Rainbow bargello progress

It started out pretty simply.... a request for a rainbow quilt. After researching high and low, I decided to use a bunch of fat quarter from my stash and sew a bargello.

I added a border but it just didn't look right. It was too narrow. Beefing up the width with borders wasn't going to work... they'd overpower the rainbow effect.

Yes, that's my striped sock peeking out

I set it aside for a month while I noodled through possible solutions. Nothing I thought of was do-able. Nothing clicked as the right answer. I finally spread it out on the floor of my best friend's kitchen and stared at it.

And stared.

Then I stared some more.

Then I ate an ice cream sandwich and stared even more.

And then it hit me! I had extra bargello "tubes" that hadn't been opened yet. I could open them, halve them and add them to the side without the border! That would give me another 5 or 6 inches of width!

I spent tonight sewing those extras. Tomorrow I'll attach them to the rest of the quilt and we'll see how it looks!

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Rainbow love

In the midst of all the other sewing projects I have going on, I received a request for a rainbow blanket. Who can resist rainbows?! So I tossed my Cabin in the Woods to the side and got busy cutting.

This will be a rainbow bargello when I'm done. I'm going to use this as the width of the quilt and add some super chunky borders.

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It may not look like much..

... but here's where things stand with the Cabin in the Woods quilt.





Today was all about cutting out a million different pieces and getting some of the basic assembly completed. There are three or four different types of tree blocks and I only have one type finished.

For being a scrappy quilt, it sure does require large scraps! I've had a hard time finding scraps large enough but fortunately I have some leftover yardage in a several prints. But I'm sure that before this is over, I'll be having to beg for fabric from Kellie or run to the store to buy more fabric.

I am loving this quilt! I think the fact that it's not the same exact pattern over and over ad infinitum that appeals to me. Each cabin is unique as is each tree. Block assembly is pretty random which also appeals to me. And it's just so stinkin' cute! I think this quilt demands a double layer of thick batting to make it a good winter quilt for curling up in front of a fire.

Now to work out installing a fireplace in my apartment!

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I've been bored

I have. I have been so SO bored lately. I finished Josie's quilt top. I finished Mitchell's quilt top. I finished the ragged edge Christmas present top as well as the table runner Christmas present. I'm trying to patiently wait for fabric to start on the charity quilts but in the mean time, I am bored.

Bored.

B. O. R. E. D.

I pulled out the quilting book my sister gave me and started digging into my scrap boxes. I have enough scraps to start so I'm working on a Cabin in the Woods top now. It's super cute and pretty easy. Now I need to dig out some green scraps so I can start on the trees! I have a feeling a trip to the fabric store will be necessary for the green fabric. Oops.

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Blocky Beauty

Yesterday, I finished sewing about 50 squares, cut them and then ironed the seams tonight. After patting myself on the back for a while and quietly fondling my stacks of pinwheel squares, I decided to lay them out on the floor as blocks to see how it would look.

I had almost twice as many squares that could be laid out at this point, plus just as many that still need to be sewn once I buy more of the rust-colored contrast material.

This will easily make a twin size quilt. If I add a thick boarder and sashing, I *might* be able to stretch it to a double. I'll have to do some measuring.

I loved looking at my blocks all laid out. Now I just need to sew all those blocks!!

So... what do you think of the quilt being named "Pocket of Autumn"? Like it? Hate it? Have a better idea?

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Mix it up?

I started ironing the seams on my squares for the pinwheels. Now, here's the question... should I make all the pinwheels with the same colors or mix them up? Opinions? Thoughts?

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Oh how I love my rotary cutter

I've been busy, busy, busy cutting out squares. Five inch squares. Everywhere. Then once they're cut, I match them with the solid material, mark them and sew my seams then cut them one last time to make triangles. So now I have squares and triangles everywhere.

See that untied stack of squares? As of last night, every single one of those was pieced, sewn and cut into triangles!

Today I'll be cutting more 5" squares of the solid fabric and matching them with my patterned fabrics.

Rotary cutter, don't fail me now!

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It's pinwheel time!

Using a super easy tutorial from V & Co., I'm embarking on my first pinwheel quilt today!

After an agonzing evening at the local quilt shop, I choose colors and patterns that are very much NOT me, but spoke to me. As soon as I saw this grouping of fat quarters, I had to have them!

Instead of using white as the alternate to the patterned material, I chose a rust color. Now I'm not so sure about that choice. Oh well.. we'll see how it turns out!

Now I need to think of a name for this bad boy. Any ideas??

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Hello old friend

Yes, it's been a long time. I have no excuse. Well, I have plenty of excuses including a bad back, moving twice in four months, etc, etc. Bottom line is that I haven't been sewing and I miss it.

I decided to start 2010 off with something fun, bright and easy. I'm making some hot pink elephant pajamas for my daughter. So far I've cut the pants. I'm going to cut a top in matching hot pink and give her a solid top and print bottoms. For some reason she has more bottoms than tops. I hate sewing collars and sleeves but I'll probably end up making as many tops out of these two cuts of material as I can.

Tonight, I'll sew the bottoms, hem them and put the waistband in. Tomorrow, sleeves and collars, oh my!

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Sweet Pink

My latest work in progress is this rose strip twist quilt for a friend's baby girl. My blocks are assembled, I added the sashing between the blocks and now have all five rows complete. The question is.... do I add the sashing between the rows or not?




I'm really on the fence about what to do. I like it the way it is now. I like that it flows together but the limited sashing gives your eyes a break. But then again, it flows together and is very busy. I equate it to Strawberry Shortcake puking everywhere! LOL I'm afraid that adding the extra sashing will stop the flow and make it too boxy.

I think I'm going to stop looking at the pictures and let it percolate in my brain for a while. Opinions are welcome!

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