Quilt Blocks

I've been working on some quilt blocks the last few days. First up, I made this star block for the Believe circle of do. Good Stitches. It will go in the mail tomorrow, last minute again.

It's 16.5 inches square, "boy" colors were requested.

Granny squares... I've been working on these off and on for a few weeks:

 

I need to get a better collection of gray prints. Oh I made one more of these today too, it's green and gray. So pretty.

And finally I added a bunch of blocks to my scrappy block pile:

 

This is an ongoing project that I'm not in a huge hurry to finish. I think I've been making blocks like this for about a year, whenever I feel like it. The blocks are 6.5" square and I have 42 of them done so far. I'm shooting for 80 for a nice throw size quilt. I sorted them into rainbow order last night and I only have 2 purple and 2 or 3 pink, so those are colors I need to focus on in the next little while.

I have a bunch of quilting I need to do. I have one quilt with the quilting partly done (my king size quilt) and 4 other quilt tops that need to be quilted. (And at least 2 quilts in my head that I really want to make that aren't started at all.) I might look into ordering batting online and then I can get quilting!

Finished Supernova Quilt

I finished quilting it the other day:

We had a little break in the rain yesterday so I could take pictures.


This quilt was made for my parents' 40th wedding anniversary that was last month. I wrote more about it a couple weeks ago, if you're interested. The supernova pattern is from Freshly Pieced, and my color scheme was inspired by Lee's finished quilt that can be seen here.

Here's a closer shot so you can see the quilting better:

 

I did figure-8 type loops in the diagonal and straight color strips, spirals alternating with spiral flowers in the center 9-patches, and (sort of) straight line quilting in the gray triangle background pieces. The border is quilted with names. Our family includes me and my 5 siblings, our 6 spouses, and we have 16 kids all together. 16... is that right? Everyone's names are quilted in that outer border. But not my parents' names. I put them on the back:

 

I'm so glad this is finished. One day I think I might make another one for me to keep. These colors were so fun to work with and it was fun making a secret project for my mom and dad. I've been working on some other projects and I'll be back to share more about them soon!

Pink/Grey Skirt Sew &Tell

I'm so excited to have something finished to share at Amy's Sew & Tell today!

Yesterday I was quilting and I needed a break (sometimes my wrists hurt, I need to work on better ergonomics) so I decided to sew up a little skirt for my girl.

 

I bought the DS Quilts plaid and dot fabrics a while back and it was finally time to sew it up. I just love the plaid fabric, it's perfect for my pink-loving girl. 

I used a pattern from the book "Little Girls, Big Style" and modified it a bit by adding the band at the hem and lengthening the yoke about an inch. Next time I think I'll have to make her a size 4. 

Sometimes I love quick projects; the feeling of finishing something is a good one.

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Stop by Amylouwhosews.com to see more Sew & Tell finishes!

Quilting+anniversaries+a funeral

I've been quilting, and I'm really loving this quilt that is almost done. I have a few quilting progress pics for now and I'll show the whole quilt as soon as it's ready, in just a few days I think.

The story of this quilt: Back in February I decided to make 40th anniversary quilts for my husband's parents and my parents--both sets have their anniversaries in May. I gave the Swoon quilt to my mother- and father-in-law when they visited us for spring break, and then started working on my parents' quilt. My siblings were planning a party for their anniversary and I was invited but was pretty sure I wouldn't be able to make the trip to Utah. At the same time (for several weeks) my grandfather was very ill, and old too, and I was hoping I would be able to attend his funeral (also in Utah).

Well, my grandpa passed away on May 29, and the funeral was set for last Sunday and Monday, and we figured out a way for me and my kids to get there and back (thanks Dad and Cory for driving with me!) Last Sunday was also the day the anniversary party had been planned so I was also able to be there for that. I got my mom and dad's quilt as close to done as I could and took it to show them, planning on keeping it to finish the quilting. They loved it.

The visit to Utah was good for me and my kids; I just wish my husband had been able to be there with us. The funeral was sad but actually it was the least sad funeral I've been to. He was so old (just over 96 years old) and ready to die; he had been ill for so long and it was a blessing that he was finally able to go. Visiting with my siblings and their kids and my parents was wonderful. We were also able to spend some good time with my inlaws; I love my family!

 

I am finishing the quilting in the gray triangles and there are 20 spots left to do. I'm also starting my first project inspired by the Alabama Stitch books... got some stencil plastic and fabric paint today; I'm using a thrifted $3 tee to refashion into a beautiful one for myself. I'll be back soon to show off the finished supernova quilt!