Scrappy Four Patch Chain

Behind the scenes I've been prepping a new project to take to social sewing. A while back I made a lot of light/dark four patches, and now they're on the wall with dark squares, in an Irish Chain layout. 

I'll clip these pieces in four-patch batches for blocks, number them, and kit it all up to take along. First, though, I need to replace that busy rust print that calls too much attention to itself. 

My husband saw this on the wall and said he really likes it, likes the colors. He rarely comments on my quilts. My recent ones have all been much brighter than this. 

This will be a donation quilt for Hospice, 56 x 72". They often need quilts for men, and while this does have light pink in it, the overall look is masculine. The pastels in the chain (leftovers from other projects) help give it a little liveliness and sparkle. 

I was hoping this project would help deplete my scraps and use up some of my older, duller, unloved fabrics. Wishful thinking, I still have plenty.

Link up: Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

The "Found" UFO, Finished

A couple of months ago I needed a project box for something, and I pulled out one that I thought was empty. Surprise! It had a partially assembled top in it. I had taken it to a retreat as my extra project in case I finished whatever else I was working on and still had time. The center of the top was complete, it just needed borders, which were cut and in the box. I guess I put the box back in the cabinet and forgot about it. The top was a quick finish.

I had a donated length of fabric that was perfect for the backing, so I prepped it for quilting when I could get a long arm reservation. Quilting happened at the end of September. Binding was added yesterday, and now it's finished and ready to donate. 

I used black thread for the quilting, a bold choice, but with such simple squares I wanted the quilting to add interest. Yes, it's just a meander, but it adds movement and texture. 

The backing was a donation to PCQ's Community Service Committee back when H. was the chair. She handed me a pile of black and white prints and said, "Do something with these."  The black quilting looks good on the back, too, like it's part of the print.

 

The colored squares in this quilt were left over from the Confetti and Streamers quilt in my blog header. That had to be 2012 or earlier. They sat in a baggie in my scrap drawer forever. Some of the black and white prints in the top were donated by Quilt Diva Julie, and the print with inspirational words was left over backing from an earlier charity quilt. 

This quilt measures 57 by 73" and will be donated to the local family services agency. We learned a few years ago that their teenage girl clients tend to choose quilts that include black, so most of the quilts I've made from the donation of black and white prints have gone to this agency. 

One last photo - An overcast and windy day here! 

Linking up with Small Quilts and Doll Quilts 10/12 and Alycia Quilts 10/16

PS - for those of you who knew we were vacationing in Perdido Key last week, and were concerned about Hurricane Isaias, we cut our vacation short and flew home Thursday. At the time we changed our plans, the storm was predicted to make landfall at the Florida/Alabama state line, right where we were. We made it home with no problems. 

Checkered Garden Blocks Complete

I fixed the offending block I mentioned in my previous Checkered Garden post. Now I'm much happier with the blocks. This is the final layout, and I can sew the blocks together. 

The color is much closer to real life in this photo, too, compared with some of the earlier photos. 

Link up: Alycia Quilts