Quilting Break

So its kind of nuts how long its been since I've had a chance to do some quilting.

I've been struggling to find the time, in between the changes in work that have increased my responsibilities & stresses and that I started going to the gym.  I would say its been at least six months, if not more for anything outside of some EPP on my grandmother's flower garden.

Test Block w/ sashing on 2 sides

So while I had a little staycation the last few days, I've been able to get some quilting done. I had to do a test block (pictured here) on W's wedding quilt to double check that my math was right. It's been so long that I was really questioning that it was right.  And what do you know, it was all right.  It was just a reaffirmation that I should stop doubting myself and trust that I know what I'm doing.  I love that I've gotten to do some test blocks, it will really let me RD the quilting for the overall quilt.

Since the design of the block, I've wound up going a different direction. The construction is easier, as a log cabin style block put on point; instead of the original design which involved paper piecing.  W. wanted her quilt to be made of kona solids in her wedding colors, the equivalent of coal and bright pink. Although I really liked it done with the batiks & color shifts in the original version of the quilt design, its her quilt and I want her to love it.

Piecing stack

I've really enjoyed getting back to quilting, and need to start making time for it again.

Grandma's Flower Garden (GFG)

I re-started my GFG. This time instead of using the paper pieces I cut, I am using June Tailor's Simple Shapes - hexagon, so that my flowers will be consistent and uniform. These are available via JoAnn's ($10/25 shapes) and really quite reasonable when using your coupons or they are on sale. I had a lot of problems with my earlier paper pieced flowers with trying to match up the sides, as my papers were not uniform. I cut them myself and got a little sloppy while making them. They caused my flowers to wind up looking really amateurish. Now with the uniform shapes, I am really pleased by how they are turning out.

I have quite a few flower petals ready to assembled. They are just waiting on me to find the right fabric for the center. I have been struggling with finding a good yellow that fits the overall theme of the quilt.

I am surrounding each flower with a ring of green, then creating a path of white or cream. I still can't decide which color-way will look better. I am also trying to figure out if I want to put a path between each flower or simply add another ring of the neutral color (white or cream). The difference is one row of white/cream between the flowers or two. I can't decide what would look better.

I am really pleased though that I was able to get enough of the green to allow me make my GFG either a large full or queen sized quilt.

I have to admit that I am a little surprised, I didn't think I would enjoy the hand piecing this much. Even better, with a GFG I am able to spend a great deal of time quilting without having to spend a great deal of money.

With my other quilts, it was starting to get a little expensive as it only takes me about two or three hours to piece a top. So I can piece a top in one afternoon/evening. Now, it takes me longer to quilt the tops, but even so its getting quilts done in a matter of days instead of weeks and the cost of fabric, batting, and thread really adds up.

The GFG takes up time, is portable, and cost effective. So, I highly recommend at least giving it a try.

Mod Sampler Quilt along progress

I have decided to use a natural muslin for the sashing and can not wait to finish up the quilt. However, my sewing machine decided to act up and well it has taken until now to get it working again.

I really like how the blocks have turned out. I am really looking forward the finished quilt. I picked up orange and red flannel solid for the back. It will be very cool. I even have variegated thread in both orange and red for the stippling.