Dangerous Roads Quilting

"Dangerous Roads"

First things first, folks. I've been on 'blogcation', meaning I took a break from blogging. Unplanned, but it happened naturally. The rhythm of summer took over with holidays, friends, home projects, and keeping up with acres and acres of mowing. The heat and rain just keep coming here in the Midwest, with no end in sight. My current projects have been full marathons as opposed to when I could say, "Look at the pot holder I whipped up!" 

Slow Sewing for the Soul

A Slow Stitch Saturday Morning

This past Saturday was filled with light. I have a north window in my studio, and the light was perfect to sit and hand stitch these last few pieces. The turkey and deer kept stopping at my window as if to say, "Just passing through to see what you're doing this fine morning." It was soothing to the soul. The few seams I had to complete were with Aurifil's Invisible Monofilament Thread, and unless the light is perfect it is darned difficult to see! I really love this thread.

When Difficult Quilts Happen to Determined People

The Best Part So Far 

Just in case you're asking yourself why on Earth I would make this my opening photo, it's because it's the best part of the quilt at this point. 

Are You Up for a Good Fabric Challenge? 2015 Riley Blake for MQG

Months ago I signed up for the Modern Quilt Guild's 2015 Fabric Challenge with Riley Blake Designs. A list of guidlines came along with the fat quarter bundle I received, and I took the challenge to heart.

#1. It needs to be fantastic and quilted. 

#2. Something I've never done before. I've never done a project that involved curves. I learned how to sew them, but I've never used them in a project. 

#3. I've never made a medallion quilt.

#4. The fabrics in the fat quarter bundle were the ones shown on the card above. I had to add to them after I saw the rest of the line. The pinks were just as gorgeous as the blues and greys.

The design was next. I worked on graph paper, and came up with something I thought would enhance the prints. To make it all easy to calculate, I used a 2" block. Making my own template was easy with a basic compass. Just make sure you have a 1/4" overlay for the seam in both directions. I made my template for a 3" block, and it gave me leeway to trim it down to 2 1/2". This will finish out as a 2" block. 

The center is sewn together here below, and you have a rough idea of the curved pieces in the top picture. This is going to be an easy and fun project on a smaller scale. I should have more to show you in the next day or so.

Are you working on the same challenge? July 31st is the last day to link up. Details are on the Modern Quilt Guild website if you want to check them out. Be sure to follow me on Instagram if you want to see projects evolve more quickly. The button is in the right side bar at the top of the page.

Until next time...

Come on, Doxie girls.

Let's go sew.

Linking up with~
Patchwork Times
Show and Tell with Bambi
Cooking Up Quilts

Here's what I'm looking at next for those 
of you who have asked.

The Farmer's Wife 1930's Sampler Quilt

In the Studio with Anglea Walters: Machine-Quilting Design Concepts Add Movement, Contrast, Depth & More

By the Block: 18 Surprisingly Simple Quilts

I'm So Jealous! Would You Look at Her Curves!

That was me. 

I was green with envy when I saw

quilters turning out blocks with curved piecing.

I loved it, but I already knew I couldn't do it.

I've sewn my share of little puffed sleeves on baby 

dresses, and fitted skirts round table toppers. 

Neither were on my list of, 

"Let's do that again soon!"

So, when I knew I had to learn to sew curves 

for piecing, I honestly dreaded it. 

I was pretty darn sure it was never going to be 

My Thing.