FO: To Grandmother with Love

I always wanted to make a postage stamp quilt. A scrappy one, of course. I made a mini and a pillow last year, but dabbling wasn't enough for me.

Months ago, I started cutting 4" squares from scraps. I did this gradually, as I was cutting for other things. I cut many from two partially used charm packs (Circa 1934 and dark solids).
I sat down to count about six weeks ago, and calculated what I needed.
For this 70" x 80" quilt, I needed 400 squares.

I was way short with my gradual cutting, so I started working through scraps. There are a few duplicates, but this is a nice representation of scraps. I randomly started assembling them into 16-patch blocks, and then into a top.

To tame the gorgeous color a bit, I backed it with the ever-popular IKEA Britten print, as well as a half yard of an Avalon print.

It is quilted in a meander free-motion stitch, but a few blocks were used for experimenting with other FMQ techniques. It was fun!

As I was finishing it up with some scrappy binding last week, Elliott suggested that I gift it to my grandmother.

We visited my family this weekend, and she is recovering from surgery. This was the perfect chance to give her something special.

My grandmother is, without a doubt, one of the most influential people in my life, crafty or otherwise.

And I didn't even think about it at the time, but my grandmother has collected stamps throughout her life, so really, how could I not give it to her?

She wrapped up in it immediately, so I know it will be loved.

P.S. Whenever I think of postage stamp quilts, I think of Molly.

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!

Monday

I cannot even believe the response to the happy trees mini! Friday, Sew Mama Sew posted the project in a collection post, and over the weekend, it got tons of views. How exciting!

I had a busy week, although I didn't end up working on all of the items I mentioned last week.
I have the x & + bug.

I now have fifteen blocks! I've been cutting for them as I cut for other projects. They are so fun to make.

I finished the top for that postage stamp pillow I mentioned last week.

On a whim, I cut into my Happy Drawing panel and stitched up these fun little stuffed animals for Mr. Oliver.
I think they will be a fun gift for him!
I intend to stitch up a few extras.

I'm also working on a set of stockings for a custom order. I really love these fabrics together! I'm using my tutorial found here.

In knitting news, I finished a shawl on Saturday, and started a hat!

I haven't blocked the shawl yet, but I hope to do so soon. And the hat is about halfway done already! I love how fast a hat can happen.

I probably won't be back in this space until the weekend.

For those of you in the states, have a very happy thanksgiving! And for the rest of the world, have a wonderful week! <3

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!

FO: Echo Postage Stamps

Thanks for all of your well-wishes! I really cannot wait to share wedding pictures with you, and I hope to be doing just that next week (fingers crossed!).

I managed to finish one item from my recent list! Truth be told, the Friday before the wedding, I was quilting this! Not all day, mind you, but I snuck in a couple of hours to work on it. The Sunday after we got back from our honeymoon, I finished quilting and started the binding.

A few days later, I have a little finished mini!

It feels good to cross an item off the list, and this mini makes me so happy. Echo is definitely one of my favorite recent lines, and I can't wait for the follow-up, Bella!

In addition to Echo squares, I used a few small scraps of other lovely prints and solids. There's a little Modern Meadow, some Suzuko Koseki buttons (!), Essex linen, Kona Slate, and a few others. I bordered with a burgundy Kona (not sure of the exact color, but I can check if anyone is curious).

I might love the back just as much as the front! If I do, I'm sure it's due to those lovely Anthology yellow flowers. I love that print! I used some leftover odds and ends to complete the back.

This is quilted in yellow again with random lines, and I bound with another Anthology print, from Bryant Park.

It feels so good to be sewing after a short break! I'm off to a retreat with my guildmates this weekend; I'm sure we'll have fun!

Have a great weekend, my friends!