What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

I have been trying to stick to just my projects that are goals for the month. But, every now and again, I just need to sew a block for any other project.  I am using recycled shirts to sew these anvil blocks. Since I am still cutting for this shirt quilt, the box is near my machine. I pass by them on my way to sew, and I just needed to make a few.

other anvil blocks here

We are still collecting sap from our maple trees. This may be the last week. It isn't getting below freezing at ...

I made shirt strings a while back aiming for a string x quilt for leftover pieces of shirts. This weekend I spent some time cutting fabric for the sides.

I cut the strips 1 1/2 x 10 1/2. I am making a 7 x 9 setting.

Sometimes, while cutting shirts into useable pieces, there are off cuts that are not really useful for big pieces. I tend to throw them into a bucket to deal with later. I was in the mood to sort and cut. Some of these pieces will be great for string or crumb blocks.

As I dug into the bucket, some just went into another bucket for strings, but, a few, I could cut into HSTS. Most of my goals this month involve the longarm, which is currently busy.  I had fun just playing in the scraps.

Star gazing is a Bonnie Hunter pattern in her book scraps and shirt tails. This is finish number 27 for the year for me. Many of the scraps for this quilt are upcycled shirts. I cut it out in 2014. It has been a top since 2017 after a back and forth visit to the ufo closet. It's a big quilt 82 x 82 and used 22 yards of fabric. I made mine one row bigger across.

I am using recycled shirt fabric to make these anvil blocks. I tend to sew the hsts for 3 blocks at a time as a quick sit at the machine. I trim and press them in the evening while watching tv. It is easy sewing the pieces together the next day. I am using a hunk of muslin that I want to leave the stash. Although, there is something lovely about muslin. It is just a simple fabric, but, it behaves so well. It is much like the second or middle child.

What do you do when making a block makes more small scraps?

I have an abundance of shirts whole, and in parts. I found a great idea for a block using shirt fabric, and, started cutting. The block uses a 4 1/2 inch center and 10 -2 1/2 inch hsts so I cut and cut and cut...and sewed and sewed and sewed.....

I used my slotted trimmers for the hsts.

oops I am angled challenged

It doesn't use as much from a shirt as I expected, so I have 2 sets ...

Last weekend, I worked at my treadle, and, finished my shirt string piecing. I am working toward Bonnie Hunter's geese on a string quilt in her book string frenzy. After the blocks were finished, I went back to the book, and realized I had made a mistake. In one part, Bonnie says to cut phone book papers 7 1/4 inches. In a different part, she says to cut them diagonally. I didn't read that part, apparently.

 I used to set aside the weekend for sewing string and crumbs at my treadle. But, after finishing 2 wonky courthouse tops, my living room was a disaster of a mess. I was trying to give up string quilting, but, alas, I miss it. And, I will begin again with the same promises I make to myself, that I will always clean up as I go. haha -I had cut papers for Bonnie Hunter's geese on a string in early Spring. I am making more shirt strings and crumbs as I cut for other projects, and they looked so ...

Just an update with a picture from an actual quilt I am working on. XXX Annika Continue reading →

I started putting all the pieces and parts together for Show off quilt, and, it went very quickly. I have all the rows together. This pattern calls for 9 1/2 inch squares, and is designed by the the quilted twins. They have a large selection of free patterns. I have a large stash of recycled shirt fabric, and I keep it separate, so, it grows. It is time to use it.

I need to make quilts using my large stash of recycled shirt fabrics. I am doing the old country mystery quilt through the quilted twins. They have a large selection of free patterns. I picked one, and have been cutting and sewing in preparation of making it. It takes a bit more time to work with shirts, even if the shirt has been cut for use.
There are fiddley parts of the shirt that are not even or long, but, still, have useable cotton fabric. I tend to try and use those pieces first. This pattern calls for 9 1 ...

Last week's to do:
1. cut unity mystery clue 2 - done

I had stopped buying thrift store shirts. I had plenty, and was tired of cutting them apart. And, I still don't have a tried and true way to store them. If they are in boxes or plastic containers and stacked, I forget about them and forget to use them. But, I discovered a new to me blog of a quilter who uses recycled fabric and my interest was renewed. She has a lot of free patterns and I really like reading about her plans and thinking. Her free patterns are here. Her blog quilted twins is here. There is ...

I sorted through a scrap basket, and it is empty. I can't believe it. It has been a bottomless pit for several months.