DRUNKARD'S PATH from Scraps, WEDDING QUILT #5

Autumn, my grandniece, will be the recipient of this quilt. She is only 12, so it is stored in a cloth bag for now with a label telling her that it was made with love by her Aunt Janet.

This had been on my to do list for years. I found this different adaptation using multiple prints of light and dark instead of the traditional 2 color design. The original quilt size is 54" x 66" but I added extra blocks to make it king size. I started by collecting scraps from various sources, cutting no more than 12 of each shape from both light and dark prints. Part way into the cutting I realized that the pattern called for more light scraps than dark. I wasn't going to discard the extras so I made the outer squares the reverse of light and dark. You may notice the difference or not. 

I chose to hand piece the curves because of their size but also because I was laid up with foot surgery. The blocks were machine pieced.

In planning the layout, I used 12'x12' scrapbook paper to arrange the small squares. I rolled masking tape and fixed them in place on the paper until ready to sew each block. By laying out all the squares first I achieved a balanced design. 

The repeat of the border fit perfectly at the corners even with increasing the size. I finished by hand quilting circles that outlined the curves.

Here's the pattern if you'd like to try this. Just click on the pictures to print the actual size.

Sarah's Quilt

I've been busy working on several quilts at once: Hand quilting my Mary Mannakee, piecing "Surf's Up" for my grandnephew to be finished after Christmas, doing the prep for a bed runner for my good friend in Arizona, to be appliqued on our next trip and finishing the king quilt for Sarah. By the way, I received a grateful thank you from Japan for the American Heritage wall hanging I mailed off 2 weeks ago.
I've finished Sarah (Niece) and Mark's quilt in time for Christmas. It was taken to the quilter in October for a special deal. My favorite quilter has been training a new person so she offered to do any size for $30! She did a terrific job. The binding is done and ready for my Sister and I to give to this special couple.

Strips 'n Curves, final step

I finished the top, 80x88. It's ready for a 10" border and quilting. My goal is to have it completed by Christmas as a present for my niece and husband from my sister. I've made this pattern once before but I needed a refresher. I will be teaching this quilt at the Fabric Patch, Montclair, CA in September. There are some tricks and trouble shooting that my students will welcome.

This photo doesn't show the true colors, the "browns" are really green.

Strips 'n Curves, stage 2

Only the first 18 of 110 squares but I like what's happening.
We are watching the grandsons this week so no quilting will be done. There is a reason children are born to the young but they are a blessing and fun.

Cutting It Up

The pattern my niece chose for her king quilt comes from . . .

After all the sewing of the strips, it's hard to cut into the "fabric" you worked so hard to create.

Here's my plan. I like to map out on graph paper.
I've moved all my sewing to our guest bedroom, as Jack has moved his desk to the front living room. I hung my flannel-backed tablecloth over the closet door as my portable design wall.
Each cut has to be planned to line up with the next. I traced around my template with chalk and added the 1/4" seam before cutting.

New projects in the works . . .

The young man who was hired to teach Art when I retired, is also one of my former students. He is doing a terrific job and I am so pleased to see what I started 20 years ago continue. He and his wife are expecting their first child in March. A teacher colleague and I are making a baby quilt for them.










I found this flannel backing, scanned the images and enlarged them for applique.




Marsha is making the pinwheels to fill in the other 5 squares. We'll join them next week and I show you the finished product.


The second project is for my oldest Niece, Sarah. Its her turn for a king size quilt for their bedroom. She looked through my books and spotted an idea in Louise L. Smith's A New Twist on Strips 'n Curves (Not a simple pattern). "Can you do this Aunt Janet?" "Of course Sarah, I love challenges." I put together these fabrics from my stash and got the go ahead.
Here are the strips I've sewn so far, ready to cut and put together. I hope the orange doesn't take over.

I did this technique before for my sister. Look here to see what I'm talking about.

"COMPLEMENTS" Strips ‘n Curves

The name for this quilt reflects the loving relationship I have with my sister, Christy. Our similar interests and talents, art and creativity, and our different strengths complement each other. We are an inseparable team. Complements such as red and green enhance and intensify one another just as sisters support each other.

I followed the instructions in Louisa L. Smith's book, Strips 'n Curves but made my own templates rather than purchasing hers. A complementary color scheme in a range of values (light to dark) guarantees a pleasing dramatic look.

I quilted this lap size quilt myself. I followed the stripes and curves, sometimes "stitching in the ditch" and other times continuing the circles across the stripes.

BERRIES N’ CREAM

One of my recent favorite quilts was made for my niece, Abby. It's a king size adaptation of "Orange Peel". I find it challenging to use variations of one color from my stash. Abby and I added some more fabrics to coordinate with the beige and maroons in one batik. No matter how many times I way "no more curves", I'm drawn to designs with curves. Hint: sew with the concave side up.