String Basket Quilt

Sometimes you don't know. And then when you know, you know.

You know what I mean?  No? Let me explain.

I didn't know where this quilt would go, or what purpose it would serve, when I first started piecing it.  Initially it was just about using up scraps and playing along with a block swap. 

Fast-forward a few years and I was talking to my fairy quilt mother (aka my local longarmer who did the lovely quilting on Made in Color and Sassafras Leaves) and she told me about a fantastic organization that her guild was sewing for, called Positive Tomorrows. The non-profit provides school and education for homeless children in the OKC metro.  As someone who is married to a public school educator, I can only imagine what challenges home students and their teachers face.

When Diane told me what a need there was these children, and her guild's ongoing commitment to wrap those kids in a homemade quilt, I knew I had a top that meant to go to this cause.  I called my local quilt store and rented a few hours on their longarm, and BAM. Finally, this scrap basket quilt is quilted and has a purpose!

I absolutely loved quilting this, it was like a treasure hunt! With each block I re-discovered pops of patterns and hidden gems as I traveled over the blocks. 

I wanted to contrast the geometric lines with some movement in the quilting, so it has pebbles in the white lattice and swirly curves in the striped sections.

If there wasn't already a caucophony of color, the finishing touches were a bright purple backing and swirly rainbow binding.  

Last week this quilt joined a tall pile of beauties that the OKMQA members have been making for the special students of Positive Tomorrows. No matter where I go, or what guild I visit, the quilters I meet always inspire me, great job, OKMQA!

Cause: Positive Tomorrows
Size: 36 x 48"

Fabrics:  Assorted (block swap)

Binding: Circle Play by Henry Glass

Pattern: 6.5" String Blocks 

Quilting: Longarm (HandiQuilter Avante) - Pebbles and Curves 

Completed: July 2017

Making a list

Katy's opened up the 2nd quarter Finish-A-Long! I work best with deadlines, so I'm excited to give myself a boost of motivation with this link-up. Ironically enough, tomorrow is the deadline for posting our proposed finish list, and here I am, getting in right under the wire! So proof positive - deadlines work!

Even as I write this list, I know I'm being over-ambitious. But if you know anything about me you know that is kind of my style. I have captured every single one of my started projects. Let's see how much I can get done in the next 3 months! It was a bit of a reality check to see how many there are. 

Small projects-

1. Monkey QFK-

This baby size quilt is destined for Quilts for Kids and it is so close... it's quilted so now all I need to do is put on binding!

2. Duck QFK-

This one is also destined for Quilts for Kids. Obviously it's not as close to finished but since it is a small project I think we can whip this out before the end of Q2.  I'm already thinking about how I want to put that maybe a modified Baptist's fan? Hrmmm, we'll see.

3. Turtle QFK-

Are we seeing a theme here? Top is pieced and needs to be basted.

4. Jungle quilt-

Pieces are cut and pinned, but I can't remember what the pattern was so I need to so some math before I can make real progress on this. 

5. Scrap-basket strip quilt-

I started this one as part of a block swap and have just sewn the last 20 6.5" blocks needed to get to this size. I don't know yet if it will stay with me or be gifted, but I do know that I want to try some free motion quilting on this one. Before I can do that though I'll need to pick out some backing and binding fabric. I pulled a black and white polka dot hoping I could calm down the crazy, what do you think?

6.  Halloween Table runner-

I ran low on the black fabric, got frustrated with the borders being too small to piece and stalled out this project. I will just bite the bullet and seam rip off the offending black border. The nice thing about this is even if I don't get to it before the end of the 2nd quarter, I'll have time to still get it done for the holiday.

Big projects-

7. The maroon and orange one-

That's a pretty unexciting name for one that I like so much... what should I call it?? These blocks are sewn, squared, and ready to go! I need to start joining rows. I haven't done so yet because some of the white strips in the middle are varying in widths and it will take a little bit of finesse to get things lined up. Thankfully now that I have a design wall I can lay things out without crawling all over the floor. So, no excuses, let's get this one done this quarter! 

8. Sister's grad quilt-

This is basted and has been since February.  I need to conquer my fear of wrestling this bad boy under my domestic machine. Well, sister graduated last May so it's seriously overdue.

9.  Anniversary quilt-

This is the biggest, hardest and most sentimental project on my WIP list. I've got quite a few more blocks to piece to get it to the planned queen bed size, and they are time consuming. But the result is so worth it! Hoping to get this done this summer, get it to a long-armer and enjoy it for our 4th wedding anniversary in August. We'll see...

10. Made in Color-

 Started as part of a quilt-a-long, I ran short of some fabrics in the fuschia colorway, and set it aside. Two more points to go before I can piece the background.

11. Across the sea

This was my first QAL! I got to the point where I needed to add the last and had to pack up to move. That was 2 years ago. Oh I am a compulsive quilt staller... is there a support group out there for us?!

12. Sisters quilt-

My sister and I picked up fabric for us to make matching quilts (same colored strips, but different neutrals). I am still in love with the idea of us having different but similar quilts, that we work on together. Our strips our cut, but the sewing has yet to happen. Sorry about the terrible cell phone photo. Trust me when I say those prints are CUTE!

13. Mod mosiac bonus quilt

I'm piecing these improv blocks to use up scraps. Since this is a 'bonus' quilt I am not putting the pressure on to finish it this quarter.  I'll put it here though to keep me honest when I get tempted to start something new.

Sheesh! I better get cracking!

Fabric, for $0 a yard!??

This set of string quilt blocks is on my design wall. 12" blocks, all from scraps and improv pieced.

And it didn't even put a dent in the scrap boxes....

It's destined to be donated to Quilts for Kids, but not before I practice some free motion quilting on it.

I am working hard to used what I have on hand, and to finish projects.

Just when my willpower was waning, this happened:

I announced excitedly that fabric was on sale for $5/yd at one of my favorite online shops this morning. Hubby smiled, took my hand and walked me to the closet where my stash is housed. He pointed at the boxes, and said "fabric, $0 per yard".

Well played hubby, well played.

Travelin' and Stashin'

When you travel out of town, out of state, or maybe even out of the country, do you make it a point to add local quilt stores to your itinerary?

Today, I DID!!

I'm in Oklahoma City this week for work. From the little of it I've seen, it's a great city. Have you been here?

I take a 6 am flight out tomorrow, but I discovered there are a few quilt stores in the area (thanks to the almighty google)...so I jetted out of my last meeting for the day and found my way over to Oklahoma Quiltworks.

 

I should have taken more photos of the shop, but as soon as I walked in I got sucked into the wall of pretties! You understand....Check out their website for a sneak peek. :)

With only 10 minutes to explore before they closed I did a quick loop around the store and found some goodies!

I had a few low-volume fat quarters picked out but ultimately settled on 1/2 yard cuts of these three neutral-ish (that's the technical term for it, ha!) geometric prints by Moda. 

I also picked up this great pattern, by Allison Harris who blogs at Cluck Cluck Sew, which I'd pinned a while ago. It's not new, but the fact that I still like it 2 years later means we're destined to be together, right?
It's fun to see some your favorite online designers' and bloggers' patterns in person, don't you think??

The ladies who worked at Quiltworks in OKC were very sweet and the store is just wonderful. They had a TON of modern prints, some great reproductions, a nice variety of precuts. I wish I could have had more time there! Although, for the sake of my budget and the carry-on weight limit on the plane, it's probably for the best that I only had a few minutes to dash in and out.

I do wish now that I had gone ahead and bought those other fun low volume prints, but I was trying to exercise something that resembles self restraint. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to plan for a longer visit on my next trip into town.

Hear that boss? I'm pretty sure there are some really important meetings I need to attend out here.. *hint hint*


Recently, I came across these blocks which are from the first round of the Mini Scrap Basket Swap. I think I'll turn them into a small lap quilt. It's good to see them in the day of light again! I'm sure that 5 more 12" blocks I need to finished this one out won't even put a dent in my scraps, but it'll be a good start!

Friday Night Sew In (12/9/2011)

 I had a pretty hot date last night. Well, of the sewing variety anyway.


I made myself a cup of hot cider, 2.5" ruler, and copy paper,
put on Miracle on 34th Street and got to work!

I originally signed up to do 16 of these blocks (they are a 6.5 inch version of this tutorial), back in October.

They go together really quickly.

I got 10 completely sewn and trimmed, and still have lots of strips cut and ready to go.
 

Oh, and the fact that my drawer of scraps is not overflowing anymore? That feels pretty darn good :)

I have a sneaky suspicion that I'm going to stop once I hit 16...