Monday, May 12, 2025

March Block a Day Finish and More

     For several years Pat Sloan has hosted a March Block a Day sew along. This year the block was a half log cabin block with a larger center. I chose to raid my 2 ½ “ strips for all the greens I could find. I cut a few more to get the contrast of light and dark. I started using brown squares for the start but added some greens later for more interest. I chose the overlapping squares layout and only made 20 blocks for a 4 by 5 setting to make a lap quilt. I FM quilted swirls. Here is my finish with a simple border to frame.

     I have been thinking about making many small gifts that I can give as a thank you. I usually make a lot of mug rugs so I wanted something different. Saturday I decided to make quilted journal covers. I finished one.   Then I pulled batting scraps and pieced 14 “Franken-batting” pieces for 14 covers.

 I thought about using orphan blocks. I was able to finish 3 more journal covers.

However, I think it takes longer to use the orphan blocks than just using fabric scraps.

   This week I have more journal covers to make and a baby quilt top to quilt.  

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 2.6 yds Added: 0 yds
So far this year –Used: 53.795 yds Added: 7 yds
Net decrease 46.795 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Friday, May 9, 2025

Pink Potato Chip Finish

     I discovered the potato chip block on YouTube like many other quilters and was interested in using my scraps. One of my sisters said her granddaughter only wanted pink so I pulled all my pink scraps to make her the Pink Potato Chip quilt. I used the block variation with a lighter round after dark center 2 bricks.

I had to cut a few more strips to finish the 30 blocks. The quilt measures about 64 by 76” .

    I recommend the potato chip block as it is easy, made with only one size unit, few matching seams, and several color value variations can make it more interesting. You can also easily change the size brick unit or even the number of rounds. Search YouTube or Google and you will find many tutorials and inspiration. Give the potato chip block a try.

    Yesterday I made good progress quilting my March Block a Day quilt with half log blocks and should have it finished by Monday. After many days with lots of lawn and garden work, it felt good to get some quilting done.

    I'm linking with Alycia Quilts for Finished (or Not) Friday. Hope you check out what other quilting are doing. 

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Monday, May 5, 2025

Sandwiching Quilt Tops

    The past 2 weeks I have spent very little time on quilting projects. Most of my time has been spent on the yard and garden. I cut back some old azaleas and moved a couple. Here is one corner before

and after.

    After a morning in the yard, I was not in the mood to tackle anything difficult. I finished a couple of simple placemats for Meals on Wheels clients.


Sunday after church I cleared off my craft table so I could sandwich quilt tops. I sandwiched the pink potato chip quilt.

Then I sandwiched the March block a day half log cabin top.

Now I just need to make time for the quilting.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 4 yds Added: 0 yds
So far this year – Used: 51.195 yds Added: 7 yds
Net decrease 44.195 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.