RSC 16 week 47

LAST MINUTE CHANGES AND SURPRISES

This has been a week of unusual events and some nice surprises.  First of all, I linked up with A Trunkful of Quilts at WHIMS AND FANCIES and have met some talented quilters showing off their favorite pieces in this online trunk show.  You can still link up for yourself.

Second, my sewing machine has been in need of an overhaul for far longer than I will admit.  With the BOMs done for now this is a good time to be without it.  I've made arrangements for the servicing and have been pushing to get some flimsies done before then.

Today I finally finished a WIP waiting since July.  My granddaughter and her visiting French friend came by to visit then, and I handed them two charm packs plus extras so they could lay them out on the floor.  They had fun and it looked good.  We put the blocks in order and I tucked them away.  Of course, other projects got in the way.  So here is the top, finished and photographed a few hours ago. No plans for this yet.

  I showed the top to a quilting friend.  She had good news also.  She had been given a free machine in a cabinet.  It is a 1961 Kenmore.  She offered to lend it to me when I need it.  It will be a blast from the past, because my first machine was a 1964 Kenmore bought the year I got married.  In fact, I secretly made my husband pajamas for our first Christmas because he had none.  He wore them once, then informed me that he always slept in his underwear.  The new bride had a lot to learn! 

Last week I asked my quilting friends to help me choose from two setting for my 16-patch quilt.

With black sashing and black border:  

 

No sashing, but a bright yellow border:  

We decided on the second, which is more childlike rather than the black, which is lovely but more like stained glass.  Maybe the next one will be stained glass, an effect I just love.

In short, this week I finished a colorful flimsie, choose the direction for my 16-patch and also God provided me with a spare machine just when I need it.  A very good week!

I wish you all in the USA a  very blessed Thanksgiving Day, and blessings on all my other dear friends.

For more ideas, check out these link sites:

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

RSC16 week 46

 CHANGE OF PLANS

When I laid out my 16-patch blocks last week, I had the idea of making a medallion quilt with a large star pieced block in the center.  This is what my friend and I were playing with, using the ten RSC16 monthly blocks plus two additional. 

 

 

At this point I had no special block for the center.  I decided to make a block from Mari at The Academic Quilter, which I showed in progress last week.  After finishing the patriotic 16 inch block I  laid it out all nicely pressed.  Later came DISASTER.  One set of star points was pointing inward instead of out.  I did not take a photo.  After much ripping and restitching  it looked like new. QUnfortunately it did not look good with the other blocks.

    My friend and I decided that I should make four more 16-patch blocks to fill in the center and then add black sashing.  Unfortunately again, I was out of 1-1/2-inch black strips.  So I worked on the extra blocks.  The blue one was resurrected from a reject.

This spring green with yellow was different from the other greens.

I love this yellow with purple accents.

I tried to spark them up by adding yellow, which unified the central ones.  Fifteen to this point with a quick pic late last night.  

This looked good, so today I finished the final block for the bottom row.

Looking at them side by side I am not sure about the black sashing.  Another friend is cutting some strips on her Accucut.  Then I will have something to compare before committing myself.  

At least I've made some progress, but that's all the quilting I've done this week.  Hope you have all had productive weeks or at least are happy with what you've been working on.  

For more ideas, check out these link sites:

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

   

RSC16 week 45

THE LAST LEAVES

Our autumn weather here in WI has been Indian Summer weather.  As the trees change color and the leaves fall, I have noticed something.  The last leaves hanging on the trees seem more colorful than any before.  I stared for minutes at an orange-yellow mix on a maple.  The color was so intense it soaked into my spirit.  The only thing approaching it in my small world is batik fabric with light shining through. But "Only God can make a tree."  

    

16-PATCH MEDALLION WIP

I needed an extra 16-patch block to make my idea of a medallion quilt using my RSC collection.  So I mixed the brightest orange in my stash with turquoise, a very happy combination.

That is my farewell to orange for this year, which has been a very good one for my quilting endeavors.

CENTER BLOCK FOR MEDALLION

I asked advice from Mari at the Academic Quilter for the center block, because she has done wonderful large blocks with excellent tutorials.  I wanted a 16-inch block in a star pattern.  Mari kindly found a lovely pattern, which she enlarged to 16 inches for me and included complete directions.  Thanks so much, Mari.  P.S.  Thanks also, Mari, for previewing this photo and pointing out that the top left 4-patch is turned in the wrong direction.  At least no ripping will happen tomorrow if I'm careful.

The pattern she sent me used red and blue.  I made the backing pure white for a patriotic star and easily got it to this design floor stage, using Magic 8 HSTs, squares and rectangles.  Most pieces came from my jelly roll strips.  

Now is the hard part, deciding how to enlarge it and include the twelve blocks in RSC colors.  This is my first medallion quilt, so anything goes at this point, trial and error.  That is the frustrating but fun part, designing within the limits of the sizes and colors.  Stay tuned.

ANOTHER TINY QUILT

This sweet little Sunbonner Sue is definitely a minimalist version, 4-1/2 by 6 inches.

The quilt is done in that odd 1930's green, with the dress printed with daisies.  Both fabrics have faded.  The simple quilted squares are stitched in matching green thread, which has remained darker on the back.  

The binding is machine stitched onto the front and hand stitched on the back.  This tiny treasure is in great condition.

With the beginning of November we start to feel the pressure of holidays coming up and so much to do.  I hope we can all make good choices this year to prevent getting stressed out or sick.  I must remember that friends and family are most important and they deserve my love and attention.  One gift more or less does not matter as much as the hugs and warm smiles.  

Have a good time checking out the fun goings on at 

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

Brave Quilter, October 2016

TWINKLER STAR QUILT TOP FINISH

I started this twinkler block for Rainbow Scrap Challenge last January.  It definitely was a challenge for me.  The 60-degree triangles were new to me and every month but one involved ripping and redoing.

The small quilt that has given me the most headaches and frustration this year is finally a completed flimsy.  I am going to hang it on my wall and enjoy it as is.  After all, the goal of making it was to enjoy it, and I LOVE it.  

The border fabric was just there waiting for me, a half yard of sparkling night stars.  It was down in the bottom of a drawer and almost got overlooked.  Thank the Lord, He provided the exact amount I needed for this 4-inch wide border.  This width really balances the rest of the piece, any narrower would have been less effective.

The total size will be about 36" finished.  I'm not even thinking about backing and binding yet.  I am enjoying it daily on my bedroom wall. 

It definitely qualifies for the Brave Quilter this month and I'm very thankful to Julie at

http://www.pinkdoxies.com/   for running the Brave Quilter, which has inspired me to tackle new or difficult projects.

Take a look at other treasures this week at these fun links.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

RSC16 week 44

SERENGETI SUNSET

Africa is always a hot place, so this portrays the end of a steamy jungle day.  The elephants are on their way to the watering hole for relief.  They love to swim or role in the mud.  Are you getting the picture?

This is my final RSC16 block for the year.  I was really stumped until I found the elephants.  But the sky pleces are my favorite part.  I already have a plan for my improv blocks as a modern quilt.

120 QUILTS!

The Monona Quilters have a semiannual collection of quilts which are given to local charities in the Madison, WI area.  These were the 120 quilts collected from 40 of our members on Monday.  Added to the May collection, the yearly total was nearly 300 quilts.  They include neonatal flannels for the UW Madison Hospital, Project Linus quilts for sick or needy children, veteran quilts, halfway house bed quilts, lap quilts for nursing homes and other charities.  One member has made tactile quilts for the Wisconsin School for the Blind as well.  We are very proud of our generous members who donate their time and supplies for these many recipients.

Modern HST Sampler Third Quarter progress:  

Here are my third quarter blocks for Modern HST Sampler at Blossom Heart Quilts.  The total in December will be 24 and I hope to be very comfortable making HSTs by then, which has been the goal for this project.

Fall has a sense of winding down for me.  Of course, bears go into hibernation for the winter, but we quilters are just gearing up for big finishes, holiday projects and plenty of stitching time on all those WIPs which have been piling up. So have a fun productive week, everyone!

Take a look at what's happening at 

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

Modern HST Sampler Q3

.  I lost my son to cancer and could not make the Ribbons block. So I substituted Folded Box.

RSC16 week 43

TWINKLER FINISH FOR NOW

The small quilt that has given me the most headaches and frustration this year is finally a completed flimsy.  I am going to hang it on my wall and enjoy it as is.  After all, the goal of making it was to enjoy it, and I LOVE it.

The border fabric was just there waiting for me, a half yard of sparkling night stars.  It was down in the bottom of a drawer and almost got overlooked.  Thank the Lord, He provided the exact amount I needed for this 4-inch wide border.  This width really balances the rest of the piece, any narrower would have been less effective.

The total size will be about 36" finished.  I'm not even thinking about backing and binding.

In fact, my machine is in dire need of an overhaul and repair job.  A friend has told me about a gentleman who does his own repairs aside from his regular work and she has seen what good  work he does.  This next month or so I could get along without it, perhaps borrow one from my daughter.  A good chance to practice my fusing techniques as well.  Then I'll be ready for the new RSC17 year.

My next little quilt of the week is probably the oldest by far.

This doll quilt is 14 inches square.  It has no batting, just one piece of a medium brown small print for backing.

I don't remember where I got it, possibly at an atique show years ago.  By then I had been studying old quilts for a long time and recognized how precious it was.

  It has many places where the fabric has rotted away, mainly in the pale pink pieces and some brown ones.  There is no green, just some greenish blue pieces with little figures printed.

  All of the prints are small, nothing larger, elegant or stylish.  Most likely it was made by a mother without means, but a love for her little girl, sometime in the mid-19th century. 

 Its fragile state today makes me glad I was able to give it a good home.  I hope you have enjoyed seeing this little treasure of mine.  

Take a look at other treasures this week at these fun links.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

RSC16 week 42

TWINKLER ALMOST FINISHED

When I started to think about a tenth and final Twinkler block for October, I realized I did not need one. My simple format was just the blocks and a border, for a wall hanging.  I have the nine blocks already for a 3 by 3 setting.  Here's how they look on the design  floor.

I'm very happy with this arrangement and have even found the exact amount needed for a perfect border.  

I also completed my tenth 16-patch block at 8 inches finished.  The fall colors were a joy to work with, especially because the trees are turning color quickly now.

 

The darker colors represent the large amount of rainfall we've had, usually coming with lots of lightening and thunder.  It's a good way to end this RSC16 collection.  

I still have my last improv block to finish, also the same size.  It's going to take some experimenting with layouts, whether to use them separate or together. I'm just now thinking of perhaps alternating bright solids, which I've been collecting  (splurging on) lately.  I'll be taking lots of photos of the design process along the way.

Going back in time there was a little girl......

And a sweet petite doll quilt, sitting just where the little girl left it on her antique chair.  Her mama said the chair was her grandma's when she was a little girl during the Civil War.  So off she went to find her dolly to wrap it up nice and warm.  The dolly was made by her father out of a clothespin, so this tiny 6-inch quilt is just the right size for her.  The little squares are 5/8 " each.  It is hand pieced and quilted.  The backing is some sturdy upholstery fabric, probably no need for batting.  The fabrics would seem to date it in the 1930's.

 I am enjoying sharing these special old quilts with all of you.  I hope you like them because I have quite a few more.

Happy October, everyone.  I hope you will check out these wonderful links to see what fine work everyone is doing.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

   soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

RSC16 week 41

FALL FROLIC

The yellow and orange Rainbow Scrap Challenge fall colors are fun to work with this month.  For the Modern HST Sampler this week I chose to do an alternate 12-inch block called Frolic, taken from Patchwork Square web site, which I used for my last Modern HST Sampler block.  The diagram shows a blank center spot, which I filled with the perfect fall leaf fabric, so I call it Fall Frolic.

Just looking at this block makes me feel so happy, remembering my father raking up piles of leaves for us to jump in, and then baking potatoes in the burning pile.  

My October boat is a sturdy one with a really solid-looking keel.  It can take being tossed around by a hurricane.  My uncle always rode out storms on his boat so it would not crash into a dock or be blown ashore.  He never lost any of his boats.

Here is another of my antique small quilts, probably made about the 1870's to 1890's.  It is sturdy and in good condition.  The outer border is a four-color print of a paisley type.  It could have been used for a hot pad.

Tonight we are going to finally have weater in the forties, which should bring out the leaf colors at last.

May all of you have good quilting time this week and perhaps meet a goal or two.  I will be linking up at the following blogs.  Please join me to see all the excellent quilt projects.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at 

soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

Sew Cute Tuesday at 

Young Texan Mama

RSC16 week 40

ROSE REDS FOR 50 YEARS

My final red block for September is my 8.5-inch improv block.  I was totally uninspired this week with no idea where to begin.  Then I came across a charm pack called Rio, which I had bought for an excellent price at Missouri Star online.  It recalls the Brazilian scenes and colors.

I found an image of a bright parrot and that was my starting point.  I actually finished the whole block in no time. When you're hot, you're hot. 

Only one other piece is from the Rio group, the brights on black.  Can't tell if they are tropical leaves or fireworks; both work fine.

With that finished I had time to work on the new project I mentioned last week.   Ages ago I bought a FQ group of 20 prints,  Just Type by Patty Young for Michael Miller.  I finally decided on a parttern for them.

This is the Color Works pattern, which has been popular in our Monona Quilters group, usually done with batiks.  The black really works well with them.  I'm making a twin size, with appeal for a man or someone in computers.

Since this is the last chance for rose, I have a partial photo of the first quilt I ever bought,  to use on our double bed.  I found it in an antique shop.  The owner asked $35 and that was right in my price range as a newlywed.  I put it through the washer and dryer once.  I thought maybe it was from the 1930's.  A long search began to find out more.  

Guess what?  In the first year of Quilters Newsletter publication I sent for a free issue, number six I think, a few pages in black and white.  There was a diagram of my pattern, a variation of Harrison Rose, named for President William Henry Harrison, and the quilt dates to the 1840's era!  There are more clues, such as the colors, the type of dyes, like the early red which breaks down.  Needless to say, I have not put it through the wash since then.

So that was the start of my study of antique quilts, collecting, studying and dating them for over 50 years.  When I get better photos I will show it in more detail.  It does have hearts quilted in the background, which were used for bridal quilts.  You can see one in the photo.

I've had a good time this month, quilting and blogging, entering the Original Design category in the Festival and seeing lots of wonderful quilts.  I hope you had a chance to visit it also.  Congrats to Cynthia for winning People's Choice.  

Have a good time starting out with October colors.

I link up with

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at 

soscrappy 

Oh, Scrap! at 

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

Sew Cute Tuesday at 

Young Texan Mama

RSC16 week 39

ROSES ARE STILL BLOOMING

I have had a lot of fun this week and reached a goal as well.

My 16-patch block in Rose was easy to make, with plenty of great scraps to use.  It did not even make a dent in the pile.  I was surprised to find just the right touches of gold for variety.

Meanwhile I received the next Modern HST Sampler block, which did not please me at all.  So I decided to substitute another 12-inch block.  I found a great source at PATCHWORK SQUARE, a collection of free block patterns.  It is well organized and I found the 12-inch blocks, all alphabetized with lovely fabric choices in the diagrams.  As I scrolled through them I liked Aunt Suckey's Choice, Blueberry Pie and a surprise, Folded Corners block, which I have seen on Pinterest with other names like Folded Box.  I've been thinking  about making it for months because of the wonderful 3-D effect.  The PDF instructions include three size versions and excellent diagrams.  

I have to give credit for my inspiration here to Julie in GA, who does these blocks so beautifully.

Since I am showing some of my vintage small quilts, here is just a simple potholder, most likely an orphan  block.  It is backed in green plaid, with thick batting and crudely quilted in the ditch.  Very serviceable, but I have it tacked up on my kitchen wall to enjoy daily.

That completes my September blocks except for the improv block.  I was so excited about doing the Folded Corners block that I put everything else aside until next week.

So I hope to see all of your lovely September goodies at Rainbow Scrap Challenge  and wish you all good health.

I'm linking up with

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at

soscrappy

Oh, Scrap! at

Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework

Sew Cute Tuesday at

Young Texan Mama

Bloggers Quilt Festival 2016

ORIGINAL DESIGN CATEGORY 

EXPLORATION

This wall hanging, 12 inches on each side of the octagon, was made for a challenge to use the purple and blue geometric print provided.  It was awarded first place in Best Use of Fabric at our local quilt show.  It is entirely my own design, dividing it into eight segments and piecing them as I moved outward.

It's the story of the little man in the center, who is coming out of his isolation and is ready to step out and explore the world.  The first area is bright and full of ideas, art, music and writing, any type of creativity.

Beyond that is the world of living things, plants and animals.  Beyond that is the vastness of space with comets, stars and other worlds.   

I free motion quilted it entirely with metallic thread.  That was my first attempt and was not at all easy, but it did get finished.  I used different freehand motifs like swirls in the sky, and leaf and feather motifs in the live plant areas, just improvising in each segment.

     It certainly was a challenge and remains on of my favorite quilts.

Linked up with Bloggers Quilt Festival at 

Amy's Creative Side

RSC 16 week 38

QUILTED MEMORIES  

"My Baby's Gone and Left Me"

Back in the 1980's I tried lots of different quilting techniques.  Paper piecing had become very popular and one of our guild members in the Seattle area started manufacturing the precut pieces, a real step forward in English paper piecing.  This quilt was my only finished example of that work.

My daughter started college that year, so that was the inspiration for this picture of a child's wood blocks scattered on the floor when she left. I found this piece of striped fabric for a color basis and appliquéd the blocks.  Then I hand quilted the vertical stripes and added lines for the block shadows.

The name seemed so appropriate and it has hung in my home ever since.  The only time she truly left us was to Ivory Coast, Africa for three months of volunteer nursing on board the Mrecy Ship.

We now live only a mile apart, but she has traveled much of the world in the past years.

The second significant quilt for me was my first Project Linus quilt.  I had joined the Monona Quilters group and was eager to take part in their biannual charity quilt collection.  

This Rail Fence was super easy with my new stash of jelly rolls.  I used a colorful fleece blanket. 50 X 60 inches, for backing.  I tied it, which was a mistake with fleece.  It fights back when you try to push that needle through.  But no batting was needed and the fleece was very inexpensive.  On the next one I used machine tacking, so much easier and no pliers needed!

Here is my latest block for Modern HST Sampler, Cross Angle, done in rose for RSC16.

I did not like the white center block it called for. So once again I searched for something more colorful.  I found the floral scrap stuffed in the bottom of a drawer.  It saved the day for me.  Once I get an idea of what I want I hang in there until I find a way to do it.  However, I'm not as persistent when it comes to perfect seams and matching corners.  It has to be fun and not work.  Don't you agree?  Have a fun week! 

I'm linking up with

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at soscrappy 

Sew Cute Tuesday at

Young Texan Mama 

Oh, Scrap! at Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework 

RSC16 week 37

EVER-POPULAR PINK

During the history of American quilt making, pink was a difficult color to produce.  Red was very popular, as in the Baltimore Album quilts of the 1850's.  After the Civil War a process of printing red and white tiny figures produced what was called ""double pink".  

Here is a small quilt top from my collection, 8 X 8 inches, 

The binding is a stable red dye from the late 1800's. It is printed with tiny black leafy twigs.  The dark blue printed with white dots has not faded at all.  That's what is good about an old flimsie which shows the unfaded colors on the back.

The reddish pink is a fine fabric and, when magnified, shows that the pink is actually woven with white and reddish warp and weft to produce the pink.  The two HSTs in the corner are faded tan with tiny rosy flowers and green leaves overprinted on white.  This block is hand pieced and dates to the second half of the 1800's.

Aren't we fortunate today to have thousands of fabrics in every color imaginable?

My little boat for September is taking off to join the fleet

I also finished my Twinker star last night after only one stint of ripping.  It took me quite a while to decide on which fabrics to use to represent colorful roses.  One of my very favorites is "Joseph's Coat", a tall climber with many shades or red, orange and gold.  That was my inspiration.

It's so nice to be working with these cheerful colors.  I hope all of you friends will enjoy this month.  After this past summer it is looking great already.  

I'm linking up with

Rainbow Scrap Challenge at soscrappy

Sew Cute Tuesday at

Young Texan Mama

RSC 16 week 36

PROGRESS REPORT

Looking back over the last few months has been fun.  I want to finish showing you my group photos of my monthly blocks.

The first one has been the most difficult to make, but also the most satisfying  because I just love these Twinkler stars.

I'm also happy with my improv blocks, where the colors were sometimes a challenge.  I found that batiks will often have the right mix, such as brown and pink, and also have some designs good for fussy cutting.

I've done two each month of the Modern HST Sampler 12-inch blocks.  Again I've used the Rainbow Scrap Challenge colors for the most part.  Lately I've switched around because I've ended up with too much purple.  So for August I made another aqua beachy block, the Whirligig.

 Here are blocks 7-12, which were for the latest Modern HST Sampler progress photo.

My only problem is having little for show and tell at our quilt group.  However, I've just been inspired to start a new quilt project, using a collection of fat eights I've had for two years.  It is Just Type by Patty Young for Michael Miller.  I have chosen a pattern very popular at our quilt group.  More next week.

Are all of you excited, relieved or exhausted now that school has started?  I hope all you moms will have some extra time for catching your breath and doing some stitching.  Fall is a great time for starting new projects, even better than the New Year I think.  I wish everyone a happy September.

I link up with RSC16 at soscrappy

Sew Cute Tuesday at Young Texan Mama

Oh Scrap! at Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework