DOUBLE DASH

If you are familiar with my quilts, you know that the majority are scrappy in nature.  I prefer to work in that multi-fabric theme.  Number one, frugality is in my DNA plus it was the reason for the development of patchwork originally; and number two, I like the additional challenge to motivate me in quilt making to use what I have on hand.  When it is necessary to buy yardage for backing and borders, I always think about will the fabric/color scraps be useful in a future quilt. 

This scrap quilt is based on an old quilt block called Churn Dash from the 1890s. The original block only had one colored bar, but I like it with two colored bars for more depth.  I added a pieced sashing, also with a colored bar to produce a secondary pattern.    It sure was fun playing with a multitude of fabrics, and experiencing how they interact with each other.  Is it true that all shades of red go together???

THE STATS:  Double Dash, 2024, 29"x29", Machine pieced, Machine quilted.  The number nerd reports 481 pieces in the top!

I've run out of motivation using these brighter colors for the time being -- need to start a brown, neutral quilt.  I try to embrace the coming of Spring; BUT instead of Spring fever, I often get Spring depression.  I'm such a winter person!

PECKING ORDER

Nothing much to say about this quilt except it was an easy project.  The bars were all from my teal scrap bins and loosely gradated from light to dark.  I did purchase yardage for the sashing and border picking fabrics/colors that I know I can use any leftovers in future projects.

THE STATS:  Pecking Order, 2024, 31"x31", Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

LIGHT IN THE TUNNEL

I always enjoy working on two different blocks in a quilt to produce a secondary pattern.  I drew up these two blocks to finish out at 5" each. 

The fabrics/colors were chosen at random from my scraps in brown/red/pink colorways.  Not much thought was put in to produce the final color result; it's fun to work that way occasionally, as it is always a surprise in the end.

THE STATS:  Light in the Tunnel, 2024, 28" x 28", Paper Pieced, Machine Pieced, Machine Appliqued, Machine Quilted

SKYVIEW

 Do-overs!!   Sometimes I do a quilt over because I just wasn't happy with the original result, either because of the design or the fabric/color choices.  Other times, I repeat a quilt simply because I liked the design and enjoyed making the original.  That is the case with this quilt.

The original quilt was called "Park Lane Vista" named after a childhood memory.  It was designed and made in my two-block journey in 1992.  It was not in my book, Traditional Two Block Quilts, because it had previously been published in Quiltmaker Magazine Issue #31.

I have always wanted to make a smaller version as a wall hanging or table cover with different fabrics but similar colors and feel.  Now is the time to find out if after 32 years; and losing eyesight in one eye, and diminished in the other, if I could still get all of those 200+ star points to line up.  

Not too shabby, I guess.  My muscle memory is a blessing.  From many years of experience, I can feel the nesting of points in my fingers when sewing!

THE STATS:  Skyview, 2024, 32" x 32", Paper Pieced, Machine Pieced, Machine Quilted

DEMOCRACY MATTERS; THREAD, WHITE, AND BLUE

 After working a month on my previous crazy quilt, I was ready for something uncomplicated.  

Guess I can't leave well enough alone!  I was going to use just the simple background block for the whole quilt, but then decided that it needed a star in support of democracy.  It got more complicated after that to keep the zig-zag pattern going.  I ended up making 84 of the 3" striped blocks before I got it right -- always a learning process even on a simple quilt.

THE STATS: Democracy Matters; Thread, White, and Blue, 2024, 27" x 27", Paper pieced, Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

I support democracy by voting!

CRAZY TIMES

I occasionally enjoy working with a crazy quilt format.  There are no points to match; using up a lot of scraps; using colors and embellishments as I feel like it; and, best of all, no expectations!  Perfect for the New Year 2024.

THE STATS:  Crazy Times, 2024, 29"x29", Foundation pieced, Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

 Additionally, the different techniques I included were miniature quilt blocks, buttons, ribbons, Broderie Perse, thread painting, raw edge applique, wool applique, hand drawings, computer- generated words, and machine embroidery.

My original plan was not to put a border on it, but a quilt this crazy needed something to corral it in.  Plus, I was dealing with so many bias edges.  By designing it on the diagonal, I was constantly dealing with hypotenuse measurements; Pythagoras became my closest friend!

SUNRISE, SUNSHINE, SUNSET

I live in the banana belt of Colorado, where the sunrises are glorious, and the sunsets are wonderful going down behind the mountains.  In between the rise and set, we have sunshine 300+ days a year.  It is a blessing to live in my native state of Colorado.    

This is my last quilt for 2023.  A New Year is upon us, and the sun will rise again tomorrow. 

 I wish you the joy of God's love, health, safety,  and peace in 2024.

This is the beautiful photo of a sunrise by Cindi Colbert that was my inspiration for this quilt.  Cindi also makes beautiful cards with inspiring messages.  

THE STATS:  Sunrise, Sunshine, Sunset, 2023,  32"x20", Paper pieced, Machine pieced, Machine appliqued, Machine quilted.

 

STARDUST

I've mentioned before that I never follow an existing pattern.  By doing so, for me, it takes the fun out of making a quilt.  I enjoy the prep work as much as the actual sewing and quilting.  If I'm not making a scrappy quilt, which I usually just design as I go; this is what I do to figure yardage requirements, patterns, etc.

I know it doesn't make sense to everyone, but I find it a fun and creative activity!  I, also, realize I'm a number's nerd.

THE STATS:  Stardust, 2023, 36"x36", Paper pieced, Machine pieced, Machine quilted.

I don't often critique my quilts on this forum, letting the readers form their own opinions.  However, this quilt bothers me on several levels.

1.  When I designed this quilt on paper, I intended to make the individual blocks 3" square.  In some memory lapse; when I drew the blocks actual size, I made them 4".  By the time I discovered this, I was into the making of the quilt and continued on.  To me it would have been much better in a smaller format with less negative space.

2.  The accuracy in piecing is good.  I liked the colors and the fabrics of this collection very much, so I bought them specifically for this quilt.  However, in my frugal nature; I don't usually do that.  There are no scraps of fabric purchased in the past at lower price in this quilt.  It was, therefore, an expensive hit to my quilting budget; and also now the quilt appears boring to me.

3.  I did use a fabric from my stash for the backing.  It is too plain for my liking, but I felt I had to use what I had because of the budget.

4.  My machine quilting on a domestic machine is always questionable.  This is no exception, but acceptable for the amount of quilting required in the negative space.

5.  On the positive side, I enjoyed the geometric challenge of design and the piecing process was fun; and with quilting complete, it appeals to me a little better.

It is what it is -- always a learning experience.  Your comments????

BAA, BAA, PLAID SHEEP

 After 8 years, I have finally finished this wool applique project.  There are too many reasons for the delay to explain, but I set one of this year's goals to complete it.

All of the wool in this project is reclaimed fabric.  Ten years ago is was easy to find wool garments from Pendleton, Ralph Lauren, etc. at thrift stores for very little money ($3-$5 a garment).  I bought many during those years; and would then deconstruct the garments, felt the fabric by washing and drying in hot temperatures to keep it from fraying, fading, or shrinking resulting in 2-4 yards each of usable fabric.  I have used the wool for projects over the years, but still have a nice supply of this fabric. 

 "Baa, Baa, Plaid Sheep.  Have you any wool?  Yes sir, yes sir, at least three drawers full!"

The Stats: "Baa, Baa, Plaid Sheep", 2023, 30"x27", Hand Appliqued, Hand Embroidered, Machine Pieced, Machine Quilted.

Here are some of my wool projects from the past.  Some of these former projects also include purchased 100% wool felt.

STICKS AND STONES

 

Time for some string piecing to use up the many brown and beige strips in my scrap bins.  The blue accents are to keep the project from getting boring!

I have a love/hate relationship with string piecing.  I love choosing the fabrics, colors, and embellishments; but hate the mess as I can't seem to stay organized when dealing with strips!

THE STATS:  "Sticks and Stones", 2023, 33"x33", Paper Pieced, Machine Pieced, Machine Embroidered, Machine Quilted

I have had this quilt percolating in my brain for some time; it finally became reality and is finished, and has become my favorite for 2023!!

GOOD CHEER

 I wanted something new to use this upcoming Christmas season, so I went with red, green, and beige; and two simple paper-pieced blocks.  I didn't count how many different fabrics I used, but it was a bunch in my ongoing efforts to use up my scraps that I have accumulated over 40+ years.

THE STATS:  "Good Cheer", 2023, 33"x33", Paper pieced, Machine pieced, 

Machine quilted.

THE NAME:  "Good Cheer" comes from a poem I was supposed to say as a four-year old at the annual Sunday School Christmas pageant.  It goes like this:  "Christmas comes but once a year; and when it comes, it brings GOOD CHEER".  Well, Sally couldn't follow the rules even then.  Instead, I said, "I'm a cute little girl with a cute little figure; stand back boys until I get a little bigger."  My family and the Sunday school teacher were horrified; thus ending my acting career forever.