Mid Century Modern Quilt Top Finished

I used my AccuQuilt 2.5″ strip die to cut sashing strips which is much easier for me right now than rotary cutting, so I was able to get the sashing cut and sewn for the Mid Century Modern quilt I’m making for my friend, James. Please see my MCM Update #1 post for close-ups of the first eight blocks and the details about this project and my MCM Update #2 post that shows close-ups of last eight blocks. Below is the finished quilt top:

mcm quilt top finished

I have a couple of small sewing tasks to get done in the next few weeks, but for now I’m still trying to minimize cutting/sewing and typing which has freed up some time to do some much needed household organization. I’ve been finding things that have been hiding for a long time!

On Tuesday, I will be linking up to Quilt Schmilt: To-Do Tuesday to share this update with my quilting peeps who participate in this linky party.

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MCM Update #2

I have had a fairly good week pain-wise with my right hand/wrist, so I was able to get the rest of the blocks sewn for the Mid Century Modern quilt I’m making for my friend, James. Please see my MCM Update #1 post for the details about this project. Below are the last eight of the 12″ blocks that I’ve drafted in Electric Quilt Version 8 (EQ8) with a close-up of the line drawing on the left and the sewn block on the right.

Next up is joining the blocks with sashing to get the quilt top made which I hope to get done in the next week.

On Tuesday, I will be linking up to Quilt Schmilt: To-Do Tuesday to share this update with my quilting peeps who participate in this linky party.

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MCM Update #1

Since my self-diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand/wrist (to be confirmed by my PCP at a regularly scheduled appointment in May), I have cut down significantly on any typing and have decreased my sewing activities. Wearing a wrist brace at night has helped immensely with the hand numbness. With the minimal sewing that I’m allowing myself to do, I am prioritizing making a quilt for my friend, James, as a birthday gift. When I visited him in Albuquerque in early March, I was so impressed with his Mid Century Modern home, especially with the tile in his guest bathroom. I decided that I wanted to make a Mid Century Modern quilt for him in grey and mustard fabrics for his 50th birthday in August. I took several photos of his bathroom tile that included many line drawings that could be made into quilt blocks. Here is one of the photos I took:

MCM bathroom tile

Below are eight of the 12″ blocks that I’ve drafted in Electric Quilt Version 8 (EQ8) with a close-up of the line drawing on the left and the sewn block on the right. I’m feeling much more comfortable using EQ8 after designing more than 20 blocks in this computerized quilt design program. I’ve decided to stick with the simpler designs that can be made into blocks with rotary cut and/or basic paper piecing units (and NO dreaded Y-seams!). The blocks below are photographed on Alison Glass Kaleidoscope black fabric which will be used for the sashing and outer borders. The fabrics I’m using for the blocks are Free Spirit Designer Solid Spark Gold, Moutarde Grunge by Basic Grey (thanks Linda and Wendy for the recommendation), Kona Curry, Alison Glass Kaleidoscope Raven, Alison Glass Kaleidoscope Charcoal, and Cloud 9 Cirrus Solid in Shadow.

On Tuesday, I will be linking up to Quilt Schmilt: To-Do Tuesday to share this update with my quilting peeps who participate in this linky party.

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Weekly Progress Update #190

To-Do for the week of March 28th-April 3rd:

  1. Share my April 2023 OMG post. √Done
  2. Cut more on-point squares for my camping quilt. √Done
  3. Share my #2023QuiltingQ1CheckIn post. √Done

To-Do #1

I have 16 five-inch charm squares on my design board. See my one monthly goal post here to see my plans for these squares.

Charm Squares for baby quilt

To-Do #2

I’m taking my time fussy cutting squares for my camping quilt that I’ll make later this summer. I now have 25 cut of the 49 on-point squares needed. Here are the three I cut on Saturday which are duplicates of some of our favorites.

Three more camping squares 4-1-23

To-Do #3

Below is the inspiration for the Mid Century Modern quilt I will be making for my friend, James, to celebrate his 50th birthday in August. See my #2023QuiltingQ1CheckIn post here to see 12 of the blocks I’ve drafted in EQ8 that I may possibly use in his quilt (scroll all the way to the bottom of the post).

MCM bathroom tile

Taking a Break for Now

I came to a decision Sunday night when I couldn’t sleep due to pain and numbness in my right hand, wrist, and arm that I’m fairly certain is carpal tunnel syndrome. I purchased a brace, and it definitely cut down on the numbness last night, but I know I need to drastically reduce my sewing and typing activities. For now, I’m going to take a break from blogging and have emailed Sarah with Confessions of a Fabric Addict that I plan to make the boy’s baby quilt for Little Lambs Foundation of Utah later this year when I feel better. She was supportive of my decision and encouraged me to take care of myself and make/send the quilt when I’m not feeling so much discomfort. I think I can still make James’ quilt if I minimize my other sewing efforts. I hope to continue to connect with the quilting community by reading quilting blogs and make short comments when I can.

Linking up to Quilt Schmilt: To-Do Tuesday.

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April 2023 OMG

My April 2023 One Monthly Goal is to make a quilt top for a boy’s baby quilt I plan to donate to Little Lambs Foundation of Utah through participation in Confessions of a Fabric Addict: Hands2Help Comfort Quilt Challenge 2023. Below are 16 five-inch squares that will be the centers of 8″ finished economy quilt blocks.

Charm Squares for baby quilt

Linking up to Elm Street Quilts: April 2023 One Monthly Goal.

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#2023QuiltingQ1CheckIn

2023QuiltingQ1CheckIn

I am joining the #2023QuiltingQ1CheckIn hosted by Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl. Like many quilt bloggers, a primary motivation for blogging about my quilting is to have an ongoing journal about my quilting journey. I have found that weekly, monthly, semi-yearly, and yearly goals have been extremely valuable to check my progress on goals and to reassess my priorities, and now Yvonne is offering us an opportunity to check in regarding our progress during the first quarter of 2023. It reminds me of the quarterly Finish-Along updates from a few years back that I found both useful and motivating. This exercise is particularly beneficial for me as it helps me to not get too tempted by all the amazing opportunities to join (I’m talking about you–Alison Glass’ 2023 Trinket Sew-Along!) and stick to what is aligned with my current priorities. I took a minute to write them down the other day, and here they are:

  1. Make quilts and other small projects for friends and family.
  2. Make at least one donation quilt (or quilt top) per year.
  3. Expand my piecing/quilting/designing skills.
  4. Use more of my stash.
  5. Continue to make projects with fabrics and colors that feed my soul.
  6. Connect with the quilting community by regularly blogging, reading other blogs and commenting when I can, and participate occasionally in sew-alongs when I have time in my schedule.

Now let’s take a look at what I thought I would prioritize for this year back in December. From my 2022 Recap/2023 Planning Quilting & Stitching post, I have copied and pasted the Probables and Possibilities for 2023 with some annotations in bold print:

 

Probables for 2023

  • A paper pieced long quilt to cover my recliner in the living room using a modification of Lee Heinrich’s Chevron Star pattern. I need the quilt to be long (in this case 90″ to accommodate shrinkage from multiple washings). This is my Turquoise Stars quilt. The quilt top is completed and is 87″ long because I didn’t want to have to buy any more background fabric. (See post here).
  • A Quilt Your Life quilt after taking the online Seaglass Quilting Class by Allie with Exhausted Octopus that will involve tracking different kinds of exercise including riding my Peloton bike, strength training, flexibility routines, balance and posture exercises, and days I walk at least 10K steps. I will be able to use some of the time I allotted each day this year to making flying geese for my temperature quilts in an intentional way to improve my health. I have continued to ride my Peloton bike daily but have not incorporated any other kind of exercise into my daily routine. I plan to do so post-retirement. I still hope to make a Seaglass quilt later this year, but it most likely will not be a Quilt Your Life quilt.
  • A Mosaic Story Quilt, pattern by Amy Friend at During Quiet Time. I have been cutting 2.5″ on-point squares for this project that I plan to make late summer. For a brief tutorial on how I fussy cut these on-point squares, see post here .
  • A camping quilt for my niece, Kim, most likely using the Ripples block from when I participated in the Bee Hive a few years ago. The last time I made this block was for Roseanne when she was the Queen Bee (see these cute Christmas Ripples blocks here). This project is finished except for the binding. (See post here).
  • Participate in Quilting Gail’s SAHRR2023. I thoroughly enjoyed participating in this year’s SAHRR2023 sew-along. (See post here).
  • Make a donation quilt. I’m leaning toward making a 14″ x17″ quilt for Jack’s Basket. I have some adorable zebra fabric that would make a cute and fast basket quilt. I will be participating in Confessions of a Fabric Addict: Hands2Help Comfort Quilt Challenge 2023 and will be making a boy’s baby quilt for Little Lambs Foundation of Utah. I still may make a mini quilt for Jack’s Basket later this year.
  • Make a beach-themed economy block quilt for my friend, Annette’s 60th birthday. Not started but I have purchased some beach-themed charm squares.
  • Finish my Sashiko Daisy Pouch. I did get it finished, and I love it! (See post here ).

Possibilities for 2023

  • Participate in Jaybird Quilts 2023 Temperature Quilt Sew-Along. Haven’t participated thus far this year, but I did finish my three 2022 temperature quilts in early January (see post here)
  • I’ve really been enjoying reading posts about Lone Star Quilts on the Island Batik Lone Star Blog Hop. And hands down my favorite Lone Star is the one on Emily’s jacket featured on her The Darling Dogwood post. The Lone Star quilt that has been on my quilty bucket list for awhile is the Luminary Quilt, and if I make it, I plan to use scraps from my Alison Glass fabric stash. Maybe in 2024
  • Make a Colorburst mini quilt, pattern by Sassafras Lane. Possibly later this year
  • A Christmas quilt for my bestie, Mary, pattern to be determined. Not started yet
  • Some other small Christmas projects like table runners, mini quilts, and more Sew Tiny ornaments. Not started yet
  • My cousin, McKenzie, and I each independently bought the Easy Bargello Quilt Pattern by Busy Hands Quilts and have talked about having another sew-along next year using this pattern. Maybe her mom and grandma might want to join us? McKenzie and I have both finished our Easy Bargello quilt tops, and I sent mine off for quilting to Rebecca at Rebecca Grace Quilting. I am expecting it back from her any day.
  • Hologram Quilt, pattern and fabric by Christina Cameli (I have already have both!) Maybe in 2024
  • Harmony and Light Quilt, pattern and fabric by Christina Cameli (I have already these too!). Maybe in 2024
  • Coffee Sashiko Fukin mat by SashikoLab. Maybe later this year

One Additional 2023 Project

When I visited my friend, James, in Albuquerque earlier this month, I was so impressed with his Mid Century Modern home, especially with the tile in his guest bathroom.

MCM bathroom tile

I decided that I wanted to make a Mid Century Modern quilt for him in grey and mustard fabrics for his 50th birthday in August and started drafting blocks in EQ8. Below are some of the blocks I may use in his quilt.

Initially I thought I would make this quilt in the Quilt As You Go style, but I don’t have the time right now to become more skilled with this technique, so I will be sending it to Rebecca for quilting. We’ve already chosen an awesome Mid Century Modern quilting design.

So that’s it as far as my reflections on the first quarter of 2023. I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings!

Linking up to Quilting Jetgirl: #2023QuiltingQ1Checkin.

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Weekly Progress Update #189

To-Do for the week of March 14th-20th:

  1. Cut more on-point squares for my camping quilt. √Done
  2. Share more simple quilt blocks designed in EQ8 for a Mid Century Modern quilt. √Done
  3. Write my March OMG Finish post.√Done

To-Do #1

I cut four more on-point squares (all from the same fabric) for the camping quilt I plan to start working on later this summer. I took some photos of my fussy cutting process starting with a 2.5″ square of freezer paper turned on point (diamond shaped) and pressed lightly to the fabric shiny side down completely covering the image:

Fussy cutting step 1

Next a quarter inch seam allowance is added to each side when cutting the fabric:

Fussy cutting step 2

Here is the on-point square with the freezer paper removed:

Fussy cutting finished

Here is the fabric with all the fussy cuts, sometimes referred to as Swiss cheese!

Fussy cutting swiss cheese

And here are the four on point squares together:

Four camping squares same fabric

To-Do #2

Below are four more blocks created in EQ8 that I may use in my Mid Century Modern quilt for my friend James. Thanks for all the suggestions regarding a lighter mustard fabric. I found the  free app, A Quilty Solid, suggested by Wendy and Yvonne to be very useful. I just love how helpful the quilting community is to each other.

Mid Century Modern blocks nine through twelve

To-Do #3

Below is my completed Turquoise Stars quilt top. The color of the back ground fabric in the photo below is not accurate at all. It is actually closer to a navy blue. See my March 2023 OMG Finished post here for details.

Turquoise Stars quilt top

Wonderful Birthday Presents

I celebrated my birthday this past week and received some wonderful presents. From my friend, Laura, I received a gift certificate to Mashe Modern, an online fabric store that I wasn’t familiar with (Really?), and she encouraged me to treat myself to some beautiful Alison Glass fabrics including some on sale for really good prices. Woo Hoo! Below are my selections that arrived five days after I ordered them. The first pic are four fabrics from her new Wildflower collection that I’ve been drooling over for months with a measuring tape included for scale, and the second are some of my favorite Alison Glass fabrics in colors I didn’t have in my stash. I couldn’t resist ordering more of her rainbow moons that I may use for cornerstones in a future project.

Alison Glass Wildfire fabrics

Other Alison Glass Fabrics from Mashe Modern

And my boss, Danelle, surprised me with a personalized seam ripper. Below is a photo of it alongside the cheap plastic seam ripper that came with my Brother sewing machine. Quite the difference–eh? My new seam ripper feels so good in my hand that it almost makes the unsewing process fun!

Seam Rippers

To-Do for the week of March 28th-April 4th:

  1. Share my April 2023 OMG post.
  2. Cut more on-point squares for my camping quilt.
  3. Share my #2023QuiltingQ1CheckIn post.

Linking up to Quilt Schmilt: To-Do Tuesday.

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March 2023 OMG Finished

For my March 2023 One Monthly Goal, I decided to make a Turquoise Star quilt using five stars from Lee Heinrich’s Chevron Star pattern.I found these blocks to be quite challenging when matching the points, so I was really glad to only make five stars and to allow the quilting to do much of the work in giving this quilt its Wow factor. In the photo below, the background fabric which is Art Gallery Fabrics Pure Elements Night Sea looks grey, but here is a link to a digital swatch that will gives a closer approximation of the true color (closer to navy blue). The Pure Elements fabrics used in the stars are Tile Blue, Maldives, Cozumel Blue, and Fresh Water.

Turquoise Stars quilt top

Rebecca of Rebecca Grace Quilting will do the longarm quilting, and she is going to use some designs by Karlee Porter to create a custom quilting look. The blocks are 15″ finished, and the quilt top measures 66″ x 87″, so there is a TON of negative space where Rebecca’s quilting can shine.

Linking up to Elm Street Quilts: March 2023 OMG Finishes.

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Weekly Progress Update #188

To-Do for the week of March 14th-20th:

  1. Cut more on-point squares for my camping quilt. √Done
  2. Make two more turquoise stars. √Done
  3. Share more simple quilt blocks designed in EQ8 for a Quilt-As-You-Go project. √Done

To-Do #1

I only cut three more on-point camping squares for my Mosaic Story camping quilt I’m planning to make in late summer. It’s been a busy time and will only get busier in the next three months as I have started a secret sewing project that won’t be finished until the end of June. A majority of my time will be devoted to it, so my blog posts will be brief, and I won’t be able to spend as much time reading blog posts. But I will try to sneak in a little blog reading/commenting when I can!

Three more camping squares including cute Spoonflower Hedgehog

To-Do #2

I actually finished my Turquoise Stars quilt top (thanks to the good point-matching vibes you all sent to me, the last two stars went together without a whole lot of unsewing) and I plan to share a pic of the quilt top when I write my March 2023 OMG Finished post. I’m sending off the quilt top to Rebecca Grace Quilting today.

To-Do #3

Below are four more Mid Century Modern blocks that I have drafted in EQ8 to possibly use in the quilt I plan to make for my friend, James, who will be celebrating his 50th birthday in August. I have actually decided today that most likely I will only use a medium and a dark colored mustard fabric in this project because I’m not happy with the lightest mustard fabrics I’ve auditioned thus far, so  I will slightly alter the coloring in the two of the blocks below if I decide to use them. If any of you have a favorite light mustard solid fabric, please let me know in the comments below.

Mid Century modern four more blocks

To-Do for the week of March 21st-27th:

  1. Cut more on-point squares for my camping quilt.
  2. Share more simple quilt blocks designed in EQ8 for a Quilt-As-You-Go project.
  3. Write my March OMG Finish post.

Linking up to Quilt Schmilt: To-Do Tuesday.

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Weekly Progress Update #187

To-Do for the week of March 7th-13th:

  1. Quilt and bind my SAHRR2023 project. √Done
  2. Make two more turquoise stars. √Done
  3. Design some simple quilt blocks in EQ8 for a Quilt-As-You-Go project. √Done

To-Do #1

I did get my SAHRR2023 quilted and bound this past. Read details about this wall hanging that finished about 26″ square here.

SAHRR 2023 finished

To-Do #2

I made two more turquoise stars, and as much as I like the look of them, I’m sure glad I’m only planning to use five of them in my Turquoise Star quilt. The paper piecing is fairly easy, but aligning the points is definitely not my favorite piecing activity!

Two turquoise stars one with fresh water

To-Do #3

I recently visited my friend, James, who has a lovely Mid-Century Modern home and was inspired to make a quilt for his 50th birthday in August in a favorite color combination of mustard and grey. I will share more of this project when I post my monthly goal for April, but below are four blocks that I have drafted in EQ8. As of right now, the plan to is to make thirty12-inch blocks in a 5X6 layout using Quilt-As-You-Go technique.

mid century modern quilt with four blocks

To-Do for the week of March 14th-20th:

  1. Cut more on-point squares for my camping quilt.
  2. Make two more turquoise stars.
  3. Share more simple quilt blocks designed in EQ8 for a Quilt-As-You-Go project.

Linking up to Quilt Schmilt: To-Do Tuesday.

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