Another UFO - 2021 Mystery Quilt - Michigan

It was 2020 when I moved into a newer, larger house.  I was ecstatic that I was finally going to have a dedicated sewing room for myself.  It took a while to get the house all situated and my sewing room was one of the last areas we worked on.  One of the first quilts I started, in this new house, was LBQ's 2021 mystery quilt, Michigan.

It's hard to believe how limited my sewing area was.  At that time, I was sewing this quilt on a folding TV tray at the end of the hallway.  I had stashed my blue and light fabrics in a plastic storage box on the floor.

I, now, have the body of the quilt pieced together and the next step is to create the applique border.  

I had to locate the silhouettes for the applique and the light background fabric (Perfect Union 9577-L).

And now I have to figure out how to layout the applique pieces to the border.

I think I'm liking the way it looks on one border.  Now, I have to transfer the markings onto the other three.  I hope I have enough spacing between the pieces.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Block 42

We are at week 42!  I can't believe there is only 10 weeks left in this quilt-along!

When this quilt-along started at the beginning of the year, I was looking forward to this 52-week long adventure.  One of the first things I do, on Tuesday mornings, is to anxiously see what the new block looks like!  I've really enjoyed this quilt-along.  I'm not happy that it will come to an end, but I am anticipating with how these blocks will be pieced together!

 My block 42

 From Laundry Basket Quilts blog 

This block came together very quickly, with only 12 pieces.  In my opinion, the hardest part of this block was trying to the center points to come together in the middle.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

Some More Little Baskets

I now have made 72 basket blocks.  Do I really need to make more baskets?  No.  Then why am I continuing to make more?

• they're easy and fun to make
• I'm looking forward to what I may make with them
• if I don't enter the contest, I won't have an opportunity to be chosen in the drawing on November 15

In this batch of baskets, I had purchased a few small cuts (1/4 yard) of the new fabric line, Lake House (from Laundry Basket Quilts) and a light background fabric from Twinkle (also from LBQ).  And when I was going through my LBQ stash, I had located some background fabrics from my Charm Basket quilt.  They would be perfect for the next baskets!

I'm going to get a few more blue fabrics and then I'm going to have to stop making the blocks.  I think I'll have plenty of "tickets" in the drawing.  I'm sure that there are many quilters who have make so much more than I have, but it will take just one ticket to win!

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

Charm Basket Quilt - Part 2

I had laid-out the basket blocks so I could group the colors in a rainbow arrangement.

I had, originally, thought I had a lot more of the blue baskets.  The quilt has more of the red/purple/pink coloration.  

I am going to leave the colors as they are.  I'm going to have to be satisfied with it.  I would like to move the purples above the blues and have the pinks next to the reds.  I'd have to unsew a lot of the basket blocks and rearrange them again, which would be a lot of work.

Now to decide on the color of the binding.  I like to use a teal color or, if I'm lucky, I could use a fabric that has a little bit of all the colors in it. Or another light patterned fabric, like the background.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Block 41

I was looking forward to this week's block.  I loved the little squares, set on point.   

   My block 41

 From Laundry Basket Quilts blog 

As usual, I carefully cut each piece according to the directional layout.  Some were had to be cut on the bias, while some were cut on the grain.  I even cut the center block with a peek of the tan print, just like the example.

It was very simple to piece together.  Once I had completed it, I had seen that I had pinned some of the rows incorrectly.  In the example, the light blue fabric has the rosebuds facing up.  When I was sewing the rows together, it was late at night, and I wasn't paying attention to the rosebuds.  I was paying more attention to matching up the seams.  

I had seen my upside-down rosebuds after the block was finished.  I really didn't want to disassemble the rows again, so I think I'll leave it as they are. 

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

More Little Baskets

I think I may need help!  Once I started, it's becoming so hard to stop.  These little baskets are really fun.  And I honestly don't know what I'm going to make with them. 

My plan was to use fabrics that I already had.  I have to confess that I've already purchased more blue fat quarters to make more.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -

Coming Home Table Runner - Part 3

I didn't quite make it to my Memorial Day deadline.  I had completed the top a few days after Memorial Day.

Now, my goal is the complete it, with quilting, by Veteran's Day in November.  I'm hoping that will give me enough time. 

A photo of the table runner (still unquilted) displayed in our store.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Block 40

This week's block was quite elegant.  It looks like an embellished Ohio Star quilt block, in my opinion.

    My block 40

 From Laundry Basket Quilts blog 

There were three diagonal fabrics.  They usually give me a headache because I would cut the fabric with the lines going in the wrong direction.  I've completed several blocks, with directional lines or prints, so that it has become routine to just cut the fabric that way.  They are becoming less complicated.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

I Couldn't Resist - Little Basket Contest

I had restarted this blog to keep track of UFOs, particularly my quilts, I've been working on small projects lately.  It seems as if I've been telling myself, "I'll work on a quilt after this small project."  Currently, I would like to make two more tote bags and finish up on some autumn-themed pillows I had started two years ago. I didn't want to start any more small, long-term projects that would interrupt my goal.  But I am very weak.

On August 31, Laundry Basket Quilts had introduced a new sewing challenge: Little Basket Contest.  The challenge is to make the baskets that are represented in their Little Basket quilt pattern.  For every six baskets made, you will receive 1 entry to their drawing, on November 15.  

Laundry Basket Quilts Little Basket Contest

I told myself I really didn't need to participate.  I had more important projects to work on.  The baskets are pretty small and so cute, I had to make just one.  Then, it was two.  Next thing I knew, I had 6 made!  I emailed my entry, so at least I had one entry to their contest.

Before I knew it, I was going through my Laundry Basket Quilts fat quarters (from their Fabric Club) to make more.  

My little baskets:

As I said, I am so weak.  They are easy to make, so I had to make more!  I think I should be okay, if I just keep using the fabrics that I have in my stash.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -