WIP Wednesday

I've not been very productive this week.  I did manage to finish piecing this quilt top.

I won a charm pack of Happy Go Lucky a few months ago. The pattern is the disappearing nine patch.  I wanted to make this a decent sized baby quilt, so I used some white Kona with the charms.  It measures approx. 39" x 44".   Hopefully, I'll get it quilted next week.

I also finally finished April's Lucky Star block,  It's a good thing, since today is May.

I'm using Mod Century for this project.  I like the way it's coming together.  You can see my other blocks here.
Linking up with


Joyful stitching,
jane

A March Finish

I finished this quilt as a gift  for one of my sisters-in-law.  She's married to my husband's older brother.

This is a project I started in February that got pushed aside.  I added it to my goal for the 2nd quarter Finish-A-Long. I used Jelly Roll of an April Cornell fabric called Portugal.  It's been sitting in my cabinet for a long time.  I liked the fabric when I bought it, but my tastes have since changed.  Fortunately, my SIL prefers traditional quilts and fabrics. 

I did straight line quilting on the diagonal across the main blocks and stitched in the ditch around them. It was a pretty quick process since this is just a lap size quilt.

The back is a larger print from the collection.  I didn't do anything fancy.  I had enough yardage do do the whole back out of the same print. 

The binding is another print from the same collection.  I had enough of this print as well as a coral/rose-colored print.  I decided on the yellow since the backing fabric had so much dark pink in it.
My SIL does a lot of home sewing, but very little quilting.
As an added bonus, I made her this as well.

My SIL likes her Friday night wine. (Who doesn't?) They're in the (long) process of renovating a home up on the coast in Gloucester.  She enjoys taking a walk down the street to a little liquor store to get her wine.  I made her this quick wine tote.  I've made so many bags in the past, that it didn't take long to whip this one up.  I made it larger than a normal tote since she likes to buy the bigger sized bottle.  Don't get the wrong idea - she doesn't drink it all in one night:)


Joyful stitching,
jane

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

2013 Finish-A-Long Q2

It's time to begin the 2nd quarter of Leanne's Finish-A-Long.
I have 4 quilts that I would like to finish in the next three months.
Number 1 is my quilt using Salt Water.

Most of the top is finished.  I still have to add a few rows. I really love this fabric and can't wait to finish this beauty.

2nd on the list is the double hourglass quilt using my precious Summersville collection.

All the blocks are pieced but still need to be sewn  together.

Each block is 6 1/2". The plan is to have 9 rows across and 12 rows down.  I'll keep the quilting simple.

Number 3 is a quilt that I started for my SIL.  I used a jelly roll of a collection by April Cornell called Portugal. The blocks are all pieced. This is a quick quilt.

The 4th wishful finish for this quarter is a quilt that was on the list for the 1st quarter.  I fell out of love with this fabric and have had no ambition to finish it.

 It will be an easy finish since the top is completely pieced.   I'm sure I'll feel different about it once it's all done.

Can't wait to see what everyone else has planned.

Joyful stitching,
jane

Q1 Finish-A-Long

I finally finished my Great Granny quilt.

This was one of my 1st quarter Finish-A-Long items that I blogged about here.

I really enjoyed making this quilt.  I used a set of 2 1/2" strips of Westminster fabrics that I purchased a couple of years ago at a quilt show along with some miscellaneous fabric from my stash.
My original intent was to do a very loose FMQ swirly, stippley kind of stitching.  However, since this was my first time doing FMQ on something bigger than a mug rug, it came out a bit different.

It might not be easy to see, but it's actually a much smaller stipple than planned.  However, I'm happy with the way it came out.

The back is from my stash.

The binding is a RobertKaufman print. I thought it would work better than a single color binding.  I really like the way it looks.

It's time to link up with Leanne at she can quilt for the end of the 1st quarter Finish-A-Long.

Joyful stitching,
jane

WIP Wednesday

Had a great time last weekend attending the Boston Modern Quilt Guild's retreat at the Franciscan Guest House up in Kennebunk.

I finished (almost) the top for my Salt Water quilt.

There's a bit more work to do on it.  I had some great suggestions from fellow guild members.

My other WIP is the double hourglass quilt using Summersville.

These blocks are so much easier to make than I thought they would be.  I used a tutorial I found on the web somewhere.  (I'll find it and then post on it when the quilt is done.)

The unfinished measurement of each block is 6 1/2".  I think I'm going to make the quilt 9 rows by 11 rows.  I have about 52 blocks stitched. The rest are cut and ready to go.

I was lucky enough to win one of the door prizes at the retreat.

I came home with this sweet little FQ bundle of Comma.
Of course, I may have done a little fabric shopping, too.

Laurie is always showing us the great fabric she bought at Marden's.
Since I was up in the area, it would have been unthinkable not to visit.
I made it a point to stop in York on my way up to Kennebunk.  Last summer I stumbled upon the Stonewall Kitchen  headquarters when visiting York Harbor for my son's wedding.  They have a great retail shop and cafe.  I discovered this yummy marmalade...

  It's great on whole wheat English muffins.  I stocked up.

Joyful stitching,
jane

WIP Wednesday

Tomorrow I head for Maine on a retreat with the BMQG,  I'm hoping to complete two lap-sized quilt tops.  I've finished the sample block for each one.

My first project is this double hourglass quilt.

I'm using my precious Summersville fabric.  I have a bunch of fat quarters and some coordinating solids.  The block was easier to make than I thought.
My second project involves this lovely block...

I'm using my Salt Water.  I've decided not to hoard fabric anymore and to use it while I still like it.  I'm using all three colorways in this one.  It's not a hard block, just a bit time consuming.

I also finally finished the top on my great granny quilt.  (This is a picture before I sewed it all together.)

These blocks get trimmed on the bias.  I stretched them a bit too much when adding the sashing and now I have  lumpy sashing.  I'm too lazy to rip it all out and try again, so I'm hoping the washing and drying will hide my sins.  It is all basted and ready to go.

I have some Lucy's Crab Shack fabric that's been patiently waiting its turn to be cut. I think I'll take it along as well.  I'm thinking maybe a baby blanket.

Joyful stitching,
jane

Linking up with

Fresh Sewing Day

February was pretty much a lost month around the old homestead.  Just a few finishes...

I finished my February BOM hosted by Don't Call Me Betsy.
 

For some reason I had a bit of trouble with this one.  I kept placing the fabric so that it didn't quite make it to the tip of the points.  I wasted a bit of fabric, but in the end it was worth it.  The fabric is Moda's Mod Century.  I'm still loving it.

The only other finish in February was my Madrona Road challenge items.  I needed to finish them for our Feb. guild meeting.  I still have mixed feelings about the fabric.  However I did enjoy making these items.  

I can't say enough about this drawstring bag. A very simple pattern that always turns out great.

The mug rug has found a place of honor on my desk at work.  I love the little donkey.

I'm have high hopes for March.
I've started a quilt for my SIL. She's a floral fabric person.
shh....It's a surprise.

Joyful stitching,
jane

Linking up with