What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

As we come into fall, it seems like it will be easier to have projects finished and fabric out. Do you have more time to sew in the fall? It seems like I do, or maybe it is only because it is my favorite season and I am more inspired. With Fall Fortnight coming, I’ll have a great fabric out total next month, but this month was not so great.

For new readers, Stashbusters is easy and you can join in anytime. Just report what you have brought in and sent out over the past month, keeping a year ...

A large pile of blocks came from Susan Nixon prior to her death. Unusual colors for a log cabin quilt. And not quite enough blocks. I added 4. Now I can’t tell which ones.

I call it Fireworks. The scattered, irregular shapes almost move. And the colors are so bright.

The finished size is 84″x84″. I don’t have definite plans for it yet, but I am sure it will have a home soon.

Young Son is getting married the end of September. She is a lovely young woman, and we are very pleased for them both. And, of course, the occasion calls for a quilt!

This is based on the CLEO Pattern . I did resize the blocks smaller, and I do love the look. Sort of modern/abstract. Or maybe just busy. Either way, it is done now… It is super scrappy with around 250 different green, brown, gold and cream fabrics.

Don’t you LOVE the gold thread in the quilting. (Thank you, Jennifer!)

We wish them a lifetime wrapped in quilty ...

There was a bag with eleven Christmas themed blocks–ten that measured 12-1/2″ and one that measured 15-1/2″.

Hmmm…what do I do with that? They are beautifully constructed, just like Susan always made. Yes, this is another finish in honor of Susan Nixon.

I created some pinwheel blocks and some strips of 2-1/2″ squares. Also, added 1-1/2″ sashing around the 15″ block.

The blocks are joined with 2-1/2″ sashing. Then a triple border of 2-1/2″ background, a pieced border of 2-1/2″ squares and a final 2-1/2″ border.

It is a fun ...

I started with the RISE pattern from Woodbury Way.

It is a great starting point. The directions for the basket alone are worth the price of the pattern. But, I did branch out and design some blocks of my own, many using scraps and leftovers from previous projects. The blocks using the bear’s paw and pinwheels were that way. The black balloon in the lower left and the green/blue one on the second row up are modeled on pictures of real balloons. So many options! So much inspiration! (SIDE NOTE: I used flying geese in the border rather ...

A free pattern is worth trying, right? Especially when the fabric is free, too!

I received a bundle of cut 2-1/2″ strips of assorted blue and green fabrics. There were so many I couldn’t see them getting used any time in the near future if I added them to my general stash of strips.

So, it was a try at something new. If I did it again I would make the quilting a darker shade of brown to help tie the front, the quilting, and the backing together better. I don’t love it, but someone will. If ...

Yes, we have a name: Fringe Benefit.

A fringe benefit is a perk, extra or bonus received in addition to regular compensation. In this case, those cut off triangles can turn into a buy one-get one special.

If you are interested in making a quilt, large or small, using this block, I have a few suggestions:

1. Get a bloc lock ruler, if you don’t have one already. Mine is 6-1/2″. It makes the trimming faster and more accurate. They are available in many local shops or a variety of locations online.
2. Dig out all those bonus triangles. They ...

 I had a couple of finishes this week.

First is the latest Bonnie Hunter mystery, Old Town. I changed the colors a little, but otherwise followed her instructions.

Old Town, a Bonnie Hunter mystery 78" x 78"

Old Town (back and binding detail)

I also finished a string hourglass. No pattern on this one, I just needed to use some of my many strings!

String Hourglass 60" x 85"

String Hourglass (back and binding detail)

I'm working on a couple more. Then, I hope to get back to my Sunflower One-Block Wonder.

Happy Quilting!

Yep, you guessed it: Started as a handful of scraps in a hand-me-down bag. Maybe someday I’ll get tired of these, but it hasn’t happened yet. It gives a sense of freedom and creative challenge.

That said, some go better than others. I chose to experiment with the quilting on this one. I do believe the red was a good choice, but maybe a different design, something more floral to match the back?

Either way, it is done now. The blocks measure 12″ finished. The entire top is 38″ finished.

Another one for the donation pile. Though it ...

The polka dots and animal print showed up in a hand me down bag cut into 5″ x 7-1/2″ rectangles. And there weren’t many of them. Only six each.

I trimmed the rectangles down to 5″ x 7″. And created four HST blocks using bonus triangles from previous projects.

An assortment of brown solids became asymmetrical borders for the scraps and HST, creating 16 9″ blocks. I wanted the quilt to have a “jump around” feeling without being too busy.

Just right for a 36″ baby quilt. So very cute!

A while back I asked about “bonus half square triangles,” those pieces that can result from stitch-flip-trim patterns. Many said that they had a lot of them. Many said they weren’t sure how to use them.

I have been thinking about that, and found a number of uses for them. You will see some in upcoming posts.

But I also wanted to create a block that would use them specifically. The block can be created using (at least) three sizes of half square triangles: 2-1/2″, 2″, 1-1/2″. And you can make anything from a mini quilt, to ...

The balloon quilt block was repaired and the top assembled. Sort of interesting math in the borders, but they work OK.

Off to the quilter soon.

It was an ugly tear out. But, the more I looked at it, the more I hated it. The red was too dark and didn’t contrast well with the black.

Much better now. Before and After below.

I am assembling the top and hope to have a finished product (at least flimsy) to share by the end of the week.

It is too small for a couch quilt, or maybe even a lap quilt, but after nearly 800 pieces, I was ready to be done.

The pattern is a block called City Streets from issue 149 of Love Patchwork and Quilting magazine. I subscribe through my local library. (If you don’t have a library card, get one. It is good for all the traditional reasons, of course, but many libraries are part of the Libby network, an online library that I use extensively for audio books. You are already paying for it through your taxes. Well worth it, too ...

This is another quilt that came from Susan Nixon prior to her death. I am trying to tie up loose ends and honor her.

The top is assembled. I had to create a few blocks to get a complete top. Should have the finish to share in a few weeks.