Monday, January 27, 2020

Amazed

Amazed

This week's quilt is perfect to cheer drizzly winter days. I used black and gray half hexagons paired with brightly colored triangles to create a larger triangle. 

I arranged everything on my design wall as I cut, lining up the colors before sewing them into strips.

The final arrangement makes a beautiful modern maze that looks more complicated than it is. After sewing all the sections together, I trimmed off the top and bottom edges. I quilted with gray thread along the top edges of the hex pieces and in the ditch down the strips. 

Black and white chevron print fabric was used on the back and binding is a light gray. Amazed is 36” x 42” size, a cute baby quilt or wall hanging.

This one was quick and easy once I had it laid out. I like these medium sized projects because I can complete them in a few days. Finishing something always gives me a satisfying feeling of accomplishment.

Accuquilt dies used:
4 ½” Half Hexagon 55437
4 ½” Equilateral Triangle 55429

You will be amazed
at how things magically
fall into place
when you let go
of the illusion
of control.
~Maryam Hasnaa




Monday, January 20, 2020

Southern Charm


This year I intend to use more of my very large fabric stash. As I did my annual inventory, I validated the fact that I am seriously addicted to pretty material. I knew there was a lot since I needed a larger binder for my index cards.

Apparently I don't use as much as I buy. I'm running out of storage space. So, I earmarked some pieces to sell, several to donate to my local thrift shop, and more for my next few projects.

Southern Charm
Today's quilt is one of those. Nine-patch and snowball 6” blocks combine for a bright, happy little 42” x 48” quilt. I chose a red apple print for center and half squares, backing and binding; solid tan for snowball centers. I shopped my scrap boxes for coordinating colors.

Southern Charm is quilted with a walking foot, using light red thread in a diagonal crosshatch pattern. I think it has a vintage look. I used roughly 4 ½ yards of fabric, now just 705 yards to go before I run out. Not likely to happen!

Accuquilt dies used:
6” Snowball 55330
2 ½” square multiple 55059



With the amount of fabric I own, 
I should be ashamed of myself.  
Let's be clear, I'm not!  
But I should be. 
~author unknown 

Monday, January 13, 2020

Curiosity


I selected most of my black and white fabrics for this beauty, then added a few grays for good measure. I stitched it the last week of 2019. Each 11” block is made with four diamond in square blocks. The design is perfect for using up remnants.

I cut 2 ½” x 4 ½” rectangles for the centers and 3 ½” half square triangles to set them into squares. Narrow sashing of 1 ½” strips in a white on white print frames them up nicely.

The backing/binding is a delightful print called Cat Happy from Windham Fabrics. If you look closely, you'll find a few more kitties peeking out in the front triangles. I quilted with a walking foot in white thread, using straight stitch in long wavy lines 5/8” apart.

Curiosity finished at 52” square, a nice size for cat napping.
Curiosity

Accuquilt dies used:
55159 2 ½” x 4 ½” rectangle
55009 3 ½” half square triangles


Once we believe in ourselves, we can experience curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit. 
 ~ e.e. Cummings


Monday, January 6, 2020

On Every Corner


A new year and a new decade has arrived! Like most folks, I like to do a reset in January. Wrap up year end items. Clear out clutter. Consider what's next, what makes me happy. For me, a fresh start is energizing.


Today's quilt, On Every Corner, is one I finished just before Christmas. Green, cream, navy, and rust prints were cut into strips and squares and arranged in a diagonal pattern. I worked up the design in EQ8 software before cutting with AccuQuilt.

Fabric for the backing and binding is a grayish tan cobblestone print. I quilted with tan thread, using a straight stitch along the seams, keeping the diagonal lines toward the center. These calming colors would be right at home in a mountain cabin, don't you think?


What's next for me isn't difficult to figure out...I already have a huge list of quilts to make. Modern, vintage style, large and small. My sewing room is clean and organized. The only thing now is to decide which one to cut first.

Accuquilt dies used:
3 ½” x 6 ½” rectangle 55005
3 ½” square 55006


Pursuit of happiness =
more fabric,
more quilts,
more time in my sewing room

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