Lots Of Little Projects

Allyson is demonstrating what kids do when their mom wants to take a picture. This is the best shot I could get. I was experimenting with the lattice look on a table runner. It came out ok. I was trying to copy one I saw. I couldn't tell how big it was so I guessed.  Well after I made all my pieced blocks I decided that the pattern I copied, was probably made with 10" squares, not 5". So, i'll probably try it again.

 I was browsing images of quilts on google to find some inspiration for a quilt back.  I have designed the front already. I want it to have a back that could be showing on the bed. Well, I found the Swoon block and really liked it. With a little bit of searching I found that it is very similar to the Carpenters Star. So I found a pattern tutorial online for the Carpenter's Star block. I changed it  so that I wasn't using so many quarter square triangles, and instead did flying geese. As I get it finished and figured out how to do it best, I should post the directions. I should be able to finish the block tomorrow.  I wanted to finish it last night, but last night became this morning too soon.

II'm not sure if i'm going to use this block for my quilt back, or not. I figured that I could just start making them here and there and eventually I'll have enough to do something with.

And here is another version of the One Star wall hanging.  This one I made slightly larger and traded out some of the red stripes for blue.  I just have to sew on a boarder.
It is a pretty easy pattern.  I was more careful this time with my ironing so that my middle star was more accurate. I also learned how to sew Y seams.  I improvised a little since there are 5 seams, not 3. The pattern just assumes you know how to sew 5 pointed blocks together properly and have it look great.

So there are my 3 of my unfinished projects. I have a few more to start and a few more to work on. Like, my Christmas Quilt. I have to finish machine quilting it. I just haven't had the desire to FMQ (free motion quilt) lately.  I have 7 months to get it done though...

Old Glory

I really like the look of paper pieced blocks.  I just finished this small (16") wall hanging. The pattern can be purchased on Etsy or Craftsy.  I will be making a few more of these as gifts.This one is for my mom.

Now that I know how to do it, I should be able to get the center star points perfect the next time. I didn't realize I hadn't ironed them back all the way until after I had stitched all 5 blocks together.

My husband said he liked it, which is huge for him. So I will have to make one for us. 

Now that this one is done, I have to start to work on other small projects that I want to make for gifts for Christmas.  I have to get started early this year. I am not waiting until the middle of December to come up with grand ideas again.

Allyson's Disappearing 9 Patch

IT is finished. I finished the quilt just a few days after Allyson's birthday. I got a little pooped out and had to take a little time off. I am pretty happy with how it turned out.
I changed it quite a bit from my play originally. I added sashing and used all patterned prints in the blocks. I wanted the random look since I was using so many different prints.

I wanted to practice as many free motion quilting designs that would look good on the quilt. I ended up doing 6 different designs. On the top boarder you can see feathers.

There are two different arrangements of the blocks. I quilted each different.

This one I quilted echo shells in each of the squares. The half and quarter squares I quilted wandering clover.

This block has strait line stitching in the "pinwheel" shape in the center. The other parts have stippling. 

The back side has some of the extra charm squares and some stripes. I used up the extra sashing and binding fabric on the back. 

I learned a lot making this quilt. It was a great way to get some serious practice of free motion quilting in.  Now that it is done I have already started a few other small projects. I'll post those soon.