Freedom

Freedom

Patriotic quilts in red, white and blue are so beautiful. I saw a version of this design on Pinterest and decided to whip one up on Friday. It didn't take very long to sew using 3 ½” squares and half square triangles cut with Accuquilt.

Backing is a star print in navy, red, and cream.  I quilted with white thread in a straight stitch 1" apart.  

Freedom is 12 ½” by 36 ½” and is hanging on my front door. I'll bring it inside after today so it won't fade, then hang it again for Flag Day and Independence Day. It could also be used a table runner.

On this Memorial Day, I salute those who died defending our right to freedom.

Counting The Hours

I teased last week about a triangle project. I really hate to waste fabric so I always keep boxes and bags of scraps. Only the tiniest slivers get tossed.

Today's quilt, Counting The Hours, came from little aqua, green, white and cream remnants. I used 2½” half square triangles turned to make quarter square hourglass blocks. 

It took a while (and a bit of patience) to sew the 952 pieces together, press them, and arrange them on my design wall. I didn't keep track of the exact hours, but I spent almost a week from idea to finished product. 

I love the peaceful color scheme of this lap sized 39” x 47” throw. It matches other quilts in my collection. I quilted in serpentine stitch with a neutral green thread both horizontally and vertically.

The best part is that I used material left over from other projects. These days I use Accuquilt dies to cut them into useful pieces when the boxes overflow. Every now and then I schedule a cutting session to manage and organize my stash. I store them in plastic shoe boxes and square containers labeled with the size and die name.

"I believe the desire to make something out of nearly nothing is bred into my soul."  ~anonymous

A Little Tipsy

A Little Tipsy

How about a glass of sangria? Drunkard's Path block made this table mat just the right accessory for serving up a pitcher on Cinco de Mayo. I found two remnants of purple and stone batik fabric in my stash.

This 19” square mat whipped up so quickly using Accuquilt dies to cut the pieces and binding. I added 2½” triangles in the corners for a different look. Precise straight stitch quilting with light stone colored thread outlines each piece. (I didn't drink the sangria until after I finished.)

I used my brand new Janome HP2 Acufeed foot on this project.  Perfect quarter inch seams and no stretching on curves or bias edges.  Love it!

Here's a hint about my next quilt: hundreds and hundreds of 2½” half square triangles. This should keep me busy for sure. Check back next week for an update.

Cottage Charm

What a sweet soft quilt made for a country setting. I cut scrap pieces in neutrals and brights with Accuquilt 3 ½” square and 3 ½”x 6 ½” rectangle dies. 

Making the modified log cabin blocks was my camping project, stitched on a portable machine while we were at Defeated Creek Campground in April.

I finished it off here at home, adding 2” sashing in a pale spring green. Backing is cut from an old soft floral sheet. I mounted it on my Flynn Quilt Frame, free motion quilting in a meandering pattern with tan thread.

Cottage Charm, 45” x 55” in size, could be the perfect accent to someone's shabby chic décor. Can't you see it in a log cabin or cottage, draped over a wicker chair or an iron bed?

Beautiful things

come together

one stitch

at a time