Not So Naughty Nines {Quilt}

 This is Naughty Nines Quilt fraternal twin.  With the improv process, I ended up with two blocks.  One the reverse of the other.  They aren't exactly the same, but it be hard to tell the difference unless you have them right next to each other.

Can you see how some of the prints are flip-flopped? Especially the solid blocks.

I had to pieced the second one a little differently. The important thing about improv is that things aren't always the same each time.  I had to adjust my block sizes in order to use some of the smaller blocks.  It ended being more rectangular than square.

However, I did quilt it exactly the same.

I love how the sandstone thread calms the more gray low volume blocks to the entire background reads more beige taupe than a smattering of gray and beige.

I used the same binding also.  I did run out, so if you look suuuuper closely on the whole quilt picture, you can see a bit of solid taupe to finish it off.

Quilt Stats:

Measures: 38" x 50"

Pattern: Wonky Nine Patch Improv
Fabric: Moda Solids and a smattering of stash/scrap low volume

Quilted: Freemotion on Handiquilter Avante

The thing I loved the most was that I sorta got two quilts for the price of one!

Monster Bash {Quilt}

 My first 2017 finish....a Halloween quilt....am I early or late is the question?

To continue with the 2016 Theme of Sewing my Stash, this past October, I rummaged through my precut bookcase and found one remaining Halloween charm pack.  It was Monster Bash by Moda Fabrics I had bought to use as a backup option for quilt I made a client called Trick or Treat Quilt. However, I eventually found the original charm square pack she had requested like the original I had made.

I also pulled some stash for background, Essex Linen in Natural, and added a few leftover Riley Blake Lost & Found layer cake cuts from my Halloween Checkmate Quilts.

 This block is suuuuper easy to make using Material Girl's tutorial HERE.

Even Button became interested and very involved.  He loved "flipping" the pieces.

And he was so determined that we finish the quilt, he helped me with the piecing on the machine since he was determined to have it finished by the end of the weekend. We both agreed we liked the thin black with wider linen borders to make it larger.

I didn't have a good amount of yardage I liked for the backing, so I did purchase some fabric from Joann's.  We chose this Witches on Brooms on a gray background.

I was skeptical when I brought it home because I realized there weren't any gray blocks on the front, but went with it because I have no plans as of this moment to make another Halloween quilt since we currently have five.  I then changed direction from the original orange/brown dot fabric for the binding and pulled this black and white dot from my stash.

I have to say that I actually liked the gray background now. The white and black spiderweb blocks read that same tone.

I REALLY enjoyed quilting on the linen. In the past, I've been a bit frustrated that my quilting hasn't "shown" up and sorta blends in.  But the Essex linen played nicely.

I origianlly had intended to do spiderweb blocks and only did one small corner and changed direction with the more floral center.  The border is a wavy triangle all around.

I love that it will blend right in our more formal room, we jokingly call The Library.

Halloween 2016

I think it will bring in some color for Halloween?  

Don't you?

Quilt Stats:

Measures: 50" square

Pattern: Disappearing Four Patch (Tutorial at Material Girl's)

Fabrics: Moda Monster Bash, Riley Blake Lost & Found, Robert Kaufman Kona Black, Robert Kaufman Essex linen, Joann Fabrics Witch and Black and White Dot

Quilted: Freemotion on Handiquilter Avante

The best part?  When I finished the binding and presented it to Button? 

His response was "WE made that mom!  Great job team!" with a double high five.

He makes my day in an instant!

Sincere Wishes {Fidget Quilt}

"The sincere friends of this world are as ship lights in the stormiest nights."

Last Christmas, I made my grandparents a quilt HERE using the Sincere Best Wishes fabric by Henry Glass and the pattern called Thistle by Fat Quarter Shop's book Simply Fat Quarters.

It's a sensitive family topic, but my grandfather was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a few years ago.

I hunted for information that could help him, and my grandmother, manage anxiety that it crease. I came across what is called a Fidget Quilt in my investigations.

  My former nurse self could see the value in having, what is a basically, an activity blanket for him. Textures to fiddle anxious hands.   However. I was very turned off by the idea that they looked like infant/toddler activity mats. I decided that I was going to just make them a quilt that had very subtle things for his hand to grab.

I've had a Elizabeth Hartman quilt pattern called the Kitchen Window marked in her Modern Patchwork book for a long time in mind for a memory quilt.  I was excited to realize I was going to be able to use up the rest of the original fabric bundle of the first quilt.  A matching quilt, but a decidedly more masculine pattern.

I cut all the block parts first and then raided my notions bins.  Zippers, lace, and ribbons were gathered and attached those first to any block parts that I could "hide" it in.

Never having more than two "texture" Block parts in one block.

It was a very simply constructed quilt and I was able to use stash only.  (I'm still not sure if I should be proud of that or not).

The backing had me stopped in my tracks for a few days.  I am at a point where I just don't have a lot of yardage to make backings.  Pieced backing it seemed to call for again.  This time, I realized that I could squeeze some stash into a giant block mimicking the smaller blocks in the front.  After some math crunching,  it was successful in the endeavor.

I was worried I wouldn't be able to center the giant block on my long arm, and it is a bit off, but I was pleased that I was somewhat close.

I opted to do a simple meandering since their were so many notions and bits I had to make my way around.

Lace bits and layers.

Folded fabric block parts.

And functional zippers by layering the same fabric under the zipper parts to make a "pocket".

Binding was made with my preciously hoarded Painted Canvas fabric.

Two happy grandparents who didn't even realize it was a "fidget" blanket

and were just happy for a twin to go with their previous quilt.

Quilt Stats:

Measures: 52" x 68"

Pattern: Kitchen Window by Elizabeth Hartman

Fabric: Sincere Best Wishes by Henry Glass Fabrics, 

Kona Brown and Sandstone, Free Spirit Painted Canvas in Teal

Quilted: Free motion meandering on Handiquilter Avante

A New Leaf {Quilt}

 "Everyday is a new opportunity. Another chance to make it.
Better, brighter, happier.
Please never forget.  Promise you'll hold tight.
Because wonderful surprises await you and everything
will turn out right"

On May 1, 2016, a wildfire began southwest of Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. 

On May 3, it swept through the community, destroying approximately 2,400 homes and buildings and forcing the largest wildfire evacuation in Albertan history. 

It is the costliest disaster in Canadian history.

And my good friend Sherry had to evacuate her family.  

But not only evacuate, but leave her husband behind to fight the fires.  He is a firefighter.

To say she was terrified and anxious during that time is an understatement.

I'm always unsure if a quilt is the right gift during these moments. I've done charity quilts before.  But this one was different.  This was a fellow babyloss mom that was in need of a hug.  And if a quilt isn't a hug? I don't know what else is! 

I knew I wanted to do a leaf quilt for her.  Something that was "Canada" but also something that reflected all the photos she was posting.  The area is gorgeous and I knew a modern maple quilt might work the best.  I raided my stash and literally pulled all the colors I saw in her "before the fire" pictures. 

The blues were for the skies, but also a color I've seen in her home decorations.
The pattern I used came together really easily.  But I was a bit stuck on the quilting.

All I could think of was wind and movement and went with it.

I originally wanted to do a blue or black binding to match her home decor, but sometimes you just have to accept that it may not be their color, but a color the quilt needs.  An orange tone on tone leaf print was begging to be used!

I had a paisley blue 108" wide backing that fit the bill from my stash.
And I had to make an embroidered quilt label with a Canadian Leaf!

 Quilt Stats:
Measures: 59" x 70"
Pattern: Modern Maples by Lark Craft
Fabrics:  Complete stash
Quilted: Free motion on HQ Avante longarm

My favorite moment was seeing the quilt on her couch.  

The couch is in her home.  

They were one of the "lucky" families that finally were able to return to the area.

  I hope they find their way to recovery and the area returns, especially the leaves in all their glory, just as beautifully as it was before the fire.