Blogger's Quilt Festival - Spring 2013 - Flowers in the Sun

  It's time to celebrate quilts!  This is my first time participating in the Blogger's Quilt Festival and I would like to thank Amy.  Sew....  "Thank you for hosting, Amy!"  And thank you to all her wonderful sponsors who have made this year's festival possible!

I sure have enjoyed reading through many of the posts of past entries, from the last three years, and am sew excited to be a part of this year's festival!

Flowers in the Sun

After seeing Julie Pickles - Mod Pop quilt, I wanted to design something using curved piecing, too.  I had been wanting to make a full size quilt and this is the second project I came up with using curved piecing.

I was drawn to turquoise fabrics and had managed to grow these retro beauties into a nice little humble stack.  A recent acquisition of some pretty black and white prints paired up with them nicely.  The Kona green and a green batik, along with the array of oranges and yellows, seem to compliment those turquoise flowers perfectly.

 

  

 

The pieced backing was created using fabrics left over from making the front and includes one of my labels, which I ordered from Spoonflower.

I used Amanda Jean's method of Honeycomb quilting as seen on her Crazy Mom Quilts blog.  It took two full days at the kitchen table - and a Doris Day marathon on Turner Classic Movies... But I LOVE how it turned out!

I chose my favorite machine sewn binding method, which I found on Aunt Marti's 52 quilts blog.  I am addicted to it!  The little pop of color is such a nice touch.

Sew as you can see, I did not make this quilt without any help.... I found my inspiration all over the web.  Thank you all, fellow quilting bloggers!  The online quilting community has given me the inspiration to do what I love - and love what I do.  Thanks to all quilting bloggers for sharing their projects, their ideas, and that love of quilting with others.

Blogger’s Quilt Festival Stats

Finished quilt measures : 80″x 92.5″

Special techniques used : curved piecing

Quilted by : Myself on my Janome home sewing machine

Best Category : Favorite Bed Quilt, Favorite Home Machine Quilted Quilt

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Blogger's Quilt Festival - Spring 2013 - Sew Retro, Baby!

It's time to celebrate quilts!  This is my first time participating in the Blogger's Quilt Festival and I would like to thank Amy.  Sew....  "Thank you for hosting, Amy!"  And thank you to all her wonderful sponsors who have made this year's festival possible!

I sure have enjoyed reading through many of the posts of past entries, from the last three years, and am sew excited to be a part of this year's festival!

 

Sew Retro, Baby!

After seeing Julie Pickles - Mod Pop quilt, I wanted to design something using curved piecing, too.  This is the first project I came up with.  When my son, Russell viewed the drawing I had made on graph paper, he said the design was very old fashioned - hence the choice of Retro in the name.

I   

If there was any one fabric color I had collected in abundance, it was pinks.  Some dark, some plain, some polka dotted.  Some with a touch of green.

A pink, grey and white polka dot flannel was purchased for the backing.

 This close up shows the detail of the simple outline quilting along each seam.

I chose my favorite machine sewn binding method, which I found on Aunt Marti's 52 quilts blog.  It has become my signature binding!  It did take me a while to decide on just what fabric to use, but when I seen this checkered candy cane, I knew she was just the one.

The online quilting community has given me the inspiration to do what I love - and love what I do.  Thanks to all quilting bloggers for sharing their projects, their ideas, and that love of quilting with others.

Blogger’s Quilt Festival Stats

Finished quilt measures : 48″x 54″

Special techniques used : curved piecing

Quilted by : Myself on my Janome home sewing machine

Best Category : Favorite Baby Quilt, Favorite Home Machine Quilted Quilt

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Oink A Doodle Moo - In Blue!

Finished my 40" square baby boy quilt.
  And it's ready for some little farmer to be snuggled in!

Spent all day Thursday piecing something for the backing... But it was ugly :)
Finally decided to go with the blue fabric used on the blocks and am sew happy I did.  Much sweeter!  And I love the little goat pieced in with the label.  He's a keeper!

Yesterday was running around and cutting the lawn, but I found a little time to start the quilting, which I completed late this afternoon.  And started applying the binding using my favourite method.  I am sew hooked on that!

Finished the binding right before supper...
And quilted the stars right after...

Linking up (this last minute Friday finish) to Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Link a Finish Friday, Freedom Fridays and Crazy Mom Quilts.

Oink A Doodle Moo

I have never purchased fabric online - only looked.
Since we live on a farm, I was quite taken with the Oink A Doodle Moo by Jenn Ski for Moda, available at Fat Quarter Shop.

And then I went back to the little fabric store in Newton - E & E Cloth Creations.

I am impressed with this little country store.  Emaline carries some prints that you can't find at the big name fabric outlets here in this area of Ontario.  And ALL of her prints are $10.95 a meter (39") and the Kona Solids are $5.95!  Sew much easier to choose fabric when you don't have to look at the end of the bolt to compare prices....

At the counter, when she was cutting the new additions for my stash.... I noticed two bolts on her counter display.  The only two.  Oink A Doodle Moo - both with green background.  So I quickly had her add a meter of each to my purchase.

I wanted to chose a design with a farming theme for this farm themed fabric.  And liked the Weathervane block and the Farmer's daughter block.  The Weathervane is 6" increments while the Farmer's Daughter is 5".   I went with the Weathervane in a 12" block, mostly because it's center square can show off a nice size fussy cut of the moo-i-ness.

Here was my first attempt at that block...

Too much going on here... It was giving me a headache!

Then I have asked my 12 year old son, Russell for his opinion.  He really has an eye for what looks good.  And his descriptions amaze me.  He said, "There's too much going on."
Here is the revised version with a white background...

 

This is the first square baby quilt I have made and it measures approx. 40" x 40".

Yesterday, I finished the top... chose and made the binding... and today I am piecing the backing.
Back to the fun stuff!

Baby quilt for Lucia - finished!

Just a really quick post ....

Lucia's duck and frog baby quilt is done!  Put the binding on this morning in time to link up for my Friday finish.

 I love the fuzzy, flannel backing.  The turtles are so happy looking!

I wondered when I bought the binding fabric what I would ever use it for...

Baby quilt for Lucia! - progress

I have been working this week on another baby quilt.  This special quilt is for a special little girl who is now six weeks old.  Her name is Lucia.  Lucia's grandma, Margie, seen the Lucky Ducky wall hanging I have listed in my Etsy shop.  And she wanted a quilt made.

Here is the progress sew far.....

The wall hanging version is 12" x 12" and was done using raw edge applique.  The crib quilt has been difficult to construct in that it is made using a turned edge.  Obviously, I am also having trouble with proportion!  I thought the duck was huge.... But now I see that the frog is WAY bigger than he should be, too.  And those duck feet.... Er....  Not looking sew hot, I think.  I will have to reduce their size.  And the contrast in the colours of the orange fabrics used - I am not happy with that either.

So, what do you think?  Would you change the size of the duck feet?  Would you choose a lighter fabric for the webbing on the feet?  Or would you just leave it as is?  Love to hear your opinion!

Edited ----- April 28th

Little smaller feet and lighter coloured webbing....  Water lines added.... Quilting up next!

Peppermint Dreams

Finished the baby quilt just now!  Calling it Peppermint Dreams....

I made it using blocks I had leftover from making the Sew Retro, Baby! quilt.
I had to make a couple extras to make a decent size for the center of the quilt.
And then added some borders.  This was the first time I ever made the piano keys!  Fun!  Love it....

I also used a different binding method.  I was going to sew it to the back and then turn to the front and machine stitch in place, leaving a stitch line on the back.... But was half way around when I realized I was sewing it to the front.  I then sewed in the ditch along the binding to catch the binding edge on the back of the quilt.  I did not pin except when I got to the corner, but I did press the binding to turn it to the back, first.

Not that happy with the corners....

But am happy with the finish - none the less!

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday

This is NOT Spring!

Here is some of the aftermath of Thursday night's ice storm...

We have been without hydro electricity since Thursday night....

And I have the computer hooked up to the gas generator right now....

So I can make my a post, but not about quilting - unfortunately.

It was quite interesting and beautiful to wake up to this ice covered world....

And there has been no school for the kids since then, or today, either....

The ice melted later that day and released the trees and every other surface from its hard, cold shell....

Believe it or not - and this is a first for me - I am really looking forward to being able to do the dishes!

I hope and pray that today will be the day we get power back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sew Retro, Baby! pattern is now for sale

Just a short post....
To let anyone who is interested....
know that the Sew Retro, Baby! pattern is now for sale at my Craftsy pattern store!

I got a LOT of positive feedback on this design..... Thank you to everyone who encouraged me!

Flowers in the Sun - Finished!

It took me two days and the kitchen table to quilt this big baby...  Now I have to get caught up on the dishes that piled up behind me on the counter!

Today I got the binding on.  I seen this method used by Aunt Marti on 52 quilts blog.  And now I am addicted to it!

Here is a picture of the back of the quilt.  This Flowers in the Sun quilt is a queen size measuring 80" x 92.5".

I used Amanda Jean's method of Honeycomb quilting as seen on her Crazy Mom Quilts blog.  It sure did take a while to get her done.... But I LOVE how it turned out!

Linking up with Amanda Jean's Finish it up Friday and Richard and Tanya Quilts Link a Finish Friday
And, for the first time, linking up with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Flowers in the Sun - Top completed

The weather is certainly not reflecting what I have been working on for the past week.  We had a couple really nice days.  And even got the barbeque out.  But today the wind is bitter and cold.  And there is a light dusting of snow with it.

Those poor birds are going to have quite a time if they want to collect the fabric scraps left for them under the cedar trees!  The pieces are scattered across the lawn now.  Hope they get used for nesting before lawn mowing season gets here.... if ever.

I will be working on piecing a backing this afternoon.  This is a queen size, measuring 80" x 92.5", but our queen size bed is being used by the shift working dad of the family right now.  Sew I had to take the pictures on my daughter's double bed.

I sure am looking forward to being able to enjoy taking outdoor pictures.... someday....

Linking up to Fluster Buster's creative muster party!

Warning: Quilter's with a weak stomach may be offended!

You know those warnings they have on tv?  Viewer discretion is advised?
Well - be warned - Quilter's discretion is advised - for this post.....

I have been busy working away on the Flowers in the Sun quilt.  All of the strips were cut.  The templates were traced and the curved pieces cut out.  The curves have been sewn.  And all those blocks were trimmed square.  All the HST's were assembled.  I have finished making the total 192 - 5 1/2" squares, which make the 12 flower/leaf blocks.  Here is that pile o'fabric!

<<<<NOW>>>>
Last warning - If you can't stand the sight of fabric scraps - Look away now!

This pile is the result of all the trimming, including selvages and squaring up the yardage in preparation for cutting the strips.

Now, I can't see paying good money for fabric, cutting it up, and then throwing it away.  But this is a queen size quilt.  And I adjusted the size of the templates to ensure there was as little waste as possible.  I also made certain the templates were laid out on the strips to the best advantage.

What to do with this mess now?  I have given it a little thought... And am setting this outside, beneath the cedar trees.  The robins have returned.  I seen them yesterday while I was dutifully doing the dishes.  And I am confident they will make good use of these bits, building their nests.

For those who were brave enough or just plain curious...  I must ask.... Would you be willing to use a pattern that required the wasting of fabric in order to achieve the design you desired?  Do you consider this amount of scraps to be a waste?  Love to have your feedback on this!

Flowers in the Sun - New Design

For the past couple of days I have been working on a new design.  I had intended to make a larger version of the Sew Retro, Baby! and to write up a pattern for it, but ..... It can wait.

I really enjoyed the pieced curves used in the making of the Sew Retro, Baby! quilt that I finished on Friday.  And I wanted to expand on that.   The addition of curves adds sew much to the design possibilities.

My stash of turquoise fabrics has been growing and some black and white prints have been recently acquired.  They look great together.  What to do with them?

The plan involves 20" blocks to build a queen size quilt.  The block size could be reduced to make a smaller quilt, but wanted to work with some larger chunks of fabric this go around.

Here is a little peek at one of the leaves for the flower blocks.  It is 5 1/2" unfinished.

Sew Retro, Baby! binding on and done...

First off... I would like to thank all those who have visited my blog and were kind enough to leave a comment and/or suggestion on my last post.  I was having a lot of trouble deciding on what to use for a binding on this quilt.  I really appreciate your encouragement and every one of your suggestions.  THANK YOU!

I did not get any sewing done yesterday.  I went to see my parents in Stratford and also had the immense pleasure of seeing my favourite niece, who is up visiting from Milwaukee, Wisconsin for her spring break.  It was sew nice to be able to give her a big hug!

And that feel-good mood was only enhanced by the little stop I made in town to do a bit of fabric shopping.  Yippee!  Although I had a few of those suggestions in mind when I walked in the shop..... That is where I discovered the answer to what I would use to bind the Sew Retro, Baby!

Sew, here she is!

 This crib quilt is approximately 48" x 54" and was made using 3" finished size blocks.

I used the same method with the binding faux flange as I used on the Puppy Love quilt.  In that post there was also a link to this great tutorial: Susie's Magic Binding method.

Another piece of good news....
I finally got the timing right on a project finish to link up to Link-a-Finish-Friday at Richard Quilts!

Sew Retro, Baby! quilting complete

Follow my blog with Bloglovin It took a few sessions, but as of yesterday, I have finished quilting the Sew Retro, Baby! quilt.

Now I am stumped... What to choose for binding?  I thought of using a grey with white polka dots, which ties in with the backing, but it doesn't stand out much.  I thought of using a black and white stripe.  I even thought of using a green with white polka dots to pick up on the bit of green that is found in some of the fabrics in the top, but it looked very Christmas like with the darker pinks.

PS.  Linking up with Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday!
Please HELP!  What would you choose for binding this very pink quilt???

Sew Retro, Baby! quilting

Not even aware that it was Worldwide Quilting Day.... I went to two shops looking for fabric.  And I found the perfect flannel to use for the backing.

 Which I washed and dried, cut and seamed, and through up on the frame I use to baste my quilts.

 I have not seen any other blogs ever mention using a quilt frame for basting and thought there may be a few people out there who are interested in another option.

It is simply four lengths of wood, held together by screws, at the measurement determined according to the length and width of your quilt backing.

 If you don't have a 'freezer room' to set up a frame.... normally, four chairs can be used at each corner to support the quilt frame.

 Thumb tacks are used to hold the edges of the backing to the frame and the butter knife shown in the above picture, is used to take the tacks back out.  Saves the finger nails (or lack thereof).

And after securing your backing, you lay on your batting and quilt top, smoothing it all out, and pin from the center towards the edges.

Remove all the thumb tacks...
Remove the screws and store the wooden rails out of the way.

Then get quilting!
I did get started doing just that and will post again when she's done!

How did you spend your Worldwide Quilting Day?  I'd love to see what you're working on!