Two quilts finished!
Hooray! I have two quilts finished. More accurately put, I finished two quilts. It’s such a good feeling!
The first quilt is another version of my Ombre Love quilt pattern. This is such a great pattern for layer cakes (10″ squares), and I’d been hanging on to one of my favorites, Olive’s Flower Market by Lella Boutique for Moda Fabrics since 2017. I love the mix of colors, especially with the black added in.
I changed up the pattern just a bit by eliminating the sashing, and I stitched the hearts together into rows, instead of off-setting them. This made the quilt slightly smaller at 54″ x 69″. The blocks are the same, 9″ square.
I had one leftover block and several 10″ squares so I used those for the backing along with some large scraps from my stash. I love a scrappy backing!
The second quilt I finished could be called a COVID quilt. It was a mystery style sew along hosted by Terri of Sweet Treasures Quilts on Instagram. She called it the Kindness Project, and the idea was to make a quilt and give it to someone who could use some extra kindness during this pandemic.
This was easy to piece together and everything came from my box of blue scraps along with some yellow and red. I wanted a neutral color scheme so that I could gift it to anyone.
I loved using my stash to make this quilt. The backing is a mixture of different blue fabric; I didn’t purchase anything extra to make it. And you know I could make 20 more in each color of the rainbow and still not have to buy fabric.
I quilted this one myself since it’s not too big, 50″ x 60″. I stitched a simple circle-swirl pattern all over with light blue thread. It took me four days to quilt on my Baby Lock Crescendo. It’s not perfect, but it’s done.
I love a striped binding, and I had just enough for this one. I used my all machine binding technique to get it done quick.
I still have plenty of UFO’s to keep working on, but I also want to start something new. I’m designing a simple pattern that would be good to use for Quilts of Valor. It uses 12″ blocks and the piecing is fairly simple. This will be a free pattern that I’ll have available on my blog. I’m hoping to have it ready by the end of this month but I have other things to prioritize.
July is a busy month in The Crafty Quilter household. My oldest and youngest daughter’s birthdays are this month, and my granddaughter Amelia turns five! How did that happen? The plan is to visit them in Texas in two weeks, which is a hot mess right now. So, we’re playing it by ear to see how it goes.
I hope you’re enjoying the summer. Stay positive and thanks for visiting!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful work,nand also for the wonderful tutorials and patterns!
Your finishes are lovely! I’d think twice about traveling, period! Let alone, to Texas.
Hermosas las colchas.
saludos
Hi Julie, July is also a busy month for me, husband, twins (18) and daughter’s birthday (50). I wanted to tell you thank you for your granola recipe, I’ve made it twice and love it with yogurt. I always look forward to see your next post, your quilts and just hearing about you and family. I live in Point Reyes and when this is all over I hope to get to Livermore when you are in the shop!!
Thanks again, Carol
Love these new quilts! The ombre hearts is delightful and I agree that the black is both unusual and perfect. The back is fun too. The mystery quilt looks perfect and the quilting is terrific. I always love a striped binding. Good luck finishing your pattern – it will be a great QOV pattern.
Beautiful quilts. And quilting! ❤️
Thanks for the post of your wonderful quilts. I love using an extra quilt block on my backings, too. It seems I usually have one “goof up” that is not as pretty so I use it on the back. I love the block pieces on the backs, too. So nice that you are donating a quilt, also. They’re both lovely!
Julie, I love the backing on both of these quilts. It’s one of the best ways to use those larger leftovers and you can build on your quilt theme ——-or not. Your tips and tricks have really helped me in my quest to improve my binding. 2020 challenge!!
Hi, greetings from lockdown Argentina (105 days!!!) I love both your quilts, magnificent, I loved your quilting as well, Lucky whoever receives the COVID one, it’ll be of great comfort. Thanks for sharing. Take care.
Thanks for showing the back of your quilts. I really like that you can use scraps and it still looks good. Such a sweet heart quilt. Could be in blues for a baby boy. Thank you for your wonderful e-mails.
I like the free pattern you are working on! I have a nephew that is retiring from the Army and would like to make it for him as a retirement present.
I love seeing your finishes! Great idea for using the left over squares in the center section on the back; I will definitely be using that one! I also like the QOV idea with the long rows of sashing. It shows off the blocks so well. Thanks for sharing your talent! Kaye from Georgia
I’m looking forward to the QOV pattern!
Julie, Love your 2 finishes and hope you get to visit your family in TX in a couple weeks.. maybe everyone one both sides can quarantine for 2 weeks… we are planning for my daughter and her boyfriend to come for a visit and that is what we are doing… we are all quarantining… it will be our first in house visit time since this started for us. Good luck to you in whatever y’all decide… We are high risk if we got it so we are avoiding it hard.. you may not be! Happy Birthday to your busy household! I send a smile your way every single time I use that ruby rotary cutter too <3 Kathi
You are going to make some happy hearts with those beautiful quilts!
Love the Heart Quilt. Just not too sure of the border. But then I absolutely love the “Kindness Project Quilt” and the reasoning behind it. Would do it in a hot minute & know who I would give it to. And last but not least the QOV is totally awesome. Cannot wait for it to appear on your blog. But then, who am I kidding–that grand baby picture is to die for. Be super safe if you travel to TX—not my ideal “vacation” spot at the moment, even if that adorable grand baby is there
Julie, Your projects are always so perfect! I think your quilting looks great. Love the blue with the yellow and red.
I love the colors on your heart quilt, Julie, they are a different combo and very refreshing! Hope you are able to visit the grands.
Julie – I have friends who live in Texas basically in the middle of nowhere and they are really questioning this new mandatory mask regulation. Their town is about 200 people and they all have acreage. It would seem that every state is in the midst of change – either forwards or backwards. Certainly California is. I hope you are able to visit your family and have a great b’day(s) celebration.
Congrats on finishing two wonderful quilts, Julie! Your new design looks perfect for Quilts of Valor! 🙂
Thanks for the best tutorial on square in a square blocks! It’s working perfectly!!!
Hey, Julie I’m a quilter from way back, about 40 years. I so enjoy your blog and some of my stash probably goes back that far. Do you find newer fabrics of lesser quality? A !of of my stash was gleaned from remnant bins and thrift stores as my budget was tight. My two granddaughters, a friend and I are stitching a quarantine quilt. We each make three blocks for each participant, their pattern choice and finish our own quilt to desired size. FUN!
Love your new blue quilt – is there a pattern or tips to use up fabric scraps? Have always liked the ribbon star, but never have sewn one. Maybe now is the time for a try, but hate the thought of 8 HST per block! Might have to resort to my favorite Warm Wishes pattern. Oh well.
Cancelled my trip to TX but can still Skype… Keep safe!
Meta
I love Love LOVE your heart quilt! Gorgeous colors and design. And what a charming photo of your granddaughter. Stay healthy!
Hi Julie, Both quilts are beautiful and you did a great job with the quilting! I have too many UFO’s. I spent 4 days cleaning out my sewing room so now I can get busy! It was such a mess I couldn’t find anything. I need to clean up after myself like I told my boys all those years ago lol.
Stay safe!
Love your quilts and your upcoming pattern!
Julie, the quilts are lovely, looking forward to the new pattern. Have completed one quilt and two totes so far. Am so lucky that my grandchildren are just up the road. Please stay safe and be well.
I’ve been making quilts from my stash as well. Fun to see some of the scraps and strings made into something to comfort someone….