Spook

One of my favourite things is when I'm given blocks or UFOs from our local MCC Thrift Store.  I have a friend and fellow quilter there who sometimes passes things on.  The idea is to finish them and send them back.  MCC can sell a finish for much more than the sum of the parts.

Date:  July 2015

Pattern:  Unknown - the top came finished with the exception of the outer border.

Fabric:  All from MCC except outer border and binding.  They were from my stash.

Lessons Learned:  If your tension isn't absolutely perfect when quilting, use a thread in the bobbin that matches the fabric on the front.  Yes, I cheat :)

Thoughts:  I'm not a Halloween girl, but I'm sure someone will love this.

All the quilting on this was a walking foot at ¼".  I used to have a ½" walking foot.  I think it met an accidental end.  I think I might want to invest in one to make thicker rows.

My quilting group and I are likely to put on a show at the library next spring.  I'll show it there and then send it back to MCC for sale.

Purple Irish Chain

Date:  May 2015

Pattern:  Traditional Irish Chain

Size:  30 x 30

Reason:  I accidentally made 9-patches when I meant to make 4-patches (rolls eyes)

Special Fabrics:  White sheet, purple left over from God's Promise back

Lessons Learned:
  1)  Don't cut and sew on auto-pilot
  2)  Feathers aren't as scary as they look

Thoughts:  The circles are hand quilted, the lines were done with a walking foot, the corner feathers were done with a darning foot.

Wonky Crosses

Date:  January - April 2015

Pattern:  www.craftsy.com  Inspired Modern Quilts

Reason:  I love modern quilts.  I wanted to know more about their construction, thus the course.

Best Buys / Special Fabrics:  All from my scrap drawers. 

Lessons Learned:  It is better to trim down a little more and create a bit of waste than to have a finished cross that is too small!!

Thoughts:  The husband asked me to finish this one for the baby of a friend of his.  I think I need to make another.  It was fun.

Baby Hexis

Date:  April 2015

Size:  30 x 42

Pattern:  n/a

Best Buys / Special Fabrics:  The hexis were a gift from a friend.  The grey was a gift from a sister.

Lessons Learned:  Don't assume gifted pre-cuts are the same size (I do this often.)

Thoughts:  This is my first finish of the year (beside ten potholders).  I have MANY tops waiting to be quilted.

I love the simplicity of this quilt - it took a weekend to make because I laid the hexis on top of a quilt sandwich and quilted them in place.  The edges will fray beautifully in the wash.  I really want to do this again with different shaped fabrics - squares and/or rectangles.

It is quite likely LBCQ will be doing a show at the library again this fall.  I'll save this for the show.

Zen for Dad

Date:  May 2012 - March 2013

Pattern:  McCalls Quick Quilts March 2008 (severely modified)

Reason:  I liked the pattern and I wanted to use some blocks Grandma gave me.

Special Fabrics / Best Buys:  Many of the blocks including the 4 in the centre were given to me by Grandma.  My Aunt who works at a fabric store let me know when the perfect navy came in to the store.

Thoughts:  Gave to Dad for his 60th birthday.  I hand quilted this one.  It's been a really long time since I've done that.

7 Down 5 to Go

These blocks are orphans my grandmother game me.  I love using her blocks.

Five Down - Seven to Go