Zakka-Style Quilt

I decided the quilt from the Zakka Style sew-along would be the perfect use of my charms from Anne Marie's Japanese charm swap, so I pulled out some Essex linen and got to work.


It's a very simple quilt to put together. I used 5-inch charms (instead of the 6-inch squares in the instructions), so I changed the dimensions accordingly. My quilt ended up at about 40x48. I didn't have enough Essex linen in Natural, so I used Sand for the horizontal rows. (Man, that linen gets wrinkly!)

I did some stair-step/zigzag quilting in double lines. The quilt in the book uses the linen for the binding too. I like that look, so I used it for my quilt too.
I used up some more charms on the back, and added yardage of this green Nicey Jane print. Love that one. I think this is a great way to use use the Japanese charms, but I'm not sure how much I love using the Essex in a quilt. I hope it wears well with time!

WIP Wednesday

It is Wednesday, right? Here we go!



Finished:
Orange/Navy chevrons

Done! We delivered it to the recent graduate, and she loved it.

Ninjas

These two guys have fought many battles since I finished them.

In progress
Zakka Style quilt

I'm following the Zakka Style Sew-Along this week and making the quilt. I'm using my charms from AnneMarie's Japanese charm swap and some Essex linen. The front and back are finished, so I should have this one done soon!

Completed tops awaiting quilting:
Postage Stamp quilt
Arcadia Quilt

To do:
Half Moon Modern quilt
Swoon
teddy bear sleeping bags
Tracey's French Kisses

Head to Lee's to see what everyone else is working on!

Ninja attack!

This weekend, Luke and I set about making some ninjas for him and his buddy. He picked out the fabrics, blue for him, and the red woodgrain for his friend (the pattern is from Melly & Me). The pattern has some handy tips for turning the ties, but they were still pretty fiddly. I think I'd use ribbon if I made another one. Well, I say one is for his buddy...we'll see...

Bloggers' Quilt Festival!

It's time once again for the Bloggers' Quilt Festival hosted by Amy of Amy's Creative Side! It's a really fun celebration of all things quilty. This year, I'm sharing my latest finish, my Orange/Navy Chevron quilt. Good timing, because I actually shared my Little Folks Voile Chevron during the Fall 2010 BQF. I even took this quilt to the same spot for a photo shoot.

I love the zigzag tutorial from Crazy Mom Quilts because it's a triangle-free method of creating zigzags. If there's a triangle-free method of doing something, consider me there.


This quilt is a high school graduation gift for my neighbor, who is going to Auburn University. The school colors are orange and navy. I was concerned I'd have trouble finding fabrics I love in that color palette...but I seriously lucked out when I found the Anchors Away line by Dear Stella. I almost overlooked the design at first because I wasn't interested in the nautical motifs, but the orange and navy ikats were perfect. From there, I quickly found the coordinating Dear Stella Dots and Orange Solid and the Lanikai Basketweave, also from Dear Stella. (Hooray, Dear Stella!)


I love the chevron pattern for these fabrics--it's collegiate and preppy and still cool (I hope!).
 
I went for a "use it up" back and put some of my extra yardage to use.

 
It's all bound up on the Nautical Stripe, also from Anchors Away.

 
Yes, I was a bit concerned that my little helper might push this quilt into the drink, but he was able to resist the temptation!
 

I'm really happy with the way this turned out, and I'm excited to give it to our neighbor! Hop over to Amy's to check out the entries!

WIP Wednesday

I skipped out on WIP Wednesday last week, but I'm back today with more WIP goodness.



Finished:

Echo quilt. Done and gifted.

Sew Beautiful Bee Block for Angela:

Angela sent us her charms from Hawaii and some coordinates to make these pineapple log cabin blocks. Very fun to make. (Tutorial here.)

do. Good Stitches Blocks for Naomi:

It's Naomi's month, and she asked us to make orange and pink blocks using the Positively Perfect tutorial from Moda Bake Shop.

Sleeping Bag for Sonic

Luke's friend had a birthday this week, so I put together a little sleeping bag to go with his stuffed toy (Three Bears sleeping bag pattern from Flossie Teacakes). I think this is my new go-to birthday gift.

Orange/Navy chevron quilt
In the dryer! I'll be showing some finished pictures during the Bloggers' Quilt Festival.

In progress
Arcadia quilt

The top is finished (using Elizabeth's Bella Patchwork pattern) and awaiting backing and quilting.

Completed tops awaiting quilting:
Postage Stamp quilt
Orange/navy chevron

To do:
Half Moon Modern quilt
Block for Angela
do. Good Stitches May
Swoon
teddy bear sleeping bags
Tracey's French Kisses

Head to Lee's to see what everyone else is working on!

Bella Patchwork in Arcadia!

Elizabeth/Don't Call Me Betsy has released a new pattern, Bella Patchwork. I was excited to test this pattern for her. It's charm pack friendly, so I put to use some charms from one of my all-time favorite lines, Arcadia.
 
Arcadia is one of my first fabric loves, and I never got my hands on very much of it (I used most of it to make this quilt), but it still holds a special place in my full-of-fabric heart. Elizabeth's pattern is perfect for showcasing a favorite line. She gives a few different layout options (as well as some handy sizing options), and her instructions are clear and precise.
In addition to the Arcadia charms, I used some Kona solids (Sable, Sage, and Zucchini) and the orange spotted stones print from Del Hi by Valori Wells.
I was thrilled to put to use some of my Arcadia honey bun strips. I bought a honey bun of Arcadia early in my sewing career and before I realized that they are, shall we say, not the most practical cut of fabric. So excited to work them into this quilt! I have quite a few strips left, and I'll try to use them up on the quilt back. (I snuck in a few Pearl Bracelets too.)


Elizabeth's pattern is available in her pattern shop or on Craftsy. Grab a charm pack and head over there!


Arcadia is definitely My Precious, so I'm linking up to Kelly's My Precious Quilt-Along! Kelly is encouraging people to cut into their treasured fabrics, and she has created quite a following! If this brings to mind quilters huddled in corners stroking their out-of-print fabrics like Gollum, I'd say you're just about right.

Echo-fabulous

I'm back! I finished my Echo quilt and had a few minutes before work to take a few pictures.


It was a quick and simple quilt, and I think it fits my friend's style.



Echo is getting a little hard to find, so I used half-yards of the blue prints and fat quarters of some coordinating Konas (Ash, Candy Green, Nightfall, Glacier, Sage, and Aqua). I found the Echo-inspired Konas at Sew Fresh Fabrics.  I cut all of them into 9-inch squares, which seemed to work well with the big prints.



I quilted in random diagonal lines and used this brown Echo print for the binding.

I used another Echo print for the back, and I used up my Echo scraps to fill the "I didn't buy enough fabric" void. I think it worked out well! I used almost every scrap of Echo for this quilt, which makes me both happy and sad.

 

I think it worked out well! I used almost every scrap of Echo for this quilt, which makes me both happy and sad. I gave it to my friend today (it's a wedding gift), and she really seemed to love it.

Gratuitous fabric purchase

I've been trying not to buy any fabric unless I have a specific purpose for it...but I knew I was going to break that goal once I saw the new Happy Drawing line by Ed Emberley. See, I have fond memories of this book from my childhood, so the fabric has a nostalgic feel for me.


The line has a really fun panel.


And the squiggles are just cool.

I know I have some baby gifts to make in the near future, and Luke is eying the dragon print, so I'm sure I'll put it to good use. Have I sufficiently justified my purchase?

(I got mine from Hawthorne Threads, but it looks like some prints are out of stock already. The Fabricworm newsletter said they're taking preorders.)

Echo! (echo...echo...echo)

I wanted to make quilt as a gift for a friend, who happens to be one of the most stylish people I know. I wanted something modern, and Echo quickly came to mind. (I think it's been on my mind because I've been drooling over the previews of Lotta Jansdotter's new line, Bella.) I paired some of the blue prints from Echo with a handy Echo-inspired Kona bundle from Sew Fresh Fabrics. Easy!

My favorite Echo quilts (like this one from Ashley and this one from Kelly) are simple patchwork. I followed suit and cut the fabrics into 9-inch squares, keeping the prints big and beautiful.



The Konas are Sage, Nightfall, Ash, Aqua, Candy Green, and Glacier.
Thoughts on quilting this mama? I'm hoping to baste it tonight. I'm looking for something fairly quick and not fussy. Maybe random diagonal lines?

WIP Wednesday

Welcome to the first WIP Wednesday of May! Can it be? Yes, it can.



Finished:
Easy Going Modern/Football Style

Done! Hooray! I have a few days before I need to get this in the mail.

Sew Beautiful Bee Block for Brooke:

Brooke had us make gradated color blocks using the Mod Mosaic tutorial from Oh Fransson. Can't wait to see this one put together!

do. Good Stitches Blocks for Michelle:

Michelle asked for wonky asterisk blocks using her tutorial. So fun!

In progress
Arcadia quilt

That's right, I started something new this week using my precious Arcadia. More soon.

Echo quilt

Der. Need to get crackin on this one. The pile of fabric is lovely but not so practical in its current state.


Completed tops awaiting quilting:
Postage Stamp quilt
Orange/navy chevron

To do:
Half Moon Modern quilt
Block for Angela
do. Good Stitches May
Swoon
teddy bear sleeping bags
Tracey's French Kisses

Head to Lee's to see what everyone else is working on!