Author: TheresaC

Dazzling Pineapple Mini Quilt

On By TheresaCIn quilting4 Comments
Sparkly Pineapple Mini Quilt

My first finish for 2018 is a mini pineapple block quilt. But, it’s not just any pineapple quilt, because instead of quilting it or tying it in a traditional manner, I tied it with gold sequins and Czech glass beads, using metallic thread of course. I consider this a “study” as I want to make more in snazzier colors!

Best decision was to sew the binding on and then add the last few sequins and beads. I love the overlap.

Even though I have 2 other quilts going right now (Down the Rabbit Hole & Ohio Star Quilt), I just had to stitch up this mini. You are aware that I have a pineapple obsession, right? So, my mom sent me templates to quickly cut out the pieces for this pattern. And, I’ve had a sack of sequins burning a hole in my pocket, so to speak. I was waiting for just the right project. When I saw the Suzy Quilts tutorial on tying a quilt with a modern twist (an ‘X’), a light bulb when off for me. I skipped the “X” and went straight for the sequin and bead–a sparkly option! (By the way, I learned to tie quilts with the knot on the top–and nothing decorative, just a knot. Suzy’s tutorial blew my mind!)

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I clipped the threads so they’d be longer than necessary to keep as much shine as possible.

I know sparkle and shine may not be everyone’s jam, but I was pleased as punch with the process and the outcome–I love it!

For the backing and binding, I used muslin from my stash. It is understated compared with the metallic thread and lustrous sequins.

Stats:
+ Measures: 10.75″ x 10.75″
+ 100% cotton fabric and batting
+ 72 sequins (60 gold/12 green)
+ 72 Czech glass beads
+ Spot clean only (Bwahaha! Can you tell that I’ve written about home décor before?)

The finished mini pineapple block.

I can’t wait to dig in and make some more in different colors!

Update: 2017 Sarah Fielke Down the Rabbit Hole Block of the Month

On By TheresaCIn Down the Rabbit Hole Quilt, quilting3 Comments
SarahFielkeBlockoftheMonth_December
Sarah Fielke Block of the Month Quilt

I don’t know what month I’m on of my Down the Rabbit Hole quilt, because I’m so, so far behind. But, this is where I am. There’s no way I’m going to be done by the end of 2017. Or even within the first few months of 2018.

I’ve been purposely avoiding this quilt because I have a few month’s of patterns and instructions piled up. One day last week, though, I decided to applique my last sunflower leaf. After I did, I spread out the quilt to see my progress.

The pattern! The colors! Instantly, I was re-energized and I want to work on this quilt RIGHT NOW! Alas, it’s the end of the year and, more importantly, the holidays. My quilting/crafting time is being spent on other projects.

Update: 2017 Sarah Fielke Down the Rabbit Hole Block of the Month

On By TheresaCIn Down the Rabbit Hole Quilt, quiltingLeave a comment

I don’t even know what month of this I’m on of my Down the Rabbit Hole quilt, because I’m behind. I did hand applique my sunflower corners, though!

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Sarah Fielke Block of the Month Quilt 2017

I count this as progress. I’m also cutting out pieces for the next border as fast as I can. But, there are a lot of little pieces to cut.

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For reference, there are a total of 80 of those hexagon pieces. And, I need 152 triangles out of the blue.

I’m learning so much with this quilt, especially just how long it takes me to do quilty tasks!

While I’m loving this quilt and I WILL get it finished, I’m pretty sure that I will not be doing a structured or group block of the month quilt next year. Mostly because I have an idea for doing my own block of the month. I’ve got a theme, I just need to work out the details. Stay tuned!

Update: 2017 Sarah Fielke Down the Rabbit Hole Block of the Month

On By TheresaCIn Down the Rabbit Hole Quilt, quilting1 Comment

Month 5 of the Down the Rabbit Hole quilt wasn’t so hard, except for the fact that I was catching up on month 4. And, then I had to pull out my sewing machine to add the last 2 rows of houses, the corner squares, and a thin border on all sides. Meanwhile, month 6 of the pattern was released.

I started by doing this:

SarahFielkeBlockoftheMonth_JuneNotes
Quilt To-Do List

I wrote down everything I needed to do, sorted by task–cutting and stitching. I did everything I could for all of the patterns without pulling out my sewing machine. (My sewing machine lives under my desk.)

Finally, yesterday I had a quiet morning and I sewed like crazy! I’m happy to report that I have month 5 complete!

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Ta-Da! The Sarah Fielke 2017 Block of the Month Down the Rabbit Hole Quilt! (Month 5)

You don’t know how happy I am with it! I love how the corner suns/flowers pop!

I’ve got a decent start on month 6. There is a lot of hand applique involved. Which is fine, but I don’t think I’ll be done by July 31st when the next pattern is released. Oh well, I’m having fun!

 

Update: 2017 Sarah Fielke Down the Rabbit Hole Block of the Month

On By TheresaCIn Down the Rabbit Hole Quilt, quilting2 Comments

Month 4 of the Down the Rabbit Hole quilt took me forever to complete. In fact, I’m about half of a month behind. First, I had to pick out 10 new fabrics. Then, I had to cut out a bazillion little pieces. Of course, when you have a bazillion pieces, you have to stitch them together. My sewing machine lives in a storage tub under my desk. So, I have to have a clear schedule to pull it out.

Finally! That day (or 2 or 3) came. Behold the next installment of my Sarah Fielke Block of the Month 2017 quilt!

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Sarah Fielke Block of the Month 2017, Down the Rabbit Hole, Month 4 Complete

Okay, it was a lot of work, but I’m LOVING it. I’ve been sweating in the fabric store as I pick out new colors. I’ve been trying to use some of the same colors over. For example, the house roofs are made from the same fabrics as the flowers and the wedges of the center circle. The small center circle, flower centers, and windows are all the same yellow fabric. My goal is not only to keep some consistency within the colors, but to use up as much fabric as I can–not that a stash is a bad thing!

As you may have guessed, because I was behind on this, I’m behind on month 5. But, it appears to be less work and uses techniques I’ve already learned with this quilt.