Solid Challenge

The ladies that I quilt with have decided our 2012 quilting challenge will be to create an all solid quilt. The quilt can be any size, any pattern, and shape. The only requirement is that it must be made entirely of solid fabric.

I started my quilt yesterday. Look at these lovely fat quarters!



The bundle was so pretty, I didn't want to cut in to them. Even the schnibble pile is gorgeous.


I love watching the ribbon effect during chain piecing.


I am so inspired by this quilt that I wish I could spend the weekend finishing it but we have lots of plans with friends plus activities to run the boys to and fro. And I'm pretty sure I haven't done laundry or grocery shopping in a few weeks.


I also need to finish up a commission quilt that I started a few weeks ago. I don't like the fabric I purchased for the border so I'm going to do some shopping for it this weekend. I keep telling myself that I need to finish the commission quilt before I work on the solid quilt but oh boy, do I really, really want to keep going on the solid quilt.

Blues and Browns

Here's a sneak peak at some strips and fabric I used for a recent finished quilt. I completed the project two weeks ago at Camp Tecumseh but I'm keeping it a secret until it's delivered to its new home.

Reed's Quilt

My first finish of 2012! Some dear friends of mine are expecting their first bundle of joy. I can't wait to meet Reed Joshua who will arrive sometime next month. When I asked the happy couple what they'd like in terms of a baby quilt, I was told to make it colorful and bright. Happy to oblige....


I started this quilt in November and decided to go with wonky stars. I made a few different sizes and I love how different each of the blocks are. As a result, I quilted each block differently too.


I machine sewed on the binding with fabric I purchased in Las Vegas over three years ago. I also used it on the back (though darn, I didn't take a picture of the pieced back).

Here is a photo of the parent's to be opening their present at their baby shower. It received an appropriate amount of oh's and ah's so I was satisfied.

NYC and purl soho

I was in NYC for work recently and I stopped by purl soho for the first time. I love visiting fabric shops when I'm traveling! I LOVE to visit City Quilter when I'm in New York (they've expanded the store this past year!) but this was my first visit to purl soho, a shop that features all kinds of textiles. (There were a lot of knitters when I was there.) And bonus, Soho is my second favorite NYC district (after Chelsea, of course).

While at purl soho, I decided I must by some fabric and was instantly drawn to a bundle of half yard prints in yellows and grays that I knew I had to have. I don't follow fabric lines so I didn't realize my purchase is from the hottest line of the season, Echo by Lotta Jansdotter. Many of the quilt bloggers I follow are talking about Lotta's first line, including Rachel from Stitched in Color.

I'm feeling like one of the cool kids in quilt class today!

Quinn's Quilt

It seems I've taken to naming quilts after their recipients and I certainly had continue the tradition with Baby Quinn. (Who doesn't love an opportunity to use alliteration, especially with Q words?) Quinn is expected to arrive around December 3. Luckily, I finished his quilt in time! Here is a photo of me with Quinn's mama, my cousin Bri.



Bri requested something to match Quinn's Dr. Seuss room. I struggled a bit but I'm happy with the outcome.




Another foray in to machine binding. I'm getting better! For my next quilt, I might try a zig zag stitch for binding.


I have two more friends who are expecting. I asked one what she'd like in terms of color and style and she told me to do whatever I want - as long as it's bright. Oh the possibilities!

Decorating

One of the advantages to having a new house is having a sewing room all to myself. When we built the house, we knew we weren't going to use the formal living room so the Polack convinced me to turn it in to my sewing room. I had other ideas for sewing space and I didn't like that the room was right off the foyer and very visible from the front door. This means I feel like I have to keep the room picked up. But the advantage is that it's spacious and has plenty of room for all my stuff. (And really, how can I complain about having my husband dedicate a whole room to my quilting?)

My sewing room is currently outfitted with old furniture, made of MFD and some on it's last leg. I'll get new furniture some day and I'll organize things in a cool, fashionable way. (I have a whole "organization" board on Pinterest!) But for now, I have to settle with what I have. But that doesn't mean I can't make things colorful to help pique the inspiration.

I bought a set of these circle containers from IKEA several years ago. I didn't have a plan for them but I loved the colors.




One day, I had the idea of hanging the lids on the wall above my cutting table. It's an easy and cheap way of adding color to the white walls of the room. (Painting will happen. Some day.)


I hope to add some paper lanterns to hang from the ceiling and of course, I need to add some quilts to the wall. in the meantime, I love looking at my circles.

Ryleigh's Quilt

I'm waa-aay behind on my flowers. I have two ready to photograph but haven't made it outside to take the photos. I also need to finish my flower from last week and start this week. It's been a busy fall! I have managed to work on some quilts though. My latest has been finished for several weeks and I'm finally getting around to mailing it to the recipient. This is going to baby Ryleigh, the daughter of some friends.

Here was the inspiration for the quilt. This is part of the bedding in Ryleigh's room.


I'm not sure why I used 4.5 inch squares. They were so small! I kept making squares, and making squares and sewing and sewing. Then I'd lay out the quilt and it was teeny tiny. But I loved working with the colors so I kepts at it.

It was windy when I took photos of the quilt.




A close-up... I quilted flowers in the quilt, a free motion pattern I love but don't get to use very much.


Here is my third attempt at machine binding. It's not perfect but I'm getting better!


I'm mailing the quilt today and I know it will be well loved.

I'm finishing another baby quilt that I've been working on since I finished Ryleigh's project. It will be given to the recipient at a baby shower on Sunday and all that's left to do is the binding so I should be able to finish it. I'll post photos next week.