What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

This is the fifth tablerunner in my current binge series of tablerunners: Onyx at Christmas Tablerunner by Jessica Dayon.

It is also for Sparkle Jane and her family in their new house.

Just so you know…I have two more runners planned or in progress. When will it end? Perhaps not for a while.

ps–I love diagonal striped binding!

This is the third of my recent series of table runners. This one is based on the Floret Table Topper by Cluck Cluck Sew.

The three blocks came together quickly, and I am pleased with the results. It will be a spot of cheer for the spring at the new house (recently moved her family) of Sparkle Jane.

I am thinking of sizing the blocks down to half size, maybe, and making a large quilt with smaller flowers. It will have to go in my possible-projects pile…

An experiment I am working on.

1-1/2″ squares, of course. This is Stage One of a three part plan…

I accomplished everything I set out to do yesterday! Did I have high expectations? Not exactly, but I'm trying to get at least three things done. Three somewhat significant things, but that doesn't always work, so I'll take three minor things. 

The biggest issue is that DH and I have been out THREE nights in a row. OK -- that could be taxing on conversation for some couples, but not for us! I keep the chatter going, and I'm sure there are times when he wishes that I would just be quiet. But the conversation is just ...

While Joy’s directions are as helpful as ever, I was overtired or distracted or something, which meant that I had to pick out the first two blocks due to incorrect assembly…arrgh.

But, I am pleased with the outcome. Four more blocks. Looking forward to future blocks and starting to consider layout options.

Block Four in the Sampler Quilt by Joy is PINWHEEL BLOCK, a perennial favorite.

You really can’t go wrong with them. So glad I get to make four.

Block Five will come out soon. You could still join in…

The original block came in a hand me down bag. Awkward. Someone was, perhaps, experimenting? However it came to be, it wanted to be…something.

Blessed that the bag contained a small amount of the fabric used in the center of the block, I added corners.

And more scraps and borders from my own stash. Around and around…

Until it was…Ta-dah! A quilt.

Jennifer made it even better with the custom quilting. Someone will love it!

ps–Just because it didn’t turn out the way you wanted doesn’t mean it isn’t beautiful.

The quilt is simple–Half Square Triangle blocks alternating with Four Patch blocks.

It is the colors and the layout that make it special.

You can make the design with a couple of charm packs, or a combination of scraps cut into 5″ squares and 2-1/2″ squares (I cut them in pairs). The finished size is 36″.

It was a treasure hunt, searching for this scrap and that one to see what would really work. The finished quilt is in the donation pile for the children’s hospital.

It makes a great leader-ender project. And is all scrappy.

I have 200 blocks complete. Not quite half-way, but hopefully soon. Though, as the summer draws to a close, and school start up, my sewing pace will slow. Times and seasons…

Here are my four-for-the-price-of-one Sampler Quilt Along Half Square Triangle Blocks.

The colors look a little wild now, but I have hopes it will all come together in the end.

If you make one table runner, you will want to make more. At least, that is what has happened to me.

Using THIS great tutorial, it came together in no time. I did add an extra 1-1/2″ border to the top and bottom so it finishes at 12-1/2″ x 40-1/2″.

As soon as my friend Jennifer saw it, she said,”I want to make it in a quilt form (meaning, an entire bed).” I agree with her, it sounds like a lovely idea. And you could make the leaves in all different colors…If an entire bed ...

Yes, I have made several Potato Chip Quilts over time, but they are perfect leader-ender quilts and use up common scraps–at 2-1/2″x4-1/2″, the bricks can be cut from jelly rolls, leftover binding, charm squares, etc.

And they are so cheerful.

At 72″x84″ it covers a twin bed with room to spare. This one will be donated to the children’s hospital.

Sparkle Jane asked if I could make her something for her table as they have just moved and she has two little ones and limited sewing time. Sure, I said. (I know she didn’t mean RIGHT NOW, but I was ready!)

I did a quick search for a basic idea, and, using THIS TUTORIAL as a starting point, grabbed some cut scrappy squares and got to work.

I modified it from the pattern: 2-1/2″ squares, altered stem, different assembly process. Finished size 14″x 38″.

For quilting I did random angled straight lines. I love the binding, and ...

Have you heard about the Sampler Quiltalong hosted by Days Filled With Joy? It is a beginner friendly 12-block series she is sharing on both her blog (Days Filled With Joy) and her Youtube channel.

I enjoy her writing style, and, while I have been quilting for quite a while, I find myself feeling encouraged and informed.

I am using leftovers from a previous quilt, with some new scraps added in as needed.

The quiltalong is designed with 12″ blocks, but I enjoy working small. So, I have decided to make four of each block, scaled down to 6″. The ...

Another pile of scraps turns into another baby quilt

The four large print pieces came together. Great fabric, but not enough to make a quilt with.

I dug through the scrap boxes and found reasonable matching cream, pink, red-ish and brown pieces that turned into 9-patch blocks. (The colors look better in real life than they look here.)

The finish is shown here with my saddle and chaps that my father made. I lived on a horse for years. No horse in my life now, but the memories remain. I was a baby cowgirl, once up on a time.

This, like several quilts I am sharing right now, is the result of a piecing frenzy that went on here through the early spring. Nothing horrible was happening, exactly, but I was feeling “off,” and sometimes I quilt to cope. Some of the quilts are a little “off,” too.

Looking at it now, I wish I had used the border fabric in the corners of the 16-patch blocks. I think I would have had enough fabric to do enough blocks then…Ah, well. It is what it is. And it is finished.

These blocks are pieced with 2-1/2″ scraps ...

Susan is still leaving a mark on the quilting world. This small baby quilt started as 7 blocks from her. Seven blocks is not an easy number to turn into a quilt, unless you set it on point. That was the big insight for me.

I had two add a few more blocks and setting triangles and an outer border.

Matching the binding and the sashing on some of the blocks helps to tie it together.

I do hope it will find the right owner. Someone who will love the quilt, and who will love this country, as much as ...