Years ago, as a new quilter, I took a
class at the LQS to learn how to make a Stack and Whack quilt based
on the book by
Bethany Reynolds. The pattern was for a lap size –
I can't remember if it was for 12 or 20 blocks. Well, my
over-enthusiastic (and ambitious) self decided to modify the pattern
and aimed for a queen-size quilt that would use about 30 blocks.
That Stack and Whack quilt is currently a UFO!
I do find making Stack and Whack blocks
quite enjoyable and so, most, if not all, blocks were completed soon after. Over the years, the quilt has grown and is now sewn together using 20 blocks.
If I simply wanted it done and out of the way, the next steps would
be borders, quilting, and binding. However, in my heart, I really,
truly want to make that queen-size quilt. I hate giving up. The
main obstacle to finishing this quilt, whatever size it turns out to
be, is that I changed my mind about the borders and now intend to use
the dark background fabric. Of course, I thought that was next to
impossible because not only did I not purchase enough of that fabric
years ago, it is a very distinct, very hard-to-find shade of dark
teal.
Late last week, the partially completed
quilt finally went on a fabric road trip with me, quite resolved to
find a substitute fabric that could work in the border. Naturally, I
was also on a fabric-buying expedition for another project!
Multi-tasking you might say. As I was looking at the blues for this
other project, to my delight and surprise, the exact dark teal fabric
I had used in my Stack and Whack quilt literally fell off the shelf
and right into my arms!!! WOW! More than five years later, the
fabric was still available?! YES! Thanks to
Jinny Beyer's wonderful
idea of creating a lasting palette of tonal quilting fabrics. Even
better, the new fabric matches the original so much they could have come from the same dye lot. How truly awesome is that? Now, I'm hoping to finish
that Stack and Whack quilt top this summer – fingers crossed!
 |
| Week 3 UFO - quilt top done! |
When I got home from that miraculous
fabric road trip, that week's UFO called to me and, with a burst of
energy, I finished a bright and cheery quilt top of my own design.
It was just a fun quilt to make.
 |
| Spiral Mandala design |
The following day was my class
with
Ranae Merrill on learning how to make a Spiral Mandala quilt.
What do you think – does my design show promise? The colors are
just for contrast and not representative of the fabrics. Here's the
actual first sewn unit that would go right in the center.
 |
First Sewn Unit
shown with the Magic Mirrors! |
It's the
first of about 40 units, not including the background! If it weren't
for the many things crowding my scheduling this week, I would have
been sewing away on that quilt. Looking forward to the next couple
of days when I can do so. I will admit to being hooked!
Speaking of hooking, I confess that I
played hooky with this week's UFO. Ugh! I promise that in the next
couple of days, before I play with the spiral mandala project, I will
finish this week's UFO. It's got a fun story that I'll write about
when I get it done.
Quick updates:
Roxy – she was such a trooper,
donating a pint of blood last week. She led everyone into the room
and was very relaxed and cooperative, as though she had done it a
thousand times. I'm sure the treats being given left and right
didn't hurt!
Sue with the one-seam sundress –
apparently not quite as easy since the sundress needed to be hemmed
and the shoulder straps need to be made. Oh, well...
TTFN...
We're not done yet! Even MORE exciting news!!! County Line Quilters Guild Quilt Show is this coming weekend! Well over 200 guild member quilts in addition to some special exhibits will be on display. There will be vendors (including myself) and demos and lots of chances to win stuff and there will be food, too! The raffle quilt is my own design (YAY!) and created by guild member as well as quilted by my buddy, Kim Pope. 
I do find making Stack and Whack blocks
quite enjoyable and so, most, if not all, blocks were completed soon after. Over the years, the quilt has grown and is now sewn together using 20 blocks.
If I simply wanted it done and out of the way, the next steps would
be borders, quilting, and binding. However, in my heart, I really,
truly want to make that queen-size quilt. I hate giving up. The
main obstacle to finishing this quilt, whatever size it turns out to
be, is that I changed my mind about the borders and now intend to use
the dark background fabric. Of course, I thought that was next to
impossible because not only did I not purchase enough of that fabric
years ago, it is a very distinct, very hard-to-find shade of dark
teal.
