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.