Sunprint Quilt

I am so happy to finally be able to show the entire quilt I made using Alison Glass Sunprint 2015 Collection.  I used a piece of each fabric in the collection.  The background fabric is Andover Fabrics Chambray in Grey.  

'Fruit Flavors'

The block I used is a paper pieced block called Fractal Block by Patty Solanger and is available for download in her Craftsy shop. 

Progress photos can be found here

The background Chambray Grey is quilted with Aurifil thread - #1133 Bright Orange and #2240 Rusty Orange.  Each color block was quilted with Aurifil 40 wt in a matching color.  

I used Sunprint Ink in Paper color (white with black dots) for the binding, I used a machine binding technique for the binding. 

The quilting is termed 'matchstick quilting'.  The quilting lines are densely sewn - 1/8" or closer.  (Thank you to Leanne of She Can Quilt for introducing me to this style of quilting!)

'Fruit Flavors' finished up at 46" x 65" before washing

It was pretty windy while trying to get these photos done - my thanks to Shelley (@brookquilt1) for helping out

Mary

Foundation Piecing

(Thanks for sticking around readers during my dry spell and these bad night time iPone photos!  If you come back later this week, I will have a giveaway on my blog and on IG for your sticktoitness.)

What use a phone book these days?  

Certainly not for looking up phone numbers.  I bet some of you have never even opened one of these bricks.  In the olden days of the 90's (that's 1990's not 1890's) we actually had to find a phone number we wanted without Google.

I kept a book for purposes other than phone numbers

You can use these pages for foundation piecing blocks

String Block

My original tutorial for this block is here

I wanted to go with a wonky look for a string block I made recently, I wrote up the steps to make this popular String Block Wonky version

Frist cut your foundation phone book pages 6 1/2" - this is the size of each 1/4 section of the block (Of course you can use other foundation paper, some use graph paper, copy paper, tissue paper, anything you can tear.  Phone book paper is very thin and easy to tear.)

You'll need strips of scraps in your colors, these can also be random colors, and the strips should vary in widths.  

A solid strip for the center is usually 1" wide, but you can chose a wider version.  For this particular block I chose a black solid for the center strip that is 1" wide

You can glue stick this down on your paper, I just center it and hold it in place myself.  This piece is placed right side up

This paper is thin enough you don't need to lower your stitch length when stitching.  But you can if you prefer.  I leave mine at the normal stitch length

Chose your first strip and lay it right sides together on top of the black, and stitch one side through the foundation paper.  Press 

To make this block wonky, place your next strip off of the seam line, creating an off center seam line

Personally, going through the steps after the first strip is added, I fold back my foundation paper, not sewing through it.  It is there for you to follow the shape.  Sewing through gives you slightly more stability, but I don't think it's needed on such a small piece.  This is a personal choice after making several of these blocks, so it is up to you if you want to do this or sew through the foundation paper

You can trim off some of the excess as you go, I use scissors, I'm not getting up next to the foundation piece, just cutting off what is hanging way over

Now keep adding strips to one side, I make one side of the center black strip at a time, you can go back and forth if that way works for you

The back looks like this when you sew through the foundation just on the center black strip

After you have both sides together of the 1/4 section, trim to the 6 1/2" size of the foundation piece

Removing the paper is simple, it tears so easily, and quicker if you only made the two seams on the black strip

Sew the four sections together

Wonky String Block

Keep Calm and Quilt On!

Mary

WIP Wednesday

After last weekend's marathon of paper piecing (photos below) I spent a day doing some other things.  It really feels good to take care of myself a little (after tackling my stack of paperwork, which somehow has seemed to learn to procreate).  Went to a movie, met up with some girls for bunco (I won a prize, which always makes the night more fun!) Spent some time with the Gran, he's growing and doing new things every day.  

Here is what I have been working on, I had to finish another procrastination project (those require their own list)

involving these paper piece stars from Six White Horses, the star is called Star Seams and you can get the template free on her blog or on Craftsy.  I got mine from Craftsy.  

All 5 I made.  I was attempting a ROYGBIV look to go with the quilt top they are going in.

While I am pleased with the result, these took time and the centers are quite bulky, I steamed and pressed the life out of the centers.  Paper piecing one block is ok, but doing multiples begins to wear on you.  You can pull off all the paper while watching a TV show, but not Game of Thrones, because you can't be distracted by paper while that is on.

The quilt top belongs in the Strip Quilters group.  This is a stunning top, and I wish my photos were better. The rows are not sewn together so the owner can decide the order of the rows.   

Tuesday I accomplished so much on my paperwork pile (both my jobs only involve paperwork) for actual work that I felt compelled to  get some things off my WIP list - starting with another group project

I made postage stamp blocks with colors that complemented some Flea Market Fancy prints.  These blocks were added to star blocks and are now going to the next person in Traveling Quilts

Then I felt the need to check off something else that has been sitting on my WIP list for awhile - a baby quilt for a baby who is now six months old.

I added the first scrappy border which is just left over pieces from the center, and I'm adding the elephants for the second border.  I like using up the scraps on the same quilt so that everything is used up and doesn't have to go in the overflowing scrap bin.  I sure hope I am quilting on this tonight.

Linking up with Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday

Keep Calm and Quilt On!
Mary

When Not Sleeping

I have nights when sleep is not reliable - not my friend - and generally pretends I don't exist.  Some nights I watch a movie, sometimes I clean, and sometimes I sew, sometimes I do all of these.  Last night, or rather, very early this morning I sewed.  

I've been wanting to make myself a Noodlehead divided fabric basket, so I did.  This one went quick, I cut all the pieces at the beginning, like the directions said (didn't do that the first time), skipped the binding on the pocket (but wish I hadn't),  used Kokka Japanese linen / cotton blend fabric (the hippos), so didn't have to line with Pellon (do like that part) and used cotton twill for the handles instead of making them.  

Ta Da 

I know the hippos are upside down at the top of the basket but they flip with each row, just plain dumb luck they landed upside down on the top row.  I really thought it out to make sure they were at least going the right direction (instead of sideways) for the basket, so next time I'll work harder on them being right side up on the top row.  No progress photos either, I just whipped it up.  

I would have changed out the thread for the pocket top stitching to purple to match the handles, but I changed to those handles at the last minute, and the pocket was already sewn in.  I thought at first these handles would be too much green, but then decided what the heck, it's for me it can be as green as I want it.  My stitching isn't perfectly straight around the top - it was 5 am by this point.  I will go a little slower with the next one.  

Before the endless no sleep night, I finished paper piecing an arrow (Craftsy pattern) for this round of Traveling Quilts and I added a row of flying geese.  This top has a special Native American vibe to it.  

Photos not the best - my camera was not cooperative so I used my phone.  I hate doing that, I need a new SLR camera, or rather I would like a new camera, but also dislike doing all the research and price checking involved.  

I am linking up with Quilt Story , because I finally remembered to post on a Tuesday!  

Woody Woodpecker

I joined the Forest QAL because I am in love with the woodpecker block.

This is a paper piece group, and I was ready for it.  Almost.  Two years ago you couldn't get me in the same room with a paper piece block.  I'm still learning, becoming more adventurous and trying more difficult blocks.  I only wanted to run from the room screaming once with the tiny pieces on this block.  Maybe twice.  He turned out fantastic, except I should have made his feet darker, they don't contrast enough with the tree fabric I used.  I'm calling him Woody Woodpecker.  The next block in the series isn't too bad, but the third one I may really run around screaming instead of just thinking about it before the block is finished.  Woody only took me a whole afternoon, I'll tackle the next two when I have two days with nothing to do.  

I finished up another bee - which should have been done in January, this is for Shelley who I was seeing this past weekend and knew I could deliver it in person.  She wanted strips of prints inserted into a solid square.  I kept putting this one off, because I knew she wasn't working on the top yet.  And it worked out, because when I saw her she changed my background color, which went perfect with the leftover pieces from my Pantone Emerald Challenge Quilt.

One more bee block, this one for Simply Solids on Flickr, this is for March, she requested a night time city scape.  I thought the yellow looked like lights on in the buildings.

Keep Calm and Quilt On!

Mary

Press On Pillow Finish with Comments

Another pillow finish for this month!  I like small projects - they get FINISHED.  

This paper piece pattern can be found on Where the Orchids Grow blog.

It's called 'Press On'
(I added the script)

I made the block into a 16" pillow cover

The back - tape measure fabric -if someone gave this to me this fabric would make me just die!- and that is why I used it.

I was so excited and pleased with this pillow - it's just too cute, so I showed it to my husband (who is completely the wrong audience, but no one else is here at 9:00 at night)

Me:  Look at this pillow!  (dancing around)

Him:  Stand still.  What is it?

Me:  (turns it around, and then back to him) It's an iron.  

Him:  An iron?

Me:  Yeah, you know, that thing that sucks up all the power and makes the lights go dim and sometimes I use it to get the wrinkles out of your shirts.

Him:  I think you mostly use it for fabric, I don't recall any shirt ironing.

Me:  Yes, well, anyway.....what do you think?

Him:  Ok, I see the iron now.  What does it say?

Me:  "Keep Calm and Press On" - get it, PRESS and IRON

Him:  That piece isn't square.

Me:  (turns it around and looks at the front) What piece?

Him:  The piece with the words.

Me:  That's called wonk, it is supposed to be like that.

Him:  So basically, you mess it up, and say, I meant to do that.

Me:  No, it isn't messed up, you just leave something the way it is instead of making everything square.  It has a name.  

Him:  Well, except for that part, it's pretty good.  You are getting better.

Me:  You know, there is a reason you only have one quilt.  Your compliments suck.

Him:  Why don't you test your iron on some of my shirts?

The wonky bit

Keep Calm and Quilt On

Mary

WIP & A Year & Bees

I keep forgetting to link up with A Lovely Year of Finishes by putting it off until the last day, then not having time.  So here I am a whole day ahead of schedule LINKING up.  

We must state our finishing goal for March.  Mine is modest, so I make sure I get it done.

My goal for March is to complete the quilt for the Pantone Emerald Challenge.

I'm still at this point in piecing, so I have a ways to go - and less than two weeks to get there!  

Also linking up with Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday

This is what I'm WIP'ing (you'll notice it is NOT the Emerald one, sigh)

This was in a group of patterns on Flickr last year, only I never got around to  them - Sew Out Loud.  'Press On' is a paper piece pattern offered on Where The Orchids Grow.  I didn't do it quite correct - but I can live with it.  I added the script at the top, for a whimsy touch.

Mostly I am comfortable with paper piecing now - at least I don't break into a sweat and run screaming from the room.  Most of the time.  

I'm working on a few more paper piece blocks for another QAL that I got in on at the beginning.  

Forest QAL the first block is a woodpecker.  I'll see how it goes, there are a lot of pieces - for me, and some are tiny.  If you never see a woodpecker pop up on here, you'll know I had a melt down and spent the evening curled up around a  bottle of wine.  And chocolates.

I have a couple of bee blocks to get out, this is the last for the 4X5 group 

And this is a really awful picture of a block that really is much prettier in person.  

Keep Calm and Quilt On