Am I Blue?

An easy quilt is just what I needed to finish out this crazy year.

Medium blue fabrics with white and black accents and a touch of aqua make this one shine. To keep the rail fence blocks from being boring, I featured two smaller rectangles in each center section. I used EQ8 for layout and color placement.

Am I Blue? is 48” square. I quilted diagonally with dark blue thread in a serpentine stitch. The blue and white dot backing and striped binding finish it off perfectly.

Am I Blue?

So, my final count for 2020 is 52 quilt projects. It's been a great year for sewing! This week I'll straighten up my space, then sort and inventory fabric.  I got new dies and fabric for Christmas, so I'll organize my storage shelves too. A reworked design wall is currently under construction.

I love starting the new year with a clean slate and a fresh list of ideas.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6047 Rectangles 2” x 6” and 2” x 3”
Accuquilt 55017 2½” Strip

Peppermint Snowballs

Merry Christmas y'all...here's a sweet and easy small project that should make Santa happy.

Medium red fabric with tiny white dots, plus a red/white diagonal stripe and a black and white weave pattern contrast sharply with crisp solid white broadcloth. I alternated nine-patch and snowball blocks. Designed in EQ8 and cut with Accuquilt, Peppermint Snowballs is 30” square.

For quilting I used a wide decorative stitch with white thread diagonally across the nine-patch blocks. Then I changed to a straight stitch, sewing twice across each snowball. Binding with the striped fabric frames it perfectly.

Peppermint Snowballs

I've sewed this simple block combination before, and each quilt looks different due to color changes and placement. That's one of the things I enjoy about quilting!


Accuquilt Dies used:
55017 2½” Strip
55330 Snowball 6” finished
55059 2½” Square multiples

Here's wishing everyone

a peaceful and relaxing holiday!

Joyous

I bet you wouldn't guess that I use quilts for holiday decorations. I sewed this quick project last week.

I designed it in EQ8 to get the layout just right. Four Periwinkle blocks and five square in a square blocks go together nicely. I didn't have the right size dies to make the five squares, so I rotary cut those, added larger triangles and trimmed to fit.

Joyous is 30” square, in dark red, teal, black, gray, and white fabrics. I quilted straight stitch rows 3/4” apart with medium gray thread.

This year I haven't gone all out with Christmas decorations. I pulled out only my favorites, adding a few pieces to each room along with my quilts. It's low key but still festive.

I have made snacks, especially Chex mix, my mama's favorite! I miss her; yesterday was her birthday so I wore a leopard print shirt in her honor.

Dies used:

Blue Wren 6077 Periwinkle 10” block
Accuquilt 55017 2½” strip

Midnight Glow

Midnight Glow

Navy and gold batik fabrics are always a beautiful combination, and especially so in this week's quilt.

The block is very curvy, made with Blue Wren's Friendship Circles 8” die. It's their version of a vintage design of the same name. I had to piece and press carefully to keep from stretching the edges. It was worth the extra time to create this beauty!

I chose a red-violet color blender from the navy batik for the center pieces, a narrow border and binding. It creates a nice contrast, along with the creamy yellow corners. Midnight Glow is 48” square. I arranged the layout and drew the block in Electric Quilt 8.

Light gold thread was used to quilt around each ring with a walking foot. I added diagonal stitching across the blocks, then three parallel lines on the navy borders.

When I first got the die, I sewed a few test blocks to practice. I made these into a 16” pillow cover. You can see that color choice and placement create different looks. I started quilting in the center and sewed a continuous spiral with gray thread. I named the pillow design Soft & Sweet.

I may take a break from curves for a bit, but I'll definitely sew this one again. I have already designed another for scraps.

Blue Wren dies used:
6301 Friendship Circles 8”
6015 1½” strip

Accuquilt dies used:
55017 2½” strip
55032 3½” strip

To find peace, 

sometimes you have to be willing 

to lose communication 

with people, places, and things 

that create the noise in your life. 

Vintage Sassy Baby

Vintage Sassy Baby

I went back to the remnant box for this adorable baby quilt. I like this simple vintage block called Periwinkle from Blue Wren. It's quick, easy and fun to sew.

The medium sized floral border fabric provided color choices for the 10” blocks. Pink, yellow, melon, green, blue and aqua prints stand out nicely against white on cream fabric. I used EQ8 for layout and color placement.

Vintage Sassy Baby's final size of 38” x 48” is just right for a little one. Backing and binding is a yellow linen look print. Using light creamy thread, I quilted free motion in a stipple pattern.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6077 Periwinkle 10” block
Accuquilt 55017 2½” strip

Thankful for the joy

that quilting brings

Thankful Anyway

Well, 2020 hasn't given us much to be thankful for. Between the election, hurricanes, and COVID-19, most of this year has seemed frantic and unsettling. It has definitely been a time for vision.

With my ever positive attitude, I am still thankful for a lot. My husband and I are both healthy. We have a roof over our heads, food, water, and paper products. We are retired, so we don't have to go out except for necessities. We can stay in and stay safe, wearing masks when we leave the house. I do miss eating out, but to me it isn't worth the risk.

I'm grateful that I truly enjoy being at home. I've taken advantage of extra time here to make a few small improvements. I've cleared out and reorganized cabinets, closets and drawers. Home to us is sanctuary; a cozy, peaceful place to relax and enjoy life.

Going through quarantines and shortages made me pause to think about what's really important. The extra solitude gave me the opportunity to reconsider what I want my life to be like. Simplicity and comfort are key ingredients; saying no to people and things I don't want is another.

I've turned off the news, listened to more music, read more books, explored new ideas, taken long walks, and had great conversations with my husband. I found that I don't need so many clothes, shoes, and accessories. My hair has grown out to a pretty silvery color and I just trimmed off the last of the blonde ends. I'm officially an old gal now, but still a feisty one!

Last of all, I appreciate having a lovely craft room with enough fabric and supplies to keep me sewing for at least another year or two. My sweetie has the full basement for his toys and projects.

So, we're good here. And thankful.

Wishing you all

a peaceful Thanksgiving

Crimson Crossing

I've gone off the reservation again, experimenting with quilt blocks. I clearly don't always follow the rules. This time I added a few elements to the Crossed Canoe die to create a double canoe pattern.

Four blocks together make an eight pointed star. There's a bonus secondary canoe design where the small triangles meet. I used EQ8 software to draw a new block and preview color placement. 

Here's how I laid them out. I pressed the center seams open to reduce bulk, then pressed toward the corner triangles.

I chose fabric in shades of red to contrast with neutral cream and stone prints. So many little pieces to make those 64 small blocks. I did a lot of moving around on my design wall before finalizing the layout. 

Crimson Crossing is 48” square and features double picot stitch in tan thread, quilting in a 3” grid with a walking foot. The backing is a dark red print, binding is red and cream stripe.

Crimson Crossing

Sewing this took up most of my week, but I loved every minute. Yesterday I took a break and cleaned the sewing room.  Neat space is all ready for my next creation.  

Accuquilt Dies used:
55181 Crossed Canoes
55009 Half Square Triangles 3” finished
55017 2½” strip

Doing

what you like

is freedom.

Liking

what you do

is happiness.

 

Wind Spinners

Shades of blue, coral, and gray prints combine beautifully in today's nice little wall hanging. This charming quilt creates motion with curved shapes that remind me of spinning pinwheels or windmills.

I pulled fabric from my scrap boxes and fat quarters to cut with the Windspinner die from Blue Wren.  I laid all material right side up, no fan folding on this one.  The curves are accurate and easy to sew; I didn't even use pins after the first few. I added a 3” border of gray with thin black lines. Final size of Wind Spinners is 45” square.

With light gray thread and a walking foot, I quilted flowing lines back and forth across the blocks to mimic wind. I love the effect! In the border I added a straight stitch 1” away from the inner seams.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6289 Windspinner 8” block
Accuquilt 55017 2½” strip and 55032 3½” strip

Sometimes

in the winds of change

we find

our greatest direction 

Baby Buggy Wheels

Baby Buggy Wheels

As promised, here's my latest quilt, made using the new Wheels die from Blue Wren.

I stitched up one from remnants to test the die and decided to use it in this baby quilt. The hot pink with black and white fabric is a striking contrast and creates a pinwheel secondary design.

You do have to pay attention to which way the fabric for the outer frame is laid on the die. The sections sew together very easily. I hand stitched the center octagon after the block was finished, although you could glue it and then topstitch. Baby Buggy Wheels is 36” square.

Quilting was done in dark gray thread with the Squiggy ruler across the centers and between each block. Then I added a small serpentine stitch with a walking foot to fill in.

What a cute little quilt this makes! I have several more ideas for this block, so stay tuned.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6297 Wheels 12” block
Accuquilt 55017 2½” strip

November = crisp frosty mornings

 

Timepieces

Timepieces

Neutral colors of gray and tan with combined with black create great contrast for this modern style quilt.

Eight inch quarter circle blocks make for quick work at the sewing machine. I used 24 of them to create six large 16” blocks. After adding a mitered border in classy black and cream stripes, 40” x 56” is the final size. The circles in this configuration remind me of clocks, so I named it Timepieces.

Using variegated black and tan thread, I sewed in a straight stitch, four rows through the block centers and twice around the outer circles. A scallop stitch on the border makes a nice frame.

I ordered three new dies from Blue Wren in Australia around mid September; they arrived in just over 3 weeks. This one, Charming Rings, is absolutely amazing. It's perfect to cut from 10” squares and the curved, notched seams are so easy to stitch. 

The quarter circles can be arranged in many ways and could be combined with other 8” blocks for variety.

You can be sure I'll have more quilts from the other two dies very soon!  

Dies used:

Blue Wren
6858 Charming Rings 8”

Accuquilt
55017 2½” strip

Time is free,

but it's priceless.

You can't own it,

but you can use it.

You can't keep it,

but you can spend it.

Once you've lost it,

you can never get it back.

Harvey Mackay

 

Entwined

Let me just say that a double wedding ring quilt is NOT a quick one to sew. Even with Accuquilt, it took several hours to cut all those pieces, and many days to stitch them all together. Thank goodness my Janome machine has an accurate quilting foot and automatic lock stitch function. I decided right away to make it a lap quilt instead of queen size!

It was good for me to take my time, and practice patience. Going through my scrap boxes to choose fabrics and laying them out on my design board was relaxing. I love the old fashioned vintage look of Entwined. The pastels and white on cream go together nicely.

Quilting was done with cream thread ¼” away from the inner and outer seams of every circle. I used Creative Grids ruler Elvira by Angela Walters to create a curvy design in the center sections. Finally, I sewed light gray bias binding to the edges.

I love the look of the double wedding ring quilt, but I don't think I'll plan another one any time soon. Early quilters who hand stitched and hand quilted this design have my respect and admiration.

Entwined

Accuquilt dies used:
55076 and 55077 Double Wedding Ring

“If you see me

with a seam ripper,

now is NOT a good time.”

Out With The Old

I've taken advantage of extra time at home this year to declutter a bunch of things. Knicknacks, clothes and shoes I won't wear, outdated décor, and stuff we don't use any more are out of here. I've learned that I don't really need so much to be happy. Simplicity is my goal. The house is lighter and local thrift stores are fuller.

During a sewing room closet cleanup, I discovered this quilt top from 2015. I had put it aside, anticipating that I would add more strips or a large border. I thought about it, but I decided that it looks fine as is.  And now it's finished, ready to be gifted!

Out With The Old is made from 3” strips left over from other projects. This one was rotary cut since I didn't have Accuquilt yet. I used a cream and tan medium floral print for backing and binding on this 45” x 47” lap throw. Quilting with tan thread, I started in the center, sewing a straight stitch on either side of the seams.

I have determined that I don't really like unfinished objects (UFO's) laying around my sewing room. They make me feel stressed, end up stacked in my way or forgotten on a shelf. I enjoy my work better if I sew one project at a time. Everything stays neater: it's rarely perfect, but it is functional.

There are two more found UFO's awaiting my attention, but they've been added to my “In Progress” list. I do like to cut one or two quilts ahead of time, but I keep them corralled in labeled bins on one shelf under my cutting table. I design constantly so hundreds of ideas are stored on my computer. I guess I'll never make them all, but I will most assuredly try my best. It's what makes me happiest.  

Curate your space

to make room for

your happiness

Transitions

This week's quilt is simple, although it looks complicated. I started with a postage stamp print purchased last year in Pensacola. I cut half square triangles in two sizes using navy and sea green fabrics that match the print.

I added cream muslin 3” squares, then sashing of slim strips with orange squares between each 6” square. A navy border frames it up nicely. Transitions is 48” x 56” in size.

The blocks were quick easy to cut and sew. I laid it out in EQ8 before finalizing the quilt fabrics. I used the same cream muslin for backing, and channel quilted with cream thread in a straight stitch one inch apart.

I saw a photo of this design in different colors online, but I don't know the original pattern name. Transitions seemed like the right description of this quilt with interesting lines and borders.

I love the whole creative process: being inspired, choosing colors, adding my personal touches, cutting, stitching, and quilting.

Dies used:
Accuquilt
55006 square 3½”
55009 HST 3½”
55001 HST 6½”
55032 3½” strip
55017 2½” strip

Blue Wren
6015 1½” strip
(sashing and squares)

Interesting things happen
along borders - transitions -
not in the middle
where everything is the same.
Neal Stephenson
 

Effie's Challenge

A few weeks ago I received a surprise package from my cousin Lola. I opened it and found a quilt top and a few blocks made by our grandmother, Effie Evitts Hill.

The top was partially hand stitched with some seams sewn on machine using several different colors of thread. We don't know when she made it; it's a mixture of cotton and poly-cotton fabric in red, white, and blue. If I had to guess, I'd say mid to late 1980's or early 90's.

It had been washed at some point, which caused quite a few seams to unravel, as you can see in the photo below. I wanted to keep as much of her work intact as possible, even though many of the blocks were not square and corners didn't all line up. It's a big 84” x 90”quilt, and quite a project to tackle.

I mended all those torn seams and straightened the blocks as much as I could without taking the whole thing apart. The inner border is puckered some because that fabric didn't shrink as much as the cotton next to it. I had to trim off about 2” around the outer border.

I added flannel batting and plain muslin backing. Fittingly, I used Rockette, my trusty 1960's Singer Rocketeer, for all the stitching. White thread in a triple zig-zag stitch for quilting helped camouflage the uneven seams.

I only owned one of her quilts, so it's nice to complete another that she started. It's not perfect, but I don't think she intended it to be. It was likely a simple bed quilt for personal use, not one to enter at the county fair.

I was sewing clothes but not quilting at all when she died in 1992. I wonder, what would Granny Hill think about me finishing this one? Thanks Lola, for sharing...it was definitely a challenge!

Sometimes,

good enough

is

good enough

Just Playin'

Sometimes I like experimenting with designs and trying new color combinations. Other days I practice free motion and ruler quilting techniques on sample blocks. Little projects like these mats are perfect for that, and useful to boot.

The table mat is made using Hattie's Choice blocks, but I substituted two triangles for in place of the diamond shape to give it more interest. After framing them with strips, I used Creative Grids Slim ruler by Angela Walters to quilt over the whole piece. It looks like rows of picket fences or roof tiles, don't you think?

Project #2--I haven't made many quilts with the wedge die so I cut a few pieces to play with. I added white 1” strips on either side of the center wedges for an outline. 

Free motion quilting is kind of like doodling. I started with swoops inside the print fabrics.  I wanted to fill in the peach outside sections densely. I think I did pretty good for my first attempt at cobblestones. Callie won't notice any mistakes anyway; this is a cat mat for her.

 

Playin' around in the sewing room is relaxing and fun, and keeps me distracted from doing housework. I use up scraps, learn new techniques, practice skills, and create new ideas for future quilts. It's quite satisfying to work on small pieces that finish in a snap.


Dies used:
Accuquilt
55220 Hattie's Choice 8” block
55439 Wedge 9” finished
55017 2 ½” strip

Blue Wren
6015 1 ½” strip 

Play is the highest form of research.

Albert Einstein

Flying Circus

 

Color. Stars. Action. 

This quilt has it all.  It started with two 5” charm packs of Tula Pink prints and solids that I bought last year. I've pulled them out several times but never found the right project.

This time, I hit on the perfect design and layout to showcase these bright dots and stripes. Depending on how you look at it, either the navy stars or the bright squares appear to float over the gray background. And sometimes I see the stars as latticework behind the squares. This one's open to interpretation.

Flying Circus is 45” x 52” size. I cut gray print rectangles and added small navy triangles to each corner to form the star sashing. I don't have a narrow signature die that size, so lots of trimming was involved but it was so worth the time. I always try to use what I have to make what's needed.

And it's cat approved.  During quilting I stepped away from the machine for a moment.  Callie likes to take my chair or the quilt I'm working on for her nap.  

Using gray thread, I quilted ¼” away from each side of the sashing. I didn't quilt inside the squares in order to feature those fabrics. Backing is a navy and gray tiny print with a solid border of navy added along one side for width.

Accuquilt dies used:
55059 2 ½” squares
55159 2 ½”x 4 ½” finished rectangle
55769 1 ⅛” finished half square triangle
55017 2 ½” strip (binding)
and if you don't have precut charm squares
55010 5” square

Sometimes

all you need

is a

SPLASH of COLOR

Labor Day Relaxation

Hey y'all, I'm on a break this beautiful Labor Day weekend. 
Slightly cooler weather here was just in time to enjoy a long weekend at home. 

We did a little yard work, then spent some much needed relaxing on our screened porch.  Just the two of us, reading and kicking back.  No big trip, no stress, no plans.  Simple food, easy living. Love it! 

See ya next week with another quilt!

Sweet Tradition

This little quilt is similar to some made by Granny Hill and Granny Rose. In keeping with their tradition, I sewed it all on Rockette, my 1960's era Singer 500-A Rocketeer machine. She's a beauty and still sews like a dream. I do have to get used to trimming my own thread and manually raising/lowering the presser foot, but that doesn't take long. I may be a little spoiled by modern conveniences.

Pretty vintage style prints emphasize the old fashioned feel of time-honored kaleidoscope or kite blocks. I combined sections of two Accuquilt dies to give me fewer seams. These didn't take long at all to cut and stitch. I alternated pastel and medium toned blocks to balance the colors.

Sweet Tradition is 40” square, perfect baby or child size. I quilted with cream thread in a straight stitch alongside each block seam and across the triangles.

Recreating old patterns is one of my passions.  Seeing antique blocks made by the grannies inspires me. I love making them come to life in retro style or modern quilts. I have a list a mile long that of ideas I want to try. There just aren't enough hours in the day!

Accuquilt dies used:
55409 Triangle in square 4” finished (triangle)
55254 Kite 4” finished (kite)
55017 2 ½” strip (binding)

At the heart of every

family tradition

is a meaningful

experience

To see blog posts about my Rocketeer or other vintage quilts from Granny Rose and Granny Hill, click on their label below:

On The Sunny Side

Here's another simple but pretty quilt, just right for scraps in shades of yellow, gray, and white. It didn't take that long to cut the triangle shapes. I sewed them in batches, and arranged on my design wall to distribute the colors.

On The Sunny Side is 48” square. I chose a gray swirl design on white for backing and binding. I quilted across each square in a serpentine stitch, horizontally and vertically, using yellow thread on top and gray in the bobbin. 

It's fabulous to be in the sewing room on hot or rainy days, doing what I love.


Accuquilt dies used:
55047 4” finished quarter square triangles
55017 2½” strip for binding

Keep on the sunny side,
Always on the sunny side
Keep on the sunny side of life

Greenway

In this hot August weather, I've been staying inside working on something cool, green, and fresh. I saw a photo of this design online, done up in different colors, so I sewed my version of the pattern.

My Greenway quilt was fairly quick to stitch up. The ten inch blocks are set on point, alternating each block design. The simple cross is made of squares and rectangles in neutral tans, aqua, and white on cream vine print. For the green blocks, I added a small cream half-square triangle across the corner of finished HST squares.

I sewed partial blocks to fill in the corners and sides for this 43” x 57” snuggle quilt. Quilting is a straight stitch in cream thread along both sides of the seams. For backing, I used a large scale stripe in green, aqua and cream with an off center ten inch wide strip of a green tiny print. Green binding frames it up nicely.

Accuquilt dies used:

55031 Half Square 4” finished
55159 Rectangle 2 ½” x 4 ½”
55018 Small Value die 4 ½” square and 2 ½” HST
55017 2½” strip for binding

Side note: This week's our 47^th anniversary, a low key celebration for sure. No elegant restaurant meal or trip to the beach; still too much COVID around for us to venture out. That's ok, all we need is each other. We're not fancy people anyhow. We'll be happy to enjoy a simple grilled steak, salad, and baked potato dinner, a bottle of wine, and a movie. Sounds like a perfect night in the home we've created together.

Little Boy Blue

Baby quilts are so much fun to sew. I made this sweet bow tie design with fabric purchased at the $1 sale a few weeks ago.

A simple traditional block sewed with four blue and white small prints gives it a vintage vibe. Little Boy Blue is 42” square. I quilted with light blue thread in free motion double loops, going diagonally across the squares. Backing is a creamy white with medium blue swirling designs.

This size could also be used for a wall hanging or table topper. It's a quick and easy layout that sews up in a flash.

Accuquilt dies used:

55772 Bowtie 6” finished square
55818 Half square 1 ½” finished square
55006 Square 3 ½”
55017 2½” strip

Do more things
that make you forget
to check your phone

Feelin' Groovy

These colors remind me of 1967. Bright pink, orange, green, yellow, and aqua are balanced by navy. I started with a half-yard bundle called Art Gallery, from Pineapple Fabrics, then added a few of my own pieces (some from my new $1 stash).

I designed the layout in EQ8 before sewing them all together. I quilted with orange thread in diagonal lines, one straight stitch, one serpentine. I love this one! The solid orange backing has a strip of 6” squares running down the center.

Feelin' Groovy is 44” x 53” size, nice for a picnic or a nap, if the dazzling colors don't keep you awake. 

Accuquilt dies used:
55147 Half square triangle 2 ¼” finished
55731 Signature 4 ½” finished
55017 2½” strip
55000 6½” square 

Ba da-da da-da da-da, feeling groovy

--Paul Simon