a scrappy finish #2

And this is my second - just finished - scrappy quilt, my vintage 'square in a square' quilt. I started piecing this quilt back in Feb 2018, and it went together quite quickly,{see back here for early pics and inspiration idea}. 

The inspiration vintage 30's quilt didn't have sashings, but I decided to add four vertical rows into my version. And, of course wouldn't you know it, I didn't have enough of any one fabric to do all the sashing. So I mixed it up and used two different low volume fabrics, a Kaffe grey spot and a Jen Kingwell's 'behind the scenes' grey print. And then I added that wonderful Phillip Jacobs 'tree peony' fabric for my outer border.

You may have seen snippets of this quilt already, most recently when I had it quilted in April by Leeanne from quiltmekiwi in an edge to edge orange peel pattern. 

The binding for this quilt actually started out on another quilt, but I had a change of direction and I unpicked it all and replaced it with something else. I sewed the binding, a Denyse Schmidt pink & black stripe, onto my quilt yesterday, and I think it frames everything perfectly!
The finished size is 62" x 54".

 

The fabrics in the center squares of this quilt were mainly 10" vintage squares that I had collected a few years back. I recently spotted some more 'vintage' inspired squares at Treehouse Textiles in Australia, so I purchased a small bundle . . . you know, for if  when I want to make something vintage-y again!   

Sadly after 102, Covid-19 free days, here in New Zealand we have another Covid cluster. Unfortunately it is centered in Auckland where I live, and so we are now back in Level 3 lockdown until at least 26 August, whereas the rest of New Zealand remains in Level 2.  

Still three more quilts waiting in the 'binding pile' so {fingers crossed} I should have plenty of time to tackle these finishes! And make a few more masks for the family. 

Stay safe, Linda

a scrappy finish #1

Hello hello, I'm happy to share with you all a few quilts that I have now finally finished. I've been slowly dealing to the UFO's in my cupboard during lockdown. You will have seen glimpses of these quilts over the past year or so, and all have been on the 'binding pile' for a while now.

First up, my Carolina Chain quilt which I started back in early 2019. I made all the blocks and even assembled the quilt top. However, it wasn't until March this year that I finally had it quilted in an all over gentle meander pattern by Leeanne from quiltmekiwi. 

One thing that this quilt has taught me . . . well, reinforced actually . . . is that I do love a scrappy quilt. I love a zillion different fabrics all mixed up together in the one quilt, a real riot of colour! And I just love that Jennifer Paganelli blue border fabric #hardtofindfabric

Linking up with Kelly for 'needle and thread Thursday' here

and with Wendy too for this weekends  'peacock party' over here

 - and maybe pop back soon to see my other finished quilts.

the magic of fabric

In a mad effort, I finally got back to sewing something this week. I've been trying to focus on finishing off older quilting projects when I go into my sewing room during these winter days… and so I picked up my string 'spiderweb' blocks, which I started, hm-m-m- well over 2 years go.

 

I'm using a pattern by Kathy from Material Obsession, her 'popstars' quilt, which is a lively colourful quilt in her book Material Obsession Two. And there is also a great tutorial here by Marit from quilt-it. 

My blocks are foundation pieced onto a thin calico, and it's a great way to use up small strips of fabrics. The extra stabling fabric keeps the bias from stretching, and while it's feeling a little heavy, I'm sure if I use a low loft batting, it'll be fine 🤞.

I actually had started out using a very different teal blue itty bitty print for the background 'star' sections and a greater selection of brighter strips too, but when I relooked at it I wasn't happy . . . so it was back to the drawing board.

There is one great Kaffe book on my bookshelf that I enjoy a lot, 'Passionate Patchwork' which was published in 2001. It features lots of vintage quilts, they really are quite spectacular. The next pic caught my eye, the gentle blues of the vintage plates, pillows & a quilt, pastels punctuated with a little warm red and a few darker shades.

I put my earlier blocks to one side and started again, using these pages as my inspiration. I also recalled seeing somewhere out in blogland a spiderweb quilt {sorry for no link but I can't remember where I found it}, where the background was a light spotty fabric rather than the all-out brights in Kathy's pattern, so I tried substituting a white & blue Kaffe spot for my background too. 

It looked great, and suddenly, I was back digging deep into my scrap basket looking for more pastels, excited to move forward with this. Here's a few progress photos . . .

I'm using Jodi's 'project planner' to get me back on track, you can find it here @ Tales of Cloth

- it's a nice feeling to tick a few things off

 I'm also making my blocks a little bit special by adding some pretty selvages too . . .

String quilts are a great stash buster, don't you think? I love that the rings have turned out just a little bit wonky, if you look closely you can see that they don't line up all the way round {Mr D hates the fact that they don't all line up!}. 

I love those great big pastel spiderwebs, and the soft blue dotty star too! 

But... the best thing is that it's a real snapshot of fabrics I have used in many different quilts over many years, resulting in a magic mix of fabrics happening right now. 

I made up nine 20" blocks using mostly 1 1/2" strips, not wanting to go too big with this as it's been sitting around for too long & I want to get it finished now. I notice there is some bulkiness at a couple of the majors joins, but I'm hoping they will ease out with the quilting. And so here's my finished 'spiderweb in pastel' quilt top . . .

For a glimpse at a few other quilters also doing things with strips just now, check out Chris' link here @  #afullenglish  and check out here at #em'sscrapbag where Emily is currently doing a series of strip busting block videos on her YouTube channel. Also pop over to  #bebquilttreasures where Beth uses new and recycled fabrics in her quilts. Julie from quiltdivajulie here on ig is mid flight making a bright version too, using different bright spots for her backgrounds, and it's looking great! 

Linking up this week with Cynthia for 'oh scrap' here.

Until next time Linda

"Dear Edward"

Just popping in quickly to share my latest read, 

"Dear Edward" by Ann Napolitano. 

A beautifully written novel about twelve- year old Edward, who is the sole survivor of a plane crash. The crash took the lives of 191 people, including Edward’s parents and older brother.
Now living with his aunt and uncle, Edward is faced with the daunting task of recovering physically, mentally and emotionally. This story follows Edward's coming of age journey, as he copes with the aftermath of the crash. Woven throughout "Dear Edward" are the stories of the other passengers on the plane, from the beginning of the flight until the moment of impact. It's a heartbreaking read, a masterful study in suspense, grief and survival. 

You may need a box of tissues handy.

Until next time Linda

from my place to yours

On the design floor: When the scrap basket is overflowing I default to making a scrappy quilt. Every. time. I'm busy making making wonky, scrappy 11 1/2" log cabin blocks at present. 

I'm using lots of neutral strips and muddy medium fabrics. To avoid a really murky quilt though, I'm including light lights and a selection of dark darks too... so yep, it's a bit of everything really!

I'm using vintage blue/green for the center blocks, in a wildly scrappy quilt like this, it can be nice to have a little touch of continuity. 

Linking up with Cyndy for 'oh scrap' here. Still many more blocks to make yet, but here's a wee peek . . .

A little stash enhancement: Way back at the beginning of May I ordered an18 piece FQ bundle called Wildflower Fields Bundle, from Melanie from Meander & Make, I guess not that many planes flying back & forth between the States & NZ at present. 

However, some happy mail finally arrived this week! A sweet selection of florals & solids from various designers. I'm loving the peachy pink with gold combo! With a healthy scattering of neutrals, they could all work beautifully together {the 'moon goddess' quilt here caught my eye}.

From my Aunty: As some of you know, I've had a busy month helping my 94yr old Aunty downsize from her house to one bedroom. It's been a sad & difficult time for her, but we did have a laugh when we got to sorting out her wardrobes … so many vintage bits & pieces, and so many stories & so much history. 

She was in the RAF in England during the war, and at the end they were all given a section of parachute silk. Her mother stitched Aunty's section up into a delicate soft petticoat & matching knicker set . . .

I did see 'quilty' potential in her blouse and her green & white striped skirt though. I must pop back to LeeAnn from niftyquilts blog soon, she uses recycled clothing bits & pieces in her improv work, so inspiring. 

And Aunty's {new & never used} vintage sheets will be perfect for quilt backings, and of course she had heaps of doilies. Here's a few things I've washed so far and made a special 'from aunty' shelf in the sewing room for . . .  

Our son & his wife live in Melbourne, and it was heartbreaking to hear the news yesterday, 

they have gone back into sudden lockdown for six weeks.

To all, stay safe, sending hugs & love your way. 

Linda

#lindaslogcabin - a solo sewalong

Hello, hello. I decided to hit the overflowing scrap basket under my sewing table again and see what I actually had in there. As I sorted, I tossed up for ages about maybe making an all-one-designer quilt from my AMH strips & strings. Nah, been there, done that! 

Then I looked around at the mess surrounding me on the floor. Little scrappy strips of fabrics all tossed together, a real mix of designer, bark cloth, gingham, and a healthy dose of Denyse Schmidt fabrics, lots of cream based neutrals and muddy mediums. I loved the look, add in a few darker fabrics and it's a quilt just waiting to be made! 

And so off I went… making wonky, scrappy 11 1/2" log cabin blocks, with a palette very much inspired by Jolene from blueelephantstitches

I used my favourite shade of vintage blue/green for the center blocks. In a wildly scrappy quilt like this, it can be nice to have a little touch of continuity between the blocks.

Of course there are several layout opportunities, 

here's a few I faffed around with while I pondered my final decision. 

dark with light

light with dark

pinwheel

this way creates rows of mini mountains

fields & furrows

Love small patchwork piecing, the repetitive kind. 

Cut, stitch, press, trim … again and again.

and steadily sewing along, with four more today . . .

Aren't scraps amazing fun!

Thanks for stopping by, Linda