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More Quilts!

First an update. The wedding was lovely. I am so glad I got to go to it!

These were from rehearsal, of course, and what flower girl doesn’t prefer playing in the dirt? Excited to see the family again this Christmas!

The quilt I donated to the youth group raised $319. Not as much as I would have liked, but it all helps.

I got back the half & half quilt from Jeanette. Beautiful as always. Melissa wanted a beachy feel with the colors so I asked Jeanette to incorporate sand dollars in the quilting.

I love what she did in the border as well! Working on binding now and hoping to get it in the mail asap!

One of the things I have missed living further south was the fall colors. Kansas City has so many trees and I was just in awe of all God’s handiwork. Beautiful fall colors.

My friend, Donna, and I took a class on making Lone Star Quilts at KC Makers Fabric & Quilt Shop. It uses a Grid method by Quiltworks, I believe. Made for a super easy process, and a beautifully finished product. Once again, being quilted by Jeanette.

Will be ready for the United States 250th birthday! In honor of the occasion, I signed up for a paper piece block of the week for another patriotic quilt to commemorate 2026 from Sentimental Stitches. I think Kim is doing this one too! Hope I can stay current on a weekly block!

I also finished a butterfly quilt for Michelle. Pattern is by Lella Boutique. I think this is the fourth time I have used this pattern. Again, I used her lay out, but made some different blocks.

I need to get back to the Bear Paw Quilt for Nick, Tiffany’s husband. Then maybe I can get back to my projects.

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Catching Up

So great to be back in the Midwest! Not quite as hot, cooler nights, real trees! Beautiful! I also have weekends off! In the last two months, I have actually completed 3 quilt tops!

My nephew is getting married, and his fiancé requested a neutral color scheme. On Instagram, I saw a picture of a granny square type quilt in neutrals by The Pattern Basket called Confetti Cake. The pattern calls for a layer cake, but I had already started purchasing several neutrals so had to make some adjustments. But it went together fairly well, once I got into the routine.

The friend I am staying with has cats – not always helpful, but they are cute. I am happy with the results. Jeanette did a great job of quilting, I just need to add a label and finish the binding.

Two ladies I worked with in Texas gave me joy and I really want to make them quilts. Melissa likes colors of the ocean. I had a lot of that on hand and added a couple more options.

Color palette was approved, not all of them made the cut. I used a pattern from Missouri Star Quilt Company called Half & Half. It is one block, with the color placement flipped. This again is a pattern for layer cakes, which I didn’t use, but easy enough to cut 10″ squares. Between a design wall and the floor, blocks were moved around to hopefully spread the lights to darks around. I am happy with the results and have sent it to Jeanette for quilting!

The last completed top is for the youth group back in Abilene. Carol asked if I would be willing to make another quilt for a fundraiser around Thanksgiving. I just realized it is also from The Pattern Basket. She does design lovely quilts! I chose a winter/Christmas theme and went with Peppermint Twist. Easy block, great directions, lattice a little more complicated, but still easy if you are organized.

It has already been sent to Jeanette, so will have to take a picture of the completed top once I get it back. Again, very happy with how it turned out! I have a few more quilts to get done before Christmas, so hope I can keep being productive!

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On a Pause

School is over, quilt show is next week…and I am moving again in two months. Feeling a little stressed, but trying to get things done one by one. So not much to show, but a few pictures.

Last month our Guild President sent out a text looking for a hand quilter to help a former colleague finish a quilt her mother had started before going blind. The quilt is made up of hexagons using fabrics that she had used for making her clothes while she was growing up. Nobody else responded so I told her I would do it once school was out. I have been diligent on it and only have one corner left! Tomorrow, I really need to focus on getting quilt show stuff completed, but it won’t take much time after that to finish.

This was soon after I started – I like to see progress so took a picture at that time. Now I think I only have the bottom right corner to finish!

This better shows what the overall affect is. The black threads shown are basting stitches. Trying to get them removed at the same time. It is satisfying work. Hopefully after I move I will have the time to do more hand quilting.

I got the quilts back from Jeanette and could not be more thrilled with them.

I love the simplicity of this quilt! It makes me smile remembering all the different projects these fabrics are from. I can’t wait to have it on my bed – after the quilt show.

I told my cousin her bear paw quilt had to be put on pause right now, and my nephew is getting married in October. Haven’t started that quilt yet, but have all the fabric, I think. And there are a few special people here I would like to make quilts for, but that will likely be given after I move. This school year was just too busy to do much beyond work. So very ready for some down time.

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Round Robins

This spring, the Guild did a Round Robin for all those that wanted to participate. We turned in our center block in November. This was my center block.

Fabric was from my stash. Christmas prints from Sandy Gervais, back when she designed for Moda! I have always loved it, just never had the right project to use it in. Still love the colors, even though they are darker than what you would see today.

The first moth I received this one. It measured 17″! Nothing is divisible by 17! I trimmed it to 16″ and added the flying geese and the corner square-in-a-square block. Had to make a test of that as the measurements for that can be tricky. I was happy with how it turned out and hope the owner is too!

The next month, I was on round two. This person didn’t add much background, only a lot of floral.

The owner said she liked purple, so I bought the lavender. Again it was an odd number, 23″ maybe. It seemed so busy I wanted to create space to rest your eyes. I saw a picture I think on Pintrest or Instagram of something similar. Used some pinks that matched the florals and did math. Created and had to do math again as it wasn’t correct. In the end, I think it was a plus. Hope it is well received.

For the third round, I recieved this.

Fun 30’s fabrics were used. I chose the spool block to kind of match the time period. I think it was a good fit. Much thanks to Mary Alice for talking me through it!

For the last round, I received this one.

There wasn’t a lot of fabric in the bag, mainly just the reds and blues. Since it was the last round, I wanted to do something that would kind of frame it. I hope Susan likes it!

Last night at Guild, I got mine back! I had no idea what to expect, but am happy with the results. We are to get them quilted and ready to show by the May meeting. So I boxed it up and got it in the mail to Jeanette today.

It measures 52″. The green flying geese are 3D. I love the stars, of course, and I also love how the last person added a smaller twisted star for the corners. It will be fun to see them all in may, then the plan is to also show them all at the Quilt Show in June.

The theme of the show is, “When life gives you scraps, make quilts”. Work last semester had been especially stressful. In October, I think, I got in my stash and started a Frivol.

I loved it, and have a lot of Fig Tree fabric in my stash, so I decided to make it bed size! The colors were so soothing to work with. I had to order more background fabric twice, but I love how it turned out. I think I used one fabric three times, the rest are only two blocks per fabric. I love how it turned out. It is at Jeanettes and I asked her to do the Baptist Fan quilt motif. I will put this in the quilt show as well! Excited to see the finished project!

I used a lot of my stash, but not near enough. Just looking at the picture makes me smile. Easy block, soothing colors, playing with fabric – it was a stress free, pleasurable time making it.

I also got Phyllis’ quilt done and sent it off to Jeanette, but I didn’t get a finished picture of that one. Will have to be a post quilted photo!

Happy with what I have been able to get done, but so many more to make!

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6 month update

Well it wasn’t my intention to not post for six months, but such is life. I was able to go back to Minnesota this summer and saw friends and family again. I dropped off quilts with Jeanette and she did another fabulous job! She has another career ahead of her when she retires from her day job!

She finished my Turkey Round Robin for me! So happy I will get to use it this fall!

While I was home, I visited with my cousin Phyllis. Where they live, the town has had so much rain that the area has flooded. They had to leave their home and stay in a shelter on higher ground. So demoralizing to see your house become uninhabitable and nothing you can do. We went shopping, to a fabric store, of course, and she picked out a quilt that I can make for their new bedroom. I had to clear out my space when I had company so haven’t gotten back to this one. I think I have 6 blocks to go.

She wanted a quilt with the colors of the Northern Lights so I added the pinks – hope Norm will still like it!

While driving home, I talked to my SIL for awhile and she shared how my nephew is going through a bit of a rough patch right now. I think he is a great young man and deserving of another quilt. In fact, I think it is time to do another round of quilts for nephews!

This is a Laundry Baskets Quilts pattern, “Perfect Union”. Saw this cool panel and used it for the backing. I actually cut the fabric for the blue stars wrong so have enough cut to make another one for myself, someday! I can live with those errors.

Before school started, a couple ladies from guild and I signed up for a class. Well the instructors got Covid so it was delayed. Made for a little more stress, which is a long story that won’t be shared here. But it was a good, fun day. We each got one shoe finished! Most expensive shoes I own, but it was a good experience, and have fun foot wear!

To finish things off, pictures of Jeanette’s beautiful quilting on a Fig Tree BOM!

Just love it!!

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Dormant too long

Although I have had occasional sewing time, not recording time. Work has been busy, and stressful. And now only about 3 weeks left in the semester! Thank goodness!

Let’s start the review!

Kim Diehl pattern & kit

My guild has a penny mini ‘raffle’ each month for a donated small quilt. The proceeds are then used as a scholarship for members to take a class the guild sponsors. This is what I donated, and another kit off my shelf. The guild is very philanthropic and I found a layer cake on sale at last years quilt show. Bought some more of it on sale and am working on a twin size quilt.

Fable is the fabric line

First time using the Cake Mix papers. It does help with perfect hst’s, but a hassle removing all the paper. I tested out different suggested lay outs. I am now up to 14 blocks done. No set deadline, so not rushing it.

Calliope pattern by Corey Yoder

Hailee is having a baby! She is from work and this is their first baby. Love how this came together! I made fewer blocks for a baby size, and all the fabric was on hand! Jeanette will be quilting it with an elephant theme.

Round Robin!

This was made about 25 years ago when I was in Oklahoma and just learning to quilt! I made the center block, Barbara made the turkey tracks border, I think Kim did the next border, Alice the last border and Susie added the appliqué. I had started hand quilting it, just one of the inner borders, so have sent it to Jeanette to complete the quilting. It is way past time to get it done!

Tiffany announced her engagement so I started the quilt pattern I had bought for her a long time ago called Cat’s in Space. I changed the color of the cats to match hers, and used my own fabric. Only bought the cat & helmet fabrics for this one!

Elizabeth Hartman pattern

The guild had a runner class that I took part in. Another member commented she was going to do extra blocks and an extra border to make it the right size for hospice bed runners. I thought it was a great idea and did the same.

I quilted it myself. Barely. I don’t have that gift.

Pin cushions

At the quilt show in June, we have a boutique to sell home made items. I have been making pin cushions. Hope they sell!

Enough for now. I won’t wait so long to write next time!

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Another Great on the Way!

I found out in June I am going to be a great aunt again! At the time, I didn’t know the sex of the baby so started out making a quilt top for a boy.

Mahalo, by Fig Tree & Co.

For the last couple of years, I have been part of the Figs & Friends program they offer. Each quarter, they send a pattern and a starter kit of curated fabrics. Love how this turned out! And with those cheery yellows, might be nice for a girl too! Nice using fabric I have on hand!

Well, I found out it is to be a girl, so made another Butterfly quilt, I believe designed by Lela Boutique? I made different blocks and size, but used her lay out.

Jeanette is quilting them both. The first two butterflies I made, she custom quilted, and they were beautiful! I can’t wait to get these back again!

This summer I went to visit Kim over the 4th of July. We went to the International Quilt Museum in Lincoln, Nebraska. They had several different exhibits set up. The first had quilts from the ‘stan countries (Kahzikstan, Pakistan, etc.).

I think it is so interesting that block patterns are so universal, from half way around the world and many years ago. In the middle picture, those pineapple blocks are the size of a dime. I cannot imagine making them. The last picture was an example of thread painting. Beautiful.

They also had a modern quilt exhibit, but wasn’t really my thing. But. The final room had and exhibit from Ohio Valley. Beautiful antique quilts!

We stopped at a few quilt shops, but spent most of our time sewing. Most of this quilt was done at Kim’s house. Again, it was a Figs and Friends kit. I chose to make it larger as I am donating it to Quilts for Cops. Jeanette is busy quilting this one too!

After I had it all pieced, I noticed that in the pattern, every other block was turned. I am happy with it as is, and wasn’t about to start taking it apart.

And that is a wrap of my summer sewing. It was pretty productive I think!

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Flimsies Completed

The last week of school, the employees commented how a pregnant student was having a hard time: baby daddy is not very excited to become a father, not much support from friends, several hours from home, etc. They wanted to throw a baby shower for her. I perused my stash and went back to my Peanuts fabric and went with a simple nine patch setting. I think it turned out cute for such a short notice.

School got out a couple of weeks ago and the boss basically said to take some time off. OK. I will not disagree. So I have spent the time sewing! I finished the Manchester by the Sea Quilt top. I love it! The colors and blocks do bring me to the beach!

I finished the Morning Star quilt for the Abilene Quilt Show. It has been sent off to Jeanette for quilting. I sure hope I left her enough time to get it quilted and returned to me. I cut the binding today so it’s all ready to finish up.

Next I worked on a project that I had in my stash. It is called Bubble and Froth by Carrie Nelson from the book Mix It Up. I actually won a digital copy of the book from commenting on one of the designers promotional posts when it was being released. Three years later, I finally have a quilt from it made! I bought most of the fabrics in the Sisters, OR, area.

The quilt store in Winters, TX, was having an anniversary sale so bought fabric for another test pattern for Jeanette. Won’t show the whole thing, but I do love the pattern. Big blocks really showcase the fabrics.

And last, another Block of the Month has started! Apple Blossom Road, again by Fig Tree & Co. It is a mystery, and in it’s introduction, they said it will have an americana vibe. I like the softer colors for the first month so have great expectations going forward!

Hopefully I will have more time over the summer for sewing some Christmas gifts!

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Catch up Time

My friend, and quilter, Jeanette has been developing quilt patterns. She let me test her first one called Modern Granny. Jeanette has the first one I made, and the second test went to my nephew for Christmas. I think the pattern lends itself to some fussy cutting for a featured center square, like a Vikings emblem, or a favorite college sports team. I didn’t want to post a picture until she had released the pattern, but it is now available on her etsy shop.

Jeanette did the quilting, of course, and used footballs and helmets in her all over design! So clever!

Hope Zach enjoys it this football season! I’m told it is Copper (his dog) approved, so I think that is a good thing.

I finished the quilt for the youth group fundraiser! I used the same pattern that Kim and I created, with a few changes, again.

I’m liking it in these red, blue, and tan colors as well! Next time I would do something different than the broken dishes blocks (probably bow ties). The row was added to give the quilt some length. Jeanette used an all over pattern for the quilting that I think works perfectly for this style of quilt.

Now I am working on a yellow and white quilt for the Abilene quilt show in June. Hopefully I am giving Jeanette enough time to do the quilting! Graduation is in two weeks then hopefully will have more time to get Manchester by the Sea BOM finished, before the next Block Of the Month from them starts!

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QOV sew day

I have been to the Abilene Quilt Guild a couple of times now. Seems like a wonderful group of people. I was able to join a few others for National Quilts of Valor Sew Day and worked on these blocks:

I made 8 there and these 4 at home. Such an easy block, but like a log cabin, can be placed in so many different lay outs. I may have to do this for myself!

We are in Month 10 of the Manchester By the Sea BOM! It is much easier when you don’t need to do months worth at a time to catch up!

This will be a lovely quilt! I am so excited! I love how it is coming together and all the colors. So very well balanced, and a great mix of blocks.

I made this quilt several years ago. I believe it is called Lift Off. I haven’t had a baby boy to gift it to, so put it with a couple of other space themed baby items for a basket auction at church. It made $120! Later that afternoon, one of the youth leaders asked if I would make a full size quilt that could be raffled for another fundraiser! On Mothers Day! I have a pattern in mind and pulled fabrics today, will be patriotic. Looking forward to wrapping up the BOM to focus on this new project.