Design Wall Monday - April 25, 2022

 Good Morning Quilters!

Today I am reflecting on my quilting hobby and the joy it gives me. I am leaving soon to meet other quilters at a retreat.  It always pleases me to be with others who enjoy quilting as much as I do.  I can’t wait to be there.

One project I will be working on while there is the Jane Stickle quilt.  I started an indigo and shirting version of this quilt back in October of 2013.  I made 13 blocks back then.  (HERE) There are 169 different quilt blocks and 56 different border blocks in the quilt.  I hope to get my mojo back in gear for this project while I’m at the retreat.

Here is a picture of the original Jane Stickle quilt, which is in the Bennington Museum in Bennington, Vermont.  I saw it there once and fell in love with it.  People come to the Bennington Museum from all over the world to see this 1863 quilt.

My version will look something like this one, which was made by Tutu Haynes-Smart of South Africa.

What will you be working on this week?  I hope to show you a few blocks made at retreat when I talk to you next week.  If you have made your version of the Jane Stickle quilt, please let me know.  Thanks for linking with the Design Wall Monday Linky Party.  Those of you who mention my blog and the fun we have here  (plus provide a link back here) are greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

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Design Wall Monday - April 18, 2022

 Good Morning Quilters!

I’ve moved along a little bit on sewing the pieces together on my design wall.  Here is the current picture:

I take a block to the cutting board, trimmed it to 9.5” x 9.5” and put it back on the design wall.  Then when I have a row all trimmed, I sew them together.  Only the middle two rows are sewn together.  It is taking me more time than I had expected.  

The only other quilt I worked on was the chevron quilt.  This quilt was partially sewn together and I didn’t like the amount of contrast between the blocks. 

My solution to the problem was to take most of it apart.  Mr. seam ripper and I spent a few evenings together, and now this project is ready for my second try at high contrast.  It is a learning experience.

Also my birthday was Saturday (79) and we celebrated Easter on Sunday.  A very happy weekend spent with friends and family and church.  

What was your week like?  I’m looking forward to seeing your linkups to the Design Wall Monday Linky Party.  Thanks to you who follow my requests to put a link back to this block post within your post and also talk about the Design Wall Mondays Linky Party within your post.  You are appreciated.  

Happy Easter!  Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed!

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Design Wall Mondays - April 11, 2022

Good Morning Quilters! 

This is the last month I am working on reducing the plaid stash.  I have the two quilts I talked about last week packaged up ready for the long arm quilter.  

So here is another plaid quilt on the design wall.  The squares have to be trimmed to the same size, and sewn together.  I may rearrange some of them before that, but they are on the design wall for a few days to see if this is their final version.

Here's a picture of all the blocks:

And here is a closer picture of the center, and this picture shows the colors better:

The only plaid quilt in the UFOs now is the one where I was not happy with the contrast between lights and darks.  Remember this one?  I like the contrast in the far right column best, and am unhappy with the far left two columns with little contrast.  It is still in time out.

The good news is that next month I am getting the 30 embroidered May Day Baskets blocks out and plan to get that quilt on the design wall for a May finish.  I have the 30s green fabric purchased for the alternate squares, and just have to cut the green fabric and put it all together on the wall.  I am looking forward to getting it finished.

What are you working on this week?  I am so happy that I get to see what you are working on.  Sometimes after reading one of your blogs, I want to drop my own plans and do the same project you are doing.  So I live vicariously through all of you.  Thank you!  Please join the Design Wall Mondays Linky Party below, and don't forget to mention Design Wall Monday in your post, and also provide a link back to this post (also within your post)  I appreciate you.

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Design Wall Monday - April 4, 2022

Good Morning Quilters!  The plaid squares within plaids blocks are assembled into a quilt top - almost.  I have to add the outside borders top, bottom, and both sides (solid red).  It is off the floor, and now on the design wall.  The cornerstones are four patches of plaids and whites, which goes well with the rest of the quilt.  It feels good to have another one near the finish line.

Remember those "orphan plaid blocks" that might have been part of this quilt?  I also sewed them into a long strip, and it will be in the middle of the muslin backing for the quilt that I made recently of 6 inch squares of plaids.

The 6 inch squares plaid quilt measures 84 inches by 90 inches and the 12 inch orphan blocks shown above are seven blocks, so they measure 84 inches when sewn together.  Just as if it had been planned, right?  

Here is another picture of the 84 by 90 inch plaid blocks front of the quilt:

The width of the 12 inch blocks on the back will be the width of two six inch blocks on the front.  I found a big piece of muslin in my stash with a note on it saying "backing", and it is the right size for this quilt.  I will cut that into two pieces, and put the orphan blocks in the middle.  I feel good that this is all working out.  It is amazing that it does sometimes because sometimes it doesn't.  

Wednesday was Penny Lane's 4th Birthday.  We gave her half of a plain donut with several dog treats on the top.  She is waiting for our signal that it is ok to dive into it.     

This picture was taken less than 30 seconds later:

She enjoyed her birthday cake very much!

Spring is still waiting to happen at our house - it snowed again Sunday morning.  But the snow didn't stay, and the birds are chirping away.   They are letting us know that spring will be here soon.  We are very ready.

What is happening on your design wall?  Or at your sewing machine?  Please join the Design Wall Monday Linky Party below and show us.  Thanks for participating, and please mention the Design Wall Monday Linky Party somewhere within your blog post.  Also, a link back to this post within your post will help people navigate back here to look at more blogs in the party.  I appreciate you very much.

 

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