Monday, December 15, 2008

My turn and playing catch up.

I know it is only December, but my theme for my quilt is Valentine's Day. I got the fabrics as a bundle of leftover pieces from a Etsy Seller. She doesn't tell you the sizes, just pictures of the bundle and then packed into a flat rate priority envelope. She called it, Valentines Fabrics For Sewing and Crafting.

So, I tried to divide up the fabric as evenly as I could. I added my own solid red fabric, too. Feel free to add your own fabric in as well, but I want to stay away from the color pink. I want this quilt to have nice rich colors. Since some of the heart fabrics has white in it, you can also add a bit of white if you wish.

This quilt will be made for my baby girl, Melody. She is 11 months old now and will be 13 months on February 14, so this would be a nice Valentine's gift to her. I would like some sort of heart motif on the block. Either pieced in, appliqued on, embroidery...etc, your choice.

The details:
- The block size should be 10.5 inches.
- No Pink Fabric should be added, but you made add other fabrics in. Deep rich colors is what I want, but white fabric may be added also.
- There should be a heart motif on the block. examples: this, this, this, this, this, and this.

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Now for the catching up of the quilt blocks that I owe.

This is for Liz. I love the chestnut fabric.
BettyNinja's tree house block. I even added some cut out chestnuts from Liz's fabric. This was a super challenging block. Especially since I have never done applique before. I did use fusible webbing for help.
This is for Carissa's car quilt. I didn't get any of the cool chalkboard writing fabric, so I used the 3 pieces of fabric that I got. It's not as cool as the ones that everyone have made, but I worked with what I was given.
These two blocks are for Amber. I made two since there was plenty of fabric. Log cabins are fun and I got to highlight the pretty flower in the center.And wow, this huge block, 15 inches, is for Nadia. I love the colors and fabric she chose. They look so elegant combined together.

Everything is packed up and will be shipped out tomorrow. My DH has kindly agreed to wait in line at the post office to help me mail all 12 packages. Happy Holidays, everyone!

For Nadia

Here's my block for Nadia. I combined my two favorite blocks to make this, pinwheel and log cabin. I had to add a bit of fabric because of a failed first attempt. I hope it works for you, Nadia. I experimented with some embroidery too, but decided that it wasn't quite ready for public consumption, so I did a little applique instead. Oh, and it's only a 12" block. I do hope that is ok. I simply ran out of fabric. Again, fun fabrics to work with! Thanks.

Happy Holidays to my Common Threads buddies! Hope you have a great time with family and friends and sneak in a bit of sewing time!

Sunday, November 30, 2008

braided block with spirograph embroidery

I finished my block with Nadia's fabrics.

common threads quilt block - braided blocks with spirograph embroidery

I made some braids, and then followed her hint about embroidery love and added a spirograph embroidery on top (inspired by this effort by Maitreya of craftlog). I think it picks up on the flower outlines of the gray-beige fabric too.

I hope you like it Nadia!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

One more block for Amber


I loved making this block - the fabrics are so gorgeous and I really enjoy making log cabins, so this was really a win-win month for me. As you can see, I couldn't resist the little bird getting center stage. I hope you like it, Amber.

blocks for Amber

Better late than never, right?

Here's two blocks that I made this afternoon. Amber and I must be on the same wavelength or something, because last weekend I picked up a yard of Amy Butler fabric from the line that Amber is using for this quilt. Using some of my fabric gave me the chance to make two blocks for Amber.

First up, I used the turquoise flower for the center.


Then I used a piece of the birdie fabric for the next block.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Here comes November!



Hello!
I'm just so excited to send out the November fabric - I can hardly wait!

Melissa and I met half way between our respective cities last month (bless her), and I bough my fabric for the month. I just love it.

The quilt will be for our living room couch. I'd like to welcome you to our apartment! We have sort of a red/gray thing going on, and I chose the fabrics to coordinate.

I love the flowers - especially the gray fabric's flowers. And I really love embroidery and little extras. Everytime someone does any embroidery at all I just fall in love. I imagined the lightest white/blush color as an accent; but I'm not feeling too controlling about this, so create as you please!

What do you love to make? Is there a particular kind of block that you love? I would love that too! Straight lines, curvy lines, show me what you've got!

As for size, i don't think I have particular needs; like others, I'll put sashing around them and trim them up, but I do like nice big blocks (like in the 15" range).

Thanks everyone! I can't wait to see what all your super-creative minds come up with!

P.S.  If you'd like to add in your own fabric, please do so! I'd love that!

P.P.S. Please see the updated address list - I'm in DC now! Thanks so much.




Thursday, November 6, 2008

wonky log cabin block(s)

Here is the block I made with Amber's fabrics:
block for common threads quilt bee

I decided to make a bonus block with the scraps. (Amber, you can use it or not, I was just on a quilting roll!)
block for common threads quilt bee

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

a block for amber


i haven't done a lot of "plan as you go" log cabin blocks, so this one was fun for me. after i chose my center image (love that birdy fabric with the line drawing flowers!) i just started building, one side at a time. and i only had to rip out one seam for a re-do. i hope you like it, amber!

i love how this flower ended up looking like it was wearing a roof for a hat!

Monday, November 3, 2008

Betty's Block

Common Threads Block, betty
Betty, I've finally finished your block, it's on its way to you. Hope you like it and sorry it's so late!

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Something new, every month

I love the quilting bee! I'm new to this quilting business, and every month there is something new to learn! This month it was a good old log cabin block. Dare I say it worked out just fine?

I love the bird, and made the birdie the well-deserved center of the block. Ta da!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Waste Not...Want Not

When I opened the package that held the fabric gems that Amber sent, the first thing I noticed was that some of them had wonderful pieces of the selvedge printing on them. I knew right away that I wanted to incorporate them into the block. I hope that works for you Amber. It's pretty straight (at least for me). I thought wonky might be too much with all the fun fabric. I attempted to feature the little horse too...cut off his nose a bit, but he's still a player in the block. Thanks for all the fun fabric (i'm sorry I didn't get to use it all)...it was great to play with!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Rebekah's Quilt



Jon was away for the weekend on a backpacking trip, so I spent most of the weekend basting, quilting and binding my Common Threads quilt. It was nice to have a large block of time set aside to finish up this project. And, it was equally nice to be able to finish up two big quilt projects in two consecutive weekends and clear up this unfinished business from my sewing room!



I was under a little bit of pressure with the quilting, because the new fabric marker that I bought was disappearing ink, not washable ink. By yesterday afternoon, I was really straining to see the last remnants of the lines while I was quilting.



I had a lot of help this weekend from my two little kitty friends. They were partially acting like they wanted to hang out with me and partially waiting by the side door wondering when Jon would arrive home.



I did the majority of the quilting in the loopy line style seen in this wedding quilt from glittergoods. The distance between my lines of squiggles was 2.5". I used red thread on the white top and bottom of the quilt. Then I stippled the individual blocks with white thread. This part really pained me to do because it meant quilting over some of the embroidered details that a few of the blocks had. In the end I was glad that I did it because it blends in with the quilt and it makes the blocks look like they all belong to the quilt.



I used a red and white polka dot fabric for the binding and then black fabric for the backing.



The quilt was made for a full-sized bed and is approximately 80" x 90". It fits our non-puffy, non-pillowtop mattress perfectly.




Here it is resting peacefully in our guest room. The little kitties made themselves right at home and made me thankful for using black fabric on the back of the quilt where all of their white hair won't show up!


Thank you all for coming up with such creative, unique and interesting blocks! It was so much fun to put this quilt together and I love looking at all of the details that you included in your individual blocks!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Blocks for Carissa

Here you go Carissa:
I think I need to find more striped fabric to play with because this one is my favorite.
A little embroidery to bridge the gap between the two focus fabrics.

This was the first block I sketched out. The embroidered motifs jumped out at me right away.

A little foray into hand applique for me.

Every one is a different size and I'm excited to see how Carissa joins all of them. I hope they all give you sweet dreams during naptime.
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A car block

This is for Carissa. She's making a car quilt (for her car), and sent out some really gorgeous fabric. Simple, interesting, very cool. I'm not the only one who thought to use the lined chalkboard fabric as roads, but I do love the idea.

Mine is meant to be an aerial view of a highway; the colored dots represent houses (it's crowded!). It's a simple square, but truth be told I quite like it. I hope Carrisa does too!


A monochrome block for Liz

I've been (incredibly) remiss in my Common Threads blocks. New city, new job, sometimes it all just catches up to you, you know? Not to worry though, I'm back, and making strides!

This block is for Liz. I loved the monochrome fabrics, and I love the modern pallet of the colors. As a (brand) new quilter, I decided to make this block an exercise in precision (something I working on) and went for a 4 x 4 square, trying really hard to cut accurately, and sew accurately.

And? I'm pretty happy with it! I had fun coming up with the final arrangement, and I hope Liz likes it!


Two More Blocks for Carissa

Here are two more blocks for Carissa. I loved the fabrics she sent out and the idea of a car quilt is brilliant. I hope you like them!


Friday, October 17, 2008

Better Late than Never

Ok so I'm a little late...but I have mailed out all the fabric bundles. I just need to give you all a plan as to what to do with them.


I was trying to think up something fun and original but my brain wasn't co-operating so I decided on scrappy log cabin blocks.


You can make them wonky - or not.

You can add some of your own fabric - or not.


I found a few on Flickr that I like...herehere, here and here.

I had a hard time knowing how much fabric to send everyone so if you need more, please let me know.

And the block should be anywhere from 10"-12". I'm planning on using them to make a queen-sized quilt for my bed so I'll have to make some to add in too. 

I'm going to use a solid sashing in between the blocks (like this) so don't worry if they aren't even - I'll add the sashing and trim them to the right size.

If you have any other questions, just send me an email!

OK - can't wait to see what everyone comes up with.

**I'm a little spacey while writing this since I am on muscle relaxers for a sore neck....hopefully it all makes sense.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

blocks for Carissa



I came up with these two blocks for Carissa's car quilt last night. I had lots of fun playing around with this fabric. I love the colors and the prints that she put together. I added the orange/maroon block fabric to the bunch to complement the rest of the colors in the quilt.



I ran out of fabric on this block. I was originally intending on adding a white border to it, but due to my miscalculations, I ran out of fabric. Feel free to add a border to it or keep it how it is.

Monday, October 6, 2008

blocks for carissa

another month under my belt. carissa, i so enjoyed working with the fabrics you sent. thanks! the first block was inspired by the handwriting fabric. i couldn't help but think of the little slates that my students used to use, so here are 4 little slates filled with perfect handwriting practice.






















for the second block i was inspired by your idea of a car quilt and so i went with roads, specifically an 8 lane interstate. can you see me veering off? the "veer" was a little harder than i expected, but it was fun to try. both blocks are rectangular. i think you said that was ok.

Friday, October 3, 2008

my blocks for Carissa's car quilt

here's the block I made for Carissa's car quilt:

car quilt block for common threads quilt bee

hope it's not too literal.

since I had extra fabric, I also made a bonus block, pretty similar to the inspiration block posted:
car quilt block for common threads quilt bee

I ended up using a lot of scraps from my own collection, but all of the colors can be found within the white print. a pretty interesting set of colors in that print - colors that look good together but that I wouldn't have otherwise combined.