Blue Quilt is Done

I have finished the blue quilt. And I don't like the pink patches too much, but I am still pleased with the fact that I did it patternless. Plus, it keeps my tootsies warm at night.

I had a frustrating time with the binding. I went cheap & just used pre-made stuff. So i suppose that part went well. But I ran out part way through - always a bummer. Once I made my way to the store & brought back some more, I got frustrated again. It was a little off and left me with a ripply binding. Which is not exactly the end of the world.


There were some puckers and "squish" points here & there in the quilting as well. This can be a hazard even with a pattern, so I didn't let it bother me. Besides, isn't that part of the charm of a handmade item? The little flubs that make it unique & special. I read once that women used to make small mistakes" on purpose with quilts. Something to do with the only perfection being a creation from god. Heck - who wants perfect? That'd be boring.

I have about 5 or so quilt patterns to scan & share soon too. I have a box full of the fabrics I plan on using for each too. I think that will keep me busy for quite some time.

Falling Roses and Leaf Runner

I have almost completed my blue quilt. I have about 18 inches of binding more to go...kinda ran out midway...oops. I was using pre-made binding since it was a "trial" quilt. I'll get a pic up as soon as I finish it off.

My second "all me" quilt front is done. I am trying to decide how I want to quilt it. I love the meandering look, but I am not sure. Maybe a mix since the top is blocked and the bottom is freeform. I am open to suggestions *hint hint*.
I am happy with the way it turned out too. I was going for a visual of the blocks crumbling and spilling out the flowers inside. Can you tell that's what it is?

My mom's -WARNING TO MOM>>>STOP READING - table runner is turning out great too. I have the pieces all cut & ready to sew. I was so relieved when I laid it out & everything fit. I have not patterned out something with so many triangles. I was not sure my math was correct until I saw it. *phew*

Quilt Update 2

This is a quickie update. If it weren't for the fabric gift bags I goofed up & had to redo...which made me feel silly because it is such a simple thing...I would have had this quilt sandwich made sooner. But it is sandwiched, taped & ready to, well, quilt. I went with irregularly spaced lines (well, cross hatch lines) for the quilting to match the irregular rectangles. Now I just need to choose a blue thread. I may go with the eeny-meeny-miney-moe method. Anyway - the next update may be of a completed quilt :)

Quilt Update 1

I got a pretty darn good start on the quilts this week. I am not sure how I feel about the pink squares fabric in the first quilt...but since it is a "trial run" and just for me...it's fine. I do need to get more of the marbled blue that is for the border and back. The batting I will use is an older hand-me-down from a friend. I don't want to get the good stuff when it is just for me & I'm not sure how it'll turn out. Batting can be pricey, especially the kind I prefer.


This second quilt is fun. Visually it is (hopefully) going to appear as if the framed boxes are falling apart, leaving blossoms falling & along the bottom. Lots of applique & fusing for this one. It also needs some more fabric. I ran out of the pale green for the bottom where the petals will be appliqued. I hope this one comes out looking at least somewhat like it does in my head. LOL!

Quilts to Come

I think most crafters suffer from CADD (craft attention deficit disorder)..I know I do. All those WIPs I spoke of...and the things I want to make (not including the usual bags)...well, quilts have begun too. I sketched out 4 quilts. They will be the first I have done from scratch. I have spent so many hours...too many... browsing quilt patterns & finished quilts, just oohing and aahhing. I decided to just go for it & make my own.

It seems strange to call them "your own" since there are standard blocks/patterns used. But it is the way you put it together & the fabrics you use that make them yours. You could probably give 10 people the same pattern, and even the same fabrics, and the result will be 10 completely different quilts. I love that about handmade creations. They are always one-of-a-kind. Okay, so if you give the same person these supplies & have them make 10, they could come out similar, but never exactly the same. Heck, most crafters would change up the fabric patterns at least which makes for a whole new look.

Anyway, enough ramble. I will try to keep updates on the quilts as I go. This past Sunday I chose the fabrics for 2 quilts (one is the 2nd sketch below). Yesterday I cut & began to sew. And with quilts, the cutting is not yet done. My index cards I use to track time is practically just "cut - sew- iron - repeat over and over". Tomorrow I will have some pics of the fabrics being worked on.



Almost forgot, those other projects I want to get to...table runners, placemats, pillow, tree skirts, stocking, fabric baskets & fabric gift bags. Hmmm...this will take a while :P
I hope to take the fabric from the quilts & just keep cutting out these projects. This should "dwindle" my fabric stash which will let me buy fabrics with more of a "purpose" ...I tend to buy what looks fun & not necessarily have a project in mind...which I won't totally stop doing of course :) It should also keep me from getting in a rut by making the same things over & over & over & over. Reminds me...add winter coat to the list. I already have the fabric.

September Challenge: Day 4

Day 4 is my newest zip pouch design. I have been wanting to try some quilting and love the "crazy" quilting blocks I have seen. I also wanted to make something Autumny...I was inspired by a treasury or 2 I peeked at on Etsy recently.

A zip pouch design was in my head, so I gathered up some awesome fall color fabrics & just started piecing things together. I wanted to add felt leaves, but could not decide which of the 4 sketches I preferred. I decided to do them all. Yesterday was the first style.

...wow, those colors look very different inside -v- outside....

Bonus - this zip pouch is going to be part of a giveaway over at Mystic Wynd's blog starting next week...I'll link up as soon as it is posted....and it's posted...click here to go enter

...come see Peacocks and Dragonflies' OADCC (one a day craft challenge)...she got me started on this :)