Category: Project Linus

Project Linus, Ta Da Done

Another baby quilt recap…

ghrn

My destiny is baby quilts.  Which is ok – because I love them.  With a baby quilt, you can finish in a weekend, use fun colors, and try out some ideas.  Here is a recap of some baby quilts I have made in the last few months…

  1.  This is based on an Elizabeth Hartman class from Craftsy.  I love this quilt.  I love the blue and the grey and the composed, funky vibe.  This was made for a friend’s first baby.  The only thing I would have done differently is quilt on the diagonal.  My straight-line quilting always looks kind of meh.IMG_4846
  2. This quilt was started from around-the-world blocks I had from 2014.  I made some turquoise and low-volume blocks to finish out what I needed.  I love making these blocks – but they are decptively time consuming. This one will be donated to Project Linus.IMG_4867
  3. This is one of my favorite quilts I have ever made.  But it did need one of those labels that says “This took forever!”  This was made for a grandbaby of a coworker.  I love this quilt – love all of the fabrics that I picked that should have special meaning for them.  And I loved how much it was loved.  I quilt to make something that will be loved.  And this quilt will be loved.  I also used some precious backing for this quilt.  I love the birds and the roses.IMG_4881IMG_4882
  4. For a few weeks I was on a kick to get all of the quilts done for my 2018 Project Linus goal.  This one had been pieced forever.  I finally got it basted, quilted, and bound.  I just love this quilt.  So pink and pretty.IMG_4908
  5. Last, and probably least, is this acid trip.  I had all of these orphan blocks I wanted to use up.  So I threw them all in one quilt.  Included are some abandoned curves, a wonky trip-around-the-world block, and a stopped EPP hexagon project.  I know it is a lot.  My grandmother used to use the phrase “cheap and cheerful”.  I love that phrase.  This quilt wasn’t exactly “cheap” when you consider the fabrics used, but it is cheerful and it used lots of scraps. This will be another donation to Project Linus.IMG_4909

Five baby quilts recapped!

Advertisements
Project Linus, Ta Da Done

Improv

ghrn

Hi – I had a lot of fun making two improv baby quilts.

This goal for the first one was to use about a bunch of 1/2-square triangle blocks.  I learned the trick from Jenny to sew an extra seam when making 1/2-square triangle blocks so you have a whole other block, rather than a bunch of triangles that are harder to use.

I have made several quilts using this method, so I had A LOT of 1/2-square triangles.  I was able to use them all and added some other improv piecing to make this adorable quilt to donate to Project Linus.

IMG_4911

I love the outcome so much.  The palette and piecing make me so happy.  And I made a boy’s quilt!

When I posted this quilt on instagram, a friend asked me to make a quilt for her niece in purple and grey.  I got about 1/2-way through making a giantized swoon block and then decided I hated it.  The grey was too muddy for the block to have impact.  So I started chopping and adding in some more improv.  You can see remnants of the swoon block shape in the quilt.  It took 2x longer to make than I expected, but I love the results.  Again, I think the restrained (at least restrained for me) color palette makes all the difference.

IMG_4931

I loved making these quilts.  Improv always takes longer than I think it will though – so it may be a bit before I take on any more of these.

In Progress, Project Linus, Ta Da Done

WIP update

ghrn

I had lots of goals in April and got taken away by some new projects.  I only got 3 things done, but I did reduce my backlog to 22 (from 23 at the end of March).

Here is what I got done:

Blue and purple project Linus quilt completed.  I am not completely in love with this one, but it is done.

IMG_4777

And I completed this embroidery project.  Probably the toughest one I have done to date. I am absolutely in love with it.  Pattern is by Namaste Embroidery.

IMG_4739

And I also finished this embroidery project.  The wreath pattern also is by Namaste Embroidery.  I took the phrase from The Secret Garden.  This one was fast and fun, compared to the succulent embroidery project.  I love all of the vines in all of the different greens.  I used some silk floss in this project – what a dream to work with.  I think it could be very addicting.

IMG_4780.JPG

This one really is a message I need right now.  I need to make myself stronger in so many ways.  Work and perseverance and my own two feet.

I started one new project in April… that I should have gotten done in April.  Oh well.  May needs to be the month of baby quilts – 2 for friends and 2 for Project Linus.  I just need to not completely get sucked into my Long Time Gone quilt.

IMG_4830

Project Linus, scrappy, Ta Da Done

Charity baby quilt breather

ghrn

I want to get 24 baby quilts donated to Project Linus this year – to make up for the last couple of years when I didn’t get any made or donated.  I have been having a lot of fun.  I have finished 2 more in February, bringing my total up to 6 for the year.

This first quilt had been lingering as a failed attempt to piece a back.  And so it became a front.  I am very unhappy with the goody quilting that happened when I went in two different directions.  I know better.

tIMG_4599

But I am very happy with the back of this quilt.  This Tula Pink camping fabric is so beyond adorable.  So maybe when this quilt gets to its owner the front will be the back.IMG_4598

I am much happier with my next finish.  This quilt was set on point using blue and yellow scrap blocks.  IMG_4618

I love everything about this quilt – the colors, the quilting, the binding the cheerful patchwork of it all.

IMG_4617

I need to make more improv scrap blocks.  The are a lot of work but they are oh-so-pretty.

IMG_4619IMG_4620

I got the quilts done that I needed to until April 1.  I am going to pause and make some headway on my own selfish sewing projects.

Project Linus, scrappy, Ta Da Done

Baby quilts

ghrn

As long time readers know, I make a lot of baby quilts. Lots and lots. Since 2014, I have a yearly goal of how many charity quilts I want to make. I love making baby charity quilts. There is no prescribed palette or style – I can use all the colors and prints I want and eventually the quilt will provide comfort to a child who is sick. Not much better equation for sewing happiness.

I also have the pleasure of working with a lot of young men and women who become parents and need baby quilts. Last year I made 6 baby quilts – and only one of them was a charity quilt. And I didn’t even mean to make it as a charity quilt. I made Fancy Forest by Elizabeth Hartmann. IMG_4042.JPG

A gorgeous pattern – but at the end of making it and basting it, I was tired of the project and didn’t pay close enough attention. Heavy quilting to the rescue!! It ended up being a just fine adorable baby quilt, but too punctuated by error to be the fall festive wall hanging I was going for.

IMG_E4505

I want to do 12 charity baby quilts a year.  I haven’t come close the last two years.  Couple that with the baskets and boxes and stacks of orphan blocks and scraps, I set an aggressive goal this year – 26 project charity baby quilts.

I have (had) a backlog of 5 tops ready to go.  So far I have been able to get 2 done and one almost done.

This quilt was originally made for a friend’s baby and then I decided it wasn’t quite right with her colors and style.  It sat for a year+ just waiting for the binding.

IMG_4398

The next one I finished, I couldn’t face doing binding.  I hate binding.  So I finished without binding and then did free-motion quilting on it until my eyes swam.  I know this breaks all the rules of quilt finishing, but I like it.  Cheerful and soft – that is about all you can ask of a baby quilt.

IMG_4456

I have more tops in the hopper.  I have had this finished giant block for 2+ years and am almost done with it.  I quilted with just the batting, and now am tying it onto the back with embroidery floss.  I have now remembered that takes more time than binding!!  Binding isn’t looking so bad now.

IMG_4496

and I also have been setting (and mostly meeting) scrap usage goals.  This quilt top is done entirely from a scrap basket, that still is overflowing.  I love the cheeriness of the blue and yellow.  Total pure fun.

IMG_4504

I also played with interspersing some yellow in the blue blocks and some blue in the yellow blocks, which adds some interest.

 

 

Project Linus, scrappy, Ta Da Done

A Baby Quilt Update

ghrn

I currently am working on the most dope baby quilt I have ever made.  Not kidding – truly the greatest.  But because that baby quilt is secret sewing, here are some pictures of some other baby quilts I have wrapped up quickly.  They are pretty ok…

img_3434This was made based on a pattern in wanderlust quilts.  I modified and simplified it a bit so there weren’t any Y-seams.  I used V and Co. Ombre.  Something about the ombres, especially the yellow and turquoise make it look light the quilt is lit from within.  I used Kona Medium Gray… and my favorite baby boy quilt back fabric of the season, this Zoology print..

img_3435

I loved giving this quilt.  The mom recipient is one of my favorite people.  And she really loved the quilt.

img_3437

Next up is a quilt made for a friend who was going to be surprised by the gender.  When I ask what colors a nursery is going to be decorated, the trend is going to get very specific answers.  Which I would be the EXACT SAME if I was decorating a nursery.  But as a quiltmaker, I yearn for free color  and artistic control.  So when this mom said, “um, I don’t know, green?” I was thrilled.  And wowzer did I get crazy with the green.  I had a lot of fun with this quilt.

 

img_3466

How sweet is that?  Love all of those greens – and I do think it will be equally cheerful for a boy and girl.  This has become my favorite baby quilt pattern.  It is on-point 5-in squares and tied.  The tieing and no binding make the quilts lay flatter and look cleaner.

I backed this quilt with a fun all-over numbers green print.

img_3465

I have made 4 boy quilts in a row, so I was ready for a girl quilt.  So I used the same pattern and went crazy with the girly flowery prints.

img_3474

Oh my gosh, that quilt is my jam !!  I still have to tie it, but then it will go to Project Linus.  I think it will make a small girl and a family happy.  With all those beautiful blooms, how couldn’t it?

cross stitch, embroidery, Fabric, In Progress, Project Linus

WIP Update

ghrn

Here is a change of pace… a blog entry about quilting on a quilting blog!

Sharing my looooong list of WIPs….

IMG_2462Project Linus Quilts – I have 9 more I want to make before year end.  I have one top done, and several unused quilt blocks in bright colors.  My goal was 1 quilt per month, but has been only 1 quilt per 3 months.  Lots to catch up on.  Luckily I mostly just need to quilt and bind.  I have lots of blocks to use.

The Colorado Quilt.  Despite a giant list of projects waiting for me, I lost one whole weekend to making scrappy log cabin blocks to frame the row-by-row patterns  I collected in Colorado.  The blocks are so full of color and joy.  I really want to get back to this project.

IMG_3429.JPG

The Living Room Wall Hanging.  Again.  One of the last projects I finished before I got my Juki (I love my Juki) was a wall hanging for the living room featuring curved blocks.  Loved the fabric.  Loved the pattern.  But my sewing was sub-par.  My skills and sewing machine weren’t suited for the project.  I then got really bummed out that a bunch of gross light black dye stains got on the quilt when I washed it.  My husband claims I am the only one who can see them.  I know he is lying.  And I am so sick of seeing them.  I am working on a replacement from  pattern in Quilt Now.  I love how the new quilt will look.  And so looking forward to not facing that stain every day.

IMG_3430

Poppies!  Earlier this year my mom and I collaborated on a quilt as part of a challenge from our Modern Quilt Guild.  We didn’t finish in time, but it is such a cool project that I would like to see to completion.  It is a representation of the World War 1 Museum in Kansas City.  Everything is done except for appliqueing on the poppies.

IMG_3428

Tessellation Quilt.  This one is for the love of fabric.  I have the fabric, I have the desire.  I hate paper piecing.  But the good stuff sometimes takes the most fortitude.  And the quilt will be amazeballs.

IMG_3431

Big Charming Bed Quilt.  This one is a bit anachronistic – It is a quilt for our bedroom – the one room in our house that is tres grown up.  It is a very modern pattern in very French General fabric.  I just need to piece the top.  This one I will have to send out for quilting.  I love my Juki, but not that much.

IMG_2565

Heather Bailey Framed Improv.  I lurvs Heather Bailey.  And I want to use every bit of my fabric from my scrap pile.  I started these controlled improv blocks to make a quilt for the chair in my studio.

IMG_3334

Embroidered Baby Quilt.  This one is secret sewing.  So only tiny sneak peaks.

IMG_3329.jpg

DaBombDiggity Baby Quilt.  I love this project so much.  Good news is the shower is on Friday.  So tick tock.

IMG_3432

Pretty Little San Francisco.  Love Satsuma Street.  Love this pattern.

That is a full and truthful accounting.  It does not included the other 3 baby quilts I need to get done this year.  Or the stuff I just added to my to-do list because I was stupid enough to look at the Purl Soho website – an advent calendar, scarf, gloves, overnight bag.  Or the sewing kit I want to make.  That is 26 projects.  26! I want to finish before the end of the year.  I think I may need to reset my expectations.  One day at a time.