Happy Aunt!

July was all about Christmas, so my aunt proposed that August be all about Aunts. Clearly she wants her quilt finished. I have to give her credit for being patient she first saw the fabrics I choose back in January. It was time to get this WIP finished.

This quilt took longer than I had expected because of a few hic-ups along the way. First off, this quilt started as a 5 by 5 arrangement but it was too small. I had to make up 11 more blocks to create a 6 by 6 arrangement. At the last minute I decided to go around the stars with some hand quilting. Yep, I sure do love my aunt! 

Although this quilt has taken longer than expected, it came out better than I expected. The Star Pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew is hands down my favorite. I have done this pattern using multiple color schemes and it always comes out great.

Another quilt is officially off the WIP list ... only 12 more to go! 

-Patch & Chels

Another Happy Aunt

Yay, the quilt is finally finished! My Aunt and I went shopping for the fabric over a year ago and now it's done. Doing a small victory dance behind the computer here. After all the trouble this quilt caused it's another in the finished category. I used the pattern Fireworks by Thimble Blossoms. We picked out an assorted group of taupes and warm grays to make the top, with a cream background. The range of tones really helps make this quilt pop. 

In true Patch flair, the back also got pieced. My aunt had mentioned that she likes how I piece the backs as well, so she got one too. The triangles came off all the blocks, it's the other half of the corner pieces, and an extra block. I love the front of this one but I also love the back! 

I quilted all over using a stipple pattern in a cream colored thread. My aunt was very happy when I pulled this out of the car for her so hopefully she will enjoy it for many years to come :)

- Patch & Chels

Auntie's Update

PROGRESS! This weekend I had some time to sit and sew and that I did. My Aunt requested a navy/cream quilt back over the holidays. If you want to read up the posts are linked here and here. I used the Star Tutorial from Cluck Cluck Sew. This just might be one of my most used tutorials ever. She had asked for my Patriotic Star quilt, and was refused. Instead I decided to make her another. 

After sewing all the blocks together, I realized this quilt was a bit small. Currently I am cutting another 11 blocks to put another border on two of the sides. Just when I thought I had checked a big item of my WIP list, it still remains. Any suggestions for backing, binding, or quilting?  I am thinking a combination of hand quilting and machine quilting but not sure yet. 

- Patch & Chels

Quilts for Aunts, Part 1

My aunt was a hand-quilter back in the day but has moved on to knitting. Over the years she has made us nieces and nephews such great sweaters and quilts. This last year she asked me to make her a monochromatic taupe quilt using the pattern Fireworks by Thimble Blossoms. (So yes, these pictures are in color!) This was a way for me to return the favor. I will admit when I started this quilt a year ago and it did push my quilting skills. I got really friendly with the seam ripper. In my head the whole thing looked much easier! 

Last spring I made 10 of the 16 blocks required, then promptly ran out of steam. In the mean time I had also completed some other projects that really pushed my skills as a quilter. Every time I thought of finishing up these blocks, I was reminded at how much difficulty I had with them. Then lost motivation. Over February vacation, I gave myself an ultimatum, nothing else until these blocks are finished. 

Ta da! They are finished. After coming back to these blocks a year later and on a new machine, they weren't as much trouble as I had originally had with them. (Little pat on the back was inserted.) The last 6 went together quickly without any issues. Once the blocks were finished the top was a breeze. Now, I just need to back, quilt, and bind. No biggie! This is defiantly not my typical color palette, but might be becoming one of my favorite quilts. It's going to be painful to give away, but well worth it!

- Patch & Chels