Tropical Breeze

Inspiration can come from just one small piece of fabric. This quilt wasn't planned, just a spur of the moment idea on a hot summer afternoon. 

I started with the large scale tropical print, cut into five 8” squares. Then I pulled fabrics of solid yellow and pink paisley to make four Windspinner blocks. Tiny coordinating stripes make a one inch border and binding, framing a 4” marbled aqua border. Tropical Breeze is 32” square.

Creativity continued with the quilting, done in bright yellow thread. I stitched in free motion on the windspinners, using curved lines to echo the fan blades. On the large tropical print, I stitched fairly densely around and inside the leaves and flowers, following the stems and blossoms. 

So much fun...like painting with thread. You can see the detail better on the light yellow back side.  The borders feature serpentine lines, quilted with Elvira ruler.  

I enjoyed this quickie project, especially playing with free motion techniques. I don't think I'll use the dense stitching on a large quilt, but you'll likely see it again on small ones. 

Never stop learning new things!

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6289 Windspinner 8”
6015 Strips 1½”

Accuquilt
55058 Square 8”
55017 Strip 2 ½”
55032 Strip 3 ½”

What inspires you in this life

is what is meant for you.

~Julie Temple

Sun Dried Cotton

Sun Dried Cotton

Another scrap quilt today, with lots of pretty pieces. It reminds me of an old fashioned clothesline on a sunny day.

Can't you just picture dresses, shirts, and sheets flapping in the breeze? I'll bet if you stop to concentrate, you could get a whiff of warm sun dried cotton.

All these prints in pink, yellow, blue, aqua, green and purple were left over from other projects or small pieces from my yard sale acquisitions. I emptied a scrap basket cutting them, but don't worry, I still have many left.

I sewed twenty-five colorful Hattie's Choice blocks with a white on cream vine print as a background. Two borders frame it up nicely: one plain, another created with the same small triangles from the main block. I used plain muslin for the backing, like my grannies used to do.

Sun Dried Cotton is 48” square. To create motion, I used Angela Walter's Squiggy ruler to echo stitch large rolling waves in white thread across the whole quilt. Such a fun project!

After writing this, I feel the need to start a load of laundry, just so I can hang it outside to dry.

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

Slow down enough

to savor the moments

that make your heart happy 

Let Freedom Ring

Let Freedom Ring

I decorate our home with red, white, and blue each year from around Memorial Day through Independence Day. 

Today is Flag Day, a holiday which commemorates the date in 1777 when the Continental Congress of the United States approved the design for its first national flag.

This patriotic quilt uses Friendship Circles die from Australia, a pattern also published here in the early 1930's. I sewed sixteen identical blocks from remnants, and added a 3” border in mixed dots. Tiny red gingham checked fabric is used on backing and binding.

For quilting, I chose a double blanket stitch in white thread to follow some of the curved seams. The centers were stitched using a spiral ruler template.

Let Freedom Ring is 38” finished size, just right for a reversible table topper or wall hanging. I worked up the design in Electric Quilt 8, modifying their Papa's Delight block to match my die.

Dies used:

Blue Wren 6301 Friendship Circles 8”

Accuquilt
55017 Strips 2½"
55032 Strips 3½”

Side note: I'm truly happy to be sewing inside a cool house...it's been 95 degrees outside and heat doesn't agree with me any more. Our cooling system had a malfunction, but my handy husband fixed it right up. FedEx isn't delivering the needed part in a timely manner (Texas to Nashville to Kansas !?! and who knows where next), so it's a good thing he knows how to improvise. A keeper, he is.

Turkey Creek

Turkey Creek -- Katie Scarlett Designs

I truly enjoy playing in Electric Quilt 8 using different block designs. This one started as a 12” sample of Blue Wren's Turkey Tracks die, then it grew into a lap quilt. I'm loving the color combination of navy, orange, and yellow with natural muslin.

For alternate blocks, I substituted four-patch segments with the curved center section of turkey tracks. I started out with five turkey tracks and four alternate blocks. After putting them together it seemed unfinished, so I added a border all around, extending the four-patch sets and 4” muslin squares.

Quilting really stands out with diagonal serpentine lines in medium blue thread. The backing and binding is navy with white mini dots. Turkey Creek finished at 44” square.

You'll be seeing this die again soon...I already have another vintage block laid out using some of the pieces. A quilter's brain never stops generating new ideas!

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6664 Turkey Tracks 6” finished quarter block
Accuquilt
55017 Strips 2½”
55059 Square 2½” multiples
55018 Small Value Die 4” square

Thank goodness

for the instant pot,

the crock pot,

and a husband

who's learned how to cook.