QUILTsocial Week - 2 1/2" squares challenge

To start my blog posts at QUILTsocial, I decided to do what most quilters do at the beginning of a new year - try and use what I have! That led to a fun challenge of incorporating all of the squares in a mini charm pack - 42, 2 1/2" squares - into some projects.

Let's see how I did!

First up is this easy to piece tablerunner - no triangles!

The PFAFF performance icon and the 2 1/2" square challenge

With no unit construction this runner goes together fast! I used the Patchwork program on the performance icon to make it even easier. 

The Patchwork Program makes quick work of chain piecing

Then it was on to quilting it and again I relied on the built in stippling stitches on the performance icon to help me get a fast finish. I love the wavy quilting and it's a perfect whimsy touch to what could otherwise be stoic rows of squares.

See how easy quilting can be with the PFAFF performance icon

It's a bit modern looking for me and definitely not my usual bright colors, but guess what? I'm using it on my bedroom dresser and really like looking at it. It's just the right shades of spring with the grey that make me feel calm and lift my spirits at the same time.

With more squares to use up I added a challenge within my challenge :) I decided to make a mug rug in this year's Pantone colors of the year. Some built in decorative stitches livened up the squares. And I used my favorite - floating stitches!

Floating stitches turn a nine-patch block into a pretty mug rug

Last but not least, I made a mini word of the year quilt. And used up all of the squares!

Easily edit font and decorative stitches for a mini word-of-the-year quilt

Needless to say I enjoyed this challenge. Now to decide on the next one!

Any ideas? What would you like to see my try this year and share with you? Leave a comment - I'd love to know!

With Joy,

Sarah V.

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Into February with a Flourish

I'm not a ground hog, but I'm still coming out of my burrow to announce my January UFO is finished.

It's a long, wide tablerunner for fall. Check out my last past about my UFO for the details on where to find the pattern (a free one from Pat Sloan!) I didn't end up putting on a binding because I had cut the backing the exact right size. Instead I did the envelope or 'birthing' method which doesn't use binding.



What's next for February?
 I'm planning to make some of the Threads of Memory blocks as they come out.

I think my next UFO will be to quilt my Aurifil 2013 quilt for my daughter. If I get it done on time, it will  a birthday present.
If not,
there's always Christmas!


With Joy,

Sarah Vee

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Scrap Flannel Tablerunner

I was lucky enough to spend some time in my sewing space yesterday. I went through my bin of scraps and found the bag with leftover flannel from a pillow kit I made for a gift another Christmas{and I cannot find a post to link too! :(  }.

This tablerunner was created! The half square triangle units were already made - I simply sewed them together. Then I built up the 3 blocks to make it a bit bigger. I did consider briefly making 3 mug rugs, but decided I like the challenge of making a runner all from scraps. I used up every last bit - adding the prairie points to use up the very last piece.

It's pretty skinny. It measures roughly 9 by 25 inches long. It does a great job holding my bowl of candycanes! I might give it away as a gift - or a blog hop giveaway. We'll see what happens!

Go play with your scraps and create some joy!

Sarah Vee

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