tip of the week

As I (still) do not have any current projects to post, I'm going to share another quilting tip:

When making bedspreads, buy a flat sheet for the backing.  Of course, you need to make sure it will fit.  But even if you have to piece the back, it will be a lot cheaper than you can find at the fabric store.  I’m using a twin size sheet (almost 4 yards) for my son’s quilt and it was only $5.  That’s like $1.25/yd.!  I bought another one for the blocks, border, binding, and if there's any leftover, a pillowcase or two.  Not only is it cost-effective, but it will coordinate with the bedding. 

 

Ombre pixel quilt top

There is a fantastic line out by V and Co called Simply Color.  I absolutely love it!  They also have a baby quilt that they made using the ombre fabric in that line.  I wanted to do a two color version.  I want to say that it was because I wanted there to be more of a change in color values, but who am I kidding.  I did two colors because I couldn’t decide between grey and purple.

 A fun fact about me is that I cannot do random.  Even when presented with a quilt that has been done randomly, my eagle eye will somehow find a pattern.  In order to make sure that it was completely random I cut all my squares to 5x5 then I just grabbed and sewed.  It was crazy hard to not want to “orderate” (as a friend’s daughter calls it) the fabrics.  Also, after I sewed the blocks together, I grabbed the rows and pieced without looking too closely.  I was pleasantly surprised when it was all said and done. 

I am very excited to get my back picked out and I plan to do an all over stipple with grey thread.

shoo fly

I don’t have any finished projects to post, so this week I thought I would share a tip.  When I piece my blocks, I like all the pieces to face the same direction.  For example, this turtle print: I don't want some of the turtles on their backs (haha!) or sideways.  I’m sure this tip would work with other triangles, but this is specifically for the Shoo Fly pattern.

 

Divide your squares in half (you should always have an even number).  On the first half, draw a line across your square from the top left corner to the bottom right corner.  On the other half, draw a line across your square from the bottom left corner to the top right corner.  Note: Although you are drawing the line on the wrong side of the fabric, you should still be able to see your pattern and make sure all the squares are facing the same direction.

Sew ¼” seam on each side of the line.  Then cut the fabric along the line; press open to one side.  You should have four opposite triangles.

 

Arrange accordingly, and all the pieces in your block will be facing the same direction. For more detailed instructions on the Shoo Fly block, this is a great link.

Redwork

I am so excited to have finally fished my redwork wall hanging.  I participate in a shop hop with my local quilting group and this pattern was one that I purchased along the way.  I have been slowing working away at it.  I did modify the pattern in a couple of the blocks.

 This is my favorite block and it also shows the backing.  I did a solid back of polka dots.  I am excited to get this hung up in our basement.  For the quilting, I did a stitch in the ditch around each block and then did an all over stipple inside the blocks as well as on the borders.

Now, I have a bit of a “don’t boss me quilt rules” attitude and went with grey binding.  I love how it turned out.

chevron baby quilt

I made a chevron quilt for my youngest, to match the curtains I made for his room. (I don't have a picture of the curtains, but this is the fabric I used. I love fabric.com!)

 

 

 

I couldn't resist this fabric for the back!