do.Good Stitches

I joined do.Good Stitches in January, 2011.

These were the first blocks I completed in the bee. I remember being a little daunted by these blocks at the time. I was new to quilting, still getting the hang of things like, seam allowances. I'm not sure that all of my blocks were good enough in those first few months. But I had fun, trying new techniques and block designs. I learned a lot and gained confidence. I made new friends in the sewing world. I found new sources of inspiration.

I made quilts. And in some small way, I contributed to others.

A quilt can represent comfort, warmth and maybe even home.

FO: Wonky Kites

I recently completed my last quilt for do. Good Stitches. After seeing this photo by Amber, I asked for blocks with a mixed neutral background and pops of orange, yellow, blue and green.

These blocks are a great way to use up triangle scraps, which always seem to multiply.

There's lots of ways to piece these blocks together, but I liked the wonky kites that formed in this layout.

I made a little strip panel for added interest, using mostly neutral solids and a small strip of each dominant color. That wasn't part of the original plan, but I love that section as much as the kites.

The quilting was so much fun, and came together quickly. I used my walking foot, and serpentined twice through each block, never touching the scrappy triangles. This sort of leaf pattern that resulted makes me happy, and I'll definitely use it again! I quilted the strip section with straight-ish lines from top to bottom.

The binding is from Ayumi's adorable Lighthearted line, and it was just the perfect orange for this quilt (with additionally awesome pops of yellow).

For the back, I used three bluesy fabrics, including the very fun Leah Duncan triangles, from her Tule line.

Up next, I'm going to share a little recap of my do.Good Stitches experience, with a mosaic of the quilts I contributed (and maybe one of the blocks I made for others, too).

FO: Strings

I'm embarrassed to say that this one lingered. Back in April, I shared my plan for simple string blocks with my do.Good Stitches circle.

The blocks are fun and fast to make. However, I didn't get the top assembled right away, but I really love it.

It's full of bright colors and happiness. At least, I hope so.

Although, a black and white version would be pretty amazing.

I attended a local retreat this weekend, which is where the cabin photos were taken!

Colorful bits

(My kitty mini quilt, which went to Felice!)

Color makes me happy.

(My second, and only successful attempt at crochet, encouraged by Sara!)

Really. It's that simple.

(my now finished do.Good Stitches string quilt and Bella!)

Whether we're talking fabric scraps, yarny things, nature, food, whatever.

(Amsterdam blocks, from Holly's pattern, made for Maureen!)

Color is everything.

I have a lot to say. Honest.

I keep writing posts in my head, or making notes of posts I want to write. It doesn't always happen, obviously. It's my month to plan the quilt in my do.Good Stitches circle again. I pinned this a few months ago, and thought it would make a great group quilt, so that's what we'll be doing. These blocks are such a good use of triangle scraps, which always seem to accumulate in my sewing room.

I've picked out some scraps in orange, yellow, blue and green, and I cut 5.5" squares in various neutral solid fabrics. I haven't decided if I'll use them as Amber did in that pinned photo, or if I'll lay them out like this instead:

I've got several other triangle-scrapped WIPs happening around here as well.
{Mental note: photograph those WIPs and share them}
I have shamefully not finished my last do.Good Stitches quilt yet, but it's basted and sitting by my machine, so....

A few bits

Here's a few things I've been working on recently:

Scrappy log cabin blocks for Natalie

The first (of many) Lucky Stars BOM paper pieced star. This is a collection of patterns that Don't Call Me Betsy designed. The block shown is from January 2013.
Clearly, I'm a little behind.

My Scrappy Hue Shift blanket is growing. I'm at thirty squares now. I've thoroughly enjoyed each square. My newest bundle of scraps is from Rue, which I've already started to use.

I've got a local retreat this weekend, and have been prepping a few projects to work on, so I'll have more to share on that shortly.

String blocks - a few tips

Is it really April 1 tomorrow? That seems impossible, but it's true. April means lots of good things. Tomorrow, my grandmother turns 89, and later in the month, we celebrate my brother-in-law's birthday. And a wedding anniversary. And the second annual Stash Bash. It's also my month to plan the Love circle quilt for do.Good Stitches!

It's been awhile since I've made string blocks. I don't know about you, but I always seem to have a pile of string scraps lying around.

Last week, I divided them into two piles based on length, and made a bunch of blocks.

Here's a few tips that might help, if you've never made a string block before.
-Working with a foundation is best for string blocks, and I prefer paper. As Jeni pointed out, using a fabric foundation (even muslin) adds bulk, whereas the paper can be ripped away when you're finished.
-If you have graph paper or an old telephone book, this works better than printer paper, but that will work, too!
-Start with your center strip, and glue-baste this piece to make sure it stays in place!

-To create a cohesive look, you can use a single color and width for your center strings. Or, you can mix it up to your heart's content!
-The most important thing is to make sure you keep a 1/4" seam allowance throughout.
-Make sure your strips are at least 1" wide.
-With all paper piecing, it's best to leave the paper on until you've sewn your blocks together. It helps to minimize bias.
-Setting your stitch length to 1.5 or 1.6 will make ripping that paper a little easier, too.
-When pressing any paper-piecing, use a dry iron (no steam!).

-Oh, and little triangle scraps are great for the end pieces!

Any other tips? Did I leave anything out?

Specifically for do.Good Stitches bee blocks this month, I'm asking for 8.5" blocks (so you can just cut a 2.5" strip off a sheet of paper to create that template!). For the center strings, I'd like 1" strips of any blue solid, and then the rest of the strings can be any width and any color. I'd love to see a mix of solids and prints.

As you can see, these are addictive to sew! And my pile of strips doesn't seem any smaller.

This week

February do.Good Stitches blocks for Natalie. It was lots of fun sorting through scrap mountain to make these.

Two boxy pouches, from Bonnie's tutorial. The front pouch is entirely from scraps and the back pouch was made form a favorite and long OOP Echino cheater print.

Slowly working my way through a social tote. Pattern is by Carolyn Friedlander w/ Noodlehead. I'm enjoying the process!

I pulled this stack of fabrics to use for 100 Modern Quilt Blocks, and I'm sewing along with Jeni and Amanda (and possibly a few other friends!).

First three blocks!

Bella is still constantly looking out for the third kitty. It's been a little over six weeks since Fitzgerald moved in. Things are getting easier and calmer, slowly.

Have a great week!

FO: Geodes

I really, really, love this quilt. This started with Penny's Improv curve tutorial, and my desire to make a fall-colored quilt. The do.Good Stitches Love circle made lovely blocks!

Assembling the curvy blocks was fun, but I especially enjoyed building the patchwork background. I used a variety of Art Gallery solids and sewed together strips, chopped, then repeated.

I stuck to simple quilting on the curvy blocks, just outlining in red thread. But I let the quilting shine on all that negative space, with a boxy free motion stitch.

The back features a couple of blocks, and some mixed neutral prints from the stash.
I machine-bound the quilt. I usually prefer to handsew the binding, but I wanted to practice doing it on the machine, and I think I did pretty well.

I actually finished this a month ago, but after washing, there was a small hole on one of the curves (where a seam was cut a little short). I let it marinate for a few weeks, while I decided how best to mend it.
Amy suggested a simple zig zag, which is what I ended up doing. It's not noticeable, and it will ensure that the recipient will have a lovely quilt!

Oh, and can I just say, Elliott is so sweet to help me photograph my quilts. He is a tall dude, and was totally ducking in these shots.

And while we're on the subject,

How about a do.Good Stitches update?
We have been making some pretty fun blocks in the Love circle lately.
I'm not sure when I last posted about the group, but last month, we made house blocks for Natalie.

In a paper-piecing mood, I first made this block. Whoa. Let me tell you, it is not for the faint of heart. But it was fun, and I am thrilled with how it turned out! I used Charise's Cozy Chalet pattern from Fat Quarterly Issue 8.

I also made this block, using Elizabeth Hartman's Neighborhood block, from her second book.

I really love that tuba player fussy cut, from a Paper Sparrow 2012 tea towel.

This month, we used Rachel's tutorial for a paper-pieced striped block.

I think both quilts will be amazing!

I'm glad I finished up that Starry Quilt, because it's my month again in October! I'm planning to ask for improv curvy blocks using Penny's happy tutorial. I made a few practice blocks last night, and I'm excited to make more.
It's been awhile since I've made curvy things (my favorite was this one for Nicke.)

FO: Starry Quilt

Isn't it lovely when you have a giveaway and then you don't show up for the opening? The winner of the Erin McMorris half yards, courtesy of FreeSpirit, is Marla!

Yay! I met Marla at the Stash Bash, and I am so happy this fabric is heading her way!

I'm also finally able to share my do.Good Stitches quilt, and it's a good thing, since next month is mine for quilting again.

I really love this quilt. I don't give purple a lot of love, but I think it works so well with yellow and gray in these stars.

I outline-quilted each star, which was worth the time it took. I then filled in larger sections (such as the strips I used to connect the blocks) with free motion quilting. I held back from doing the square quilting around each star. I didn't want to overdo it, and I think I stopped at the right point! I used a lovely gray bias stripe to bind.

My sweet husband ducked down behind the quilt in these pictures.

I am entering this in Katie's 100 Quilts for Kids. Please enter if you can!

"High-Volume" and a winner

Wednesday already.
My sister's wedding is this weekend and I've been working on several projects for her. I will share them soon!

In the meantime, two things for today.
One: the winner of the Snap Tote pattern is CourtneySews. I have emailed her a copy of the pattern. Thanks again to Yahaira!

Two: I wanted to share the most recent Do.Good Stitches blocks, made for Ara Jane.

Ara Jane asked for "high-volume 3/4 log cabins, and I just LOVE them. I want to make more!

I will be back next week with wedding projects, and I finally finished my Polaroid quilt (it just needs photographing!).

Nordika and some bee blocks

Hiya! I hope this Monday is a good one for you. I spent the weekend with my extended family. Tomorrow, I'll be sharing a finished quilt, that I gifted to my grandmother over the weekend. Today, I wanted to show you two things. First, I'll soon be assembling these blocks:

These are for do.Good Stitches, Love circle. After I took this picture, I received the last four blocks. I hope to at least start working on this top before the weekend!

I also REALLY hope I get time to cut into this lovely stack soon. This is Nordika. by my good friend, Jeni Baker! It's her second line for Art Gallery Fabrics, and it will be available next month! She very kindly sent some for me to play with, and the colors are so good. There's no doubt I'll be purchasing a larger cut of one of those plaid prints for a dress or shirt. Way to go, Jeni! It is awesome.

See you tomorrow with a quilty finish!

A few bits

I just have a few odds and ends to share with you today!

First, I never shared my blocks for the Quilts for Boston drive. I know the Boston MQG received an amazing response in this effort, which is heartwarming!
I also intend to send at least one baby quilt (and hopefully more!) to the Moore Love effort. I am hoping I can get a second small quilt done before the deadline!

Oh, and check out these fun Goose Creek blocks!

Deborah shared a tutorial for these, and asked us to make them for her month of do.Good Stitches. I really loved making them.

I especially love how this corner turned out.

Finally (and I do mean, finally!), I recently finished this vintage wrapped wreath. Jeni shared a tutorial for this, and I purchased a sheet strip pack from her AGES ago (like, two years, I think). I don't know why it took me so long. It's so easy and fun! I ended up sewing all of the strips together, like binding, instead of wrapping each one separately. And now I have a happy wreath!

Hello(?)

I didn't intend to be gone for so long, but that word I chose in January has been serving me well. I have been so intent on making, that talking about it has fallen by the wayside.

It's my month for do.Good Stitches again, and we are making star blocks!

We are nearly done with round three of the Wonky Bee. This is part of Sara's solids quilt. I assembled this portion, and made the wonky stars and the HST section above them. Melissa did the EPP section, and Nickedid the large postage stamp piecing. I love how this is coming together!

I currently have three quilt tops waiting for basting (this one, that one and another that is only on instagram currently). I'm also finishing a fourth quilt top, this time a postage stamp project. It's scrappy and fun!

Soon, I will share the dress I recently finished. I wore it to my future brother-in-law's graduation this weekend!

Tongue-tied Thursday

Not much to say, but I wanted to share some glimpses of my week:

I've been very introverted for the past few days, but I think that's okay.

Hope you're having a great week!

P.S. If you haven't already heard, the Boston Modern Quilt Guild is calling for quilt blocks. This is going on my short list of things to do!

March bee blocks

After finishing Marcelle (which is now basted and ready for some quilting attention), I decided to tackle March bee blocks.
First up, do.Good Stitches blocks for Natalie. For the second time, Natalie planned ahead for her month and wrote a new tutorial for us to use. Here's what she chose this month. Here is the previous one (a stunner!), if you're interested.

I really enjoyed making these blocks. They seem complex, but came together quickly. And I love the colors Natalie selected.

Over here, I shared my first word for Jessica's wonky bee quilt. I decided to work on some neutral patchwork to start assembling the quilt top.

Two words and Melissa's amazing paper-pieced star are now assembled. I also pieced the word art.

And that wraps up bee commitments for March.

Now, to quilt!

First quilt finish of the year

Wintry Shoo-Fly is finished! Blocks for this quilt were made by the Love circle girls of do.Good Stitches.

I asked for blocks with blue shoo-flies on a mixed gray background (this was my block) of any size.

Assembling this type of quilt makes me happy. The first do.Good Stitches quilt I assembled was similar. I like quilts with varying block sizes. It's like working a puzzle, in a way.

After the top was assembled, I searched the stash for backing and binding fabric.

I chose this Hope Valley print and Kona Lake for the back, and a Dear Stella dot for the binding.

Olias was my quilting helper, as well as the Machingers gloves that Nicke gifted me last year.

I chose a loopy quilting design, and only quilted the negative space. I like the texture it provides (especially on the back, as you can see above).

It is exciting to feel some progress in free motion quilting!

This quilt finishes at 50" x 64", and I think it will find a good home with our charity, Wrap Them in Love.

And it's always promising when you want to keep the quilt for yourself, right?

Monday

I'm glad you guys agree with my choice of the word 'focus'! In terms of craft, I felt pretty confident that I nailed it this past week.

With one project exception, I was able to finish a few smaller things, but mostly worked to get the shoo-fly do.Good Stitches project quilted. It will be bound this week, and the first quilty finish of the year will be done!

I'm using a Dear Stella dot for the binding. It's against my beliefs to stick to such a limited palette, but it's good to challenge yourself, yes? I really wanted to throw in some yellow, or green, but I resisted!

I finished my next Wonky Bee assignment, some gradient strips (with pops of accent) for Melissa's project. I owe you guys a full post on round three of the wonky bee.

I also knocked out eleven more X & + blocks, thanks to a full afternoon of cutting scraps. It really is fun to sort through a stack all at once, and then sew them at my leisure.

A couple of wonky stars in the happiest of colors was also on my to-do list. Not a chore at all, no sirree.

I got to give the scrappy trip around the world block a run, for Sharon, as part of BaMS.

I also worked on a new baby quilt project, for my (?) step-sister (?), I guess you would call her? Whatever. She's family, and she's having a kid. This is actually a finished quilt top now. Picture to come!

So, whew. That's a lot, but like I said, it was a very productive week.We won't talk about the project that stumped me thrice, and still isn't finished. Because I will get it finished, and like it.
Ha.

Wishing you a very productive and fun week!

patchy patchwork

I've been working on a variety of patchwork projects.

A little Shoo-fly, for my month of do/Good Stitches, in blues and grays.

Some super scrappy improv, for a "to be determined" project.

I really love this kind of sewing. Using up little bits and making fun shapes. That's what it's all about.

I finished this pillow in time for my craft show, and it sold. Now, a friend has asked for another similar pillow! So, I'm cutting some 2.5" squares today.

I also decided to make some progress on my long-lingering Single Girl quilt top. I finished the third quarter blocks this weekend.

And finally, I intend to finally sew a second Prairie Braid this week. I've got the scraps cut to size.

Variety is the spice of life, right?

Enabler alert: Pink Castle is having a one-day sale with the code "VETERAN20" for 20% off everything.

Have a wonderful Monday, full of patchwork!