaned and unpacked my sewing room. It was supposed to go with an animal quilt that I decided not to make. So I have plenty. These are 18” blocks, so I figure I can make one a month for 2025 and I’ll have a bright top for quilting in the winter of 2026.

I’m trying to make a few blocks a day for the pyramid quilt. It’s really fun digging through old fabrics to find 3 that look good together and work with the quilt. Some of these fabrics are REALLY old like that Wamsutta in the photo… might be 90s? There’s also a bunch of shirtings thrown in plus text fabrics, Kaffe stripes, and even Jinny Beyer. Of course it’s mostly Judie Rothermel and Paula Barnes, my favorites!

And this is what I’m hand quilting… I’m not the best at it but it works for me. My eyesight isn’t what it used to be so I’ll be happy just to have it done. I’m taking it on my trip to Florida when I go. It’ll give me a nice project to work on if we have any rainy days.

Ocean Waves

Today I had a chance to work on two quilts. This #OceanWavesQuilt top is finished. I put the final rows on then dug around for a scrap of white for the border. The perfect piece was on I picked up at a thrift store not long ago. This was a really fun top to make. It used up quite a few pretty scraps and lots of different whites. 

The #rainbowscrapchallenge was the perfect excuse to try out the Ocean Wave pattern. And making it 7 blocks at a time (7 per month) made it painless. I think I'd like to make one more but this time in the traditional blue & white.

 So after finishing up that top, I spent a little time trying to decide on how to set these dresden blocks. They've been packed away for years and really need to be put into a quilt. I'm still not sure the above setting works for the aqua blocks. The red seems to strong and takes away from the dresdens. So I might not use them...anyone have any ideas or opinions? I only have 16 dresdens. I know I want them on point...just not sure what colors are the best to use with the aqua. My sister says keep it as it is. If I do and dont like the finished product, she'll be the new owner😂

BOW TIE BLOCK Tutorial

I've been posting on my blog and on Instagram about this Bow Tie quilt that I'm doing...it's my current "leader & enders" project.

I usually have one of these going so that i can easily chain stitch whatever other quilt I'm working on. Last year I made a HST quilt from scraps...this year bow ties. This is also my Rainbow Scrap Challege project...I try to cut up a bunch of scraps into these blocks according to the color of the month.

As I was browsing through IG pictures, I found a bow tie quilt that @vickifreeman12 had done...absolutely gorgeous!

She used slightly smaller bow ties...i wanted something that would use up my 5" charms and scraps of about that size without being TOO small. 

I came up with a 3" block...

These are scraps cut to size to be used as i need leaders and enders.

Since I've had a few people asking about this quilt, i thought i would do a quick tutorial...

For each Bow Tie:

Cut (2) background and (2) bow color 2" squares. Cut (2) 1-1/2" bow color squares.

Place a 1-1/2" color on the corner of a 2" backround. Stitch corner to corner.

Trim outside seam to 1/4".

Repeat with the other 1-1/2" color square. Press to the color.

Place these with the 2" color square as shown below to form a 4 patch.

Sew 2 together then the other two like below...press to the color so your seams "lock".

 Sew the last seam and press. I press this final seam open.

 When you have 9, or 16 or 25 (depends how large you want each block) sew them together ...all facing the same way.

Rotate the direction of each large block to form the design below. 

I may or may not do a border...we'll see. I love Vickis but I'm not sure I'll feel like doing that much work.

I sure hope the quilt i end up with is as pretty as hers. 

With this CONTINUING scrap project, I'll be linking up with all the other ladies sorting and sewing their scraps at OH SCRAP.

 And this quilt is a finish...binding on. Henry picked navy with stars...good choice Henry!

On a roll...

 It's quilted!! I'm so glad to be done with the quilting on this one. Theres a few days left before we head out of town, so enough time to cut and bind this one.

The binding decision is up to Jenn since it'll be in her house. I kind of like this small plaid but she really wanted red or blue. Maybe she has something in her stash.

Today Al is sick...a cold I hope, not the FLU. Good thing about that is I'm getting plenty done. My neice-in-law is expecting a girl in May so my sister-in-law is throwing her a shower. Today i had put together a couple of "prizes". When i searched on Pinterest I found the cutest ideas...dont you just love that site? So the idea I copied was a basket full of bathroom shower items with a tag that says "From my shower to yours". Cute, huh?

February is purple scraps month at Angelas blog... Rainbow Scrap Challenge...

I was able to dig up a few scraps and make them into blocks. This is just about the end of my purple.

I'm feeling pretty good about getting my stitching done and projects completed this year. January's and February's UFOs just need binding... Scraps have been made into blocks and my bow tie scrap blocks are more than half made. Yay!

Scrap quilting

Sixteen blocks are done on the scrappy bow tie quilt. I just finished cutting a bunch of purple scraps for more bow ties. 

Purple is the scrappy color for February. I don't have much purple left after making a whole quilt top with my purple scraps last year. I've cut up what was left.

The UFO of the month is #1 (below). It's Elizabeth Hartman's Dogs in Sweaters quilt.

I'm making progress on it. The dog quilt is pinned and I've started quilting it. Today, after I scrub a couple of bathrooms, I'll be sitting down to finish this up. I'm setting a deadline for myself...by the end of the week I want this quilt completely finished. 

My daughter picked out the backing for it...a very neutral and masculine tan flannel. 

Do you prewash your flannel backing? At one time I prewashed EVERYTHING. Then I would read that it was no longer necessary so I stopped. But flannel is different. One backing piece I bought shrunk 3" per yard. On a normal 4 or 5 yard length that's a 12-15" loss! Well on this piece I planned accordingly and bought an extra 1/2 yard. What I didn't plan on was it shrinking in width. It went from 44/45" wide to 39/40"wide... That's 5" less width and with a seam stitched down the middle, I lost 10"! On this quilt that wasn't a problem but on some I do, that wouldn't have worked. I thought I was being very careful in purchasing the fabric...buying extra...watching out for flannels that would bleed...buying a better quality one (not that cheap one that goes on sale for $3 a yd at big fabric place). Just thought I'd give all of you a heads up... Buy EXTRA flannel for backings.

So then the binding...it might be a plaid...maybe one of the red ones. As usual, I think I'll wait until the top is quilted to make that decision.

Linking up with patchworktimes, ohscrap and Angelas rsc18.

Bow Ties and Doggies

Ive been making LOTS of scrappy bow tie blocks and started putting them together into 16 patches. These are the first 4 16 patch blocks. Im going to keep this very scrappy, whatever leftovers are around are going to be added to this quilt. The background fabric is muslin... I have quite a few yards of it leftover from a project and thought it would add that vintage touch. Linking up to OH SCRAP... See the link button on the side of my blog.

So this is my main project this month...I want to get Henry's dogs in sweaters quilt finished up before we head south. Im cutting all the block pieces at once, then doing all the paper pieced parts and then I'll put the blocks together. The pattern doesn't have paper piecing instruction, it's just something I did on my computer using EQ7. It makes it much easier for me to assemble them this way instead of cutting tiny little squares and sewing point to point. Much more exact and easier on my eyes. 

I just came back from downstate and am glad to be back in my sewing room fooling around. The trip back was SCARY! The weather was so treacherous. We've  had quite a few storms here in Michigan this winter. I'll be glad for spring.

Scrappy blue bow ties and dogs in sweaters

I wasnt going to make a new quilt....really....but I just couldn't resist these bow ties. I saw a quilt on Instagram that I just fell in love with. It was all bow ties plus a pretty border. I may not do the border but the scrappy bow ties are calling my name. SO, as my scrap challenge quilt this year, I'm doing these... along with finishing up two I started last year.

I made a bunch of the blue blocks since that's January's color of the month. Then because these are so much fun, I made a ton more in all kinds of colors. I've done 60 or more blocks the past week and am now putting some together into 16 patches. This is going to be a fun old-fashioned quilt. 

So these dogs.... they're a pain in the ... well, they have about 50 pieces per block and some are so tiny I have to get out my special glasses to make sure they're on correctly. But, as much as I complain, I do love them. They are turning out so darn cute. I have 4 made now and will need 15 total. The next 11 Im doing all at once.... I'm making all the feet, all the ears, all the sweaters, etc for all of them, then I'll put all of them together at once.

And my third project that Im working on is quilting my husbands quilt, which is the UFO of the month. I'm hoping that by the end of the month Ill have two of these projects completed. Yeah, right. 

A little sewing, lots of beach time

There has been very little stitching around here the last few days. Al and I biked around town and relaxed at the beach.

Today we hit a new park on a large lake north of us...very pretty. Until a storm popped up.

Babysitting tonight and tomorrow...then maybe a little sewing. 

Summer :)

Making my July scrap blocks

Four blue unnamed blocks have been added to my pile of Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks. Sixteen more of these and I'll call it done. I need pink, orange, brown and a few of colors already made.

This quilt needs 12 blocks in total so an orange, pink, brown, black, and tan? Maybe? 

Today these SPOOLS blocks will be put together and will be added to the pile. There will be twenty of these.

But first Al and I are enjoying brunch at Red Spire. If you're ever looking for a great little breakfast/brunch restaurant in Traverse City, check out this one in the Commons (the old insane asylmn!) The Commons is a fun area to shop and eat.

Yum!

My breakfast is here!

July is blue

Blue blocks are being stitched up...

Lots of blue blocks!

Cherry Festival is happening downtown....crowds, congestion, traffic...so I'm happily staying home and sewing.

I also have this top ready for quilting...and it just so happens that it is the UFO of the month for July...perfect! I should have this months projects wrapped up quickly.

And this is much better that carnival lights...I may just stay home all month :)

Scrappy Saturday sewing

Today was a true SCRAPPY SATURDAY... Finished up all my yellow blocks for the June #rainbowscrapchallenge 

The scrappy spools quilt is now halfway... It'll be 20 blocks when done. 

The Scrap Jar Stars blocks are also halfway. This quilt will be 12 blocks. I think it would look good with nine patches as cornerstones. I'm going to stitch up a few and see if I like it.

Here's this months yellows. My supply of scrap yellow was very limited so I was lucky to get as many as I did. 

And after finishing up the yellows I tackled the Scrappy HST quilt. The top is now done. Tomorrow I'll find a backing and get that pieced. It finished up at 64"x80". Not a bad size for picnics and the beach.

Look what popped up in my backyard...we didn't plant these. Such a nice surprise!