100 Quilts for Kids

The DC Modern Quilt Guild is collecting quilts once again for 100 Quilts for Kids.  This year I was able to make some blocks for a group quilt, and finished up one new quilt to be donated.

I had some premade binding left over from another donated quilt that looked pretty good with the top and backing, but of course it was about 12 inches too short to fit.  It would have felt great to use up, but it wasn’t meant to be…

The rainbow striped fabric is just as cheerful!

The backing is a fabric that’s been in my stash for years and years.  That felt good to use!

The front of the quilt was made using up two fat quarter bundles my mom gave me for Christmas a few years ago.  There are no scraps left over!

And I used Connecting Threads cotton thread in Persian Blue for the quilting.  I decided to do straight lines on my DSM and seriously, about 6 inches in, I started to doubt my decision.  I could have stippled the quilt in a quarter of the time it took me to quilt all those straight lines!

 

This quilt was mailed off today to be donated together with the other DCMQG quilts to Carpenter’s Shelter.

Thanks for stopping by!

Old and New Projects

This Saturday was the DC Modern Quilt Guild’s field trip to Material Girls in La Plata, Maryland.  Five of us met up there to sew and shop and have fun.  I left with these two patterns.

I haven’t opened them up yet, but I have plans to use the Bizzy Kid pattern with some beach themed fabric as a gift for friends who let us use their condo in Ocean City.

As for old projects, I got the top pieced to my Shoo Fly quilt.  Now I just need to piece together all the flying geese I accidentally made when I sewed the wrong squares together in the beginning of making the shoo fly blocks and make the backing.

And as for new projects, yesterday I finished up all the blocks for my Tula Pink quilt I plan to enter into the Sew Along.  Full Moon Forest was my second ever designer fabric purchase and I’ve had two fat quarter bundles since the line came out.  It’s time to cut into it I guess!  I also used some Prince Charming, Birds and Bees, and some Amy Butler and Anna Maria Horner fabrics.

I read a little bit about making scrappy quilts “work” and tried to use all different scales and values of fabric, but I fear I may have missed the mark on this one.  I hope to have the finished top to share later this week.

My friend Donna is having a giveaway on her blog for a pack of Lecien fabrics and a copy of her pattern “Sweet Scrappy Love.”  It would make a perfect Valentine’s quilt.  I hope I win, but you should pop over and enter yourself, too!   The giveaway closes November 2nd.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Field Trip!!! {plus a discount}

On Saturday, October 20th, the DC Modern Quilt Guild will be meeting at Material Girls Quilt Shop in La Plata, Maryland.   Never heard of La Plata?  Well, it’s the town I was born in and graduated high school from!  And I happened to be in the same high school class as Amy, one of the owners of the most beautiful modern quilt shop in the area.  The shop is a family affair and her mom and sister also work there and they are the friendliest and most knowledgeable ladies around!

The sewing lounge will be available for our use from 10-4 that day.  Don’t worry, the shop machines will be put out of the way, so you can bring your own machine to work on whatever projects suit your fancy.

The lounge is a huge space with plenty of room for everybody!

Or perhaps you might be interested in a little retail therapy?  Amy is generously offering anyone from the DCMQG a 10% discount on all merchandise except machines—the shop carries Bernina by the way.

This wall has some awesome patterns.  Material Girls has all the Cluck Cluck Sew patterns, and Bizzy Kid and Pow-Wow are on my list of must-haves!  But this wall of patterns is only the tip of the iceberg.  Everywhere in the store you can find patterns and samples to inspire your creativity.

If Chicopee or Madrona Road are on your wish list, look no further!

And with Halloween around the corner, you might be interested in some Tula Pink Nightshade!

For the batik-lovers out there, Material Girls carries an extensive collection of yummy batiks.

There is also a huge section of sale fabrics in the back of the store.   Everything is marked 30% off with a one yard minimum.  I got some Heather Bailey Fresh Cut and Nicey Jane. 

Not sure where La Plata is?  It’s about an hour from Alexandria, just south of Waldorf on Route 301.  Directions can be found here.  There is a nice sandwich shop in the same building and plenty of restaurants within a mile or two.

Hope to see you there!  Leave a comment if you plan to attend!