Houndstooth Finally

I have had this quilt planned for so long! I even started making and piecing it using the tube method.

I used 2 1/2 in strips and I did not know what size the blocks would be once I cut them, but during the sample blocks, I found that when I cut them they measured 5 1/2 in cut. I think that maybe I am doing something wrong because they were not perfectly square. So, I trimmed them to 5 1/4 in. I am sure that if you wanted to use precuts you could cut the strips a little smaller and trim the squares to 5 in.

This is an excellent video on how to make the quilt the way that I planned and started making mine (way back in 2011).

I am so excited to be finally making this quilt. I had a fourth of the blocks pieced and trimmed. I also had most of the fabric cut and ready to sew. I had all of the black fabrics prepared. If I had the white prepared I have lost or used it.

So, I cut some white fabric and got to work.

 

I pieced all the rest of the blocks then cut, pressed, and trimmed them. I laid them all out to see how big this quilt was going to be.

 

Originally, like the Batik Slash, I was going to make this a lap quilt, and just like that quilt I am finishing it just like it is.

 

I love the way that this turned out. It is very pretty and I know that the receiving family will love it so much!

 

I cannot decide exactly how to quilt it. I don't want any white thread on the black parts or black thread on the white parts. So far I have quilted on the diagonal where the blocks meet. I have a few ideas, so I will start more quilting soon.

Batik Slash Sash Flimsy

I started this quilt summer of 2011.

 

When I started this quilt I had someone in mind and I planned to make this a lap sized quilt.

I, of course, thought I would have it finished by now, but other projects continued to get more attention. I worked on this some last spring and again put it to the side. Since I am working diligently on my 2015 quilty goals this one has come to the top.

 

It is NOT a lap quilt, but it is okay to change plans.

It IS a wonderful baby quilt. Even though many of the points do not meet and some are cut off, this is a beautiful quilt. Technique does not always take center stage, nor does it always have to.

This quilt was pieced on two different machines. I am not certain if that is what made the blocks different sizes, but I've heard that it can. Especially if you do not know where your true quarter inch is located on the machine you are using.

 

For the most part, the size difference in the blocks do not affect the quilt. I trimmed all of the blocks to three different sizes as close to its previous size and in groups of four. Then I joined these groups into rows. I put a border on each section to make up for the smaller blocks. I am going to trim these borders after quilting to square up the sides.

I have a backing for this quilt and will start quilting it soon.

 

A little something extra: a picture of me spreading this quilt on the fresh snow for a snow picture. Enjoy the purple sweat pants.

Wow How Time Passes.

Does anyone remember this post from June 2011?

I cannot believe that it was 2011 when I started this! I have decided to get these finished and have been working on them a little. Soon, I WILL have them finished!

I have all of the strips sewn together into tubes and have started cutting them into squares. I am very excited to have started this up again.

Oh Machine How I Love Thee!

I am back in the world of sewing machines. Although I LOVE hand quilting, I have learned the merit of the machine! Why have I not come around to this until now? I guess we all progress to something different at some point. Then we wonder why we did not want to do this. As I have said before I do not think I will stop hand quilting, but I will definitely be doing a lot more machine quilting. I still do not know how to get my needle to stay down, but I am not worried about it right now. I will progress there eventually, but for now I am enjoying the straight lines. I need to start somewhere.

I started the Batik quilt and a T-shirt quilt, but I am behind schedule. That is OK though, as long as I get them finished before August I will be happy. I am going to add some baby quilts to the list too. Oh how I love having a lot of quilts to work on and being behind, but I am quilting with a machine now so I can catch up!

Also, I really want a serger, because I want to make more bandanna pants, only better, and I want to make baby sheets that look professional! Off to Craig's list now.

Inspiration Calling

I have a few projects started and some with due dates that I MUST work on and finish, but this is calling my name.



I really want to make a quilt like this. So, I bought a lot of white fabric and cut it into 2 1/2" strips (rather than buying a white jelly roll), and I want to use batik fabric. I have a lot of batik fat quarters, so I cut into them.





They are obviously not the same length, so I am going to modify this a little. Instead of three rows, I am going to do two. They will be the length of the fat quarter, so approximately half the length they would be. Sort of like this one only half the length.



I intend to use the triangle ends, that are left over, as well in something. Maybe use them as a border, a baby quilt, orphan blocks, or something. The ideas are endless. I am also planning a quilt using this technique to make a wedding present. Stay tuned for that one (I already have the fabric).