Category Archives: block pattern

Scrappy Finish

Posted on October 11, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Another Scrappy Finish and soon to be another quilt to go to Hospice! I began piecing this quite some time ago and a few blocks sat on the design wall for much too long. In a moment of boredom, a few more blocks were added. Finally, last week, I got a bit annoyed with myself for having let it go for so long, so…I sewed!

I really got into it and by the end of the day all the blocks were together, a pieced border added, and it was a flimsy. was just the sewing therapy I needed. It now hangs with several other to be quilted tops, a few which are also for Hospice.

Just waiting for the urge to quilt to strike!

6 Comments

Posted in block pattern, charity quilts, Color, Hospice Quilts, Projects, Quilting, Scraps and tagged Hospice quilt, scrap quilt. Bookmark the permalink.

Playful

Posted on August 23, 2020 by heARTs Creations

My quilting journey began somewhere around 2006 to 2007. I purchased a magazine, “Quilt It, Two Block Quilts” and immediately loved two of the quilts. The first is in the back of my quilting closet, partially quilted. Each time I take it out thinking I’ll finish it, I’m reminded that I don’t care for it very much. I also remind myself that a fair amount of work went into it, especially as a beginner, and that I should finish it so I can donate it.

The second pattern was for “Baby Love.” In 2018 I finally got around to pulling various fun fabrics and copying the paper piecing patterns. In December of that year I worked on some of the blocks while retreating with a few quilty friends. Can you guess? The project box just sat on the shelf until earlier this year. Somehow I was motivated to get it together. I did, however, simplify and modify the pattern some. I didn’t use all the NY Beauty blocks. They’re in the orphan quilt box waiting for lightening to hit me with a brilliant plan!

Funny how after sitting for so long, I was super motivated and quickly got the top put together. Some weeks ago I pulled the top from my hangar of “flimsies,” found a batting and used a gray fleece for the backing.

Oh how I love having another finish. And where is this quilt headed? To play with the other baby quilts I have waiting for some unknown future arrival. Now I call that being prepared!”

Linking: N&TT Whoop Whoop

11 Comments

Posted in block pattern, Color, Fabric, Modern Quilting, Projects, Quilting and tagged projects, Quilting, Scraps. Bookmark the permalink.

On the Design Wall

Posted on August 16, 2020 by heARTs Creations

quarter block

Scraps, scraps, scraps. A container full of one and one half inch scrap strips! There is also a bin of polka dots that has been waiting to be used. The blocks are quarter log cabins with the centers made up of four patches of polka dots.

This option for arranging the blocks just didn’t work for me.

I’ve arranged the quarter log cabins several ways and putting four together for one full log cabin block was most pleasing to me.

For now, this is my layout choice.

There’s a long way to go. I’m now piecing more four patches. Adding the strips goes fairly quickly and is fun sewing.

Lots and lots of strips to choose from!

I’ve been doing a lot of organizing and although I don’t feel as though I’ve been sewing that much, I have really been quite productive. Hmmm. Maybe it’s because I’m not going anywhere during quarantine?!

How about you – how have you been using your time?

Fly Geese, Fly!

Posted on July 18, 2020 by heARTs Creations

So many cut off corners from my Tula Strings quilt just begging to be used for their own quilt. I have been wanting to do a quilt of all flying geese for some time – perfect opportunity! First, there was all the trimming of the triangles. The adding of the solids was done while at a sew-in with friends – it took forever! The final trimming of the blocks seemed to take more than forever. There was a lot of arranging on the design wall, rearranging, and yes, rearranging some more. The blocks occupied the design wall for at least a couple of weeks.

Then there was the sewing. Oh so much sewing! Each section I placed back on the design wall did get me excited. All in all, it did not take nearly as long as it seemed and the best part? I’m very pleased with the result!

There were some of the flying geese leftover and they were NOT going into the orphan block container. The backing was the best place for them and it made for a more interesting backing.

Quilted, Bound, Done – Yeah!

Links: Main Crush Monday Monday Making

NTT

16 Comments

Posted in block pattern, Color, Fabric, Modern Quilting, Projects, Quilt Setting, Quilting and tagged Color, projects, Quilting. Bookmark the permalink.

The Making of Tula Strings

Posted on July 5, 2020 by heARTs Creations

There have been questions regarding how I made the Tula Strings blocks and border. Unfortunately, I’m not very good at keeping notes and drawings, so I will do my best to recreate the pattern. First, I laid out the various colors of shot cottons from my stash, then pulled out coordinating Tula prints. One and one half inch strips were cut – solids and prints.

The strips were paper pieced onto a 10 1/2″ square of paper, beginning with a solid strip in the center. Was the paper necessary? For me it was because the shot cottons definitely lend themselves to wonky sewn strips. And there was starch – quite a bit of starch! It was also pleasing that when pieced, the seams matched pretty darn close to perfect!

Tula base

A 6 1/2″ inch square was then cut on point from each block of strips.

After much arranging and sewing together the blocks, a border was most definitely needed. The leftover corners were cut into triangles, then solids added to make flying geese.

Tula Strings was now a quilt!

The prints are all out of print Tula Pink and a few were used in more than one colorway.

Tula Prings

There were many, many triangle cuts that have been made into a quilt. Stay tuned for an upcoming post!

1 Comment

Posted in Art, block pattern, Color, Fabric, Modern Quilting, Projects, Quilt Setting, Quilting, Stash and tagged Color, Patterns, projects, Shot Cottons, Tula Pink Fabric. Bookmark the permalink.

Happy New Home Quilt

Posted on June 7, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Whew! The past two weeks have been mostly spent outdoors – in the garden and doing some much needed power washing. The temps had not yet reached the 80’s so it was perfect. Now I’m out there by 7 AM and in by 10 AM. It’s hot, humid and icky for outside work! I am, however, enjoying the fruits of my labor. Thanks to excellent spring rains, all is lush and there’s some pretty color.

I did manage to come inside to bind a quilt that I recently got back from my longarmer. My cousin from Long Island, New York, and her hubby, looked far and wide for their forever retirement home. They chose NC just 20 minutes from me! They are in a retirement community and love their choice and I am just so happy for them. What better way to welcome them than with a quilt.

It is super scrappy! Even the binding is scrappy. They can put this quilt anywhere and it will go with their colors! The blocks were string sewn into squares then cut for half square triangles. Having used them in the border, I was left with only bits which makes me very happy!

There are a couple of more bindings waiting for me. I do love finishes!

Linking up: Needle Thread Thursday

10 Comments

Posted in block pattern, Color, Projects, Quilt Setting, Quilting, Scraps, Stash and tagged Color, projects, Quilting, Scraps. Bookmark the permalink.

Floating Stars

Posted on May 17, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Stars

My quilt guild makes patriotic quilts for returning vets. Much like Quilts of Valor, they are done in red, white and blue and many feature star blocks. With what fabric I had left of those colors, I made 15 floating star blocks that will be given to the guild member in charge of the patriotic quilts. At some point, at a workshop, these blocks will be incorporated into a quilt for a vet.

cut offs

When making these blocks, there are leftover cuts. After some playing, I put them together to make this cute mini. I don’t have a red, white and blue quilt of my own, so I decided a mini would be perfect to put out on a table in July. And here it is – my little mini. Pieced, quilted and bound in one day – Woo Hoo!! I love the blocks and how they went together!

IMG_2050 (Edited)

It has been a beautiful spring here in the Piedmont of NC – sun, rain, and not too hot. Much of my time is being spent in the garden, so….I will be taking a break for a couple of weeks and am looking forward to returning with lots of quilting excitement!

One Blue, One Green

Posted on May 10, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Happy Mother’s Day! For all mothers, I hope your day is blessed with pampering. For all, may sweet memories of your mother fill your day. Thanks to hubby for starting my day with a yummy breakfast. Cooking a full breakfast is so out of his comfort zone – a true act of love!

Hospice blue

Two more Hospice quilts have been put together and quilted. I have really been on a roll with these and it feels so good. The blocks for this blue quilt were pieced at a retreat. I then pieced the blocks. My friend Laurie took the flimsy home and quilted it (thank you, thank you!) I then put on the binding and voila! A group effort and another quilt that will be headed to give someone warmth and comfort.

Hospice Blue 2

Number two is this green quilt. I did all the piecing on this one and then the quilting and binding. It’s a bright and cheery quilt and I do hope it will bring a smile to its recipient.

Hospice Green Hospice Green 2

It feels so good to have several Hospice quilts done and ready for donation in the fall. I hope you have been finding joy with your efforts!

1 Comment

Posted in block pattern, charity quilts, Color, Hospice Quilts, Projects, Quilting and tagged Charity, Color, projects, Quilting. Bookmark the permalink.

Hawaiian Strings – The Flimsy

Posted on May 3, 2020 by heARTs Creations

Hawaiian String

String quilts – I love doing them! They’re pretty easy, quick and so satisfying. When I look at each individual block as I’m sewing and pressing, there doesn’t seem to be much to them. But…once all put together – wonderful!

A friend recently shared some Hawaiian shirt leftovers from memory quilts she made. Cutting strips maximized the amount of the fabric I could use. I pulled a few batik scraps, using a neutral as the center strip for each block. The flimsy was completed in just two days! Such a great way to take a break from other projects that take more precision and thinking. This now hangs on my “flimsy hangar” to be quilted most likely this fall. Such good therapy!

I’ve redone my Works in Progress chart for 2020. Separating out actual works in progress from quilt tops to be quilted has helped me to have a better grasp on where I’m at. Also, instead of listing each Hospice quilt individually, I’ve grouped them, especially since some were donated.

Getting the four quilted quilts bound will be such a bonus. It is my primary May goal – wish me luck!

Works in Progress April

Link-ups: Main Crush Monday Monday Making Needle & Thread Thursday

Wednesday Wait Loss

8 Comments

Posted in block pattern, charity quilts, Hospice Quilts, Modern Quilting, Projects, Quilting and tagged Charity, projects, Quilting. Bookmark the permalink.

A Triple Bonus

Posted on April 26, 2020 by heARTs Creations

3 quilts

A friend of mine who also happens to be an amazing quilter, will be soon moving to another part of the state. She will be sorely missed, but we will still be bound by friendship and our passion for quilting. As part of her move, she did a cleanout! Look what came to live here until Hospice donation time:

This leaf deer head is so full of life – sure to give comfort to a patient and their loved ones.

Deer

This picnic quilt screams “Fun!” My hubby got a kick out of the watermelon fabric and especially the picnic ants!

picnic quilt

All the work that went into this sampler – oh my! This quilt will definitely take the chills away.

sampler

There were also two other bags full of goodies – one for our quilt guild’s Habitat donations and another for Patriotic quilts.

A heart full of thanks to Laurie. Best wishes in your new home. You will be missed!

5 Comments

Posted in block pattern, charity quilts, Hospice Quilts, Projects, Quilting, Sampler and tagged Charity, projects, Quilting. Bookmark the permalink.

heARTS Creations