More Small Projects

I try to accomplish some smaller projects in-between my quilt projects with something that is quick to finish, well, sometimes.  Although I love making quilts, my quilts-in-progress can seem so arduous and time consuming.  I need to take a short break from them.

I feel the need to explain some of my small projects.  I am very fortunate - I work at my favorite quilt shop!  And at my quilt shop, I have the obligation of making store samples for the shop.  When new fabric collections and patterns come into the store, I get bombarded with ideas of what I can create with them.

Here are a couple of those new projects:

This is the Highland tote bag made with the Colors of Summer fabric collection.   

The fabric collection reminds me of picnics with a patriotic tone.  In addition, it has an embroidered look to it, which was what attracted me to these fabrics.

This bag includes outer pockets as well as an ample number of inside pockets.  It would make a great bag to carry a sewing project in.

Fabric:  Colors of Summer fabrics

Tote bag pattern:  Highland Tote pattern

And here, we have a playmat made with Under the Sea fabric. 

I enjoyed making this because of the "shark teeth" (altered prairie points) around the edges.

In addition, long-arm quilting was added!  I, personally, didn't quilt it, but I am hoping to learn to do so soon!!

Fabric :  Under the Sea fabric panel

Till next time,  

- - - - Jane - - - - 

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Block 21

My Block 20

From Laundry Basket Quilts blog

This block is one of two, that I could tell, that do not have the linen texture background fabric. The other is block 13. It gives it a more of a scrappy look.  

I like how the taupe fabric is framing the center square.  It gives the block a subtle pop if color.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -

Coming Home Table Runner - Part 2

Once I had the table runner put together, with the green background, it was a lot better.  

The two versions of the table runner, one with a light background and the other with the green background, have a dramatic difference.

With my first attempt, I thought I selected the right background.

The green is much better.  It keeps with the Army coloration.

This project is taking a lot longer to finish than I wanted.  I am cutting it a real close to Memorial Day!

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Block 20

My Block 20

From Laundry Basket Quilts blog

With this block, I took my time to notice the design of the fabric.  Most of the fabrics have lines that go vertically.  When I was cutting the fabric pieces, I kept the vertical lines, in mind, so that they would all be going in the same direction once they were all pieces together.  It was really nice not having to use the seam ripper this time.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Block 19

  My block 17

  From Laundry Basket Quilts blog 

 

A very easy block this week.  The only complication, if you want to call it a complication, is the center nine-patch block.  The 2-inch block isn't equally divided by three, so I had to really pay attention to the cutting directions. 

I'm so looking forward to next week's block(s).  Earlier, Edyta had stated that there may be a bonus block for Mother's Day.  The bonus block usually consists of something different from the typical piecing, like applique.  I can't wait to see what kind of technique will be used.

Til next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -

A Quick Project - Coming Home Table Runner

This is not the typical fabric I usually choose.  It is a military themed fabric line called Coming Home, from Riley Blake Designs.  The fabric designer is Vicki Gifford and she lives in the general area of the U.S. as I do.  I had briefly met her recently.  The graphics on her fabric are from her own paintings and I had to make something with her fabrics!

You can take a look at the Coming Home fabric collection at:  SewTech

Since my father was in the Army, I chose the greens and beiges.  I didn't want to make a large project, so I chose to make a table runner.  I had chosen these fabrics - the Army green and beige fabrics are going to be sawtooth stars and the white will be the background.

Once I made the first block, I could tell it wasn't going to work.  The white fabric was too busy, so I traded it out with a solid egg-shell colored fabric.  Visually, it was a lot better.

I proceeded along with the other star blocks.  Once I had put the pieces together, the overall color seemed to be washed-out.  I really wasn't seeing the colors of the Army, just too much of the light background.

I decided to eliminate to light colored background and use the Army green fabric as the background.  Together, I think these fabrics give a good representation of the Army.

And now, I've got to spend a lot time with the seam ripper (growl) and deconstruct all 24 sawtooth saw blocks.  I'll replace the background fabric and return with the results.

Til next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Block 18

For this week's block, we have a house!!

 My block 17

From Laundry Basket Quilts blog

I have always loved a house themed quilt.  I'm sure that I have, at least, two schoolhouse UFO quilts somewhere in my sewing room.  I was thrilled when I saw the house block for this week's block.

I had found another complication with this block.  The fabric used in the roof has a striped design.  I had to be careful with the half-square triangles.  To cut the 2-inch half-square triangle, you could expose the white vertical line in the fabric.

I didn't want a vertical line in the roof.  Luckily, the space between the lines was 2 inches.  I could cut the triangle between those lines.

This was a quick block to sew together.  That's a good thing because I was a bit late with the last two.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -