HST Palooza . . . .

I have to admit to being a little pleasantly surprised by this finish.  I had no vision, pattern or even much direction when I started piecing this quilt top.  I just knew I was in the mood to make blocks made up of 16 half square triangles using only two pieces of fabric, I started with large blocks first.  Size didn't really matter, in the beginning, I just made pleasing looking blocks and threw them on my design wall.  As I progressed I had to adjust sizes to fit the holes.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 287

I've named it Only HSTs Need Apply

It finished at 72" x 72", my favorite size

The vast majority of the fabric is by Sherri and Chelsi for Moda

It has approximately 2,338 pieces.

The largest block is 18", the smallest is 4", there are 72 sixteen hst blocks. 

My goal was to fill the top with nothing but 16 hst block squares, and I did get close, but I refused to make hsts with measurements smaller than 1/4" or blocks smaller than 4", so I did need to fill in 5 places with just a row of hsts.  Now that it's done I think maybe the top would have been more interesting if I had added more random hsts to the mix, maybe next time.

Out of the 72 blocks I pieced 4 did not make the cut, not a bad average.  The block in the upper left annoyed me the entire time it was on my design wall.  I like the pattern and the fabric combo but in the end I think it's the granny roses in that print that did not appeal to me.  I'm a very picky floral person, it's a shame because when I was piecing it I was focussing on the butterflies, which I liked,  but after it was pieced all I saw were those blooms.  Upper right just didn't pop, the green was too muted, I like the fabric and the pattern but it just got lost with the other colors when it was on my design wall.  Lower left, I like the fabric but not the fabric combo and lower right, that block is 4 1/2" and I just couldn't live with the lack of cohesiveness with the fabric, it just doesn't match up well, looks sloppy.

I have not been able to concentrate while in my sewing room these last two weeks.  That's a very unusual occurrence for me, my sewing room is my happy place and I did enjoy piecing all these blocks, but some days I was lucky to piece just one block.  My husband is working from home, and does have his own office, but it still throws off the rhythm of the house and my routine.  I'm hoping next week will be better, or he'll go back to the office, either works for me.  SANTY NOW, please.

My heart breaks daily with all the sad news being reported, my thoughts are with the healthcare workers and other folks doing their jobs to keep us fed and safe, and of course prayers to all the people infected with the virus.  I'm cutting myself some slack on my lack of productivity, being kind to others starts with me.  Please be kind to yourself too, and be safe.

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Winterberry

I've made some progress on my goal of making some winter themed quilts this year and I think this may be the last one, for now at least, Spring is just around the corner and I'm ready to play with some colors.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 276

The pattern is Winterberry by Erica Arndt for Erica Made Designs.  

It finished at 65" x 71"

It has approximately 1,372 pieces

The fabric is my go to red and white, Moda Bella Solids, 9900-16 Christmas Red and 9900-98 White.

The mitten blocks were quite a challenge for me.

It took me several attempts to get enough pieces to align how I liked.  I've made this block before and don't remember the struggle.  The directions were perfect, it's not the pattern, it was me.

But now that's it's all put together I'm feeling much better about the whole project.

The pattern is available here.

A couple of weeks ago I visited a girlfriend in Arizona, she took me to a pottery shop where I fell in love with all the bright colors used in the wares, I'm planning to jump start my spring inside by working with the same color palette. I think a simple 16 block hst sampler will be a fun and easy project after Winterberry, no more mittens for me!

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Peppermint Lane Finish

I met my goal of piecing 6 holiday quilts this year for some special friends and family.  This is the quilt that got me to 6.  

The pattern is Peppermint Lane by It's Sew Emma for the Fat Quarter Shop.  I made just a couple of changes.

First, I substituted brown dot fabric for my gingerbread men

And I replaced the gingerbread house in the pattern with Bonnie's Santa hat, which I fell in love with while making Christmas Cheer. I'm thinking next year I should make a quilt top of nothing but Santa hats, festive mittens, and maybe a mug of hot cocoa thrown in for fun.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 236 - Peppermint Lane

The pattern is by It's Sew Emma for the Fat Quarter Shop.  (available here)

The fabric is mostly Vintage Holiday by Bonnie and Camille for Moda

It finished at 55" x 69" 

It has approximately 884 pieces.

I'm leaving off that outer border called for in the pattern.  I like the cleaner look this top has without it.  But to add a little sparkle I'll use the silver stripe fabric from Vintage Holiday for the binding.

I now have one week to piece my traditional October halloween themed quilt, I don't know what it will be, other than fast and easy.

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Another Red Letter Day ?!?!?

I'm still needing a few more Christmas quilt finishes if I'm going to meet my goal of giving Christmas quilts to family and friends this year.  Here's my 5th Christmas quilt finish for 2018. 

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 234

The pattern is Red Letter Day by Camille Roskelley for Thimble Blossoms. 

The fabric is Overnight Delivery by Sweetwater for Moda

It finished at 68" x 68"

It has approximately 657 pieces.

This pattern packs a lot of punch for such a small time commitment.  I pieced this top in 4 afternoons.  I thought it was a good choice for the Overnight Delivery fabric, the big block pieces allow the festive prints to really shine.

This is the third time I've used this pattern.

I made this fall Red Letter Day version for my brother and his wife.

And this summer version that I made 4 years ago has been on my bed every August since.

Two more Christmas finishes would be nice, but all the Halloween projects on social media are calling my name, maybe I can squeeze in one more Christmas finish before October.

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Dessert Sampler Finish

One of my quilt bucket list items is to piece a quilt top using nothing but solids, make that more than two solids, since I do have a few red and white quilts.  

Last year a friend selected this beautiful group of Moda Bella Solids for me as a YoT birthday present.  That was the hardest part of piecing a solids quilt, selecting a pleasing assortment of solids, and I didn't even have to do it. 

I love a good sampler pattern and decided Moda's Dessert Sampler Quilt pattern was a good fit for my solids bundle.

I replaced a few blocks with some of my own and rearranged the placement of a few others, but I think is still looks very similar to the original.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 233

The pattern is Dessert Sampler Quilt by Moda

The fabric is all Moda Bella Solids

It finished at 70" x 78"

It has approximately 2,082 pieces.

Next up, I need to whip up about 3 Christmas tops, Christmas in September, doesn't quite have a motivational ring to it, but thinking about giving the quilts for Christmas presents is motivation enough. 

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More Merrily

I had a sweet little admirer of my Merrily quilt that I donated to the hospital last year and decided to use my scraps to surprise him with a throw of his own.    These Gingiber animals put a smile on my face every time I play with them.  I've pieced 4 quilt tops using these adorable winter friends, and I didn't manage to keep a single one, lol.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 232

I've named it Another Merrily Christmas Quilt

I just put it together myself, based on the scraps and panels I had on hand, no formal pattern.

The fabric is Merrily by Gingiber for Moda.

It finished at 66" x 70"

It has approximately 777 pieces. 

I'm going with this Moda buffalo plaid extra wide fabric for the back.

But buyer beware,

These color catchers were after the first wash, it took 3 more washes before the color stopped bleeding.

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Spa Day Finish

I did not instantly fall in love with Piece N Quilt's line of fabric called Thrive.  It wasn't until I saw the fabric in person that I did fall in love, the colors and prints made me feel like I was walking into a day spa, so soothing and peaceful.  

I decided to use the free pattern Authentic Etc. Ocean Waves, a Moda pattern for Cake Mix Recipe 4.

I normally don't use the low volume prints included in a family of fabric.  I have a stack of these type of prints that I've pulled from families of fabric that are currently collecting dust on my shelves.  But I like the low volume prints in this family and decided to use them all, scrappy background, defiantly a change of pace for me.

Once I started playing around with the hsts I decided I liked the look of a smaller hst and went with 3" instead of the 4 1/4" blocks in the pattern.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 224

I've named it Spa Day

It finished at 60" x 60"

The pattern is Authentic Etc Ocean Waves by Moda (click here for free pattern)

The fabric is Thrive by Quilt N Piece for Moda

It has approximately 972 pieces

Next up, I'm playing with that bright and happy Harmony fabric by Sweetwater.   I've narrowed my Harmony project down to two patterns,  but am thinking if I use my fabric wisely maybe I can piece them both.  It is still dreary and cold here and we have a chance for snow again this week, I've given up on thinking Spring will ever arrive, accept in my sewing room.

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Cake Mix Recipe Finish

Are you familiar with the Cake Mix Recipe papers sold by Moda?  All you need is a layer cake, some background fabric, and the Cake Mix papers and you can make a myriad of quilt tops.   I've admired several projects I've seen pieced using these papers and thought I would give them a try.

I think there are 8 different Cake Mix Recipe pads, I decided to go with Recipe 6.  For my fabric I selected a layer cake of Haiku by Moda.  I thought this family of fabric was very striking, a nice change of pace from my usual fabric choices, but had no idea what to make with it.

Each sheet of Cake Mix Recipe 6 yields the following units; eight 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" hsts, plus eight 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" rail fence units, one print 2 1/2" square and one background 2 1/2" square.

I used my own background fabric and cut my 10" squares to pair up with my layer cake.

The papers were a breeze to piece and produced units the exact size promised.  I pressed my seams open.  Whenever possible I make my block units larger then square them up to size, so I was worried about the accuracy of these pieces, but they were perfect.

Once I had all the units pieced it was time to decide what to make with them.  The Cake Mix provided 5 possible blocks using different combinations of the pieces and parts.  You can even come up with your own combinations.

I decided I liked Block 3 and Block 5 the best.  I thought they would work well for the Haiku fabric.

So I played around with a few options on my design wall then finally came up with this.

I think this was the fun part, deciding what was the best use of the pieces and what combos made the most pleasing design.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 222

I've named it Haiku

The fabric is Haiku by Moda - I used two layer cakes to finish this top 

The pattern is from Cake Recipe Mix 6

It finished at 60" x 60"

It has approximately 1,058 pieces

I could not be happier with this quilt top.  I love the fabric and think the pattern is a great fit for the feel of the fabric.  I'm not sure I would have ever made anything with this fabric had I not tried the Cake Mix.

I think these Cake Mix Recipe paper pads are very clever.  I have several layer cakes that I've purchased because I like the fabric, but not enough to invest in the cost of a fat quarter bundle, fabric that I wasn't really sure what to do with,  now I have unlimited options.  You can go with patterns that have been designed by Moda or come up with your own design like I did.  The Fat Quarter Shop even has a book with patterns for the Cake Mixes.  (click here)

I think these would be great to take on a retreat, one layer cake with your background fabric plus one cake pad and you could have a quilt in a weekend easy.

I also think they would be a fun guild challenge,  everyone bring a layer cake and cake mix pad, mix them up, then you have to make something with the pad and layer cake you were dealt.

Shop around for the Cake Mix pads, I saw prices online from $9 to $14.

In honor of my Haiku finish I wrote a Haiku!

Baking with Haiku

A recipe but no plan

Finish is well done

I'm already planning my next Cake Mix Recipe adventure.

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A Merrily Finish

Sometime last year I bought this Moda Kit, Merrily.

I don't buy kits very often, as a matter of fact, I can't remember the last time I bought a kit, but this one was a winner.  I made the quilt exactly like the pattern and had no issues with fabric shortages.  That's my biggest fear when buying a kit, making a mistake then not being able to recover because there's not enough fabric, or worse yet, the kit supplier not providing enough fabric.

This is a horrible picture of this quilt, if the sun every shines again I'll take another one, it's a very bright and cheery quilt, it looks a little dull in this picture.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 221

The pattern is Merrily, by Carrie Nelson for Moda.

The fabric is also Merrily,  by Gingiber for Moda.

It finished at  60" x 66"

It has approximately 372 pieces.

This is one of those patterns that looks like you worked real hard on it, but it only took me 3 afternoons start to finish.  If you have this kit be sure to check the Moda website for pattern updates before you start. (click here)


I bought this fabric for the backing, I think it's by Bunny Hill.

My goal is to piece 6 Christmas themed quilts for family members this year, this quilt is for my niece, I think she'll love it it, only 5 more to go!

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Sunkissed

I was very curious about the blocks in this Sunkissed pattern by Margot Languedoc Designs for the Pattern Basket.  I had never seen this pieced block before, I was so curious I immediately bought the pattern to see how these blocks were pieced.  Then I pieced one.

And once I pieced one, I couldn't stop.

The pattern calls for 10 rows of 6 blocks, I went with 11 rows of 8 blocks.

This is my favorite block, 

one of those happy accidents. 

These blocks are a breeze to piece and go really fast.  They are also very forgiving with no seams to line up or match.

So once I got the center of the quilt finished it was time to add the outer border.  I rarely add a plain outer border to my quilts, sometimes I go with a pieced border but normally I just call it quits when the blocks are pieced.

I picked out my two favorite prints then decided that I liked the bold orange best and chose that for my outer border.

And ended up with this.  Which just did not suit me, and I can't even explain why.  I left it on my design wall overnight, and still didn't like it the next day.

So I trimmed it down and added a plain outer border, to get this, which I do like, a lot.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 202

The pattern is Sunkissed by the Pattern Basket

It finished at 56" x 58"

The fabric is a mix of Desert Bloom and Creekside, both by Sherri and Chelsi for Moda

It has 645 pieces.

I'm not sure what to start next. . . . . .  . . but I'm sure I'll think of something.

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