In October and November managed to get 5 long-standing projects to the finished top stage. Some quilters call them “flimsies” but I don’t like using that word to describe something as wonderful as a finished quilt top. (Just my opinion.) I had set a goal to finish 5 projects before year end, but I should be able to finish up 3 more before the end of the next week — potentially 8 finishes. Granted they are machine pieced and were in various stages of being completed, but I am feeling quite proud of my accomplishment especially since I hadn’t done much quilting in the 12 proceeding months.
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- Finish 1 – Plaid Streak
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- Finish 2 – Floral Streak
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- Finsih 3 – Can’t remember pattern name–I call it the ugly Christmas quilt
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- Finish 4 & 5 – Leftovers Again and Leftovers Again & Again
Perhaps I am a bit overconfident — inspired by my recent finishes — but I’m setting a goal to finish 15 projects in 2015. Here’s the list in no particular order:
- Priscilla’s Beauty – hand pieced blocks with applique
- Case of the Secret Garden – hand pieced blocks
- Crazy Quilt block – Alaskan cruise class project
- Transfer Artist Paper (TAP) – old class sample
- Patchwork of the Crosses (POTC) – hand pieced
- Hexiflowers – hand pieced
- Rachelle – hand pieced blocks
- Colonial Garden
- Patriots in Petticoats – machine pieced
- Sun, Moon & Stars – appliqued blocks machine pieced
- 9 Patch Leader/Ender with Heart – machine pieced with applique
- Thea’s Baby Quilt – machine pieced
- Ethan’s New Quilt – machine pieced [same as Thea’s with different backing and binding]
- Scrappy Log Cabin – machine pieced
- Scrap Baskets – machine pieced / appliqued handles & hearts
While I was working on this post, Linda posted a photo to the Inklingo Facebook page. Yes! That’s the look I want to see 15 times this year. (hahaha)
I was first introduced to the concept of using up scraps as leader and ender projects when machine piecing other quilt tops on Bonnie Hunter’s old Quiltville website. If you are not familiar with leaders and enders, Bonnie has written about it here. At the time, I had 2 inch squares saved up because I had planned to EPP a scrappy hexagon flower quilt. I discovered Inklingo before I started that EPP project and (thankfully!) used Inklingo to print my scrappy .75 inch hexagons instead. I used those 2 inch squares in scrappy Irish Chain leader ender projects.
I think I made (and sold) a full-sized and 2 lap-sized quilts and 2 of the quilt-backed windows.
I’ve also done some 9 Patch blocks as leader enders and used larger scraps for the alternating blocks and setting triangles. Both of these quilts have 130 9 Patch blocks.
I toyed with the idea of some sort of applique on the alternate blocks for the first 9 Patch quilt before I decided to just go completely scrappy.
While I was finishing up quilt tops in October and November, I completed another 130 9 Patch blocks using 2 inch squares. This new set of blocks is made with 5 light fabrics and 4 dark fabrics. I am revisiting the idea of applique in the alternate blocks. Maybe some type of flower? There is an On Point Inklingo Collection that includes squares with appliqued hearts. Maybe something like this EQ7 layout?
Inklingo 4.5 inch On Point Collection
I wouldn’t have to include the applique hearts on every alternate block. I’m hesitating because I’m not sure I need another project that includes applique. I’ll decide what to do sometime next year. Maybe I’ll have one or two of my current applique projects done at some point in 2015. I do need another leader ender project though.
I still have lots of 2 inch squares. Maybe it’s time to start another scrappy Irish Chain project. (Lots of maybes to consider…)
- 1 Year of Stitches embroidery project
- Hexiflowers (aka Grace's Garden)
- Death Star pillow
- Tonopah Nevada topographical map
- 1855 Wales Center map
- Winnie the Pooh map
- Ethan's Quilt
- Thea's Quilt
- Rachelle Fae CQ block
- Machine quilting with a walking foot
Judy Martin's
Waltzing Matilda
6, 9 & 12 inch blocks
The traditional size: 1 inch Patchwork of the Crosses
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