The Rest of the Retreat Story

I prepped all my projects ahead of time for retreat so I could just sit and sew and talk and not have to cut or think too hard or do any "dreaded math."  Each project was cut and put into a ziploc bag along with the pattern or instructions. The first thing I worked on was this "Cross Weave" pattern by Sweet & Simple Quilts from Martingale.

In case you haven't noticed by now, lately I've really been into using a complementary color in the sashing or border. I think it makes it more interesting.  (And different -- you must know I like my quilts to be different!)  I had a really cute backing fabric I had bought when I was in Paducah in April for the AQS Show.  

Except for the backing this quilt was made from stash and scraps.  In fact, this is my entire supply of oranges now. I've been doing some serious stash-busting!

The second thing I worked on was this pattern, "Easy Starburst", by Missouri Star Quilt Company's Jenny Doan.  

I had never made Half-Square Triangles using the method in her tutorial.  Starting with two squares, one print and one white-on-white, right sides together, I sewed a quarter-inch seam around the edges then cut from corner to corner to make four HST's.  It worked well and went together fast, but I ended up having to work with all bias edges which is not my favorite thing.  

(Note:  I used 7" squares instead of 10" squares in order to end up with a smaller quilt.) The HST's were then stitched into four large blocks, using the same layout .....

..... then, starting at the top right, each block was turned clockwise in order to create the star.  

I added a border and used fabrics from my stash for the back and binding. 

How about that?  Two finishes in one week!  Not only that, but two more quilts for Choose Life of North Alabama.  

See what happens when you get to go on a retreat?  

I'm linking up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict and Quilting is More Fun Than Housework.  Check them out and read about the projects others are working on.

Also linking up with Sew Some Love at Kat & Cat Quilts.

A "Made Fabric" UFO Update

There's a fun place out in Blogland called 15 Minutes Play where quilters are encouraged to make their own fabric by sewing together small scraps and then using that "made fabric" in their quilts.   I participated in a block swap in 2011 in which each player, when it was their turn,  could request blocks of their own design, and the other participants made and sent that block.  I blogged about it HERE.  I requested two blocks -- one neutral block of made fabric and one color block of made fabric.

I asked that they be slashed, switched around and re-sewn.  Like this --

I made the purple blocks and received 12 more sets from the swappers.  

They stayed on my design wall for a while and then were hidden away with the rest of the UFO's.  Since this is my "Year of the UFO" they are once again seeing the light of day, and this is my current project.

I didn't think I would like the look if I had just sewn them together into rows.  I needed to play.   So I slashed .....

..... shuffled .....

..... then added 1" strips of a complementary color.

I still wasn't happy, so I slashed some more and added another strip.

Now, THAT is looking interesting!  I played all day yesterday and was able to finish the blocks and get them sewn together. 

I'm really starting to like this idea.  I need to give the borders some thought, but I have several ideas in mind.  I have a feeling this one won't be a UFO much longer!