All together now

 Both print scale and value help make this quilt top interesting.

Using light, medium, and dark browns, as well as 3 pinks and 3 blues, the eye is drawn in and around this piece.

The gold squares were cut at 4-3/4" and the small squares 2".

This is all that's left of the background fabric.  The phrase "cutting it close" comes to mind.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Auditions being held today between 5 and 7 p.m.

 Do you recall when Lori over at Humble Quilts offered this tutorial?

 As is often the case, mine went into a baggie with no instructions.

Thankfully Lori left some examples on her blog for reference and I'm slowly auditioning new pieces to balance out the old.  It's all about value, and neither of these pinks are working.  Will have to find a warmer one.

I'm squeaking by on the background fabric and very glad no border is needed.  It really helps to have a design wall for this layout.

Thank you Lori for sharing this unique pattern.  It's been a mental challenge to be sure.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Done, finished, finito . . .

 I chose a Judie Rothermel blue, black, tan print to complete the top.

The cornerstones are 3/4" finished.

The plan is to quilt it very simply.

Another baggie busted.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

To be, or not to be, that is the question.

The sashing is prepped, but see those tiny white squares . . .

I must decide what color cornerstones will work best.  Not red this time, but perhaps black, navy, or dark green.

Hmmm, a conundrum.  Any suggestions?

Sadly, today's boring farm report is postponed due to inclement weather.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

There were some "itsy, bitsy, teenie weenie"

colored blocks in her Lamborghini . . .

Just kidding about the Lamborghini.  Bobby Darin I'm not.

However these 36-patch, 20-year-old blocks were recently unearthed and I thought I'd make them into something besides pot holders for Lilliputians.

 Almost the size of a stick of gum.

They were over-dyed with something, probably tea.  So I picked a warm tan background for the sashing and borders.

We cooled off to around 83 today, but I believe Dolly is ready to trade in her bikini for some fluffy white stuff.  We're not fans of hot summers.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Busy borders can be fun.

Only a small piece of the red flowered print could be found in the stash.

I accidentally cut one strip at 2", not 2-1/2, so that piece went on each long side.

Inner sashing, top and bottom pieces, cut 2-1/2" wide.  Gold squares, 2-1/2".

Triangle units began as 3-1/2" squares, sewn on each side of diagonal center line.  Then trimmed to 2-1/2".

The same gold print will be used for the binding.

It's such a festive piece, perhaps I can get it done for Xmas.

Thank you Marcie, for including this idea in your Pinterest site for Little Quilties!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

New project.

 Before I forget to ask, can anyone name this flower.  It grows at the edge of my south 40 and the butterflies seem to like it.

Last night, despite the lateness of the hour, I decided to sew.  Yes, that should make the morning's headlines, shouldn't it!  LOL

It's an idea from Marcie Patch's pinterest site.  I had the triangles in a box, and could find them immediately thanks to the major renovation reorganization project.

The trick is to get one cheddar unit in the middle of each block.  And of course to coordinate colors.  Something I had a bit of difficulty with.

Stay tuned for the final episode.

 Until then, keep stitchin' . . .  

Just a few steps to the finish.

 Begun in July, this pink baby quilt sat in the closet in halves.  That seems to happen when it's time to clean up the sewing room.  Evidently, I clean up a lot!

 So I quickly assembled the sections, added a 2-1/2 floral border, and a 4" pink border.

The 9-patches are made using 2" squares.  After trimming, the alternate floral square was cut to that exact size.

Today the front door is open and some windows are too.  A high of 60 something is predicted.  Quite a difference from last week.

Until then, keep stitchin' .. . . .

Flash binding . . . binding done in a flash.

Good buddy L.M. and I recently discussed machine binding for speed and durability.  The binding was placed on the back, sewn down, pressed flat, folded over, and pressed again to cover the sewn line.   Then following Wanda's idea, I used a small zig-zag stitch to get this quilt finished in a flash.

The label will go on once the baby is born (any day now) so name, date, and birth weight can be added.

The pinwheel blocks measured 6-1/4" when trimmed.  The blue sashing was cut at 2-1/2" and the border at 3".  I also used up 4 left over pieces of batting, layered.

And just to add some cuteness to your day . . . sweet Dolly enjoying a porch nap.  

Until then, keep stitchin' . . . 

Let's give a round of applause . . .

 for the fact that I actually got this baby quilted!

Hip Hip Hooray, oh happy day!

A dear friend cleaned off her cutting table and sent me the scrappy squares, which I turned into a pinwheel block and framed in blue.

This is for a baby boy due in just a few weeks.

How are your finish-up projects coming along?

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

There's nothing like a little cuddle time!

The babies have really grown since you last saw them.

There are four left.  Each ready for adoption.  

I played around with this pattern on Saturday.  If you'll notice, I borrowed an idea from Kathy on using larger scale prints in the large triangle area; rather outside of my comfort zone, but I like it.

I plan on working this up in a couple other color ways and offering a sew-along starting Sunday.  Would you like to join in?  The process will be simplified and won't take much time.

The hard part will be picking just 3 colors.  You'll need a dark, light, and medium.  A half a yard for each color should be plenty.

You have a few days to get everything washed, dried, torn on grain and starched.

The starching is very important!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Here's another easy way . . .

to use up odd muslin strips.

Trim your leftover muslin into 2" strips. Length does not matter. Place the strip down first, then place 2" red squares on top. Use up whatever squares you have, sewing a 1/4" seam.

Before cutting, iron open each square, pressing seam allowance under darker square. Place on cutting board and trim evenly with ruler aligned vertically on seam line. (This way, if your red squares are a bit wonky, the size will come out evenly.)

Attach units in horizontal, then vertical rows to create any size wall hanging or table runner. It can be larger or smaller, and can even go to a favorite Valentine.

Here's Dolly looking fluffier than ever. Her coat is so thick now I have to wipe her down with a dryer cloth, as she carries so much electric static with her. Now everyone can get a "charge" out of Dolly!

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

New twist on a bar quilt

Another lovely example from the doll quilt collection at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.

Notice how the light and dark triangles switch sides going down the row. I love the red and green background fabric.

A fun piece made by Mary Ghormley in 1999. (Yes, 1999).

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

How 'bout Cheddar and Toast?

I admired Lori's cheddar and crackers so much, I just had to jump in using 2" squares in the 4-patches and 4-3/4" squares of cheddar. Triangles are from 3-1/2" squares cut in quarters. But boy do I miss my design wall, as placing the pinks and blues will get tricky.

Today we have sunshine and "no snow". Tomorrow's predicted high will be 48 degrees - downright balmy. Could spring really be on the way?

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Dressed to the 9's

Do we gals ever really outgrow pink? It's a color that looks good in frosting, fizzy drinks, or fabric. We love it in roses, tulips, and hyacinths. And it always seems to shout in a quiet way.

If you'd like to shout in a quiet way and provide free mammograms for underprivileged women, click on the breast cancer link and that lil' pink button. It's that easy. And free!

Also, if you click on the animal rescue tab and then the purple button, you'll help feed a furry friend in need.

The internet makes amazing things happen, so click if you care.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Thumbelina's Thimbles

. . . . still assembling, . . . . still laying out on the design wall. (Notice I didn't say lining up!) Somehow that was too hard to do after a long day of work.

Still, I really like playing with cheerful 1930's colors. They remind me of summer flowers.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Back-to-basic borders

Thin green border cut 1-1/2". Outer red border cut 4-1/2". Beautiful blue sky day - priceless!

However, I do believe the green should have been cut at 2". Ah well . . .

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

#2 in the series and we're not talking baseball!

This is my second wall hanging done in Pennsylvania Dutch colors. A very simple pattern using 2-1/2" green squares, 2-1/2" gold squares (cut in half on the diagonal), and 3-1/4" red squares. (Borders are yet to be determined size wise.)

And on the right you see the backing fabric. This piece I've been saving for about 30 years, proving once again that colors do come 'round again just like Spring. . . . we just have to wait patiently for it.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

1-800-fabric-elves

Sometimes you have to call in serious help when a small project creates piles of chaos.

Of course, the end product is always worth it.

Until then, keep stitchin . . .

No clue quilting

My second quilt. Begun in 1974, completed around 1979 or 1980. The pink and yellow fabric came from Grant's back when folks shopped "down town". Does anyone else remember Grant's?

This was hand quilted using polyester batting. At the time, I did not know any better and had absolutely no idea what I was doing. (Please don't tell anyone that I ever used polyester. It will be our little secret.)

The gingham check was from my eighth grade graduation dress. The brown print from a dress I made when I was 14 and the blue print was a skirt my sister had made. I guess it's time I made a label for this poor quilt.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .