Two UFO Quilt Projects Finished

Why do I feel like I've accomplished some great feat when finishing an old project?  Those of you who know me, you know. I'm about as fickle and squirrelly as they come.  So, finishing these two small projects is huge accomplishment.

  Over 10 yrs ago I made this bunny block.  It was one block of a block of the month.  It was the only block I finished.   So, in order to finish this project, the block patterns were kept, and the fabrics were added to my scrap stash.  The fabrics could have been used to make this block bigger but my goal was for a quick and easy finish.  For the quilting an easy crosshatching was marked on the background fabric.

A quick label was designed, printed and sewn to the back of the block before quilting.

Background fabrics from the other blocks in the BOM were used to make an envelope style closure for the pillow.  Sadly, I made the mistake of sewing the binding to the front of the pillow instead of the back.  No worries.  I glue basted the binding to the back making sure to cover the binding stitching.

By glueing the binding to the back, I could stitch from the front and also catch the binding on the back.  

It turned out great! And here's where I add one of my favorite quilting quotes.

"The true measure of a quilter is not how perfect the quilt but how well they hide their mistakes."

Over the years I've had some comments about how binding doesn't belong on pillows.  My sewing room, my rules...I deleted those rude comments. HAHA!  I like binding on pillows.  It adds color and allows them to be used for wall hangings, table toppers or like this one, a candle mat. 

My next finish is The End Of Chaos quilt.  If you're interested in its history, you can find it here.  

This one was quilted on the frame with simple straight lines and free motion continuous curves in the nine patch blocks.  I've fallen in love with this little quilt even though it is way out of my typical color pallet and quilting style.  

There's a lot of memories in each square of fabric. She may not be the prettiest quilt I've ever made but she has a story to tell

.  To keep things easy, I considered throwing the remaining scraps in the scrap bins.  But I knew the only way to give the story an ending was to use them on the back of the quilt.

Another quilt label was printed on my inkjet printer and added to the back before quilting.  

Four quilts made from the same batch of "ugly" scraps.  The first three quilts were gifted and loved.  This one will stay with me, at least for now.  Maybe it too will find a new home...someday.

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Designing A Quilt Around Scrappy Ugly Quilt Blocks

When quilt blocks don't fit into my dress right dress style of quilting, it can be challenging to make them into a quilt.  There are only two options for the final quilt.

1. Add more chaos with a variety of fabrics.

2. Let the blocks shine by adding one or two fabrics.

So, it was time to put EQ8 to work.  My first thought was to calm the nine patches by using them in the center of a star block.  The star points and background fabric would slow them down a bit.

I liked the idea but reminded myself this was to be a quick finish for some old scraps.

Then came the compromising.  I could frame them each with a different color fabric.  It would add a little chaos but at the same time slow down the chaos of the nine patches.

It was a cute idea, but I really want them set on point to make the quilt as large as possible.  So, it was back to the drawing board to set them on point with scrappy frames.  This one made me smile until...once again realizing I didn't want to dig through fabric scraps.  I want quick and I'm wasting time playing in EQ8. Let's just keep it simple!

One last simple and easy quilt set on point to get my cutting measurements from EQ8.  With this simple design the digging for fabric is reduced to two pieces of small yardage from my older stash.  They could be any colors but chose blues because I know my blue stash is large.

A couple of minutes digging in the stash and I'm ready to start cutting.  I could have already had this quilt top together had I used the K.I.S.S. plan...keep it simple stupid.  Oh well, I'm back on track and ready to get to work.

 Both of these fabrics are very thin and probably from the 1980's or 90's. I think they were purchased at an estate sale haul.  The light blue fabric doesn't have a selvage.  The navy blue has a little information but no date like some older fabrics.  They both have an odd feel to them, making wonder if they are not 100% cotton.  A burn test would let me know but I don't care if it's cotton or not, I'm using it!

In no time the quilt was starting to take shape.

It's not the most beautiful quilt but it's sure to add some warmth to someone.

Now to deal with the remaining scraps.  By the way the circle cropped photo is hiding a not so pretty mess of fabrics on the floor..HAHA! 

The day ended with all the scraps being trimmed into usable strips.  These will be sewn together and used in the quilt backing. I'll dig for that fabric later using the K.I.S.S. method and reminding myself ugly fabric that doesn't really match is okay.

See you soon!

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The End Of Chaos Quilt

 Hello Quilty Friends!  It's time to pick a project from the project cart.  I'm in the mood for something quick and easy.  That means the top shelf with the mini baskets blocks is out.

The lucky winner is shelf #2, the basket of scraps.  This will be the last quilt made with these scraps.  I've made 3 other quilts over the years.  You can find them here along with the story behind the ugly duckling scraps and the name "End of Chaos".  Hopefully a little TLC and creativity will turn them into a beautiful swan...HAHA!  That's the real challenge!

The fabrics are very cheap and flimsy making them hard to work with.  But I'm up to the challenge and can't wait to finally use the last of them.  To keep it quick and easy they will be made into nine patch blocks.

I thought I would be able to make nine patches without needing to rip a few seams, but I was wrong. 

Even with ripping seams the nine patches came together quickly. Within an hour, 12 nine patches were on the design wall.  As you can see, I'm thinking of setting them on-point.

There are a few scraps left.  Maybe they could be used for the backing, binding or quilt label.  Only time will tell.

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