What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

First, in case you are as confused as I was, a "Tumbler" quilt is  completely different from a "Tumbling Blocks" quilt! 

"Tumbling Blocks" are made from 60 degree triangles and diamonds, and wind up with a 3D effect. They're great fun to look at, but technically can be a bear to make. I don't even remember how I pulled off the blocks below, from a Tokyo-themed quilt I made in the 90s, called "Sushi in the Sky with Diamonds." 

In the olden days, tumbler quilts were often made with scraps gathered from friends and neighbors. A bit of paisley from Aunt Maude. A stripe or two from Granny.  A pretty toile from Jane next door.

Four Patch Tumbler

These quilts represented community and the magic of sisterhood. It’s little wonder they came to be called “charm quilts!”

Patchwork Tumbler

For this month’s Triple ...

Hello, hello, and happy Thursday!  Is it a "sunny day, sweeping the clouds away" where you live today?  If not, don't despair -- "I can tell you how to get, how to get to Sesame Street..."  

Seriously; by the time I finished quilting this one, I could NOT get the Sesame Street songs out of my head.  "C is for cookie, it's good enough for me. Cookie cookie cookie starts with C!"

4 inch Tumbler Quilt with Floral Swirl E2E Quilting Design

This Homespun Tumbler quilt is certainly an example of the sum being greater than the parts.

This quilt began simply as a way to use my stash of brushed homespuns. I wanted an easy pattern that could be cut and sewn quickly and these tumblers fit the bill. The fabrics were not coordinated and I used any brushed homespun in my stash that was over 5″. There was no planning of which fabric went where either. I kept it super simple by sewing 18 rows with 17 tumblers in each row. The finished quilt is about 60″ x 80″, which ...

“The work you do today is a gift you give yourself tomorrow.”
Jon Acuff

I like this quote so much I have it written on the whiteboard in my sewing room. Jon Acuff’s books are so good. Have you read any of them? He has written several including Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average and Do Work That Matters, Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done. Both of these are very funny but have great information on elevating your life above average.

Whenever I read Jon’s quote, it motivates me to keep moving toward a goal ...

 Ah, if only the Squirrel of Distraction didn't bring along so many friends...

So the last time I checked in here, I was telling you how I got this "squirrel" of an idea to drop all ongoing projects to make a festive Christmasy tumbler quilt.  But then I bought a bit more Christmas fabric than was absolutely necessary...  So I cut out all of the tumblers I'd need:

6 inch Tumblers Cut Out and Ready to Sew