Spooky Delights Table Runner

Two table runners in one week!  And I don't usually make table runners.  But I have to say this could be addictive.  They are so quick and satisfying!!

This table runner is made from a FREE pattern on The Fat Quarter Shop's blog.  It is called Spooky Delights.  It was so quick and turned out so cute!  It was a perfect way for me to practice some new quilting too.

I have been admiring this wavy quilting on many quilting blogs lately and decided it was time to give it a try.

It seemed to be going well as I was quilting, but when I took the first half out to take a look, I was a little disappointed in the results.  I was quilting in a back and forth motion. Down one side, turn, and quilt the other way.  See how wavy the seams look? Blah.

So, I decided to try going in only one direction on the second half.  Much better!  Lesson learned. I'm glad to have learned this lesson on a table runner as opposed to an entire quilt!

Backed with this adorable black cat fabric and bound with a black on black dot.

Thanks for stopping by!

Tracy

The three little bears - quilt style

If you know me, you know that I am a scrap quilter at heart.  This means that I save every little piece and I hate waste.  I will dig fabric out of the trashcan what others have thrown away.  And I will go out of my way to avoid waste if possible. 

So, when it comes to the sew and flip method, I have a love/hate relationship.  I LOVE how easy it is and all of the possibilities for precise piecing.  But, I hate those odd leftover pieces.  I save almost all of them to be used SOMEWHERE.

When the new block for the Crossroads quilt along came out a couple of days ago and I saw all of those sew and flip corners, I cringed just a little.  I am using a layer cake for most of my fabric, so every little piece is precious.  I decided to do a little experimenting and try to figure out how to make those square in a square blocks without the waste.  And here is where the story of The Three Little Bears comes into play.

Using a little quilty math guesstimation, I decided to try cutting that center square at 2 1/8 inches.  From the background fabric,  I cut 2 squares 2 1/2 inches and then cut them diagonally to make 4 triangles.

Well those center squares came out just a little bit too small.  They didn't quite touch.

I decided to try the center square at 2 3/8 for the next one.  A little too big, I really had to work to make these fit and they are a little wonky.

So for the final block I went in the middle with a 2 1/4 inch square.  Ahhh, just right.

Am I going to redo the first 2 you ask?  No, I am going to be ok with those blocks.  First of all, the point of this experiment was to SAVE fabric, so it would seem wasteful to toss them aside.  Secondly, these blocks are not going to be next to each other in the quilt, they will be separated by other blocks and sashing blocks so I am pretty sure no one will notice but me.  And finally, this quilt is for me, and I am ok with imperfection.  Every quilt is a learning experience.  :)

Here are the diamond blocks all together.

And here are my house blocks together.

Are you quilting along too?

If not, it is not too late to join in.  The pattern is free over at The Fat Quarter Shop.  They are asking everyone to donate to the March of Dimes this year in return for a fun year of quilting along.

Thanks for stopping by!!

Tracy

2016 - A Scraptastic New Year!

Happy New Year!

We had a very busy November and December with travel and company and work, so I had to put a lot of my fun sewing aside for a while.  But our company left on Sunday and I spent the next few days finishing up a few quilt alongs between cleaning and hanging with my boys.  I was able to squeeze in 3 finished tops before the end of 2015.  Woo hoo!!

Farm Girl Vintage:

I had all of the blocks for this quilt completed, I just needed to sash them and get them together.

Star Block of the Month:

For this one, I just had to complete my 2 December blocks, put them together, and add a small border.

Fat Quarter Shop's Snapshots Quilt A Long:

I had to finish the November and December blocks and finish the sashing.

Done! Done! And done!

I can't believe that I finished all 3 by the end of the year!  It feels great!  Now to get them quilted by the end of 2016.

Now, on to my goals for the new year.  They are lofty, but maybe if I set a lot of goals, I will achieve a lot of goals.  Right?

1. First, I really want to work on finishing all of those quilts that just need binding.  I have about 6.  That is so sad to be so close and not completed.

2. Get my quilt tops quilted!!!  I have so many just piled up waiting to be quilts.  Forever, the problem was that I wanted to hand quilt all of them.  And that just isn't going to happen.  So this last year, I really let go and accepted machine quilting.  I have been won over.  I still love hand quilting, but I can really appreciate machine quilting too!  Especially how quickly it turns those tops into a finished project.

3. This is the year of the scraps!  I LOVE scraps! This year I am challenging myself to make a scrap quilt every month.  This may not be realistic, but a girl can dream. Some of the quilts I'd like to make:

     * 9-patch  (This one was started a LONG time ago, maybe even 15 years)  It is time to get this one done and finished.

     * Made-fabric Wonky Star

     * Scrap Vortex

     * Scrappy Bear Paw

     * Gypsy Wife all from scraps

     * Finish the string quilts I started

     * Polaroid quilt

     * Another Candy Coated quilt in orange, gold, avocado and aqua

4. I'd like to continue my goal of making and donating 1 comfort quilt each month.

5. Finish what I've started:

     * 2015 Row x Row

     * Log Cabin Swap

     * Farmer's Wife quilt

6. And of course I have a list of new quilts that I want to dive into:

     * Harry Potter Quilt

     * Dr. Who

     * Tiger Lily

     * Navy and Pink triangles

     * Farm Girl Cherries

     * Pineapple quilt

     * Legendary

     * Fair Isle

     * Cotton and Steel Christmas quilt

     * Scrappy Trees

     * Valentine Patchwork

     * Scrappy Hearts

     * Linen Plus quilt

     *Winterberry quilt for mom

     * Barns for Aunt

     * Lion quilt

And of course there will be new fabrics and patterns for inspiration to look forward to.

I know that these will not all be completed, but it is fun to dream and try.

Happy New Year and thanks for stopping by!!

Tracy