Birthday Mystery Quilt - Assembling the Quilt - Part 5

 All done!!

Once I had rearranged the heart blocks, they are no longer glaring at me.  The fabrics and colors move more steadily across the quilt.  There isn't much of a difference between the before and after.  In my viewpoint, I am happy with the change.

Ironically, I had told myself that I would not make another sampler quilt.  I bet I have more than one unfinished sampler quilts in my UFOs.  This birthday quilt is exactly that, a sample quilt.  Although it is a sampler, I enjoyed this quilt very much.  I loved expecting the next block every week.  I can't believe how quickly the year flew.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Assembling the Quilt - Part 4

I have corrected the cornerstones that were going the wrong direction.

Once the quilt was laid out on the floor, I could see the quilt in its entirety.  I didn't like how the appliqué hearts were displaying.

Each of the heart applique blocks are identical.  The fabric of the hearts was not agreeing with me, especially this fabric.  The two bottom heart blocks seemed to be too close together.

I would like to see how it would change if the hearts were turned clockwise, around the center block.  I was so happy, thinking I so close to having this quilt top finished.  I will rearrange the heart blocks and see how I feel about it.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Assembling the Quilt - Part 3

I have really enjoyed this quilt along.  I looked forward to seeing each weekly block and making each block within the seven days.  It was the perfect on-going small project.

Now, I am in the final stages of this birthday quilt.  I have carefully cut the sashing and cornerstone pieces.  I like the striped fabric so much, so I'm going to use it for the binding.

I was surprised with how quickly the rows came together.  I am loving the look of this quilt - how the light fabrics start in the center and, as you move your eye to the outside edge, the colors get darker.

Once the quilt was sewn together, I could see some mistakes that need to be corrected.

Several of the striped cornerstones were sewn horizontally, instead of vertically. I thought I was being so careful in getting the stripes correct.  And I believe the floral applique block, in the top left corner, should be turned so the flower will be at the top.

I'm a little disappointed to know that the quilt top isn't finished yet, but the fixes will be simple.  

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

Another Store Sample - A 3-Yard Quilt

During the early winter storm of 2025, it had brought approximately 7 inches of snow, along with about an inch of ice.  Our region of our state had to come to a halt due power outages and hazardous road conditions.  We were to stay safe at home.  Since I was unable to get out of the house, it was the perfect time to complete another store sample.  

This quilt is using fabrics from the Fiesta Boho collection from Quilting Treasures Fabrics.  The quilt pattern is called Rhythm, from the book, Curve Appeal with 3-Yard Quilts.

Fiesta Boho fabrics - https://www.sewtech-evv.com/shop/c/p/Fiesta-Boho-from-Quilting-Treasures-Fabrics-x86470234.htm

Curve Appeal with 3-Yard Quilts - https://www.sewtech-evv.com/shop/c/p/Curve-Appeal-with-3-Yard-Quilts-from-Fabric-Cafe-x84953621.htm

I'll be using these three fabrics, from the Fiesta Boho collection, for this little quilt.

The quilt uses two blocks, curved quilt blocks and four-patches.  The curved blocks did seem a bit intimidating at first, especially knowing I'm going to make multiples.  The block was large enough, so that if you take your time sewing along the curve, it will turn out perfectly.

The quilt, before the borders are added.

And with the borders.

Using a bold fabric for the border, it was very visible where two strips were pieced together.  I didn't want an obvious interruption in the floral print.  By matching the print prior to cutting, I was able to hide where they were connected.  

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Assembling the Quilt - Part 2

I have decided to assemble the birthday blocks on-point.  In Laundry Basket Quilts' digital illustration, they had used sashing to separate the blocks.  I realize that their version is only an interpretation of the finished quilt.  

In their version, some of the sashing is used with a striped fabric and it is placed on the bias.

Another option is to place it on-grain.  This slight difference changes the look a little bit.  

I think I'll keep the striped sashing on the bias.  I like how it will give the quilt a continuous line, from the top to bottom.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

I Think I May Have a Problem!

My latest quilting craze has been Laundry Basket Quilts.  When they started their Fabric Club (12 fat quarters a month!), I couldn't resist in delving into this new addiction.  

Fat quarters - Laundry Basket Quilts Fabric Club Subscription

And now look where it finds me...I'm going to run out of storage room.

In the photo above: two left-side bins with my Laundry Basket Quilts fat quarters, right-side bin with the newer fat quarters, yet to be integrated 

I have made my own bins from wooden crates from Joann Fabrics.  I had, initially, built two bins when I had collected about a year's worth of bundles.  I had them bundled on a shelf and it was difficult to search through the fat quarters.  I wanted to store the fabric so that I could see the fabrics, organized by the fabric collection.  And with all the colors exposed, it's a visual treat!

By the end of 2024, I had collected another 6 bundles, and the bins were getting tight with fabric.  It was time to make another bin.

The third bin will be full before I know it.  I could make a fourth bin, but I don't have the space to place it beside the other three.  I'm going to have to decide to stop the club subscription or figure out another location in my small sewing room.

What do I do?!

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Duplicate Heart Blocks

 I had finally finished the last of the birthday blocks, the duplicates of the heart block.

I didn't realize this until today.  The funny thing is that I had made a little mistake in my first heart block, which I made in March (2024).  I've stated that I've tried to duplicate Laundry Basket Quilts' blocks, so that I can have a replica of their quilt.  I didn't know that I had some of the hearts in the wrong place.

My heart block

From Laundry Basket Quilts blog 

Not identical!!  I'm on the tail end in assembling the quilt, so I'm not going to re-applique the hearts in the correct square.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Assembling the Quilt - Part 1

In our part of the country, we are currently experiencing a large winter storm.  With the large accumulation of snow, sleet, and ice, we are all stuck at home to be safe.  Luckily, the fabrics that I had recently ordered arrived yesterday, before this big storm!  The webstores, that I had ordered them from, were only a state away, so they arrived very quickly.

 

The next blocks I have to sew is the heart blocks that surround the center block. 

Due to the seven inches of snow and ice brought by the winter storm, the morning started off with no electricity.  With only the daylight, I was busy appliqueing the hearts by hand.  Luckily, the electricity was back on by noon!

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Last Blocks of 2024

        My block 52

From Laundry Basket Quilts blog 

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        My block 53

From Laundry Basket Quilts blog 

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        My block 54

From Laundry Basket Quilts blog 

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        My block 55

From Laundry Basket Quilts blog 

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        My bonus block 3

From Laundry Basket Quilts blog 

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I'm having to reproduce 3 more of the appliqued heart blocks, that will surround the center block.  I am down to bit and pieces of the textured-square fabric, so I had to purchase more online (along with the sashing fabrics).  The weather forecast is showing a winter storm with significant amount of sleet and snow.  Sadly, this will delay the delivery of the fabrics for a few days.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - - 

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Block 51 - Part 2

I'm getting back to finishing the last of the birthday blocks.

         My block 51

From Laundry Basket Quilts blog 

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -