Finished Top!

If there is one thing that annoys me about a quilting class, it's leaving the class with the same quilt as all of the others who took the class.  That definitely isn't going to happen with this pattern! By using units that fit together in multiple ways, the maker is also the designer.  No two quilts are going to be the same (unless you want them the same and plan accordingly).  I absolutely loved playing with the different units and putting them together!  I'm anxious to move on to the next part of the class (That's right, this pattern was just the first in this online class.  There are a total of three quilt patterns Learn to Quilt with Scraps.) but rather than add this quilt top to the UFO pile, I think I'll put it on the frame and get it quilted before moving on with the next pattern.  That doesn't mean that the fun is going to end though.  Come back Monday for a special surprise!

Blocks Become Units

With just a few more seams and the addition of the soloist fabric my blocks have become units. This is where the fun really begins!  The actual name of this pattern is Hopscotch Table Runner.  Table runner?  You say my photo doesn't look like a table runner?  That's because Gyleen has included directions for how to configure these units into any size quilt you desire.  I have a few more units to make to reach the desired size and then I'll decide on the final layout before sewing all of the units together.

Blocks!

My patriotic scraps have quickly become blocks!  This pattern is perfect for a beginner or anyone who likes to have an easy project to work on at the end of the day.  If you have been following my blog for very long, these blocks may look slightly familiar.  The same block pattern was used in Gyleen's 2014 Facebook Summer Camp (see my finished quilt HERE) but these blocks are going to go together in a totally different way!  Stay tuned...

Silent Sunday

No Fooling!

The nice thing about having scraps managed and cut into usable sizes is that it doesn't take much time at all to get them ready to sew into blocks!

There is also a pretty good sale going on over at Colourful Stitches right now!  One of the items on sale is this very same class that I'm working on right now in DVD form, along with a number of other of Gyleen's patterns and tools.  Find them all at colourfulstitches.com.

Button, Button...

Button, button, who's got the button?  Remember that game that we used to play when we were kids?  That memory came back when I was trying to find just the right button for this Wee Speedy 2 baby vest.  The pattern calls for one button in the center, but I can't decide which one to use.  Which is your favorite?  

Scrappy Harmony

Just 15 minutes into Gyleen Fitzgerald's Learn to Quilt with Scraps online class and I've already learned an awesome trick for picking fabrics for scrap quilts.  Gyleen likens choosing fabrics for a quilt to putting together a choir.  Every good choir needs a soloist and a harmonizer, as does a quilt.  My choir fabrics are on the left, the harmonizer is in the center, and the soloist is on the right.  Red, white and blue are pretty safe color choices and not out of my comfort zone at all, but I want to actually use my precut scraps and make another quilt for Lap Robes for Veterans while reviewing this class.  Multitasking scrappy harmony!

To learn more about Gyleen's method of selecting fabrics you find her Learn to Quilt with Scraps: Stash to Treasure class at www.anniescatalog.com

Silent Sunday

Quick Strippie

Oh, how I love Mary's Quick Strippie quilt pattern for donation quilts!  With just three yards of fabric and about an hour, you can have a top cut and sewn and ready to quilt.  I'll be making a lot more of these quilts over the next few weeks to donate to veterans who will be taking Honor Flight trips this summer.