Monthly Archives: September 2021

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Today was the first day of the last 100 days of 2021. Time sure flies. I've mentioned in recent blog posts that I did #99DaysofWIPs this summer, from Memorial Day to Labor day, focusing on WIPs that were started in classes. I finished three small bags, two pillow covers, and five quilts in that time. Plus progress on a handful of other projects.

Today I started #WIPsBeGone2021 with Leanne of Devoted Quilter. We're spending the last 100 days of 2021 working on WIPs (works in progress). This time I'm not limiting myself to class WIPs. And I'm aiming for larger finishes. First up is my 60" x 60" Tic Tac Toe Quilt (free block tutorial by Alyce of Blossom Heart Quilts). I have 25 blocks made for me by my old quilt bee, The Solid Seven. In August 2020 I asked them to make blocks in their choice of these Kona colors:

  • Breakers
  • Limelight
  • Lapis
  • Cabbage
  • Spruce
  • Pool
  • Blueberry
  • Cactus
  • Steel
  • Leaf
  • Spring
  • Cypress
  • Celestial
  • Nightfall

Today I took the pile out, put them up on the design wall without overthinking their placement, and started sewing them together. The first two rows of 10 blocks are all together now.

I absolutely love the interaction of the color combinations. My plan is to focus on this project until completion before I dig out my next WIP. I'm also working on a couple other things at the moment. :-)

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Four years ago this week, I took an improv piecing workshop with Karen Foster of Capitola Quilter. She taught Improv Abstraction, using two methods of improv curves, for the workshop with Bay Area Modern. In my #99DaysofWIPs this summer I focused on projects that had been started in quilt workshops such as this one.

I used the remaining solids in these two colors, Kona Pewter and Nautical, to fill in and add to the blocks I'd created in the workshop.

I added smooth curve walking foot quilting, inspired by my recent walking foot class with Jacquie Gering. I started with a smooth curve across the quilt and then echoed that curve with more walking foot quilting. On the other side of the initial curve I created two sections and similarly echoed the gentle curves to fill the space.

I'm making an effort to us fabric from my stash, so I chose a yard of grey Moda Grunge fabric from my stash for the backing and a grey and white print for my binding. I machine bound the quilt. This baby quilt finishes at approximately 29" x 29".

Me daughter assisted me for a quick photo shoot at the park. I chose the orientation of the first three blocks I pieced (in the lower right center), because they reminded me of an AT-AT from Star Wars.

Have you tried smooth curves with a walking foot?

Thanks for visiting!

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Last month, I created blocks for E. A. She asked us "to think about how it feels when someone holds space for you and allows you to be who you are in a place that is safe. Alternatively, you could think about how it feels when you hold space for someone." She asked for abstract blocks created in pairs, with no limit on colors.

These pairs of blocks were created in parallel with each other. I didn't make one block and then copy it. I made two blocks at the same time. Since they are improv you can see slight variations in angles, shapes, and sizes within the block. They each finish at around 12" square.

 

I worked intuitively with my color choices. In my first blocks I started with scrappy greens and a bold orange. This tied to having big feelings inside. I finished these blocks with light colors, emulating the calm of being able to share authentically with another person.

My second set of blocks once again features a bold color in the center. I thought of these blocks as emulating a hug. I think of pink as the color of love.