How about a WIP day? I kind of fell away from posting these once Lee from Freshly Pieced stopped hosting the link-up. But today I'm back with a WIP post.
I'm not a one-project girl, and here's what I'm working on...
I mentioned in my last post that I'm making a not-so-scrappy Scrappy Trip. That one's still in progress with 4 blocks left to make.
My second piecing project is using Les Fleurs, a new line by Rifle Paper Company for Cotton + Steel. I've been a big fan of Rifle products for years and this fabric line was a no-brainer. Had to have it.
Do you find it hard to cut into a favorite fabric line? I do - afraid of not liking what I've made. I decided to chop right into this one while I can still get more if necessary!
The block is from this book, Back to Square One, from 1988. I've been gong through some of my archived books and have been finding some awesome patterns.
Here's the style from 1988. The quilt is called Smokehouse and I think it's going to be really pretty in some updated fabrics. At least I hope so!
My current machine quilting project is a sampler quilt. I received 15 blocks from an Instagram Bonnie and Camille Swap group.
I bordered each of the blocks in white or aqua solid and alternated the border colors in setting the blocks together.
To quilt it, I straight stitched in the sashing created by the borders and now I'm free-motion quilting each block individually.
I'm trying to stretch myself to come up with different custom designs for each block, including some straight lines using the free-motion foot. {i.e.. semi-straight lines}
This book, Free Motion Quilting by Amanda Murphy, has been really handy for ideas.
And finally, I got this far on the market Bag from Handmade Style by Anna Graham in a couple of afternoons this past weekend. It still needs handles and I haven't decided what to use yet. I seem to have a problem with baggy linings in all my bags/pouches. This pattern even had you cut the lining 1/2" smaller, but mine is still pretty baggy. Any words of wisdom on how to alleviate that appreciated!
And that's what's happening here. Hope you're having a great week!
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Love that block with the Les Fleurs. I haven't popped yet to buy any of the latest Cotton + Steel fabrics. I have two bins of it (and have been using it). Not much of it is ever available in the shops in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area for some reason and I am the only one in my quilt groups who uses it. I love the quality of the fabrics and the way they feel. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blocks. Do you cut your bag pieces before or after the quilting? Quilting more densely can make it shrink a little.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blocks! And your photos are lovely as usual!
ReplyDeleteI love the look of your first block with the new fabric line. Thanks for the info on a new free motion quilting book. Haven't seen it before. I'm always at a loss too when I quilt custom quilts on my long arm.
ReplyDeleteP.S. If you get a chance, take a look at what is going on at my blog this week re QOV.
I like the blocks lots! Maybe the pattern didn't allow for the shrinkage of the outer gasket via dense quilting. I've seen more bloggers post giving quilt measurements before quilting, after quilting, and even after washing and usually there's shrinkage.
ReplyDeleteI am so with you on that Les Fleurs fabric. SCRUMPTIOUS!! I've never participated in a swap before. How does that work?
ReplyDeleteI have yet to feel brave enough to try a bag. I have just ordered sone Riffle Paper Company fabric, yet to have a plan for it.
ReplyDeleteLove all your WIPs! I agree about cutting into that latest favourite fabric line, stressing about not liking it or worrying about it not working! Yours surely does! I love that Les Fleurs too, but it is very hard to get here in Australia....boo hoo! And your book certainly looks like it's going to be used for a long time yet!
ReplyDeleteI love the block in the updated colors. Can't wait to see more of them together. The Bonnie and Camille blocks are so pretty too. That is going to be a pretty quilt.
ReplyDeleteOh, look at all of those HSTs in the Smokehouse quilt - you've got your work cut out for you! But it will be amazing. I really like your basket, and of course the blocks. It's all fun!
ReplyDeleteI thought...what a fabulous basket, until I read it was a bag!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love that idea of taking "old" patterns and updating them with modern fabrics. I think the pattern you choose will look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteLots of lovely blocks. I miss WIP Wed too and never think to write up my own WIP post. Good idea. It's fun to look back through older books and find new inspiration, not to mention seeing quilts that have been around for a long time that people now think are new.
ReplyDeleteNow you have me looking through my older quilt books for ideas--and thank you! Have been a quilter since 1976 and am now enjoying making traditional blocks in modern fabrics. Love the bag on your blog.
ReplyDeletelove what you have done with your swap blocks and really looking great....always nice to start new projects and you are brave to cut into saved fabrics. It always takes me a bit but then go right at it.
ReplyDeleteI recently picked up that book at a guild sale table - I love lots of the quilts, especially the Ocean Waves designs, but the patterns seem to refer to using the special ruler - do you have the ruler, or are you just adapting the pattern? Thanks
ReplyDeleteGreat work in progresses, that Les Fleurs fabric is just awesome. For my bags I usually use some interfacing on the lining which gives it a little more structure which helps the baggy problem.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely block design for your beloved fabric! Very Ocean Waves-esque. And very inspiring, as usual!
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