Tag: quilting

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!)

PineappleBlock_03WM
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, 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!

SarahFielkeBlockoftheMonth_May
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.

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

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

I’m nowhere close to having this quilt done, but I have completed the third month of the pattern! Behold!

BlockOfTheMonth_04
Sarah Fielke Block of the Month 2017–Third Month Completed

I’m happy with the colors. And, it’s such a relief, because I’m not necessarily the best with putting colors and prints together. Month 2 and 3 had a lot of hand stitching in the form of needle turn applique. That thin dark blue border was machine stitched. Because my sewing machine doesn’t live out in the open, it is an occasion when it comes out. I try to only break it out when I know I have enough time to tackle my current project, plus something on my “to-sew” list.

So, when I stitched on the border, I also stitched loops of ribbon onto my kids’ towels.

TowelHook
Ribbon loop sewn onto a towel for hanging convenience.

I saw this on the Internet a year or two or three ago and mentally cataloged the idea. I put some semi-permanent hooks onto their bedroom doors. It’s such an easy solution. Bonus: because they’re just towels, I didn’t have to fuss over ribbon or thread colors. What I had was what I used. Function over form!

Now, I’m working on Month 4 of the block of the month pattern. There are a lot of little pieces I have to cut out. Everything is machine stitched, too. We’ll see if I can get all the stitching done in one sitting–I’ll keep you posted!

2017 Sarah Fielke Down the Rabbit Hole Block of the Month

On By TheresaCIn Down the Rabbit Hole Quilt, quilting1 Comment

At the end of January, I started Sarah Fielke’s Down the Rabbit Hole Block of the Month program. I’m pretty confident that I can finish the quilt top in 2017 or at least a month or two into 2018. The challenge is going to be turning it into a finished quilt. I’m loving this program. There is a private Facebook group that allows participants to share their progress. Everyone’s beautiful work is an endless supply of quilty eye-candy!

Here’s where I was in the midst of January’s pattern:

BOM
Work in progress on my Sarah Fielke “Down the Rabbit Hole” Block of the Month Quilt

I have high hopes that I’ll get February’s work done before March’s pattern is released at the end of the month!