Category: Quilting

Freshly Picked Flowers – The Beginning

~ Life of Momma B ~ 1 Comment

I mentioned during the Spring Shop Hop that I had picked up some new projects.  One I am most excited about is a Hexagon Quilt-As-You-Go pattern.  I am excited to dive into this, but I have to remind myself that quilting is for marathon runners not sprinter. 

While at the Quilter’s Hide Out in Early, TX I fell in love with the pattern “Freshly Picked Flowers” by Jane Davidston.  This is an older pattern, published in 2017, that I found on the clearance table.  If your local quilt shop does not have the pattern, you can purchase a pdf version directly from the designer (here). 

This is going to be a long-term hand sewing project.  I anticipate it will take me more than 2 years to complete since I am only working on it while watching tv in the evenings, an hour or 2 at a time. After completing my Japanese quilt full of hand work, I was ready for another challenge.  This quilt features appliqued petals. While the pattern is written for raw edge applique I have opted to use a more traditional applique technique, which will add to the time to complete it.  I have also opted to hand embroider the filler hexagons, as shown on the pattern front.  Thankfully, since it uses the quilt as you go method, once the top is complete, the quilt will be complete.

After completing a few sample hexagons, I took the plunge and bought all the fabric needed for this.  I found a fat quarter bundle at JellyrollFabric.net that I thought would be perfect for the petals. This was my first time purchasing from JellyrollFabric.net and I hate to say that I am a little disappointed.  The bundle they sent me did not match the picture online. I received 2 of the 10 prints pictured online and the fabric that was substituted was a little off.  I realize that teal is a hard color and can be interpreted differently.  Some of the prints are more green while others are more blue.  Since the pattern only uses 6 of the 10 fat quarters included in the bundle, I decided to not hassle with a return and just go for it.   

I am also using a navy print from my stash along with a subtle white on white floral. The backing will be a muddled teal. 

As of date here is my progress; I have made my own pattern templates and began cutting hexes.  Since the hexagons are not standard size, I used an old school technique and made them from cereal boxes.  I photocopied the pattern (so as not to ruin the original pattern) and Mod Podged them onto the back of a box.  I have since discovered that acrylic templates are available from the pattern designer but they do not ship to the US. I have begun the slow process of tracing each hexagon and cutting them by hand. I tried using a rotary cutter but found I was accidently cutting the template too.  This is definitely adding more time than expected to the project. Since I do not need all of the pieces right away, I am just going to chip away at this slowly. When I think of how many quilts my grandmother made this way, it only makes me appreciate them more. 

I have decided to begin with what I think will be the most time-consuming pieces, the embroidered filler hexagons.  I am using a wash away stabilizer to transfer the pattern. I am excited to say that I have completed 6 of them – I am all about celebrating the small victories in this project.  These are completed 100% by hand. Yes, you could machine quilt them but this is my slow stitching project an I am happy to take my time and enjoy each stitch. 

I will update you as I continue this journey, until then, I will be taking life one stitch at a time.

Momma B

Blue Cobblestone Quilt

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While working on my Scrappy EPP Quilt, I realized I had not shared with you my Blue Cobblestone Quilt.  Last fall I worked on this lap quilt, but since it was a Christmas gift, I was waiting to share it.  Let’s go back to the beginning…

I fell in love with Robert Kaufman’s Imperial Collection while on vacation last summer.  I loved the metallic shine that caused the light to dance when it hit the fabric. And with the slightest movement the design shifted ever so slightly.  The Imperial Collection includes several different colorways. I was trying to be “good” so I stored the Camilla Colorstory in my mind with the intention of finding a pattern that would highlight the fabric’s beauty.  Fast forward a few months and while at a quilt show, one of the vendors had a quilt kit featuring the Lapis Colorstory and I knew my daughter would love it. My photos do not do the fabric justice.

The kit I purchased included a free pattern for the Cobblestone Street Quilt, written by Elise Lea.  Also included in the kit was the layer cake, along with yardage of light blue Wishwell: Silverstone for the sashing and binding. I loved how quickly the quilt top came together.  I opted to do a little free motion quilting on this, and used a large meandering motif. 

With every project I learn something new.  This time I realized that you cannot starch precut fabrics if you need the entire piece.  Each stone block was supposed to be 5×10 inches, so half of the layer cake.  I prefer working with starched fabric, this meant I did not have 10” squares to cut from.  Thankfully this pattern was forgiving and with a few adjustments it all worked out in the end.  So, learn from me and do not starch your precut fabrics.   

I am headed off to work on my EPP project, so until next time take it one stitch at a time. 

Momma B. 

Scrappy English Paper Piecing Quilt

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Today I wanted to share with you by newest project, an English Paper Piecing scrappy quilt.   I have always loved hexagon quilts, but have been hesitant to make one because of the time required.  However,  I am noticing a shift in my quilting style.  Instead of focusing on completing the quilt,  I am enjoying the process and finding joy in creating.   

For those of you new to English Paper Piecing (aka EPP) let me give you a brief overview.  First thing to note is that this is a hand sewing project. While it does make it very portable, it is a much slower process. Pieces of fabric are wrapped around paper templates and then joined together.  The precision and accuracy comes not from sewing the “perfect” quarter-inch seam but from paper templates themselves.   In the months ahead I will share more about the technique, but here is an overview of this quilt.

First,  it will be a scrappy quilt.  For each of the quilts I complete/ work on I will be creating a section of this quilt.  This means, there is no end in sight. I am using 1 inch hexagon papers throughout.  Each cluster will be made from 19 hexagons and then joined together with a white on white border.  

So far I have completed two sections representing the Wheelchair Lap Quilt and the Strawberry Quilt I completed back in 2022. At this time I am opting to not join the sections.  This will allow for easier storage. As I have a long way to go to get caught up, I will get back to it. 

Until next time,  enjoy life one stitch at a time.  

Momma B

All Texas Shop Hop

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It’s time for an update from my quilt room. This spring I participated in the All Texas Shop Hop.  This is the first year Shop Hop Inc. hosted a hop in Texas.  I visited 53 of the 106 participating shops.  Each shop gave out a 4” block with a quilty saying and their shop name.  Completing all the shops in a region earned you a free 6” block. There was also a slew of shop hop specialty items for purchase including a fabric line, and gifts. 

In addition to my 53 shop blocks and 4 regional blocks, I did find some amazing deals.  In addition to more fabric than intended, I picked up a couple of panels, several new quilt patterns and some new quilting tools and notions I am excited to try out. As you can imagine my sewing room looks like a tornado hit it and is in desperate need of re-organizing.

While I have fallen behind on my RBD block challenge, I do have another Quilt-As-You-Go Crazy Patchwork Flower to share with you.  The second block is red.  I created the block on the left and received the block on the right. The pattern and more information about the block can be found on a previous blog post (here). 

Please be patient with me as I work to re-organize. I have a lot to share with you but am taking life one stitch at a time. 

Momma B

Quilt-As-You-Go Crazy Patchwork Flower

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If you have not guessed, I’m falling behind on my RBD Block Challenge.  Instead of working on it I have decided to start a few new projects. I have to admit, starting a new project creates a dopamine release that charges my battery unlike anything else. I am super excited about a couple of block exchanges that I am participating in this year. 

The first one I want to share uses Monica Poole’s Quilt-As-You-Go Crazy Patchwork Flower Block. Each block will be a different color to create a garden of flowers. The group is using a YouTube tutorial (found here). 

The first block is light pink.  I created the block on the left and received the block on the right.  All of the flowers will have a yellow center, with either white or white-on-white border. 

This is the first time for me using the Quilt-As-You-Go method. I love exploring new techniques. I have found creating the block to be rather simple, especially using the YouTube tutorial.  I will admit that I am a little nervous about joining the blocks, but will cross that bridge later.  No need to borrow trouble.  Until then, I will be taking life one stitch at a time.

Momma B.