Round Robin Rooster

I'm so happy the day has finally arrived to reveal the Round Robin guild quilt to the world! Introducing the Round Robin Rooster.

Isn't that awesome? Measuring 55" x 66", it makes a nice lap quilt to snuggle under, plus it uses up a majority of those chicken fabrics. What large pieces remained were used on the back,

which is a really soft green, though it doesn't look like it in the picture.

Started last June, we worked on each other's quilt for the next six months, and had our big reveal at Monday's guild meeting. Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of the others, nor did I get a good look at them. Funny how that happens!

Didn't the green row accent the rooster's tail nicely? Thanks to Sarah of Sarah Goer Quilts for that! 

That row was the inspiration for the green binding choice, creating repetition, one of my go-to design elements. Also, thanks to Suzanne, Cherese, and Callista for their contributions to make this quilt special.

Quilted with the Paperchase pantograph, it's close to chicken wire without all the fuss.

Look at all of those deep fold lines in this quilt for having to wait so long to show but now it's on the sofa for night-time TV watching.

If you get the chance to join a round robin - do it! It can be challenging, but also lot's of fun! Or challenge yourself, like I did with my own round robin rooster quilt, Who Rules the Roost? 

And remember, just have fun with it!
Happy Quilting!

Hexie Progress

With numerous blogging commitments lately, I'm finally able to share about our long, 18 hour plane rides, perfect for making some progress on those hexies. Certainly that's enough time for a lot of hexie basting, but I only got through 9 flowers worth. Eating, sleeping, and movie watching occupied most of my time. 

Notice in the picture above the orderly storage after basting, the hotel sewing kit for using up thread in basting, and the dental floss container for cutting thread cause I didn't want to risk losing scissors to airport security again. And sandwiched in between two cardboard pieces are the fabric squares to prevent wrinkling.

My original hexie flower idea has two values, but my fabric choices may be too far apart in value. They look a bit dotted.

Hubby suggested this version, which is quite nice. Notice no yellow centers. Combined with a darker yellow, I'd have  another flower color to use in the quilt.  

Which flower idea do you prefer? I guess I'll decide once I come up with an actual setting for these flowers, ie, a quilt plan. Nothing like starting a project without a plan!

So, where did we go on such a long flight? Chiang Mai, Thailand, braving the coronavirus outbreak with masks, hand sanitizer, and anti-bacterial wipes. Days before, we were on the fence as to whether to cancel or not, mostly over concerns of getting back, as neither of us wanted a quarantine. 

But there were no issues at all, we're both fine, and had a wonderful time! The crowds were low, and I'm not sure how anyone could be sick in 95 degree heat, but I guess it's possible. Here's highlights from our trip:

the Flower Festival, full of beautiful floats,

the parade queen and her court,

beautiful costumes,

especially these flowers.

And believe it or not, these are carved watermelons found on one of the floats. Just amazing!

Here's the scooter we rented

to get out of town for a hike,

and to play in the limestone created Sticky Waterfalls.

We also checked out a butterfly house,

and an orchid farm.

Then spent 6 hours touring around the lovely Royal Park Rajapruek,

where they had a greenhouse full of orchids!

We also saw some traditional Thai dancing, especially the Fingernail Dance,

and took two Thai cooking classes, Tom Yum Thai, and Thai Akha. Both were excellent and delicious!

Then we collapsed each night at our hotel, Yaang Come Village, a jungle oasis in the heart of a big city - heaven!

So for now, those hexies are on hold till the next trip in a few months - still more to come.
Happy Quilting!

Harlow Runner

Welcome to my day of the Color It Red blog hop, hosted by Carol of Just Let Me Quilt. My creation is Harlow, a super simple table runner.

This runner is so easy to put together, any beginner could do it. And it's a quick project too - make it up in a day, in any colorway!

Measuring 12" x 29" with 5 square-in-a-square blocks, the Harlow runner can easily be made longer with the addition of more blocks. Want it 40" long? Just add two more columns of blocks - how easy is that?

How about Harlow in something other than red, perhaps yellow for spring?

Or maybe a patriotic prints?

Or fun Halloween fabrics? 

So many possibilities! I have a feeling I'll be making the Harlow runner again this year.

The Harlow pattern includes all the yardage, diagrams, and instructions for two sizes, plus tips and tricks for binding 45 degree corners (it's easier than you think!).

Happy Quilting!

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Happy Valentine's Day!

Today is the day of love and hearts - Happy Valentine's Day! 

Back in January, I shared a post full of free heart patterns from multiple designers, and now it's time for a free heart block from me - an outlined heart. This heart block has an unfinished size of 9" x 12 1/2", and uses the stitch 'n flip method, suitable for confident beginners - let's get started!

Materials for 1 block
1 fat quarter each of red, background, and outline fabric

Cutting for 1 block
Cut the following, labeling each piece.

Outline Fabric:

OA    1 (one) 7″ x 7″ square

OB    2 (two) 2″ x 3¹/₂″ rectangles

OC    2 (two) 2″ x 2″ squares

OD    2 (two) 1¹/₂″ x 6¹/₂″ rectangles

Background:

BA    1 (one) 7″ x 7″ square

BB    2 (two) 1¹/₂″ x 1¹/₂″ squares

BC    2 (two) 3″ x 3″ squares

Red:

HA   1 (one) 5″ x 5″ square

HB    2 (two) 2″ x 5″ rectangles

Block Construction

Make the lower hearts

Mark a diagonal on each 7″ x 7″ background square (BA) and each red 5″ x 5″ square (HA).

Place BA and OA right sides together, stitch a scant ¹/₄″ on each side of the diagonal line. Cut on line for two HST’s. Trim to 6¹/₂″ x 6¹/₂″. Press.

Place marked HA's on top of OA's, stitch on the line. Trim excess. Press.

Make upper heart units

Mark diagonal lines on 2 (two) outline 2″ x 2″ squares OC.

Place on ends of 2 (two) red 2″ x 5″ rectangles (HB) stitch on line. Trim excess, press to HB.

Lay outline fabric 2″ x 3¹/₂″ rectangles (OB) on the other end of each unit, drawing a diagonal line on each as shown. Stitch on line. Trim excess, press.

Make upper outline units

Mark diagonal lines on 2 (two) background 1¹/₂″ x 1¹/₂″ squares (BB). Place on ends of 2 (two) outline 1¹/₂″ x 6¹/₂″ rectangles (OD), as shown. Stitch on line. Trim excess, press.

Stitch upper heart units to lower heart units, nesting seams, and matching any others. Press seam open.

Add upper outline units to top, pressing seam open.

Stitch both heart halves together, press seam open.

Mark diagonal lines on each 3″ x 3″ background square BC.

Place on upper corners over OB and OD. Stitch on the line. Trim and press for final block.

Need more hearts? How about a parade of my Valentine quilt patterns, available in my Etsy shop. 

The newest addition, Wrap Up Some Love, is full of hearts and adorable kitties. It's my current favorite to snuggle under!

The rest of the list includes table runners:
Love Match, with it's striking red, black, and white theme

Love Abounds, full of beautiful interlocking applique hearts in two versions: 
as outlines

or filled in

Sweetheart table runner, an easy pieced and scrappy runner

and the Heart to Heart table runner of stacked hearts, with matching place mats.

With all these hearts, I'm wishing you a Happy Valentine's Day!

Thanks for following!