If you are sensing a theme by now? Yes. I've been making a lot of "twin" quilts lately. I'm just love making two nice sized lap quilts we will use as a family versus one large quilt no one will use around these parts.
I fell in love with this backing fabric I picked up at Joann Fabrics.
I HAD to use the Glasswings pantograph pattern again.
The Sesame Seed Omni Thread by Superior Threads blended in perfectly with the background, jelly roll fabrics and backing.
And I still had enough of the Aria pink fabric to use for the binding of both quilts.
Quilt Stats
Measure:
Pattern: 6th Grade Quilt from the Precut Primer book by MeandMySistersDesigns
Fabric: Aria by Kate Spain for Moda Fabrics and Kona Sand by Robert Kaufman
Quilted: Glasswings Pantograph with Sesame Sead Omni Thread on HQ Avante
I adore these quilts on my chairs and I really do call one Sweet and the other Delightful!
I have a recurring theme this year. I call it "To the Last Drop Mission".
Basically? When I open up a precut from my stash or new order?
I try to use every single last bit on projects so that I don't have a massive amount sitting around.
After making two large lap quilts and a trivet with my Aria jelly rolls, I cut strips to make a third lap quilt. And I STILL had plenty of leftover triangles I had cut out of my strips to make a baby quilt.
I could have cut just enough from each pieced strip when I made the lap quilts, but I figured I could piece the leftovers and make a baby quilt.
It was tricky, but I finally found a layout I thought would work.
I raided my stash and found just enough of some leftover Navy grunge to use as a background.
My original plan didn't work out and I did have to settle with the fact that there wasn't going to be more space between each hexagons vertically, but I went with it.
I also found some matching blue minky in my stash for the backing.
I did some simple quilting in each block and meander in the navy.
I am kicking myself for using the blue minky with the white blocks on the front.
I sometimes find the minky fibers will come to the top when I use a darker color for my backing and a lighter top.
With all the navy in the backing and background, I felt that the pink binding would bring out the great block colors.
I'm not sure where it is going quite yet, but its done and I didn't waste valuable fabric block scraps!
Now all that is left is to piece the other large quilt I have cut out!
When I was cutting double strips, I eeked out at least one block from each double strip and had enough mismatched blocks to make a Baby Aria Quilt. Stay tuned for the finish!
The remaining jelly roll strips, along with some solid strips I cut, were relegated to a new quilt, the 6th grade quilt, from Me & My Sisters Designs, Precut Primer Book. Can't wait to start piecing it!
Not a single scrap of this fabric is being left behind!!!
If you are returning to put your quilt top together, here is the next video from Fat Quarter Shop.
It's pretty short and sweet. Place your blocks in a layout that works for you.
I played around quite a bit and tried to be intentional and make "rings" of certain colors, but eventually settled on spreading the color all about. Do you just LOVE the texture of the Aria Waterfall background makes!
I was super worried about my choice, but now I am thrilled!!!
Occasionally, I will notice that my background is distracting me from making good color distribution decisions, so I will opt to not put the background pieces up until I'm sure I like the layout.
(psssst....I have short people problems and the quilt was taller than me...so I used the floor too)
Time to piece together each row.
As you can see, I like to use my small design boards. I used Bee in a Bonnet's tutorial a long time ago and its easy to follow. If you don't want to make them? Guess what! Fat Quarter Shop sells several sizes and even has a Master Collection of them.
I digress...the row piecing.
One thing I would like to point out. Sometimes I found that I didn't have a blunt end meeting on my triangles.
A trick I have learned is that even if my "dog ear" is pressed a different direction?
I just pull it up from behind and have it "match" up with the tip of my triangle. And when I know it lines up, I release it back to its position, pinch and hold the placement, and stitch away. Oh......did I mention I rarely pin? If you do, I would pin it when I was happy with the placement!. It alleviates that 1/4 inch stress you can sometimes have with triangle piecing!
After I pieced each row and double checking my photo on my phone for the correct placement, I mark my rows with numbers I made a few years ago. I've also made button clips in the past, but have been using these for awhile instead.
This has been somewhat of a lifesaver, because by the time I press my rows, chain piece, or just whatever, I am 98% sure I will have to have a date with my seam ripper.
I am showing you how I pinned my first row just like Kimberly suggested.
Buuuut, I ended up just stitching without pins after that. I am just not a "pinner" and I am okay with that.
I'm full of all sorts of tips, because I guess I am in a tippy mood today, but wanted to point out that I don't stitch row by row.
I tend to stitch in chunks. I'm not sure why it makes me feel more accomplished but chunks bring me more satisfaction than row after row building.
Here is a one quick last look at my Quilt one before the last seam. You'll be able to see it and the second one....and maybe a few extras soon! Stay tuned!!
Check out the other bloggers who are making there way through the quilts too!
It's time for the next round of the Little Ruby Quilt Along with Fat Quarter Shop!
Constructing that quilt star blocks!
In case you just arrived and said, part two?? No worries! Part One is HERE.
Make sure you watch the video below before starting! Kimberly points out some very useful tips!
My Quilt
First, let us simply admire the yummy jelly roll chain pieced pile.
Honestly? This part was enjoyable. It's pretty mindless and I need that here in and there while working on a quilt. This is the easy stuff. Press the strips open. Cut triangles...
I've decided after using this Creative Grid Strip ruler, I feel the MOST comfortable placing my hand inside the triangle. Placing my fingers on the straight edge is a little too close for comfort.
Next step. Separate the two block parts.
Print (left) versus Solid (right)
This is where things slowed down for me. I wanted to be thoughtful with my blocks by playing with color shades with my fabric selections.
Grab up your six "print" block parts to make your first quilt star block.
Follow Kimberly's instructions in the video about the dog ear placements
Do you just love!?!?!
Remember that "bonus" second quilt? Here it is!!!
Gather your solid bottom triangles and arrange them like this.
The original one on the video and image appears to be scrappy, but this was my first rogue moment. I decided to use the same print for all the block parts.
Piece the block units just like the first block.
A second quilt block!!
I'm getting very excited to have two quilts that are alike, yet different!
Yes...I said two. 
