A Razzle Dazzle Finish

Let me start this Post by saying how much I love my Razzle Dazzle quilt which I finished just less than two months after the flimsy was made in late July. I love the Ruby Star fabrics and the Razzle Dazzle pattern of 18” blocks with a fun twist on a Churn Dash block. I think this quilt lives up to the definition of Razzle Dazzle which means “noisy, showing exciting activity displayed and designed to attract and impress.”

The fabric and pattern are from the Fat Quarter Shop’s Ruby Star Society Quarterly Club I received earlier this year. I belong to several Fat Quarter Shop Clubs and do have to admit that I love receiving monthly or quarterly shipments of fabric. However, there has only been very few times that I actually have made a project using both the pattern and fabrics. When I received this pattern with the 12 fat quarter bundle of fabric from the Linear Floradora and Petunia collections, I knew I wanted to make this quilt because the fabric was fun plus I love big blocks especially when I can die-cut all of the patches. I did make one slight change to the pattern by not using a solid light as shown but instead I paired the fabrics with other fabrics, mostly lights, I had in my Cotton+Steel/Ruby Star Society stash. This made for a very low contrast or “mush” as I call it and like how busy Razzle Dazzle looks.

The only challenge I had was making sure all of the blocks were made and laid out correctly which was sometimes difficult to determine because of the many prints used.

All of my fabric combinations for each block were fun but the above two are my favorite. You wouldn’t think that a color combination of gold, red orange, lilacs and pinks would work but it does.

Machine quilting with both straight and wavey lines using a medium gray Aurifil thread went well until I was thinking this quilt was Razzle Dazzle with No Frazzle. Then, of course afterwards, came a few rows have tiny puckers here and there. You can’t see them but I know where they are. The backing is a Robert Kaufman wide back print. Surprisingly, one of my favorite parts of my quilt is the gold stripe binding which is a Ruby Star Society Warp and Weft print and was not my first choice. I was going to use a fuchsia print from  another Ruby Star Society collection but decided it wouldn’t look bold enough against the warm prints and glad I found the gold stripe binding in my stash. Razzle Dazzle measures 54” x 72”.

Now that Razzle Dazzle is my second finish for September, I am ready for my next project. I didn’t realize until a few days ago that September 16th is National Sew a Jelly Roll Day. I thought it wasn’t until next weekend which meant I would be at the GP House. I was already planning on making a Ernie Quilt in memory of  Mary Etherington’s beloved American Farm Tiger cat, Ernie.

Mary Etherington designed the first Ernie Quilt which was made with a Denyse Schmidt Jelly Roll back in 2016. Here is the link to Her Post.

I will be making a variation of an Ernie Quilt called Rambling Rows and you can purchase this pattern by sending a check for $5 with a self addressed stamped envelope to Mary Etherington, 2343 Palm Avenue, Garner IA 50438. (Not an affiliate link). Once I make my version, I already know that there will be an explanation behind my quilt. Hopefully, I will be able to explain next week.

The Ernie Express Quilt #2

It’s been almost four months since I posted the first Ernie Express Quilt at the end of April but it seems like it was just last month. I’ve been dropping my buzz phrase for this summer’s posts of “Freakishly Fast” or “Jiffy” and thats what August has been. There are several reasons why I wanted to finish EE#2 (Ernie Express #2); 1.) these fabrics sing Summer and it wouldn’t have the same impact if I were to post this in the Fall or early Winter), 2.) joining the Linky Party for Kathleen McMusings” Tips and Tutorials on the 22nd which my first tip for this post is to be careful what you post because it may taunt you in the future, and 3.) I’ll explain later in this post and is the best reason why EE#2 needed to be a Finally Finish.

In my Ernie Express (EE#1) post, I mentioned that I wasn’t loving this quilt at first which may have been due to using four different fabrics on one of the blocks. I also mentioned that if I were to make another one of these quilts, I would only use two fabrics for each block and I would use my collection of Allison Glass fabrics purchased this year. Also, I mentioned that if I did make another quilt, I would write instructions on how to make these blocks faster and easier than the way I made them for EE#1. In another post afterwards, I posted a set of the two blocks which were going to be used for the EE#2 quilt and I said I would do a “sort of tutorial” which is how Kathleen hooked me into joining her Linky Party this month. Tip #2-always use the word “instructions” and not “tutorial”—way less pressure. I apologize if my tutorial is not as detailed as other tutorials you may have seen and may seem short and quick like a member of a younger generation explaining to you on how to use a TV remote or showing you something on the computer.

Before I give you the instructions for Blocks A & B, the layout for EE#2 is different than EE#1 which I alternated Blocks A & B for each horizontal row. I did this because I didn’t like the look of the four patches or checkerboards in Block A running up and down the quilt which is the reason why I came up with Block B as an alternate block. Well, surprise, surprise, after seeing something similar on Pinterest, I decided I did like this look after all. However, I did alternate vertical rows of Blocks A & B as you can see above.

The decision to use the Allison Glass fabrics for EE#2 was perfect because I had just the right amount and variety for the blocks. I have a bundle of fat eights of 16 prints each of the wovens and cross stitch to make the sixteen Blocks A and twelve fat quarters of Sun Print 2021 to make the twelve Block B. Both of these blocks use only two different fabrics and contrast can be made either by color or the type of print, ie., geometric, floral, etc.

It is important to note these following points:

• After choosing your two fabrics for each block, decide and remember which fabrics are going to be your #1 and #2
• For Block A, Fabric #1 was a woven and #2 was a cross stitch print
• For Block B in which prints were used, Fabric #1 was the darker of the two prints
• Press all seams according to the direction of the arrows and be sure Fabric #1 in both blocks is always on the top, left corner. If the blocks are pressed correctly, all the seams will nestle, whether the blocks are arranged like EE#2 or like EE#1
• Instructions are for either fat quarters or fat eights with 21” of useable fabric (no selvedge)
• All seams are 1/4”
• I am not affiliated with any of the products mentioned or featured in this post
• These blocks really are fun to make

Block A (these directions make only one block)

From each fat eighth or fat quarter combination, cut:

• (1) 4.5” x wofe/fq strip
• (1) 2.5” x wofe/fq strip

Arrange and sew according to the above photo and press seams up or towards Fabric #1

After the strip set is sewn, cut (8) 2.5” segments and arrange them by flipping the even rows as shown in the photo above.

After all the segments have been sewn together, first two segments together, then four and then the final two segments, press all row seams going up. This block should measure 12.5” x 16.5”.

(If  you want to make two of the same blocks, then you will need a fat quarter and cut twice the number of strips)

Block B (This will make two blocks)

From each fat quarter (fat eighths are not enough) combination, cut:

• (1) 4.5” x wofq strip
• (4) 2.5” x wofq strips

Sew two strip sets as shown above and pressed according to the direction of the arrows. Cut  (8) 2.5” segments from each strip set.

Arrange segments as shown, to make two blocks and  remembering Fabric #1 on the left corner should be the first row.

After all the segments for each blocks are sewn together, like Block A, press all row seams down.

BTW, cutting the 2.5”segments using my Creative Grid Stripology XL ruler was very helpful especially placing arrows at the 2.5” marks. It helped making these blocks go/sew fast.

And this is where the instructions or sort-of tutorial ends because depending on the layout you want will reflect the number of Block A and Block B are needed. For EE#2, I made fifteen Block A and ten Block B to make a 60”x80” quilt which is a generous lap size quilt. For EE#1, with alternating blocks on each row, I made thirteen Block A and twelve Block B, also the same size as EE#2.

These blocks sew fast-Freakishly Fast. As mentioned before, the seams will nestle no matter which layout you chose, even if you just make Block A or B-just be sure to follow the pressing arrows. I started cutting and sewing the blocks on Friday evening, all twenty-five blocks were sewn on Saturday, quilted on Sunday and bound and finish this past Monday. When I first started sewing the blocks, I would cut and sew only one at a time and gradually as I got into a rhythm, I would make cut and sew three or four at a time.

Another Tip, it never hurts to make extra blocks. I made sixteen Block A and only needed fifteen and made twelve Block B and only needed ten. It turned out these blocks were going to be rejects because the yellow Block A looked faded compared to the other blocks and the two Block B also looked wrong with the other blocks. Plus, these two blocks were the only ones that I had problems with the seams matching which I think Quilt Karma was making sure they didn’t make it in EE#2 because they would have stuck out like a sore thumb. 

And here are some deets on the finishing of EE#2:

• I did not follow my tip of buying yardage for binding whenever precut bundles are purchased. I feel sort of bad or being unfaithful by using yardage of a multi-color Timeless Treasure print called Day Dreaming which had the same colors as the Alison Glass fabrics. I thought of ordering yardage of one of the Woven print but then again I needed this quilt to be finished now and not later.
• As a way of justifying the binding used, I did use another fabric line, Whistler Studio 108” backing print called Medallion for the back.
• I machine quilted straight horizontal and vertical lines with two different #50wt Aurifil threads; #2105 Light Yellow for the top which blended well with all of the different colors and glad I didn’t used the variegated which would have added more color which EE#2 didn’t need and a Dark Gray for the bottom which I also liked how it blended with the colorful backing.
• My quilting stitches looked more nice and even than usual and I attributed it to quilting slower and not as quick as when I piece. You may already know this but this is the first time I should have realized this.

My last tip for this post is after sewing the binding down the first time, I had a lot of threads to trim before finally sewing the binding down the second time. I used a Clover Clip to mark where I started the clean up because there have been times I may have gone around one and a half times doing this.

And now for the final and best reason as to why Ernie Express #2 needed to be a Finally Finish before leaving for our road trip at the end of the week. It’s because we’re going to be stopping by to see Ernie, the American Farm Tiger who resides at the house where Mary Etherington, Country Threads also happens to live for a quick visit. I wanted Ernie, the Quilt Muse for all of the Ernie Quilts made in his name to bless my EE#2 quilt. As long as I bring him treats, he will bless anything. I wanted to include a photo of him sitting on EE#2 in this post but since we’re traveling and sometimes the WiFi is iffy, I rather post now than later. I’ll be sure to post a photo on Instagram and maybe a sort of sneak peek of my secret sewing project which would look good hanging in Mary’s garden.

I think Ernie Express #2 is a fitting quilt to end the month of August. I apologize for some of the graphics/photos in this post, I’ve just become reacquainted with PicMonkey and it’s a little different using it on an IPad versus my Mac computer. And if you’re reading this post from Kathleen’s Linky Party, I hope my instructions/sort-of tutorial was understandable and enough tips were shared so you don’t think I’m being a party crasher.

Linking up with: Tips and Tutorials on the 22nd and My Quilt Infatuation/NTT

It's the Ernie Interruptus Quilt's Turn To Be Finally Finished

I made and finished this quilt while I was waiting for the birth of my first granddaughter, Micah in March, and previously posted about the inspiration, stats and the thinking behind the making of this quilt, you can read the post here.  It only took me four months to finally quilt it and I was probably working off the adrenalin from quilting the Dear Tula Pink quilt last week.

I backed this Ernie Quilt with some of the few remaining yardage I have of the Ikea Nummer fabric which I dearly love and only use it for my modern quilts which are Nummer worthy.  If I could be granted one quilting wish, it would be for Ikea to bring back this fabric because it is so perfect for backings.  As you can see, I did straight line quilting along each strip row with intermittent diagonal quilting. The quilt feels so nice and soft.

This is the fourth quilt in the Ernie Quilt series I made which was inspired by Mr. Quilt Muse himself, Ernie Jo Mauer, the American Farm Tiger owned by Mary Etherington, Country Threads, who also made the first Ernie quilt, you can read the post here.  The Ernie Quilts are strip blocks made with 2.5" strips which can be made any size depending on the fabric or jelly roll you may have.  This is one of my favorite patterns since I can use my die-cutter to make the strips and also a great way to use up stash and scraps.

These are the other three "Ernie" quilts I've made and you can see this pattern is so versatile and can be made with modern, traditional, reproduction, etc. fabrics.   I have other "Ernie" quilts lined up to make which I can't wait to make--I have some new Cotton+Steel prints in my stash--whoo-hoo!

I'll wait until the next post to give an update to my Minus 100 yards Challenge. I thought I finally stopped shopping but then Crazy Mom's new fabric line "Emma & Myrtle" came out and I had to buy the four yards I just had to have now which should be arriving soon.  Hopefully I can get some quilt tops done to reduce the stash down before then.

Linking up with:

My Quilt Infatuation: Needle and Thread Thursday

Confessions of a Fabric Addict:  Can I Get A Whoop Whoop?
Busy Hands Quilts:  Finish Or Not Friday
Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework: Oh Scrap
Main Crush Monday

Week Days with Ernie & Friends

I'm back from Garner, IA after just spending over a little over 24 hours with Mary & Connie and Gang for a little bit of sewing, a lot of talking, laughing, eating, fabric exchanging and getting over- stimulated with new ideas and projects.  You can see our activities on Mary's blog here:  Country Threads Chicken Scratch.

 I thought I do a quick post of the photos I took that aren't on Mary's blog.

Here I am with my quilt muse, Ernie Joe Mauer, the inspiration for the Ernie Quilts.  Boy, is he one big, heavy dude!  And yes, he blessed the Ernie II quilt, although I had to bribe him. The visit would not have been complete without feeding Emma and Charlene.

We took a quick visit/tour of Connie's studio.  Both Connie and Mary have studios to die for, a separate space from their house.  Connie lives in the city proper and her studio is above the garage. (BTW, I am not the best photographer when I'm excited, so I apologize for the lighting, shadows, etc., plus I really need a new iPhone.)

This is the stairway leading up to Connie's studio and photos of some of her creations she has in her wonderful space.  I wish I took more photos since her walls were filled like a gallery.

I'm sorry that I didn't take photos of her actual studio because by that time I was over-stimulated with all of the visual yummies and projects she had going.  You have to believe me when I say her space was wonderful; there was even a full bathroom!

Here's the group project which Connie has put together for us: Red Pepper Quilts Pickle Dish Variation Quilt.  On a side note, Mary and I decided that Connie couldn't propose one until she completes one of the projects we did as a group, i.e., Gypsy Wife, rug, etc. but somehow she managed to slip a few in like the Wildflowers.  I was open to doing this because I know I can die-cut the pieces and it is a great pattern for the modern fabrics.

And look at the portfolio/envelope she is making with Kraft-tex, something I never knew about and have to check this out because next to fabric, I like paper and boxes.  I have some little orphan blocks that would work with this idea.  And Kraft-tex comes in different colors too.

In between all of this, we ate out at Matt's and the Pizza Ranch, stayed at the Garner Inn which was very nice, did a quick visit at Farm Chicks Quilts,  I really needed to stay longer. But when you have dogs and a son who could only dog sit for only a day,  Bill and I had to go home.  BTW, while I was sewing, Bill did a bike ride on the Trolley Trail in Clear Lake, drove by the Surf Ballroom which unfortunately was closed, had a guitar sing along with Becky and visited with Rick.

I have to admit I almost changed my mind about coming to visit with what happened this week but decided to Sew Forth.  Even though I have my differences with Connie and Mary, most notably, I like to die-cut and they don't, Connie likes appliqué, paper-piecing and small pieces while I like the big patches and Mary and I do crazy while Connie is the sane one, I am glad for this time we had together.  Sometimes you have to disconnect from the big world and connect with your small circle where differences aren't as bad as they seem. WE bring good things to life.  I know when I resume working on the Marcia Derse Alphabet panel and fabrics, my original thought of just using her fabrics have changed to Mary's & Connie's rule of never using just one designer's fabric but using others to make it your own.

 If I ever run away from home, you know where I will be.  Here's to good sewing friends to make life happy and bright!

My Ernie Journey

My friend, Mary Etherington, owner of Country Threads, Garner, IA, a wonderful quilt shop which is now closed and who blogs under Country Threads Chicken Scratch made this wonderful quilt using a Denyse Schmitz jelly roll plus some extra strips.  We called it the Ernie Quilt because of the backing fabric that I gave her which I purchased from Ikea and has orange cat heads which reminded me of her orange tabby Ernie Joe Mauer.  

This is Mary’s first Ernie Quilt.

Mary also made another Ernie quilting using strips from men dress shirts and it's beautiful.

What I like about these quilts is the versatility of this pattern, you can use any size strips and the blocks can be any size you want.  You're not tied down to using a jelly roll especially when you have a die-cutter and can die-cut your own 2.5" strips.  Also, I like that Mary off-set the blocks which really makes her quilts interesting and unique.

Well, I had to make a Ernie quilt too-- mine was made with a combination of a Jen Kingwell's Behind the Scenes jelly roll and yardage of her Little Lollies fabric line which determined the size of my blocks, 4" x 8" (finished).  My quilt is 56" x 72", 14 blocks across and 9 blocks down and I did not offset the blocks which wanted to but didn't look right to me, I'm thinking my prints weren't bold enough.  Even though I had yardage of the Ernie fabric I did not back my quilt with it because I had yardage of Jen Kingwell's Gardenvale fabric which I accidentally purchased.  The story behind this purchase was I made a Gypsy Wife quilt and bought this fabric for the backing forgetting that I did not make this quilt with any Gardenvale fabric in it--so this was a very good opportunity to make up for my whoops.

My journey with this quilt was in the machine quilting, a three-day journey.  I originally wanted to do straight-line quilting horizontally but my Juki 2010Q would not co-operate so I had to remove 10 lines of stitching.  When this happens, I tend to spend some time on the Internet looking at Long Arm Quilting Machines and Frames but reality sets in and I go back to quilting.  I decided to switch to doing vertical straight lines and after doing the first line in the ditch, 72 inches long, I wanted to change it to 1/2" from the seam line--so another round with the seam ripper.  I love my Juki 2010Q and only have a problem when it comes to straight-line quilting that is less than 1" apart; my quilt lines were approximately 3/4" done organically which means I couldn't see the lines I made with the hera marker very well.  For this quilt, I tried spray basting for the first time and pin baste in certain spots but still was experiencing shifting which leads to tucks but not so much as previous quilts.  I really was expecting that I would not like the quilting but in the end it turned out okay.  As well as the look of straight-line quilting, I love the feel of it.  I was happy to find in my stash a 1/2 yard piece of a micro-stripe black and white made by Windham Fabrics for the binding which was so nice to hand sew since it was a lighter weight.

So I'm ready to make another Ernie Quilt, a.k.a., Ernie II using some wonderful colors of twill and dyed homespun and cottons; this time I will back it with the Ernie fabric.  My blocks will also be larger, 8"x 12" (finished).

This pattern is so addicting, I know two of my quilting friends who plan or have already made Ernie Quilts when they saw Mary's quilt.  My friend, Carol, who is known never to follow a pattern completely, made one and here is her interpretation.  What's so funny about this is I want to make one like this now since I have a beautiful Jinny Beyer fabric and greens which Carol has given me over the past few years.  Carol thought I threw her under the bus when I showed Mary her quilt so as a form of punishment she bought me three yards of Lotta Jansdotter fabric which could be called Ernie, Jr. fabric.

I guess this means there will be an Ernie III quilt.