Sundance

Sundance

Bright yellow and orange batiks stand out against cool pale blue in this week's quilt. I was working on it back in August when the temps hit the high 90's.

Classic palm blocks look complicated but are relatively easy to sew. There are a lot of pieces, though. I stacked them by the machine in order so I wouldn't mix them up while sewing. Having an iron and pressing mat next to me helped as well.

I added 3” borders, so Sundance finished at 55” square. Quilting with pale blue thread, I sewed a serpentine stitch 4” apart in a grid pattern.

I can't wait to try other color combinations and layouts, maybe even a scrappy version. So many possibilities!

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6359 Palm 8” finished

Accuquilt
55032 Strips 3½” borders
55017 Strips 2½” binding

Diamond Stars

I thoroughly enjoyed making this lap quilt. Scraps in a multitude of colors and styles combine beautifully with a white vine print on cream.

The diamond shapes appear once the blocks are sewn together, and float over the background four point stars. The Gem Star die makes quick work of cutting small narrow scraps. This is one of those clever blocks that has different looks depending on fabric color and placement. 

Diamond Stars finished out at 51” square. For quilting, I used white thread to stitch free motion ribbon loop patterns across the stars. Once I get into a rhythm, it goes pretty quickly and is relaxing to do.  

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6817 Gem Star 5” quarter block
Accuquilt 55017 Strip 2½”

Do something you love every day!

Gin Blossoms

I've been playing again. Some of my best ideas come when I'm cutting scraps or straightening up the sewing room. Today's project is one of them.

I like to mix elements from seemingly unrelated dies to form new blocks. Chalk that up to creative curiosity and a love of puzzles. I've never been afraid to change a pattern or design to suit me.

This medallion table mat combines three dies: kite, triangle in square and drunkard's path. I've seen a similar design somewhere before but of course I changed the layout. Shades of rusty red, salmon pink, and stone make a pleasing palette. After adding a 3” border and a chevron binding, Gin Blossoms final size is 23” square.

I free motion quilted with ecru thread using a medium wave ruler in rows 3” apart, then rotated and straight stitched across the curves.

Winter is a natural time to rest and recharge. I highly recommend letting go of expectations, responsibility, and self imposed restrictions. Play a little and see where it takes you.

Accuquilt dies used:
55254 Kite 4” finished
55409 Triangle in Square 4” finished
55739/55743 Drunkard's Path 4½” (trimmed to 4”)
55032 Strip 3½”
55017 Strip 2½” 

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

Dancing Queen

Hot pink paisley batik, little lime green flowers, and bright teal are striking surrounded by white and black. Those stars just about dance off the quilt.

A Laura Wheeler block, originally called Gay Patches, was clipped from the Nashville Tennessean by Granny Rose. I found it in one of her sewing boxes, pinned to paper templates of the pieces, no date or instructions. I made a quilt in soft fall colors with it a couple of years ago.  Here's a link to that post.  

This time, I started by making a nine-patch star in a smaller size, then set it on point and added the corners. I enjoyed using Rockette (1962 Singer 500A) for piecing. Fabric on the back is a wild hot pink and white herringbone print, and binding repeats the hot pink paisley. I used white thread to quilt 2” apart in a straight stitch, on Janelle, a 2016 Janome MC9450.

Dancing Queen (Gay Patches block) 2022

The colors and paisley remind me of ABBA in the 70's. Dancing Queen measures 43” x 56” size. How cool to use an early pattern, vintage and new style fabric, old and new machines to recreate another Granny Rose quilt. I'm pretty sure she'd love cutting now with modern dies instead of scissors.

Accuquilt dies used:
55006 Square 3” finished
55027 Triangle in Square 3” finished
55735 Chisel 2¼” x 4½”
55395 Square 2¼”
55147 Half Square Triangle 2¼”
55017 Strip 2½”

Dancing queen

Feel the beat 

from the tambourine, 

oh yeah!

Snowflake

Today's featured quilt is modern, sweet, and fun. My friends know how much I love snow and we've had a fair amount of accumulation here the past two weekends. I'm a happy woman, especially since we had enough to make snow cream.

I saw this design by Modern Handcraft and decided to create a smaller version. I used EQ8 to lay out before cutting my fabric and as a guide while sewing.  My fabric choices are a tiny navy floral print background with a white on white paisley. 

My wall hanging sized Snowflake quilt is 35” x 37” since I used smaller squares. I quilted in irregular wavy lines using a straight stitch with white thread and a walking foot.

Accuquilt dies used:
55059 2 ½” square, multiples
55018 Small Value Die, 2 ½” half square triangle
55017 Strip 2 ½”


Here's a link to the original if you'd like to see the larger version or purchase their pattern.
https://modernhandcraft.com/products/snowflake-quilt-pdf-pattern

Autumn Vortex

Autumn Vortex

The calendar shows it's fall, but the temperature says something else entirely. It has officially been the hottest and driest September on record in Middle Tennessee. Though endless summer sounds nice, I do not like ninety degree days this time of year.

I've stayed indoors, happily sewing with autumn colors: brown, black, gold, burgundy remnants with cream and white for contrast. This simple kaleidoscope block was cut with two Accuquilt dies. I combined the center sections of 4” triangle in square and kite blocks.

Alternating the dark and light colors creates a striking effect, much like swirling leaves. I pressed the seams so that they would nest together, which helps them lay flat at the center points. After sewing the 30 blocks together, I added borders in a black burlap print. 

Quilting with dark gray thread, I used a straight stitch to outline the overlapping octagon shapes. The intersections made an interesting star design. Borders were finished with a serpentine pattern. I chose Black Dimples 108” wide print from Keepsake Quilting for backing and binding. Autumn Vortex is 48” x 56” in size. 

Maybe soon it will get cooler. If not, I'll turn the thermostat lower so I can actually use some of these quilts. 

In the meantime, I'm drinking iced tea and listening to Endless Summer, the classic Beach Boys album.

Accuquilt dies used: Kite 55254 and 4 ½” Triangle in Square 55409

Cottage Charm

What a sweet soft quilt made for a country setting. I cut scrap pieces in neutrals and brights with Accuquilt 3 ½” square and 3 ½”x 6 ½” rectangle dies. 

Making the modified log cabin blocks was my camping project, stitched on a portable machine while we were at Defeated Creek Campground in April.

I finished it off here at home, adding 2” sashing in a pale spring green. Backing is cut from an old soft floral sheet. I mounted it on my Flynn Quilt Frame, free motion quilting in a meandering pattern with tan thread.

Cottage Charm, 45” x 55” in size, could be the perfect accent to someone's shabby chic décor. Can't you see it in a log cabin or cottage, draped over a wicker chair or an iron bed?

Beautiful things

come together

one stitch

at a time

Two Quick Designs

I have been stitching like the wind and need to catch up, so I
have two quilts for you today.  These mini  projects go quickly and are so much fun to design.

Lakeside Oasis

 

Lakeside Oasis consists of strips and squares in cool, peaceful colors.  Green, aqua, navy, and grey strips are joined randomly, then cut into squares and sewn on point with light grey batik.  I stitched with grey thread in a wave pattern.  This relaxing and pretty 31" square is currently on the wall in my bedroom.

Tea Time

A cute table mat of diagonally placed wide strips is neutral cream and tan with a touch of aqua.  They are stitched together and cut diagonally, then flipped around to form a 24" square.  Tea Time was inspired by the binding and backing fabric of alphabet letters and teacups. 

Speaking of inspiration, I have had plenty lately.  These two were done back in July and early August.  Since then I have finished five others and designed so many that I can't sew fast enough.  

Gotta use all this pretty fabric, so I can buy more!!  


NEVER, NEVER ENOUGH FABRIC 
 

Vintage Fabric and Quilt Blocks

Oh my, what an awesome find! I've been sorting through a box of fabric and quilt blocks from my late mother-in-law's spare bedroom. Most of the fabric pieces are vintage flour and sugar sacks from the 1930's and 1940's that belonged to her mother, Lydia Fort Rose. They have been laundered, but probably only once. The holes on the edge from the bag stitching are still clearly evident and the colors are bright and true on sixty-plus year old fabric. A two yard cut piece has a paper tag attached with a tiny safety pin bearing the handwritten price of 59 cents per yard.  These are some of the same prints used in her quilts I wrote about several weeks ago.

The gorgeous completed quilt blocks are of varying sizes and designs. They may have been leftovers from a quilt or sampler blocks that she was trying out. Most of them are machine pieced, some hand stitched.  Paper pattern templates, pinned together with straight pins, are cut out of newspaper and paper bags. A pattern with instructions is printed on what appears to be a paper sack from a dry goods store. Two very tattered old quilts found in the basement are probably beyond repair. They do have portions which could be rescued and used for something once I air them out.

How cool is this? I am so excited that I can't even decide what to do with them. I have everything spread all over my sewing tables and design boards so I can take it all in. I want to preserve a few of the prettiest feed sack pieces. Then I could create a new quilt and make aprons, pillows, tote bags, or framed art out of the rest.

 

Some people want to inherit lots of money or real estate. While I won't turn down cash, give me vintage fabric, old quilts, pretty pottery, glassware, or antique oak furniture to cherish and I'll be a happy woman! 

Link to read more about feed sack fabric and Granny Rose's Quilts.   

Favorite Clothing Transformed

My love affair with pretty fabric is well known. Like most women, I have clothing that stays in my closets long after it is out of style. Sure, sometimes I clear out older or outgrown pieces to give to my mama, or to Goodwill. But my favorites end up in a huge storage bin set aside for pieces that I just can't part with, even if they don't fit. I don't kid myself that I will ever be a size 6 again; I keep them because I plan to use the fabric one day.

Last week I opened up that bin, stirred my creative juices and ripped into a tropical batik challis dress that I made in 2004. It now has a new life as a sassy wrap shirt, coordinated with a lime green square dot print from my fabric inventory. I'm calling it Island Lime With A Twist.  I can't wait to wear it!

Yesterday I dipped into the box again to release a colorful gathered large print skirt circa 1990 or so. An hour later, a new vest for my mama was hanging on the cabinet door. I used a small scale print as lining to make it reversible. Dual Scarlet Petals will give her two new looks.

I love to remake a favorite piece of clothing. Like farm women on the prairie or depression era wives, I feel a sense of satisfaction when I create something new and useful out of discarded fabric. The scraps left over from these projects have gone into my quilting basket. Who knows where they'll turn up next?

“Really I don't dislike to cook, but what you cook is eaten so quickly.
When you sew, you have something that will last to show for your efforts.”
~Elizabeth Travis Johnson

Sewing Every Day

On The Town

I've been creating dozens of designs on the computer this week, and hope to find enough time to finish every one of them. On the ever growing to do list are quilts, purses, journal covers, aprons, pot holders, and mug rugs. My Singer has been humming every day as I happily stitch some of my newest ideas. These two are my favorites from my flurry of creative activity.

On The Town is a black, bronze, gold, and cream purse that is channel quilted and accented with a cool retro lapel pin. Two inside pockets keep phone and keys handy, and a magnetic snap latch keeps everything inside. There's room to organize all the essentials in this 10" x 13" bag with shoulder strap.

Sassy Lil' Messenger

I prefer to travel light most of the time, and this strip pieced quilted bag is the perfect size at 8½” square. Slide a wallet, keys, phone, lip gloss and sunglasses into Sassy Lil' Messenger and head off to run errands in style. I used a few black and cream fabrics left over from other projects and lined it with a black and white polka dot cotton.

I'm so grateful that my mama taught me to sew!

Useful Notion: Reading magazines and browsing websites can stimulate your creative brain, so make time to play and let your mind see new possibilities.

“Clean out a corner of your mind and creativity will instantly fill it.”

Fashion Rerun: The Fun and Funky 70's

What's hip, cool, and a blast from the past? This spring and summer we're seeing a return of designs from forty years ago. Wow...can it be that long? It seems like yesterday. If I still had the little knit dresses, peasant tops, and floppy hats, they'd be classified as vintage! These are the clothes that I loved to sew and I have the patterns to prove it.

Looking through my older patterns, I found quite a few that are exactly the same as those in stores right now. The only problem is, mine are size 7 or 9 junior. Modifying those to fit my current size 12 will be a challenge for the more detailed designs. The simpler ones should convert easily. Or maybe I'll sell a few vintage patterns and buy new ones to add to my collection.

It will be fun to wear the 70's styles again, at least some of them. I don't believe I can manage micro-mini skirts this time around.

Useful Notion: What goes around, comes around...in fashion, style, home décor, or life.  Keep the best and discard the rest. 

Remember that always dressing in understated good taste is the same as playing dead.  -- Susan Catherine

Never wear anything that panics the cat.

           -- P.J. O'Rourke