How Does Your Garden Grow

I've had these applique tulip blocks for years. I won them in a block lottery at one of the meetings of the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild. I just didn't know what to do with an odd number of blocks. 

I added some gray print fabric to the blocks that weren't quite big enough and arranged them in a pleasing layout. This took much longer than it really ought. I did have to fill in that one missing block with a print. 

I used the same print to add a simple border. I've had that print fabric for more than ten years, so this is a real move to work through things that have been hanging around. 

Quilted and ready for binding. A fine little quilt. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Design Wall

I have a small garden growing on my design wall. Several years ago the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild would coordinate a block and everyone that made one would get an entry in a drawing for each block. I won these blocks during one of the raffles. I think I made four or five of these so I had plenty of chances. I'm going to size up the smaller blocks, add some sashing, and sew these up into a fun little quilt. 

On the right are my scrappy bricks blocks. I might have another charity quilt top finished soon. 

What are you working on? I would love to learn about it. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Finished Objects

In the crafting world there are many UFOs. Un-Finished Objects. This photo from a couple weeks ago shows some of mine. I finished the mesh tote and shared it on the blog last week. I'm going to keep wandering around my creative space, finding some of those UFOs and trying to finish a few. 

These hats are from a machine embroidery design I picked up from Urban Threads Embroidery. I had the applique pieces and even some silly horns and ears cut out for I don't know how long. I decided it was time for those to be finished. They won't keep anyone's head warm until they become hats. 

I finished this green monstah hat first. This one is my favorite. 

Then I worked through the other pieces I had prepared. That makes four finished hats perfect for little monsters.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 4.5" x 12.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Juki TL-2010Q

The Mermaid

Part 5, the finale.

I used the trimmings from the backing to make the binding. I did have to add a short strip to make it work. 

I always accordion fold my binding. This makes it easy to store and easy to use without getting twisted like it does if it is coiled. 

Bound and hanging sleeve attached. It might be overly big as a wall hanging but that's what I intend on doing with it.

Read more about this quilt and the techniques used in these previous posts:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Cheryl Ann's Quilting Design Wall - 72" White
Reynolds Freezer Paper Plastic Coated 50 Sq Ft
Elmer's Liquid School Glue, Washable, 4 Ounces
Crayola Ultra-Washable Markers

The Mermaid

Part 4 - Quilting

It has been a while since I updated you on this fun quilt. This post will have loads of photos as I tried to capture the quilting as I went. I pieced the backing for this quilt. The backing doesn't even really matter since my plan is to hang this quilt once it is done.

I used a matching pale blue for the background quilting. I tried to capture shapes you might see underwater. Waves. 

Seaweed and underwater currents. 

Green to accentuate the tail fin. 

Echoes and echoes. 

Fish scales. 

I try to match my top and bobbin threads so you get an idea of the mermaid from the back. 

Trimmed and ready for binding and a hanging sleeve. 

I tried to use the thread to add details to the raw edge applique. This quilt has taken so long but is so worth it. I'm not sure all of the quilting choices were perfect but at least it is done.

Read more about this quilt and the techniques used in these previous posts:
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Cheryl Ann's Quilting Design Wall - 72" White
Reynolds Freezer Paper Plastic Coated 50 Sq Ft
Elmer's Liquid School Glue, Washable, 4 Ounces
Crayola Ultra-Washable Markers

The Mermaid

Part 3

This is going to be so many parts. I'm still working through my collection of batik fabrics. I didn't expect the hair to read as red as it does in this image but I really like it.

Building up the layers from the bottom.

I finished up the hair. 

I don't know if I would have picked these fabrics at the fabric store, but when you shop your collection of fabric you make do. 

The applique is finished. Next up will be the quilting. I'm going to let her hang so I can think about layering the thread.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Cheryl Ann's Quilting Design Wall - 72" White
Reynolds Freezer Paper Plastic Coated 50 Sq Ft
Elmer's Liquid School Glue, Washable, 4 Ounces
Crayola Ultra-Washable Markers

The Mermaid

Part 2

It's been a month since I first shared this project with you. You can read the May 1st post here. I finally decided it was time trace the design onto my background fabric and start gluing pieces in place. I use Elmer's Liquid School Glue to attache the applique pieces. Full list of supplies at the bottom of the post. 

I wanted to break up the tail into several sections and work through several colors. 

Here is the tail cut and laid out before gluing. 

I would pick the one pieces I wanted to be in the background and glue those down first. 

Working from the background up is like working with layers in a graphics program. You can add more over the top but getting the effect right the first time is so much more satisfying. 

The traced lines aren't as important as the applique. I drew them more for keeping everything lined up than anything else. I use Crayola Ultra-Washable Markers when marking fabric. They wash out very nicely with nothing more than water. In truth, just using the glue erased some of those lines as I worked.

I added fins in greens and blues.

The tail was mostly blue and purples

I saved the hair for last. I'm sure that's when she will really come alive. I'm sure I will add more details as I go along. This past week was about getting the majority of the pieces done. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Panasonic Cordless Iron
Cheryl Ann's Quilting Design Wall - 72" White
Reynolds Freezer Paper Plastic Coated 50 Sq Ft
Elmer's Liquid School Glue, Washable, 4 Ounces
Crayola Ultra-Washable Markers

The Mermaid

I've had this idea for a while now. A somewhat crazy idea.

I printed this hand embroidery design from Urban Threads poster-size because I want to use applique to make a mermaid quilt. I went to YouTube to find a tutorial for raw edge applique. I found this one from Nancy, which was great, but with these big pieces I really wanted something that didn't mean I'd have to go shopping.

YouTube was kind enough to let me know that I might be interested in another video called: Raw Edge Applique using Freezer Paper & Elmer's Glue. I already have freezer paper and school glue. So, I grabbed my freezer paper and got tracing. 

I pulled out my box of batik fabrics. I have been using these fabrics, but the box still seems so full! The magic of the freezer paper and glue method is that you don't reverse the pieces. You press the freezer paper right on top. 

I traced, and pressed, and cut. 

I used another piece of freezer paper as a background to keep my work together as I fused some of the pieces. 

Here is the mermaid, and my partially fused piece. 

The more I look at it, the more I like it. I'm confident this quilt will get better as I work on it. Now to work on her tail. This is a project that will take some time to complete. And that doesn't even consider the quilting part.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Panasonic Cordless Iron
Cheryl Ann's Quilting Design Wall - 72" White
Reynolds Freezer Paper Plastic Coated 50 Sq Ft
Elmer's Liquid School Glue, Washable, 4 Ounces

Row by Row: Modesto Beverly Fabrics

Next stop on the Row by Row Experience California: Modesto Beverly Fabrics. I was so happy with how this row turned out. I will admit I didn't know how much I would enjoy all the applique. Now, I know I really do prefer piecing. This row has just the right amount of piecing and applique.

I really like this block as it incorporates all the things that makes up the golden state: ocean, green valley, and majestic mountains. That sunset is pretty awesome, too.

Row by Row: Nimble Thimble

Next stop on the Row by Row Experience: The Nimble Thimble! This shop in Gilroy, CA, seemed to be a hidden secret when we parked behind the building. I was pleasantly surprised to find this shop was much bigger than I thought at first. This row leaves loads of room to add tiny quilts to tow behind your tiny camper. I am leaving the tiny quilts until I have completed more rows so I can use the leftover bits to make those quilts.

I might also use some of that space to document the shop names. I don't have a problem putting that information on the front of a quilt. There is no rule that says the label should be hidden on the back. It can be part of the design.

Row by Row: Scruffy Quilts

Another stop on the Row by Row Experience in California was Scruffy Quilts in San Mateo. A cute little shop.

This row isn't quite done but the piecing is done. Such a cute little ferry. I need to add some fusible applique details and it will be done.

Here are my to finished rows on the design wall. Each row seems like such an accomplishment.

Row by Row: Golden State Quilting

While in California to see family, I convinced Darling Husband he should take me to a couple quilt shops. The Row by Row Experience is a fun way to learn about new shops and support small businesses all around the country and the world. Their map works with the application (I am a Google phone user) on your phone to help you plan your shopping trip. I added each one as a stop in a logical order to get us around to the shops I wanted to stop at.

It is possible I got carried away with the shopping. I'll share each of the rows as I go through them and share a link (when available) to each of the shops. I had a great time looking around these shops and I intend to make a quilt with the rows to commemorate the trip to California.

I started the sewing journey with this fun row from Golden State Quilting. I purchased kits at each shop I visited and sometimes a little more. This kind of shop hop is great to get people to try new shops and I like to support small shops when I can.

The row is all raw-edge applique and I really enjoyed putting the row together. There is so much detail in this block that I'm not going to stitch around all those shapes before quilting. I don't think the finished quilt will get so much use and washing to worry about it. I'm certain the fusible and the quilting will be enough to hold it all together.