Charity Quilting

I had just enough batting left over at the end of a bolt to quilt a couple small charity quilts.

Simple and fun!

2018 Charity Quilt Count: 16

Perkiomen Valley Finish

About a month ago I started this project and shared it in this blog post.

I finally got the quilt loaded on the frame. I tried to fit in a little bit of time each evening to quilt, but that only happened a couple nights. I finished it up over the weekend.

I meandered in the dark colored blocks with brown and did this alternating block treatment in with cream in the light colored blocks.

I used Superior Thread So Fine for the top thread and a matching Omni in the bobbin.

Once it was done, I had to take a picture of the backing. I always match my top and bobbin threads. That means I can sometimes get an interesting effect on the back of the quilt.

Bound and ready for a trip to California.

Directions to make the Perkiomen Valley Block can be found on the Ventura Modern Quilt Guild's blog.

Others bloggers talking about the Thomas Fire and the Quilts from the Ashes project:
From my Carolina Home
QuiltShopGal
Super Buzzy - this site has great info with many more links and has a list of those that have already contributed

Have you made a block or two to help out people touched by hurricanes, floods, fires, or other natural disasters in the last twelve months? Do you have a project that is close to your heart? I would love to hear about it.

2018 Charity Quilt Count: 14

Get It Done UFO Challenge 2018 - February

This is the February installment of the Get It Done UFO Challenge 2018.

The challenge this month is for Number 7. My number seven is Weed Whacker. 

This block design is a free Bonnie Hunter pattern I wanted to try to use up some of the 2.5" strips I've been collecting to excess. 

This is a start to finish project as all I started with is the the block design and fabric. This is my basic layout designed in EQ8. 

I pulled out this stack of 2.5" strips, some more reds from my collection, some lights and a dark print for half of the corner triangles. As soon as I got to cutting the dark triangles I changed my mind and went with a solid black fabric. 

I spent a bunch of time cutting the corner triangles using the EZ Quilting Easy Angle 6.5-inch ruler. This thing has made some things so much easier. I also used it to cut my paper template for the parallelograms. 

Stacks and stacks of cut pieces.

I trimmed each unit before sewing three into a block. Checking your unit size before making the blocks is an important step to keep everything the right size and not chopping off those points. Not that my points are always perfect.

I tried to make a couple blocks each evening. 

I finished half the blocks with black opposing corners.  

Then finished the rest. I ended up with one extra block, which means my counting was slightly off, but I got to remove one less-than-perfect block from the stack. That one will go into the bin with the other 12" orphan blocks. I think that bin is filling up enough there should be another quilt hiding in there. 

The next step was sewing the blocks into rows and the rows into one column. I webbed the blocks to keep them all straight. If you've never webbed a block or a quilt top, you should check out Bonnie Hunter's post for webbing a quilt top. You can also web individual blocks during construction. I often do this when unit placement is important. 

I popped over to Spring Water Designs to pick up some backing. They are my favorite shop when looking for wide backing fabric. The selection is always great. This time I decided to use the humble meander for quilting.

As usual, the binding is as scrappy as the top. That's a wrap for the February Get It Done UFO Challenge 2018!

Remember, finished is better than perfect. 

2018 Charity Quilt Count: 13

Charity Quilting

Last week I dropped the charity quilts from my last charity quilts post and picked up a new stack of tops and some more batting. 

Working on these little quilts is a great way to find your excitement about making. 

I like to see the different projects other members of the Annapolis Quilts For Kids send my way. Sending them back with the knowledge they will be given to children in need is even better.

2018 Charity Quilt Count: 12