I was doing a very happy dance, though not very peppy, last night at 1 a.m. in the morning which was the time I finished Baby Quilt #6. I have now fulfilled this year's commitment of twelve baby quilts for the Blanket Ministry which is the second most wonderful time of the year for me. Three of these baby quilts are almost six weeks late and the other three are over six weeks early but nevertheless they are all finally finished and can be crossed off the project list. I started planning to make three of these quilts back in September thinking that I would be able to finish them by the end of the month to meet my quarterly commitment. Once I knew I wasn't going to finish the quilts in time, I decided that I would combine it with this quarter's commitment by making six baby quilts at once which I should have known from past experience that it's not a good idea. It was grueling for me to stay on task, even knowing that once these baby quilts are done, I wiIl be free to work on other projects and possibly starting new ones--I did buy 14.5 yards of fabric last week.
Here are the six baby quilts with some stats (finished measurements):
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| 36" square, 9" Rail Fence Blocks, horizontal layout |
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| 37.5" square, 7.5" Rail Fence Blocks with 7.5" plain squares |
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| 40" square, four 18" squares with 2" strips and 4" square |
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| 36"x45" Rail Fence, 9" Blocks, horizontal layout |
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| 36"x45" Rail Fence, 9" Blocks, horizontal layout |
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| 36"x45" Rail Fence, 9" Blocks, alternating layout |
I joined the Blanket Ministry when it was started at our Church almost five years ago which was also the same time I retired. I can remember when I first started, my machine quilting was not so great and was something I really dreaded doing and sewing the binding by machine was something I never did before. Now that I have made over fifty baby quilts, my machine quilting and comfort level has improved and machine binding is a snap now. Really, most of these quilts are made with my favorite rail fence blocks with six fat quarters, it takes me around four hours, from start to finish, to make a baby quilt, so I wish I wouldn't make them three or six at a time--it would be easier if I would just plan to make one baby quilt a month. But knowing me, it's easier said than done. I'm hoping next year I will try being more on schedule and on task. But for now, I'm really looking forward to having some guilt-free quilt time after I give my Juki some tender-loving maintenance.
Minus 100 Yard Challenge.
For one brief moment, my updated total was -102.75 yards and it was so brief since I had to add last week's purchase of 14.5 yards plus 3 yards of Disney Princess fabric I knew I had to have for my granddaughter with a thankful 3 yard reduction.
Previous YTD Total: -75.25 yards Current YTD Total: -88.25 yards
Here's to some more late night sewing because I have a challenge to meet!
Wow! 6 at the same time, it's a good thing you didn't burn out! Beautiful quilts, and it's a good thing you're doing with the Blanket Ministry!
ReplyDeleteThanks Liz! I am a little burned out which I knew I would be--wish I would make myself just sew one a month. You should see the mess on my table.
DeleteRose these are beautiful. I think my favorite is the blue one. These will be so appreciated and loved by their recipients.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan! I think either the blue or the yellow or gray one is my favorite. I finished sewing the labels on all of the quilts today and will be delivering them to the Blanket Ministry on Saturday.
DeleteYour baby quilts are beautiful! The fabrics are so nice and bright. Congrats on your yardage out. I think you're going to make it to 100 this year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shannon. Most of these quilts were made from stash so that's another good feeling. I think I'm going to meet my goal too.
DeleteOh my goodness, you have been busy over in your corner of the world again!! Good for you! I'm happy dancing in my chair as I read this. Can't wait to see what you have up your quilting sleeve next . . .
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy! Yep, I was productive this past weekend but had to take some time off to get the house ready for my special company this weekend. My granddaughter and her parents are coming for a week's visit and they've already asked if we would mind babysitting her while they go out for some couple time--silly question.
DeleteHoly Mackerel! That's a lot of quilts. I think there must be an error in your math somewhere. Even with the recent addition of 14 yards, you must be at minus 100 by now! Good job!
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy, I keep checking the figures to make sure I added all my projects and I'm still nowhere near 100 yards. I still need to keep sewing which isn't too bad of a thing--it makes me happy.
DeleteRose, they look so fun and sweet! Six at once is a big bite to chew, but you must admit it's great to see them all in a big pile like that. Very satisfying!
ReplyDeleteAnd you can rest assured that no matter when you finish a baby quilt, there's always another baby coming down the pike...
Thanks Louise. I really do like making the baby quilts, it helps me reduce the stash and the immediate satisfaction I get from finishing them. I'm hoping next year I can get make some just to have ready when needed. I already have one I need to make for my friend's future grandchild.
DeleteOh well done and congratulations on your six lovely finishes. If there is anything more satisfying than a finish it's a finish for a good cause.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate! You are so right about making a quilt for a good cause. It does make my heart feel good.
DeleteHi Rose,
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous accomplishment! Look at those quilts in your first picture - they look so darn pretty and will be so well loved. Those 3 yards you had to buy for your granddaughter - they are an absolute necessity. How can you not make her a princess quilt?!! That would be inhuman and they would have to report you. We don't want to go there - so it should not be counted in your fabric totals! ~smile~ Roseanne
Thanks Roseanne. I'm glad you support the Disney fabric purchase since it was you who finally made me realize that I better buy some, so again I thank you for giving me that push. My granddaughter will be visiting this week and I plan on showing her Mom the fabric and I'm sure she's going to be excited when she sees it.
DeleteCongratulations Rose! That is a mighty effort! The most startling thing about this post is the fact you bought over 14 yards of fabric!!!!! That’s also a mighty effort! 😃
ReplyDeleteThanks Suz! You would understand the 14 yard purchase if you were at that wonderful quilt shop with me. It is one of the best shops I've been to and it's a good thing it's a 40 minute drive from my house and I didn't discover it until late in the year--otherwise I may have not met my challenge.
DeleteLovely little quilts! They will be so useful, and well loved I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda. I am so glad they are done and soon will be delivered so they can be given out just in time for the winter season.
DeleteHello!! I'am glad to read the whole content of this blog and am very excited. Thank you…
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Your six look good! Getting quilts finished on time is quite a challenge. I have some due in December. It looked so far away when I planned to make them. claire aka knitnkwilt
ReplyDeleteThanks Claire! You are right when you plan to make the quilts and think you have all this time and then it's crunch time. It's really a great feeling when you're done.
DeleteWhoop whoop for sure! 6 at once! These are all adorable. And I can see at a glance how good you are at binding now! Just curious: how wide do you cut your strips for the binding? I'm still chasing a comfort level with machine binding and can use all the tips I can get. Enjoy your down time with those 14.5 yards!
ReplyDeleteThanks Janine! I cut my binding strips 2-1/2" wide. You will see the sewing on the back of the quilt but to me it looks like part of the quilting ; it does not get buried in the binding seam like I've seen from others who machine bind. I hope you understand what I'm saying.
DeleteUsing the rail fence block to make donation quilts is such a smart idea, Rose. It's a fast, easy block but there are many possibilities as your quilts show. I especially like the one with the plain blocks mixed in with the rail fences. I know it's difficult to stay on task, but you've proven that you can stick to it and make some darling little quilts at the same time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary! I really do like making the rail quilts because of all the different variations and also happy that I can make them from my stash after buying some fat quarters of the cute focus prints.
DeleteCongrats on getting these all finished. It is a huge accomplishment and they look super cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jasmine! I am so glad they are done and I can now sew some projects that I had set aside. I have to make some more quilts for my granddaughter as if she doesn't have enough already--she needs a winter quilt with will be made from some of the new fabric I just bought.
DeleteSix is a lot all at once! I *really* like that lion one with the four big squares in the corners. I might steal that pattern. I have some large cuts of novelty fabric that would look great done that way, and the strips look easy enough. Great idea!
ReplyDelete