Springtime Progress

    It is spring here and a wonderful time of year to enjoy working in the flower garden despite the pollen. My sinuses appreciate it if I wear a mask. The azaleas are lovely and bearded iris have started to bloom.

My time is currently split between gardening and quilting. My Jewel Box Star leader/ender blocks (Bonnie Hunter's 2018 Leader/Ender Challenge) have became a quilt top. I had sewn 4 together to create a star then planned the quilt top. I decided to added sashing to break out the stars a little more, not match so many seams and increase the size without more blocks. I plan to add a simple border on this.

While piecing this I also managed to make progress on another UFO leader/ender style.

Then I had 5 leftover large blocks plus 7 more Jewel Box Star units. I pieced another large star so that 6 can be made into a comfort lap quilt by adding sashing and borders. The remaining 3 small units will be orphans unless I decide to make mug rugs or a placemat.

I'm linking up with Sarah for Whoop, Whoop Friday. Check out the progress for inspiration.

Stay safe and healthy while you enjoy some time sewing or quilting.

Working with Scraps

     I have not done any quilting on my many waiting tops. I have mostly been working with scraps on my cutting table. I cut up what I could into 2 1/2” squares and 2 1/2” by 4 1/2” bricks for Bonnie Hunter's new leader/ender challenge block called “Easy Breezy”. My version finishes at 8”.  Here are some that got pieced. 

    I also pieced 3 “Chunky Churn Dash” blocks and one under my needle as the ender. Many block sets are cut and ready.

     The rest of my sewing time was used to make more masks. DIL requested more for the start of school.  I used the Sweet Red Poppy curved faced mask design in 4 sizes. The child size fit GD2 after a trial fitting with elastic cut 6”. The teen size was good for GD1. Made the adult size for DIL and I enlarged the adult size for my son. For adults I found it more comfortable to cut elastic at 5 1/2” .   Here are 2 days worth of mask sewing.

With Covid-19 cases on the rise here and around the country, please stay safe and healthy while enjoying some sewing or quilting.

A Comfort Quilt Finish

    I finished quilting and binding the Carolina Chain quilt.  It will be a comfort quilt for church.

I know I have said before that I enjoy making these blocks as leader/ender.  They are great to use my stash of 2 ½” squares and 2 ½ by 4 ½” bricks. 

     I also made another coiled fabric bowl, only I made it into a basket with a braided handle.  It will be a perfect addition for Easter. 

Enjoy some time sewing/quilting.

Another January Finish

    After finishing the BYG Sampler, I started quilting on smaller comfort quilts instead of working on another large UFO from my list.  This Narrow Rails quilt is finished. 

  

I started the blocks as leader/ender sewing until about half were done.  Then I decided to get it done.

You can find out more about where I learned about the block from ExuberantColor on this post.

Here is a photo of some of the quilting and the backing.

Enjoy some time sewing and quilting. 

Leader / Ender Blocks Become Top

     Wednesday was sew day for my church quilt group. I worked on turning Carolina Chain leader/ender blocks into on-point rows and now it is a top. 

 I first saw Bonnie Hunter piecing these blocks on Quilt Cam.  I love them for leader/ender sewing.  I can usually pull sets from my 2 1/2" squares and 2 1/2 by 4 1/2" bricks to create block sets. I have a couple of blocks leftover which will be the seeds for the next comfort quilt. 
    I spent Thursday quilting and have the Narrow Rails half quilted as well as 2 yards for a duffel bag. 

Enjoy some time sewing and quilting!

Narrow Rails Top

      Inspired by the work of Wanda at Exuberant Color blog, I started cutting strips for leader/ender sewing.  The block kits made  a good leader/sewing project. After I had pieced a collection of blocks, I planned for quilt size and cut more block strip sets.  Wanda gives directions for her quilt blocks, but I did not find a block name.  I added an outer border and named my quilt top “Narrow Rails”. 

This one is now sandwiched and ready to quilt. 
      I spent hours piecing batting scraps ( happily cleared out lots)

and piecing backings so I have 4 small quilts sandwiched 

so whenever I am in the mood to quilt, I have one waiting.

Next up I plan to sandwich the Blue/Green Made-fabric  UFO quilt top which is full bed size.

    My church quilting group wants to make duffle bags again.  We did several years ago.  I plan to quilt my own fabric to make one so 2 yards top and backing will also be sandwiched for quilting and I better get busy.