Diamonds For Christmas

Diamonds For Christmas

How's that for the name of my annual Christmas design? No, I'm not talking about jewelry, but fabric diamonds instead. 

I love pretty Christmas quilts and use them all over the house for decoration.

Jolly red and green prints are combined with black, gray, and white for a scrappy holiday quilt. I used Blue Wren's diamond in a rectangle die, then added two sizes of half square triangles on the long and short sides to make a square block.

For quilting, I chose a zig-zag utility stitch with white thread on the front and dark gray in the bobbin. A cute Christmas light fabric is perfect for backing and binding. A slightly wider binding frames the quilt nicely. Diamonds For Christmas finished at 53" square. 

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6381 Diamond in Rectangle 3” x 6” finished

Accuquilt
55147 Half square triangle 2¼” finished
55397 Half Square Triangle 4½” finished
55032 Strip 3½” for binding

Wishing everyone 

a happy, safe, 

and relaxing Christmas! 

Petting Zoo & Christmas Donation

This darling quilt is constructed with animal themed fabrics, most given to me by a friend, some picked up at estate sales. Cats, dogs, lions, owls, rabbits, llamas and other critters frolic with coordinating prints.

I used the snowball block, with black weave on the corners. Piecing was done on Elizabeth, my vintage Singer 404. Petting Zoo is 48” square. I quilted with white thread, adding straight and serpentine stitches across the center of the blocks.

Petting Zoo

Accuquilt dies used:
55330 Snowball 6” finished
55017 Strip 2½”

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄

Christmas donation 

This was one of a group of quilts that I donated to a local senior living facility. The ladies were so surprised when this Santa's helper dropped by. It was lovely to see those smiles as they unwrapped their gifts.

Spread some

J O Y

this Christmas

 

Wild Crimson

Wild Crimson

Let's start December with a classic red quilt. I cut a variety of red prints into quarter square triangles and started stitching light and dark ones together.

I juggled the blocks around on my design wall till I was satisfied with the arrangement. After adding 2” black weave and 4” red dot borders, Wild Crimson measures 48” square.

A serpentine stitch with red thread across the seams makes a lovely pattern. I especially enjoyed making this lap quilt because I added it to my Christmas donation stack. I'll tell you more about that project later this month.

Accuquilt dies used:
55002 Quarter Square Triangles 6” finished
55017 Strip 2½” (border 1 and binding)
55054 Strip 4½” (border 2)

CHRISTMAS

IS DOING A LITTLE

SOMETHING EXTRA

FOR SOMEONE

~ Charles M. Schultz

Calico Dreams

I'm on a roll with scrappy quilts! Colorful prints alternate with crisp white for a pretty lap quilt.

Most of the prints were cut in a previous remnant rescue marathon. You might remember the first version, Thrifty Threads, posted in September. Cutting the white fabric and sewing went quickly...I finished this one in four days. 

I used white thread to quilt a scallop stitch along the center of each row, 2” apart. Calico Dreams is 48” x 50” size. 

I love sewing simple and fast projects, especially this time of year. It feels good to move on to the next design on my list. I have enough lined up to flow well over into 2023.

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

Life Is A Highway

Life Is A Highway

Yep, I've been cutting up remnants again!

I already had a bin of random 3½” half square triangles, so I decided to cut signature shapes to coordinate for a colorful and busy lap quilt. 

I played with several layouts and ended up with the blocks on point in double rows, adding white on cream print squares in between. I finished with setting triangles around the sides and corners.

Life Is A Highway measures 53” x 58” in size. For quilting, I used medium cream thread to free motion ribbon candy patterns across each block. It's really relaxing and fun to get in the rhythm of stitching.

Apparently I love color, because there aren't many shades missing from my stash. These scrappy designs allow me to use odd bits and even ugly fabric that wouldn't work as a primary choice.

Every quilt I finish gives me scraps to make others, even though I toss anything that's less than two inches. Another bonus quilt complete, with more to come. 

Accuquilt dies used:
55356 Signature 4½” finished
55010 Square 5"
55019 Half Square Triangle 3½”
55805 Half Square Triangle 5” finished
55017 Strip 2½”

Thankful 

for the time 

I spend quilting! 

Not A Singer, But...

This vintage find is not a Singer, but it sure was an irresistible Goodwill bargain at $30.

Japan manufactured clones of the Singer model 15 and others after WWII. Universal is one of the brand names they used. 

My Granny Hill used a Universal, but I'm not sure which model. This one was shiny and fairly clean, no scratches and just a couple of paint dings. Gold decor and lettering is near perfect. Not bad for a 1951 era machine.

We've named this one Tojo, after famous Nashville wrestler Tojo Yamamoto. Tough little machine, but the original covered wood carrying case looked like it had gone 10 rounds and lost. It may not be salvageable, but Jerold is going to try to glue it back together. In the meantime I'm using a plastic base.

As for Tojo, he was missing the bobbin case, needed a v-belt, LED bulb (E17 screw in), and a replacement foot control. After a good service by my favorite mechanic: grease, oil and polish, he was ready to sew in just a few days. Stitches look great after adjusting the tension.

I did the final quilting for last week's Back To The Sixties throw on this nice machine. We've found a few more Singers over the summer, and they're currently on the shelf waiting for their chance to be tuned up.

Back To The Sixties

What a fun quilt! Diamond rectangles are wild and crazy showcasing fabric from my large collection of scraps.

I'm trying to use up those leftovers before they take over the sewing room. As soon as this die arrived from Australia, I began cutting colorful pieces for this quilt.

As I laid the blocks on my design wall, my husband mentioned that it looked like a quilt from the sixties. While several of those vintage scraps may actually be from that era, most of them are newer.

Back To The Sixties is 48” square. I quilted with dark gray thread along the diamond seam lines in a straight stitch, using a walking foot. These rectangle blocks are 4” x 8”, and Blue Wren also has a 3” x 6” version (I bought that one too). Both would be nice used as borders or sashing.

While I had the remnants pulled out, I cut an additional bonus quilt using different dies. I like having one or two ready and waiting for me to sew. My idea list is long enough that I'll probably never finish them all. But I will do my best.


Dies used:
Blue Wren 6380 Diamond in Rectangle 4” x 8” finished
Accuquilt 55017 Strip 2½”

It's Halloween

I've gone trick or treating...

Golden Galaxy

Yesterday I finished a lovely autumn table mat for our dining room. Shades of gold batik along with brown and black prints show up nicely on a background of toasty taupe.

I used the Star Links die from Blue Wren, which looks complicated but is really very easy to sew. I previewed color placement in EQ8 before cutting.  

A simple quilting pattern emphasizes the block design. I used taupe thread in a straight stitch, making a 1½” grid. Golden Galaxy finished at 36” square.

Dies used:

Blue Wren 6967 Star Links 12” finished

Accuquilt 55017 Strip 2½”

 

Tropical Punch

Tropical Punch, Useful Remnants 2022

It's a sunny Monday here in Tennessee, but a freeze is due tonight. This week's quilt is meant to chase the chills away.

Eye-catching tropical prints and bright solids combine beautifully in orange peel blocks. Most of the fabrics were gifted to me (Thanks, Mary!) and the rest came from my remnant boxes.

Tropical Punch is 48” square. I enjoyed sewing the curvy pieces and arranging the layout on my design wall. I quilted with white thread in a straight stitch, following the curves to accentuate the design.

Y'all have a good week!

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6616 Orange Peel 6”
Accuquilt 55017 Strip 2½”

 

Two For One

I just finished this reversible mat for my living room coffee table. While playing around with placement of the segments in Maple Leaf die, I discovered a southwest style that looks great for fall.

Sedona Maple uses terra cotta and cream prints, with a bit of navy added using 3” half square triangles. Final size is 35” x 24” and fits perfectly on the table.

For the reverse side, I stitched up Crossed Canoe blocks in blue batik with cream, adding rotary cut navy borders to fill out the size. This side is called Moonlight Canoes. 

I quilted in cream thread with a wave ruler, then sewed on navy binding with a serpentine stitch. 

Fun, quick, and simple...two little quilt tops made into one using Accuquilt.

Sedona Maple:
55195 Maple Leaf BOB 8” finished
55001 Half Square Triangle 6½”
55009 Half Square Triangle 3½”

Moonlight Canoes:
55181 Crossed Canoes BOB 9” finished

binding: 55017 Strip 2½”

 

October Vintage Stars

Oh my, how I love this Candy Star die from Blue Wren!

It is a new version of a previously unnamed vintage block, published sometime after 1933 from Old Chelsea Station (magazine/newspaper mail order). I saw an antique quilt photo online, found the block layout in BlockBase+, and suggested the idea to Norma at Blue Wren.  Before long this new die was available. 

I selected two older fabrics from one of my garage sale finds. These autumn colored cotton prints were only 36” wide, dating around the late 1960's. Remember harvest gold, avocado green, burnt orange, and brown? They were the fashionable colors to have back then.

October Vintage Stars

I added a coordinating persimmon solid, black prints, and natural muslin to complete the look from that era. I used twelve blocks, framed with two borders. I really enjoyed sewing this retro inspired quilt, October Vintage Stars, which is 48” x 60” finished size. I quilted using a free motion meandering stitch in cream thread.

The corner sections that form the secondary stars are made with a Y-seam. I did a few test runs since I was out of practice, but only used the seam ripper once.  Key tips: sew precise 1/4" seams, stop 1/4" from edge and lockstitch, flip and sew from corner to edge, press each section the same way.   

It was very satisfying to sew, but the best thing about this die is that Blue Wren includes alternative pieces to avoid a Y-seam altogether and create more design options.

I was so inspired that I finished in only 5 days: die delivered noon Monday, quilt completed Friday. I have already designed more in EQ8/BlockBase+, and each version has a totally different look.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6958 Candy Star

Accuquilt
55054 Strip 4½”
55017 Strip 2½”

BlockBase ID: 2725

Thrifty Threads

It's another bonus quilt!

I had a major remnant cutting session not long ago, filling a small storage box with two sizes of rectangles. Last week I wanted a quick simple project, so all I had to do was cut the solid khaki broadcloth pieces and stitch everything together.

I pieced the backing from two larger fabrics. Free motion quilting in loops using tan thread really stands out, plus flowing between short to long rows creates a nice pattern. Thrifty Threads finished at 48” x 50” for a nice scrappy lap quilt to add to my gift/donation shelf.

This handy die is one of my favorites to rescue and recycle leftover material. There are so many ways to use these rectangles: sashing, borders, rail fence blocks, and more.

I didn't want to start anything complicated because my latest purchase from Blue Wren is due to arrive any day now! The shipment landed in California last Sunday and cleared customs on Thursday. USPS shows them in Nashville now, and I already have fabric pulled and waiting.  No housework on the horizon...thankfully my man is willing to cook. 

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

 

Blissful

Blissful

Cool aqua and soothing gray blend well together, and today's quilt features both. The fabrics coordinate perfectly even though I didn't buy them together. One or two are remnants over ten years old.

I started out with two blocks – nine-patch and drunkard's path, using EQ8 to design. After trying out several layouts on the design wall, I decided to put them on point and add pieced corners. I ended up using seven dies to cut the sections.

Blissful is 45” square after adding two strip borders. Quilting is a straight stitch in aqua thread, using a ruler and walking foot to emphasize the curves. I love the overall effect of the stitching.  Such a calming quilt!

Dies used:

Accuquilt
55743 & 55739 Drunkard's Path 9” finished
55006 Square 3½”
55009 Half Square Triangle 3½”
55018 Small Value die HST
55017 Strip 2½”

Blue Wren
6015 Strip 1½”

Detours

Red, white, and blue always look good together, especially in a quilt. This one has lots of small pieces! I didn't have a pattern in mind when I started, but it all came together in the end.

The center section of each block is the adorable Blue Wren 4” periwinkle die (from Australia). I had intended to use them as a border, so I started cutting scraps in May, right after I got the die. I worked on sewing and cutting between other projects whenever I had spare time, keeping my Featherweight set up just for piecing.

As I stitched, I decided to feature the little periwinkles all across the quilt instead. I added half square triangles in light blue and red prints to frame them. I set the blocks on point, adding blue/white stripe sashing with navy and white mini dot square accents.

Detours

Detours finished out at 49” square. I quilted in pale blue-gray thread, using a walking foot and small serpentine stitch along seam lines in both directions. I used the navy and white mini dot as backing/binding.

My original plan was diverted, and took longer to complete than I planned. I had fabric, scraps, and dies scattered all over the sewing room, but I love the results. 

Sometimes you just have to follow where the fabric leads you!

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6377 Periwinkle 4” finished
6047 Rectangles 2” x 6” finished

Accuquilt
55009 3½” Half Square Triangle
55017 Strip 2½”
55001 Half Square Triangle 6½”
55018 Small value die (squares & half square triangles)

 

Blue Collar

Blue Collar

It's Labor Day so I'm featuring a quilt made from plaid and striped shirting with miscellaneous blue scraps. The corners are cream prints. 

This 10” kaleidoscope block makes for quick work. I love the way the alternating coloring creates secondary patterns.

I previewed using EQ8, then fine tuned the layout on my design wall before sewing. White on cream tiny print makes a simple backing and binding. I quilted with cream thread in an allover clamshell pattern using a circle ruler. Blue Collar finished at 51” square.

Y'all have a great day!

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6396 Isosceles triangles
Accuquilt 55009 3½” HST

Great Granny

Great Granny

If you want a quick and easy quilt, try this large granny square design. The 6” finished squares are set on point with 6” half square triangles around the edges.

Bright lime and turquoise blenders alternate with coordinating stripes and dots for a modern look to a vintage style.  I laid them out on my design wall before sewing them together in diagonal rows. 

For quilting, I decided to experiment with an allover pattern using a new circle ruler. White thread shows off the loopy circles aligned diagonally.

Great Granny finished at 43” square, but it would be simple to add more rows for a larger throw or bed quilt. 

Accuquilt dies used:
55000 Square 6½”
55001 Half Square Triangle 6½”
55017 Strip 2½”

 

Singer 201 Reveal: Black Betty!

1950 Singer 201-2 "Black Betty"

Last week we finally finished restoring our first 201-2, Singer's Rolls Royce. She's all shiny now, with brand new paint and decals, sewing smooth and fast. 

Purchased in November 2021, this machine was very dirty with scratched cracked worn finish and a few missing parts. Seller had no idea when it last ran. 

Black Betty: before

We didn't have a deadline, so took our time on each part of the restoration, starting in mid January. I cleaned her off with Goop hand cleaner. All parts were soaked liberally with sewing machine oil. After that she loosened up enough to sew a little bit.

Singer 201 wiring before: YIKES!

Black Betty was completely disassembled for inspection and cleaning. All the wiring was rotted and crumbling, not too unusual for an old girl built in 1950. My resident electrical guru rewired her and rebuilt the motor.

Years of gunk, lint, and grease on all parts took a while to remove. We experimented with several methods to take off the gnarly old shellac so we could repaint. Rubbing alcohol with a Scotchbrite pad and lots of elbow grease worked best on this machine.

Jerold primed, filled defects and sanded before applying several coats of black DupliColor Automotive Paintshop lacquer with air sprayer. After that dried, he block sanded to flatten paint. I added all new decals. After a few days, he used DupliColor Paintshop clear lacquer for final coats. Waxed to a high shine after she cured.

Reassembled everything, then added vintage and new parts: spool pins, scrolled face plate, chrome trim hand wheel, bobbin tire, light switch, wiring, foot controller. Jerold even nickel plated the stitch length plate for a little more bling. Finally, we modified a Singer #40 Queen Anne cabinet from another machine and installed Black Betty.

This was a real learning experience. We had several ups and downs, got to practice painting with an air sprayer, and enjoyed working together on a major machine rehab. There are six more vintage Singer machines in varying states waiting for their turn on our workbench.

But first, I will quilt something on Black Betty...Bam-a-lam!

 

Baubles & Beads

Baubles & Beads

Remember my new design sneak peek a couple of weeks ago?

It's finished and I love it! The blade sections of the Blue Wren Windspinner die make a sweet curved design arranged in this way. I fan folded to get them to match up the way I wanted.

Colorful remnants combined with natural muslin give this little quilt a vintage vibe. I pieced everything on Annie, my Featherweight. Lots of stitching with slight curves but she handled it well.

I switched to the Janome so I could free motion over the muslin fabric. I really enjoyed quilting those flowing lines. I got into a relaxing rhythm and finished in no time. (So much better than last week's uncooperative ruler experience.)

Straight stitching along each side of the angled seams made a wide double zig-zag row across the prints.

Baubles & Beads measures 42½” x 44½” size, good for table mat, wall hanging, or baby quilt.  Size could easily be changed by adding more rows or cutting more scraps!

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6289 Windspinner
Accuquilt 55017 Strip 2½”
 

Cat Nap Blues

Cat Nap Blues

Shades of blue plus neutrals from my large stash make up this old fashioned quilt. I pulled from my boxes of remnant squares and triangles first, then cut more to balance out the design. Trapezoids from scraps and strips are mainly navy and bright blue.

I pieced the 36 blocks using Laney, my pretty Maui Blue Singer 301. Like working a puzzle, I moved them on my design wall until I was happy with the layout. Cat Nap Blues is 54” square after I added a 3” border.

Quilting this one was a challenge, even with my  Janome machine. I used a new ruler and even though I practiced first, it gave me fits on the quilt. The fabric wanted to drag as I changed direction on the waves, and my thread kept breaking. I persisted, and although there is uneven stitching and several boo-boos, I decided it is good enough.

I do like the double row of waves, so I'll practice more before the next attempt. And I'll use a busy print instead of a solid color backing. After I washed and dried, the stitching looks better. Certainly not show worthy, but it will keep me warm and give the cat a place to nap.

Accuquilt dies used:
55763 Trapezoid
55018 Small value die (2" squares & half square triangles)
55017 Strip 2½”
55032 Strip 3½”

Sometimes perfection isn't necessary