Latest and Greatest

So happy with this quilt.  A great deal of planning went into it and it is totally my own from conception to completion.  I found several black background fabrics in my stash, all different designs, but the same color themes.  Not enough for much of anything on their own, but together and with added hot colors for punch, it became a wow quilt.  Because of the star theme background fabric I decided to attempt quilting a star on each block.  It came out pretty awesome.  Back of quilt is a star fabric with a panel running down the side of color blocks. This became necessary as I did not have enough star fabric to completely cover the back of quilt.  Turned out to be a great looking reverse side to the quilt. I am very excited to move on to the next project. Check out my shop! https://www.etsy.com/people/inmaudesattic

Moving Forward

I am beginning a "New Faze" of my quilting experience. Since our move to Pennsylvania I have had the opportunity to be exposed to more quilt shops and quilters.  They have made me want to become a much better crafter!  My biggest hurdles are indecision.  I find a fabulous fabric, buy it and cannot decide what is the best way to execute a design.  I would be interested in any input from others how they finally DECIDE! 

I had to put my Etsy Shop on hold while in Florida with my husband. We are escaping winter in the north and visiting with my daughter, her husband, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  We have had limited time with them due to their working hours and my husband and I coming down with the flu. So I have decided it was time to return to my blog, and to promote my shop - inmaudesattic.etsy.com 

While relaxing on the couch recovering,  I am browsing through my quilting magazines seeking new ideas. One particular magazine had pics of some fabulous sewing rooms.  David and I moved into a new house last spring and I now have a room specifically dedicated to sewing/quilting. I organized and re-organized several times. It was a strictly functional space, fairly well organized, but I have now decided it is boring! I now think I have a plan.  More to come on that.  Cannot wait to get home and begin!

Habitat For Humanity

Recently put together a quick quilt for Habitat, to be raffled off at their dinner dance. Wanted to do something colorful and happy. I also had only one week to assemble and quilt as we were leaving for Florida.  I think I achieved happy and cheerful, what do you think? 

EEZY PEEZY MODULAR BLOCK - TUTORIAL

Let me begin by saying..........this is my very first tutorial so I am open to any advice or criticism.

Begin with  5 or 6 different fabrics, plus an accent color or colors for this retro looking 9 1/2" block. I used 5 fabrics for this set of blocks, although in this photo you can see only 4. Iron and stack neatly. With rotary cutter, square off 2 sides, then cut remaining two sides so that you have 5  8" X 9" stacked blocks.

Measure 1 1/2" inches in on the 8" side and cut with rotary cutter. Separate stack,(fig 2) remove top strip and transfer to the bottom of the pile. (fig 3)

(fig 1) Stack of 5 squared  fabrics  (8"X9")

  

(fig 2) First cut 1 1/2" inches wide.  Can be cut up to 2" inches

 (fig 3) Remove top fabric and relocate to bottom of stack


Cut 5 strips of contrasting color. 2 1/2 inches wide by 9 inches long. Sew strip to cut sides of block. Block will now be 10" wide. (not 8) Press and restack all blocks, place on mat and prepare to make a second cut.

Completed first cut and strip
Second Cut begins with figure 4

(fig 4) Now make second cut 2 1/4"  down from the top

(fig 5) Reverse stack

(Fig 6) Remove top 2 strips and place on the bottom of the stack

(Fig 7)  Completed cut and re stacked

Now cut a final contrasting strip 1 1/2" wide by 9 1/2" long, sew strip onto  block for a completed 9 1/2" X 9 1/2" block. Square up if necessary.

completed block

                Another view of a completed block

Full set of 4 blocks. Arrange at will, have fun with it!

 More to come............. 

 

Sock Monkey's and more - The Griddle Cake Caper

Quilt # 1 - Griddle cakes 

Thought I found the perfect design for this quilt. However, I am still learning with each quilt I make. I soon discovered that the brown fabric with bananas was like using red.  It overpowered the other colors on the quilt. In the case of this fabric...........less is more!   

I continued to assemble the quilt. However, once completed I found it to be OK, but not a love affair for me.  So, I began the task of seeking another design for the this adorable sock monkey fabric.

See below for a very different view of this fabric.  It is amazing that the quilt below is the same fabrics, with a few additions

Sock Monkeys - Same Fabric Different Quilt

So this is the second quilt.  I chose to not use the brown with bananas on the second quilt and tried to think outside the box in terms of color, so I brought it some fabrics that were compatible, but not part of the sock monkey companion fabrics

 

Quilt was a big hit.  Photo is Kristen (mother to be) holding the quilt.  Below is the awesome cake her Mother Barbara made for the shower.  Barbara is a very talented cake decorator. Our very own "Cake Boss"!



Bento Block Quilt 

Soooo............. Now that I have completed Jane's quilt, I am inspired to complete a quilt of my own.  About 3 years ago, my daughter Denise thought it would be fun for the three of us (Denise, Dawn, and I)  to make a quilt a year.  One for each of us.  The idea was the person whose quilt we were creating, select the pattern, and color.  Each would shop for fabrics and work on our assigned blocks, then when we came together (Denise lives in Florida, Dawn and I live in NJ) we would assemble the blocks.  The final assembly would be left to the person whose quilt it was going to be.  The consensus was  that MOM would be the first to have a quilt made.  So,  I selected the pattern, Modified Bento Block.  Gave my daughters a piece of the fabric from my bedroom drapes, and off we went!   One of things not discussed was the 1/4 " seam.  We each created a block with a quarter inch seam, but  believe it or not, they were not all the same 1/4".  I was very discouraged  as the squares did not line up as per the design, so I put the blocks aside for almost 2 years.  I am a perfectionist, a Type A, in fact I always referred to myself as a double A!   Since retiring I can honestly say I am down to an A minus. Completing Jane's quilt and realizing that perfection does not always mean  "PERFECT".  That the overall look is far more important, in other words, the big picture!  So one night I laid all of the blocks out on the floor. (with Abby my dog, jumping around on them) and  I located the smallest block among the group and decided on a final size for all of the blocks.  I then measured and rotary cut them all.  Then began assembly.  I am pretty happy with the completed top, and will be moving on the assembling the back and quilting it.   

Abby-Licious!