Somehow almost two weeks have passed since the last post. Not sure how that happened, but here we are. I have actually been in the sewing room quite a bit so I will do a quick update on what has been in the works.
First and foremost, I have been working on a cute baby quilt for my niece. It is just about done – I have a few more inches of binding to stitch down and then into the wash it goes. Once she receives it, I will share it here. I am 99% sure she doesn’t read the blog but since I haven’t taken photos of it anyway, it will have to wait.
Additionally, I decided to make a quilt for Mercy Hospital. If you are new here, I coordinate a program called Mercyful Quilts and you can read more about it here. It seemed like a good way to start off the new year by making a quilt for them. I have a panel (by Three Wishes) in the shop that is very pretty. It has four large sections and each has a quote. I thought, for people who are going through the process of saying goodbye to a loved one, this quilt would provide comfort. The prints are reminiscent of a water color painting.
Being a panel, this was a simple quilt top to create. I cut the panel into four sections and used some of the coordinates to create borders around the squares. (Looking at the squares, I think these would also be fun to use for a tote bag for bible study.)
Now that it is all put together, I am thinking it might be a tad small at 49 inches square. Just trying to decide if I add another border or go ahead and get it basted. Decisions, decisions. I am thinking of using a soft vintage sheet for the backing. I hope I have one in the right colors for this.
In the on-going saga of pretending to clean the sewing room, I started playing with a stack of leftover HST’s from the Mosaic Mystery Quilt I participated in last winter. (The top is still in the closet, patiently waiting for me to get it finished up.) As a result of piecing that top, I have a large stack of 2 1/2″ HST’s that I want to use for something. I poked around that wonderful rabbit hole, aka Pinterest, until I found some inspiration. I am working on a mini. I haven’t made a mini in quite a while. I remember making a bunch of them when I first started blogging but seems like it has been a while. So this will be finished up soon and I will share it with you then. I am thinking it may need to be hand quilted.
OK – that is it for now. Sorry to have been remiss in posting. I have been reading tons of posts and am loving the Stay at Home Round Robin that is going on. Have you seen the posts about this? It is being hosted by Quilting Gail and I am enjoying it. Check it out – maybe you have the perfect orphan block to build from.
Linking up to Stitch Show & Sew as well as a few others. Check out my Link Up tab at the top of the page.
One thought Bernie, is that the quilt could be lengthened, which is more important than width, or lots of width. so you could do a top and bottom checkerboard or greek key or even piano key and then a final border if you wanted it a little larger. It is beautiful and will be so nice.
Love the playing tight the leftovers! Going to go look at fabric for my RRobin and start putting a binding on! The day calls, but I have 2 more zoom so I should get a little sewing in!
Oh Kathleen – Yes, that is a good idea. Maybe just a pieced top and bottom to lengthen it. Thank you!! Have fun with the RR – I will have to check out your progress. 🙂
Ah yes, those pretending to clean projects that pop up – the best kind, aren’t they? All impulsive and whatnot. Curious to see what it will be. The Mercy quilt is lovely, and I’m sure it will bring someone comfort. I like Kathleen’s idea, too. Thanks for the SAHRR plug, too!
For sure – plus I save all sorts of stuff (like these bonus HST’s) and it feels good to finally use them.
As for the SAHRR – I am really enjoying it because each quilter has started off with such a unique center block. It is a fun idea for sure.
Love your panel quilt, Bernie! That’s a great panel! You could always add borders on top and bottom. I had to do that with my grandsons’ quilts!
I agree Brenda – I just started some strip piecing to get a patchwork border going for top and bottom. It is looking pretty cute too. 🙂
Love the Three Wishes quilt made with such great fabric! Can’t wait to see it all finished. Take care, Mary.
Thank you Mary. I really like the colors in this panel. I am working on top and bottom borders for it to make it a bit longer. Then I will get to quilting it up. Take care and be healthy.
You always have such pretty projects going on. Love the panel quilt. I like Kathleen’s ideas about increasing the size. I plan to have a quilt or two for Mercy this year.
Your HST mini is looking great so far – love the fussy cut.
After reading about Mercyful Quilts I would suggest at least a few more inches in length. The people left behind will wrap themselves and will need the larger end of lap quilt size. One I gave to a relative of a relative became a life line for her partner. He still uses it and it stays on his chair and doesn’t even want it to be washed because it is gone for a couple hours. He has rubbed the binding to threadbare in one of the corners. He is a large man but this has become his lap quilt in his recliner and I make throws at least 50 by 60 and it works for him. With minimal shrinkage your quilt will become an inch or two smaller so please add top and bottom borders.
What a sweet story Penny. How wonderful to know it brought this man so much comfort.
I am adding a top and bottom border – It is in the works now.
Take care -Bernie
I love the “pretending to clean the sewing room”–that’s me! Though I did spend a big chunk of Monday afternoon sorting and organizing specifically my Island Batik fabrics. The room didn’t look any cleaner when I was done, but I had some newly emptied bins and I had cut a bunch of stuff for the future. See, here I am pretending! I really like the center of your block with the painting-like fabric.
Hi Emily – I am making progress on using scraps so that is a good thing. Somehow the room is never all that organized. I look with envy when I see a really pretty sewing space. Sigh, that just isn’t me! I like that fabric also – it is a reproduction of a Paul Seurat painting. I have quite a bit of it and this little scrap looks so cute in the center of the star.
Such a pretty panel and so kind of you!
Beautiful panel and baby quilt. I like to make oversize baby quilts for extended snuggling. Small quilts are easy for carrying and make good car seat quilts, though. You could always call this one done and make a larger one with another panel. Juts my thoughts.
Looking forward to seeing more of your HST Mini Quilt.
Thanks for linking up and brightening my quilty day … <3 Pat
Wow, lots going on for you too! It’s fun to have a few projects on the go. I like that quilt you’ve got going for Mercyful quilts, beautiful panels. And I’ve been sewing up, uh, blessed triangles too over the past couple of months!
I have been watching and yes, you have been sewing all sorts of stuff Sandra. So busy! I do like having a few things to work on – Maybe I would finish more/faster/whatever if I just stuck with one thing at a time. I don’t know… but this works well enough. 🙂
At 49″, I think I’d add borders to the top and bottom. Either way, it’s a pretty quilt.
Hi Susan – totally agree – I now have top and bottom, patchwork borders in process. They are looking pretty darn cute and will make the quilt a more usable size. Thank you!
I love that panel, Bernie! Have you ever seen anything like that, but not so feminine-looking? I have had such a hard time trying to find scripture print fabric that I can use on projects for my menfolk. Don’t know why the fabric companies think that the Bible is only for girls. Also, I can totally relate to your “ongoing saga of PRETENDING to clean the sewing room.” Hah!
I can’t think of anything right off the top of my head. I will keep my eyes out though and let you know if I see anything less feminine. This is really pretty but yes, not terribly masculine.