Swan Dive Quilt

This is my secret sewing I have been working on for the last month! Fat Quarter Shop was looking for volunteers to use their Swan Dive Quilt pattern and I wanted to make a chemo quilt for my friend, Troy--he just started his 18 months of chemo. This is a free pattern from FQS and comes in two sizes. I opted for the lap size as it is perfect to use during chemo treatments 54" x 66". The pattern was designed to use with their Jolly Bars- 5" x10" rectangles--it takes one Jolly Bar for the baby size and two for the lap size. They wanted us to use a current fabric, so I ordered a layer cake of Moda's Zen Chic Backgrounds and a Kona black layer cake and yardage--I was going for a modern, masculine look. This would also be a great way to use up some scraps from your stash too!

The large pinwheels and flying geese were made using the Jolly Bar Cake Mix Recipe papers from Miss Rosie's Quilt company--they were very helpful since there are 800 half square triangles!

Since I needed to make my FQS deadline and get this to Troy ASAP, I opted to quilt it myself with straight line, vertical quilting, spaced every three quarters of an inch. I also used a gray minky for the backing and silver thread. I have washed it and it did shrink up some, but it is nice and cozy with the minky backing and the Warm & Natural batting gives it some weight. Here is the link to FQS and all the details for Swan Dive:

https://blog.fatquartershop.com/free-pattern-jolly-bar-friendly-swan-dive-quilt

This one is going in the mail today to Troy as a quilty hug during all his chemo treatments! Thank you Fat Quarter Shop for allowing me to make my own version of this quilt and gift it as a chemo quilt!

Quilt Along Progress

Howdy! I traveled to a conference last Sunday for work, so I did not get to sew very much last weekend. It was fun to get to go do some shopping especially at Trader Joe's and the bookstore, but the conference was kind of a bust. I was slightly ahead on my Ombre Gems Blocks and I made this week's this morning--lagoon, avocado, and teal. This quilt is going to be stunning!

I am all caught up with my Sunday Best Quilt Sampler blocks. I have not added the sashing and cornerstones because I am not sure if I will use red or navy.

 I am using some of my Bonnie and Camille scraps and stash for these.

My B&C Early Bird fat quarter bundle arrived while I was gone. We are supposed to get snow tonight, tomorrow, and Wednesday. I will whip up some soup and enjoy cuddling under a quilt and binding to stay warm and cozy.

Ombre Gems Quilt Along 2

 I have a confession--I wore pajamas all weekend because I just stayed in my sewing room. I got caught up with my blocks for the Ombre Gems QAL. More information is on my right hand side bar--I am using Ombre Confetti fabric. These are my magenta blocks.

 These are the hot pink, popsicle pink, and persimmon blocks and half blocks.

And these are the coral, honey, and mustard blocks and half blocks. It feels good to be back on track.

 I am still behind on the Sunday Best Sampler Sew Along, but the navy I am using for my sashing and binding arrived with the red for my stash--I would rather spend more and get free shipping than pay for shipping!

This is my secret sewing for Fat Quarter Shop--if it is on time, we will reveal in a week. I finished quilting it yesterday and snuggled up under it last night binding it. I have about 1.5 more sides to go, but I will meet my deadline and get this mailed off to be used as a chemo quilt. Yay for Slow Sunday Stitching: https://kathysquilts.blogspot.com/2019/10/slow-sunday-stitching-retreat-report.html

I have parent/teacher conferences this week, so that will be some long days--but I will have Friday off which makes up for it. Have a great week!

October 2019 Happenings

Last weekend I was disappointed we didn't win at Cow Patty Bingo, but this week I won this beautiful Harper's Garden Fat Quarter Bundle on Instagram from Hunnie Quilt. You can pick up the bundle here:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/711895108/fat-quarter-bundle-harpers-garden-by?ref=shop_home_active_9&pro=1&frs=1

The fabrics are lovely and her prices are good and shipping is free!

 My secret sewing project for an upcoming Fat Quarter Shop sew along is ready for pinning. I am pinning it today and getting started on the quilting. I am straight line quilting it along the length. It is a modern looking quilt because of the fabrics I chose, so I think the straight line quilting will enhance it. I am making this for my friend, Troy, to use during his 18 months of chemo. It will have a cozy, gray minky backing. Wait until I can share the whole thing, it is really cool looking!

I am a little late for this sew along--the Sunday Best Quilt Sampler. I am using some of my Bonnie & Camille stash for the blocks.

I ordered a navy with white circles to use as the sashing, but it still has not even shipped and the seller has not responded to my inquiry. I hope to make the two blocks this week and add the sashing when it arrives.

An Ombre Gems Quilt Along began this week. I have had the pattern and these fat quarters for quite some time waiting for this project. I am going to get going on it this week.

It is Sunday, so laundry, football, quilting, and cooking are on my agenda. I just washed and changed our sheets and put the Scrap Dance Waltz Quilt on our bed. I haven't washed it yet to get the crinkly goodness--it is so big I need to take it to the laundromat. I also need to figure out our pillows, but the dachshund shams my sister made me look cute on it. I also picked up navy and white gingham sheets at Marshall's a month ago that look good with all the Bonnie & Camille scrappiness. It is supposed to get down to 19 degrees this week, so we need a heavier quilt on the bed. The cold evenings help me get cuddled up with some hand binding. Have a great week!