May Our Flag Forever Wave

 I enjoyed making this quilt using Amy Smart's pattern called Fly The Flag.  I made one of the blocks using only white strips but decided that I wanted to use a variety of cream colors instead.  So the white stripe block now resides in the top right hand corner of the quilt (left side if you are looking at it from the front).  I also pieced the backing as I didn't quite have enough left of some 108" backing that I had used on another quilt.  However, as I don't allow the Quilt Police to bother me.  I am perfectly fine with the pieced backing.  I also made a scrappy binding (wahoooooo!).

The quilt ended p being 68" x 82".  I machine quilted it with a pantograph called Scrollwork from Urban Elementz.  I used Glide Thread in the color White on the top & Blueberry in the bobbin.  Love the way it stitched out.

All the fabrics came from my stash.  I had quite a bit of red/white/blue fabrics with the intention of making patriotic quilts.  Good thing I have an assortment to choose from.  LOL  The red & blue & cream fabrics were actually Fat Quarters.  Don't ever discount those wonderful precuts as they almost always fit into a pieced block somehow.

I am currently adapting Amy Smart's pattern to make larger blocks and see where that leads me.

68" x 82"

I called this one "May Our Flag Forever Wave"

Even a scrappy backing can be appreciated!

RBD BOM 2025

 Completed the Riley Blake Designs 2025 Block of the Month.  I really like the colors now that it's all put together.  The fabrics came from my stash so no new fabric was purchased for this quilt YAY!!  My favorite top three blocks in this quilt are (which may be included in future projects):

1.  The center block designed by RBD.  I really like the 9 square center of this block (center block)

2.  Around the Corner by Beverly McCullough (2nd block from the right on the bottom row)

3.  Irish Spring by Vicki McCarty (center block on the bottom row)

This is the second RBD BOM that I have done.  I enjoyed making almost all of the blocks.  There is always that one that you probably won't make again.

I backed & bound the quilt with a teal fabric from the Zen line by Sue Zipkin for Clothworks.  I had purchased 7 yards of 4 or 5 of the fabrics from this line a couple of years ago.  I love how it worked so well for the backing.

I machine quilted the quilt with a pantograph from Urban Elementz called Fishtail Palm.  I am very pleased with how it worked out.  I used Glide thread 40w in White on the top & Grotto Blue on the bobbin.  

I hope all of you that did this challenge enjoyed it as much as I did.

Find Joy in YOUR journey.

66" x 66"

Wonky Strippy Stars - Once Upon A Time......

 Once upon a time there was a seasoned quilter who decided to use the bag of 2 1/2" strips of fabric (Jelly Rolls) that were purchased in a mystery bag.  Deciding at last that she would make the "Jelly Roll Race Quilt" designed by Donna Jordan of Jordan's Fabrics to honor her (she passed away a few months ago).  Well, the quilter laid the strips out in the order that she thought would look appealing and set to work at one of her trusty vintage Singer sewing machines.  She sewed and trimmed according to the well written pattern knowing this would be a great quilt.  Well, time passed and the top was completed.  However, much to the quilter's chagrin she had trimmed the strips, NOT at the appropriate length, but somehow trimmed the sections at different lengths.  UGH!  Total operator error on this one.

She stared at the wonky top and finally sucked it up - got out her well used 12 1/2" square up ruler and went to work cutting squares on the diagonal.  

Yes, 12 blocks later she decided to utilize the smaller left over sections of the wonky top by cutting them into 4 1/2" squares.  Then to honor the wonky top she proceeded to use those smaller squares to make wonky star blocks.

As you should always have a touch of black (for mourning or classiness - is that a word?) she bordered each of the blocks with 1 1/2" strips of black fabric.  Thus she now had 20 blocks to make a new design out of the debacle that was the Jelly Roll Race top.

Thus, the Wonky Strippy Star block was born.  The quilt finished at 65" x 78".  It is machine quilted with a pantograph called Fern from Urban Elementz using a Glide 40wt thread in the color Khaki.

If you haven't guessed already, I am that quilter.  Yes, at times I do fail at my attempts but the important thing to me is to remember that every quilt deserves to have a life of giving comfort.  Does that quilt need to be perfect, No.  Does it need to win a ribbon, No.  Does it need to find a home with someone to love it, Yes!

So, if you too have those moments of disappointment with your project, fear not.  There is always a light to shine on you.  It may not be the spotlight that you may have wanted, but you will definitely brighten someone else's world with your finished project.

Find Joy in YOUR journey.