Windows in Solids #2

60 x 70

This is my second Windows quilt. You might be wondering why I made two. I really didn't intend to make two, but after sewing the top together on the first one, I realized it was extremely long. Hmmm, what happened? Two mistakes. The first is I made too many blocks. The second is I sewed 6 x 7 instead of 6 x 5. I ended up seam ripping two rows off and making some more blocks for this one. But two is better than one, right?

For this one I found a light blue backing and fortunately there was enough of the brown solid in the quilt to do the binding. I'm still trying to keep with the theme of using up solids. It's going well.

Even though I've been using up my solid yardage and my scraps, I still have about a half box of strips left and quite a bit of yardage that doesn't really go together. I have one more quilt picked out to make and then I think I will have to get more scrappy. I do like scrappy, to that will be just as fun!

Windows in Solids #1

60 x 70

The pattern is called Windows, and it turned out to be a great way to use up some of the growing pile of Kona Cotton solid strips and scraps that have been collecting in my sewing room. I'm trying to be more intentional about using what I already have instead of always cutting into new fabric, especially now that my stash isn't being replenished quite as easily. 

Since Joann's has closed, finding quilt backs has been a little more challenging but I came across this fun floral print at Hobby Lobby and knew it was just right for this quilt.

 Another finish, a few more scraps used up, and one more quilt added to the shop.

Frog and Toad Go Swimming - The Comeback Quilt

58 x 72

Some quilts begin with a pattern. Others begin with a color palette. And that's how this one started. I knew I wanted to work with shades of blue and green so I started by sewing each block from two alternating colors. Once all the blocks were finished, I arranged them on my design wall, separating each block in a row with five black and white pieces, shifting the next row over by a half block. But...oh, was it ugly.

The colors looked choppy, and instead of flowing across the quilt, they felt random and disconnected. I wish I had saved a picture of that so you could see just how far this quilt has come. Sometimes a quilt just doesn't come together the way you imagine it will.

So I did what every quilter dreads - I grabbed my seam ripper. I carefully took apart every single block so I could mix up the color combinations hoping that would work. Then it was back to the design wall where I cam up with this idea instead.

The colors began to flow naturally from one block to the next, creating the movement I had hoped for from the very beginning. The black and white columns, which had felt harsh before, now framed each section beautifully and gave the quilt a modern, graphic look.

That gave me the idea to quilt it with flowing waves horizontally across the quilt top. I searched for some ideas, but didn't really see anything I liked. So I just tried to quilt some wavy lines that didn't touch each other but came together in some places like ripples. 3 lines per row seemed right. After a few passes, I decided it was just the right fit for the quilt.

I was close to tossing this at the beginning, and I'm so glad I kept going. I think it turned out to be a nice looking quilt. I keep thinking it should be called  "Frog and Toad Go Swimming." So I think I will. 
 

Half Square Triangle Baby Quilt in Orange

32 X 40

I can't seem to get the colors right on my photos today. Does this ever happen to you? And somewhere along the way, I accidentally left out an entire column. The funny part? I didn't notice until the quilt was completely finished and off the longarm! By then, there wasn't much to do except laugh and remind myself that handmade doesn't always mean perfect.

For the backing, I chose a playful polka dot print that brings a little extra personality to the quilt. I always enjoy picking backing fabrics, and this one was too much fun to pass up.

Even one column smaller, I still love how this one turned out. The combination of cedar orange, gray, black, and white gives it a fun, modern feel. I quilted it with soft wavy lines to add movement without taking away from the design.

Half Square Triangle Baby Quilt in Blue

36 x 40

This baby boy quilt is made from half square triangles. I used the AccuQuilt 4" finished triangle die to make fast work of cutting all the fabrics.

One of my favorite parts of this quilt is actually the back. I used a gray print covered in little X's—one of my favorite backing fabrics. It's playful without being loud, and it was the perfect match for the modern feel of the front.

For the quilting, I chose soft, flowing curves. I liked the contrast of organic quilting against all of the sharp angles in the piecing. It adds texture and softness while letting the geometric design stay the star of the quilt.