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Sunday, October 27, 2019

Using It Up


Like so many of us,
I am trying to use up the fabrics I have.

When I saw the J/F 2019 issue of Quilty magazine
while going through the checkout at the grocery store,
I was enamored with the cover photo.


I had a basket full of assorted strings
and I love sewing these curved blocks,
so, of course, this issue had to follow me home.

It took very little thought and was lots of fun to make.
Sometimes, it's nice to take an easy route.

(As always, you can click on my pictures to enlarge them.)

"That's No Moon"
designed by Megan Collins

While Megan's quilt is 4 blocks by 4 blocks,
I made mine 3 x 4.  With each block finishing at 18" square,
it was plenty big enough
to snuggle under on the couch
on a cold winter's evening.

Last summer, I had placed an order for batting 
from Connecting Threads,
and, as a last minute thought, 
had added some yardage from their clearance pages.
Why not?  At that point, shipping to Canada was free.

It was absolutely perfect for backing this quilt
and...I had ordered exactly enough.


I don't usually get so lucky!

After the many hours I put into FMQing my last quilt,
I was more than happy to straight line quilt this one,
in one inch increments,
just like the original.

~

Before Dorian devastated our coast,
stripping all the foliage off every plant on the property,
I was enjoying the many visitors to my garden-of-sorts.


Atlantis Fritillary

Sharing the 'table' with a Monarch.

I planted Swamp Milkweeds
to encourage the Monarchs to lay their eggs,
but sadly, the storm stripped the leaves from the plants
before the Monarch instars (baby caterpillars) 
were able to mature.
Maybe next year!

Enjoy your day!
Looks like a quilty day to me!
Tomorrow, I will be traveling to the city of Halifax
to spend a few days with Linda,The Scrapmaster.
Color me excited!

XO,
Karen






30 comments:

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

have fun visiting your friend. the quilt is fun looking and it looks like it went together fast as you are using it already!

Daryl @ Patchouli Moon Studio said...

I love string quilt and this one is beautiful and different from most string quilts. That was the perfect backing too!

Paula, the quilter said...

That is a lovely bright quilt. Did you use a walking foot to quilt it?

Pamela said...

What a great quilt! Well done!

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Enjoy your trip. Great quilt. Swamp milkweed is that the giant looking stuff?

Binsa said...

Enjoyed your post Karen have a good trip

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

Lovely quilt Karen. A great way to use up strings and scraps and a very usable size quilt. Love it.

Fiona said...

Oh I do love that quilt …. great way to use up strips and it looks just great.....

Hugz

Sondra said...

OH My wasn't aware that Dorian hit you so sorry to hear that hope you didn't get any structural damage to your home..at least the leaves will return. That is one lovely quilt!!

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

It looks great. Sometimes you need something simple like straight line quilting.

JanineMarie said...

I can see why you grabbed that magazine—and I’m blown away that there is a quilty magazine (literally) at the checkout of your grocery store. Your quilt is a great version of the pattern, and I’m tickled that you had the perfect backing. So sorry to hear about your defoliating. Extremes in the weather really have me bothered. Have a fun trip to Halifax!

Cheryll said...

The quilt looks wonderful... I also LoVe the curves on it.
I was in Canada when Dorian hit... so sad to see its damage. xox

Lin said...

A beautiful finish Karen and serendipitous shopping! I love your pictures of the butterflies. Have fun with Linda - wish I could meet you both. xx

Karen S said...

This is great result. That is a lovely design and you have made the most of it with your strings. Gorgeous quilt.

Lesley said...

Love this quilt! The curved blocks are so much fun...and speaking of fun, enjoy visiting Linda...I know you will!

Christine B said...

Love your scrap quilt Karen, so pretty. The photographs of the butterflies are just fabulous! Have a lovely week! Christine xx

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

I love Quilty Magazine and was so sad that it has been discontinued. Your quilt turned out great and that fabric back IS perfect for it.
xx, Carol

FlourishingPalms said...

It's so fun to know that seeing that magazine cover prompted a spontaneous purchase, and that then - just like that - turned into a quilt! You must keep a nice supply of background and backing fabrics on hand to be able to pull this together so quickly. I admire you for using scraps as much as possible. I think I do too, mostly, but the supply never seems to dwindle.

Createology said...

Lovely quilt you have created. So sorry Dorian devastated your gardens and butterflies. Time with your friend will be wonderful. Autumn Blessings Dear...xo

Susan said...

I hope you're in the middle of having a great time in Halifax! Your quilt is gorgeous, and to think it's from scraps! I'm sad about the butterfly garden, and I hope next year works out much better.

Ioleen said...

Such a happy quilt, love it. Give Linda a hug for me. I’m willing to provide bail money, just saying 😂😂😂😂

Louise said...

Drunkard's path string blocks?? Sign me up! This is an awesome quilt, Karen! Great use of your scrappy stash :)

Ellen said...

I love your quilt! I have been on a string kick lately and have been on the lookout for some great design ideas. This is certainly one of them. :)

Allie said...

I saw that magazine the other day and really wanted to make one too! LOVE that quilt! What a great way to use up some scraps and yardage. Amazing that you had the perfect fabric and yardage for the back, when does that ever happen!!!! Well done, Karen!

Cheryl said...

Your quilt is so much fun! I love the combination of the strips and curved piecing.

Frédérique - Quilting Patchwork Appliqué said...

Beautiful quilt, great pattern!

Barb said...

your quilt turned out wonderfully!!

kiwikid said...

Beautiful quilt Karen, I am glad the pattern had to go home with you!! Hope you are enjoying Halifax.

Sandra Walker said...

Oh this quilt is FABULOUS and guess what I have been realizing, today again especially as I piled in more of the little dudes: I need to make a string quilt as my strings are multiplying like rabbits here. This is genius. I love how yours turned out and I love the backing, and love how it fell together! Connecting Threads is a favourite of mine for some time now. Boo on Dorian. That sharing the table shot is beautiful.

Judy said...

I love your quilt!!! I like the colors that zing together and the curves that add to the design. You like working with curves? Can you tell me your secret? Haha. I’ve always struggled with curves, and I was thinking that I should tackle that challenge this next year.

Happy sewing,
Judy