What's Next? UFOs

What's next? I have a large number of UFO quilts.  What are UFOs?  They are unfinished objects.  The quilts that I started, I have loved and when I got distracted, I never finished. They are scattered in various totes and bags and baskets in my sewing rooms.   

While I did not participate, I watched Karen Brown's "Just Get it Done" You Tube videos on decluttering your sewing space.  It gave me an idea.  Why do I have these quilts in various places where I forget that I have them and many do not need much work to finish up? 

I am reorganizing my space and putting all UFO quilts on the shelves next to my primary sewing machine.  At least I will be reminded that I need to finish projects before I start another one.  I have some real beauties waiting to be gifted or loved.  

This quilt is from a block of the month conducted by Scott Alan Flanagan, 4th and Main Quilts, who works at Nebraska Quilt Company.  

Stepping Outside My Comfort Zone

My tastes are not as wild as some might think.  I have my favorite fabric designers but every once in a while, something really catches my eye.   That was the case in Colorado a few years ago.  My good friend and I almost always find a quilt store to shop at while we are at the annual Toastmasters Convention.  That was the case when we visited Colorado a few years ago.  

The shop had 1 kit left in this Free Spirit pattern and fabric.  We both look a good look and we both loved it.  Does it match anything in my 1928 bungalow home - not a chance.  But it is on my bed as I type this entry.  

The pattern called for 3 fabrics.  Two are cut the length of the piece which is unusual.  Most fabric is cut the width of fabric.  The reason is simple, to maintain the pattern printed on the fabric.  

When I made the quilt, I realized, because of the cutting instructions, I would have enough of the 2 of the fabrics to make a second quilt.  I simply needed to add a solid to the mix.  

I really like this quilt.  I like the fabric and whimsy nature of it.  

I'll change out the blue for a coral color with my next creation, or maybe, I'll send it to my friend for her to make.  

I say this same pattern made with black and white polka dots.  It was STUNNING.  

Kids Can Sew

Teaching younger generations is a great way to promote quilting and more importantly self-confidence and accomplishment.  People often look at my quilts thinking it is too hard or it takes too long to make.   I believe that if you are really interested there is a project for you to try. 

In my case, I have been able to share my hobby with a number of people.  I have taught kids to use a sewing machine and make pillowcases to take home and enjoy.  I have also taught classes on how to make a bag for your iPad to kids.  

But closer to home, one of my granddaughters, really enjoys making things for others.  HUM, I wonder where that came from.  

She has made similar quilts for herself and her mother.  She made one for her Grandpa Ed as well.  And she has plans to make more.  Recently, she worked on her orange and blue "disappearing 9 patch" quilt for her own bedroom.  I'm not sure how that will look in her bedroom that is green but she made it with a little help from Grams. 

The blue quilts are very similar but have different borders.  We shopped the sale fabric at Country Traditions in Fremont, Nebraska but once the fabric was laid out, she realized she did not "love" one of them and it lives on a shelf in the sewing room. 

The quilt that she made for her Grandpa Ed has pheasants on the focus fabric.  Her mother had selected that fabric a number of years ago and never got around to making the quilt.  But like fine wine, the fabric aged nicely and is a comfortable recliner size quilt.   Not bad work for a 12 year old.  

Nebraska Football - Toastmasters Donation Quilt

Many residents in this part of the country are big Nebraska College Football fans.  You see "Herby Husker" on signs in yards and even as Christmas ornaments.  The world seems to shut down during most Saturdays when the team enters the field to play. 

I have to admit, I'm not a Cornhusker fan.  I have never been a college football fan but instead, I have been a Cardinals Baseball fan for a number of years. I grew up listening to the games on my transistor radio and attended many games over the years at the Busch Stadium in St Louis, MO.  

But when in Nebraska ... This quilt was donated to the District 24 Toastmaster's Raffle and Silent Auction many years ago.    

Rail Fence

The rail fence or split rail fence is an old block and used 2.5" strips of fabric.  Some quilters make them very scrappy and that would be a fun way to use up leftover fabric.  I like to make these quilts because they are quick and easy.  

In this case, another quilt for one of my granddaughters, the fabric is coordinated and came from a batik jelly roll.  Batik fabrics are dyed in a manner that gives them a very distinct look.  They differ from traditional printed cottons.  In this case, the quilt is very vibrant. 

A jelly roll is a coordinated group of 2.5" strips, usually 42 strips.  There are duplicates in the roll but they are precut and that is what makes this project a quick one.  They are called jelly rolls because they are rolled up when you purchase them. 

The quilter sews long strips together and then sub-cuts them.  In this example, they are sub-cut into 6.5" sections and turned to create the layout.  

New quilters can achieve success with this easy block.  

 

The Calendar Quilt

Several years ago, my go to quilt shop offered a kit for an affordable price of $2.99 each. The kit was a pattern and the fabric to make a monthly block that you could attach to a calendar.  You had to spend at least $25 to get the kit at the reduced price.  

I never made the calendar, but I managed to collect several of these kits and patterns over the time that they were offered.  A few years ago, in my annual purge of my sewing room, I rediscovered these cute quilt blocks or kits.  

Each year, the calendar offering changed sizes.  It seems like one year it was a 10" square and perhaps the next year it was something else.  But I had all these kits and wanted to use them. 

My solution was to make them into a quilt that one of my grandkids would enjoy.  If the block was not the right size, I managed to work through the logistics and came up with a fun quilt.  I have at least one more of these quilts ready to be put together.  The blocks are finished but they need the final sewing and quilting. 

Note that each block is a seasonal block because it was intended to be used on a calendar.  

Dimensional Pinwheel Baby Quilt

Baby quilt can be a really fun quilt full of creativity.  I discovered this pattern for a dimensional block in a magazine.  But it was featured as a table runner in patriotic colors.  It spoke to me as a baby quilt.  As the baby grew into a toddler, I thought it would have a fun dimensional piece to it and my guess is that it would be a fan favorite.  

I used 5" squares and added a border to the quilt.  The only trick in making this one is to make sure that the pinwheels that are folded are properly caught in the seam when constructing the block.  I have made a few of these and plan to make more.  

 

String Quilts - Another Great Scrap Buster

I really enjoy making quilts and the string quilt is a favorite to make. It does not take a great deal of time to cut and fuss. As I make the more detailed quilts, I save the leftover strips of fabric and toss them into a basket. These strips range in width from 1" to 2.5" and are of various lengths. 

I sew them onto a foundation piece of fabric. In my case, I use fabric that has been given to me but is not of the quality that I want to put into a quilt. Typically, it is too thin. But is is always 100% cotton. I sew the "strings" or strips onto the fabric starting in the middle and running diagonally across the 6.5" block or foundation. The results are never the same. These quilts are heavier than my normal quilts. 

I have taught string quilting to many people and have given a number of them away to others. In fact, years ago, I offered to donate a quilt to any Toastmaster District that earned "distinguished" or higher to use as a raffle or silent auction item. I believe I made 4 quilts. 

A string quilt was also used as a raffle quilt for the Saunders County Historical Society several years ago with a number of new and veteran quilters working on the blocks. It is a fun quilt to make and fun to give.

Two string quilt examples: one was for a grandson and the other was a raffle quilt made by the ladies in the photo.  

Arranging the blocks certainly changes the look of the quilt. 

Donation Quilts In Progress

I have wonderful quilting friends.  Recently, the group got together and started working on our Christmas donation quilts. .

Two selected a challenge of working with scraps, I cut the pieces for them and provided an example but another quilter selected a basic pattern called "Pretty Simple" since my friend has a cat as her pet, I found in my stash some cat fabric that is holiday themed.  

I have great quilting friends! 

This scrappy block measures 6.5" and is made up of 8 rectangles!  

This Scrappy block is a log cabin block but made with a 5" center and 2.5" width strips. 

And to think I still have a lot of scraps.  

Crumb Quilting

 Crumbs are those little bits and pieces of leftovers.  Anyone cleaning up after children at the dinner table usually will need to get out the broom or vacuum to clean up their mess! But crumb quilting is something quite unique.  Using small leftover pieces and a piece of foundation fabric you can create a totally unique block and use up small pieces of fabric that typically would end up in the trash can.  

How do I create a crumb block?  My method is pretty easy.  I cut 6.5" squares from suspect quality fabric.  It is that stuff that is perhaps old or too thin to put into my quilt.  I layer small pieces of fabric onto the foundation and build the block.  

Some quilters do not use the foundation fabric but while it will be heavier, I believe that it will hold up better in the long run.  

Another type of quilt that is similar to crumb quilting is string piecing.  But we will address that on another day.  

This image has 9 completed crumb blocks.

I found an easy to understand crumb tutorial on youtube. The method that this quilter uses is not the same as what I do but I think it is a great video to share for ideas.

Another fun video is a pair of men that are very creative, Arne and Carlos. They were in fashion design at some point, I believe. Crazy quilting was a Victorian art where they used scraps of lace and fancy fabrics, check them out.

Dressed to the Nines

 Fun Quilt for a Little Girl

"Dressed to the Nines" is a free online pattern.  The blocks are 10" and the dresses are appliqued onto the blocks.  Some decorative stitches and ribbons and lace make the quilt that much cuter.  

I have been working to use my mom's collection of ribbons and laces.  She had quite a collection and I have organized them into wicker picnic baskets that I pick up at the thrift shops.  Ribbons in one basket and lace in another.  I never use real buttons but do have some fabric "buttons" that I vigorously stitch to the quilt.  

My goal is to create some of these quilts when I leave my current work position and make them available for sale.  Quilting is not cheap.  I don't use old fabric that someone had sitting around aging.  If I am going to take the time to make a quilt, I want to make sure that make one that will last and gets "used up" with lots of love by a child.  

The pattern originally was in a McCall's Quilt Magazine.  I have made many of these and just love each of them.  The photos are my in-progress version and the finished version being held by a grandma who is delighted to give this warm quilt to a new grandchild.  

 

Courthouse Stairs Quilt Block

The Courthouse Stairs pattern does a great job of allowing freedom in color choices.  It can be completed as a predefined color palette or as a wildly scrappy quilt.  I have drafted a pattern and plan to make some blocks as a part of my annual Christmas donation effort.  With any luck at all, I have the measurements correct for this pattern.  

As the graphic suggests, I would keep lighter strips on one side of the block and the darker strips opposite the light ones.  This block could be created starting with a 2.5" center, which I believe is the more traditional sizing option but I want to move through this quickly and I have upsized the center to a nice 5" square. 

This quilt will be constructed of Christmas scraps.   Remember, we bought all that fabric, let's use it up and not let is waste in a box in the back of the closet!  

I believe that for a donation quilt, making 24 blocks would be a nice snuggle size quilt.  In my community, these donation quilts go to a local nursing home or to the VFW supply drive to provide something for teenagers that are often hard to buy for.  And, as you might suspect, these are a big hit.  

Fabric requirements:

·        Various 2.5” strips from scrap or a jelly roll! Use as much or as little variety as you would like.

·         5” squares for the center

Constructing the blocks:

Start at the center using a 5” square.

Work your way around the block adding 2.5 light strips of the same color on the top and bottom

Then 2.5 strips dark on the sides.  Continue the process until you are happy with the size of your block. 

For each block

·         One 5” square

·         Two 2.5” X 5” strip light

·         Two 2.5” X 9” strip dark

·         Two 2.5” X 9” strip light

·         Two 2.5” X 13” strip dark

·         Two 2.5” X 13” strip light

Ideas, Ideas

I'm just not in need of more creative ideas related to quilting!  But today I visited Pat Sloan's youtube channel.  Pat does great quilt alongs and I may have to try one out.  She also has some great ideas related to using up scraps and I certainly have many scraps! 

Her 2022 mystery quilt challenge is speaking to me.  I have some great red, white and blue fabrics and maybe this would an opportunity to use it! 

We shall see how this turns out.  

Check out Pat Sloan on youtube!

It is Hip to be Square

Accurate sewing and accurate measurements make a huge difference in quality when quilting.  Today I trimmed up 42 squares and created an odd pile of snips and pieces when I squared up my blocks to 9.5 inches.  I arranged the blocks and somehow came up 1 block short!  

Lori Holt Vintage Farm Girl

I just love the designer, Lori Holt.  The basic barn is her design and I used some of her 6.5" blocks but some are my own.  It is not finished but getting closer.  A better photo will be posted when i finish. 

Granddaughter's work

The local quilt shop offers an open sew monthly. For $5 per person,  you bring your own projects and equipment and have lots of working space.  Yesterday my granddaughter and I did just that and she almost finished the quilt she started about 3 to 4 years ago.  

It is looking bright. 

Going Back to Pioneer Sampler

Today my friends and I gathered to do some quilting!  

I took several projects with me to finish and decided on the Pioneer Sampler quilt. 

It still needs some borders and quilting.  It is looking better! 

Layer Cake Quilt

Layer cakes are not edible!  Fabric layer cakes are a collection of 10 inch squares from a fabric line by a designer.  In a casual conversation with a quilt shop owner, he mentioned that people often don't know what to do with Kaffe Fassett fabrics.

That comment reaches out to me as a challenge!  I own a couple of layer cakes and decided to turn that fabric into an easy to make quilt. 

Using a layer cake and some black fabric, I sliced off a 3 inch rectangle and attached it to a 1 inch black strip. 

Again, I sliced off a 3 inch strip and flipped it around to complete the block with another 1 inch strip of black between the sections. 

In the end, the after the cuts and reattached, the block will finish at 10 inches. 

Check back soon to see how I will finish the quilt.