This and That

Binding is done, so time for the unveiling of This and That!

I've done pretty good over the last two months, having made three quilts from the Book of the Month(s) selection, Black & White, Bright & Bold. (affiliate link)

All three, Licorice Medley,

Tile Works, 

and This and That 

were all fun and easy to make, especially in baby quilt sizes.

For the quilting, This and That got the custom treatment. The last few quilts have been pantographs, which have worked fine on them. But this quilt just called out for something more. Channeling some Shape by Shape ideas, I quickly drew out a design on paper, then just went for it.

And in the black and white squares, 

  

a bit of 1/4 inch echo stitching defined the block, with a loop de loop fill design in the light center. No need to get super fancy here, as it can't be seen, except on the back with teal Glide thread.

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For the front, I chose Glide in silver. It's always a tough choice as to what to use on black and white quilts. A light thread, or a dark thread? Either way, one of them is going to get lost in the fabric. And a colored thread would have completely changed the look of the quilt, diminishing the black and white. Ultimately, it's a tough decision for each and every black and white quilt, more so than others, I think. Of course, one could always drive themselves completely nuts by using both, and with numerous thread changes! Maybe for a show quilt, but for an everyday? Nah.

Here's one more shot of the quilt, full on.

Measuring in at approximately 40" x 40", this quilt is one row and one column smaller than that in the book. The layout of the original, with alternating rows of 2 plain blocks and 3 plain blocks, looks better, but it still works, especially for a baby quilt. This one will stay in the quilt stash for awhile, but the other two go to their new homes on Monday.

And now it's time to get cracking on the Shadow Blocks.

Stayed tuned, as it won't be quite what you expect!

Happy Quilting!

Tile Works

Yet another finish from the July/August Book of the Month choice, Black & White, Bright & Bold (affiliate link) Introducing a baby size version of Tile Works.

Isn't it pretty??? And yes, it's Blue & White, not Black & White! Just as nice in blue, this pattern lends itself to any color. 

But why not black? Two reasons: I'm not that fond of straight black and white for a baby quilt, and hubby needed another boy quilt. So blue it is!

Once the fabric pieces were cut, the blocks were quick to put together with chain piecing. Using a tiny blue dot-on-white fabric in the blocks, I didn't have enough for sashing. No biggie, solid white was a good substitute.

Since almost all of the fabrics had stars in them, I chose a new-to-me star panto, with a pale blue Glide thread.

Just what was I thinking?? Unfortunately, this star panto is not one of my favorites. Far too many pauses for the points, and the panto was rather straight, not zig-zag for nesting. In the photo below, you can see the unquilted channel in the middle that separates the two rows of the panto.

Not the prettiest, but at least the whole design looks good on the quilt.

Now I'm eyeing another quilt from the same book, maybe This and That, though in another color as I have plenty of girl quilts! Any suggestions? Teal? Orange?

Well, while I'm off deciding that, have a great weekend quilting!

Licorice Medley

Woo-hoo! A finish! It's the baby size version of Licorice Medley, 

a pattern from the Book of the Month selection, Black & White, Bright & Bold by Kim Schaefer (affiliate link). 

And what a fast, easy block to put together, plus a great way to use up 2 1/2" squares.

For this quilt, I combined coveted Moda Grunge squares,

and black and whites from the stash,

for a beautiful, fun quilt!

Quilted with silver Glide thread, 

and one of my favorite pantos, Bluster,

the quilting is shown off beautifully on the orange flannel on back.

I love quilts that use a variety of fabrics in them! They just have so much more interest.

I'm glad I chose to continue this book for August, as I've got my eye on another pattern. Today, I'll start pulling fabrics. Hmm, don't know how far I will get given the weekend is devoted to repairing the gazebo. Just when I was having fun quilting, darn it!

Here's to a great weekend quilting for you!

August 2016 Book of the Month

Well, I still haven't made a firm decision on what I want to do with the Book of the Month feature. For August, I'm going to continue featuring the book Black and White, Bright and Bold. (affiliate link)

I'm in need of some baby boy quilts, so I'll look to see what fabric I have that will fit another quilt from this book. Still need to quilt the first one, 

Licorice Medley.

Such a great pattern to use up 2 1/2" squares!

And the scrap Christmas quilt is almost a top. Hoping to get the last two seams sewn today. Hubby and I worked like crazy this weekend, painting the living room, including the ceiling. Now it's left to me to finish the hallway over the next couple days. All of this house stuff doesn't leave much time for quilting!

Trust me, I'm jealous if you get to quilt all day. Enjoy it!