Simple Blocks {Memory Quilt}

This is a simple block memory quilt I was commissoned to make for a friend.   She asked me to do it when things were just, frankly, crazy.  We were packing to move.  I was managing Senior Prom and a High School graduation, and an 8th grade graduation.  And a 13 year old's birthday party.  Not to mention there were quilts that had to be made!!   So I think that I have a pretty valid excuse that I only have photos that she and I took on our phones!

I actually had some really cool plans, but financially and just expediency took over and we both decided on just simple blocks.  I didn't want to separate the fronts and backs of his important All-State and Champion t-shirts, so I decided that two rows of color with the whites at the top and bottom would be cool.  Looking back?  I wish I had done some sort of sashing.  But that's neither here nor there now!

I chose the school color green in minky for his backing and their secondary navy color for the binding.  You can get a glimpse of the vareigated green I used on the entire quilt in a cool square meandering pattern.

Quilt Stats:

Measures: 56" x 70"

Pattern: Simple blocks

Fabric: Kona Navy Blue and Shannon Fabrics Green Cuddle

Quilted: Square Meandering with Superior Threads So Fine Variegated Green on HQ Avante

All that matters is that he got his quilt by graduation ON TIME, right??

Class of 2015 Auction {Quilt}

Graduation time is coming up soon!

Every year the 8th graders that want to participate are asked to turn in t-shirts that have meaning to them so that they can be made into a t-shirt quilt for the school auction.

Sometimes they are shirts from their past.  

Some give you a glimpse into their possible future.

 Some tout their favorite sports team. 

 Some are their jerseys they wore for their sports teams.  

Some can just be shirts that they happened to wear to every single "free dress" day.

And best of all? Some say "THIS IS ME".

After careful thought, a layout is chosen.  This year it was happenstance that were put in a "rainbow" sort of order.  Normally there is a plethora of school t-shirts that seem to be blue and red like the school colors, but this year the students seemed to have a fantastic range of color that just couldn't be ignored.  

The center features the front and back of their 8th grade shirt.  This year's theme "Captains of the School"

Each t-shirt is backed by a stabilizer, then pieced together.  Quilted with Rainbow Superior Thread with an organically moving rectangle/square free motion quilting on my longarm.

A variegated thread color called Tapestry.  Much like its name, it weaves throughout very well making the colors of the t-shirts sing and tell their individual stories.

Backing is gray dotted minky.  Very soft and snuggly!

Binding is a stripe that picks up so many of the colors in the quilt itself.

It was a pleasure to work on the quilt this year as our second son graduates and prepares for a new chapter in his life.  It is the 10th Auction quilt (sometimes two in one year like this year) and the 2nd T-shirt quilt I have lovingly dedicated my time on for the school in the past 11 years along with countless other sewing projects like prayer table cloths, tote bags, rosary bags, and Christmas program costumes. 

 It was bittersweet because we are moving from the area this summer and leaving behind a very beloved school.  A place that has nurtured and supported our sons through such an important time of their lives. 

Happy Graduation Class of 2015!

Rainbow Interrupted {Quilt}

My first donation quilt for the year.

This quilt is for my son's elementary/middle school program. It is a fundraiser luncheon to raise money and awareness for the kids that have special needs. I have been wanting to do the Strip and Flip Pattern by Allison Harris at Cluck Cluck Sew for quite some time. 

This quilt is utterly and completely made of scraps and stash.  Even the batting was pieced batting scraps. 

I made adjustments from the original tutorial because I wanted mine to be more lap quilt rather than a baby size. Lap quilts seem to fair better at auctions than any other size. 

I can't recall exact changes, but I do know I adjusted my strip widths to be 3" instead of two.  I also made my "flip" section wider so the overall width would be proportional to the length. I basically made two quilt tops WOF to get the larger cut. 

I promise I didn't waste, I 

cut a significant strip width so that I could finally use my butterfly fabric I bought from my friend Bree at Distant Pickles. 

Side note:  I still have a bit leftover and plan to use it on another backing someday. I tend avoid pieces backings as of late and the only piecing I seem to do is a vertical or horizontal strip to add width or length.

The luncheon was very beautiful and successful. As I was leaving? The person that won it, pulled me aside to ask me how she should take care of it. My response to everyone who asks me that when they recieve one of my quilts?

 "Love it. Love it. Love it.  And throw it in the wash on occasion."

  I was soooo happy that it went to someone who knew me and was going to a family who will love it.

Baby Bridesmaid {Quilt}

I couldn't help myself. I could not stop calling this quilt "Baby Bridesmaid". 

Why do you ask?  The satin is from a bridesmaid dress!  

My friend messaged me and asked if I could make a baby quilt using the dress she wore to her friend's wedding.  A memory quilt of sorts. 

I knew right away that the best quilt would be to make the Ruffle Quilt from the Moda Bakeshop. I thought that the Satin would not be fun to piece and quilt over.  So why not make it an accessory for the quilt. 

My friend sent me the nursery line. Wouldn't you know it?  No blue.  A girl nursery!

I did have a

Dear Stella bundle that had perfect baby's, but the peach just wasn't pink enough. So the search was on!!!   I stumbled on Cybthia Rowley's "Oh Baby" line.

Perfection. 

Before I knew it I had a patchwork top to quilt with flowers and leaves.

With a super warm and soft Minky backing.  

Then I Added the cut strips from the dress and did a rolled hem and attached the ruffles.

I wish I had enough of the dress to bind it with satin, but ended up using the same solid blue I used under the ruffles.

This quilt was UTTERLY scrumptious! 

And I was so happy to hear it was well recieved by the mom-to-be!! 

Excited to also be linking up a finish post for March!

Sew Together Bag

 For some time, I saw a ton of traffic online about the Sew Together Bag and I just didn't get the hype.

Until I went to Quiltcon and saw them along with the Bionic Gear Bag in action. 

I loved how neat everyone had their stuff next to their sewing machines, all organized. 

I thought I would give the Sew Together Bag a try.

The pattern is from Sew Demented and can be purchased HERE.

I think I was even more eager to try it over the Bionic Gear Bag because Quilt Barn had a wonderful Sew-a-long to help guide you through the steps.

 I love it. 

It is my EPP dream! The zippered parts can hold all of my papers, paperclips and various notions.  

It's also wonderful for packing up things to sew on the go.

Definitely more are in my plans for the future.

ALYOF: March Goal

March's Mission includes four quilts. A memory quilt, two t-shirt quilts, and one super secret project. 

The memory quilt seems to be the best choice to make my March ALYOF goal. 

My friend messaged me and asked if I could make a baby quilt using the dress she wore to her friend's wedding.  A memory quilt of sorts. 

I've already purchased the fabric.

 And cutting has commenced. 

If I could have this done by the end of the week?  I would be extremely happy!!

Linking up with A Year of Lovely Finishes