The Double Wedding Ring Quilt

I’ve been a quilter for 25 years. With that said, at year five my husband informed me that he wants a Double Wedding Ring quilt. (Yeah, don’t we all.) Around that time we took the first of MANY trips to Shipshewana in Indiana, discovering amazing quilts, quilters and FABRIC. It was there, at Yoders that we purchased our first group of Asian fabrics.

This was only the beginning.

Around 2014, I decided it was time to get started. I bought the Accuquilt dies to cut the pieces, as cutting them myself seemed like the worst part. (It wasn’t.) It was a good investment and saved me hours of intense cutting. After the pieces for the arcs were cut, I started putting them together and they were just lovely. He was happy, I was happy. Then I put it all away because I hadn’t sewn curves yet and didn’t want to jump all in at that point. And I hadn’t gotten a background fabric yet, so stopping wasn’t unreasonable.

In 2017 we went to Shipshewana again and I chose a background. A dark navy Grunge, by Moda. I wasn’t sure how much to buy, as I didn’t really have an entire pattern, so we basically bought the bolt. Yes, we did. The project was put back into the basket and I tried to ignore it. But the husband asked about it several times each year.

Two years ago I told him that I’d have it done for our 40th anniversary. It was over two years away, I could work on it here and there and get it done, right?

So, year one passes by without taking it out of the basket. Early this year, four months before this fortieth anniversary, he mentions it and asked if I’d have it done in time. WHAT was I thinking, giving myself a deadline? I said I’d really try. That’s when the “fun” began. (The photos in this post were the beginning of this sewing process through the end.)

The backing with the quilting.

I decided to have this queen size quilt machine quilted with a longarm at my LQS. I chose navy thread and a heart design. It would have been nice to custom quilt it, but it is huge and there was just no way.

The navy thread was a good choice in my opinion. Having a little bit of dark thread on the lighter fabrics bothers me way less than light thread on all the navy fabric.

Making bias binding was really much simpler than I remember from the early days. Putting it on by machine wasn’t even horrible. I had found a video that helped me with those inward “corners.” Bias binding is definitely my new friend.

I clipped the binding down with my five clips and started sewing it down. I have not sewn a binding by hand in nine years. I only know this because the last time I did it, it was on a small wall hanging given to a friend when she moved.

I was quite surprised at how relaxing I found this process. I could only sew it down for about 45 minutes at a time. Sore hands and finger issues must not be ignored. It took about a week. The bias binding just hugged the curves and the end result was a winner.

We’re pretty happy with it. Sleeping under a quilt that I made is new for me. It’s warm, it’s beautiful and it’s on the bed.

Double Wedding Ring Quilt

LL

The Auction Quilts 2022

Wow, I haven’t blogged in months and months! I had to take a sewing break for a while due to trigger finger surgery but I’ve been back to it for a while now.

The last two years we have not been able to attend Shults Lewis Child & Family Services Annual Day due to the pandemic. So this was a special time since this year, we got to go!

I made two lap sized quilts that were very different from each other. The first is the Flapjacks pattern available for free at Fat Quarter Shop. I used Bee themed fabrics designed by Deb Strain, that I’ve hoarded for several years. This went together well and I just love this fabric line!

“A Bee’s Life”

The super-de-dooper part of this is, my dear friend’s husband bid on it and got it for her! I was thrilled! She deserves it! She works very hard to enrich lives at the children’s home, like everyone there does. Lissa just has a special place in my heart!

The second quilt is a free Churn Dash pattern I got at Jordan Fabrics. Donna Jordan comes up with fabulous patterns using precuts and I always enjoy making them. I used a fabric line called Sakura Blossom that I bought a long time ago. It turned out just beautifully. I changed the border a bit, since I had plenty of pieces leftover.

“Sakura Blossom”

I’m not sure who got this one, but hopefully it’ll be well used. I know these pictures aren’t the best, but I didn’t remember to get some taken before we arrived.

It was a long, full, busy, blessed day. Seeing friends, raising money for a great place that does such good work, encouraging others….these are the days that enrich us.

I hope you also have some enriching days, friends.

LL

“C’mon, Get Happy”

Another dear friend is a new grandma, so I made her a quilt. I like to do this so when the grandchild comes over, she’s got a quilt that is ready for cuddles with baby. And this is exactly how she put it today when I handed it to her.

A grandma quilt for Jackie.

When I started this quilt I wanted to use a pattern that would keep the personality of the fabrics front and center. I’ve used this pattern many times for baby and grandma quilts over the years. It’s fun, fast and so easy.

An oldie but a goodie.

Some of the fabrics didn’t work well for small pieces, but I ignored that and used them anyway. I had a fat quarter bundle with 12 pieces. The solid fabrics in the bundle weren’t my favorite but it’s good they were there. I think the solids calmed it down a bit.

Circles.

I quilted this with circles. Maybe I should say “round shapes” because that’s more accurate. With all the straight lines and angles, I thought something curvy would be fun.

One of the main things that drew me to this line of fabric is the nostalgia it brings to mind. Back in the day a favorite TV show had a special bus. Maybe this will ring a bell.

Best musical show ever!

I know, right? It only seemed right to use this for my friend.

For the back I had to add a strip to get it square. The quilt is around 45” square so the width of fabric just wouldn’t work. The strip added the few inches I needed.

Super strip made from leftovers!

I used the large stripe for the binding. It was very irregular so I didn’t use it IN the quilt. I love the blue backing, it really worked out well.

The label.

I knew I wanted to use a Partridge Family song title to name the quilt. My sister and I discussed it one afternoon and had fun listing all the songs. There were more albums than you’d think. And I’m pretty sure mine are still at my mom and dad’s.

So instead of naming it something about “Albuquerque” I went with my sister’s first suggestion, “C’mon Get Happy.” Hopefully Jackie will get it.

I think she will.

Have a great week, friends!

LL

A Dinosaur Story

Last year in August I asked my siblings to ask their kids what they like better, with the following choices; Ocean Life, Foxes, Llamas, Penguins, Puppies, Forest Animals, Swans, Unicorns, Dinosaurs or Unicorns.

These were the Elizabeth Hartman patterns that I have. My nephew, who turned eight last year, chose Dinosaurs. Not a big surprise and really, exactly what I hoped he’d pick. I had just finished a dinosaur quilt for a baby, and I was just dying to make the big one.

What a huge project! There is even a chart to keep track of which color goes where.

It is really a good idea to use the chart.

I chose a dark gray so the colors would really pop. I love the way they look. I found the dinosaurs really looked better with a print that reads solid, so those crabby crabs are kind of goofy, but I wasn’t about to redo them! The light bulbs are kinda funny too.

T-Rex heads!

The light bulb fabric is fun because my dad worked for the local electric company for years.

Staying organized is key to making this quilt. I used the alphabitties to keep everything straight.

Seriously, the only way to keep zillions of pieces organized.

Alphabitties rule!

This whole project was not something I wanted to rush through but it was easy to work on it a little each day. I had plenty of time to get it done by Christmas, but I completed the top in three weeks.

T-Rex blocks.

The blocks included some plant life, because dinosaurs like that.

Brachiosaurus blocks.

The light blue fabric in the brachiosaurus is one I used years ago as the backing for a quilt for my brother. I wonder if he noticed that.

Triceratops blocks.

The light red was used in a quilt that I made “honoring” our first little dog.

Stegosaurus block. Didn’t get a pic of the group.

Once the blocks were all made, it was time for them to get together in groups. The original layout is very rainbow-like, and since it looks super awesome, I planned to rainbow it up too.

I can’t even explain how much I loved making this quilt. Everything went together so well and precisely. I am not taking credit, it’s a well written pattern.

Two sections of rainbow-ness.

It really amazed me how each section just FIT and worked perfectly. Normally I don’t cut sashing pieces until I need them. When I measured my sections, they matched the sizes listed! This was like, the first time EVER that that happened!

The completed top!

Like I said, I completed this top in three weeks. A little bit of sewing every day is the way to go. I could see my progress and enjoyed it so much.

I didn’t have a large enough backing for this quilt in my stash, so I searched for something online that would go with it well, and “be cool” for my nephew. I found an awesome backing that was green with dinosaur fossils/bones. It was so perfect, so I ordered it and planned to get this finished!

Quilting has begun! See the green backing in the corner?

I didn’t get around to quilting until sometime in November. I was sick during all of October and didn’t feel up to doing a thing. (Sinus infection, not Covid.)

Some BIG stitches in places.

I used a light gray for the top and a slightly darker shade for the back. This is a huge quilt, so I needed a simple design that would be fun and easy. Simple loops is my go-to so that’s what it had to be! I also quilted a secret message in one corner, but it’s in cursive, so I don’t know if he’ll be able to read it. Surely one of the parents can do that! Pretty fun!

So before the big delivery I had the hubs hold the quilt up for me. It amazes me that I made this big thing!

The Land Before Time Quilt.

As usual I consulted with the hubs for quilt names. He really IS very clever and so good at it.

Our label. I sent that loopy heart to him once and “it blew his mind” so I had to include it on the label!

My husband and I drove to their house to give the kids their gifts. My nephew had the BEST reaction! He gathered the quilt up to wrap himself in. He loved that it was rainbow and that it had his favorite color in it. (Teal. What 8 year old likes teal?) He knows the names of the dinosaurs. (I had to look them up to write this blog.)

Later that day my brother sent me a picture of the quilt on the bed. It fit perfectly so I was thrilled! I hope he enjoys it and doesn’t outgrow it any time soon.

This is why I make and gift quilts. Since this kid was three, he’s known to call the “blankets” from me, quilts. He knows I make them and he knows to look for hearts or a little something “drawn with thread.” He can look at this quilt and know that it was made especially for him by me.

Next time I’ll share the quilt I made for my niece, also an Elizabeth Hartman pattern.

LL

“Songbook” for my Song-Leader

It’s been a busy few months since my last post, unfortunately not all “good busy.” October put me behind my self imposed schedule since I was sick almost the whole month. November was my catch-up month and December was my “get the labels on” before Christmas! So I am going to start from the last thing I gifted.

Songbook Quilt made for the hubs.

This is the gift that began with no plan. I purchased the Songbook panel with the large words first. Then I found a jelly roll on sale and figured I could do something with the two things. Before I started I also found the smaller Songbook panels, surely they could also be useful. So it started like this.

It was fairly easy to border the panel blocks. I got them as close to the same size as I could, but they weren’t all the same. I didn’t want to chop off ANY of the design, although I think I could have trimmed more off now that I look at them.

Trying to figure out a nice layout for these “not the same sized blocks” was challenging. Since it was early November at this point, I would browse my books and patterns, just for ideas. Nothing was grabbing me. It’s not supposed to be this hard. This quilt was important because I was making it for my husband. Finally one evening the idea of a braid type of block came to me.

Braid blocks with Grunge

The next step was figuring out a sashing for between the rows. I auditioned several, planning to order yardage. Nothing was working. Finally I went to my LQS and got some great advice. I don’t know why I couldn’t see it on my own, sometimes one just needs new eyes. The rows are the length of the quilt instead of across. They were too skinny without sashing so I definitely needed to figure this out.

I also needed to add some length to the rows. Not a lot, but something. I was watching a quilt video and the square in a square foundation papers were mentioned. I ordered two sizes and went with the 3” finished ones. Another awesome place to use the pretty colors. I ended up making mini rows of 5 little blocks. Love them!

Three skinny long rows.

Here are the auditioned sashings.

First group, not bad but not thrilling.

Second group, I love pink but it wasn’t working either.

Since I had plenty of this light print, I thought it’d work, but it’s just too bright.

Like I said, friends at the local quilt shop pointed me in the direction of “matchy matchy.” In quilting, this is my comfy place. I seldom use fabric from only one collection for a quilt. If I’m making a baby quilt, I choose fabrics very carefully. If it doesn’t “go” in my mind, it doesn’t make the cut. To limit myself to the collection is not my usual route, but for this quilt, I did with the exception of the Grunge.

So using the Grunge for the sashing was the suggestion. It was such a “DUH” moment for me. It was perfect! I could’ve hugged them! Another thing that I should’ve thought of but didn’t. Thank goodness for friends at Blue Willow Mercantile.

Sashed, bordered and bound.

So here ⬆️ it is all completed. I used the light cream floral as planned for the first border and the hashtag-like fabric for the final border. The quilt is LARGE, especially when one has to quilt it at home. I don’t recall the exact size, but it took three or four separate sit downs at the machine to quilt it. I tried to outline the Songbook panels and just fill in on the grunge. I quilted the swirl hook in the border, it’s one of my favorites. I used two colors of thread, cream and navy. The back of the quilt is a navy floral from the fabric line.

The binding is scrappy. With so many interesting colors within the quilt, then the subdued cream and blue for borders, I felt the final edge needed to be colorful. My favorite color is pink, and there is pink in the line, but I didn’t want to over use it, so it’s definitely in the binding.

The label. It’s on the quilt now.

So this quilt was under the Christmas tree just two days before the big day. That happens to be my birthday so completing it was truly how I wanted to spend my day. I believe he loved this quilt. He is a song leader at our church, so the songs in the panels mean something to both of us.

My next post will be soon.

Happy New Year friends!

LL

“Batty for You”

One of my dearest friends is about to become a grandma. This dear friend loves Halloween. The baby is due a few days after Halloween. It’s really a no-brainer, of course her grandma quilt will be “batty!” It was delivered today and she loved it as I thought she would!

Batty for You

I used a Churn Dash pattern found at Jordan Fabrics. It’s one of my favorite patterns so it was perfect for a favorite person.

I pieced the backing, something I don’t usually do, but I think it turned out really fun. The binding is a combination of the two fabrics that had enough left to make strips!

Pieced backing.

I used one of my usual quilting designs for this one. The swirl hook that Angela Walters “taught” me is just right for this quilt.

Swirl hook quilting.

It’s not perfect, but it will hold the layers together.

I so enjoyed making this quilt for my friend. Knowing that she would love it made it so fun. The fabrics are bright and cheery, it was just a blast!

Have a good weekend, friends.

LL

“Let them hear you Roar”

“Dinosaurs” by Elizabeth Hartman almost didn’t happen. This pattern was overwhelming from the get-go and I must have read through it three times before cutting any fabric. But once I thought I had it figured out, the “fun” began!

Dinosaur Quilt

I absolutely LOVED making this quilt. Every little bit completed was a surprise and gave me a little thrill!

The little plants

These are a set of some of the plants. I started with them, just to get the hang of it. I used a directional text fabric for the background and this is where I decided which way it should go. It didn’t go that way every time, but whenever I had control, I’d make sure it was as I planned it.

Plant #2.

The plants actually have specific names, but I don’t remember them. Here are the third ones, probably my favorites.

Plant #3

When it was finally time to start on the dinosaurs I was pretty nervous. The “longneck” had 38 pieces for just one of him! But the pattern is excellently written and truly is basic piecing. They were all so fun to make, I’ll be making a larger size for my nephew this Christmas.

Here’s a pic of the first bit that just made me giddy.

T-Rex heads!

Are those so stinking adorable?! I loved working with the Moda Grunge fabrics, they have so much character.

T-Rex tiny arms!

There are so many jokes about the short arms on the tyrannosaurus, but these are so cute!

Choosing the fabrics for this quilt was lots of fun. The baby mama chose pink, purple and indigo for the baby’s room. I do not have much in purple in my stash so I picked up a couple of fat quarters at my LQS. I also picked out a bright green for the plants, but that’s not how the pattern is written. So into the stash it goes!

Rawr!

I quilted a loopy hearts design, keeping it loose so it’d be drapey and cuddly.

The horn things are a little hard to see, but they’re there!

I used a light purple backing that has the nicest feel to it!

The label for Zephi

They’re buds.

The gift was given at the baby shower today, via Zoom. Don’t you love technology? I couldn’t physically be at the shower but I was there too! Amazing times, we live in.

I believe, based on her reaction, the mama to be loved the quilt. I’ve known her since she was 4 years old and I’m so thrilled for her and all of her family.

Have a great day, friends. And don’t be afraid of Elizabeth Hartman’s patterns. As complicated as you think they are, they’re so well written, you can do it!

LL

“Nurturer”

This is what I should have named this quilt. But when one wants to get it out the door and gifted, one goes with the obvious.

Betsy’s Garden

In March Pat Sloan offered a free pattern challenge called March Hope. The plan was to make a block every day for the month of March. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you, I can’t stand doing one thing a day for a month.

So I made them all and finished the top right before the end of March. I knew I’d be gifting this quilt to my friend, so I made sure to free motion the meandering flower all over it. It will crinkle so beautifully when it’s washed.

Flower meander & scrappy binding.

You’d think it’d be a challenge to find so many fabrics in this pretty color, but not in my stash! When it the time came for the binding, I used most of the scraps leftover from making the blocks. Since they blend together so well, it’s not super obnoxious like it can be sometimes.

The backing was simple and sweet.

I absolutely loved using this simple diamond print for the backing. The quilting shows really nicely on it and the colors are also on the front of the quilt, so it matches!

Lookit that binding!

It just warms my heart to gift quilts to dear friends. I dropped it off this afternoon and being the curious type, she opened it all up right away! Her response was, “It’s a year round garden!” And it is.

So much fun!

Social distancing has really changed the way we do things. Gift giving, which should include lots of hugging, has taken a real hit. But it’s the thought that counts, and I think I’ll keep making quilts for people.

Have a good week, friends.

LL

Oh, How I Love Pink

Recently I gifted this quilt to a sweet friend. In some ways, it was one of those that is hard to give up. The simple pattern makes the fabrics truly become the stars of this quilt. I love it. But I know that my friend loves it too.

Pink & White & Red all over.

A while back I purchased a jelly roll that was pink, white and red. More recently my MIL purchased one with floral designs in the same colors. Since there were duplicates, and the designer of both JR’s was Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts, we traded some!There were a few strips we traded back, but I think the whole deal worked out beautifully.

Swirl hook quilting.

I quilted this one on with the swirl hook design. It’s one that is pretty and simple to do. I also used Aurifil thread on this quilt, first time ever! Oh my goodness, it’s really worth it. So much fits on the bobbin and I hardly made a dent in the spool. So I am in the process of “out with the old, in with the new” thread. It’ll take a while, but that’s okay.

Backing….

I used a pretty pink flower print for the back, and I think for the binding too. I can’t sew the binding on by hand any more, so it is machine done. Even though it doesn’t look perfectly perfect, it’s going to stay on!

The bow.

This was delivered on a cold, snowy day to my sweet friend. She was so surprised and even speechless. Just that reaction, with her hand on her heart, smiling and saying, “oh, oh, oh my.”

This is why I gift quilts.

Have a good day, friends.

LL

Deer Christmas

After not really finishing much for a while, I’ve given a sweet Christmas quilt to my brother and his family.

Deer Christmas Quilt

While the title is not original, it’s perfect for the family. Before my niece was born three years ago, we had a sweet little shower for her mama with just the family ladies.

The theme of the shower was “Our Little Deer.” We had a woodsy pale yellow theme going on, it was so pretty.

Anyway, it seemed very appropriate to give them this quilt. I used a fun Rudolph print for the backing and a red and white stripe for binding, which just makes it ZING!

It’s fun to give quilty gifts at Christmas time. It’s fun any time of the year, but right now it just does my heart good.

Spread joy wherever you can, friends.

Merry Christmas.

LL