Friday, October 20, 2017

Scrappy Quilts, Comforters & Free Pattern


The Scrappy Hurricane Quilt


While hurricane Irma hit the southern U.S., I sewed nine patch blocks from my table scraps. There was so much going on in the scrappy hurricane blocks I felt the quilt needed somewhere calm to rest the eye. I laid this up on the wall during a sewing day here in the studio, but have since rearranged several times. I allow layouts to hang, and switch blocks around over many days until I like the feel of it. If time permits this week, I will make the sashing from 3 strips: white, cerulean blue grunge, and white. I am also considering an outer border, but will be happy to just get the blocks assembled at this point.




"The Houses on Cherry Ridge"

Friends often come to sew during the fall and winter months, and it inspires me to clean up things I might otherwise let go. The stack of comforters under my cutting table had reached its limit. It was time for some leisurely quilting after finishing Jenna's Most Glorious Scrap Quilt Finish. You may also like Jenna's Most Glorious Scrap Quilt.

The pattern above was created to use what scraps I had, and it is free. Free, Easy Charity Quilt Pattern: Day 13. It is quick, and best of all--scrappy! Now that it has been quilted, it only awaits binding before heading to Connection's Thrift Store in Kidron, Ohio. The MCC thrift stores are a cut above general thrift stores, and offer clean, handmade items like comforters, quilts, and in-store woven rag rugs at extremely reasonable prices. 



This comforter will probably be heading overseas in one of the bundles shipped into areas needing emergency supplies. I experimented with larger blocks of fabric to make these quicker. Also, simple quilting helped to give it a more contemporary, but feminine look.



I did simple, wavy lines on the last. You can see that all three quilts share some of the same fabrics even though they have completely different looks. These are all at least 60" x 80", and the first one closer to a double/queen size.



My goal for making an emergency comforter has changed a bit since I started. While it is always desirable for something to beautiful, that has moved toward the end of my list. 

1. Well constructed: I use strong thread, and make sure the layers are stitched or well knotted. These will be well used by a whole family.

2. Polyester batting: Polyester dries quicker than cotton or blended batting, and living conditions may be rough. Polyester is puffy, and this works equally well to lay on top of in warmer climates. Also, polyester weighs far less to ship than cotton. Shipping is expensive!

3. Cotton or cotton/poly blends: I use to think all cotton for everything, but I have made and used some blends myself to see how they held up. Polyester and cotton/poly blends wear well. There may be some pilling over time, but it's a workhorse of a fabric. I use it.



The Not-So-Ugly Christmas Quilt


I will tread lightly as not not offend those of you who really like the 80's Country look. It was never my thing, and I had to roll my eyes when I found a whole pack of it. My mom paid a whopping $3 for piles of precut squares last summer, and I gladly took them for comforters. While the squares of snowmen, mittens, kittens, and cookies made me cringe a little, I thought, "I fix you. I'll embrace you, and make a quilt!" Then I promptly asked a daughter if she wanted 'an ugly Christmas quilt.'

I sewed away over an evening and the morning next, and when I snapped it out as one does with a completed top we both stopped and said, "Ooooh! That's really cute!" And we promptly looked for the kittens, mittens, snowmen, and cookies. Lesson learned. I stand corrected for all you Country Lovers. There is no such thing as ugly fabric! And this quilt is going on the frame today so she actually has time to enjoy her Not-So-Ugly-Christmas Quilt.




Three Gals in a Pony Cart


As I was traveling home the other day from seeing my great grandmother's quilt, Tell Me About Your Quilt: Jemima Mast Miller, a cart of young Amish women was topping the hill in front of me. No way to safely pass or traffic behind me, I kept my distance and snapped this silhouette. They were in no hurry, and I had a poetic reminder to slow my pace and mind, too. 


Let us look at the clouds, and enjoy the journey.

Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's go sew slowly today.

Linking up with~
Crazy Mom Quilts


10 comments:

Unknown said...

I just love this post, Julie! So much to give pause to think, remember and use 'what we have'.... Sewing indeed is good for our mental health. You leave me inspired, excited to get the most sewing done in my day that is realistically possible. lol Keep sharing with us!

Angie in SoCal said...

Love your scrappy hurricane quilt - so colorful. And good call on the emergency comforter criteria.
A thoughtful, quilty post.

Carie @ Space for the Butterflies said...

oh I love your scrappy hurricane - it's gorgeous and i can't wait to see it finished. And yes to taking a minute to slow down our busy lives - what lovely way to be reminded :)

Stitchin At Home said...

Love the scrappy hurricane blocks. I have heard that there is no ugly fabric...but I know I own some :)

Kate said...

The scrappy hurricane blocks are very bright and fun. Remembering the final intended use of a quilt does make a difference, you've done a great job of considering where yours are going.

The Joyful Quilter said...

Love, love, LOVE that Scrappy Hurricane Quilt!! I appreciate the fact that you are also making Disaster Relief Comforters. Thanks for sharing your list of considerations for making the Emergency Comforters! You make a good point for each item on the list.

Linda Swanekamp said...

Lots of food for thought. Hurricane Quilt is stunning.

Danice G said...

Beautiful quilts. I have to agree with you about that '80's country vibe. I never really embraced it either, lol. You did make those fabric squares into something not ugly. 'Love how you worded that "I'll fix you..." The three Amish girls in the buggy is a nice photograph that does remind us to all just slow down and appreciate life.

KaHolly said...

You are so smart! I never even considered that poly batting would be less expensive to mail! Love your comfort-ers!

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

All these things to take into consideration when making a charity quilt . I must admit even when using the ugly Christmas fabrics in the 1980 I thought they were ugly