Steven's Samplers

Steven's Samplers

66" x 80"

 

These two quilts started out as Barrister's Block Sow-a-long.  When I eventually decided

that I wanted to make twin quilts I sourced blocks from other locations as well.

The blocks finish at 6" and the  triple sashings at 2.25" (strips cut at 1.25").  The borders are 1.5", 1" and 3.5" respectively.

A little under 1900 pieces in each quilt.

Finished (at last!) in August 2013.

String of Emeralds

 

Size:  33" x 46"

These String of Pearls borders are rejects from a quilt made several years ago (background too light).  They were made using Seminole Patchwork techniques.  The large green squares finish at 3", the smaller ones at 1.5", and the band is trimmed to finish at 4.5".
Paired with strips of border print, they have become another lap quilt for the Renal Unit at the hospital.  The same border print was used for backing and binding.
Finished in July 2013

Jacob Rearranged

Jacob Rearranged

Size 36" x 48"

 

12" Jacob's Ladder blocks (12) set 3 x 4 blocks in an offset barnraising arrangement.
The blocks are constructed using 5" charm squares for the half square triangle and four patch units, which are 4" finished.
Adult lap quilt going to the Renal Unit at the local hospital.
Finished in July 2013

Disappearing Nine Patch

Disappearing Nine Patch made with 5" charm squares

Finished Size:  35" x 48"

Charming Disappearing Nine Patch
 

I made 9 nine patches which gave me 36 blocks after cutting them into quarters.  With a 5 x 7 block setting I had one block left over.  I also sewed together three sets of 3 squares: medium, dark and medium; then cut the sets horizontally and vertically into 4 so that I had an extra 12 "sashing" pieces to finish the two outsides. Then I found one more dark 2 1/2" square for the last cornerstone.
I used mostly medium value charm squares and chose those with anything remotely interesting or larger scale for the outside corners of the nine patches (the ones that would remain uncut), the smaller scale ones went between to become the "sashings" and I chose the darkest for the centres of the nine patches to become the cornerstones.
The quilt was made specifically to this size as a lap quilt for use by dialysis patients at the local hospital.
I have made several DNP's over the years but usually with larger squares.  I found this one much less cumbersome to handle in the cutting of the nine patches into four.
Finished in July 2013.

String Flower

What's not to love about this global "quilt-go-round"?

I recently saw this delicious little top at Helen Quilts.  Helen's in the UK and hers is a little different from this one.

Helen found the pattern on Cindy Carter's blog (with Cindy's blessing to make it with love for others).  Cindy's in the USA. Cindy has about a squillion lovely free patterns there!  I actually didn't find this particular one, so if you want to make it you should navigate to it from Helen's blog.  Cindy's pattern is a bit different from Helen's and mine!  I'd love it if someone does make it and keeps the ball rolling around the world!

Thanks Cindy! Thanks Helen!
My little sweetie will be gifted to our local Sunshine Linus group.  I know it will gladdens someone's heart!
Check out the linky party at Quilts are for Giving.

Orca Bay revisited

...and renamed.

Violet Crumble

I love this quilt which Bonnie Hunter from Quiltville had as a mystery quilt on her blog for 8 weeks around Christmas time.  The instructions have now been removed from the blog and will be included in a forthcoming book.  My quilt is just over half  the size of her original.  Here's a close up.

Many thanks to Fiona, the Quilting Fairy, for doing such a great job on the quilting for me.  The swirls offset the angles and points perfectly!

OK, I've succumbed!

A couple of weeks ago we had the most glorious sunny autumn long weekend here.  This is how I mostly saw it, from my sewing room window.

(Alright, I admit that I took the photo standing outside so you can't see how much the window needs cleaning.)
So Saturday lunchtime I wondered what to do with myself and Randy's Sow-a-long started calling to me.  Remember I said that I didn't really need to start another long term project?  Well it turns out that I really did need to.  So, by Monday afternoon I had all these lovely blocks!

And I was all caught up - until the last lot went up on Wednesday and I haven't had time to do them yet, but I will.  I've tried to pick out fabrics that I think are a bit Civil War "ish".  I don't really know if they are or not, but that's the feel that I'd like to go with, but I also just want to use up the stuff that's in the cupboard as much as I can.
I've also decided to link this post up with Mrs P's Favourite Things Friday - because today it is my favourite thing.