Happy Scrappy Quilt

Happy Scrappy Quilt

I made this quilt using materials I had on hand.  The quilt is assembled from gobs of 4 inch squares as you can see. The quilt is backed with yellow fabric which is decorated with Snoopy and polka dots.  I hand tied the quilt with lavender colored DMC Perle cotton.  I love how cheerful and bright this quilt turned out.  Sandy approves as well.  

I am behind: Here are Some Quilt Projects I've made Lately

Quilt Projects

I've been so busy learning to quilt that I have not taken the time to post much lately. Here is a little catch up.  Above is a little table top quilt I made using four fat quarters. I just made a bunch of Half Square Triangles and then put them together in a way that I thought looked nice.

Above is a wall hanging I made using two half yard pieces of ombre fabrics.  I tried to arrange the pin wheels so that they fade from one color to another.  

Above is a wall hanging I made using a winter-themed fabric.  The aqua blue fabric has cardinals and snow flakes on it. I intended to hanging this up during the holiday season but we ended up hanging it in the laundry room.  It's colorful and cheerful.  The design I used for this project is called Disappearing Nine Patch.

Here's another Disappearing Nine Patch project.  Above you can see four nine patch blocks.  Once you make the nine patch block, you cut each nine patch into four pieces by making vertical and horizontal cuts in the center.  Then you rearrange the pieces and stitch them all together again.  This project hasn't found a home yet.    

"Pressed Leaves" Quilt (Table Runner/Wall Hanging)

Pressed Leaves

I've been learning to quilt and I am enjoying it so much.  My friend, Belinda, noticed there was a Quilt Expo in Castle Rock, Colorado, a few weeks back.  We went and we found some great projects.  I bought a pattern called "Pressed Leaves" by Tonya Alexander.  The vendor who had the pattern had this great news print fabric which is the same fabric that is pictured in the pattern. For the colorful leaves, I used scrap fabric I had at home.  I am really pleased with how this turned out.  I love the piecing part of quilting but I am finding it very difficult to do the quilting/top stitching on large objects.  This table runner/wall hanging was a manageable size.  We hung this wall hanging in our front entry way. 

This pattern can be found at www.stashlabquilts.com

I'm Making a Quilt: Part II

The block above is called "The Post Office

The block above is called "Ice Cream Parlor"

More Quilt Blocks...

Over the past few months, I've been learning to quilt. I made a number of 12.5 x 12.5 inch blocks from a Sampler Sew Along found on www.whitneysews.com.  Along the way, I started following another quilting group on Facebook which is hosted by Pat Sloan. She is also offering a free sew along called "Main Street" and I really liked the look of that project as well.  As luck would have it, the "Main Street" quilt blocks are also 12.5 x 12.5 inches.  I decided I would start making the "Main Street" quilt blocks until I ran out of the fabric that I had purchased for the original WhitneySews sew along. 

Pictured here are the Main Street quilt blocks.  All of the blocks are named after shops you might find along Main Street. 

The block above is called "Courthouse".

The block above is called "Five and Dime"

The block above is called "Books on Main". I was tired when I cut the fabric for this block so I accidentally cut enough for two blocks. Whoops!

The block above is called "Movie Theatre"

The block above is called "The Bank"

The block above is called "Beauty Shop/Barber Shop"

I've been learning about Quilt As You Go (QAYG) techniques.  I am planning to put this quilt together using one of the various QAYG techniques.  

I'm Making a QUILT!

BROKEN DISHES

I am making a quilt!  I found a great quilt "Sampler Sewalong" that I found on a blog called www.whitneysews.com 

So far I have made 9 of 12 quilt blocks and I am anxiously awaiting the video tutorials for the remaining blocks.  After that, I presume there will be instructions for how to finish all remaining steps for the quilt.  

I was visiting my mom and dad and sister in Oregon earlier in May. One day, my mom, sister, and I went fabric shopping.  I did not intend to shop for fabric for the quilt but I found this great charcoal gray fabric with the flowers and hearts.  It just really spoke to me!  I found a number of fat quarters in shades of green, peach, gray, and aqua that I thought coordinated nicely with the fabric. I also selected a white fabric that has tiny flecks of metallic silver for just a little bling.

I love trying out the various quilt blocks.  I can see my quilt piecing skills improving each and every block and I am thrilled about that.  For my quilt piecing, I purchased a special foot for my sewing machine.  It's a quarter inch foot that has a guard on it that helps one sew consistent 1/4 inch seams. It's not fool proof but I find this foot to be well worth the expense.  It was just under $20.00.

FRIENDSHIP STAR

RAIL FENCE

PUSS IN THE CORNER

CROSSES AND LOSSES

CHURN DASH

ROAD TO OKLAHOMA 

ANNA'S CHOICE... THIS ONE IS MY FAVORITE!

There is one more block called CRYSTAL STAR.  I guess I neglected to take a photo of that block all by itself.  

Pinwheel Wall Hanging

Pinwheel Wall Hanging

In the past few months, I have really, REALLY gotten back into sewing. I mean REALLY!  So much so that I purchased a new sewing machine and a serger and I totally revamped my craft space.  I am having so much fun!  The short version of the long story is that a good friend, Kerri (we've known each other since 4th grade), sent me some amazing fabric to make her some dog bone shaped pillows. The fabric was amazing and there were lots of leftovers. I was determined to make her some nice knitting project bags but I had to make some practice bags first.  

It is absolutely amazing how many craft tutorial videos you can find on the Internet!  I have found a few ladies who were making various pouches and bags (some with zippers and some without) and I just kept building my skills as I worked my way through the various patterns I liked.

Here are my favorite bloggers/YouTube video channels:

Whitney Sews

Confessions of a Home Schooler

Charmed by Ashley

Whitney from Whitney Sews is having a quilt sampler sew along and I decided to take the plunge and buy the required fabric amounts to make the sampler. She has already put out 9 of 12 videos for the quilt and I am anxiously awaiting the next three blocks.  My excitement about quilting got me looking at other designs. I really like the look of pinwheels. I made a few that had some problem spots.  I kept looking at a variety of internet videos and I found one video that helped me make some great looking pinwheels without a big bulky spot in the center.  I made up these four pinwheels and was so proud. I added some sashing between the pinwheels and added batting, backing, and a binding.  I love how it turned out; it's hanging on the wall in my newly organized/rearranged craft room.  Soon I'll show you my quilt blocks for my quilt sampler sew along.  I love that I am learning new skills with each and every block. I am addicted!