April 2013 Block of the Month

Just completed the April BOM (Block of the Month).  The pattern is called "Fan Block".  Curves are not my absolute favorite, but I like the end result.  I attached the center circle with a machine applique stitch.  I am still liking the colors!  Hmmmm, my flash didn't go off on the camera so this is a bit "washed out".

Fan Block

March 2013 Block of the Month

Taking a break from quilt orders & projects to work on my Craftsy 2013 Block of the Month blocks.  Finished the March block this morning & have the pieces cut out for the April block.  The March block was very easy to put together & is trimmed to 17 1/2" - so it is a nice big block.

The March block is called the "Economy Block".  The lesson was on drafting the center portion of the block.  I decided to just follow the pattern pieces & played with fabric to make the block my own.  I don't especially enjoy the drafting portion of this block, but I suppose it was good to refresh those skills!

Snowy weather has really helped me enjoy being inside sewing.  The sun is actually out today.  Still a little chilly, but so good to see the sun shining.

Katelin's Quilt is Finished!

Put the last stitch in the binding tonight.  I really like this quilt.  Created the entire quilt with half square triangles.  Had enough fabric to make matching king size pillow shams too.  Machine quilted with an edge to edge geometric pattern.  Free motion is my favorite quilting to do.  Allows me the freedom to be artistic.  We all know that I can't draw worth beans -but when I quilt, that's when I find my artistic wings!

I hope Katelin likes this quilt.  Sometimes when I have special orders I am a bit anxious about the reveal.  You just never know what the client had in mind.  I think I may be spot on with this one.  We shall see.

The star is centered.  When I drafted the pattern from a quilt that Katelin had seen I had to draft a pattern - added 4 rows in the length & 2 rows in the width to make a queen size quilt.  I actually wrote the pattern down on this quilt.  I don't usually do that.  Also kept the labels from the fabric for color & fabric line & yardage amounts.  Purchased the fabric from connectingthreads.com

Used some leftover units on the back too!  Just can't have a plain backing!

Of course there has to be a label.

Matching pillow shams - my own design.

A close up of the machine quilting.

On the frame

I was able to load Katelin's quilt onto the frame this past weekend.  I am about half way through the machine quilting.  Decided to use geometric edge to edge design.  I even pieced the backing using some of the remaining units.  I like it!
Also cut out some crib sheets for a new little great-niece who will be here in a couple of months.
Have another quilt order to work on too.  Have pinwheel blocks made and just have to decide how to put them together now.
Winter seems to be upon us again.  Quilting is always a good thing to do during the cold/snowy weather.

Katelin's Quilt Blocks

Two weeks ago I finished sewing the half square triangle units & squared them up ready to sew together.  Tonight I will be sewing on the last two borders & then piecing the quilt backing & hopefully loading on the quilt frame ready to machine quilt this next week.  I have been busy with work and now yard work begins!  Don't have the garden tilled yet, but that is on the list.

It took me about two weeks to finalize the design and layout of the quilt for Katelin.  Working with a photo of a quilt that she really liked, I broke it down & created my own pattern.  I actually kept track of the fabric yardage & colors that she chose for this project.

Now that I am almost down to the end of the project, I am a little nervous.  When someone commissions a quilt I usually have full reign on the design, color, style, etc.  I hope that this quilt will meet Katelin's expectations.

Enjoy the beginning of Spring everyone!

Units ready to press

Units all squared up