Project Quilting 16.3 - Common Blocks

The theme for Project Quilting 16.3 -- hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken -- was Common blocks.

Common blocks are the core foundation of our craft – these are the block designs that no one “invented,” instead they’re the legacy we’ve inherited from quilters through the ages.

Here is my 36-inch baby quilt using Kona Nightfall, Snow, Lemon, and Cardinal.

I played around in EQ8 and choose sawtooth star, 4-patch, and HST blocks for my three common blocks.

I decided to use Dove Grey Wonderfil DecoBob 80wt thread again and practice free-motion quilting on my Babylock Accomplish.

I used a blue fabric for the back that I've been hoarding, but it suited this quilt so well.

I attached the binding by machine to the back and to the front to save some time.

Pattern: self designed
Size:  36 x 36 inches
Started: February 5, 2025
Completed: February 8, 2025
Techniques: machine piecing, HSTs
Quilting: free-motion quilting on Baby Lock Accomplish
Fabric: Kona Nightfall, Snow, Lemon, Cardinal

Binding: Kona Nightfall

Thread: Wonderfil DecoBob DB113 Dove Grey
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 Cotton

Project Quilting 16.2 - Ombre

It's time for Project Quilting Season 16 -- hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken.

Project Quilting is six themed challenges over 12 weeks.  The theme is announced at 12:00 noon on Sunday, and you have until 12:00 noon the following Sunday to link up a project that you made during the week.

This week's theme was Ombre.  I've been wanting to try a tutorial by Sarah @ Sarah Goer Quilts for some time, so this was the perfect opportunity.

I always use my Bloc Loc rulers to trim my HSTs.  I cut 4.5-inch squares as I didn't have enough fabric to cut 5-inch squares as suggested in the tutorial.

I've been using Wonderfil DecoBob 80wt thread for piecing.  I thought I'd try it for free-motion quilting on my Babylock Accomplish.  I used Dove Grey, and it melted into the fabric.  I will definitely use it again.

I found a green/teal print in my stash for the back and made a scrappy binding.

Kona colours:  Sea Mist, Ice Frappe, Julep, Aloe, Cypress, Kale, Enchanted, and Spruce.

Pattern: Ombre HST tutorial by Sarah Goer Quilts
Size: 28 x 36 inches
Started: January 22, 2025
Completed: January 25, 2025
Techniques: machine piecing, HSTs
Quilting: free-motion quilting on Baby Lock Accomplish
Fabric: Kona Sea Mist, Ice Frappe, Julep, Aloe, Cypress, Kale, Enchanted, Spruce

Binding: Kona Ice Frappe, Aloe, Cypress, Kale, Spruce

Thread: Wonderfil DecoBob DB113 Dove Grey
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 Cotton

Project Quilting 15.6 - Irish Chain

Season 15 of Project Quilting -- hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken -- has come to an end.  There were weeks when I wasn't confident that I'd be able to make something, but I am pleased that I completed all six challenges this season.

The final theme was Irish Chain.  I decided to make a drawstring bag, using my favourite pattern, Lined Drawstring Bag by In Color Order.  I made the Project Bag size.  However, troubles followed me from start to finish.  Firstly, I was making it mere hours before today's deadline. 😉 I miscalculated the placement of the Irish chain block, and I didn't have enough fabric to fix it because I was using scraps.  So the bottom half of the block got cut off when boxing the corners.

And when I boxed the corners, I cut wrong.  And I cut the ribbon too short.

But it's finished by the deadline!  And although not a perfect bag, it will hold things.

TGIFF - Project Quilting 15.5 - Wearables

Welcome to this week's edition of Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday.  TGIFF is the opportunity to share your finish from this week.  You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

If you would like to host TGIFF in 2024, click here to sign up.

Have you been sewing along with Project Quilting?  This week's theme is Wearables. 😮  What to do?  What to do?  I finally decided on an apron to hold my scissors, etc. while using my longarm.  I found a tutorial to make an apron using a pillowcase.  I was skeptical, but with limited time this week, I thought I'd give it a try.

I love this apron!!!  I can't wait to make another one.

I recommend folding up 6 inches.  I had to make a little adjustment after the first fold because 8 inches was too much for my pillowcase.  Instead of making two pockets, I made three.  I used a piece of plastic-y webbing because I didn't want to put too much effort into this apron in case I didn't like it.

It's time for you to link up your finishes from this week.  Please visit a few of the link ups to get some inspiration and to share some quilty love. ♥ 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Project Quilting 15.4 - Hourglass

There are are only two more challenges for Season 15 of Project Quilting -- hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken.

The fourth theme was:  Hourglass.  I used some Kona scraps to make 6-inch mug rugs, which will be used as plant coasters.  It looks like both of my orchids are going to bloom again very soon.

This was another opportunity to practice free-motion quilting.  The stitches are not perfect, but the plants won't mind.  😊

Project Quilting 15.2 - Sky Colour

I'm cutting it close to the deadline for Project Quilting -- hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken.

The second theme was:  Sky Colour.  We had to exclude or use less than 10% of the usual blue.  I created a 6-inch mini sunset using my scraps.

I practiced some free-motion quilting.

This is a busy time at work, so I think I will try to make minis for the remaining four challenges and practice my free-motion quilting skills.

Project Quilting 15.1 - Bird House

It's time for Project Quilting -- hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken.

It's season 15 for Project Quilting -- six themed challenges over 12 weeks.  The theme is announced at 12:00 noon on Sunday, and you have until 12:00 noon the following Sunday to link up a project that you made during the week.

The first theme is:  Bird House.  I had a busy week, so decided to make a small mug rug.  This is a log cabin-ish bird house using Kona scraps.

I decided to practice a few free-motion quilting motifs.

I tried to quilt a bird.  Sufficed to say, more practice is required.  😂

TGIFF - Project Quilting 14.5

Welcome to this week's edition of Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday.  TGIFF is the opportunity to share your finish from this week. You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

We are on the penultimate challenge of Project Quilting Season 14, which is hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken.  This week's theme is Sew Not a Square -- use any shape but a square.

I found this tutorial for a hexagon quilt and decided to make one block as a mug rug.  The pattern uses strips and triangles.

Somehow I managed to sew my strips wrong and didn't get a swirling effect.  I was almost done when I realized my error, so decided to keep going.  I did some big stitch quilting with perle cotton.

It's about 7 inches wide and 6 inches high.

It's time to link up your finishes from this week. Please visit a few of the link ups to get some inspiration and to share some quilty love.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Project Quilting 14.4 - A Novel Project

We are now over the halfway mark of Project Quilting Season 14, which is hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken.  The fourth theme is A Novel Project -- our project must be inspired by a book we've read.  Hmmm....what book and what do I make??

I knew I had a busy week, so I needed a quick and easy project.  The Yada Yada Prayer Group series of books by Neta Jackson were the first books to come to mind.  I thought maybe a prayer themed quilt.  While I was searching for inspiration, I found a tutorial by Shabby Fabrics for a pocket prayer quilt.

As I was reading the tutorial, I was contacted by a friend's daughter (we were in all in Girl Guides together) asking if I could officiate her wedding on short notice.  Her mother is on palliative care, and she wanted to ensure that her mother was present to see her get married (the wedding was originally scheduled for September).  I knew then that I had to make the pocket prayer quilts. ♥  So it was my honour to officiate the wedding on Valentine's Day.  It was both a joyous and sad occasion.

I used a fabric printed with inspirational words for the front.  The hearts are about 4 inches x 5 inches.  I quilted a few diagonal straight lines.  Although the tutorial said to use a thin batting, next time I'll use something a bit thicker as the hearts are quite flimsy.

There is a pocket on the back in which you can slip in a piece of paper with a prayer.  I found some other tutorials, so I think I will try making some other styles.

Go well and Safely (Girl Guide song): 

Go well and safely,

Go well and safely,

Go well and safely,

The Lord be ever with you.

Go well and safely, my friend.

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Lovingly Lissa

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting 

Project Quilting 14.3 - 54-40 or Fight Block

The third challenge for Project Quilting -- hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken -- is the 54-40 or Fight block.

I started this on Sunday when the theme was released.  So I thought I'd make nine blocks and make a baby quilt.  I strip pieced the 4-patch blocks.  And then I had a hectic week and was scrambling last night to manage a finish by the deadline. 😉

The blocks finish at 12-inches.  I made the blocks as designed.

But I rotated some of the blocks to create a secondary pattern.

I've made baby quilts for all three challenges so far.  Which has turned out in my favour, as there have been several babies born in my circle recently.

Project Quilting 14.2 - Pink Tint

The second challenge for Project Quilting -- hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken -- is Pink Tint.

I paired a Benartex charm pack (Hot Basics by the Kanvas Studio) with Kona White to make some HSTs and ended up with a 32-inch square baby quilt.

I used Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 batting and did an all-over stipple with a Connecting Threads pink thread.

The backing is a pink polka dot print by Robert Kaufman, and I used it for the binding as well.

Project Quilting 14.1 - The First One

It's time for Project Quilting -- hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken.

The first challenge began on January 1, with finishes due by noon on January 8.  The theme is:  The First One.

I decided to make a rail fence baby quilt.  The first quilt I made was a flannel rail fence for my nephew in 2003.  I used EQ8 software to design my quilt using one colour.  I had enough Kona Pacific, Astral, Paris Blue, and Cornflower to make a baby quilt, 32 x 40 inches.

I wasn't able to get good photos of the colours, but these two photos show the texture from the free motion quilting.  I used a bright striped print for the backing.

There were some leftover pieces from the strip sets, so I added some Kona Astral (and a small piece of Kona Orange) to make the binding.

I'm still learning the features of my new Babylock Accomplish.  I thought this project would be a good opportunity to test out the free motion quilting foot.  So this is my first project quilted on my Accomplish.

I used Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 batting.  I attempted photos several hours later -- half of the snow had melted away.

I am happy with my first Project Quilting challenge.  The second challenge will be released on January 15.

TGIFF - Project Quilting 13.6

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday.  TGIFF is the opportunity to share your finish from this week.  You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

Have you thought about hosting TGIFF?  You can sign up to host here.

Have you been playing along with Project Quilting hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams?

Project Quilting is a 12-week challenge that consists of six themed challenges.

You can see my completed project for Project Quilting 13.1(theme:  all the colours) here.  Unfortunately, life got the better of me, and I wasn't able to complete challenges 2 through 5.  But I've managed to complete this week's challenge.  The theme is flying geese.

I decided to use a pattern by Piece by Numbers Quilt -- Circle of Geese.  I used Kona Storm for the background and some bright Kona colours I found in my scrap bin.  I miscalculated seam allowances, so the blue goose runs into the side gusset.  I'll have to remember that for the next one I make.

I added a bright print for the lining, and now I have a little gift for someone.

It's time to link up your finishes from this week.  I encourage you to visit a few of the links ups to get some inspiration and to share some quilty love.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Here are some other blogs to link up your finish:

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting 

UFO Busting @ Tish's Adventure in Wonderland