Tag Archives: blue

Karen Brown Stashbuster #2

In keeping with my desire to clear out some stash, I decided to try Karen Brown’s Stashbuster #2 pattern.

Karen calls it beginner and fat quarter friendly, easy, and fast.

She is right!

I cut the fabrics and made myself a kit over a month ago, so that I could just sew when I was ready for a simple project.

Karen Brown Stashbuster #2

*Clicking on a photo will give you a closer look!

The weather has been gray for days and I could stay home, so I decided that I was ready.

This makes a nice baby sized quilt. It could also be a table topper, and makes a great charity project as well!

Karen Brown Stashbuster #2

This winter, I just might cut some more kits from a couple of Karen’s Stashbuster patterns!

Have fun and carry on!

Jessica’s Patriotic Quilt Final Update

I have procrastinated so much, simply because I just could not come to a decision on how to quilt this quilt!

To recap: I first posted about this quilt in December 2021. Way back, when my little girl really was a little girl, she wanted to make a patriotic quilt. Together, we designed and chose the fabrics, and then she cut and pieced. And then it sat for a very long time. A lot of life happened.

My not so little girl finished the applique in early 2021 (Or was it 2020?) and sent the quilt to me. I was supposed to quilt it.

We haven’t been in any hurry up to this point, so why hurry now?

Thus…procrastination.

I finally got around to pin basting by December 2021.

Jessica's Patriot

My goal in February 2022 was to get the stitch-in-the-ditch quilting done.

Jessica's Patriot

By the end of March 2022, I had finished the SITD quilting.

More procrastination.

In January 2023, I made up my mind to get this thing done!

By January 16, I had a plan for some of the blocks and set to work making stencils and machine quilting the pieced blocks.

Jessica’s Patriot

More life, and more procrastination (Are you getting a theme here?).

What to do with the appliqued blocks?

Jessica’s Patriot

Jessica’s Patriot

I am happy to say that I came up with a plan and I have my part finished!

Jessica’s Patriot

Jessica’s Patriot

I find it difficult to photograph black thread on black fabric.

But I think I took enough photos so that you get the general idea.

Jessica’s Patriot

I had to work out some tension issues.

Jessica’s Patriot

Jessica’s Patriot

Disaster struck when I washed out my chalk marks.

Jessica’s Patriot

My daughter and I are pretty sure that back in the day, we washed all of these fabrics before using them.

Jessica’s Patriot

But, doggone, if a red and the black didn’t bleed profusely and turn most of the light areas a plum color!

Jessica’s Patriot

Jessica’s Patriot

I have managed to get most of that bleeding out. What’s left doesn’t really look all that bad.

My daughter has a tub that she can soak it in, so she can circulate Dawn soap and water around much better than I can with my washing machine. She will try to rinse the rest of the bleeding color out.

I think it is okay if she can’t.

Jessica’s Patriot

Jessica’s Patriot

The quilt needs to be bound, and Jessica will do that.

The quilt will live with her.

Quilt On!

Jessica’s Patriotic Quilt

When my daughter, Jessica, was a young girl, she and I designed a patriotic quilt for her to sew. She chose her fabrics, and she cut and pieced all of the blocks.

Jessica's Patriot

Now those blank squares were not meant to be blank. Jessica wanted to fill them with appliqued American symbols.

She found symbols in coloring pages and other places and applique proceeded slowly.

Very slowly.

A lot of life has happened, including courtship, marriage, and three children. She is becoming an accomplished photographer with her own website.

A move across the country motivated Jessica to dig into her UFOs and pull out this patriotic project to finish.

Jessica's Patriot

Now the flimsy is back in my house. I have the honor to quilt it for my daughter.

I have it pin basted and ready for quilting.

Jessica's Patriot

This will be one of those New Year’s resolutions.

Or maybe I will wait until she moves back to my side of the country.

Quilt On!