Skinny Churn Dash

Skinny Churn Dash

What a fun quilt to sew! The classic churn dash pattern got a makeover with a taller center section, creating a rectangular block.

I returned to the remnant boxes to find fabric in green, aqua, coral, gray and brown. Natural muslin makes a great neutral to focus on the prints. There are no repeat blocks and all were stitched on Laney (Singer 301).  

The 7” x 10” finished rectangles are set together, adding a 3” muslin border for a 49” x 57” final size. I'm calling it Skinny Churn Dash.

Quilting with a medium taupe thread lightly emphasizes the stitching. I used a braided border ruler to quilt vertical rows that look like an allover design.  

There's not much change in my overall scrap total using a bit of this and a bit of that, but I still love getting bonus quilts out of leftovers. On to the next one!

Dies used:
Blue Wren
6047 Rectangles 2” x 6” and 2” x 3” finished

Accuquilt
55005 Rectangle 3½” x 6½”
55032 Strips 3½”
55018 Value Die Half Square Triangle 2½”
55017 Strips 2½”

 

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”

 

An Old Rocking Chair

Several weeks ago my mama and I stopped at a yard sale, where I found an old rocker. It is just like one that used to sit in my grandmother's living room. The best thing about it was the $10 price tag. I think this style was pretty common in the 1940's and 1950's. The carved arms and rail are pretty, and it's comfortable to sit in.

 I have the perfect place for it on our screened porch, next to the chaise lounge where Rowdy dog takes his nap. Now I'm looking for fabric to recover it, something old fashioned or perhaps a modern print.  It appears to have the original faded light brown fabric, webbing and cushioning. I've decided not to refinish the wood, since it has a well used, kind of distressed look. I'll just use Old English polish to clean and freshen it up.

Once I finish the project, I'll post an update. It may be a while, since we're already using it just like it is. And, sewing is on the back burner at the moment because of our camping schedule. Ten days at Defeated Creek was wonderfully relaxing, but this week I'm catching up on chores like laundry and yard work. I did use my free time at the campground to design a dozen new quilting and sewing projects, but I have no clue when I'll have a chance to start them.

“Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn't get you anywhere.” --Glenn Turner

“I've had some of my best ideas while sitting on the porch in my rocking chair with a glass of sweet tea.” --Anonymous