Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Black and White

Normally, I use bright colors.  For this quilt, I took my inspiration from a black and white wedding invitation. As usual, it took me a long time to plan.  I toyed with many ideas, and by the way, did not choose one of them.  Based on the log cabin block, I did a bit of improvisation with an end result in mind.  Fortunately, my stash was filled with black and white fabrics.  Sizes ranged from a fat quarter to 3 yards.  I had quite a variety from which to work.  I started cutting strips into different widths and cut a variety of squares.  And then began piecing, sewing and trimming.  I organized my blocks into finished sizes of 7", 8" and 9" widths.  Random joining of blocks and then strips hanging on my design wall.

black and white, log cabin
Hanging on the design wall
After much adjusting, adding, trimming and moving strips around, I arrived at a completed top.



 I pin basted using a tabletop technique (something I just learned), and quilted using white thread in a free motion loop pattern.


Dimensions 72" x 80"








And finally, I added a label.


Thanks for stopping by!

Linking up to Needle & Thread Thursday (My Quilt Infatuation) & Crazy Mom Quilts

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Been Too Long

Wow, I can't believe a month has gone by since my last post.   What happened to October?  I feel like I blinked and missed it.  I have been keeping quite busy.  I will have everything posted by the end of the week but here's a sample of what I have been working on.

For Scrap-bee-licious, Cath of Wombat Quilts requested paper-pieced blocks in low volume fabrics.  Two challenges at once for me.  I have always been a bit fearful of paper piecing and I tend to purchase bright, colorful fabrics.  I searched the internet high and low for a pattern to tackle, something easy, and with large size sections.  I found Happiness in a Block from Quiltmaker.  I watched the video (great job, Shayla) and set out to make a test block.  It was awesome and I was hooked immediately.


1st Paper Pieced Block - EVER!



Mind you, I liked it so much, I decided to keep it and use the remaining fabric to make more blocks.  So a new fabric selection and a block was made for Cath.   I like this one also,  so I took the photo and quickly packaged it for mailing.
paper piecing, low volume

Happiness in a Block - For Cath
My 2nd paper pieced block!




I needed a second block and remembered that Amy Friend of During Quiet Time, had made a gorgeous quilt that is on the cover of a magazine.  Off to my magazine collection I went and there it was, American Quilter, September 2013.  Spinning Wheel Quilt.  

I looked through my collection of fabric and hoped for the best.  I love all the fabrics, not sure if the block is too busy, but I like it.  Oh, and on this block, I conquered the distaste of partial seams.   A big thanks to Cath for pushing me into things I shied away from. 

paper piecing, spinning wheel, low volume fabric

Spinning Wheel Block


I have much more to share, yet I am out of time.  

Thank you for stopping by!