Nurses for Newborns Quilts at STLMQG

At the STLMQG meeting last Saturday we turned in our Nurses for Newborns quilts. There were quite a few turned in; the the count hasn't been announced yet.

These are most of the ones from Saturday; a few more were added to the piles after I took the photo.

The first batch was collected back in May. Quite a few were turned in then, too. I'm curious to know what the total came to; I hope they announce it at the next meeting.

I contributed 12 all together. It was a fun project because the quilts are small enough they go together quickly, and I enjoyed trying out new techniques or color combos each month. If the charity committee decides to continue for next year, I will definitely make more N4Nb quilts.

May

November

Linking up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict and TGIFF at Alycia Quilts

Basting Pickle Dish

This week I'm working on layering and basting my Pickle Dish quilt. It's fairly big, 67 x 81, so I had to move the table and chairs out of the dining room to have enough space to lay it out.

I like to work in there in the morning because the light is good coming in from the front window. The layers are all smoothed out and ready to be pinned.

DH looks at this and sees Dr. Seuss. My SIL saw it laid out and said "CandyLand." I really didn't want a juvenile quilt, especially for how much work has gone into this one. Sigh.


Linking up with Sew Fresh Quilts

December "Operation Shower" Baby Quilt

The traditional guild I belong to, CSQ, is supporting Operation Shower, which provides baby showers for expecting military families. I can't resist the opportunity to make a sweet baby quilt.

Last spring I found this remnant in Paducah. Precious! This fabric is too cute to just languish in my stash. Who could resist those sheep?!!!

So I pulled some coordinating fabrics from stash. The only time I get to use girly fabrics is for donation quilts. I should have photographed them on the white tabletop instead of on the print, but you get the idea.

Another Plus quilt, simple patchwork that lets the fabrics do the work. The sheep will be the backing because I couldn't bear to cut them up.

(sorry for blurry photo)

In other news, I broke my camera. It fell from my cutting table to the hard floor while it was on and the lens was extended. It landed in such a way that it bent the lens apparatus out of alignment. I need to take it to the camera shop and see what they can do with it. Sigh.

Meanwhile I'm making do with phone photos, which I don't like because they always come out looking out of focus no matter how carefully I try to hold the phone still. I may be posting less often or with fewer photos for awhile; please bear with me.



Link ups:
Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
Em's Scrapbag
Love Laugh Quilt

Nurses for Newborns Quilts

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you already know I've been making quilts for Nurses for Newborns. The nurses provide education and support to young moms who may have difficult circumstances or lack of resources. They take a quilt and other baby supplies into the home of the new mom, place the quilt on the floor, lay the baby on it, and demonstrate baby care. Then they leave the quilt with the young family. Because they're carrying so much stuff on their first visit with a family, they prefer small quilts in the 24" x 36" size range.

STLMQG is collecting the N4Nb quilts tomorrow. I've made one per month plus an extra. I turned some in back in May, and I have seven more to turn in tomorrow.

From left, above:
- June, strips from a Moda scrap bag given to me by a friend
- July, a scrap bundle from Amy Smart
- August, a spiral pattern test
- September, inprov strip piecing
- October, leftover construction zone fabrics from my grandson's big boy bed quilt
- Bonus, a demo sample for my organization system
- November, nine patch with ABC print

June - Sept.

 Sept. - Nov. 

All are at least 24" x 36" and some are just a bit wider but still in the general size range. I've enjoyed making them each month, especially pulling the fabric palettes together and/or trying out new-to-me designs. 

Here are the ones I turned in back in May, on the side fence: 

And the latest batch, too many to fit on the side fence so they're on the back fence:  

I'm sure the STLMQG charity committee will get piles of little N4Nb quilts tomorrow. I'm looking forward to seeing them all.



Link Ups: Confessions of a Fabric Addict, Crazy Mom Quilts

November N4Nb Quilt

You knew I'd get it finished in time...

...all washed and crinkled up nicely...

...to be turned in on Saturday. 

Link Up: Sew Fresh Quilts

One last N4Nb Quilt

The Nurses for Newborns quilts are due this Saturday. That means I have to quickly finish the one for November. No worries, it'll be done in time.

I dug deep into the stash for this ABC print that dates from the early 2000's. I bought it when a local shop was closing, one of those all-that's-left-on-the-bolt deals. I ended up not using it as planned, and I have more than three yards of it. I also have a matching yellow solid from 1997 that I've been saving along with this print. Time to put them to good use.

I found a couple of blues in my stash that coordinate well enough. Since I need to make this quickly, a simple nine-patch will do.

The flimsy is done; I just need to get it layered, quilted and bound. I'm planning to use more of the ABC print for the backing.

Then I also need to get all the N4Nb quilts washed before I turn them in Saturday. Hopefully later this week I can get photos of them all on the fence outside. Sorry for the gloomy indoor photos here - it's been raining for days.


Link ups:
Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
Em's Scrapbag
Love Laugh Quilt

Goodbye to some UFOs

I have more UFO flimsies and tops than I'll ever be able to quilt myself. I recently pulled out a few that I need to do something about.

Green Bohemian Bento Box, 2016

My household doesn't need any more quilts, nor does my son's. I've given quilts to relatives, and baby quilts to all the grand nieces and nephews.

Glorious Greens, 2017

I make a lot of donation quilts; most of these tops were created with donation in mind.  My resources only go so far, so I can't pay a long-armer to quilt them, then give them away.

Peaches and Cream, 2012

Pre-blogging; made at the first STLMQG Sew-In 

For me, it's all about pulling the palette of fabrics together, creating the design/pattern, cutting, and piecing. After that, I get bogged down. I'd much rather move on to the next design!

Crawling around on the floor layering and basting a quilt is my least favorite part of the process. I'm only so-so at quilting, just simple walking foot lines or FMQ meandering is the limit of my skill level. This is why so many flimsies have ended up as UFOs.

Propeller, 2018

Sarah over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict is active in her Quilt Ministry and has a long arm. I reached out to her and asked if her Quilt Ministry would be able to use these tops. She graciously accepted.  Thank you, Sarah, for providing a home for them.

As I said in my note to her when I mailed them out, I'd rather donate them now to a recipient of my choice than for my heirs to have to deal with a pile of UFOs later. Win-win-win! I get rid of tops that are taking up space. Sarah's organization gets tops they can use. And after Sarah does her quilting magic, someone in need of a quilty hug will get a quilt.

And the best part: If I donate just tops, I can continue to make as many as I want. I can play with color and design to my heart's content, and not have to feel guilty about all the UFOs I'm generating. Of course, I will still continue to finish (quilt and bind) quilts from time to time, and donate some of them.

I see more donation tops in my future, and I'm open to other organizations who might be able to use them (leave a comment if you have a suggestion). 


Linking up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict