Clean Sweep

Clean Sweep

Using scraps in a quilt is so satisfying to me. I like to call them bonus quilts.

This one started with my practice block of the Chimney Sweep die. I liked it so much that I built the design around it, using EQ8 for layout. I chose a few jelly roll strips and cut other fabric from my remnant basket. Quick and easy to sew!

The clean look of bright colors floating on crisp white is just so pretty. White sashing gives a bit of space between the blocks. Clean Sweep is 50” square. I quilted diagonally across the blocks with white thread, using a multi-stitch wide zigzag. It's perfect for snuggling up with a book on a rainy day.

Accuquilt dies used:
55222 Chimney Sweep
55017 Strip 2 ½”

Side note: I bought yet another huge pile of fabric at a quilter's estate sale, thanks to a tip from my friend Pam and her daughter Tiffany. I'm still counting and organizing, trying to find space to merge it all into my sewing room. More later...

Soothing Shells

Soothing Shells

I have always loved the look of clamshell quilts but I never attempted one until now. I found the die on sale in December, so I bought myself a little Christmas gift.

Sewing them is fairly easy after a little practice. I pinned at three points and stitched slowly, not stretching the fabric but letting it curve into position. The cool gray, crisp white, and calming aqua colors came from my stash.

Soothing Shells is 32” square. Using white thread, I quilted by outlining the rounded edges with a walking foot. Then I switched to free motion quilting and added a swirling design across shell and down to the point. I'm happy with how this one turned out. It reminds me of my favorite place, the beach.

As with other curved dies, there was excess fabric left after the die cuts. Not to worry, I immediately cut them with the rounded section of small Drunkard's Path die. You'll be seeing those later. Right now they're resting in a labeled plastic container. It's nice to handle the leftovers before they pile up!

Accuquilt dies used:
55436 Clamshell 8”
55017 Strip 2 ½”

Shells make me 

crave some vitamin sea

Moonshadow

I accomplished a lot on my break. A week at home with no deadlines gave me time to dream and relax. I made a few changes in the sewing space, did some planning, and cut out two projects with dies I got for Christmas.

My husband and I enlarged my design wall, adding reinforcement wood strips behind the insulation and changing out the cover fabric.

Moonshadow

This week's project is the last one I quilted in 2020. I absolutely love the yellow and charcoal batik fabrics. You might recognize the yellow from another recent quilt. I always try to save every remnant. I cut enough tiny triangles to make 25 Hattie's Choice blocks. After adding the border, Moonshadow finished out at 48” square.

I quilted with yellow thread in a fancy feathered serpentine stitch, both horizontally and vertically. I hung it in our living room after taking down holiday quilts.

Accuquilt dies used:
55220 Hattie's Choice 8” finished
55054 Strip 4 ½”
55017 Strip 2 ½”

Aim for the moon.

if you miss, you may hit a star.

~ W. Clement Stone

 

Looks Like We Made It

It's a new year and I'm glad to be here. I'm taking a few days to relax, renew and reorganize.  

Until next week, here's something to think about: