Spring Cleaning

I didn't do much sewing last week. Between spring cleaning and stormy days when my machine was unplugged, my stitching time was limited.

When I'm really in the mood to clean, I go all out. Our camper needed the full treatment since it hasn't been used for almost 18 months. Because of COVID, we canceled all our 2020 trips. Oh, we aired it out and unloaded some gear during that time, but it was still a little dusty and stale.

We spent all week. EVERYTHING came out: pots, pans, dishes, linens, all the stuff that normally stays in there. Lots of laundry and several dishwasher loads made it all fresh and clean. I wiped down walls and cabinets, replaced shelf liner, vacuumed, mopped and dusted.

I find it very satisfying to clean and organize once I get started. I culled out duplicate, expired or unused items before moving it all neatly back in. Rockette, my sturdy Singer 500-A, is stashed snugly in a cabinet with her sewing supplies and a couple of quilt kits. I've loaded basic clothing and canned goods. 

Now the camper is ready for our next trip--a few weeks after we get our 2^nd vaccine. All I'll need to add is fresh food.

Spring cleaning will now carry over into the house, but not until we rest and rejuvenate. I logged several miles just toting things back and forth. Thank goodness I had the help of my favorite guy. He finished indoor and outdoor trailer maintenance as well.  We're a great team.

Spring time

is the perfect time

to clean!

Violet Quartet

This cute little flower quilt was a spur of the moment inspiration. I had leftover pieces of green cut for my last project, so why not use them now?

I added pretty violet batik flower petals, making four blocks, then framed them with 1” green strips.

Quilting is simply serpentine stitch about 2” apart in green thread. Violet Quartet is 19” square and didn't take long to whip up.

The backing makes this a reversible two for one: I used shamrock fabric and more leftover strips. How's that for creativity?

While I enjoy planning ahead, sometimes it's more fun to go with the flow and see where it leads you.

Dies used:
Accuquilt 55409 Triangle in Square 4" fin
Blue Wren 6015 1 ½” Strips

Follow your creative impulse

Green Space

Green Space

We've finally sprung ahead. I'm not too crazy about the time change because I lost an hour of sewing! Anyhow, I'm happy that spring is nearly here. Daffodils are blooming and forsythia isn't far behind.

Today's quilt is two shades of green, for St. Patrick's Day and all things spring. The pale batik contrasting fabric gives just a hint of yellow and blue. Placement of the patches in these large 16” blocks creates winding paths across the quilt. I laid out the design and colors in EQ8.

Green Space is 48” square. I quilted along the curves with green thread using a decorative leafy vine stitch. In the center sections, I used a straight stitch and made a double octagon pattern. 

This one was easy and enjoyable to sew. Callie cat gave it her seal of approval.

Accuquilt dies used:

55031 Half Square Triangle 4” finished
55409 Triangle in Square 4” finished
55017 Strip 2 ½”

Don't forget to wear green on Wednesday

or the leprechauns might pinch ya!

Sand, Sea, & Stars

While wishing for a beach vacation, I designed this calm and peaceful quilt.

The two sea green fabrics came from an antique mall near Foley, Alabama. I chose light and medium gray for contrast, with a white on natural print background. Alternating two blocks, Blazing Star and Hourglass in Square, adds to the vintage look.  I framed it up with a sea green border. 

Sand, Sea, & Stars finished out at 55” square. I used dark cream thread for quilting scallop stitches 2” apart in one direction. Backing is a simple natural muslin.

Picture this sweet quilt in a beachfront cottage. I would love to be there right now!

Accuquilt dies used:
55051 Blazing Star BOB 12” finished
55002 Quarter Square Triangles, 6 ½”
55006 Half Square Triangles 3 ½”
55032 Strip 3 ½”
55017 Strip 2 ½”

Let's go to a place

where the stars

kiss the ocean

Playful Pinwheels

Playful Pinwheels

Sometimes I just want to sew a simple quilt. These pinwheels are easy and fast.

I started with navy and bright turquoise half square triangles that were already cut, then cut the khaki ones and a few more lighter blues.

Stitching all of them went quickly, then I pressed and sewed the little blocks. Laying them out and putting them together didn't take long either. Playful Pinwheels is 36” square and would be a lovely baby quilt, wall hanging, or table mat.

I recently got a new quilting ruler template and decided to try it on this one. The swirling design with tan thread adds both texture and motion. It's a sweet pattern.

This whole project was easy and enjoyable. I like having pieces cut and ready to use, which is why I make time for a scrap cutting day every month or two. In a perfect world, I'd do this after every quilt, but that's not realistic for me.

Besides keeping my scrap bins from overflowing, the precut remnants encourage me to play, to experiment with color and design. No fabric goes to waste around here, I put all to good use making bonus quilts!

Accuquilt dies used:
55009 Half Square Triangle 3” finished
55017 Strip 2 ½”

It is a 

happy

talent

to know how to

PLAY

Ralph Waldo Emerson