Somethings About Me

Friday, March 10, 2023

Strips Ahoy, a Nice Nautical Not Naughty Finish


Back in the early part of February, I finally had the chance to work on a new project and was going to play with Janet Clare’s A Field Study fabric line but soon jumped ship when I saw the stash of blue fabrics from her Hearty Good Wishes and More Hearty Good Wishes fabric lines in the stash. My plan was to make another version of my Staggered Strips and Squares pattern but this time instead of using 4.5” Squares I would make 12”x16” blocks to go with the 2.5” strips.

I decided that I didn’t have enough different fabrics from just the Hearty Good Wishes fabrics, so I added fabrics from Janet Clare’s Nocturne and Aubade, some Japanese/Asian prints and a Jennifer Sampou Dot print as well as fabric from Moda’s Indigo line which is over ten years old.
The above are quilts/projects, Skyfall (left) made in Fall, 2021 and the Indigo Tiles Quilt and Everything Bag made in 2017. My Strips Ahoy quilt is now part of the trio of quilts made with Janet Clare’s fabrics in blues and gray and I never get tired of seeing these think these colors together.
The 12”x16” blocks were made from the Hearty Good Wishes and More Hearty Good Wishes charm packs along with yardage of a blue and a tan print. I wanted the Tan Prints only to be used for the blocks and I think this accents nicely against the blue and gray strips. The strip panel was made from over 100 2.5” strips cut in varying lengths and were sewn in four rounds ‘ala jelly roll race to make an eight row panel measuring 16-1/2” high. I also included in this mix a strip panel leftover from the Skyfall quilt.
My initial plan was to randomly place the blocks among the strips but decided on a controlled layout of two different row settings; one with a 36”(f) strip panel framed with a 12”x16”(f) block and the other with three 12”(f) strip panels alternated with two the two blocks. This measured 60” x 80”. I finished the flimsy by the third week of February and could have quilted it then and glad I didn’t. Lessons learned from the Celestial Moonrise Quilt and the Tell Tale Blues Quilt were forgotten and then remembered after looking at this photo when I was at the GP house later and that is I do not like the way blocks look when they are on the edge. 
 
Thankfully I had enough leftover strip panel to take apart to add two rows on the sides and the top and bottom. I think it looks so much better when the blocks “float” next to the strips. Some of the previous Staggered Strips quilts mentioned in this post, the strips were set vertically instead of horizontally but for the Strips Ahoy quilt the strips were set horizontally because I didn’t want the whale and fish prints to be swimming upstream but it looks okay on the side borders.
The backing is a map print that I have been saving for when I ever did make something with the Janet Clare blue fabrics. I only had four yards of it and had to add a gray clamshell print on the sides. I already made the backing with the smaller measurements and thankfully I only had to add a strip on the bottom to accommodate the larger size.
Machine quilting in Aurifil #2610 Blue/Gray thread was done with my usual but favorite straight with meandering lines horizontally but I also added the lines vertically to the side borders to create a grid pattern. The binding is the stripe print from the Hearty Good Wishes line and sad to say I’ve used the last of the yardage. Strips Ahoy measures 68” x 88”. I also like to mention that with all of the changes made, not once did I use any salty language which I have been known to do on previous quilt with a blue or Sea theme.
Strips Ahoy was finished a week ago and I delayed posting about it because I wanted to include some outside photos but the weather has not been co-operating. The first photo we tried to take outside, I realized that it was a tad too wide for the Master Quilt Holder. The plan was to take it to the GP House where the darling Granddaughter will be babysitting us for the next thirteen days and again had to wait several days until the rain stopped. Also, next door is where the Rookie Quilt Holder resides.
The Rookie Quilt Holder assisted the Master Quilt Holder to finally get a nice full-size shot of Strips Ahoy.
I do like this shot also since the house and sky matches the colors of this quilt. Would you believe after these photos were taken and we were inside, the Sun made an appearance.
We will be traveling to the East Coast mainly Maine and Niagara Falls and will be taking this quilt with us since I think I need some photos of Strips Ahoy by the Ocean and Falls. We will be meeting up hopefully with my Bee Sista, Kathleen McMusing, and I’m sure she will know some places to take photos. I’m also pretty sure she won’t be able to hold up the quilt though (a little inside joke here). I do have the perfect bag to carry Strips Ahoy in.

Linking  up with: My Quilt Infatuation/NTT



12 comments:

  1. I love that JC fabric in the blues, too; I made my husband a big zig-zag from a layer cake stack--it is one of my favorite quilts--yours looks so pretty--I love how the lighter fabrics move your eyes around the quilt--nice work hugs, Julierose

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  2. Oh my, this is another gorgeous quilt. I think you were right about the extra strips on the side. I do have a few places in mind! I can't wait to meet up with you again and see what trouble we can get into!

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  3. Hi Rose! Oh, how fab that you two sistas get to meet up!! I'm not surprised to see that Kathleen has some places in mind for some pictures. What a fun and fabulous quilt finish. I agree with you on adding the borders so the blocks were not on the edge. This has a very modern vibe to me, and both of your quilt holders did an excellent job. The quilt looks quite stunning on the fence and the blue shades match perfectly. Have fun at the GP house!! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

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  4. I got totally distracted when I read that A. you're going to be in Niagara Falls, which is 'only' 4 hours drive away from me, and are you going to go the shorter way through southern Ontario on the 401? because...B. you're meeting Kathleen! Again?!!! Jealous. So jealous. I love this quilt, my favourite colour, but also because I have some of that 10-year-old (how can it be) Moda fabric and I need to use it and I love these type of quilts that you do, in fact I have one all cut for your pattern that was in Moda Bakeshop... okay run-on sentence much! Glad you are being babysat, as well as training a new quilt holder. Let me know when you are going to NF!

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  5. What a wonderful finish Rose. Your quilt has a definite feel of the rollicking ocean and perhaps some weathered pier pylons fighting against the waves! Very clever indeed. I am jealous of your upcoming trip the Niagara Falls- I've been once but would love to visit again! Happy sewing! S

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  6. Rose you make the most beautiful quilts - so striking - and I love the stories that accompany them. You have inspired me to make a blue/gray quilt. It will be perfect for our bedroom. My husband recently told me he hates our bedspread (grays and cream) and wants a little color in our room!
    I am LOL at "salty language"! Some of that floats around my room. ;) How fun you get to meet with Kathleen and see Niagara Falls!

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  7. Another fun quilt, Rose! You are definitely good at taking various fabrics and making them work together! I love the colors in this quilt. I hope Maine is prepared for you and Kathleen meeting up -- haha! Pretty sure she could hold up the quilt, if it was folded multiple times (it would be the same for me - haha)!

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  8. Rose you are so creative is using those fabrics together. I do love the added borders on the front. Can hardly wait to hear about your adventures with Kathleen!!

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  9. So great you get to meet up with Kathleen!!! And NF--a place I'd like to visit sometime. You are the queen of "create your own style quilts"!!! Glad to hear you'll be babysat!!! I love the clam shell print on the back!

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  10. Love the subdued color scheme and the contemporary feel of the block layout. Super finish.

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  11. Ugh, for weeks my phone and Ipad are not letting me comment, and I'm too dumb to know how to fix it. So as a last ditch effort, I opened my computer. Tada! I love the mood of this quilt and all the thought that you went through to make it. I especially liked your variation of your quilting, making the border pattern with the grid. What a neat idea! This quilt was made for Maine. I'm jealous that you get to go. I can just imagine you showing it off in some moody, misty cove. Yay for the Rookie Quilt Holder. The weather was just right for the photo--sun would have washed it out IMO.

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  12. It’s a lovely combination of colours and fabric design which enhances your quilt. Good decision with the border too. Enjoy your visit.

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I appreciate your comments but due to traveling and my ineptitude with typing on either my iPhone or iPad, my response may be somewhat delayed. Thank You for your understanding.