an early finish

I finished quilting and binding my Zigzag quilt.  It is ready to deliver to the 2016 outdoor quilt show.  Usually I am snapping quick pictures the morning I take it in so to be done 2 weeks ahead of time surprises and delights me :0)

 The pattern is from a quiltalong that Lori hosted on her blog Humble Quilts in 2012.  She called hers Mountain Trails.

I still wanted to use more of the red and white polka dot fabric so I used it for binding. 

 I free motion quilted feathers all over this quilt - it went SO FAST!  I got the idea for this after reading this post by Barb on her blog Fun with Barb.  She quilted a very large quilt on her home machine with a cable design across the width.  I got thinking about what kind of design I could use that could go in rows across a quilt. 

My quilt is much smaller than the one she quilted but the across the width idea worked out very well. 

 

I took this shot of it on the back of the couch in the sunshine -I thought the texture of it was cool.  The thread I used practically disappears into the scrappy top so it doesn't overpower the piecing.   I will look through my ufo bin to see if there are any other projects I could quilt this way.  I could not believe how fast it went.
So I'm going to try something else that's new to me.  I have an appointment next Thursday to learn how to long arm baste for handquilting.  I'm taking my Bird of Paradise quilt - so excited! 

Happy Quilting!

finally a border

The annual outdoor quilt show is coming up in May and when thought about what to put in it this year...  I came up blank.  I haven't finished anything this year except small stuff.  I've made great progress on a number of projects but nothing finished to show.

 Well that just wouldn't do.  How can they have a quilt show with no quilts?  I simply must contribute something.  I have wanted to finish this Zigzag quilt for a long time.  I was stuck on the border. I thought I was going to use the red and white polka dot fabric for the border but I just didn't like it.  I couldn't let go of the idea so this quilt got stuck. 

 My daughter came downstairs to do some sewing with me on the weekend and I dug it out and together we chose this medium blue print. I've had it for ages - set aside for another, even older ufo.  Well it seemed just right so now I must pin baste and machine quilt this.  That should be doable by mid May - right??  This Zigzag quilt is a ufo from a quiltalong that Lori hosted on her blog Humble Quilts in 2012.  She called hers Mountain Trails.

 This is the little project my daughter got started on.  A friend of mine had gifted her with a lot of these little bits cut off from a couple of charm packs - and then washed. They were narrow - less than 1 1/4 inch wide and frayed on both sides. 

She lined them all up and sewed them like strings together and made this little block.  I was quite impressed!  But, now she is stumped to know what to make with her "made fabric".  There are enough strings to make one more block. I suggested a bag or a pillow but she wasn't keen on my ideas.  Do any of you have other suggestions? 

Yesterday my Circle Game friend came over and I pieced the last extra block I will need for my Circle Game quilt.  After drawing with my compass for the previous 2 blocks it was nice to just modify with my friend a couple of the blocks from the pattern.  With a line change here and there these blocks look very different.  She has been posting about some of her blocks too - here. 
All that remains is to finish the block surrounds and put it all together.   Then we get to choose a new challenging project to work on - I can't wait!

Happy Quilting!!

zigzag progress

 I have had so much fun making these log cabin variation blocks from Lori's quiltalong. I had quite the pile growing so it was time to start putting them together so I could decide how big to make this quilt.



I think a generous throw size is what I am aiming for.  Big enough to be cozy for a nice nap on the couch.  (not that that happens very often  :0)   I have 15 rows of 8 blocks sewn together.  I want to make it 3 blocks wider yet but I thought I would show you my progress.

I only have 9 more blocks to make.  I hope to get them together and attached with the others this weekend.  My guild is having a sew day and I hope to go for at least a few hours of it.  I have lots of the red polka dot fabric left to make a border. 

Happy Quilting!!

My Mom's wallhanging

Last weekend DD#3 and I went to visit my Mom and Dad in Kelowna.  My Mom showed me this top she had completed.  I had helped her get it all cut on my last visit in the summer.  I think it is beautiful.  All of the fabrics she had picked up on trips to Holland and to Amish country in the USA.  The bright blue sashing I especially love - it reminds my mom of the pillowcases her family used when she lived in Holland as a girl.  She plans to quilt it this week.  Go Mom!!



I take back what I said about handquilting this top being a mistake  :0)   I've been enjoying it very much.  I haven't really planned where the circles go - I just mark them where they fit and keep going.  I've been staying nice and cozy under this quilt in the evenings.  I also work on my Vine quilt in the evenings. Panel #6 is progressing.



 

I've also been making more blocks for my zigzag quilt.  I've got 40 more blocks made and I'm still loving it! (still playing with the blocks too  :0)

 

Lori has another quiltalong that started today.  It's so hard to resist joining in - she chooses such great projects!  The doll quilt this time is very sweet. 

 

Happy Quilting!!





Quiltalong link up

 I sewed my Mountain Trail blocks into a top this afternoon.  I decided on the Zigzag setting for them. I am still making more blocks but I didn't want to miss out on Lori's linkup with all the quilts from this quiltalong.  I will add borders when I've sewed all the blocks I can make onto it.  What a great project this has been - thanks so much Lori!!

 I cut all the scraps my friend gave me of the red polka dot fabric.  There is just enough for one more row of blocks.  I'm so glad.  I'd love to make this quilt bigger.  This is the only piece of selvage with info on it.  I suspect it was from a line that came out last Christmas.  I sure wish I'd bought more...

I enjoyed so very much the sew day with friends I had last Saturday.  I managed to finish the rest of the blocks for Cheddar Posies - the quilt I am making for DD#1.  The pattern is from Quiltmaker May/June 2011. My friends helped me decide on navy blue for the inner and outer borders.

Happy Quilting!!

mountain trails get longer

 It's been a busy week!  The kids have had stomach flu and I have had to move my sewing room from an upstairs bedroom to a corner of the basement family room.  I did manage to get more Mountain Trail blocks made.  I used every little scrap of of the red polka dot fabric that I had.  I have a friend who has a little bit of it left over from one of her projects and she's going to give it to me tomorrow  :0)   I'll make as many blocks as I can!

 It's hard to say if I've had more fun sewing these scrappy little blocks or arranging them in many setting possibilities.

 How will I ever decide???

I'm very partial to this zigzag setting.  Which one do you like?
On Monday Lori wants to link up all the mini quilts made from this quilt along. I suspect I will still be making blocks  :0)
Tomorrow I am taking a whole day off to go to a sew day with friends.  I can't wait! 
Happy Quilting!!

Mountain Trails

 I have had so much fun making these blocks from Lori's latest Quiltalong.   They are so scrappy  :0)  I used a few uglies thinking they couldn't look too bad when the strips finish at 3/4 inch.

 I haven't sewn them together yet.  They are fun to play with as they have so many possibilities. 

 These big pinwheels.

 Set straight.

 I really like this one.  I'll decide on the setting when I'm finished making blocks.

 

 I'm going to make blocks until I run out of the red and white polka dot.  Then I might raid a friend's stash to get some more of it  (you know who you are ;0)  I might get 50 - 60 blocks altogether if I'm lucky.
Thanks so much Lori for another great quiltalong!
Happy Quilting!