Quilt in a Day

This is the fastest quilt I've ever finished. Big, chunky pieces = done in a snap! I got my inspiration for this post on I'm a Ginger Monkey's blog. The original creator features a tutorial here.

I used some Anna Maria Horner Velveteen and some coffee colored Timeless Treasures Sketch for the background. The squares are 13-1/2" and the quilt is 55" x 55".

The velveteen was not the easiest fabric to work with, but I got some tips on the internet and the secret is to pin the heck out of it. Easy, peasy.

Ho Ho Ho!

Every year when I get out the Christmas decorations, the family stockings have looked more and more dated. I made the kids' stockings from an old Debbie Mumm pattern using fusible applique. They've held up pretty well, but my daughter's stocking has been losing a letter every year. In 2010, there was one "L" remaining. Last Christmas, there was nothing left.

I've wanted to make this stocking ever since Camille Roskelley introduced her Merry pattern. After Christmas last year, I anxiously waited for Moda's Blitzen by Basic Grey to hit the stores and now that the fabric is available, I'm in full production mode!

Here are the first 4 of 5 mini quilts that will be become the Stashmaster family stockings for 2012. No fusible applique for the names this year, though. I want these to last!!!

Now for something completely different

This is the last of the small quilts for a while. I took a class from Jo Morton in 2007. This is her Peppermint Twist quilt from the book, Remembrances. I made all the churn dash blocks right away, but the applique has languished.

Let me confess - I am not skilled at applique. I've taken a class, I work with several ladies who are experts at applique but it hasn't rubbed off on me. My sister-in-law Jan, who also works at the quilt store, does the most beautiful applique work. A while back, I asked her if she would make the center of this block for me and she said she would be happy to do it.

When I got the center back from her recently, the beauty of her work took my breath away, and I couldn't wait to finish this quilt top. First, I had to trim that beautiful center. It took me several attempts before I had the courage to cut, afraid I might ruin it! But I did, and then made 32 teeny flying geese for the border. To my surprise and delight, the border fit perfectly around the center!

Next, I pieced the 4 corner units and, again, everything fit together perfectly with no problems. Until it came to assembling the quilt. That's when I discovered the center unit was too big to fit the corner units.

I took it to the quilt store, exasperated. My coworkers pointed out that the center setting triangles left too much of a seam allowance and that trimming it to a perfect quarter inch would help.

I took the quilt home and did just that. It made sense. However, the center was still too big. I did some creative seaming and made it fit. It's not perfect, will never win any ribbons, but I still think it's a beautiful quilt. Just don't scrutinze very closely. Maybe that will quilt out?

By George

And next up is my finished top of George - another of Carrie Nelson's Schnibbles patterns. This one is made from Moda's Charlevoix fabric designed by Minick and Simpson. I love how bright and cheerful these fabrics are and again, I had no trouble at all with the pattern. Easy peasy!

My Good Fortune

The second Schnibble I finished for my office is this one, Good Fortune. It's made with Moda's Howard Marcus Traditions fabrics, the same as Carrie's example. I love the colors and this quilt could not have gone together any more perfectly.

Another one of the small quilts I've been working on has a diagonal set like this quilt, but the designer does not explain that you need to trim the 4 corner units before putting the quilt together. I was pulling my hair out wondering why things weren't fitting. I'm once again reminded how thorough and accurate Carrie's directions are.

Schnibbling

Ok, yes, I know I haven't blogged in ages! I moved into a new office space in March. Love the fact that I have windows and a great view! But saddened that I no longer have room to hang a full sized quilt.

Since the only finished small quilts I have are Halloween and Christmas, I set to work making some smaller quilts for my cubicle walls.

Here is my first top. I made Novantique using an older Minnick and Simpson collection called Vintage Reserve. I left the border off to make a small quilt, 20 x 27. So that's what kept me away. That and an unfortunate cross country skiing accident. Ever pulled a hamstring? OMG, pain like none other. Took almost a month, but I'm finally getting back to normal. Stay tuned - I have 3 other small quilts to share!

Blog Hop, Day 3

Wow - thanks to the many blog hoppers who left comments for me yesterday. It's always interesting to hear how you like to buy and use (or in some cases, don't use!) fabric. I'm knee deep in charm squares right now - I pulled out my stash of charms to get some smaller quilts made for my new office work space. So even though I'm not participating in Another Year of Schnibbles, I've been Schnibbling. Yes I have.

I hope you will stop in and visit Denise at Quilters Window and the talented Monique Dillard at Open Gate Quilts to see what they have to share with you from the book Traditional Fat Quarter Quilts.