Mystery Quilt 2025 - Weeks 1 and 2

Once again, Laundry Basket Quilts had started another mystery quilt.  This year, I couldn't resist in participating.  I'm quite a bit late in posting my blocks, because of other projects.  

Week One -

The first week blocks started with square-in-a-square blocks.  We had to make nine of them.

Week 2 - 

The second week block consisted of quarter-square-triangle blocks.  We were to make four of them.

   

                                  

         

The first two weeks are fairly simple.  There just a few blocks each week, so that it is easy to keep up.

Here is a view of my blocks placed together.  

Til next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -

Busting Through My Creative Block - Seamstress Quilt

It's been a good three months that I haven't work on one of my own quilts/projects.  I've worked on store samples and smaller projects with little of my usual enthusiasm.  Perhaps it was because of some of the obstacles that had come from those projects.  

For me, creative blocks happen from time to time.  It's been a while since I've eagerly and joyously worked on a quilt.

I've decided to just dive into a quilt I've put on hold.  I pulled out all the fabrics I have saved for the Seamstress quilt.

Seamstress quilt pattern: https://www.laundrybasketquilts.com/products/276304279?_pos=10&_sid=22c4546e2&_ss=r

I had to sew just one of the small stars that surround the center star and applique.

Once the star was finished, I was very happy with it!  I'm fairly happy with how the center point came together.  I'm going to have to make some more.

Til next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -

Valentine Pillows Completed

I had started two different Valentine's Day pillows, this time last year.  I was unable to complete the pillows.  Although I was so eager when I started the pillows, I believe I soon became tired of these projects.  

Since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, I found the good sense to finally finish the pillows!

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Heart to Heart Pillow

In the last post for my Heart to Heart pillow, I had the hearts appliqued and the blocks pieced together.

I think one of the reasons that I had stopped working on this pillow was because of the quilting.  I wanted to quilt more than straight lines.  I wanted to quilt something that consisted with curves, but I never had much luck with free-motion quilting with my sewing machine.  I had to try something.

I found a continuous line quilting pattern with hearts.  I thought the pillow was small enough to stitch over the marked (frixion pen) lines.  

This is the backing with the quilting design marked...   

the quilting lines stitched...

and the marked lines erased with a hot iron.

I was very surprised with how well the quilting turned out, once it was finished!  My stitches aren't perfect, but I am very happy with my pillow. 

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Love Notes Pillow

When I had last set down my Love Notes pillow, I had completed the top with the large hand-sewn running stitches around the envelope blocks. 

Since I had simple quilting stitches on the front of the pillow, I wanted the same for the back.  I used a large grid pattern, the size of the envelopes on the front.

And again, I am very happy with my Love Notes pillow.  I should have finished these pillows a lot sooner than I did.

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And a little extra for Valentine's Day.  I made a tiny tote bag full of small goodies to surprise a young lady. 

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -

2021 Mystery Quilt - Michigan - Part 3

Now that all four borders are attached, I can get a view of what this quilt looks like finished.  

Although I really enjoy applique, these borders are taking such a long time to complete.  From placing the applique on the border, ironing them in place, and machine-stitching them, it has taken me about five to seven days.  Yes, that's a week!

As far as I can see, I have all of the blocks turned the right direction.  I think I'm going to use a darker blue in the binding, like this fabric:

Next on my to-do list, I have some smaller UFO's that I'd like to finish up.  And I have an unexpected project coming up!

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -

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 - - - - 

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 - - - -