ANOTHER ROW TO HOE

There seems to be a resurgence in row quilts.  I thought it would be time for me to revisit this popular traditional quilt setting.  Running vertical, they are usually called strippy quilts; and horizontally they are called row quilts.

 Smaller units can be used together as connecting blocks to produce secondary patterns or they can also stand on their own.  In my design files, I have a collection of  4", 5", and 6" units; and refer to them often when searching for an idea.  Here are a few of my favorite 4-inchers.

THE STATS:  Another Row to Hoe, 2023, 30"x 40", Paper Pieced, Machine Pieced, Machine Quilted

I did something with this quilt that I prefer not to do.  After finishing the top, I started another project before completing this one.   I decided that it needed to sit and percolate before the quilting process. The concept was okay but I'm not all that comfortable working with pastel floral with high contrast fabrics; therefore I struggled with balancing the color placement.   It is now finished hoping the quilting redeems it!

Back to my comfort zone----

COLORADO SNOWBALLS

February, March, and April are usually the big snowy months for my part of Colorado.  I enjoy the cold, snowy days as it gives me time to stay home and quilt.  In honor of that joy, I decided on an old traditional block called "Snowball" for this quilt.

THE STATS:  Colorado Snowballs, 2023, 25"x25", Machine pieced, machine quilted.

I've been asked about my supply of scraps.  My fabric buying habit is normally purchasing fat quarters when I need an infusion of newer fabric for a specific project. I try not to buy on speculation. Occasionally, I find it necessary to buy a larger amount for borders and/or a backing. I'm a fairly frugal person and save any scrap larger than a 1 1/2" square from previous quilting projects for use in a future quilt. Since I have been doing this process for a long time and have made many quilts, I have built a supply that is contained in a 6-foot fabric closet.

As in the case of this quilt, I can complete a project without any additional purchase of fabric.  I was sad this time to use up small scraps of a couple of my favorite Jinny Beyer fabrics from the early 1980s.  They have appeared in several quilts over the years.  Better saved in a quilt than in the closet!

  I love playing with fabric!

Snow and blue skies gradually transform the prairie into blossoming green grass.  

It's called God's gift of Spring.