Category: Quilting and Sewing

When I posted last month about my finished Hunt Quilt, I suddenly remembered that my Rin Quilt was also finished.  Rin is another pattern from Carolyn Friedlander, also featuring circles.  And like my Hunt quilt, I stitched some of these blocks at the beach.

Even as I worked on the applique, I felt like the colors and aesthetic of this quilt might interest my mom.  So last September, just before my daughter’s wedding, I had it quilted.  I was able to bind it before my parents came to town, and gift it to my mom for her birthday.

I chose a simple edge to edge design for the quilting.  Another navy blue for the binding.  And I felt super lucky to snap a couple of photos before I had to wrap it up.

These blocks were awfully fun to stitch, with all their scallops.  For the back I picked a quatrefoil design in navy blue.  It complements the quilt nicely, I believe.

It’s fun to see these photos and remember the fabrics I used.  I loved working with them, and most of them were also designed by Carolyn.  I wonder what fabrics I would choose today, if I were to re-make this quilt.  My tastes have evolved, and I started this Rin quilt in 2017.  I’m sure it would be different!  Regardless, it’s lovely and I’m thrilled to have completed it.

I have paid for several of Sarah Fielke’s Block of the Month programs over the years.  For some mysterious reason, this is the first I’ve actually worked on.  I can’t explain why, except that I’m learning the block of the month format interests me in theory, but not in practice.  And I also find that I like her sketches better than the actual designs.  But this one, her Secret Garden pattern, stayed interesting to me.  It’s a mix of piecing and lots of applique in a mix of sizes.  I have all the blocks done, but this is the only section I’ve sewn together so far.  Without further ado, these are my Sarah Fielke Secret Garden quilt blocks:

The four blocks are the bottom left corner of the quilt.  I enjoyed choosing fabrics and doing a little fussy cutting along the way.  While I planned my quilt, I decided to challenge myself by using these low-ish volume background fabrics that are aqua and white.  This isn’t the easiest color to work with as a background.  It’s more medium than light, and sometimes makes contrast difficult.  I went for it anyway, partly because I particularly love the two background prints I chose.

I have also challenged myself by using a large variety of methods in the applique.  I’ve used perfect circles, applique paper, freezer paper, aluminum foil, tracing on the front of the fabric, thread basting, pin basting, glue.  I might have missed one or two.  I want to experiment with lots of methods.  It’s been fun.  I have really enjoyed adding the vines along the seams as the blocks are sewn together.

One favorite block is the key.  I used applique paper to make it, and learned a lot.  It’s  thicker to sew through, and stays in the quilt, but will eventually dissolve partially if washed.  Not sure I’ll ever love appliqueing tiny 1/2″ circles, but at least I’m practicing!  You can see behind the key the fun Heather Bailey print I’m using for half of the blocks.  I wish I had more of this print!

I am loving using ALL of the greens as I stitch leaves and stems.  The more, the better.  In fact, I am buying more green fabric all the time. Whenever I scan a sale or clearance section, I’m looking for greens that would be fun to use in applique.  They have their own bin in my sewing room.

I had to put these blocks away when I was preparing to teach my Marian’s flower applique class, and I haven’t had time yet to pick it back up.   Sometimes all the prep for applique slows me down, but when I block out time and get it done, I can stitch, stitch, stitch!  I’m excited to get going on my Sarah Fielke Secret Garden quilt blocks very soon.  It’s been a busy summer and my son leaves soon.  Hopefully I’ll find time to stitch!

I did it again.  I started another applique project.  This time it’s a journal-style quilt.  One heart for every day.  I want to honor a journey – a literal journey that is also a journey of the heart.  It’s beautiful and strong, difficult and impactful.  It amazes me yet doesn’t surprise me.  So there are hearts.  I need lots of little heart blocks for this one, so they’re small.  I think they’re cute!

So far this is all scraps.  I’ve started cutting 3.5″ squares and making the hearts.  Instead of my usual thread basting method, I’m using Cut Rite freezer paper cardstock to turn the edges in advance.  These are going to be stitched with the edges already prepared.  I’ll make it a really colorful quilt, and scrappy.  But there will also be structure.  I will introduce certain colors or fabrics to represent important days, events, or themes.

Unfortunately the idea struck months after the journey began.  (I do this too often, I think!)  Even though it will require extra work, and some of the calendaring will be representative and not exact, I believe it’s worth it.  Plus, who could be unhappy while stitching these little heart blocks?

I’ll work hard now to catch up, and then I can slow down.  I picture myself having a weekly stitching appointment where I applique 7 hearts at a time.  Typically I don’t love the heart symbol.  I have no idea why (My Heart, Today, is an exception, I guess).  But stars, they speak to my heart.  I’m a little surprised that I feel so drawn to this project, and to the hearts in particular.  It’s always fun to have something new catch your interest.  Wish me luck on catching up!  I have almost 300 hearts to make.  Surely I can do it!

Honestly, though.  Do you think I’m crazy?  Would you start something like this 8 months later?  What if the journey is a once in a lifetime thing?  Would it be worth it to catch up?  I’m curious.  These personal story quilts light me up, and I want to know how you feel about projects like this.  Please share!

Jennifer