February UFO & WIP Challenge link up
Hey everyone! It’s the last Sunday of the month and time to link up your February UFO & WIP Challenge project! I hope you were able to cross something of your ” quilting to do” list this month. If you’re new to my blog, you can find links to all of the details of my 2019 UFO & WIP Challenge here.
Like all good challenges, there is a dangling carrot to motivate you out there. If you add a photo of your finished project to the link up at the end of this blog post, you’ll be automatically entered into the giveaway. Update: now closed. This month’s prize is sponsored by Jacquelynne Steves, and she is giving away a box of her favorite Aurifil Thread Floss (a $45 value!) to one lucky winner. Jacquelynne is one of the most generous quilt designers I know. Her website is FULL of inspiration, free patterns and video tutorials, and her yearly, free block of the month program is always a favorite.
As for me, I finished one Sew Happy Mini Quilt! And I am sew happy, wouldn’t you know? I’ve already received requests for more details and a pattern for this mini quilt. I think I’ll work on that very soon! For now, I’ll show you a few pictures, but I’d like to leave the construction details for a future blog post.
What I love about this quilt is the contrast between the Essex Linen yarn-dyed black fabric and the beautiful, saturated prints I’ve collected from Alison Glass for Andover Fabrics. Even the back is fun to look at! And I love my quilt labels from Dutch Label Shop.
What I don’t like about this quilt is the rainbow stripe binding fabric. It was a mistake because it competes too much with the quilt top. My eye doesn’t know where to look first. But, it’s done and the lesson has been learned. It’s still a keeper!
Some of the details I enjoy are the big stitch quilting using different colors of variegated floss. The embroidery floss was left over from a kit, so I don’t know what brand it is. I stitched along the horizontal sashing, the border and the applique. I’m a total novice at this type of quilting, if you couldn’t tell already.
I love how the applique turned out. I used a small zig zag stitch and matching thread colors (Magnifico from Superior Threads). To make the letters, I used Microsoft Publisher (Word would also work) and played with different fonts. I guessed on the size and got really lucky. The first try was a perfect fit. The letters need to be reversed if you’re using a fusible applique technique. I just traced the letters on the back side of the paper as I held it up to the window.
I also enjoyed working in a small scale. Each block finishes at 3″. Some of those squares are just 1/2″! To get a visual, I placed my Olfa rotary cutter next to the quilt blocks. Now you can really see the size proportions.
The finished size of my Sew Happy Mini Quilt is 18 1/2″ x 17″. It already looks great in my sewing room – if I could just figure out where to put that ladder.
February UFO & WIP Challenge Link Up
Update: This giveaway is now closed.
Now it’s your turn to show off your finished project. Remember, you don’t need to have a blog to participate. (Note: 7 am PST – I just updated the link-up tool so it will work without needing a URL.) After clicking on the blue “Add your link” button, you can upload a photo using the “upload” tab. If you have any trouble, just leave a comment or send me an email with your photo attached. I can add it for you.
Link-up Rules:
- You may add up to 2 finished projects.
- One image per finished project.
- Project must be quilting, sewing or needlework related.
- The link-up will be open until
March 2, 2019, at midnight, PST.CLOSED - This month’s giveaway is open to USA or Canada, however, anyone can join the link-up. If a winner is chosen that is international, then another number will be picked until it meets the criteria.
- Winner will be drawn at random on March 3, 2019
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Your mini is awesome! I love the tiny piecing and the essex linen. Those triangles are so small and still so accurate!
Wow, this is stunning, Julie!!!! And I can’t believe how tiny those blocks are! The colors are amazing. The hand stitching with the floss looks really nice. At first I disagreed with you about the binding (I love a bright binding) but even though I now agree with you, I still think this is absolutely beautiful. The backing fabric is great as well. What a perfect mini and sentiment for a sewing space!!
First time I’ve tried uploading. I just finished quilting and binding a project from 2001. I barely remember it- but I recognize my fabrics. Hope I did it right. Barb in CA
Love your little quilt including the binding! You always do the cutest projects.
I don’t know if I am asking this the right way, but how close together were your zigzag stitches? I need to sew around some abc letters that have some very narrow parts and I feel that a zigzag satin stitch would be too much. The satin stitch is what I usually use. Thank you!
Julie, you always do such a great job with the projects you show us! I would have a hard time picking a favorite!
Keep it up!
Diane in TN
Thanks for all you do – particularly, encouraging quilters to finish projects by example. What a great way to start the new year!
I hope you can help me attach photos to the contest link – mine were noted as being too big, and I sent you an e-mail about that on Sun 2/24.
Love the mini quilt!!! Can’t wait to see the tutorials for it!
I just LOVE your little mini Julie!! It turned out great. I see what you mean with the busyness of the rainbow binding, but I think it does work with the grey background on it. LOVE those little tiny blocks! That just does make a person happy :-).
With all due respect Julie, I have to disagree with you about the binding. The grey background prevents it from overpowering your design. I think it complements the rest of the quilt beautifully.
Julie, I love your quilt.I especially love the detail of the applique and big stitch quilting! I’m sorry the picture of my Halloween house etui was cut off on the top. I’m so happy to have it done, though. This has been a UFO for years. Thanks for the motivation to get it done. 🙂 Therese
I love the charcoal background and the backing is perfect. It’s a beautiful little quilt.
I love the border and think it complements the mini quilt beautifully!
I just love all those tiny blocks! Their color really pops against the woven dark background. I also really like the binding. It caught my eye in a good sort of way.
I am certainly no expert, but i absolutely LOVE the quilt and one of my FAVORITE parts is the binding! To me it is the perfect finish in that it combines all the bright colors and contrasts with the background beautifully. I can’t even imagine what could have been a better binding. This has inspired me so much to use something other than white or ecru, etc. as a background, as well. I am still a beginner and everything is in my brain and not begun and certainly not finished. I am also much older as a beginner and I love your site! Thanks for the inspirations!
I didn’t notice the binding until you pointed it out and I had to go back and look to see what you were talking about. It did not jump out at me and I think it actually blends rather well… takes your eye from the center out to the edges.
Hell Julie, Your quilt has turned out magnificently! I really love the border fabric you chose. I have been pretty much null and void in posting this month on my blog, but will make sure and get my post for the link. Thank you for sharing and have a fantastic day!
Julie, the quilt is so, so beautiful. I have to share with you that I feel the binding is beautiful with the rest of the quilt. For me, it works. I’m sure I’m not the only one who looks forward to seeing the pattern whenever you post it.
For the 1st time since I began following you, I will have to respectfully disagree about the binding. I think it’s wonderful. Bright and cheerful like the block and the letters. In my mind if you had used something subtle it would not have framed the piece. But in the end – you are the artist.
I am loving the big stitching. You have inspired me. To do some big stitching on one of my projects. Love love .the mini quilt I also would love a pattern. Have a great day!
love those little bitty pieces! I finally finished my Good Fortune mystery quilt – almost 3 months in the making but it is ready to be quilted
What a fun, happy little quilt! I do hope you create a pattern for this.
Such a little beauty! Would you share what font you use for your signature?
Sure! It’s called Isabella Script. I’m not sure if it’s a free font or not. It was part of a blog design package.
I disagree with you. I like the binding. Very pretty little quilt.
I do love the colors on this mini quilt. I hope your renovations are progressing smoothly.
Your mini quilt was a challenge for sure! I love the hand stitching around the letters especially.
I’m having trouble uploading my photo. It won’t save without a URL. Thanks for helping me!
Try it again, Caren. It should be fixed now. Sorry about that!
I love this mini! The grey background really makes the bright colours in the blocks pop! Your hand quilting is a beautiful touch.
Wow Julie! I love, love, love it, especially the binding!! It is just the perfect colors to finish this happy little quilt. The backing is so pretty to. Thank you the info on how to get the letters to print and to reverse them for the quilt. You did an exceptional with choosing the colors, the tiny sizes and the blocks are are beautiful. Great job!
I think your mini is perfectly gorgeous!
-Jean ❤
Great job! Agree the binding a little much but sure is cheery.