A super sweet woodland quilt

I have quite a few quilt kits I've purchased over the years and this one has been on my mind for a while.  The colors and the prints are so cute.  

See what I mean?  This quilt is a Laura Hines design.  She is from Billings, Montana.  I was there for a conference several years ago and fell in love with her designs.  This kit came home with me.  

It measures about 65 by 84.  I made this in only a few days.  

The main blocks are printed fabric and are fussy cut.  Everything else is not fussy cut but a rotary cutter and a ruler made quick work of it.  

See that jumbo rickrack at the binding edge?  I thought that was a fun addition.  It wasn't included in the packet, that is how I personalized this quilt to make it my own.  

Here is the backing.  I love this oak leaf and acorn print.  I so enjoyed putting this together.  It has a wonderful home in an upstairs bedroom ready for Christmas holidays and keeping all my loved ones nice and toasty as they sleep here.  

Thanks for reading and just wondering, do you purchase quilt kits?  Do you have a favorite designer?  If so, do tell!

Sue 

Mr Amazing and a new quilt

Here he is, Mr. Amazing, or more commonly referred to Elliot.  He was born on April 1st and I finally have his baby quilt finished. Not that he cares it is late, but honestly, what kind of grandma is late with the baby quilt?  DD2 keeps telling me no worries, but still!

Here is a photo of the entire quilt.  It isn't very big, but just big enough for a wall hanging.

Have you heard of Anita Goodesign?  This is one of her embroidery or small quilt designs and there is a bit of a learning curve.  It isn't tough mind you, but for some reason, I seem to think that I can outsmart directions....Sometimes I can but not this time!

What did I do that was ridiculous?  Well, see those super cute colored borders around each block?  During the embroidery process, you place, stitch, and fold fabric to make that border.  I thought I could do this much faster after all the blocks were stitched....but it turned out that it would have been much easier and faster to have stitched the blocks as the designer intended.  

One thing I love about these blocks is that the quilting is part of the embroidery design.  Once you stitch all the blocks, you can add sashing if you'd like, which I did!

Here is a picture of the quilt back.  I love this fabric.  This was a fun make although it isn't 'perfect'.  DD2 thinks it is cute and that Mr. Amazing will love it as he gets older.

Thanks for reading!

Sue 

Why I am a sometimes quilter

I love quilts.  I love the complexity of designs, the infinite color and pattern combinations and just the layers of beauty that quilting creates.  With that said, I don't quilt nearly as often as I should!  With an extensive fashion fabric stash and pattern collection, I devote 90% of my time to making my own garments.  not that I don't LOVE the beauty and longevity of quilts, I really do, but with a full-time job, grandchildren, family, church, etc., there is just NEVER enough time.  When I retire, I intend to make many more quilts!

Sorry this photo is a little blurry!  

My latest quilt is a Grandmother's Flower Garden design.  This is probably the most labor-intensive quilt I've ever made.  Each hexagon was hand cut and each took an incredible amount of precision--which I hoped I accomplished.  And each takes precise sewing with exact 1/4" seam allowances.  I am sure if you look at my entire quilt, there are a few indications that I didn't achieve  perfection in each seam allowance or each block I cut.  :)  Don't look too close!

What makes a quilt beautiful?  I think each layer of quilting adds a layer of beauty.  Selecting the fabrics is your first layer.  Pick fabrics you love as you'll spend a great deal of time with each of them.  If you are unsure what fabrics go together, pick a stack of fat quarters to star with.  That is probably the easiest way to pick coordinating colorways and coordinating pattern combinations.  And, that is what I did with this quilt.

I purchased my fabric on a road trip that I made across South Dakota, from Rapid City to my home of Sioux Falls.  The span of that distance is just over 400 miles and a stop about half-way is much appreciated.  Not only do you need a break to stretch your legs, but let's face it, if you can get some lovely fabric, you can think of the awesome quilts or garments you'll make when you make it home!

So, with this quilt top completed about six months ago but started at least three years ago (shame, shame, shame on me!) I finally decided that enough was enough and let's get this quilt done!  And if I must admit, I have at least three other quilt 'packages' I've purchased since I started this one.  I finally decided to put all the quilting fabrics and kits together in one container.  I pulled those out recently and the motivation to start another was just enough to get the gumption I needed to finish this ones.  I mean, grandson number 2 is due the end of April and before I start on his quilt, I decided this one MUST be finished.  Luckily I have a four-day weekend coming up so I can finish this beautiful quilt!

Do you quilt?  Are you like me and have the best of intentions when you start a quilt only to put it aside for a garment?  How do you persevere through a quilt that is tedious but will be gorgeous when you are finished?  Please share your experiences since I have so many in my stash ready, willing, and hoping to be created!

Sue

I can't wait to show you the finished quilt.  I think it is quite pretty!