A few years ago I saw a collection of quilts that set vintage blocks in a modern setting. The quilter took blocks of unfinished projects and appliquéd them on solid backgrounds. The combination of the antique blocks set with modern quilting in the negative space sparked my imagination. Of course I wanted to try it! … Continue reading Orphan blocks
Category: quilts
Pool Noodles. Who knew?
I saw a tip of readying the quilt sandwich for basting using pool noodles. The top, batting, and backing are each rolled onto a separate pool noodle. The edge is pinned to the noodle and then rolled onto the noodle, then pinned again at the end to prevent unrolling until making the quilt sandwich. The … Continue reading Pool Noodles. Who knew?
My applique dilemma
It would be cliche to say I have a love hate relationship with applique. I'm not even sure I really love it. There is a part of me that enjoys the rhythmic tuck and stitch of needle turn. Then there is the part of me that wants to be finished and move on to the … Continue reading My applique dilemma
Homespun Center Unit
The last unit! Compared to 110 three inch 9-patches twenty center units seem like a piece of cake. While the units have various sized pieces this is still a 9-patch using the same strip piecing technique. Making the center unit cut 6 red strips at 2 1/2" x WOF (width of fabric)cut 3 white strips … Continue reading Homespun Center Unit
Homespun Corner Units part 2: Making the 9-patch
Disney gave us "101 Dalmatians," and Nellie Forbush sang that her Honey Bun was "101 pounds of fun" in the musical South Pacific. I present to you 110 9-patches. My brain begins to melt if I think too much about that number, especially when the finished block is 3 inches and also used as cornerstones … Continue reading Homespun Corner Units part 2: Making the 9-patch
Homespun Corner Units: Making the 4-patch
If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And If it's your job to eat two frogs, it's best to eat the biggest one first.Mark Twain For me, the frog in making the Homespun quilt is all those little one inch squares. I cannot begin … Continue reading Homespun Corner Units: Making the 4-patch
Homespun from the closet
I've been cleaning bookshelves the past couple of weeks. The main reason is to have a blank wall I use as a backdrop when I photograph my quilts. My clearing of shelves is a combination of mindful thank yous of Marie Kondo's tidying up and a certain ruthlessness baseball umpires "You're outta here!" when ejecting … Continue reading Homespun from the closet
My Heart Does that Sometimes
It goes pitter-pat. It skips a beat. If I were a romance writer, I'm sure I'd find other ways to describe what my heart does. When my heart fluttered while looking at my husband I'd say, "When I look at you, my heart skips a beat. Oh, wait. It does that." The official diagnosis was … Continue reading My Heart Does that Sometimes
Sometimes UFO’s get Finished
Village Green quilt top I started the Village Green quilt as a block of the month the first year we were married. I liked the colors. I liked the designed. I liked the buildings particularly since they reminded me of historical buildings where I live. Bethlehem doesn't have a center green, but when I walk … Continue reading Sometimes UFO’s get Finished
Adventures in Quilting: Using the Long Arm
I'm not sure about other quilters, but one reason I machine quilt is to finish the quilt. I only saw tied quilts when I was growing up, and once the top was finished tying the quilt brought a quick end to the project. I remember seeing a hand quilted whole cloth quilt hanging on the … Continue reading Adventures in Quilting: Using the Long Arm
Snippets from the Attic 