I put the blocks for the teal project back up on the wall. This is where I'm at now:
Only three more blocks needed! They're all the 8-pointed star block (second row on the left) which uses hourglass units. I don't like making hourglass units - I have trouble getting them to come out even. I guess that's why these blocks are the last ones I still need to make.
Maybe I can get them done this month? We'll see.
Link up: Alycia Quilts 6/13, Small Quilts and Doll Quilts 6/16
Wow, I kind of got carried away with Scrappy Serendipity in May! What started out as blocks inspired by something on Pinterest became a big disappointment, until I tried a half-drop layout. Problem solved, and I liked it so much I made another!
After teaching a Dancing Plus class, I quilted up my teaching sample top, so that's another finish for May.
With all those finishes, a lot of fabric was used this month! The stash report is looking good for the year.
May Stash Report:
IN this month: 6 yards (3 yards Kona Snow; 3 yards wide backing)
OUT this month: 25-1/4 yards (Scrappy Serendipity 1 top (multi), estimated 7-1/2 yards. Dancing Plus top, 2-1/4 yards, class samples & step-outs, 1/2 yard. Dancing Plus backing, 1-3/8 yards; binding, 3/8 yard. Scrappy Serendipity 2 top (blue/green), 7-1/2 yards. Backings for both SS tops, 3 yards wide back plus 1-1/2 yards regular width. Bindings for both SS quilts, 1-1/4 yards)
IN YTD: 38-1/4 yards
OUT YTD: 54-5/8 yards
YTD Net Change: 16-3/8 yards out
That's a lot for one month!
I may not have as much to show for June. A couple of the things I'm working on are design requests from friends: help to figure out layouts for BOM blocks and panel squares. Also, I have some non-quilty things going on that will take some time. And prepping for retreat in July needs to happen, also. So if I don't accomplish much in June that's picture-worthy, or I don't post much, that's why.
Goals Update:
May Recap:
1. Prep for and Teach a Dancing Plus class. DONE.
2. Finish Scrappy Serendipity (formerly the Scrappy 5-Patch Plus) top. DONE.
3. Prep a backing for Cherry Jubilee. DONE
4, Work on piecing the Leftover Strata project. No, not touched.
5. Prep a backing for Scrappy Serendipity. DONE x 2
6. Book time and quilt something on the club's new long arm. Double DONE! Both the original multi and Blue/Green SS quilts have been quilted due to a bonus time slot on the long arm.
Other: - Prepped backing, layered, pin-basted, and quilted the Dancing Plus top on my domestic machine. Bound it.
- Pieced, quilted, and finished another Scrappy Serenade top in blues and greens.
- Bound and labeled both SS quilts.
June Goals:
1. Piece a top for pattern testing an enlarged version of the Irish Chain pattern for Community Service. Edit pattern. Turn in top and pattern on 6/6.
2. Work on the teal value study blocks.
3. Work on the Leftover Strata project.
4. Quilt Cherry Jubilee on 6/29.
5. Work on design requests from two friends in EQ.
6. Play with color combos for Scrappy Serendipity in EQ and start another fabric version.
7. Prep for retreat in July.
Link up: Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
I got lucky and scored an open time slot on the long arm this week! I quilted the original multi color Scrappy Serendipity on Saturday during my original reserved time. Just an all-over free motion meander, with light taupe thread. It came out great, and no hiccups with the new machine.
I might have been a little obsessed with the block I was making for the top shown in my previous post.
The block is satisfying to make because each block's palette is designed individually, so it doesn't get boring. My scrappy version was fine, once I landed on the half-drop layout, but it would probably look even better if I used an analogous palette. I might have gotten carried away and I started another version. Cutting ensued.
I had pretty much depleted my low volumes and nicer scraps, so pulling from stash was needed. I cut a 2-1/2" WOF strip of 40+ different blues, greens, teals and purples. I also cut strips from an unknown number of pale low volumes, probably at least as many. I cut the strips into the small pieces needed and made up packets for 43 blocks. I was so involved I forgot to take photos.
After cutting, these blocks are quick to make, and sewing them in pairs helps for chain piecing. Within a few days I had another whole top's worth of blocks on the design wall. After a bit of tweaking the layout, I ended up with this finished top.
Is it beautiful, wonderful? No, not at all. But it's certainly acceptable.
Would I make it again? Absolutely! But there are a few things I would do differently, mostly having to do with Value and value placement. I would only use the very lightest low volume prints, avoiding the ones that read darker, like the piece below the red motif at the center. I would also make sure there's enough contrast between the four small patches and both the background and the arms. I might try a more controlled scrappy palette also, such as all cool colors.
These blocks are fun to make because each one is designed as its own palette, so it's not boring to make multiples of the same block. Want to make your own version? Here's the block plan, but avoid busy, high-contrast background fabrics like in this EQ image:
For a half drop layout like mine you need 45 blocks and 6 end fillers. The end filler blocks finish at 5" by 10" (5-1/2 by 10-1/2" unfinished). They're made of 2-1/2" by 5-1/2" low volume pieces, 5 per block. The finished top measures 60" by 80", a good size for an adult or teen throw.
The scrappy blocks I wrote about last week are fun to make because each one is designed individually. From a selection of cut pieces, I can lay out two blocks, chain piece them, and have them finished in a half hour. It didn't take very long to make most of the blocks I need for a 6 x 8 block layout. Here they are on the design wall:
How disappointing! Disjointed. Boring. And no matter how I move them around, they don't look any better.
I was shooting for a 60 x 80" throw size for a donation quilt, so I still need two rows of blocks. Not a problem to make the blocks, but the resulting quilt will not be one that I'm proud of. So I played with layout options in EQ and landed on Half Drop Blocks.
After changing the layout on the wall, I need 45 blocks, not 48, and 6 end fillers. Here they are laid out on the wall in the Half Drop configuration, still a 60 by 80" quilt:
Much better. Still not the most beautiful quilt, but much improved from the first version. I have time booked on the long arm at the end of the month, so I'll get this quilted and send it on its way to the local family services agency PCQ supports. While not a beauty, it can still bring comfort to an abused teen.
Link up: Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
A lot of sewing happened this month, using a lot of fabric. On the other hand, a lot of fabric was added to the stash. Surprisingly, more fabric went out than came in.
A four day retreat resulted in the completion of two tops. I have given them, along with backing fabric and binding, to two of the quilter friends who were at the retreat.
At the retreat I also got all the blocks finished for my Almost Postage Stamp quilt. They were already started.
