A Couple of Finishes

     I love to sew things for family so when GD Lily requested a seashell pillow for her bedroom, I wanted to make one. Since we don't have JoAnn Fabrics anymore, I had a little trouble finding the right fabric to use. I created my own pattern from an internet photo that she shared. For dimension I cut 2 layers and stitched lines to create the sections.

After stuffing the sections for a front and back,

I sewed the 2 halves together, turned right side out and stuffed more. Here is GD Lily with her seashell pillow.

     At the last church quilt day I sandwiched a child's quilt and Saturday I finished the quilting. It is not my favorite quilt but I hope a child will enjoy it.

     I spent some more time cutting up scraps; however, not enough to record a change to my stash report this week.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Working to Reduce Scraps

     I am still on a mission to finish UFOs and pulled a kit of fabric. In 2017 I tested the Kenny the Koala pattern for Ruth Bourke of Crafty Corner Designs. You can find the pattern here.  Most of the fabrics I used then were still together. There was enough for another koala with a few pieces were already cut. It did not take long to piece Kenny the Koala #2. The original pattern is 36” square; however, I added the bottom rows of 3” finished squares so he is now 36” by 48”. I will add borders.

      I spent Saturday and Sunday afternoon cutting up scraps. I pulled my 2 1/2” scrap strips that were less than 16” long and cut them into bricks and squares. Then I cut other scrap fabrics into 2 1/2” HSTs with my Accuquilt cutter. I cut 444. It felt good to make a dent in the scrap stash.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 4.75 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 85.295 yds Added: 38.5 yds

Net decrease 46.795 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Progress on Several Projects

      I decided to focus moving projects to the next step in progress. I pieced a backing for my crumb top and my recent “Trip Around the World”. I had hoped to sandwich the crumb top but did not. Instead I pieced a backing for a child's charity quilt top.  It felt great to use fabrics from my stash.

     Next I pulled 2 UFO's and added borders. Here is the QOV top with it's borders so it is ready for quilting.

     About a year ago I watched a tutorial by Carol Thelen about the “Rick Rack” block. I was intrigued and made 14. I decided I wanted to make 35 for a 5 by 7 setting. I pulled fabrics and cut kits for the rest of the blocks. Over a couple of days I got all of them pieced. Following is a link for Carol's YouTube tutorial with links for her free pattern.

Here is a link for Missouri Star Quilts tutorial for the same block.

     After making my recent “Trip Around the World” top I watched a couple of YouTube videos by Eleanor Burns about the quilts in her Quick Trip Quilts. My library happened to have a copy which I checked out. I was inspired to make a “Quick Quarter Quilt” with uses fat quarters. For the lap size I needed 18 fat quarters. After church Sunday I pulled floral fabrics from the church quilt room stash. When I got home, I pulled a few from my stash to get the 18 needed. I'm pleased with my selection and think it will make a lovely quick quilt top.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 20.5 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 80.545 yds Added: 38.5 yds

Net decrease 42.045 yds

     That must be a record for me to use 20 yds of fabric in one week. It is mostly because I pieced several backings. Hope I will make time this week to sandwich and start quilting.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Many Small Finishes

     For the past few weeks I have been busy making quilted journal covers and finished the last 5 for 18 total.

  I thought you might be interested in seeing more about my process. I adapted a free pattern from The Wooden Bear. You can find the original pattern here. I pieced the tops, then sandwiched and quilted.

Next it got trimmed to the 10 1/2” by 16 1/2”

and then sleeves are sewn on.

A standard composition notebook fits well.

These will be gifts to a group in August and I'm happy to have them made so that I can focus on a UFO.

     A few months ago I went with my sister to a small quilt show. She bought a quilt top and asked me to quilt it for our great niece. I finished the quilting. She will bind it.

     Last Wednesday I did a demo for my church quilt group on an easy 5 fabric Trip Around the World pattern. Wednesday I got my center pieced. Saturday I added borders. I chose the color palette based on the colors in the border fabric  and shopped for stash for fabrics.  I used almost every inch of the fabric to add a wide border.

      My church quilt group pieced little houses using the free “Village”pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co. for Moda Fabrics. I created an alternate setting in EQ and pieced the top. It is really cute.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 5.5 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 65.545 yds Added: 38.5 yds

Net decrease 27.045 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Sad Farewell to Joann Fabric Stores

      Saturday was the last day my Joann Fabric store was open. All of the Joann stores will be closed by May 30. I did not go the last day but 4 days before the closing. It was sad to see all the empty racks and think of not having the store to shop for sewing items. I did take advantage of the clearance sale to get fabric that I will be able to use; however, there was not much selection. Even though I have been working hard to reduce my stash, this was an opportunity I could not pass up and the price was right at $2.05 per yard so I bought 31.5 yds. I bought a lot of dark blue because I use a lot. Some of that yardage will probably be donated to my church quilt group. Even so that is quite a hit to my effort to reduce stash; however, Joann Fabrics is gone and I don't know when or whether I will be able to buy fabric at that price again.

     A few years ago a member of my church quilt group made a 7 fabric Trip Around the World lap quilt and she suggested that would be a good project for others. Instead of 7 fabrics, I found a design using 5 fabrics that will finish about the same size using larger pieces. I shared the directions with them. So that I can show them the steps, I pulled fabric from my stash to make one. I pulled a multicolored fabric to use as the border and found 5 fabrics to coordinate.

 

I used the filter to change the photo to black and white to check the values.  I wish I had a darker aqua blue but made do with what I had. As I was sewing my sample, I found an error in my directions so I will need to correct it. 

     I am continuing to make quilted journal covers and have 3 more finished. I have made a couple of similar covers but I am trying to make many different designs and use orphan blocks or units I have. The cover on the right was made from a FM practice piece when I was practicing several FM motifs. I hope someone will find it interesting.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 6.25 yds Added: 31.5 yds 

So far this year –Used: 60.045 yds Added: 38.5 yds

Net decrease 21.545 yds

      For this Memorial Day, let us take time to remember the the brave men and women who served our country and gave their lives for the freedom we enjoy.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

More Journal Covers

       I have finished 5 more journal covers and have 2 covers pieced.

I am on a mission to make 18 for gifts and I'm half way there. It has been good to use some orphan blocks and scraps even though it is quicker to just use pieces of fabric. I'm trying to use scraps but as a quilter you probably know even that creates more scraps. I hope to spend a day this week sorting scraps and cutting them into usable units.

Stash Report for 2025

       this past week - Used: 2.5 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year –Used: 56.295 yds Added: 7 yds

     Net decrease 49.295 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

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.

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.

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.

Preparing for Easter Guests

     Last week I worked in the yard and house so that it would be at its best for Easter guests. I enjoyed having family here for Easter weekend. Younger GD was still interested in decorating eggs.

Here is the family before church.

     There was a little time for sewing and prep. I cut a couple of simple placemat kits from stash for Meals on Wheels that can be sewn at quilt group this Wednesday.

I also pieced a backing for a comfort quilt to be sandwiched at church quilt group.

     I pieced the last of the Scrap Dance Waltz blocks and sewed them to create the quilt center.

It will get borders later. I made this pattern before and used a scrappy border.  Maybe this time I will do something different or simple.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 3.83 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year – Used: 47.195 yds Added: 7 yds

Net decrease 40.195 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Two Comfort Quilts

    This past week we had rain showers a couple of days.  Then the weather was beautiful and great to work outside. After mornings in the yard, the afternoon was a great time to quilt. I finished the quilting on 2 comfort quilts for church. I did not piece either top and someone else will bind.

    First is a brown and orange “Two Step” quilt. Very simple. Each step has 2 squares and a bar. I quilted FM swirls.

     Next is a hot pink with purple 3 yard design with pinwheels, framed squares and plain large squares. I played some by quilting a different motif on each set of blocks.  Sadly I did not take close up photos to show the quilting. 

There was no change for my stash report.

 I'm looking forward to having family here next weekend for Easter.

Hope you all have a fabulous week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Two Quilt Tops

      Last week I did piecing on a couple of projects. I added a simple border to the March Block a Day and pieced a backing so it will be ready to sandwich.

     Next I sewed all the pink potato chip blocks into a top. I tried to lay out the blocks so no fabric was touching the same fabric. I missed at least one. The fewer fabrics that are used the more difficult it is.

    I had a pile of HSTs for my Scrap Dance Waltz quilt that I trimmed. Most needed only 1/16” trimmed. I probably could have skipped that but I had the time so did. Do you sliver trim?

    I needed a backing for a QOV and found a good one 40% off so bought enough for it.   That is about all I worked on.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 4.25 yds Added: 4 yds

So far this year – Used: 43.365 yds Added: 7 yds

Net decrease 36.365 yds

I hope you are enjoying the spring weather.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Two Finishes

     I finally spent some time quilting after time in the garden or on home projects.  First was this Fat Quarter Four Patch ( free pattern from Fat Quarter Shop) quilt which was a church group project for a family who suddenly lost the father/husband several months ago. It was pieced from many of his favorite shirts. I pieced them into the top and quilted. Joan added the binding. It will be a special hug of memories.

     Next is a comfort quilt. The top was pieced by the Cresco ladies of Iowa. I added the side borders and quilted FM swirls. Someone else will bind.

There was no change in my stash report for the week.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

Easter Projects and Quilt Progress

     Recently I have been spending most of my time on gardening or home projects but I finally found some time to sew. I had fallen behind on Pat's March Block a Day so spent a couple of days for catch up. I made 20 half log blocks and decided to stop there for a 4 by 5 setting. With a simple border the size will be good for a church comfort quilt. When I started I pulled 2 1/2” strips and 4 1/2” squares from my scrap user system. I had to cut a few more. To achieve this setting I had to twist a lot of seams for them to nest but I'm happy with the setting and would like to play with this block design more.

     One GD requested an Easter pillowcase so I had to make one for each GD. I did not have any Easter fabric but found a cute fabric at Hobby Lobby for 40% off. I made 3 Easter pillowcases.

     GD Lily wants to decorate her bedroom for each holiday. So when I saw directions for a cute bunny garland I asked her if she wanted one. She said yes. Here is what I made.

You can find the free pattern here.

     I pulled another UFO to work on. Some pieced blocks and a pile of strips were adopted from MaryAnn H. I pieced more blocks until I had 42 that were needed for a setting I planned in EQ. The blocks are all sewn into a top. I will add borders to make it a little larger for a QOV.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 5.5 yds Added: 1.75 yds

So far this year – Used: 39.115 yds Added: 3 yds

Net decrease 36.115 yds

It feels good to have made progress on several projects and hope to this week also.

I'm linking up with Alycia's Finished or Not Friday. Check out what others are doing and enjoy.

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.

#BUNNYGARLAND

Not Much Sewing

     Only a little time spent sewing last week was fun time. My church quilt group was getting ready to display our quilts for after church yesterday until Palm Sunday. We spent at least 5 hours mounting hooks, matching rods to quilts and hanging. Additional prep time was spent measuring walls and sewing temporary hanging sleeves on quilts. We had a nice gathering yesterday and I'm sure the display will be enjoyed through the weeks.

     I was off to a great start on Pat Sloan's Block a Day for March and then with everything else I am now a few days behind. Here are my first 6.

      On top of that, I finally decided my guest room was in need of repainting so quilting is left out for a few days this week. Friday I am looking forward to joining my sister, Irene, for a quilt show in the upstate.

Stash Report for 2025

this past week - Used: 1 yds Added: 0 yds

So far this year – Used: 33.615 yds Added: 3 yds

Net decrease 30.615 yds

Have a great week and enjoy some time for quilting.