Sooner Spirit {Quilt}

" A mile of road will take you a mile; A mile of runway can take you anywhere."

I wish I had the photo of the graduate that this quilt is going to!

  He is a young man headed to the University of Oklahoma, Department of Aviation 

this fall and is also already a REAL pilot. 

(I know that is weird to say, but it just blows my mind that he was flying planes while in high school!)

When he was a little guy, his mom tucked him in with a quilt made by his grandmother.  He would say "airplanes UP!" to her every night.  

She requested I add a bit of that fabric to the back of the quilt headed with him this fall!

 I can't tell you how excited I was to find this fabric for his backing.  

It's called Jetsetter by Tim Holtz.

Unfortunately, I did run into a bit of trouble while piecing the backing.  

When I had originally assessed and purchased the yardage, it appeared quite non-directional at first.

I had intended to have only a single stripe on the back, but when I realized all of the commercial planes appeared to be nose diving, I immediately messaged her to let her know I had to make a change in plans.  I think I said, and I quote, "There is NO way I am giving him any bad ju-ju" 

The last time I did this quilt for my own son, I did a square meandering, but this time I really wanted to do straight line quilting. 

I did a meander around the logo so that the applique would pop, with its blanket stitching, from the background.

I went with the black binding to frame the entire quilt.

I will admit, I struggled to choose the coordinating fabrics.  OU has only two specific colors for their school, Crimson and Cream.  I was so glad the Ash gray and black didn't distract from their colors!

Quilt Stats:

Measures:  71" X 89"

Pattern: Rah Rah Rally by Melissa Corry from the Moda Bakeshop Book, Sweet Celebrations.

Fabric: Kona Black, Ash, Crimson, and Natural

Quilted: Straight lines and meandering on Handiquilter Avante

Today is his graduation and I can't wait to see his reaction to his gift!

Pineapple Fun {Mini Quilt}

"Be a pineapple.  

Stand tall, wear a crown, and be sweet on the inside."

This year, the Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild decided that they wanted to do a mini swap again.  Last year, I didn't have one and it was so fun to watch everyone open and then steal away minis from each other, white elephant style.

This year, I decided I wanted to do something fun like the pineapple quilts I have been seeing around lately. I confess, I saw just saw a block on line, quickly did some quilt math, and pieced the top with 2.5" inch unfinished squares and HSTs from fabric that I scrounged from my scrap bins.

I then added matchstick quilting. 

I loooooove matchstick quilting on minis and throw pillows.

I had a lot of questions on Instagram when I posted the photo in progress.  

I used four different colors, white, light yellow, dark yellow, and a green in 50wt Gutermann using varying widths and varying stitch lengths (generally 3.0-4.5).  I have had so many questions about it that I will be making a video very soon to share.  Stay tuned!!!

The backing was a fun green print I have had in my stash for quite awhile.

I had some fun with the binding and added a bit of black and white with the yellow to frame it.

I added a printed computer label and then just used Heat n Bond to secure it to the back since it was a mini wall hanging.

Quilt Stats:

Measures: approx. 12.5" x 19"

Pattern: Pineapple Block

Fabrics: various yellows and green from stash, Kona White

Quilted: 50 wt Gutermann on Babylock Symphony

I had a great time and so glad to be able to participate this year.  

Patchwork QAL: Block Five

Are you still quilting along with us at the Fat Quarter Shop Patchwork QAL?

The Homestead Block

Another fun block with squares, rectangles and HSTs!

I think I will make a larger block version with some of my scraps in the future!

Isn't this stack just gorgeous!! 

If you haven't started it, it isn't' too late.

Block One: Souvenir of Friendship
Block Two: Diamond Pane
Block Three: Box-in-a-box

Block Four: Star and Cross

These blocks come together very quickly!  See everyone else's!!!!

The designers of the quilt's fabrics - Bonnie & Camille - are sewing along, too! Fun!

Amanda from Jedi Craft Girl (@jedicraftgirl)

Amy of Diary of a Quilter (@diaryofaquilter)

Andy of A Bright Corner (@abrightcorner)

*Bonnie of Cotton Way (@bonniecottonway)

*Camille of Thimble Blossoms (@thimbleblossoms)

Debbie of Happy Little Cottage (@happylittlecottage1)

Greg of Grey Dogwood Studio (@greydogwoodstudio)

Heidi of Buttons and Butterflies (@buttonsandbutterflies)

Melissa of Happy Quilting (@happyquiltingmc)

Melissa of Oh How Sweet (@ohhowsweet)

Pat Sloan of PatSloan.com (@quilterpatsloan)

Renee of Sewn with Grace (@sewnwithgrace)

Sedef of Down Grapevine Lane (@downgrapevinelane)

Sherri of A Quilting Life (@aquiltinglife)

Sondra of Out of the Blue Quilts (@sondradavison)

Taunja of Carried Away Quilting (@taunjalynn)

Tina of Emily Ann's Kloset (@emilyannskloset)

Carrie Nelson/Miss Rosie of Moda Cutting Table