Wow! You guys seem to like scrappy quilts as much as I do! I'm pleased that so many of you stated that you were going to start your own version of a
scrappy 4 patch quilt. That's exciting! Many thanks go to Jean Gilbertson for the wonderful inspiration!
Since I had so many questions about the pressing direction on my 4 patch blocks, I thought I would show my work. (ha!) The beauty of this quilt is that there is an alternate block that is
not pieced, so pressing direction really doesn't matter. Woohoo! Right now I'm pressing to the dark fabric for step one and the center seam gets pressed to one side. Honestly, if the pressing would have been fussy, I probably wouldn't have attempted this quilt in the first place.
I also had a lot of questions about the background color. I'm not sure yet, but I do love the suggestion of the same color as my aqua desk. My one hesitation is that I have a LOT of aqua scraps, so they would fade to the background. Hmmmm. Thankfully, I have a lot of time before I need to make a final decision.
I'm happy to report that I'm making great progress, though. I have over 100 blocks done already! I decided that I'm going to bag them up in groups of 100 as I finish them. That will save me tons of time counting and re-counting. It will also help keep me motivated, I think.
Over the weekend we had lots of pretty SNOW and I had plenty of time to SEW! It was lovely! I started my last batch of log cabin blocks. When I say my last batch, I'm trying to be optimistic that I'm farther along that I really am. I have 70 blocks complete, I started the final 62. I guess any progress is good! I'm QUITE anxious to see this one as a quilt top!!!! (Block measurements can be found
here. Last progress photo of the quilt can be found
here.) The nice thing about working on these two projects at once is that they both use 1 1/2" pieces. Perfect!
Happy Monday to you!
18 comments:
I suggest bright yellow or navy for your background.
I'm jealous of your snow! I suggest a pale yellow for the background. Have you tried spinning the 4-patch seams? It's very easy amd makes them flatter. Good luck with those log cabins!
Do you ever feel like you are just rehashing the same fabrics over and over? Your quilts don’t look that way to me, just my own scrap bin feels that way.
Wonderfull and gorgious four patch, you are so lucky whith this snow ! It's beautifull. Have a good day !
LOVE the dose of optimism, along with your cheerful quilts in progress!!
I have seen antique quilts that use a border like print in vertical strips, alternately with strips 4 patches set on point. This is on my bucket list.
Your scraps are going to make such a bright, beautiful quilt! I was also going to suggest spinning the seams, sure makes the blocks flatter and easier to quilt. Can't wait to see yours when it's finished.
Maybe a mustard? Your blog always encourages me. I have several 'on going' scrappy projects that I pull out every so often and add to as I generate scraps. The most difficult part for me is not sewing them together until I’ve sewn as many as I need.
I was thinking a navy blue would set all those colors off really well. I may try to start one to start using my scraps, but it won't be bigger than a throw because I have such a hard time quilting larger quilts. I am quilting a queen for my bed right now and it is tough. So this may be the last one I quilt for myself in that size. I really need to get started using up some of my scraps.
Amanda Jean, you are an inspiration! Your snow sew day looks so peaceful.
I'm glad to see someone presses seams to the side too. Spinning does make them look nice on the back but it sure eats up time. I've never had a problem quilting seams pressed to the side.
I saw a quilt recently with a solid lilac background. It was delightful and unexpected. I don't see lilac in the 4 patches here so maybe that's an option for you.
But purple is Amanda’s least favorite color! I don’t know how she feels about lilac.
Since you have brought up the subject of pressing, I have a question.
What kind of iron do you (and your readers) use and how do you like it?
I had an Oreck for years and the heating element died, so I bought a Sunbeam Steam Master Iron (model # GCSBCL-202) from Target, made in China, about $30 as I recall, only a COUPLE of years ago. It had a retractable cord, which I really liked, but it wasn't long until I overextended the cord while trying to retract it, and of course the retracting mechanism was permanently broken. A couple of weeks ago it would no longer heat up.
I dug out my old made in the USA Sunbeam iron that got put away (because it still worked) when I bought the Oreck. (I think I got the Oreck for free when I bought a vacuum.) The USA Sunbeam still heats up but the heat adjusting lever doesn't work, so that is a problem.
So....from my online research of irons for quilters I see a lot of reviews of even the expensive irons, like Oliso, and people say they don't last like they think a $200 iron should last.
Some other issues are... 8 minutes auto shut-offs that are annoying and a time waster for quilters vs some of the Rowentas that apparently have NO auto shut-offs, something that is scary to me because no matter how much I tell myself to unplug the iron, sometimes I don't because I plan on coming "right back" and then I don't.
I actually bought one of those Rowentas a week ago or so, but it is still sitting in the box because of the above stated concern.
Some shade of tan might make a good alternate block. It will draw the colors out, but not be stark like white might be. Bagging them up is clever. I would still end up with "not really" 100 in each bag, because it seems I can't count sometimes, but it would be close enough!
Attended a lecture by Judy of Bungalow Quilts at Quiltcon. She had many compliments for you. Also saw your birch trees pattern in the new magazine Curated Quilts (a lovely modern quilt mag with no ads- just wonderful inspiration and excellent photos).
Amanda,
Just found you the other day and have read a lot of your posts. Your work is amazing! I so want to try quilting but haven't taken the plunge yet. (Doesn't mean that I haven't started stashing fabric though ;) ) One thing I found out about years ago that would be a great string buster for you is called Locker Hooking. Have you heard of this? It is awesome and the most brain dead craft I do. You use fabric in strips, or yarn or ribbon, depending on what you are making and feel like working with, and turn it into rugs, placemats, hot pads, etc. It is an addictive craft and I can't recommend it more. The only requirements are the tool, which is a combination of needle and crochet hook, latch hook canvas, a heavy duty string and the material you are using for the project - yarn, fabric, etc. Very easy, can be done while watching TV and the hardest part is making sure you loops and the correct size. I have used yarn for hot pads and fabric strips for rugs. Look it up online and see if you might be interested. The hook can be purchased at Hobby Lobby by the Latch Hook kits or maybe at Michaels. Walmart used to have it but doesn't carry it anymore. That's how I got mine - The clearance section! Best part of any store!
Maureen
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