Little Charity Quilting for NHMQG

Our fearless Charity Committee members at NHMQG handed out packs of 15 blocks to make a small baby quilt. We used Cotton Couture from Michael Miller and the Janome 50 blocks. 

Not having much to work with I went with an alternating hourglass pattern to increase the size. Then added a contrasting color to add more visual appeal. I used Kona White, Ash, and Curry.

For this quilt I went with 100% machine binding. It was my second attempt. Last time I sewed the front then the back. This time I did the opposite, back then front.

I like the look much better. AND to highlight my improved corners, check that out!

The backing is pieced from Cotton + Steel and DS that was in my stash. I love the jewel tones in this quilt and wanted to pull those bolder colors. Not to mention the deep magenta/purple binding.

Yum

Someone was not happy I was trying to photograph plants and not spending time with her!
Quilts acceptable, plants not so much.

Net: - 2.25 yards, YTD: - 21.75

Shop Hop Sunday Stash!

Um, that was fun! Last weekend the New Hampshire Modern Quilt Guild went on our first Shop Hop. We had four shops to visit with a scavenger hunt attached. Along the way we had things to find, places to go, and types of fabric that would get us points. The teams were made of four, ours was named TEAM WARP!  There was also Team Salvage, and Team Weft. 

The four stops along way: Button Box in Wellesley, Mass., Gather Here in Cambridge, Mass., Grey's Fabric & Notions in Boston, Mass., and Quilter's Way in Acton, Mass.  Each stop had a goodie bag there waiting for our arrival with cuts of fabric and other notions. Huge thank you to all the shops that let our craziness arrive. Also, Anna at Blackbird Donuts made us extra donuts so they wouldn't run out of their popular Blueberry Maple donut. We were also required to stop at the Happy Chocolatier for ice cream. Nothing beats fabric, donuts, and chocolate! 

Between all the shops we found a park with a four person teeder todder, which we capitalized on the opportunity. There was no shortage of fun happening. We all had quite the haul by the end of the day. Here is what I came home with ... 

Pinks, Art Gallery, Cotton and Steel, Dear Stella, Alison Glass

Backing cuts: Windham, Free Spirit 

Blues, Penny Rose, Moda, Dear Stella, Windham, Andover Chambray 

Low Volume & Greys, Moda, Cloud 9, Dear Stella, Lizzy House, Wyndham, Free Spirit 

And the days notions, I am pretty excited about all these new colors of No. 8 Perle thread! I have a Block of the Month quilt that needs some hand-quilting love. I also capitalized on Grey's being a Pfaff dealer and got a new open toe free motion foot! Also included in the picture is the swag we got from the shops! 

In total I ended up with an additional 19 yards of fabric!  I guess it's time to get sewing ... 

- Patch & Chels 

HST Update

This year the New Hampshire Modern Quilt Guild is hosting a Modern HST Quilt Along. Of course, because I do nothing the correct way, I made my blocks 12 inches instead of 8 inches (who has time for those tiny HST??). This project is moving along quite nicely because I settled on 30 blocks instead of the 72 some of my (crazy) guild mates signed on for!

For fabrics I picked up a fat quarter bundle of Gypsy Caravan by Amy Butler, and paired each fabric with Kona Bone. Each fat quarter makes two blocks with some extra fabric for the scrap bin or for corner-blocks in the sashing (not sure about sashing yet). So far I love the colors in this line even though it strays from my typical colors. 

Only ten more blocks to go :) 

-Patch & Chels

Michael Miller Challenge

This summer is going by too quickly! Summer school is already over and things are busy, busy, busy. I did get a couple minutes to sew the other day for my guild. These blocks will be going toward the New Hampshire Modern Quilt Guild's 2016 Quiltcon Charity Quilt.

We had to make six inch squares with wonky corners and "made" fabric. Our coordinators will be putting all the blocks and fabric together to make an improv quilt. I'm excited to see what they come up with!

-Patch & Chels

More HST for Quilt Along

Another update on the NHMQG HST Quilt Along. As of now I am half way done with 15 blocks completed. It's never been a secret that I despise squaring half square triangles, so I am not sure why I agreed to this quilt. Although these are not my typical colors I am loving them more and more. 

Before this picture I was thinking these blocks don't need sashing. After seeing all them all laid out, they definitely need sashing! Guess I will be changing my plans. 

-Patch & Chels

Patchwork City Start

A few of my friends from the NHMQG  decided to take on the Patchwork City quilt as group. We are each working on our own projects, but together for moral support. At quilt retreat the ladies at one point helped me reason myself out of doing the quilt. Then as I started to change my mind helped me reason myself back into the quilt. Let's just say there hasn't been lots of progress around here, but I did get three blocks done. 

Have you ever had a project that you were hesitant at first to start?

-Patch & Chels

Sherry Lynn Wood Class

This weekend I had the opportunity to take a class with Sherri Lynn Wood. The NHMQG took the Bias Strip Curve class from her new book The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters. The class was not only a great way to learn curves but also improv. Two things I have either never tried or wasn't good at.  Sherri gave us tons of great ideas on how to improv piece and create. The image above is what I have so far from the class. Hopefully I can get this blocked out into a quilt, but it really pushes my brain power! 

-Patch & Chels

HST Quilt Along Update

The NHMQG is doing a HST Quilt along. This past weekend while at retreat I was able to get more of the blocks done. There are 6 more trimmed but I have yet found time to assemble them. 

When I first purchased this FQ pack of Amy Butler's Gypsy Caravan, I was very unsure what I would do. These are not  my typical colors so it was out of my "normal" although I love how they look with the Kona Snow and am excited to see how they all come together. 

This last block is my favorite so far of the bunch. As of now 9 done, 6 trimmed, and 15 more to go! Hopefully, another update soon when I get those other blocks together. 

-Patch & Chels 

HST Quilt Along at NHMQG

Recently, I picked up this bundle of Gypsy Caravan by Amy Butler on a ridiculous sale at Craftsy. No plans, and no strings attached. It was sitting in my sewing area as I picked my fabrics for our HST Quilt Along at NHMQG. As nothing was working I sat there and kept looking over until I made the decision, this bundle is it! Paired with a Kona Bone for the background and I was good to go :)

The whole quilt is going to made from HST so, it was easiest to get all the fat quarters and background cut into 8.5 inch blocks, as I am using the 8 HST at a time method. If you are interested it's linked here. All the squares are cut and ready to go. The first four blocks went pretty fast minus having to square every one of them!

HST are the death of me, they are so tedious.  Good thing I have a whole year to complete the rest of the quilt!

-Patch & Chels