I fell in love with rag quilts the first time I saw one. There is something about the worn, loved look of them that make me want to curl up in one. I put it on my Quilting Bucket List, determined to one day make one. After finding some cozy flannel on sale, I decided now was the time to try.
I chose to start small. I figured if it went well, I could always make a bigger one. Not to mention, Bat could always use another quilt to keep her occupied. Continue reading
This is an ongoing series documenting my first block of the month, the Les Amis block of the month quilt from Craftsy. Previous posts in this series: January, February, March and April.
The only blocks left for the quilt are sashing blocks. This quilt uses an Irish chain to highlight the other blocks in the quilt. I’ve done Irish chains before, but they were much more simplistic. I really liked this twist and the use of the chain to highlight more complicated elements. I’ve already implemented this in the design of another quilt I’m working on.
This is also the first time during the construction of the quilt that I have finally felt in my element. The sashing blocks are put together using strip piecing techniques. I absolutely love strip piecing and use it in most of my quilts. After struggling with the previous blocks, it was so nice to do something in my comfort zone. Continue reading
This is an ongoing series documenting my first block of the month quilt, the Les Amis quilt from Craftsy. You can see previous posts in this series here, here and here.
Out of all the blocks done in this quilt, the Moroccan star is the one I’m the least familiar with. While I had not actually made any of these blocks before, I have seen tutorials and demos for all of the previous blocks. The Moroccan star, though, was completely new to me. Of course this would end up being my favorite block. In the videos, Shelley comments on how much she likes this block and how it shows up in a lot of her patterns. I see the same happening to me.
As beautiful as this block is, it also is the block that gave me the most trouble. From cutting blocks too small and not having quite enough fabric to recut everything to sewing the blocks wrong, I have spent considerable amount of time with my seam ripper this month. Miraculously, I haven’t had to use it at all for any of the previous months. It was worth it though for the beautiful outcome. Continue reading
This is an ongoing series documenting my first block of the month quilt, the Les Amis Block of the Month from Craftsy. You can see previous posts in this series here and here.
The Ohio Star block is one of the most commonly known blocks in quilting. Not surprising, I have never done one before this. This is the first block in the block of the month series that also contains half and quarter blocks.
This month’s lessons were full of useful information. While all the lessons so far have been a learning experience, this one really stands apart. Not only in technique, but this month’s lessons help you understand how to take quilt designs to the next level. Continue reading
This is an ongoing series documenting my first block of the month quilt, the Les Amis Block of the Month from Craftsy. You can see previous posts in this series here.
The February block is titled the Flying Geese Star Block. By the title alone, you can guess that there is going to be a lot of flying geese in this block. I was actually really excited about this because I have never done anything with flying geese in it before. I quickly realized it’s a lot more difficult in practice than what I thought watching videos.
Shelley Cavanna is an excellent teacher. After I finish with this BOM, I am going to search for more of her classes. This month’s videos are full of helpful tips, including help when working with exposed bias edges, pinning and sewing to get a good point and things lined up properly. She also goes into where things may have gone wrong if your block comes out wonky, and how to fix it. Continue reading
I finally joined my first block of the month program. This has been something I’ve wanted to do for awhile, but lack of confidence in my skills has held me back. I ended up going with Craftsy’s Les Amis Quilt Block of the Month designed by Shelley Cavanna. It looks like it will be challenging without being frustrating for me, and I like having the companion videos and being able to ask questions was a huge plus. Also, it’s on sale and who doesn’t love a good sale.
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Normally my new year resolutions contain a list of quilts I want to complete by year end. These quilts almost always get pushed aside for other quilts. Instead of resolutions this year, I decided to make a bucket list of all things quilt related I eventually want to do. At the beginning of every year, I will mark off what I have done and add new things I want to try. At least that’s the plan. Continue reading
My mom has cancer.
No matter how many times I’ve said this over the past couple of weeks it doesn’t feel real. My mother, the last living member of my immediate family, has cancer.
While cancer has affected and, in some cases, taken the lives of those close to my family, it has avoided us. I always figured that with everything that we have been through, we might be spared. But that didn’t stop the call on November 1st from my mom letting me know she had been diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma.
With the holidays and gift deadlines rapidly approaching, I’ve noticed a lot of people in my quilting groups dealing with quilting burnout. Burnout is not uncommon in creative endeavors, and everyone experiences it and deals with it differently. Below are my ways of dealing with quilting burnout, maybe some of them will help you. Continue reading
