TGIFF: Jelly Roll Party

Because I've been in Texas, I've missed a few Jelly Roll Parties at Ruth's Stitchery. I'm excited to see my stripper friends this afternoon!

The latest "Jelly Roll Finish" is "No-Measure Bargello" from Cozy Quilts.

I used a Moda jelly roll, "Lakeside Gatherings" and yardage to make my version. The only modification I made was to make a narrow third border rather than the flange called for in the pattern. I knew a loose flange would annoy my long-armer, as it would require stopping and starting the quilting so as not to stitch down the flange. We must keep our long-armer happy!

CJ quilted a lovely loose paisley design. 

I used the dark anchors yardage for the backing, and inserted a leftover bargello strip to add a little interest:

The methodology for this pattern makes cutting the bargello strips a lot easier. But fair warning: there is a LOT of stitching required for this one!

Today we choose patterns for the 2016 Jelly Roll Party. What's your favorite jelly roll pattern?

From the desk of your

Friday Finish

Next week is the official beginning of autumn, but it's still high summer in Texas! 

Lots of traveling this summer has meant not much quilting. But I did get a Jelly Roll Party sample finished.

This is "Olympia" from Cozy Quilts Designs. The fabric is "Reels" from Zen Chic. Cornelia quilted an allover circles design using a light grey thread -- don't you just love it?

Come back next Wednesday for the autumn "A Quilt Block a Day" tutorial. 

From the desk of your

Summer Finishes Catch-up

I didn't do much blogging this summer, but that doesn't mean I wasn't sewing! Mostly, I sewed summer clothes to wear in hothothot Texas. 

Here are some of the quilts I finished this summer. First, a 90th birthday quilt for my Uncle Bob. He joined the Navy at age 17 to serve in WW II, and he still golfs and bowls every week.

Ohmigosh, searching for the post about this quilt, I realize I never blogged about it! This was the July Jelly Roll Party quilt. The pattern is Strip Twist by GE Designs, and the fabric is "Red, White, and Free" from Moda. This is the only photo I have of this quilt, so you'll just have to take my word for it that the pattern goes together very fast. And it's a great introduction to partial seams!

I also finished "college quilts" for friends starting (and continuing!) college. First up, "Prairie Windmills." I actually started this quilt in a class with Kathleen Moorhead Johnson at Quilt Wyoming 2013. When my friend told me her Princeton-bound daughter loves pink, I knew this quilt had to be quilted and bound for Stephie!

I love working with batiks, they press so beautifully. So crisp, it's almost like folding paper!

CJ quilted it with an allover floral design using a Neapolitan-ice cream colored King Tut thread.

I hope you can see the detail of the quilting in this closeup!

The second college quilt I made was for my own Elder Son. He decided to quit selling Jeeps and go back to college to earn his MBA at Pacific Lutheran University, one of my own alma maters. I'm so pleased and proud!

The great thing about PLU student housing is, they have a dorm just for Seniors and grad students.  But the rooms only have XL Twin size beds -- and J-Man has had a queen-size bed since high school.  So Mama had to right quick whip up an XL Twin quilt!

I used Bonnie Hunter's "Sticks and Stone's" pattern and almost all my pre-cut black and white squares. Yay for Scrap Therapy!

I stuck in a few fussy-cut blocks. Love this "skull" one, and

this one to remind Justin of his kitty, Moussa Koussa. They only allow fish for pets in the dorm, I told him he should rename the cat "Fish." 

Of course, I bound it using "Susie's Magic Binding" in my favorite black-and-white stripes and scrappy brights.

It's already Fall in Tacoma, so I mailed the quilt straight to college. It will be waiting when he checks into his dorm!

I have another finish to share, but I think I'll save it until next Friday. Let's get this post published!



From the desk of your

TGIFF: Two Finishes and a Charity Quilt

It's getting to be that time of year when block party quilts are being finished. 

One I am especially glad to have complete is Sample This! from A Quilter's Dream.

This is no ordinary sampler quilt. Rather than 12 blocks in four rows of three, it's made in seemingly random sections. Choosing the fabrics for each section is the most challenging part. I made one quilt using the identical fabrics on the pattern photo. The "real" fabrics are much more attractive than they look in the photo:

And, well -- more attractive than in my photo!

I also found the same fabrics in a green colorway (much more green than they appear in my photo!):

I can't wait to see what Cornelia does with the quilting on these two. But that will have to wait until after her Christmas rush!

The Front Range Modern Quilt Guild made blocks for a charity quilt at their September retreat. Emily put them together, Mary quilted the quilt, and I did the binding. This is truly a group effort!

I think Emily's layout is so fun!

Linking up to TFIFF, this week at What a Hoot!

I'm going to a quilters pajama party tonight at Nana's Quilt Cottage. Report to follow this weekend!

From the desk of your

Friday Finish

This quilt isn't the oldest UFO in the bin, but pretty close!

It was a row quilt from several (maybe 10?) years ago. When my long-time friend wanted a quilt for her niece, I invited her to look through the "pile." She picked this one, so I had to put the borders on it and get it quilted.

The fabrics are all batiks. Some of the blocks were paper pieced -- and look, there is an entire row of flying geese!  Cornelia did a lovely job on the quilting. This quilt is featured in my soon-to-be released YouTube video about Susie's Magic binding.

Here is Leah holding her quilt. Isn't she pretty? And her Mama raised her right -- she acted excited about the quilt, and gave me a thank-you hug!

I dropped the ball on counting quilts this year -- I have no idea what number this one would be!

From the desk of your

Finally! A Friday Finish

The last time I posted a "finish" was July 25. Must be summertime, huh?

Today I have two finishes -- both are bags.

First up, I finally made a Sew Together bag! Friend Mary taught two classes at Ruth's Stitchery for the Sew Together bag. I have to say, it's not difficult -- but it's a lot easier when someone who has made a dozen or more of the STBs is looking over your shoulder.

Here's mine:

Yes, that's Cotton + Steel 2.5" squares. No, they're not available for retail sale. A friend brought them back to me from Spring Market. The "Cotton + Steel" tape was wrapped around the fat quarter bundle I bought to make the inside:

Megan recommends inserting the zippers with one zipping the opposite direction. It helps reduce bulk.

Susie (not of Magic Binding fame) made this lovely winter STB, and let me photograph it to share with you.

Here's the interior of Susie's bag:

I can't wait to start another one!

While hiding out at Mary's cabin last weekend, I got a good start on a "Beatle Bag" from Abbey Lane Quilts.

I finished it up this morning by hand-stitching down the binding and adding some unique goodies to the interior plastic zip bags.

I love that the pincushion is attached with Velcro, so it can be taken out of the bag when needed elsewhere.

The hardest part for both Mary and for me was finding a ring large enough for the unique closure method.

The longer outside strap wraps around the bag, through the ring and fastens with Velcro on the back:

[Oh yeah, see how well my hand is healing?]

Of course, I had to include one of my new pink "PeaceLoveandHappiness" labels.

Stay tuned for another Sunday De-Stash this weekend!

From the desk of your

Farmer's Wife Finish

Finished at last, finished at last, thank you thank you, it's finished at last!

I began sewing the Farmer's Wife quilt in April of 2011. One of my earliest posts, dated December 1, 2011, was about this quilt.

Slowly and steadily, over more than three years, I sewed all 111 of the 6.5" blocks  that make up this quilt. More than a dozen, I sewed twice, because the templates that come with the book didn't make the blocks finish at the correct size. Thanks to Karen of High Country Quilts, and Marti Michell, I was able to make the blocks fit together "just right."

It's quilted, bound, and mailed to Idaho to be a 50th anniversary gift for my brother and his wife. I included the book, in case they want to look up the names of the blocks and read the stories.

Last Minute Update!

My niece sent me this photo of my brother and his wife with "the quilt." She reports they "love it!" She put the book on a small table next to the quilt so people can look up the names of blocks. Makes it all worth it, doesn't it?

Linking up to TGIFF at Quokka Quilts.

And Can I get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

And Link a Finish Friday at Richard and Tanya Quilts.

Tomorrow is "sale day" at Ruth's Stitchery, so no blog post until Sunday. I should have a Stash Report, and I've already picked out a de-stash kit to offer to 52 Quilts followers.

Happy Anniversary Jim and Linda, and thank you JoLynn for receiving the quilt for me!

From the desk of your

TGIFF: Spring "A Quilt Block a Day"

Our first season of "A Quilt Block a Day" since I took over from Karen has come to a close. It's hard to believe just three months ago I posted this:

A quilter and fabric designer whom I have admired for years is "retiring" from the quilting business. If you follow Karen Snyder on Facebook or on her blog, Anna Lena Land, you know she has recently purchased a home in Sweden and wants to spend part of the year there. So she is handing off her "Block a Day" Facebook group -- to me! 

Here is the link to my post announcing the Quilt Block a Day, and here is the tutorial for the first season. Tomorrow is the Summer Solstice (at 4:51 am in Denver!) so the tutorial for the Summer block will be posted then.

But in the meanwhile, here is my finished "Bethlehem Star" quilt, held by the helpful DH:

The finished quilt is 80" X 90" with 90 star blocks. I used my extensive collection of low-volume prints and as many Kona cotton solids as I could get my hands on.

Here is a detail of the meander pattern quilted with Superior Threads "Omni" in Natural White:

And here is a closeup of the "My Aunt Martha Made It" label (from GutenTags) and Susie's Magic Binding. Gotta love that bright orange backing fabric!

I'd love to see your Bethlehem Stars. Even if you didn't make 90 blocks, send me a photo of what you made and we'll have a "Quilt Block a Day" parade. How about we schedule it for Labor Day (that's September 1) so you can get your blocks sewn together?

Linking up to TGIFF Friday at Sew Fresh Quilts.

And Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

As well as Link-a-Finish Friday at Richard and Tanya Quilts.

Come back tomorrow for the Summer Quilt Block a Day tutorial!


From the desk of your