Windy Day

Let's start November with an easy snuggle quilt. I pulled out a coral red peacock feather print from my stash, adding blue fabrics from the print to coordinate.

This simple windmill block is so quick to cut and sew, especially after laying it out in EQ8, then on my design wall. This quilt is alive with motion and color, don't you think?

For backing, I used the peacock feather print with leftover strips of the blues and a center section made up of one Curve in a Square block. Now it's not just a backing, but a reversible quilt.

For quilting, red variegated thread was used with serpentine stitch to make 4” grid along horizontal and vertical seam lines. Windy Day finished out at 49” square.

I'm thankful this one didn't take long, because we're still finishing up brush cutting and clearing around the home place. 

Dies used:

Blue Wren

6554 Windmill 8” block

6602 Curve in a Square 12” finished block

Baby Buggy Wheels

Baby Buggy Wheels

As promised, here's my latest quilt, made using the new Wheels die from Blue Wren.

I stitched up one from remnants to test the die and decided to use it in this baby quilt. The hot pink with black and white fabric is a striking contrast and creates a pinwheel secondary design.

You do have to pay attention to which way the fabric for the outer frame is laid on the die. The sections sew together very easily. I hand stitched the center octagon after the block was finished, although you could glue it and then topstitch. Baby Buggy Wheels is 36” square.

Quilting was done in dark gray thread with the Squiggy ruler across the centers and between each block. Then I added a small serpentine stitch with a walking foot to fill in.

What a cute little quilt this makes! I have several more ideas for this block, so stay tuned.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6297 Wheels 12” block
Accuquilt 55017 2½” strip

November = crisp frosty mornings

 

Naptime

Naptime

I just finished this adorable little quilt for a friend's new baby boy. Blue and white gingham, dot, and star fabrics surround fluffy cloud fabric centers. 

Sweet dreams, little man!

I alternated Sawtooth Star and Puss in the Corner blocks, then added a 3” border. Naptime finished at 42” square. Backing is a larger gingham check. I quilted with white thread in a straight stitch, one inch apart.

As usual, I designed in EQ8 and cut with AccuQuilt dies. These wonderful sewing tools make creating quilts a delight. I often get carried away and lose track of time. The other day my darling husband cooked dinner so that I could finish up a project. He's a keeper!

Accuquilt dies used:

6 ½” square 55000

3 ½” x 6 ½” rectangle 55005

3 ½” square 55006

3 ½” half square triangle 55009

3 ½” x 6 ½” flying geese 55456

Give Thanks

I am thankful for many things.  I have a happy life, a loving husband, a comfortable home, and a room full of fabric.  

And, finally, we have a new working refrigerator...plus a new dishwasher too!  


Wishing you and yours a happy Thanksgiving.

Eleven Notes For November

Good grief, it's already November! My year has been wild and definitely out of the ordinary. I'm aiming for this month to be a little more normal, so here's my list of eleven things to help make that happen.

Buy a sassy pair of boots

Stitch up a few holiday gifts

Pull out winter clothing

Savor a caramel apple smoothie

Curl up somewhere and read a novel

Browse online for bargains and for splurges

Bake mini pecan pies in cupcake pans

Take a walk in the crisp fall air

Spend a day (or a couple of hours) alone

Capture fall leaves and scenes with a camera

Schedule time with family and friends

Slow down and enjoy life.  It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.  Eddie Cantor