Quiltpiecer

Applique Hearts Quilt #202 I started this quilt last year in August as part of Chrissie Grace’s Quilt Along party . Well, I FINALLY finished quilting and binding it. The binding is machine-sewn, which makes it sturdier. I also quilted it with an all-over loopy design, which seems much easier than meandering.  The hearts have a raw edge, so they should get fuzzier with each washing. The backing is a pre-owned curtain that was donated by my neighbor.  She replaced the curtains in her bedroom and gave me her old ones … they make great backings and are pretty too. I’m really happy how this quilt came out … just in time for Valentine’s Day! Update 5/25/11 :  Sold on eBay Happy quilting!

String Quilt Challenge #201   Wow, this is a really scrappy, busy quilt!  I did an all-over loopy meander design.  I tried to keep it simple since there is so much going on with the top.  I used a cute Raggedy Ann-Andy print that I found in my stash.  It features a medical theme, with characters dressed as doctors and nurses. I’m posting this on Stephanie’s Loft Creations blog and her No Strings Attached challenge , and I’m also participating in Stacie’s It’s a String Thing Challenge . Here is a photo of the string quilts I made for my grandchildren for Christmas 2008.  The one on the left is a Spider Web design from a Quilt In A Day book: And, like any good quilter, I have a couple of WIP projects.  Another nickel quilt: this is Tillie’s Treasures.  Still working on the layout: I’m also working on this Bouillabaisse quilt top.  Started it in September, so I hope I can finish it up over the next month or so: Update 3/16/11 :...

It’s been crazy raining all this week … which makes for perfect quilting days.  In between regular household chores, I was able to make some progress in my string quilt. The picture above shows 12 blocks (3 x 4 setting).  I originally intended to make 20 blocks (4 x 5 setting), but I think I’ll add one more column and row of 6-inch patches.  Maybe I’ll add a 2.5-inch inner border and then use more strings to make the outer border: a piano-key border.  I’m still playing around with this but I HOPE I can finish it over the weekend. On a more personal note, I’m a little sad (really a lot sad) because my DS#2 has returned to Tennessee after spending the past 8 weeks visiting for the holidays.  Too bad time has to fly by so fast.  I guess I’ll just have to be comforted by my quilting and immerse myself in sewing … that always makes me feel better! Keep on piecing!

I’m finally getting caught up on my string quilt blocks.  As I previously posted , I already had two 4-patch blocks made up:  Each string patch measures 6 inches, and each block measures 11-1/2 inches (unfinished).  I’ve been saving up “used” dryer sheets for months and have saved up a binful.  Should have enough for a couple of string quilts! I’m going to make the quilt with 5 rows of 4 blocks each, so I’ll need to make 80 string patches.  I first had to iron each of the dryer sheets (argh!) so they would lay flat before I cut them: The standard size for each dryer sheet is 6-1/2” x 9”.  So I just layered 6-8 sheets and cut the 9” side down to 6-1/2”.  Each sheet is now 6-1/2” square:  So far I’ve made an additional 20 patches.  These are so much fun to make … and easy!  No seams to match, no tiny pieces to patch … just a straight stitch to zip through the sewing machine while I watch TV.  I love using the dryer sheets...

I love scrappy quilts!  And these are my two favorite books:  Nickel Quilts and More Nickel Quilts by Pat Speth .  I use them so much that I took them to Office Depot and had them spiral-bound.  Now they lay flat, and it is much easier to read the instructions. Over the past couple of years, I have made 14 quilts and tops from these two books.  Great scrap stash busters: And I am so happy to discover that The Nickel Lady has a new release: Amazing Nickel Quilts !  I can’t wait to get my own copy! Until next time … Keep on piecing!

I've been blog hopping all over blog land looking at all the quilty blogs ... and I'm amazed to see all the information, resources, and pictures! It's all wonderful and I am so hooked! I stumbled upon Stephanie’s Loft Creations blog and she is hosting the No Strings Attached challenge .  I remembered making these blocks about a year ago but put them away to make other projects.  So, I decided I would accept the challenge and am now so motivated to finish making this string quilt.  Here’s a picture of the scrap stash of Halloween and novelty prints I’ll be using: Stay tuned for more to come …

Happy New Year!  It’s hard to believe that a decade has passed since we were celebrating The Millennium!  I still remember the worries about computers and how everything would crash.  I am amazed at how fast time flies! I started quilting in 1999 so I am also celebrating the past 10 years of quilting and looking forward to the next ten.  This is a picture of the last quilt I made in 2009 … it is my 200th quilt! I made this quilt for DS#2 who graduated from HS last year but is currently staying with his sister in Tennessee while he figures out what he wants to do.  He plans to someday go into law enforcement.   The pattern for this quilt is from McCall's Quilting Quick Quilts and is named “In the Line of Duty” (c2001).  This patriotic quilt was designed to honor police officers who were injured or killed in the line of duty.  Eight red blocks are arranged horizontally to represent the slain officers, and blue vertical stripes signify t...