Scrappy Pinwheel Quilt Top Complete

For whatever reason, I love older fabrics. I'm not talking about 30's or Civil War Reproduction prints, although I do love them, but in a different way. I'm talking about piece of fabric from 1993 that never got used or yardage from 1997 with the ticket still stapled onto it. I love the old ugly fabrics from those decades that no one quite knows what to do with.

I often wonder what the original buyer had in mind when they purchased the fabric. I also wonder why it sat in someone's stash for decades before finally being used. I always feel good about dragging these fabrics out and finding a way to use them in a quilt. I sometimes feel like a fabric rescuer. 

I know I have found tags older than these before. 

Some selvage to add to the bin.

I like how this scrappy pinwheel quilt top turned out. I debated on using sashing in between the blocks, but in the end I thought it was fine without it. 

Happy New Year!

Big Wonky Stars Quilt Top Complete

Sometimes you just need a quick and easy quilt to work on. This only took a few hours to put together. I've been working on a few quilts that have been taking a lot of time to put together and it seems like I haven't accomplished much lately. It's nice to finish something. This pattern is from the Missouri Star Quilt Company. The video can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB8Z-Zuad2A 

I used yardage instead of a layer cake. I already had several 10 inch squares already cut up, so it was pretty quick to lay it out. I will probably use this as a Quilt of Valor. I checked and it meets the minimum size requirements. I also thought about adding a border. I will have to play with some fabrics to see if something will work. I know I have some quilt backing that will already work. 

This weekend, I will be working on getting caught up on projects. I have several quilts that I am trying to get cut up and bagged for a quilt retreat in February. I also want to organize some of my stash that is currently in disarray. I know there are a few totes that are half full. It's time to condense. I also need to vacuum my sewing room. So many things to do, so little time!

Happy Quilting!

A Pair of Rag Quilts Complete!

Merry Christmas! Not only does the holiday bring family together, it also gives me a chance to get caught up on some quilt projects. I managed to get these two rag quilts done this weekend. I've had these projects cut up for at least two years. I was so busy with my scrap dive projects, I put these on the back burner. They are made from leftover t-shirt scraps, scrap batting, and old bed sheets for the backings. If that doesn't scream frugal, I don't know what does!

The main reason why I wanted to get these finished was to add to the pile of quilts to be given away at Christmas. During Thanksgiving, I ended up giving away 21 quilts to family members, however, not everyone was there. My niece and her family are traveling from Colorado to be here for Christmas. My oldest brother and his family will also be here for Christmas as well. Both family's missed out on my Thanksgiving quilt giveaway. 

While I have enough quilts to be given away at Christmas, I wanted to have a few extra so that the last person to pick wouldn't feel like they got the short end of the stick. I think I have enough variety to make everyone happy. 

Be safe during the holiday season!

Birch Tree Quilt Top Complete

It doesn't seem like I have gotten anything accomplished the last couple of weeks. I think part of the problem is that I have about eight projects going on at the same time. Today, I finally finished this birch tree quilt top using scraps out of this year's scrap dive from the quilt show in October. I found a free pattern on the Stash Bee Blog at http://stashbee.blogspot.com/2014/01/hive-2-january-block-tutorial.html As I was working on this project, I realized that this pattern would have been a pretty good leader and ender project. If I make another one, I think that's what I will do. I will get all of the strips sewn together while working on other quilts and then finish the blocks later. 

I love free patterns. I am trying to think if I ever bought a pattern and I cant think of a time where I bought one. I do have a few books and magazines but most of those were given to me. I do spend quite a bit of time searching the internet finding free quilt patterns. I have a jump drive that I have saved them to. I also have quite a few quilt ideas pinned on Pinterest as well. For me, I would rather spend money on fabric than patterns! 

Now that I've had a quick break, I better get back to quilting! Seven more projects to get finished up!

Hotel Quilting, Round Two!

I had a feeling I would be spending another night on this adventure. Luckily, I was able to book a room where I normally stay when I'm in Sioux City. I was disappointed in the room I was in last night. It didn't even have a fridge! The lighting is slightly better here as well. I am going to have to remember to buy a small travel light and pack it in my quilt bag. 

Tonight I worked on another crumb quilt. I have nearly half of it sewed together. This is the part I hate about quilting. I would rather be making blocks or even cutting fabric!

I don't think I will get it finished tonight, but at least I've made progress on it! We'll see what happens! I may get my second wind.

Hopefully the weather will play nice tomorrow so I can make it home! I don't mind being on the road, but there's something about sleeping in your own bed that is comforting.