Judge Pride Quilt {School Auction Quilt}

Ever since I made my oldest his Marquette Bound quilt, I knew I wanted to make other patterns in school colors with the logos in the futures. School auctions are the perfect moment for me to do so. Especially if it doesn't have to be a "class participation" like a lot of them I've made in the past. 

Since I have boys, I always try to think in terms of "would a boy want this quilt too?" when I choose a pattern. Missouri Star Quilt Company (MSQC) has a great Houndstooth pattern that seemed to fit the bill. 

I also purchased the four colors I needed from MSQC. 
Kona Tomato, Kona Black, Kona Corn Yellow, and Kona White. 

I had planned out in Photoshop the tartan color pattern I wanted. 

I cut my charms and strips and pieced my blocks like a mad woman. 

And it didn't look awful,

but I just didn't love the way the Houndstooth pattern didn't seem distinct for each block. 

So I reworked the math and made some mixed striped blocks and went to bed. 

The next morning, I realized I let my excitement get away from me the night before because I had cut and pieced the wrong yellow from my stash.

Oopsies.

No worries. I made some more with the correct yellow and I'm saving the oopsies for another fun project. I might even name it "Oopsie".

The extra work paid off and I loved that I made the extra effort to get it "right". 

Once I had it all laid out and pieced, I spent some time working on the logo.

 I would be a liar if I didn't tell you it took me several hours to draw on wonder under, cut and appliqué each layer. 

But it was so worth it. 

I chose the pantograph Quirky pattern

and used my old reliable off white Omni thread by Superior Threads.

I love, love, love a pantograph on Shannon Fabrics minky backing.

and the simple quilting pattern I used on the logo.

A pop of the Kona Black for the binding. 

A printed quilt label on the back.  

I love the stripe that breaks up the two minky pieces that are needed to make it wider.  I couldn't get a 90" backing in time for quilting!
 

And it was all ready for the school auction......early!!!!!

Quilt Stats

Size:  67" x 76" 

Pattern: Modified Houndstooth pattern 

From Missouri Star Quilt Company

Fabrics: Kona Tomato, Corn Yellow, White and Black, Shannon Fabrics Yellow

Batting: Warm & Natural

Quilting: Quirky Pantograph on HQ Avante longarm with Off White Omni By Superior Threads 

Quirky But Solid {Quilt}

This quilt is for my 14yo son for Christmas.  I did quilt it and had the binding attached by Dec 13th. However, the entire family decided to get sick starting Dec 21st.  It's been a fun ride!  I finished up the binding on Dec 29th, so it goes on the 2013 finish list!

You are seeing it all washed and crinkly because the fuzz from the backing was pretty horrendous!
Bold colors?  Yes!!  The colors were inspired by their bedding and room colors.

More info about their room makeover here.

The pattern is Highlighter by Bree at Distant Pickles.  Take a look at the different printed versions!

I loved the woven look from the start.   I won't deny, I have one single regret.  

The solid.  I really want to do this quilt in prints and not solids. I have a baby quilt in mind!  This is my second all-solid quilt and I can honestly say....not a HUGE fan.  However, I was sticking to my stash only rule last year and will continue to do so for next year for Make A Pledge.

Plush/Minky Backing was his request.  I had purchased significant yardage of Simply Color for it, but he was adamant that he wanted this backing.  Who was I to refuse?

It did show off the pantograph pattern well.  Quirky by Willow Leaf Studios.

The Simply Color binding is my tongue sticking out at dear son #2.

  I still got some of my favorite fabric in there! HA!

I find this pattern really wonderful for a boy.  There is something about plaids and woven that say masculine to me.  Certainly wonderful for a girl too, but I like having patterns available that I won't question whether it is too "feminine".  I have a little baby boy in mind for the next one!

Quilt Stats

Measures: 68" x 68"

Pattern: Highlighter by Bree

Fabric: Kona Orange, Kona Turquoise, Kona Kiwi, Kona Marine, and Kona Iron,
Backing: Orange Minky Plush, Binding: Simply Color Orange Ikat

Quilting:  Pantograph Pattern Quirky by Willow Leaf Studios. 
Longarm quilting by myself on Avante 18"

Hugs for Rebecca {Group Quilt}

A dear quilting friend of mine lost her husband this Spring.  She is young.  She has three small children.  It seems unthinkable.

So a plan was hatched.  A secret one. 
You see, we all met online.  It seems what quilters do nowadays because there isn't a whole ton of quilters living on our own blocks.   We met in a crafty/sewing group and basically started bonding over quilts.  It led to a small Facebook group.  It is wonderful.  We bounce ideas, we help each other when we reach difficult parts of our projects. We post those silly e-cards with jokes about stashes and our poor family and friends who have to deal with our obsession.

When we found out about Rebecca's loss?
  We, of course, did what only quilters would do. 
We planned a quilt!

The block was chosen.  Color Pallettes "oohh and ahhhh"-ed over. 
Volunteers spoke up for parts.  Binding. Piecing.  Quilting.

The Friendship Hexagon Block by Don't Call Me Betsy was chosen.   Not too complicated for the beginners, not too boring for the veterans.

Blocks were sent to  Lindsey at Happier than a Bird to be pieced.

I adored how I saw different fabrics I recognized from my fellow quilters' stashes!

Binding was chosen and prepped by Sandra.

I love how it just blended at the edge of the quilt.  All focus on the blocks!!!!

The pieced top was sent to me for quilting.

 Pantograph before washing. Quirky is the pattern!

Backing was also chosen and pieced by Lindsey at Happier than a Bird

Secret Garden by Micheal Miller

Signature Blocks were sent in and I love how the two extra blocks were placed!

One of the quilters linked me to Amy at Badskirt's card for her group quilt.

I just tweaked it to fit our group and wanted the double hearts as if they were hugging!

24 Quilters!!  Amazing group of ladies!!!!

Quilt Stats:
Dimensions: 72" x 84"
Fabrics:  Scraps and stash from the BBC quilting ladies
Pieced by: Lindsey at Happier than a Bird
Quilted by: Me on a longarm with Quirky Pantograph

I truly hope this quilt brings her comfort.  We are all aware that quilts can't fix the hurt, but maybe they can bring a little warmth to her when she is feeling blue.

  Because it is ONE GIANT hug from us all!