Finished Blocks

I finished piecing all the blocks for my scrappy Fig Tree quilt.  That's 49 blocks, each composed of 49 squares.  I used the Irish Chain tutorial from Red Pepper Quilts.

I've been on a mission to finish all the blocks before the beginning of the Thanksgiving holiday.  I have quilts to bind over the holiday but will get back to the scrappy project in December.  I also want to pull together a hand sewing project to take with me on vacation in January.  But that means deciding on which hand sewing project to pursue.  So many options, so difficult to decide!

Shopping Fall Quilt Market

No no, I didn't go to Houston.  Hopefully, someday... but not this year.  But I did see lots of pictures in blogs and on Instagram, and as a result, I've done my "shopping."  I love seeing the new patterns, the new fabric collections, the new gadgets.  It helps me plan ahead (I am a super-planner) and decide what I want to do next.

First on my list is Ferris Wheel, a new jelly roll pattern from Fig Tree. I think I have fabric on hand to use in this quilt but I will need background and border fabrics.

Next, another new Fig Tree pattern called All Wrapped Up.  I like the Christmas version, which I can probably do with just a little augmentation of my Christmas-y fabric stash.

As to fabric, I like Guernsey by Brenda Riddle a lot and may have to invest in some to round out my stash of girly florals with that injection of charcoal.  It would help if I had a good idea of what to make with my vast stash of Paris Flea Market and assorted similar collections.

That's about it.  I know 2017 will be the year of fewer or smaller projects, what with the new job and assorted other life events happening here on Main Street.  So I don't want to tease myself or lay out an overly ambitious schedule.  And of course, there is always Spring Quilt Market, for more inspiration!

By the way, thanks for all your comments with advice in my last post.  It was about making Colorway by Thimbleblossoms.  I am going to follow your advice and use the matching batik layer cake and jelly roll.  I'll save the text prints for another project or possibly the back.  I think you guys saved me from a horrible mistake!

Colorway Pattern

I have my next project picked out.  Like I need one; I have at least five projects in various stages of completion (or un-completion) already.  But anyway...

It is Colorway, a new pattern by Camille Roskelly of Thimbleblossoms.  I saw it online and liked it in the Bonnie and Camille fabrics, but for my version, I will use these batiks in shades of blue and green.  The close-up of the jelly roll, below, gives you a better idea of the range of colors. 

The pattern calls for a layer cake and a jelly roll, plus background fabric.  When I bought the fabric and the pattern, I thought I would use a text fabric as the background.  I had the idea that the centers of the circles would be one piece of fabric.  However, after reading through the pattern, I see they are made up of seven pieces (which actually makes more sense when your think about constructing it) and I think that won't look so good in a directional print like a text print.  So I am considering either 1) using the text prints in place of the jelly roll with a white background, or 2) forgetting the text print altogether and using the batiks with solid white (or another color) background.

What's your advice?

American Patchwork & Quilting December 2016

I broke one of my rules, don't buy magazines encased on plastic bags, to get the new edition of American Patchwork & Quilting.

First, did you notice the updated design of the cover?  I like it, clean and modern without being unrecognizable.  There are several projects I like inside, most notably, this moss wreath (yes, not even a quilt!).  I could see using this in my home.  The shade of green is one I favor because it goes with the green in our home's interior decor.  

And this quilt, called Catch a Chickadee, is a great design to showcase a little motif like the bird used here.

Here's a close-up, as well as a closer look at the appliqued and embroidered pillow companion to the quilt.

If you were wavering on this issue because you couldn't see what's inside (those dang plastic bags!), I hope this glimpse has convinced you to go for it.  I am glad I did.

A New Book In My Library: Mini Marvels

Over the past few years, I've been more selective about adding books to my quilting library because I have a large collection already plus get so much inspiration on the internet.  No more buying books on a whim!  But I had a few glimpses of Mini Marvels on social media and started thinking it was worth a look.  So when I saw it in stock at my local quilt shop I browsed through it and ended up buying it.

Mini Marvels is a compilation of small quilts (small wall hangings, table mats, and the like) designed by 15 Moda fabric designers.  If you ever thought it would be cool to have a wall of mini quilts in your sewing space, this book will get you started.  First up for me will be this foundation paper pieced star quilt designed by Laurie Simpson.  

I'm also smitten with the Mini Medallion design by Betsy Chutchian.  A medallion quilt is on my l-o-n-g bucket list of quilts to make and mini may be the best way to get it made.

Then A Pink Christmas, an applique design by Anne Sutton, is just darling (though I might replace the sheep in the foreground with a dog).

So many quilts to make, so little time!  But minis are a good way to try something new:  a new technique, a new color combination, a new size.  2017 might be my year of making it mini.

Pieceful Update

Thank you for your kind notes about Reggie.  We miss him but are adjusting.  Working on my current quilting project has been a great comfort.  Quilts in general are comforting of course, and having this hobby to occupy me has been a help.

So I made more progress on my super scrappy Fig Tree project, code named Pieceful.  When I last posted about this project, I had finished a few blocks like this, Block 1.

For the design to come together, Block 1 gets combined with Block 2 (below).  I'm nearly done with all the Block 2s.  I need 25 of each block.  (Actually, I need 49 blocks in total, 25 of one and 24 of the other.  But I'm not sure which block I want to go in the corners so I'm making 25 of each one so I can test out both layouts and go with the one I prefer.)

Block 2 has allowed me to use all the cream colored prints, the backgrounds and "neutrals" that I did not use in my other Fig Tree Harvest quilts.  In my prior projects, I used just one background or neutral, usually a solid white or tone-on-tone.  But Pieceful is super-scrappy, with even the background block being pieced from lots of different fabrics.  

I laid out a few blocks to see how they look and I like the way they come together for the Irish Chain effect.  I think this might be a quintuple Irish Chain.  

By the way, in case you are wondering, I cut each piece 2 inches square (1.5 inches finished) so each block is 11 inches square (10.5 inches finished).  The finished quilt will be about 72 inches square.

A Hard Week

It has been a tough week for us.  The older of our two Corgis, our beloved dog Reggie, passed away last Thursday.

Reggie, 2004-2016

Reggie was always willing to be the canine prop in a quilt shot... 

...and happy to test out the finished product for the cuddle factor.

An affectionate and well-behaved dog, all he asked for was the occasional "cookie" and cuddle.

We will miss you Reggie!

I'll be back with regular content as soon as I have my sewing mojo back.