Category: Quilting and Sewing

Once upon a time I made the Starlight Lily quilt as a pattern tester.  I also made a scrappy version with low volume fabrics, just to see how it looked.  All this while later, I have finally finished binding my Starlight Lily Scrappy quilt.

When I added borders, I broke them up into pieces so I could continue using my low volume fabrics, and because it seemed like a lot of negative space.  Honestly, I’m not sure it was the best decision for this quilt.  A green border would probably have been better.  But that’s part of the journey – trying things to learn from them.  More practice.  We get better.

I do like that scrappy center!  When I quilted this, I had it on my longarm machine and was very much a beginner.  It’s a series of experiments and different stitches.  Some of them too long, some of them with tension issues.  I didn’t even know I was messing up in places.  So it’s quilted, but NOT well.  And yet it’s functional, although I don’t know how much washing the quilting would stand up to over time.  So what do you do with a mostly functional quilt, whose workmanship you’re not proud of, and that you don’t really love?

I don’t know.  And that’s probably why it sat for so long, binding attached but no stitching.  This summer, because I’m tired of the piles that come with unfinished projects, I stitched it down.  Binding finished! I keep a roll of binding scraps to use for scrappy bindings.  This one was fun, and the right binding for the quilt.

 

Yet the question remains:  what to do with the starlight lily scrappy quilt?  I’d like to donate it to someone, but I also want to give good gifts.  I don’t like gifting something that isn’t my best work.  But I also know that it’s not likely to see use at my house; we have so many favorites already in rotation.  Any suggestions for me?  What would you do with it?

I’ve made a beginning on my 1.5 inch Gleaned quilt, and liked it so much that I sewed my blocks together to see how they look.  And….I love them!  (Don’t tell my original 2.5″ Gleaned Quilt, but this version might be my favorite.)  I have sixteen blocks made and sewn together.

All these little scraps summon memories of other projects.  Its delightful to be using even the small pieces to make something new.  Once again I’m using the Art Gallery Pure Solids in linen and slate for those adorable black and white corners.  I love the way those tiny bits of solids pull everything together.

This section measures 24″ square.  My goal is to make a 60″ x 72″ quilt with these 1.5 inch Gleaned blocks. I need 104 more!  I’m sure it will take time, but seeing this little section motivates me to do it.  I find it’s the sorting and cutting of scraps that takes longest; once I get sewing the blocks come easily.

If you’re tempted to make one, please join me!  The pattern is available free to all newsletter subscribers.  Register here to download the pattern.  My Gleaned quilts are turning out to be a deep dive into my scrap bins.  In fact, I’m starting to wonder if I should implement some sort of scrap organization system to save time in the future.  Right now they’re all just tossed together.  How do you organize your scraps?  I don’t feel like I have room for new containers, so I’m going to have to get creative.  Please share your tips!

And now I’m going to sort through another pile of scraps in search of the perfect pieces for my next round of blocks.

Yep, this 1.5″ Gleaned quilt block project has got me hooked!

 

 

I’m so happy to be here today!  It’s release day for my Gleaned Quilt Pattern.  Last week I wrote about my love for the biblical story of Ruth.  Her story fills deep places in my heart, and I have loved thinking of her as I made this quilt.  Coincidentally, I ended up at the BYU MOA last weekend and saw a lovely series of works based on Ruth by American painter Brian Kershisnik, which included this painting of her gleaning.  I love his portrayal of her as being strong and able. My quilt top is now all quilted and bound, and the pattern is ready.  So here it is, my Gleaned Quilt + Pattern.  Keep reading to get your free copy of the pattern!

This quilt measures 60″ x 72″ and is made with scraps both old and new.  I enjoyed hunting through years of scraps to find more favorites as I sewed the blocks.  Gleaned is also written with two block size options.  This quilt requires 2.5″ strips, and the second option calls for 1.5″ strips.   It’s fun to make and even more fun to smile at once finished.

I played with a free motion quilting pattern for this quilt.  It features three circles (smaller grains?) inside the center strip, with arcs on the outer strips and simple orange peel arcs in the black and white triangles.  It’s simple, imperfectly done, and feels fitting to me.  I enjoyed quilting as it gave me opportunity to revisit all these fun prints.

I pulled a favorite Kaffe print from his Artisan collection years ago to use on the back, and supplemented with an Amy Butler print leftover from my Raspberry Applique quilt back.

The scraps made me want stripes for a binding, but black and white was too distracting.  I settled on this fun rectangular print that mostly reads as stripes for binding.

Speaking of Ruth, I have gleaned SO MUCH, over and over again, from the quilting community.  What a special group of artists and makers we are!  Therefore, I am offering my Gleaned Quilt Pattern free to all newsletter subscribers.  It’s a simple email I send once a month, all about quilting.  To subscribe and receive your free pattern, click here.

I hope you enjoy making a Gleaned quilt of your own!

Happy Sewing,

Jennifer