Saturday 3 March 2018

Snow Day Quilting

The good thing about patchwork and quilting is that it keeps me on the sewing machine but stops me making clothes which, if I am honest, I don't essentially need. I am not saying I don't love making clothes but I have plenty.


196 blocks made and in groups of 4 ready to sew into larger star blocks. Some are cut out but not sewn. I had a final tally up yesterday which was a snow day and I need to cut out 21 more to get to the final number of 252.



The last few were the hardest to cut. I was running out of fabric scraps and I didn't want pattern repeats in each block so rather than batch cutting out the last 20 I selected carefully to ensure the colours and patterns would be spread out evenly: quilt sudoku if you like. 





Next I started to sew them together. I knew they were not massively accurate but the overall effect would be a riot of colour which is the look I am aiming for. I am going to add buttons to the quilt in the centre of each star to help me quilt it together.



I did think about having this one professionally quilted on a long arm quilting machine but I wanted to use our existing IKEA quilt as a base to save money and not waste materials. I thought a company might sniff at bodging a quilt to a topper on their expensive machine so I have decided to fathom out a method myself. It is what makes my craft mojo happy.


A couple of snow days was just what I needed to get on top of this. I am ready in earnest to start making the 4 patch blocks. Whoop!



Thanks for checking in. Stay safe and warm. Jo xxx

15 comments:

  1. Glad you had fun quilting and cutting on your snow day Jo. The ladies look like they had a fabulous day. Stay safe.

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  2. It was nice to make use of your snow day in such a creative way! It looks like the whole family had lots of fun.

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  3. You made great use of your snow day. Your quilt blocks look great, I love the colors. It's so hard to get those center joins right, but you did fine. The girls look so happy! Hope you're all having a good weekend.

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  4. I am not sure, but I think this is something Alicia Paulson has done - i.e. use a pre existing quilt (or bought one to use specifically for purpose). I believe she ties the quilt rather than stitching it though.

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    1. Thanks for the tip off - that is just what I am looking for. I will check it out.

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  5. Very productive and I'm sure it is going to be beautiful when finished. I look forward to seeing it. x

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  6. Looks like you all enjoyed your snow days. Such beautiful fabric, I'm sure it'll look great when you've finished it. Cathy x

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  7. Fantastic, it is going to be a beauty. I spotted my blouse :-) makes me really happy! Buttons sound like a good idea to hold the layers together. Happy sewing. xx

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  8. Its going to be wonderful, I love the wonderful array of colours. A delight to see the girls having so much fun hurray for the occasional snow day.

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  9. This is looking amazing! Perfect for a snowy day. I like the shot of your sewing room too!

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    1. Me too, you see so many perfectly organised ones online but in the hum of things this is what mine looks like!

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  10. Looks lovely and I like that pile of fabrics and your sewing room. Can't think of a nicer way to spend a snowy day.
    Amalia
    xo

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  11. Your quilt blocks are very pretty! Adding buttons to help quilting is a nice idea. Stay warm.

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  12. Love your quilt blocks.The quilt is going to be lovely so colourful. Have you thought of ties to quilt it to your old one. It looks ideal for stash busting. Please could you give details of how to make the blocks.

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  13. I am investigating tying the quilt.I will add how they are made on my next post. Thanks for dropping by.

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