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