Saturday, January 30, 2016

I Love Scraps Mark III

This quilt happened because I had leftovers from a baby quilt I made late last year.  This layout has become somewhat of a favourite.  This is the third time that I've done a variation of it.  Since I normally consider making the same pattern twice boring, I would have to say that this one really works for me.  The first time I made it was HERE.  The second time was HERE.


I quilted this one with my walking foot as well - with three different colours of thread.  The binding is completely scrap using the same fabrics.  I still have a little bit more.  

It bunched up a bit - a little like an accordion.  I have to assume that this was my fill choice speaking.  I'm pretty sure I used a fluffy poly fill.  I should try it again with a more dense batting.


A friend told me that this kinda looked like a colouring book.  That's a much better name than I Love Scraps Mark III.

Note to self:  Research blocking

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Craftsy BOM 2016 - January

I've been waiting for a Crafsy BOM that excited me as much as the 2012 did and this one just might be it!  I went way outside my comfort zone by choosing the border fabric (I'm already second guessing how light it is) first and filling in the rest with my stash.  Surprisingly I've never done this before and it's nerve racking!


Seams pressed open - I'm doing this more and more.  I didn't press the seams open on the border.


My points could probably be a little bit more precise, but I'm fairly pleased considering I don't think I've made hour glass blocks before.  Incidentally, I didn't make them as per the class instructions.  I didn't feel the need to cut or sew triangles.


Ready for February!

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

I Love Scraps Mark II

Pattern:  N/A

Size: 30 inches square

Date:  January 2016

Reason / Fabrics:  My Aunt gave me a fresh box of scraps - instead of sorting them by colour into my drawers, I immediately started using them as leaders and enders while I sewed "I'm Blue" ( to come to a blog near you soon).  It worked really well and really quickly.  It wasn't long before I had these blocks.


It is quilted with my walking foot.  It has a little blue marking pen on it still - that will come out when I wash it.


Seriously - who needs a baby quilt?  Any showers in your future?  Can I mail you one?  I'm pretty sure I have at least ten, perhaps even a dozen baby quilts hanging about my house. 

Monday, January 18, 2016

Melon Peel

Inspired by:  Craftsy Modern Quilting class

Fabrics:  The grey was a Christmas gift.  The petals were from my scrap drawers.  The back was an amazing find at MCC.

Thoughts:  This is a quilt that's been on my list for at least 6 months.  

It's one of seven projects in a modern quilt class I took on Craftsy.  Sort of.  I mean, the style (melon or orange peel) was used in the Craftsy class, but I had no wish to individually appliqué 36 petals on to individual squares then piece them all together and blah blah blah. 


Remember the hexis I did?  Click here to refresh your rememory.  It was the first time I sandwiched a top and then added the details after.  I knew I'd need to do it again,


Note to self:  Hand positioning is critical if you don't want jogs like the oopsie above.


This might just be top five for me.  I really like it.  I'm a little annoyed by the shrink.  Either I needed to wash the grey a second time or my 20p / 80c batting shrunk a bit.


There it is.  I have two more from this Craftsy class to quilt - one is by hand and it's on a frame - it will be a while.  The other is ready to go whenever I get the urge.  When it's done I'm calling this a complete (because the hand quilted one will take forever) and starting a new course.

Monday, January 4, 2016

Welcome Baby

Date:  September - December 2015

Pattern:  Wonky Crosses


Reason:  A new baby in the family!


Fabrics:  Most of the fabrics were a gift from my sister.  I took one look at the bundle and said "You're really trying to push me out of my comfort zone, aren't you?"  Yikes.  Fabrics with more than ONE colour in them.  Eek.  Yes, I'm a monochromatic girl.

I added a couple dots from my stash.  I LOVE dots.


Thoughts:  I knew I'd make this pattern again.  The first time was here.  It's a fun and easy top because the blocks are improvisational and just need to be squared up when they are done.

Lessons Learned:  Find out of the recipients are going to be close by in the near future before shipping a package to another country.