Herringbone Scrap Runner

     Back in May I finished a quilt for my sister of colors that were chosen off a grid using your Birthdate, a a Project Quilt Chsllenge.  I had a bag of leftover scraps that I decided too use as my third project for the Project Quilt Challenge of a Mini Quilt this month.  My goal is 4!  Here is the original quilt. 

     Most of the scraps are the end pieces of the WOF that I made square out of.  I don't what blog I saw this tutorial on, but I saw one where you sew strips together, then turn the ruler too an angle and cut square out of the strips. 

     It did not take me long to sew the strips into one very long strip.   The next challenge was cutting the squares.  I turned the ruler too where there was 4 inches inside the strip.   I tried to make the points go straight up and down.  I then cut till I couldn't cut anymore. It made 12 squares.  

     I turned the blocks too angle where the it looked sort of like a herringbone pattern. I lined it up into 2 rows and sewed them together to make a rectangle runner.  I then added a small border to it.  

     I had a lot of leftover triangles from this.  I then sewed those into rectangles and squared the rectangles into 3 1/2 inch lengths.  I used those for the back.   I also added in an extra strip of fabric and a few leftover squares.  This made for a busy, interesting back, but all scraps. 

     I decided to quilt it by outlining all the borders and blocks with a straight line.  I then wanted to practice FMQ.  I decided to try pebbling in a few spaces.  I did it on plain fabrics in the squares.  I have never done pebbling but will try it again.  It was a process that you have to get use to, but I think turned out good for my first try!!

     I then used the last strips of the floral print to bind it.   It's a small table runner.  I am hoping to get a good collections of items together to make Christmas this year easier!

Diamond Rainbow table runner

 

   A few months ago I made my first little twister quilt.  It was this cute rainbow Wall hanging.  If you know anything about little twister quilts, you know that they create a lot of scraps.  And if you know me, I hate wasting fabric.  I saw in a blog that you can cut triangles out of all the outside leftover fabric and cut 2 inch squares out of all inside scraps.   I already used the 2 inch squares as a boarder on the original quilt.  I forgot to take during photos, but here is the before and after of the original quilt!

    I used the ruler to make inch triangles out of the outside scraps.  I then laid them out to make a diamond.  I tried to not put like colors together, but decided to let the oranges touch in the middle.  The triangles are a little different to sew together.  You have to make sure the points and angles align.   Then you have to make sure you press the right direction when you iron.   As long as you do those 2 things, the top goes together quickly. 

     

     I quilted it by stitching a 1/2 inch away from all seams forming a triangle in each triangle.  I used several colors of thread using up almost empty spools and bobbins.  I think it added to the rainbow effect!! 

     I used a rainbow material binding on it that I am still not sure if I liked.  My good friend Tonya says it looks good, so I will go with her and live with it!!

     I based both my ideas for the original quilt and this diamond off this blog;   http://fabricsnquilts.blogspot.com/2011/07/making-twister-no-waste-project.html?m=1.  I love other peoples ideas!!! But I don't want the credit and know everyone likes the tutorials!!

     The Project Quilt Challenge on the Persimon Dreams Blog is Mini Quilts this month.  I am trying too finish one for each week this month.  Here is #2!!  

Camo Chevron Mini Quilt

     This month the Project Quilt Challenge is "Mini Quilts".  A mini quilt being defined as a quilt 24x24 inches or under.  I kind of got excited because I knew I had a lot of scraps in bags that would make perfect small quilts!!! 

     I know a lot of people will get really intracit with their mini quilts, but I knew I would not.   I decided last month that I would finish one unfinished project before starting a new.  I also decided I was going too try and use as much of my fabric stash as I could without buying more.  My stash has really grown,  I guess as many quilters have.   So I knew with this challenge I could make a few quilted table toppers and get them out of my projects to be done basket!!

     I also challenged myself too finish 4 this month!!  One for each week.   I am excited to use these also as FMQ practice pieces!!

     The first one is made out of the leftover triangles from a large strip quilt I made a while back.  I matched each camo triangle up with a colored triangle.  I then used the easy angle ruler to square them up into 3 inch squares.  I then laid the pieces out until I found a pattern to sew together.

     I decided on a chevron or zigzag pattern.  Each zigzag is a different color. With 4 short rows.  I then added a 2 inch camo boarder and binded it with black material.  I quilted it doing a continuous swirl pattern.  Finished it is 13x23.  It is made completely out of scraps even the backing which I used the leftover squares  to make a strip down the center of the quilt.  

     I am redoing my sons room and plan to use this as a runner for his dresser!!

Yenter Big Star

     Jason Yenter is my Favorite fabric Designer.  If you only knew the love I have for his fabric!!!  His fabric brings me joy just to work with.  All of the colors are soooo vibrant and the designs give you inspiration!  I have only paper pieced with his fabric so far and was so reluctant to cut into his fabric for a machine pieced quilt.  His fabric is perfect for paper piecing.  

     After my last big star quilt, I am on the big star band Wagon.  I had this intuition that was guiding me to use my new Shangri La fabric by Jason Yenter to make this big star quilt.  I found the tutorial here: http://www.incolororder.com/2011/08/giant-vintage-star-quilt-tutorial.html?m=1

     The blocks are 18 inches. I bought a lot of Yenter's Shangri La a while back from Ozark Fabric.  I was shocked when I cut the blocks to make this quilt that I was able too cut all of the pieces out of 1/2 yard pieces.  When you buy fabric from most places they short you.  I actually had enough extra to trim off each piece!  

 

     I had to make this quilt with the corner squares a different color as I did not have enough of the lighter floral to do all of the corners.  So I decided this this quilt was way out of the spectrum of my traditional quilts that I would just make the look a little more untraditional. The star pattern is a basic old fashion star blown up and with this fabric it adds a big modern twist!!

     The quilt pattern was easy to follow and went together quickly.  I sewed it together and sandwiched it using the sew 10 minutes a day principal during a very busy work week. 

     The backing that I picked and measured to need only 2 fabrics.  But of course I measured wrong and had to add a corner of a third.  I am still working on my principle of sew with what you have and not buy more.  It's not completely the back I wanted, but I have to say it worked out fine and matches the colors on the front. 

     Too quilt it I am doing the same design a the last big star quilt.   A bunch of curves straight across.  I am trying to quilt this way this time with the Supreme Slider mat. I am trying to see if it is any easier to use the Supreme Slider Mat or not.  I read about the mat on Leah Days web site.  

     The mat goes across the bed of your machine.  The only hole is where you needle goes into your bobbin case.  The mat is made of a silicone type material.  It is made for you to assist the quilt to glide over the machine easier.  That it does!  This quilt is larger then the last and more cumbersome to bring threw the machine.    The mat assists it in gliding threw.  I did 1/2 of the quilt with the mat and 1/2 off.  My recommendation is that you practice a lot with the mat.  I actually liked it without the mat better.  But I know that it is only because I am not use to the ease of moving the quilt.  My shoulders actually felt better when I used the mat and did not appear to tire as easily.  I think the mat with practice will help my posture and will in the long run help me make more precise quilts!

     I finished the quilt out with a brown Yenter that was part of the Legendary Basics collection.  I did a basic line stitch on the quilt binding to finish. 

     This quilt is out of the normal for me but I love how it turned out!!  It's going to be a wedding present next month, I am excited to share it!!!

      

    

Red and White Quilts "aka stain catcher"

   

    I never finish my Project Quilt challenges early.  I am always one who does well with the time constraint.  Most people who know me, know I work lots of long hours.  Lately I wish I did not, but it's worked out for my family.  So,  the August challenge of a red and white quilt is done and now ready for the September Challenge while I work a week of 5, 12 hour shifts. 

     I actually had time this week to read up on Red and White Quilts and where the popularity came from.  They actually have been in style since the 1800's.   They came about from the Turkish Red fabric made only in Turkey.  The same red they used for their majestic Rugs.   At first the quilts were made green and red, but the red held it's brilliance while the the green faded.  The fad of red and white then began!  Over time,  red was made in America,  but it was not as bright as the Turkish and still faded.  The fad of the bright red and bleach muslin continued till the 1920s.  In the last 20 years the red and white quilt concept returned again with the help of some red and white quilt shows. 

     In the begining of this month, I saw a blog post from Moda.  It was on a tutorial for the "Boho Patchwork Vintage Star Quilt".   I thought it would be just perfect for this challenge!!!  I am challenging myself not to buy fabric and use what I have.  So all of the fabric in this quilt is stash, except the white.   I did not have 3 yards of the same white to use.   I cut 5 inch squares of 9 different red and white fabrics.  I picked out a paisley white on white pattern fabric.  I had a piece of fabric I bought from another quilter just big enough for the back. 

     This quilt made of 14 inch squares was pretty easy to put together.  I have never made a big star quilt, but feel I found a new addiction!!  I cut fabric one day.  A few days later,  I pieced, sewed together,  quilted and bound it all in one day (a cure for a quilters depression!).  I think this may be given as a wedding present next month!!  

     I did a just basic curve design for my FMQ all the way across the quilt.  I staggered the width of the quilting.  Nothing set at a certain spacing.   It's not perfect but I learned some hand speed control with this and plan on doing the same with my next quilt in an attempt to master it.  I think quilting in the large is a little more difficult then quying in the small.  Oh, and I used white thread on the top and red on the back to allow the quilting to stand out more. 

     I love how this turned out!!!   I actually may end up doing a rainbow one like this soon!!    And this one is called a stain catcher by my son.  The first thing he said about it!

Aunt Edna's Quilt

     My husband and I had our first son young.  I did not work a lot of hours, but when I worked,  my husbands Great Aunt Edna  and Virginia kept Wade with his Great Great Grandma Humbert.   Still to this day Wade likes to ride out to Aunt Edna's house just to eat.   I can never thank her enough for what she did for me.  I really could go on with this but of course this is a craft blog!!!  I was soooo excited to make a quilt for her. 

     The quilt top is made entirely of Aunt Edna's son Herbie's cloths.  He passed away suddenly a few years ago.  I already made 3 quilts out of his cloths for his kids.   This quilt had every thing from seersucker type material too flannel too corduroy. 

     I used the big section of the backs and sleeves of the button down shirts too make 12 1/2 inch squares.  I then tried to match light and dark fabrics together.  I put a line down the center and sewed a quarter inch line on each side and cut the squares in half.  I then laid them out to be a big pinwheel.  Each pinwheel was about 24 inches square. 

     I cut a pair of linen pants up and used it to make a boarder.  I cut the pants into 3 inch wide strips.  I knew I did not have enough to completely box the quilt in, but thought that the quilt looked better with a strip down the center.  So I framed the outside and added kahki corner stones leftover  from one of the other quilts.  I then added corner stones to the outside middle.  I placed a plain strip down the center only one direction. 

     I did a lot of quilting on this quilt.  The first part I did I really did not like.  I tried to free motion a curve on the inner side of each triangle.  It was not the best work of mine,  but I did not want to have to pick out the stitches and mess up the quilt. 

     On one pinwheel I outlined the inner triangle and did a continuos triangle all the way in like a maze.  I loved this effect.  Each pin wheel has a different quilting design as you will see below. 

     On the next one I did a straight line starting on the big side and went all the way to  small side about every 3/4 on an in with a new line. 

     The next pinwheel I did a "V" in the triangle and did the same reduction of the line about every 3/4 of an inch.   

     The last one I did what I would maybe call a shower.  I started at the center point ant the lines went to the bottom spreading out.  

     I really like how this quilt came out.  As I was making it I knew it was the perfect quilt for Aunt Edna with the old fashion design!  I was really excited that her daughter in law Karen gave it too her for her birthday.  And even more excited that I was able to make it!!  I photographed this at the Bonneau ball field.  A place Herbie loved and spent so much time at. 

A Different Definition of "Independence"

 

   I started this month making a red, white and blue quilt for the July Project Quilt Challenge.   I was making it with my normal thought that the word "independence" meant the freedom the American soldiers gave me.  Well events happen and thoughts change.  So I started another quilt.   

     In nursing school you are taught to do anything you can to preserve a patients "independence".  Last week I found out that one of my good friends husband had a stroke.  He lost total use of his right side and has been unable to speak.   He has now been moved to rehab to help him regain his "independence".  We are talking a younger, active independent man,  who is now dependent on others to do everything for him.  

     So my definition of "independence" is now the ability to get out and do what you want.  The ability to live from day to day independently.   The ability to not rely on others.  

     Curtis is a typical Southern guy who likes to hunt and fish.  My family is the same way,  so it was pretty easy for me to make a quilt that he would like out of fabric on hand.  I bought the deer material backing to back a quilt for my son.  But of course that and the camo bolt I had on hand mixed with some solids was all I needed to make him a quilt.  

     I cut 6 inch strips out and sewed them together as I would binding.  I then cut a piece of fleece just big enough to be a good wheelchair lap quilt but still be able to be used in a recliner.  I made the quilt using the sew as you go method.  I like the look where the angles are in a row and it's not all one color.  I only let there be one solid strip and that was camo!  I binded it with plain black material that matched the black in the quilt.  

     My boys and I brought it to the hospital this week.  I love to teach my boys that giving is always better then receiving.  I also talked to my boys about how visiting people when they are down and at their lowest helps to pick them up.    That helping people to know their value helps them to work their hardest to get their "independence" back!   I hope he enjoys his quilt!  And maybe he can get back hunting!!