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Friday, February 17, 2017

Little Finishes and Big Plans

The love birds were finally able to settle into their new spot--at least for the rest of February.
(Maybe I should have pressed it so the edges wouldn't appear so wavy. They really are straight.) I did NOT have this done in time for Valentine's Day. The last two sides of the binding were stitched down the day after. Close enough.

This was mostly hand quilted. I machine stitched around the block and the HST border. I would never want to hand quilt through all the bumps of those seams! This little jewel was appliqued by Karen (logcabinquilter blog), and it finished at 9".
Haven't named it yet, but the label is in place, just waiting for words.






As is the label on this one.
This top was whipped up about a month ago when I needed fabric therapy, and was quilted entirely with the walking foot. 
It finished at 7 1/2" x 9 1/2".








It can't decide where it wants to live for now. But come June it will come out and play with all of the other r/w/b quilts.



















 

One more little finish. Had some of Pam Buda's Old Plum Calico line laying out in the sewing room and after making the ornaments from Dad's shirts I had to try one in these lovely colors. On a whim, I made the border a little wider than usual. I'm not sure I like the "larger" size.


As for my big plans, I purchased the backing and batting for "the beast" yesterday. I use low loft poly batting in T-shirt quilts--gives a little fluff without adding weight to the already heavy top. Now I need to baste the thing!!

So what is on the design wall now? More of Mom's scraps! I do not usually work with florals, so this is a stretch for me (help me, Debbie).

These 12" 64-patch blocks are made from scraps from a few of Mom's quilts. I started with leftovers from her watercolor quilt, but ended up having to dig into scraps from a Dresden Plate quilt and a postage stamp style (though not using 1" squares). I'm thinking about narrow sashing--possibly black? But I can't decide on setting triangles. I don't own any floral pieces large enough to fill in those spaces. I just hope this doesn't occupy the wall for a year before I can decide what to do with it!

So little happening in the sewing room, and I don't see that changing any time soon. 

Until next time,
Janet O.

30 comments:

  1. Florals are hard! Just admiring your minis. I have to keep at my projects, checked another one off this week. Feels good no matter the size.

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  2. Those little love birds are so sweet! Those tiny half square triangles really finish it off nicely. Your display idea for your little quilts is wonderful. I will have to look for some vintage filing racks. But then, I would have to start whipping up some little quilts to fill it up! I love the 64 patch blocks. Your Mom must be pleased with the outcome.

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  3. Janet, the "beast" project...black as sashing sounds harsh for this soft project. Why not think of something else "neutral". Perhpas a gray shade. As for the setting triangles, hmm, a large print floral perhaps. Feel like adding applique flowers or perhaps vines or butterflies? Just what jumped out while I was with you in design thinking :) What ever you do it will be special having used your Mom's fabrics. Sandi

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  4. Darling minis. Just darling. And black sashing and black setting triangles would make those blocks pop in an Amishish way. If that's too stark for you, I suggest green sashing and setting triangles. It will make the blocks look like a meadow in bloom.

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  5. I have florals, would you like some?

    Beautiful little finishes.

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  6. What a sweet little Valentine's quilt, Janet. I love the border and especially the little blue triangles in the corners. It seems a perfect finish for the quilt. And the hand quilting is a bonus that adds more sweetness. I like the slightly wider border on your Old Plum ornament. I think it sets off the center nicely. I will be no help with your mom's quilt. It would be on my design wall for a year -- or longer! Just an observation about that quilt, though: if you use black sashing the very dark squares will blend into the darks and won't give definition to the 64-patch blocks. I know you'll come up with the perfect fabric in the perfect color for both the sashing and setting triangles.

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  7. Your Love Birds, is the perfect Valentine/February quilt! Karen did such a wonderful job on the applique and you finished it perfectly with your pieced border and quilting. Another great RWB quilt to add to collection. I am sure you will find the "perfect" fabric and plan to finish up your 64-patch blocks. Sometimes it does take time and I always feel unsettled till I decide.

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  8. Two fabulous finishes. I especially like the quilting design you you used on the RWB mini. I had to laugh about your "large" mini ornament with your border changes!

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  9. The sweet bird is perfect for the month of the 'hearts'.........1" squares? Crikey that's beyond me! looks great though.

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  10. Love those lovebirds, and especially the hand quilting in the basket, making it look like a coiled fabric basket. Perfect and hard to believe it finished so tiny! As for those 64-patch blocks, have you tried laying a strip of a dark purple tone on tone between some of the blocks for a narrow sashing? It might make the pinks and purples of the floral squares pop nicely. Just my two-cents, and by now you have probably seen every color in the rainbow suggested in the comments!

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  11. Valentine's quilt is so sweet Janet. beautiful finishes..

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  12. The applique block certainly found a good home with you.

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  13. Your lovebirds are so pretty!! And your mini's always amaze me. Can't wait until you bring out your red white and blues again! My fav's!!

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  14. Your hand quilting on the lovebirds is so nice - I always love a simple cross hatch. I don't know what to tell you on the florals - that's not something I work with much either, but I will be interested to see what you come up with.

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  15. Your little basket birds turned out adorable! I don't think it matters how you display the red, white and blue quilt--it's cute everywhere!

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  16. Here I am.....still got internet problems and your post did not show up on my dashboard for some reason. So I came looking to see what I missed. I really love your small projects...the hearts are beautiful and the larger pineapple is great, love the colors too.
    The florals.....Pat's idea with the purple is a good possibility as it could bring things together in this on point setting. I would try bringing the lightest blocks to the center with the darker ones on the outer sides. Also try a straight set and put the darker in the bottom corner and move to upper corner with the lightest :) And I will round some floral fabric to send if needed just let me know.

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  17. You always have sweet little quilts.
    Maybe green with the florals? A little green path through the floral blocks?
    What ever you select will be nice I'm sure.
    Have a great week!

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  18. Hi Janet--I hopped on over from "Kevin's and from Sewyouquilt2's" blogs...since i can no longer pull those B I G quilts through my machine, I am just starting making minis so am thrilled to find your site....hugs, Julierose

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  19. Sweet little red and blue quilt, love your walking foot quilting. Good luck with the florals, not my cuppa of tea either, can only suggest a solid for the settle triangles so you can do some nice quilting?

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  20. curious to see what you will do with the florals blocks...too little sewing time for me as well....we need a quick remedy!

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  21. I just love reading your blog and seeing all the pictures of your beautiful work! ---"Love"

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  22. Your Love Birds turned out so nicely and the hand quilting is so pretty. Your red, white & blue little quilt is adorable however you display it.
    Your checkerboard blocks from your mom's scraps look good. Maybe a small scale Liberty type print would work for the borders.

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  23. Oh wow! Your lovebirds are gorgeous!

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  24. Love your little love bird quilt - I wouldn't want to stitch through all those seams either. Well I don't want to hand quilt at all so kudos to you! It wasn't until I saw your ingenious way to hang the RWB 9patches that I realized just how small it is. I have those clips on a ring - I just need some hooks. Oh and the small quilts to go with.

    Can you believe I went and bought all that batting and completely forgot to get some poly for my tshirt quilt and anything for my almost finished owl quilt??!! Grr. I guess I'll be shopping again soon...

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  25. Wow - a simple quilt that is soooo neat! I'll be watching to see what happens to finish it. 8-)))

    Elaine Adair

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  26. Your little bird mini turned out adorable - those tiny HST borders are the perfect touch! And of course I love the little hanger :*). I know you will be happy to have "the beast" done and gone! As for the floral project - I would be just as lost! It will be interesting to see how you tackle it :*)

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  27. Lovely finishes Janet. Such a sweet result from Karen's orphan block. ANd I love how Pam's fabric has sewn up in the pineapple hanging. Oh la la, your Mum's scraps are looking great...would one of Pam's Plum Calicoes work with those - seeing the photos side by side makes me think it could be worth a try???

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  28. I always planned on making one of those 64 patch quilts out of the scraps from the clothes I made my daughter for her mission. It's still on the back burner, maybe someday.

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  29. Sometimes quilts take a year or so for us to finally figure out how to be finished! What's the rush?
    Love your little bluebird quilt.

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  30. I LOVE the 64 patch quilt!1 I have a few florals you can come over and look at!! :-) Just sayin'!!

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