Monday, March 25, 2024

Easter Lilies

This little quilt started out as a sample block. I always cut and stitch an example of every die immediately after purchase. This is to check that it cuts and sews together properly, in case I had to return it. The truth is, I just can't wait to play with my new toys.


Purple (one of my favorite colors) contrasts nicely with avocado green and natural muslin. I changed the original layout, trimmed to a square, and added borders. I quilted with an applique stitch around the curves in cream thread.


Easter Lilies finished at 18” square. Right now it's hanging on my front door but later may be used as a table mat.


I've bought several brand new dies lately at super low prices, thanks to my ever supportive husband. He found the sale and told me to stock up! Love that man! Most of the ones I bought, like this one, had been on my wish list for a while.


As usual, I have so many ideas and not nearly enough time to stitch them. Laundry, cleaning, yard work, and cooking have sunk to the bottom of my to do list. Again.



Accuquilt dies used:
55597 Alabama Beauty BOB 12” finished
55017 Strips 2½”




Monday, March 18, 2024

Calico Prairie

Calico Prairie
Soothing colors of peach, light coral, and dusty blue are perfect for showcasing this vintage quilt design.


I selected fabrics from my stash that could have been found in 1930-1950 era day dresses or 1970's prairie skirts. I believe I had a Gunne Sax calico peasant dress with these colors back in high school.


My dependable Singer 404, Elizabeth, sewed perfect seams...and there are a lot of them. Each 8” Full Blown Tulip block has 32 pieces! Once I assembled the blocks, I added 4” borders in the dusty blue to expand the size to 48” square.




A combination of free motion quilting and ruler work finished out this one with a creative touch. Calico Prairie gave me a chance to play with stitches and enjoy memories, a perfect way to spend my time.


Accuquilt dies used:
55616 Full Blown Tulip 8” BOB
55054 Strips 4½”
55017 Strips 2½”


Monday, March 11, 2024

Graceful Stars

Here's a sweet baby quilt that I made for a friend's first grandchild.


Soft pink prints, dots, stripes and gingham are paired with white and cream to make adorable mill & star blocks. 


I quilted a scallop stitch in light pink thread with a walking foot. Graceful Stars finished at 41” square. 



Sweet dreams, Lyla Grace!



Accuquilt dies used:
55601 Mill & Stars 8” finished
55017 Strips 2½”




Monday, March 4, 2024

Times Past


I nearly forgot about this little remnant quilt! I sewed it back in October, then put it away without sharing it on the blog.


The fabric in this reversible table mat reminds me of vintage brocade. The muted brown, tan, green, and rose colors work beautifully with black accents. 


I used isosceles triangles plus half square triangles to make kaleidoscope blocks for one side. The reverse is half-square triangles of the brocade print with black gingham, plus two borders.


I did all the piecing on Violet, our restored and painted Singer 99. She's a joy to sew with. Quilting was fun with free motion meandering stitches in tan thread using the Janome.


Times Past is 24½” square, an old fashioned classic look for a change of pace.


Dies used:
Blue Wren 6396 Isosceles Triangles

Accuquilt
55009 Half Square Triangles 3" finished
55031 Half Square Triangles 4” finished
55017 Strips 2½”


Labels

1930's 1942 1969 accountability Accuquilt adapt adjust adventure advice affirmations amazing anniversary antiques Art Deco attitude Australia autumn baby quilt balance batik beach beauty birthday blessing bliss BlockBase Blue Wren Bogie bonus breathe brightness candy cat challenge change chevrons chocolate choice Christmas closet clothes clutter coffee color contentment cooking cottage cotton crafts Craftsman crazy creativity crochet decorating design designs distraction DIY downsizing drama dreams drunkard's path Elna energy EQ8 excitement expectations fabric fall family Featherweight feed sack Fifty flexibility flour sack flowers flying geese Flynn Quilt Frame focus fool free motion free spirit freedom friends fun furniture garden Granny Hill Granny Rose Grasshopper grateful gratitude Halloween happiness hexagon imagination independence insight inspiration intuition inventory Janome joy karma laughter lessons letting go life lists little things love magic mama Memorial Day memories milestones modern Mother's Day motivation Mustang nature opportunity organizing paint paradise passion patience peace perception perspective positive energy productivity purple quilt quilting quotes rainy days reflection refresh relaxation remnant renew resolutions responsibility restoration retro rhythm Rocketeer routines ruler quilting satisfaction scraps sewing sewing machine simplicity simplify Singer Singer 99 Slant-O-Matic 500 snow solitude Southern traditions spring stitching strawberries stress sugar sack summer sunshine thankful Thanksgiving Thoughts tiger oak traditions triangle tropical prints Universal useful valentine vintage violet waiting weather winter wisdom wishes yard sales