The Fabric Diet... Update

Well, it's been four months now and I have to say, I'm pretty proud of my 2014 progress in "sewing from my stash."

I can report that I haven't made any real fabric purchases to speak of, and other than one itty bitty bundle that I used a gift certificate for, I've been fabric free.  And, you know what, I'm living to tell the tale.  I've completed several WIPs and even managed to start and complete one scrappy top, below and start another.

Here is the scrappy log cabin top that will eventually be a teacher gift.  I think it is very bright and cheery. It uses the Scrappy Stash Tutorial from Ellison Lane Quilts. This is super easy and a great way to use up some scraps.



Next, I have decided to attack my charm squares.  I found this fantastic tutorial from Amy Gibson at Stitchery Dickory Dock that turns one charm square into 4 flying geese, with absolutely no waste. Score!! This is going to be teacher quilt #2.  


During this time of fabric dieting, it has been VERY hard to see some great new QAL's out there popping up.  I am dying to do the Aviatrix Medallion QAL from Oh Fransson! but I don't quite have enough variety in the right color palette for this quilt right now.  Oh well, I can always do it later in the year, right?

Are you on a fabric diet? Are you sewing from your stash? How is it going? Inquiring minds want to know.

Linking up with Fairy Face Designs and Freshly Pieced today :)

Oh Dear!

Armed with my Dear Jane EQ software and the original Dear Jane book, I am embarking on what is likely to be a multi-year project.  I'm excited, nervous and somewhat intimidated by the quilt. Who wouldn't be, with 225 unique blocks and triangles??

Photograph by Ken Burris,Shelburne, VT, courtesy of the Bennington Museum and the Vermont Quilt Festival

The fact that this quilt was completed in 1863, during a time of war, likely with only fabrics she could scavenge and pieced by hand just makes it all that more of a challenge. A quilt bucket worthy quilt, to be sure!
I have so many decisions to make before I start - the finished size, the borders, but most importantly, the color scheme.

I found a ton of inspiration on Pinterest and created a board to host my ideas.  It would be ambitious to call this a 2 year project, but that's what I'm hoping for.  My top fabric choices would be (1) rainbow, (2) solid two color or (3) 1930's. 

Here's a solid red/white coloring that I've been playing with today.

I'm going to let that decision marinate for a few days (weeks?) because I just don't want to regret my color palette on a quilt this....epic!

Follow Stacey's board Oh Dear! on Pinterest.

What's so cool about EQ is that you can start with a blank slate like this and fill in with your progress. You can choose patchwork, applique, paper piecing....whatever technique you prefer.  

I've added a little picture on my sidebar that I will update as I progress. I'd love to show a few tutorials to highlight some of my favorite techniques along the way and maybe connect with others who are also on a Dear Jane mission.  If there are those out there who want to join in, we can talk via Instagram, Flickr or here. This will be a go-at-your-own-pace deal.

For now, it's just a bunch of squares. I put one little lonely block in there just to see what it would look like, but until I make my final color choices, I won't be starting yet!

Are there any of you out there who what to Jane Along?

Wounded Warriors and WIPS

Hi there folks - I wanted to share a really special picture today that makes me proud to be a quilter! My guild donates quilts to wounded warriors and one of them was given to the daughter of a friend and co-worker who was injured while on active duty.  This picture, which was snapped this week, just makes me smile.  If you aren't affiliated with a guild, this is a great reason to do so - most of them have charitable projects like this that you can get involved with.

Post by Austin Area Quilt Guild.

In other WIP news, I'm working on a Mariner's Compass mini - these are 8 inches in diameter and I"m planning on doing 4 for a small 20" square quilt...


And, on a whim, I decided to start sewing up some scrappy wonky log cabins for a new rainbow quilt. I just can't get enough of rainbow quilts. Seriously, I have a problem.



Linking up with Freshly Pieced today - have a great Wednesday!!

Russian Rubix for Rex

I am really thrilled to finish this quilt for little Rex! His momma wanted a good sized quilt that he can play with and grow with.  She wanted mostly navy, grey and white with pops of orange.  She picked out some awesome fabrics and  I immediately thought of this pattern that I've had in my sewing room for a year or so and I have to say, it came together just as I had imagined! Don't you love it when that happens.

Pattern: Russian Rubix by April Rosenthal (love her patterns!)

Fabrics : Various Navy and Orange Prints

Thread - Aurifil 50wt for piecing, Superior monofil for quilting

This binding in the orange bias strip from Happy Go Lucky was a perfect finish, I think.

Notice we used lots of crowns for "Rex!"

I can't wait to give this to Rex's mom on Monday. I'll bask in having a completed project this weekend before jumping into my next one!

Get Your Hex On - Round 2 - Sign Up NOW

After an amazing year creating and running the Get Your Hex On bee, I've decided to relinquish the reins and hand it over to two very capable members, Elita and Susan.  But, I want to help them get the word out so I am hoping you will check out the links below for more information.

What is the Get Your Hex On Bee?

I went through a slight hexie obsession about a year and a half ago and I wanted to create a virtual bee where we could work together on our hexie projects.  The Get Your Hex On bee was born! You can find the Flickr group here or click on the bar at the top of this page.  We did a 12 month bee last time with 3 "hives" going, but Susan and Elita have decided to do a 6 month commitment, so it's totally doable to add this to your plate ~ a perfect way to get that hexie project kickstarted. It was amazing and inspiring to see all the gorgeous hexagon projects we worked on.

Year 1 has come to a close, and I've got a whole lot of new commitments on my plate, so I am handing the group and bee over. You can sign up now!!  Here is the sign up form.

I promise you will have a hex-tastic time with this bee!!

Jelly Roll eBook

A couple of years ago, I posted one of my first tutorials on how to make a Lasagna Quilt (aka. Jelly Roll Race).  I thought it was a great beginner pattern and I wanted to learn the process of doing a tutorial for my new (at the time) blog.  The lasagna quilt is a perfect quilt that can be completed quickly for a gift or just to keep for yourself.

Last year, I was so excited when Fave Quilts asked if they could share it on their website.   If you don't know about Fave Quilts, you are missing out - they've got TONS of free quilt patterns, blocks, and tutorials. 

Since then, I was thrilled to see visits on that one tutorial skyrocket.  At last check, it was over 16,500 hits, which, for my little blog, seems mindblowing to me. I've gotten good feedback about this tutorial and have tweaked it along the way to make it even more user friendly. 

And then, to top it off, a couple of months ago Fave Quilts asked if they could feature my quilt in their new FREE e-book, called How to Make a Jelly Roll Quilt: 9 Jelly Roll Quilt Patterns. They are launching the book TODAY! 

The book includes 9 free patterns using jelly rolls.  I cannot wait to try a few more of these out. The Jelly Roll Braid on page 14 looks really cute ;)

I hope you will check out the tutorial and download the FREE e-book.  Let me know what you think of the tutorial. 

Hope you are sewing something awesome this week!