Big Boy Quilt

I made a quilt for one of my grand-nephews.

Here is his baby quilt.

I try to make a flannel baby quilt, then a regular cotton big-kid quilt for kids in my family. This way, when they move from a crib to a big bed, they have a quilt that will fit.

This time, I went with a string quilt. I made 4.5" HSTs with strings and a neutral background. I arranged them in a layout I saw HERE.

Here is my result.

String Squares (76" x 94")

String Squares (binding and border detail)

He likes a series of books about The Little Blue Truck. I didn't find licensed fabric for the character, but I did find blue trucks for the backing.

String Squares (backing and binding detail)

Lots and lots of scraps in this one--I hope he likes it!

Happy Quilting! 😸

 

It's Mystery Time Again

Every year, I look forward to Bonnie Hunter's Mystery quilt which begins the day after Thanksgiving here in the US. It is fun to quilt along with so many others from around the world.

I've completed Clues 1 and 2 of this year's mystery--Rhododendron Trail.

Rhododendron Trail (Clues 1 and 2)

 

I'm looking forward to seeing how this mystery comes together. 

If you would like to participate, it is easy! Simply visit Bonnie's blog and click on the Rhododendron Trail tab at the top. All the instructions will be posted there each Friday. There is no need to sign up anywhere, and the mystery is free. Be aware that when the mystery is done, the instructions will be removed, so save them to your computer as you go.

Happy Quilting! 😸

String Carpenter's Star

If you have read my blog (or just looked at the pictures!) you know that I delight in string blocks. This is my latest string project.

String Carpenter's Star (82" x 82")

Carpenter's Star (sometimes called Carpenter's Wheel) is a traditional pattern, and layout charts are available in many places online (the one I used is HERE), but I substituted string blocks for the regular color or print blocks.

I drew it on EQ8, so I could get an idea of what I would need.

EQ8 Plan--I did change the four corners to string blocks rather than the plain ones shown.

I can never get an adequate look at the variety of strings in my blocks with the program, but it did help with my numbers and placement for the blocks.

The blocks finish at 4", the quilt is a combination of full string blocks, HSTs of strings and background, and plain background blocks. (I did use rectangles of background fabric as a kind of border around the center part instead of using a bunch of plain background blocks sewn together.)

String Carpenter's star (center detail)

It took me a bit of time to assemble. I started with the center and built it outwards; this way I could see the pattern coming together as I went--trying to do it row-by-row didn't fit in my brain!

String Carpenter's Star (backing and binding detail)

I found a piece of 108" backing in my stash. With all the seams in the top, I thought a one piece backing would be easier to quilt. Quilting is not my strong suit, so it is stitched in the ditch between blocks; I also stitched just inside the edges of the zigzagging string blocks.

I am happy with the result. I've always wanted to try this pattern; I think it makes a beautiful quilt. In substituting the string blocks, I made it a little different from the norm. This substitution can work in many projects.

 

In this one, I used the Arkansas Crossroads pattern.

String Crossroads

 

This one is Stringy Lanes which uses the Sunny Lanes pattern.

Stringy Lanes

Here is a Bear Paw with string blocks.

Bear Paw

The possibilities are limitless. If you enjoy string blocks, be on the lookout for non-traditional ways that you can use them.

Happy Quilting! 😸

I Love Scrappy Quilts!

My title will come as no surprise if you have seen any of my quilts!

This first one is made of HSTs that I created from a batch of "creatively-cut" (AKA wonky) squares that I got from a friend (Thanks, Leesa). This is the second quilt from the batch of squares--you can find the first HERE.

Scrappy HSTs--64" x 76"

This photo is of three quilts (overlapped) made of 3.5" squares. I cut these from scraps and combine them with neutrals to use as leaders and enders.

Leaders & Enders Quilts (each is 64" x 76")

These also have backs pieced of 5" scrap squares. They even have scrappy bindings--like I said, I Love Scrappy Quilts!

Leaders & Enders Quilts (back and binding detail)

Happy Summer Solstice! 🌞

Stringy Lanes

I decided to make another traditional pattern but with the addition of string blocks.

I made a Sunny Lanes pattern in the past using calico in place of the usually solid "lane" fabric. My post about that quilt can be found HERE.

Calico Sunny Lanes

This time, I replaced the four-patch blocks with string blocks.

Stringy Lanes 74" x 94"

This is a larger quilt than the first, and I'm not really happy with how the lanes at the edges worked. Next time, I need to take a bit more time in the planning stage, to create a more symmetrical pattern.

I do, however, love the colors and fun fabrics.

Stringy Lanes (detail)

Stringy Lanes (detail) Two little monkey faces

Stringy Lanes (detail) Nutcrackers and chocolates

Stringy Lanes (detail) Inspector Clouseau and a chicken

Stringy Lanes (back and binding detail)

This was a fun project. It is easy to replace traditional blocks with string blocks to make a new variation on an old favorite.


I'm almost finished with the top of my Good Fortune quilt (Bonnie K. Hunter's Mystery). I'll have pictures soon.

Happy quilting!

Good Fortune Clue 3

So far, I'm keeping up with the clues in Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt, Good Fortune.

Here is a sampling of my units from clue 3:

Friendly Bunny

Another rabbit--this one is all dressed up

Butterfly and Smiling Snail

I love having little up-close surprises!

I'm linking with Quiltville's Mystery Monday #3.

Good Fortune Clues 1 & 2 and Donation Quilts

Yay for Mystery Quilts! I'm enjoying Bonnie Hunter's Good Fortune Mystery.

Clue #1

Clue #2

And a selection of each

Five Leader/Ender Donation Quilts--I provide only one picture, but all are 3.5" (unfinished) squares arranged the same way. Sizes: 2@ 67"x86" and 3@ 62"x74"

I'll be linking with Quiltville's Monday Mystery Link-up.


Soon it will be time for Winter Break--yay! I'm ready for some serious quilting time. 😀

Autumn Stars--Another Mystery Quilt

Okay--you can call me the crazy mystery lady! 

I love making mystery quilts. I have a friend who works them up for a forum to which I belong, and I love her designs. The forum thread from which this quilt is made begins HERE.

Autumn Stars 90" x 90"

Front (detail)

Corner (detail)

Back and binding (detail)

I'm done with summer--bring on the Autumn!

I'll be linking with Fiber Tuesday 166 at The Quilting Room with Mel.

Strings and Furrows

Yet another string quilt! I do love them.

This one is a simple arrangement of string blocks and alternating white/beige HSTs that create furrows across the quilt.

I pieced the back from scrap 5" squares, and I used the trimmings from the back to make the binding.

I love the look of the scrappy binding, but with all those seams (thick!thick!thick!), it took me quite a while to hand sew it down to the back!


I love all the things you can find in a scrappy quilt.

A fox and a hedgehog

Scooby Doo!

Pastas and valentines

Vegetable names, sock monkeys, and ruby slippers

I'm still sewing lots of string blocks, so there will be more string quilts to come!

I'm linking with Jo's Country Junction String Challenge, Fiber Tuesday 164 at The Quilting Room with Mel, and Whoop Whoop Friday at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Last Pinwheel Quilt For A While--I Promise!

Here is the last of four pinwheel quilts for donation.

You can see the other three HERE.

Pinwheels 65" x 75"

Pinwheels (detail)

Pinwheels (backing and binding detail)

I love pinwheel blocks, but I'm ready to work with something else for a while!

Another Donation Quilt

Earlier this year, I made a bunch (around 150) of scrappy pinwheels to use in donation quilts. I have finished three quilts--the final top is done, but not quilted--and I have only one pinwheel left! :)


I chose to do these quilts with different layouts; on this third one I set the pinwheel with alternate half-square triangle blocks.

Must have caught a breeze--the bottom really is straight!

Green with HST alternate blocks

These are the first two quilts:

Orange and on-point

Straight layout with sashing and cornerstones

The final quilt is a simple pinwheel to pinwheel layout--I'll post a picture after it is finished. I have enjoyed trying out the different layouts; I've never focused on just one block in different layouts before.


I've been working on several other things, but some are gifts, so I can't show them yet. I'm enjoying the summer break and being able to sew every day.

I'm linking with Fiber Tuesday 115 at The Quilting Room with Mel.

Twirl Around, Part 2

I'm continuing to work on Twirl Around, from Bonnie Hunter's new book. You can find more information HERE.


After trimming all the HSTs (!), I have started putting the blocks together. The quilt has two basic blocks: the Twirl Around block and an alternate block.

Twirl Around block

Alternate block

Layout

I'm enjoying this process, though trying to make sure everything is turned the right way is a bear of a job for me! I think I'm going to find a few more rusts to mix in--I think it needs a bit more variety.

More later!

I'm linking with Fiber Tuesday 93 at The Quilting Room with Mel.