2016 Finishes Challenge Quilts

I participated in two quilt challenges that I can now share the results.

The first was for my small guild of five members.  The challenge was to make a modern quilt with only two fabrics.  The fabrics could be multi-colored or solids.  Out of character, I chose to make a quilt with two solid fabrics.  I call this one Modern Hexies and I won 1st place in the challenge.  I also entered this quilt into my large quilting guild challenge which was to make a hexagon quilt.  It won first place in best longarm machine quilting category.

Honycomb Quads was my main entry into my large quilting guild challenge, make a quilt which feature the hexagon.  I made this quilt similar to the stack-n-whack setting but used strings instead of repeat fabric segments.  I also cut the hexagon into four rings and strip pieced my star points.  The quilt won two ribbons:  2nd place in bed-size category and 3rd place for best longarm machine quilting category.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, http://www.teaquilts.com

Scrap Quilting Club - June 2015 Results

We've had numerous Scrap Quilting Club meetings since I last posted.  However, these photos are from the June meeting.  I have a mix of projects that are being worked on.  Enjoy the show!

-------------------------- Type-u-later,  http://www.teaquilts.com

Can't Count to 48!

I'm having fun piecing these blocks.  I ran home after dance class and started sewing the strips to the center units.  Oh, it's getting to be really exciting now!  I proceeded to press all the blocks, placing them as I got them pressed on the design wall. Oh my, I'm missing two blocks is my first thought.  I don't see them anywhere, sooooooooo, I must have missed counted the units; back to the drawing board.  Since I have all the other blocks pieced, I'll have to make eight individual strips sets just slightly larger than the template so they look scrappy. Jeez...that will be my weekend project.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, http://www.teaquilts.com

Design Wall Monday

I got a little preoccupied this week.  I've been going through things in my sewing room and straightening up at the same time.  I purchased a couple of shoe racks and a storage unit to organize my art bin containers.  They were stacked on top of each other and of course every time I needed something that case was on the bottom.  I did work in the Pineapple Nine Patch quilt.  I now have all the blocks sewn and half the quilt top sewn together.  I was a little disappointed as I couldn't get the pinwheels to match up accurately.  I guess this will be that quilt that I'll get to use some of the buttons in my stash (of course blogger would turn my photo AGAIN. )

So in frustration, I decided to work on the blocks for my guild's optional block program.  The one on the left was due in October; we have a month's grace period to get them done.  The leaf block is due at the November meeting.  I hope to work on these ahead of schedule, maybe getting all the blocks done by the end of the year.

Then I cut and pieced the center block of my Tessellation Pinwheels work in progress I started last week.  You can see the details here.  I'm planning to put two rows of blocks completely around the center.  The goal is to have each pinwheel made from a different fabric.  That means I'll need to cut more squares.  I've already used 57 different prints and need to make 24 more blocks.

I've been looking at this free pattern, Cotton Candy Quilt, from Robert Kaufman's site.  However, the pattern uses templates to make the block.  After staring at this for a while, I decided I could cut the print units with my GO! Chisels die.  However, what about the triangles that make the pinwheels?  I then thought maybe my GO! Bountiful Baskets die would work.  

Cotton Candy Quilt Pattern from Robert Kaufman

Yes, it worked!  I'm about a 1/16" too short but I can make that up in the seam allowance as I'm only missing the triangle points that I'd trim any way.  My block is larger of course than the pattern and I have bias seams on the outside of the block (which has been happening a lot lately with the techniques I've been working with.)  In addition, I cut the 8-point star using the GO! 2.5" Strip Die that I pieced into the block on the right.  I need to tweak the size of the setting triangles and squares for this one.  No plans to make the star into a quilt, just testing cutting on an angle with the die cutter.

To see more design walls, visit Patchwork Times.
-------------------------- Type-u-later, http://www.teaquilts.com

Design Wall Monday

I've had a very busy week.  When you see my projects, just remember that I still danced 3 evenings this week.  I just got frustrated that my quilt making was suffering due to exercise.  I got proactive instead of reactive and sewed for those few minutes between activities this week.  Now I'm motivated to continue with my projects.

I started the week working on my Star Burst quilt.  I got the borders pieced and added to the center.  This one is now ready for quilting.

 I received some new Dies for my GO! Cutter and cut and sewed a test drunkard's path block.  The units are 3.5" with the 4-patch unit measuring 7".  Not perfect, but it got easier to sew as I went along.  Have you noticed that I'm working with curves again...stay tuned as more curve sewing will be posted to the blog in the next few months.

 I cut and sewed this quilt top over the weekend and had many hours to spare!  This is really a quick quilt to make.  I created a tutorial for this quilt with the cutting instructions using the GO! tumbler 6.5" die.  The sewing was so easy.  I have detail photos of each step with some tips that may help with the sewing.  I'm looking forward to making another one.  I'm in the process of sorting my scraps by setting aside all the larger pieces that I can cut with the die cutter.  Maybe I'll cut tumblers, maybe I'll cut chisels; who knows...

While having so much fun with the previous projects I forgot that my string quilt needs to be ready for my scrap quilting club class this Saturday.  It probably won't happen seeing as I need 128 string blocks and I only have 33 made.  However, if I can get about another 20 or so made I can show 1/4 of my quilt.

Nope, I'm not done yet.  I used my Pineapple Nine Patch block units for chain piecing while working on the previous projects.  I still have a stack of rows to sew but some is definitely better than nothing with this quilt.

My "tell" this week:  I'm giving my sampler quilts lecture to the TnT quilt guild that meets in Glen Carbon this Tuesday.  If you are in the area and want to attend, write me a note and I'll give you the details.

To view more design walls, visit Patchwork Times.

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Type-u-later,
Tea in MO
http://www.teaquilts.com

Finishes for May

I finally got around to taking and posting the photo for the Hidden Wells quilt.  It was started about 3 years ago and was so large that I delayed quilting it.

This little quilt is a miniature I made for a challenge.  I knew it would not hold it's own with the other group entries, but it was what I wanted to make so that's what I did.  My next post will show the other miniatures in the competition.

That's it for now, I have the retreat photos I'll post next and then I'm getting ready for design wall Monday's post.
-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Design Wall Monday

Well, I didn't get a lot done this week as expected.  I had problems with my knee through Thursday night.  It's better now, but did prevent me from spending too much time at my sewing machine.  It didn't prevent me from purchasing a new car though.

I decided a little hand work may be in order.  I pieced one of the "Pushin' Up Spring" blocks and started the applique.  This one will be a sunflower when completed.  Maybe it will be a center piece or I just may get addicted and complete the entire quilt.  After piecing the blocks, each one has different applique flowers in their centers.  This is not my design (copyrighting the photo only), but a BOM available from Apple Blossom Quilts; click on newsletter and sign up.

I got tired of being a slug and called up one of my long arm friends.  On Saturday I quilted this Hidden Wells quilt top that's 96 square inches.  It's a UFO from a few years back.  I got it pieced and then just the thought of quilting that large of a quilt on my DSM scared me so I packed it away.  I'm glad it's quilted now.  The next step is to go through my UFO bins to find the binding fabric; maybe I'll sew it on this week and use this for my hand work.

That's it for me this week.  Pop over to Judy's site to see more design walls. 

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Type-u-later,
Tea in MO
http://www.teaquilts.com