Granny Squares

Back when I was a teenager - many yesterdays ago - I crocheted a blanket. I still have that blanket stored somewhere in a box. (I will most certainly go search it out when I've the energy to tackle a closet!)

Looking for a fun portable project, I decided to try my hand at granny squares. After a few practice ones using scrap yarn, I found some cotton yarn in my stash and started making some squares during a recent long flight to and from Seattle. This was a really fun project. I wish I had kept track of which ones I did first so I could check out whether I really improved as I went!

I'm now seriously considering buying some very colorful yarn and attempting a blanket. I think it would be a fun project!

Have you made a granny square blanket? If yes, any tips for me?

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Colors of the Pacific Northwest

My nephew got married this past weekend and I gifted him and his bride a new quilt. They met in Seattle during the pandemic and have now relocated for a few years to California with hopes to return back to the Pacific Northwest.  I chose colors of that beautiful area for the quilt top (Paintbrush Studios in colors pale aqua, marine, gulf stream and gray) and this fun Alison Glass print for the back to capture the rainy weather.

This is a free pattern called Brushstrokes from Shiners View. It was a fun controlled improv sew and was perfect for sewing while I was at our annual family beach trip. The edge is edge pattern is called Belly Bop. The quilt finishes 63" x 70" - I made it slightly bigger than the pattern.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Embroidery and Sashiko Projects

Snuggly Monkey is a wonderful online shop which sells all sorts of supplies for needlework crafting. Once a month or so, they hold a open studio and allow people to come in and browse the shelves and shop. I had a great time wandering the aisles and came home with fun goodies for myself and my youngest.

The Star Map embroidery project was a tad expensive but I decided to treat myself for an early birthday present! First up is Ursa Major - the sweet bear. This will be a very fun and relaxing stitch!

I also grabbed a Sashiko project for some airport stitching.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Bernadette and Edgar

Meet Bernadette and Edgar! These are 2 of the 4 puppies that will adorn the front of a baby quilt I am making for my nephew's baby due later this year.

The pattern is Dog Park quilt by Elizabeth Hartman. I love using her patterns for baby quilts - I've made the Koala quilt a few times and the Delightful Desert.

Next up are two smaller dogs - Cookie and Jeff!

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Lily - A Layer Cake Quilt

Fat Quarter Shop is releasing a new short cut quilt pattern today for this fun Lily quilt. (Download your free pattern from Fat Quarter Shop and check out the video tutorial!) I was very excited  when asked by FQS if I'd be interested in sewing up a quilt sample.

The hardest part of the whole quilt was decided what color I wanted to use and then the final layout of those pretty colors. The pattern is written for layer cake. I used yardage and went for a less scrappy look. Fat Quarter Shop has a kit available now!

The quilting is a wavy walking foot which has added some nice textured. The beautiful fabric is Speckled from Ruby Star with a gold print for binding. I pieced together the backing with blue and a bit of red solid fabric from stash. 

. The quilt finished 60" x 60". It will be donated to my guild's community giving project - we collect quilts for kids in the foster care system.

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Cute Economy Blocks

I was happy to get my hands on a 10 years of Magic panel from Ruby Star. It is filled with adorable little pieces of art. I cut all the squares apart with the objective of making a quilt using economy blocks.

After making a few and dealing with the trimming steps and basic inaccuracy of my 1/4" seam (hah!), I decided to FPP my blocks. Trimming with confidence as I go is a much more comfortable step in the process for me.

These are just so cute!

So far, I'm using the squares that cut at 2" unfinished and 3" unfinished in these smaller economy blocks that will finish at 3". I've got lots of Ruby Start fabric on hand so will be making 'plain' economy blocks too. I've not done the math on this yet so not sure how big this project will be.

I've got a retreat in late September and making the 'plain' blocks will be a great sew activity.

Have a wonderful day! Patty