Tag Archive for 'patchwork'

QUILT SAMPLER 2 : BINDING

Quilt Sampler 2

Happy Holidays, friends! Now that the pressure of Christmas is lifted, I can get back to my goal of completing as many quilts as possible before the end of the year. (or close to it) I am in the binding stage for THREE quilts right now! I’m pretty excited. All the other quilts are gifts. This one I’m keeping.

I know that machine sewing on your binding is much faster, but I really enjoy spending some final time with my quilts as I sit underneath them and hand stitch on the last part of the binding. It seems like a worth while ritual to me. I recently started using binding clips which is way safer than using pins to hold down the binding as you stitch it on. This makes all the difference.

This Quilt Sampler 2 was started last January in class and I only recently finally got around to doing all the quilting. I have a tendency to baste quilts and then abandon them for a new quilt project. I am hoping that I’ve conquered thisĀ  I love that Sampler Quilts are learning quilts. Since each block is different, they are the perfect way to improve your technique and learn some new ones. They are usually a bit of a challenge and this one was no exception. Some of these blocks were difficult and hopefully this will help me get through some of the tricky Farmer’s Wife blocks I’ll be tackling very soon. I learned so many things from making this quilt. I’m especially happy that I’ll now have two Sampler Quilts as a record of my progress in patchwork.

Here’s my first Quilt Sampler. I still love it.

Quilt Sampler 2

Quilt Sampler 2

Quilt Sampler 2

Quilt Sampler 2

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PATCHWORK PALETTES : ICELAND

Patchwork Palettes : Iceland

I am so excited about this block! This is the second Patchwork Palettes block that I’ve done with Amanda. The concept of our project is that we draw colour inspiration from one of our Pinterest photos. The two of us each create a patchwork block that interprets the palette. One photo, two completely different blocks!

This time it was my turn to choose and I HAD to choose this incredible photo of Iceland. These colours are so ME. I loved looking through my scrap bin for these icy blues, smoky greys, bits of pink and black. You may recognize some scraps from my last Happy Homemade top. It was a ‘happy’ coincidence that I was working on both projects at the same time. That big gingham in aqua and white was a perfect fit for this.

This block is loosely based on a log cabin pattern with lots of scrappy strips and bits mixed in. Some things that I love about this block : where I’ve pieced the same fabric to itself, the repetition of fabrics throughout the block and the tiny scrap of persimmon plaid fabric near the top right corner.

Amanda also did an improv block this time and I absolutely love it! Take a look at her bold fabric choices and teeny tiny bits of piecing and stripes. So good. Also, my favourite detail is her little diagonal pieces.

This project is so good for me. These small blocks are incredibly satisfying to make and I’m learning all kinds of wonderful ways of improv piecing fabrics together. It is an inspiring way to sew. Plus, testing out colour palettes is so much fun.

I can’t wait to start on our next block. We’re off to choose our next photos!!

Patchwork Palettes : Iceland

Patchwork Palettes : Iceland

Patchwork Palettes : Iceland

Patchwork Palettes : Iceland

Patchwork Palettes : Iceland

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PATCHWORK PILLOWCASES

I’m doing well with my goal of working on more ‘house-related’ projects. I just finished these simple patchwork pillowcases. The patchwork strip is an off-cut from the queen sized quilt that I’m currently hand quilting. Since it will likely be quite a while since I actually finish the quilt, I thought a few pillowcases might motivate me to move faster. I can’t wait to get the finished and washed quilt on the bed! I can’t even imagine how satisfying that will feel.

The pillowcases are very simply done, with an envelope pillow-style opening at the back. I just copied the pillow cases from our new Dwell bedding. (bought at the cutest little shop – La Merceria). I’m planning on doing a duvet cover next but I just figured out that it will require about eleven metres of fabric. So, I’m going to need to do a bit of planning.

I’ve also got a couple window treatments in progress and I’ll post those once they are complete. With the nice weather approaching I’m trying to focus on doing these home projects before I get the itch to start making dresses again.

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