WIP - X and Plus Quilt

 
This is a work in progress quilt made entirely from scraps.  I'm loving this pattern and the process.  I'm creating each little block individually.  Just making what I think is lovely and pleasing one block and at time and letting the finished product work itself out.  My favorite part about quilt making in general is the initial fabric choosing and design process*.  I've been highly motivated to continue working on this as stitching up each little block has it's own "reveal" at the end.  

I've also learned a great deal about color and value in the process, as I used various fabrics that "read" the same way rather than exact matches.  The small squares are just 1 1/2" finished, so they often read differently when cut from larger patterned fabrics. 

I was inspired to try this pattern by this quilt, made primarily from Anna Maria Horner fabrics, and this one.  Oh yeah, and this one too.  I actually don't think I've seen one of these that I don't like. I used this tutorial from bad skirt for 7" finished blocks. 

Few tips / things I learned in the process: 

1) I didn't bother to draw the diagonal lines, just eye-balled it, when stitching the corner squares onto the X portion.  This was a great time and aggrevation saver, as those squares are very small for any drawing.  
2) I have all the unpieced center plus beams running vertically.  Once I reached the point of stitching together the final three pieces, I pressed all seems on right hand side of the block upwards and all seams on the left hand side downwards.  This should allow my seams to match up nicely when it comes time to piece my rows. 

* I took one of my artist friends to a quilt shop once and she was like, "Wow, this is fun! I've just made 20 quilts in my mind." 

Work in Progress - Blooming Four Patch Quilt

This was my project of choice over the winter holiday time off stretch.  The perfect antidote to the weather, something bright and tropical.  The top is finished, more photos to follow.  This is my third blooming quilt.  Other one in WIP state can be seen here.   

Paper Pieced Star Block, aka Block Rockin' Week - Caldonia

 
Here's my third paper pieced star!  I'm actually planning to make at least one more from this pattern as I really love this little star.  It's going to be part of a Modern Sampler Quilt I'm planning for a little  cousin.  My color palette plan is red, brown, all shades of greens, cobalt blue, with a neutral linen fabric included in all block with some room to improvise.  I sort of hold fabrics up again my existing blocks and fabric pull and include them if they're pleasing.  I enjoy freedom in my creative process!  

This block is courtesy of Julie Wallander Hirt over at 627 Handworks.  This and many more lovely star blocks available on her blog plus a Flickr pool & Instagram group too, so you can see the variety of results that can be achieved.

Paper Pieced Star Block, aka Block Rockin' Week - Zepplin

Just another little paper pieced star courtesy of Julie Wallander Hirt over at 627 Handworks.  This and many more lovely star blocks available on her blog plus a Flickr pool & Instagram group too, so you can see the variety of results that can be achieved.

My ultimate goal is a modern sampler quilt with a few more star blocks plus some graphic patchwork blocks.  My color palette plan is red, brown, all shades of greens, cobalt blue, with a neutral linen fabric included in all blocks.

Paper Pieced Star Block, aka Block Rockin' Week - Morrison

Just a little paper pieced star courtesy of Julie Wallander Hirt over at 627 Handworks.  She posted some really great, free paper pieced patterns on her blog.  There is also a Flickr pool & Instagram group too, so you can see the variety of results that can be achieved.  I'd take a class at City Quilter with the fabulous Judy on working with striped fabric, so incorporated a few stripes. 

My big plan for this little block is a sort of modern sampler quilt for one of my cousins little kiddies (longer term goal is to make quilts for all kiddies of cousins who don't have one yet).  I'll be making a few more stars from Julie's blog as well as a few graphic, basic blocks as well.  My color palette plan is red, brown, all shades of greens, few blues, with a neutral linen fabric included in all blocks.

WIP Wednesday - Blues Triangle Quilt with a little Green for Good Measure

My latest work in progress....I have wanted to make a quilt with as many shades of blue as I could get my hands on and also wanted to make a quilt for darling little one year old boy.  So, I added a graphic print and a few shades of green and started a new quilt, one of my favorite things to do. 

WIP Wednesday - Blooming Nine Patch Quilt

This is a current work in progress, a Blooming Nine Patch quilt.  I've cheated a bit by making four patch squares instead.  I'm using a hand-dyed fabric in navy & hot pink for the center and also a pink & white fabric dyed by yours truly in a shibori fabric dyeing class at City Quilter in NYC. 

WIP Wednesday - Modern String Quilt

Here is a string quilt work in progress (I'm actually finished with this, just a little behind in my blogging, full quilt photo to follow shortly).  This quilt is incredibly fun to make.  It's scrap friendly and making it in the manner that I do - each square as it's own little mini-quilt - allows you to create many tiny quilts in one.  My favorite part of the quilting process is designing a new quilt, picking out the colors and seeing them shine together.  This style of quilt allows that many times over. 

On the right hand side, I'm auditioning colors for additional blocks, seeing if they work well with the quilt thus far.  Basically though, my design process involved using fabrics and colors I loved, so they were bound to work well together.  This was a very free and easy process. 

WIP Wednesday - Modern Pineapple Quilt

A work in progress, Pineapple Quilt.  I'm attempting to make a circular sub-pattern with the colored portions.  I was inspired by a scrap quilt where it was randomly occurring in places. 

 

I combined two techniques that, I think, made this easier than the traditional method.  First, I strip pieced, working on multiple squares at a time.  Second, I cut the "logs" or strips about 1/8" wider than required and then trimmed down the width of each strip while making sure to align my ruler with the hot pink center square - either straight on or at a 45 degree angle for the corner pieces. 

 

This is sort of a cheater way to make sure that your blocks stay perfectly alligned.  I found it helpful and the tediousness of this step was offset by the strip piecing. 

WIP Wednesday - Royal Purple Striped Scarf

 

A little work in progress scarf using Lion Brand Amazing yarn mixed with some Cascade 220.  Amazing yarn is akin to Noro yarn with, perhaps, more pleasing options for the person who favors cool colors. 

WIP Wednesday - Two at a Time Toe Up Socks

 

I have always wanted to be a sock knitter, and I think I have arrived.  Knitting two at a time from the toe up is glorious!  Thanks for the inspiration to try and a great book recommendation goes to Mrs. McPorkchop . 

 

This glorious yarn was purchased at Vogue Knitting Live in NYC.  It's Alegria from Manos Del Uruguay in Carnaval colorway. 

 

WIP (Work in Progress) Wednesday (and the Occasional Thursday) - String Quilt Blues

Here's a glimpse of my design wall with a string quilt in progress.