A Few Finishes

Remember this post about the Island Chain quilt top and the Fourth of July quilt top? This is a little follow up to that, now that I have completed the backing for Island Chain and the other quilt "American Sweetheart" has its outer border, been quilted and bound. Also back from the quilter: Ginger Belle.

"American Sweetheart" was a 2006 McCall's Quilting pattern. It is funny that I put it away almost complete. It is ironic (if that is the right word) that most of the fabrics are 2006 or older. Even the border fabric I found at the last minute is a 2006 1930's reproduction print!

The back I made for Island Chain was inspired by a quilt called the Skinny Strips quilt in American Patchwork and Quilting. The link here is to their free downloadable pattern on All People Quilt. I chose that pattern because after making the Island Chain from a jelly roll of Oh My! I had all these leftovers that really don't go with any of my scrap stash. Not wanting them to waste away in the bin forever, this seemed to be the perfect answer. And it is going to be 2 quilts in one when it is quilted! 

The fabrics in Island Chain are not what I would buy for myself, but I LOVE THEM! My daughter picked it out for my Mother's Day gift. I swear that girl will someday admit she is a quilter at heart and stop denying any interest in the craft!

When I took the Island Chain class from Kim Brackett (author of Scrap Basket Sensations) everyone else used a Bali Pop. I was the odd one. It just proves that we should all step out of our habits, our comfort zone, and be surprised at what is waiting!

I think this is going to be one of my all time favorites.

Finally, the completed, quilted and bound "Ginger Belle" from Miss Rosie's Quilt Company patterns. It is in the book "Spice of Life Quilts."  The quilting is gorgeous. Exactly what it needed. And I didn't buy one piece of fabric for this quilt. Total stash buster!

Have you ever made a quilt from Kim Brackett or Carrie Nelson? You will not be able to stop!!! I want to make each and every one in their books.

Weekend Quilt Class after Mother's Day

I haven't taken a quilting class in years. This weekend I got a real treat! My aunt and I took Kim Brackett's class to make "Island Chain" from her new book Scrap Basket Sensations. (I got my copy from Connecting Threads last week. Fast shipping and 40% off the price too!)  If you have a stash of 2 1/2" strips (or a jelly roll or two) you will be so inspired by her two books.

Kim lives not far from here, and it was so great to meet her in person. She is so very nice! I am looking forward to future classes with her. There is always something new to learn - whether it is perspective, color arrangement, or piecing shortcuts. And what a fun way to spend a day!

This is my Island Chain. It is laid out on my design wall. I hope to sew all the blocks together this week. I used the jelly roll of "Oh My!" which my daughter gave me for Mother's Day this year. Isn't it colorful? Nice bright fall colors. The layout looks so complicated, but it is not difficult. The others in class used Bali Pops for theirs and what beautiful quilts they will be as well.

The other jelly roll I got for Mother's Day I turned into "Split Decision" a pattern I bought some time ago. This is another super easy one. Anyone who needs a baby quilt, grad quilt, or just wants to make something fast and easy will love it. Moda's "Just Wing It" is what I used. For a non-quilter, my girl sure has great taste!

Either of these can be cut and pieced in one day.

I hope sharing these encourages others to give quiltmaking a try. With one jelly roll, and one of these patterns, you will be proud of yourself and have a lovely quilt top for snuggling under or to give as a gift! If you can sew a straight line - you can do it!

There are only 2 days left for voting in the McCall's Design Star 2011 contest! I am so anxious to see how mine did. Voting numbers are not available til after this round closes, I guess. Since I have had a bit of luck lately winning prizes from Facebook and blogs, I have my fingers crossed to make it to the next round of McCall's contest! Go to mccallsquilting.com and look for the Design Star link if you haven't seen it yet. Voting ends May 25th at 1 AM.