Quilt 24 - Construction Quilt 2

It's been a year now since I began this blog to see how many quilts I could get done and reduce my stash. I did not make a quilt a week but I have completed 23 quilts. One of the quilts listed took about a week but it was strictly quilting for someone else.

So, has my stash been reduced in size? It does not look like it from my closest picture, yet it must have been because of the finished quilts. I have made and shared several quilts with others which was one of my goals. I will continue to work on the stash this coming year and keep posting!

I have started some more projects and bought more fabric. An endless cycle I guess but this blog helps me keep up with what I have done and that is good.

Here is the most recent quilt.

 It is the second "Construction Quilt" - quilted a little differently and I pieced the back with leftover flannels I had from some other quilts. Just barely had enough but it will make a soft warm back.

I also went back to sewing my binding first by machine then by hand. I just can't seem to master the all machine binding yet. Maybe I'll give it another try some day.

Quilt 23 - A Trip to the Zoo!

 This is another quick baby quilt, Mojave, by Villa Rosa Designs. These little postcards are inexpensive - $2.00 and yet have all the quilt information you need if you are not a beginner quilter.

 This quilt was super simple and a kit I bought last year in Florida.

Here is a sample of my machine binding for both sides - I need to work on it a little - I'm trying to save my fingers and handwork for all my appliqué projects that I do by hand.

Quilt 22 - Scrappy String Bars

 I got the idea for this quilt from Gwen Marston's book, Liberated String Quilts.

 I had quite a few 'strings' and scraps of reproduction fabrics and cut them into 7" pieces, sewed them together, and just kept on with sections until I had the size quilt I desired.

 I put the borders on like you see on antique quilts sometimes - both borders sewn on together without mitering, so you have the inner border go out in the outer border. I like the look for a change!

Here is my scrappy back - as usual - with even a pieced sleeve at the top. A fun quilt and a great way to use up strips.

Quilt 21 - Going in Circles!

It is March and I'm getting a little behind on my 'numbers' but this is a true UFO. I began this quilt in a class last year with Carol Taylor and when I got home, I set it aside.

 But now it is finished with circular quilting.

 I am pleased with the bright colors, but I need more practice on sewing curves to keep the puffiness out. Maybe I'll try another one some day!

And of course, the back! I always like interesting backs! Happy Stitching!

Quilt 20 - Kaleidoscope 2

 I made this quilt in the nineties and had quite a lot of fabrics left over.

 In fact, already cut, ready for another quilt!

 I shaded them around and came up with the quilt below.

 I only had about 4 triangles left that would not fit. I tried being 'artsy' with the side borders. Not sure it worked but I did it anyway!

 Here is a close-up of the swirls for the quilting. . .and border. . .

and more scrap fabrics for the back! Even the binding was left from the nautical quilt in January which I think just gave a great finish.

Quilt 19 - Chevron Quilt for Ari

 My niece who is having her third child in February. Her colors are gray and white with a chevron pattern. After I bought all these fabrics for her quilt, I found the actual chevron pattern at two quilt shops. Oh well, I'll go with my own creativity.

 I found this simple pattern at Crazy Mom Quilts and it was really simple to make without having to cut any triangles. You end up trimming the edges to square it up!

 Here was the finished design. I tried many different layouts and chose this.

A little close-up of the quilting!! My niece loved the quilt and now it's time for baby Ari to arrive!

Quilt 18 - Basket Case 2

 I had enough fabric/blocks left from the quilt I made for my daughter at Christmas to make another whole quilt. It went together quite easily since the blocks were already put together. I used up almost every single bit of the fabric - I like that!

This is for some friends of ours that really need a 'hug' this week. I put a flannel backing for warmth.