Categories
quilting scraps

Flower Power

This week I am trying my best to finish a quilt camp flower challenge project. I showed the huge rose covered center of the quilt in a previous post. It will add to the suspense and mystery if I do not repost that picture today.

I will be adding these three dimensional flowers to the outside border.

I made the petals using a clover device:

This is incredibly easy to use. I wish I could invent a simple gadget like this.

I also used a clover yo-yo maker:

Both of these products are available on Amazon and a variety of other fabric / craft stores.

What are you working on this week?

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
quilting scraps thrifting/ yard sale

Weekend Treasures

I found many goodies this weekend. Let me share a few of them with you:

This book is interesting for a variety of reasons. I always look at all of the pictures first. Then I start to read patterns, like they are a story. I know this is weird, but true. The measurements are written in inches and centimeters….hmmm. Wadding? What? That must be batting. Sometimes the fabrics aren’t cotton…Use silk for the yellow blocks? Then I looked for the copyright…London, Australia, New Zealand in 2002. Ah, ha! That explains it! I have many quilt books, but none from so far away.

49 cents at local thrift store…from 2008

This has a couple of nice star quilts that will make great patriotic themed quilts. Much better price than the original one!

Fabric! In a free bucket!

All this for a dollar! A yard and a half of Nightmare Before Christmas fabric, seven uncut fat quarters, four uncut handkerchiefs, and some other scraps. Score!

On Saturday we found organizers and kitchen treasures. Nothing that I can share…Some of them are surprises for other people who love treasure, too!

What treasures have you found recently?

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
quilting scraps sewing

Coxey’s Camp blocks

I started these six inch blocks last summer. It takes a little while to make 256 blocks…just a little while. They are made from scraps, scraps, and more scraps. Each block has 17 pieces. That is a lot of little scraps. You can do the math.

Here is the heap of completed blocks, just waiting to be assembled:

Large stack…a small mountain, really…

I was inspired by several blocks in this book: Sampler Spree by Susan Ache. You will see more blocks in the future. (I retired from 32 years as an elementary teacher. I will have lots of time to sew…finally!) Directions are well written and easy to follow. Sometimes simple sewing is just what is needed. All the blocks in this book finish at 6 inches. I made 256 Coxey’s Camp blocks out of scraps to make a 96″ square quilt, if I don’t add any borders.

Here is a sample of a completed block:

As I worked, I stored my finished blocks in a large storage bag from the Dollar Tree. The bags come in various sizes. (L…3 to a box, XL…2 to a box, and XXL…1 to a box…it is the size of a pillow). They are heavy ply. They also have a convenient handle. They are a bargain at $1.25.

I usually assembled 20 or so blocks at a time to maintain my own sanity. I parially assemble them and press them. Small steps that can be completed in about an hour are my best work sessions. Sometimes I get called away and let all the pieces on the ironing board. (The sections for an individual block are attached so there will be no problems picking up right where I left off.)

Time for dinner…or I’ve just had enough fun for the moment!
I love little trays for blocks that are waiting for the last 2 seams to complete the them…

I am taking this block set to Quilt Camp to assemble the top in September. I have lots of other projects to work on in my retirement. What will be next?

What big project have you been working on…even if it is taking a year or so? Leave a comment.

Later,

Lorrie