Happy Quilt Joy: The Six Baby Quilts for the Blanket Ministry Are Finally Finished

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):

36" square, 9" Rail Fence Blocks, horizontal layout

37.5" square, 7.5" Rail Fence Blocks with 7.5" plain squares

40" square, four 18" squares with 2" strips and 4" square

36"x45" Rail Fence, 9" Blocks, horizontal layout

36"x45" Rail Fence, 9" Blocks, horizontal layout 

36"x45" Rail Fence, 9" Blocks, alternating layout 

You can see the other quilts I've made this year for the Blanket Ministry on the following links, (here) and (here).

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!

Linking up with: My Quilt Infatuation, Thursday Needle and Thread, Crazy Mom's Finish It Up Friday, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Can I Get A Whoop Whoop Friday, and Busy Hands Quilts, Finish or Not Friday

The Primitiva Quilt/Another Quilt Crosses the Finally Finished Line

One of my first posts when I started my blog last year was my disappointment that the Primitiva Quilt which I made in 2015 was still a top after more than a year and wasn't ready for Fall.  It was on my 2017 project list to finally quilt and come October it still was a top and it was bugging me that another Fall would go by with Primitiva still waiting to become a quilt.

I was going to be focused this week by working on projects as planned:

I basted and started hand quilting the Smitten Top

I sewed over fifty blocks for the Splash of Color QAL which Myra from Busy Hands Quilts is hosting(you can read about it here).

And on Wednesday afternoon, before I started quilting the six baby quilts for the Blanket Ministry, I decided to cut the binding I needed and pulled out my die-cutter and the 2.5" strip die.

After that was done, I thought I would cut some more binding while the equipment was out and went to the drawer where I keep fabric set aside for binding and saw the Primitiva fabric. And that's when my best laid plans fell on the wayside because after I was done die-cutting those strips, I was suddenly in the mood to machine quilt the top.  So the backing was sewn, the pin basting quickly done and the decision to quilt organic squiggly (inspired by one of the prints) lines with orange thread came pretty easy  which normally doesn't happen especially when I'm in impromptu mode.

One of the reasons why it took me several years to finally finish this quilt was trying to decide if I should just back it with Minky and call it a Patchwork Coverlet. I'm glad I chose to quilt it instead because the back looks and feels so lush and besides that, what else could I have done with the four yards of backing fabric I already had.  As of right now, I can't seem to locate the rest of the Primitiva fabrics, it's not where I thought I would have put it.

Here are the stats:

Size:        56" x 72"

Blocks:    4" (finished) four patches with 4" x 8" rectangle blocks

Fabric:     Primitiva by Jane Dixon for Andover

Pattern Source:  I'm pretty sure I was inspired by something I saw on Pinterest.

Primitiva is now adorning my dining room table now and am glad that I'll get to enjoy it for at least three weeks before the Winter/Christmas quilts come out.  Hopefully, once I finish quilting the baby quilts, one down with five more to go, my good machine quilting vibes will come back because I still have six more tops on my project list. I should visit my binding drawer again.

An interesting note:  The Primitiva fabric was purchased around the same time I bought Matisse (you can read about it here) by Alexander Henry and Hot Flash (you can read about it here) by Louella Doss (around 2010-11) and you can see similarities with the bright colors and the fun prints.  Also, the three quilts I made from these three fabric lines were all finally finished during 2017 which is a pretty big quilting feat for me.  I love it when I can cross off a quilt, make that three quilts, off my project list.

I won't be posting an updated total for my Minus One Hundred Yard Challenge until I finish the baby quilts for the Blanket Ministry but I can say I've reached my goal; however it's only for a short while because I'm going out today with my Quilt Peep, Carol, to see the Kaffe Fassett Trunk Show at our local quilt shop where I also happen to have a gift certificate.  I'm pretty certain there is going to be some fabric purchases.

Linking up with: My Quilt Infatuation, Thursday Needle and Thread, Crazy Mom's Finish It Up Friday, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Can I Get A Whoop Whoop Friday, and Busy Hands Quilts, Finish or Not Friday

Two Big Strippy Block Quilts Are Finally Finished

This must be my year for finally getting some of my older quilt tops done. Thankfully, when this happens, I still like the fabrics and colors and have a purpose for them. My two big strippy block quilts were finally finished this week.  Both of the tops were done in 2014 and it only took me four years to finally decide that they needed to be quilted by my long arm quilter, Jan, this past summer.

 

The first top was made with the Alexander Henry's Matisse fabric line which came out in 2010 and sat in my stash for several years.  I couldn't find a pattern which would showcase these wonderful prints until I saw a quilt on Pinterest which was the Easy Peasy Strip Quilt by Judith Lockhart (you can see the pattern & tutorial here).  I did modify the pattern by changing the strip dimensions to 8-1/2" wide and the cut lengths to either 8-1/2", 16-1/2" or 24-1/2"to better showcase the large focal prints.  The Matisse quilt measures 56" x 64" with a 4" finished black and white border which is not part of the fabric collection.

I love the large, loose organic floral lines Jan quilted with a pastel variegated thread; it does not detract from the large prints and the simple pattern of the quilt.  Judith, the pattern designer was absolutely right when she said her pattern lets "the fabric make the quilt."  When I first made the quilt, I thought it would be a nice artsy quilt for lawn concerts or picnics but I've changed my mind.  I'll be hanging it up in my studio to remind me of my college days when I was an Art History Major and made many visits to the Art Institute to study Matisse paintings.  Funny, I never envisioned that one day I would making quilts with Matisse prints.

After I made the Matisse top, I also used the same pattern for another big strippy block quilt with Free Spirit's Empress Woo fabric designed by Robyn Randolph and again was sitting in my stash for awhile.  This quilt measures 48" x 56" and the strips dimensions are also 8-1/2' wide but the lengths were cut either 6-1/2" or 12-1/2" and the border is made up of  4-1/2" cuts of squares and rectangles of the fabric line.  

Jan, again, quilted with a large, loose organic line and used a perfectly, peachy-rose thread. The Matisse quilt was on my project list to complete this year and the Empress Woo Quilt was not even on my radar to finish, sadly, I had forgotten I made this quilt. When I was preparing the quilts to send to Jan, I came across the Empress Woo binding which reminded me that the top was just sitting in the the someday-a-quilt drawer.  I thought this would make a nice floor quilt for my granddaughter, Micah Rose, but, again, I've changed my mind; I'll be hanging this on the wall in my bedroom at her house instead. It's a good thing I still have some of this fabric left because I now need to make a bed quilt to go with this wallhanging.

I love making quilts with big strippy blocks.  They're fast and simple to make, a great pattern for large focal or modern prints and even a great way to use up some long, forgotten traditional fabrics which I still have a lot of in my stash. I'm from the school of still loving all the fabric I bought but just feeling guilty that I haven't made something with it yet. The quilt above, which was made several years ago, was inspired by another quilt I saw on Pinterest, Tifton Tiles (you can see the pattern and tutorial here).  I can see making another quilt like this with the French General fabrics which have been neglected too long.

I'm happy to say that I've been staying on task this week; I cleaned my studio, did not get distracted with any new projects, although I was tempted, and more importantly,  I've finished making the six tops for the Blanket Ministry.  Before I start quilting them, I need to have some sewing downtime with my blocks for the Splash of Color QAL.

Minus 100 Yard Challenge

Previous Total:  -84.625 yards                      New Total: -75.25 yards

Yes, I did buy some new fabric but still am pretty certain I'm going to meet my goal because the new total does not include the fabrics used for the Blanket Ministry, Splash of Color QAL, etc. plus there's always backings to be sewn.

Linking up with: My Quilt Infatuation, Thursday Needle and Thread, Crazy Mom's Finish It Up Friday, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Can I Get A Whoop Whoop Friday, and Busy Hands Quilts, Finish or Not Friday. 

I'm in DIP (Distraction, Interruption, Participation) Mode This Week

My plan this week was to work on the six baby quilts for the Blanket Ministry at Church so I can fulfill my commitment for this year.  My goal is to finish all of them by the middle of November but I rather finish them sooner or later so I can work on some other projects that are still waiting to be finished. But, wouldn't you know it, I got distracted from working on the baby quilts because Linda, one of my best quilt peeps and who does wonderful wool work, gifted me with some wool squares she personally felted herself.  While putting them away in my wool stash cupboard, I came across two wool projects, neither of them on my project list; the one on the top (Wool Circles) was started last Winter and the one on the bottom (Cat Pillow) was a kit purchased several years ago from Country Threads before they closed. Both of these project were waiting for the wool pieces to be appliquéd and since both of these projects were perfect for the season right now, I decided to put aside the baby quilts to work on them and they're both in the flimsy stage now.  The only problem I have with working with wool is that it's something I don't like to do during the summer when the weather is hot. The heat this Summer has crept into the first weeks of October which shortened the time to work with wool for Fall projects.  And I've never been one to make Fall projects during the Winter or Spring either but maybe that's something I need to rethink because, for me, the time for Fall makings is very short.

I happened to read Kat and Cat Quilts/Covered in Love blog and saw she was having a Susannah in the Fall Block Drive (you can read about it here) so the Wool project was interrupted. I knew I had to participate in this block drive since these blocks are made with Fall colors and are 12" finished which were right up my alley since I already had some of the 3" HST and squares in my scrap stash from past projects.  These blocks were made with several of Sandy Gervais' Fall fabric lines which are some of my favorite prints and I had to make more than just one.  Kat has already received some blocks and is making a quilt with a really neat on point layout (you can read about it here).

I'm participating in Busy Hands Quilt's Splash of Color QAL and we're now in Step 3--cutting the fabric (you can read about it here).  My quilt is going to be made up of 6" Tessellating Pinwheel blocks and thankfully I was able to die-cut the patches.  I've never made a quilt with this pattern so I am looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

My Granddaughter Micah Rose loves black and white patterns and colors so you know who is going to be receiving the Splash of Color Quilt.  A Granddaughter of a quilter can never have enough quilts especially when she already loves fabric.

Now back to finishing up the six baby quilts; I have two tops done and will be working on number three. But first, I really need to clean up my studio but afraid, in the midst of putting things away, I might come across another project to distract me.  Here's to wearing blinders during clean up and staying focused because these baby quilts need to get finished.

Linking up with: My Quilt Infatuation, Thursday Needle and Thread, Crazy Mom's Finish It Up Friday, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Can I Get A Whoop Whoop Friday, and Busy Hands Quilts, Finish or Not Friday. 

It's A Finally Finish for the Cotton + Steel Coin Quilt

I was so happy we were blessed with beautiful sunshine this morning after the rainy and cloudy days we've been having for the past three days.  I was getting worried since today's post is what I consider to be a tad late and all because I couldn't take photos of my finished Cotton+Steel Coin Quilt  until this morning. I should have taken photos on Sunday or Monday when the quilt was bound and there was beautiful sunny days to be had but no, I thought I would take them on Wednesday which is the day I usually start writing my post.  Unfortunately, I didn't check the week's weather forecast which predicted that the rain we needed for the past few months is finally coming big time.

I really wanted to have a nice photo of this finally finished quilt which turned out to be one of my favorite quilts I made this year to showcase the lovely quilting which was done by Nancy of Grace and Peace Quilting who fortunately already took photos of my quilt after she had machine quilted it in a beautiful Baptist Swirl pattern (you can see the photos here).  I posted about the making of this quilt (here) and (over here).

Between the time Nancy posted photos of the quilt and when I received it back on the last day in September, I couldn't decide on what color binding I wanted to use; it was between the dark teal grid or a fuchsia/pink print and I spent several days waffling between the two colors, one day it was definitely going to be fuchsia and the next day it was no, the teal grid would be a better choice.

I think part of my indecision was because of the pretty mint backing and trying to decide which color would look nice against it and finally realizing that it should not play a part in the decision making. And once I finally decide on the teal grid, it turned out I didn't have enough and I had to find it online and order it.  This is an old Cotton+Steel print and I'm glad and lucky it is still around.

Now that the Cotton+Steel Coin Quilt is finally finished and a quilt to be displayed rather than to be used, I have hung it over the bannister over the staircase which is one of the few places in my house where a larger size quilt can be displayed and enjoyed. I knew once I saw another quilt Nancy had quilted with the Baptist Swirl pattern, which is one of my favorite quilting patterns, I wanted it for one of my quilts and fortunately the Cotton + Steel Coin Quilt was waiting to be finished.  I had no qualms about sending this top off to another state and it was done within several weeks even with Nancy having to order the mint thread.  For a quilt which started as something I wasn't too thrilled about making, it now just makes my heart sing.

Linking up with:

My Quilt Infatuation: Needle and Thread Thursday http://www.myquiltinfatuation.com

Crazy Mom Quilts: Finish It Up Friday

Confessions of a Fabric Addict:  Can I Get A Whoop Whoop?

Busy Hands Quilts:  Finish Or Not Friday

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Smitten: Oh What A Feeling!

The Smitten Top is now finished and this makes me want to do a happy dance on the ceiling or I would do it on the streets but I'm pretty sure my neighbors would call the police. I started Smitten during the last week in January which was a project my dear quilt friend, Carol, was working on and thought I would join her in this unofficial QAL, as a show of support and I sort of owe it to her since I involved her in a not-so-fun Block of a Month Quilt several years earlier which neither one of us ever finished.

The Smitten pattern was designed by Lucy Carson Kingwell, who is the daughter of Jen Kingwell and I can say the apple did not fall far from the tree when it comes to quilt designs which are made up of a gazillion patches. I've already made two Jen Kingwell patterns (Gypsy Wife and Flutterby) so I knew what I was getting myself into and I think I now deserve to go easy for the rest of the year.  

I've posted ten times on the progress of making of the Smitten blocks, what TV shows I was watching and if I were still friends with Carol.  All of the blocks were finally finished in mid-August and after a short hiatus, I started assembling the top on September 25th which I am amazed that I finished this in around a week. I was so not looking forward to sewing these blocks together, it wasn't hard just a little cumbersome at times.  The last block was sewn while watching the final episode of Season 4 of Blue Blood and I've alluded in my earlier posts that Smitten and watching Tom Selleck seem to go together for me.

 This is the ugly side of paper piecing and it took me at least five hours to remove all of the paper pieces and threads.  This definitely was my least favorite part of the Smitten project.  My dear friend, Dee, offered to remove them if I would help her paint one of her walls in her sewing room which was tempting but she lives over three hundred miles away.

The Smitten quilt measures 48" x 61" and is destined to be a wallhanging. After all of the handpiecing which went into this project, there is no way this quilt will ever lay around my house.  I've been looking at the other finished Smitten quilts on Pinterest and it seems that here and there hand-quilting with embroidery thread is the way to sew.  I plan to baste this the top this weekend so I'll be ready to do some hand-quilting; I still have several seasons left of Blue Blood to watch and there's new Fall TV shows.

Now that I am finished with this unofficial QAL, I am ready to join Myra of Busy Hands Quilts, Splash of Color QAL (you can read about it here) which started on September 20th.  This week, participants are posting their pattern choice as well as their fabric selection.  I'm excited to join this QAL because I'll be making a pattern of my own choice, Wonky Tessellating Pinwheels which I've never made before, the blocks can be die-cut while watching TV and all of my fabric is from my stash, a definite plus for my Minus 100 Yard Challenge.  Be sure to check the Splash of Color QAL and join the group if you can.  I am looking forward to doing a relaxing project.

In September, I was the lucky recipient of two giveaways of patterns and fabrics; one from Sarah Zimmerman of Cedarfork Blogspot (on the left side) and the other one on the right is from participating in the Bloggers Quilt Festival Fall 2017 which was hosted by Amy's Creative Side and the prize, a 24 fat quarter bundle of Riley Blake Garnet and three patterns, is from Nancy Zieman/Wisconsin Quilt Expo which I received today.

Fortunately the fabric winnings do not count towards my Minus 100 Yard Challenge.  I finally can post an up-to-date total which shows I'm heading towards my goal with some completed projects, and fabric donations and gifts given.

Minus 100 Yard Challenge

Previous Total:         59.5 yards             YTD Total:  84.625 yards

My YTD Total could have been a little higher since I purchased some fabric I needed from my Kaffe Fassett Workshop I'm attending this week but I'm heeding to some of the comments left on my previous post that required fabric needed for a workshop or class should not count.  It never hurts to follow good advice.

Linking up with:

Quilting is More Fun than Housework: Oh Scrap
My Quilt Infatuation: Needle and Thread Thursday http://www.myquiltinfatuation.com

Crazy Mom Quilts: Finish It Up Friday

Confessions of a Fabric Addict:  Can I Get A Whoop Whoop?

Busy Hands Quilts:  Finish Or Not Friday

DrEAMi! Monthly Link Up/Jinx, A Patchwork Blankie

I wasn't planning on writing a separate post for Sandra/MMM! Quilt's September's DrEAMi! Link Up.  I thought it was going to be quick and simple, just link up to my recent post which included the Halloween coverlet I made for my granddaughter Micah (you can read about it here).  But soon after I posted this past Friday and about ready to mail the quilt in a USPS Priority Mail Box, Medium Size, I noticed how much room was still left in the box and thought I should just make another coverlet which I told my Hubby doesn't take much time at all and we can mail the box on Saturday.  It is now Sunday evening, and the above coverlet was finished several hours, just in time before the sun went down.  Sorry for the dusky photo but I needed something to show for this post.

My bright idea was jinxed as soon as I said this would take no time to make it.

• First of all, I was just starting to sew the six baby quilts for the Blanket Ministry and since I still had time left to finish them, I put the project aside and pulled out the six fat quarters of gray and citron yellow prints I had just found and put aside for a future quilt for Micah.  I have a favorite pattern I like to use to make baby quilts with six fat quarters, (you can read about it here) and wouldn't you know it, I cut one of the fat quarters wrong and had to come up with a new pattern.  This meant I had to find another fabric with citron yellow and not just yellow and also some other gray prints. By the time I found the additional fabrics and came up with a different pattern, I could have completed the top or maybe two of them.
• Of course, there were the inevitable re-sewing some of the patches because I'm still having problems with the 1/4" seam when I sew on Hazel, my new sewing machine, and the one row which was sewn upside down.
• I was planning on backing the top with a piece of IKEA gray-striped fleece which I assumed would work but I read the Care Label which stated, Wash in Warm Water, Do Not Tumble Dry or Iron which, to me, meant that it should not be near a heat source and seeing that this was for Micah it would be too risky to use. Too bad I didn't read this before the fleece was already laid and clamped down on the basting table.  Fortunately I have a stash of Gray Minky Dot to replace it.
• There was a slight problem where the seam line of the binding matched perfectly with the corner of the quilt and even though I adjusted it, it still happened and I just didn't want to have to rip out and resew the binding--it worked out fine, just annoying.

The one good thing that came out of all the reflecting I did during this jinx-filled sewing experience was that I called these Coverlets because I did not put batting in between the top and the Minky which to me still makes a nice, snuggly covering.  I'm now going to be calling them Patchwork Blankies when I'm making them for babies/young children.  I already call them Patchwork Throws when I've made them bigger for adults.

And the lesson learned from my bright idea of wanting to fill up the box in order to get my moneys worth--next time find a smaller box.  The Blankies, once wrapped in plastic, will be mailed tomorrow. There's still room left for the Binky which Micah left behind and not much else.

In order for your project to be considered a DrEAMi!, it's supposed to be something you see on Pinterest, a blog, publication, etc. and you drop whatever you're doing in order to make it.  I've included in my guidelines, and I just made this comment to another Blogger, anything for my Granddaughter takes precedent over other projects, so making a Patchwork Blankie for her comes first, regardless if a box is involved. 

BTW, it's good that I did write a post today being that one year ago today I started my blog and wrote just this one paragraph with no photographs:

"Thanks to the encouragement of Susan Snooks, PatchworknPlay, I finally decided to start a blog so I can share my latest patchwork and quilting creations and the explanation that is sometimes needed.  This blogspot is still under construction but I'm seeing this as a way to keep track of my activity so bear with me my two followers."

After writing a few more paragraphs, including photos and having a few more followers, I'm happy to say my first year of blogging has been a wonderful experience. I do love being a part of Blogland.  I am thankful for the many friends I have made and for the new blogs, linky parties and inspiration I have found.  I appreciate everyone who read and/or follow my blog and appreciate all of the nice comments that have been made.  I am looking forward to sharing my quilts, thoughts, ideas and maybe some of my craziness  and to continue being inspired by my fellow bloggers.

Thanks again!

Linking up with:  mmm! Quilts