Scrappy Log Cabin Project

While hand quilting my Liberty Four Patch quilt I started a new project with the same fabrics plus some other scraps : a baby crib quilt with Log Cabin blocks separated by strips.

For the central squares I cut 3"x 3".

For the strips I cut 1.75" width.

The finished block measures 8"x 8".

The finished top will measure 24"x 37".

In my circle there are three babies to be born soon : one next July and two next autumn! This means another three baby quilts to offer... how great, I love sewing baby quilts!

Hand Quilting

My last three posts showed you my Liberty Four Patch progress step by step.

Forth step : putting the basted three layers on the hoop and starting hand quilting.

After trying many kinds of batting (synthetic, cotton, wool) I found out that for hand quilting the synthetic one gives the best result. You can almost get the Trapunto look by making very small stitches and slightly pulling the thread.

The second picture shows how I use my hoop to quilt the border.

After hand quilting is finished, I sewed the binding as shown here and here, and this is the last step.

Spring is beautiful these days, and it was so pleasant to quilt outside, especially when the quilt colors are in harmony with the garden! I cannot prevent myself from sending you pictures of my flowers.

Basting Tutorial

The first thing when you prepare basting is to cut the backing and the batting at least 4 inches larger and 4 inches longer than the top.

Draw a mark on the middle of your table.

Fold your backing in two lengthwise, wrong side against wrong side.

Line it up with the mark.

Open and fix it with a tape.

Do the same with your batting. Then fold your top in two lengthwise, right side against right side and line it up.

This is what you obtain.

These are the tools you need for basting your three layers.

Before stitching, put some pins to maintain the three layers together.

The spoon will help you to lift and grasp your needle effortless without moving the quilt.

Start from the middle of the quilt and stitch diagonal lines with big stitches.

The quilt is now ready to be fixed on the hoop for hand quilting.

Stencil

Top and backing are ready, it's time now to prepare the hand quilting pattern.

I am glad that, searching among all my stencils, I found the perfect one to fit in the plain squares.

To draw the lines on the fabric, I am not using anymore the blue washable marker, too expensive and getting dry too fast. I am very satisfied with the charcoal pencil 2B that is almost invisible once stitched above, and completely invisible after the first washing.

Next step basting... in my next post.

Pieced Backing

As I never really plan my quilts, it's seldom that I have enough fabric in my stash for the backing. 

Usually I order a matching fabric. For my Liberty Four Patch top I had found in my stash an old floral fabric from Lucien, but so disappointed that it was only one yard. As I thought it was perfectly matching, I decided to use it and to complete with leftover squares from the top and to add a piece of lilac fabric. I must say that I enjoyed doing this for the first time. I am very pleased with the result and happy for the saving money on another fabric order! 

My lilac starts flowering and my quilting mood is lilac tone!

Easter 2015 Decoration

 

Today is Easter Sunday here in Greece, and in all the orthodoxe countries. We are lucky, after the snow falls of last Thursday, spring came abruptly and we shall celebrate Easter with a beautiful sun, blue sky and 23 degrees temperature. This year I thought of decorating the house with things I was using at the time my children were kids. and when I found the boxes in the attic and opened them, many memories came back to me... how joyful it was! The little cards were done by my daughter at elementary school. 

Today we shall have her visit with her husband and baby. She cooked the lamb and will bring it ready! I "only" have to cook the potatoes, prepare the salads and deserts! And I am going to do so right now.

Best wishes to all those celebrating Easter today.

Christine

Happy Mail and Snow!

How nice it is to find an American envelope in the mail box! I was expecting this mail for three weeks!

It is a gift from my blogger friend Diane from Butterfly Threads Quilting. Last month, when I read this post in her blog and expressed my regret not to live in USA and thus not to be able to visit the Bullock Hall Quilt Show that she was attending, she had the sweet thought to send me the catalogue and the DVD of the exhibition. And what a lovely surprise to find that she added some presents in the envelope : two quilt patterns and a template of hers! The pattern explanations are written behind the cards and are so clear and easy to understand. Thank you so much Diane!

The second picture shows another surprising event when I opened the shutter of the lounge this morning : snow... at this time of the year!! Here in Greece, we celebrate the Orthodox Easter next Sunday... under the snow???

Sea and Sand Log Cabin Quilt

My sister just sent me those pictures of the quilt I offered her for her birthday. You can see the progress of this quilt here and here, and closer pictures of it finished here. 

I called this Log Cabin quilt "Sea and Sand" because I chose the colors in accordance with the place where my sister spends the summers in the south of France near the sea. She decided to use it as a wall hanging and I must say I am very pleased with the decorative impact it has in her lounge, although it looks smaller in the pictures than it is in the reality.

Windmill Baby Quilt Finished!

You have seen the progress of this quilt here, and here. Also, the tutorial for it was published in FAVEQUILTS magazine. If you are interested, you will find all the measurements and details in this tutorial. For my tutorial : CLICK

I used several grey fabrics from the collection Sketch from Timeless Treasures.

For the backing : Sketch Ivory from Timeless Treasures.

For the binding : Cloud 9, from Elizabeth Olwen,  Grey Abbey Organic Gentile Vines Dandelion.

For the batting I used a thin organic cotton one.

This quilt will be used as a light blanket for spring and autumn. For next winter I plan to make a warmer one, and for this purpose, I would welcome any advice on a warm and fluffy batting quality from you.

Many people were suspicious on using grey color for a baby quilt, but in fact I believe that, as babies' rooms are always overcrowded with lively colored toys, adding again colors in a quilt would be somewhat tiring for the eyes. However I allowed myself to make it less dull by adding a glittering yellow border.