Flannel Strippy Quilt

I finally finished my son's Flannel Strippy Quilt.  This quilt was made from leftovers.  That is everything other than the backing.  Even the batting was from leftovers - a mix of cotton batting, poly batting and fleece. Check below - sorry about the weird angle:

The front is made from leftover flannel strips and a few blocks most of which were salvaged from my Mother In Law making her mother, sisters and grand-daughters pants for Christmas.   Some strips are from some of my projects and kid's pants as well, but I'd say 75% are from her.  Thanks Bev!!!! :) 

This isn't the finished blanket.  I am waiting for my son to let me take a picture.  He has a bunkbed so I can't get a good pic of it - too dark - and every weekend we've had rain since it's been completed.  This Saturday, Halloween, is supposed to be nice and sunny!!!  Woo Hoo!  So maybe we will have a completed quilt pic along with pics of our scarrry trick or treaters.

To our right is a close up of two blocks joined.

I cant tell you how much fun it was to make these.  Once I got started it went so quickly.  My son would hand me the strips he wanted next and I just kept going!!

I've got a bag of girly flannel for my daughters blanket.  If you'd like a tutorial on how I put these togther, stay tuned for the girl version.  It may be spaced out over a few months, as this one was, as I wait for the leftovers to become available from my other projects.  I like to have quilts like this going because they are a nice break from piecing and they are what I call "mindless sewing".  

What can you do to get ready?  Start putting all your flannel scraps in a box or bin.  If you want to use cotton, that is fine too.  Cut 12 inch squares out of all your left over batting pieces.  If you dont have any that are 12 inch squares, dont worry.  You can join them together by butting them up and using a zig zag stitch.  If you think they feel to flimsy this way, dont worry, you'll be sewing your strips across the zig zag seem which will reinforce that.  Remember this is mindless sewing, no worries!!! 

Happy Quilting!!

Quilts to Finish - 2009 UFO'.s

I need help organizing all my various quilt projects. I have a few commissioned projects to finish with upcoming deadline dates so those are at the top of my list. The rest are subject to change. I will post pics of each individually as I go along and as I finish the tops, quilt them, and then wash them. I will post this list on my sidebar. As I complete quilts I will move them to a newly created finished 2009 quilts heading. 

I am guilty of starting a quilt then starting another before I finish the previous one. I get a thought in my head, then I start a block or two, then I get another thought. This blog will serve the purpose of keeping me on track. I am sure as I go through the UFO's I will find lots more. I have lots of projects cut out and not yet started the sewing part. This is a whole other list and trust me it is probably waaaaaaay longer than this one.

Below is the layout for the Breast Cancer Quilt I will have finished this week.  It is going to be rag style.  There is a mix of flannel and cotton prints with lots of Breast Cancer fabric mixed in with some other pink blocks.  There are 64 blocks in this quilt and it will fnish to 57" square.   I love how shabby these turn out!!

Check back at the end of the week and you'll see the finished quilt, complete with batting and backing!!

Brick Wall Flannel and Minky Quilt Top

This is an extremely cuddable flannel and minky quilt made from my rag quilt leftovers.  I LOVE leftovers sometimes they are yummier than the original quilt!! There are 120 "bricks" in this quilt. The pattern is random.  Each brick is made by taking a 6.5 inch block, then halving it.  I chain piece seven bricks lengthwise, creating 12 strips.  Then I take 8 bricks and half those.  I put 1/2 of a brick at opposing ends, alternating from one strip to the next.  So all the odd numbered strips (looking at them horizontally) may have the half brick on the right and all the even may have it on left. Then all that is left to do is sew the strips together. 

I have completed this quilt a couple of different ways.  I have backed it with anti pill fleece envelope style, then top stitched the edge.  When I back it this way, I generally sew free motion small circles or a girls may have rag quilt hearts, randomly placed, stitching through the top and fleece back.

Another way I have finished this quilt top is traditionally with batting and flannel backing then wavy stitching down the center of each brick, ribbon style or a for a boy I have quilted 1/4 from each seam. 


The approximate finished size of this quilt is 42"x44". So it makes a nice baby quilt or a cozy throw.  It is very simple and forgiving for beginners because you don't have any seams to match up.

So collect all those leftover rag quilt squares, separating for girl and boy or collect 10 sets of 12 squares. You can easily compete this quilt from beginning to end in a weekend or even a day.  It makes a great last minute baby shower present or for a charity blanket.  Because the pattern is random you dont have to lay any blocks out.  The more of a variety you have, the better.  This one I've pictured, I tried to stay with blues, yellows and creams.

I will provide you with a tutorial in the next couple of weeks.  I have a girl brick wall quilt ready to be pieced, including some rag quilt hearts.

My Daughter Learns to Quilt

I will not be reporting on my daughters progress for a bit.  Her machine is not feeling well :(.  We are dropping it off at the Sewing doc's tomorrow for treatment.  Lets hope the repair is not too costly. 

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I will be documenting my 9 year old daughters progress as she learns to quilt.  I will show you how I am teaching her, what works for her and what doesnt, and you will see her quilts.  Her first few quilts were rag quilts, security size, which she sold on ebay.  She is making these to help her become more familiar with the sewing machine and all its stitches. 

Please feel free to let me know your opinions and criticisms.  If you have an idea to help make something easier or patterns that are simple and quick.  Quick is very important for her.  She likes results.  

Olivia - 9 years old

Here is her FIRST QUILT:

Quilt Bloggin Newbie

Well, I have finally decided to start my own quilting blog. I have wanted to do this for a number of years. I am such of fan of the quilting blogs. They are a great resource for ideas, fabric choices, color selection, etc. Please be patient. I am sure there will be a learning curve for me.

Pictured above is a Breast Cancer Rag Quilt made from 16 different fabrics. There is a mix of flannels and cottons. I love the fringe of the exposed seams. Babies love these rag quilts too. The fringe provides an interesting texture for them.

Please check out my etsy store for rag quilting supplies and other charm packs or fabric. http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5548627

Thanks - Be back soon!!!!