Batik Bazaar Finished !

Batik Bazaar

72 x 96

It's a finish! 

I made the top waaaaaay back in 2019. 

 These 24 inch Massachusetts block instructions can be found at Quilter's Cache. 

The centers of these blocks, framed four patches, were leftovers from a long ago swap.  The Massachusetts block calls for an 8.5 inch center so I used a framed four patch instead. 

I quilted it on my sewing machine with vertical lines in a variegated green thread. 

The backing is a floral on black and the binding is a woven look black. 

My theme to move UFOs forward this month in the sewing space is "Oldies and Biggies" and this one fits both categories. 

And sew on...

***

CELEBRATE! (My word of the year)

Nov. 2 - Finished a book - The Hit by David Baldacci.  The second mystery thriller book in the Will Robie, U.S. government assassin, series. 

Nov. 3 - Added an hour to my day! 

Nov. 4 - Received a box of goodies from Cindy - beautiful comfort quilt tops with backings, bindings  and thread. (Not sure I will be able to complete them and get them donated until next year). 

Nov. 5 - 

...From the mountains

To the prairies
To the oceans
White with foam
God bless America
My home sweet home.

 

It's a Flimsy! #103a - Batik Bazaar

 It's a flimsy!

Batik Bazaar 

The name was suggested in a comment by Sandy

72 x 96

 These 24 inch Massachusetts block instructions can be found at Quilter's Cache. 

 The centers of these blocks, framed four patches, were from a long ago swap.  The Massachusetts block calls for an 8.5 inch center so I used a framed four patch instead. 

 I was lucky to have enough larger pieces of batiks to finish these blocks. Most of my batiks are 1/4 and 1/2 yard pieces and I don't have many of those. 

This is one of two UFOs I moved forward to flimsy stage this month. 

 Our Stashbusters Yahoo Group draws several random numbers to work on each month in order to move forward our UFOs.   This month #3 was one of the numbers drawn and if you have over 100 UFOs (guilty as charged) then you can add 100 to that number for a bonus number to work on. 

I had #103 listed as Batik Framed Four Patches. 

But when I went to that project box I also found Batik Happy Blocks in the box. And that UFO I did not have listed. The Framed Four Patches were 8.5 inches unfinished and the Batik Happies were 8 inches unfinished.   So I had two UFOs to work on - #103a and #103b.   I'm happy to say that my project box is now empty and those old UFOs are now flimsies. 

I previously blogged about 103b which will probably be a donation quilt if one of my granddaughters doesn't snag it first because black is their new pink. 

Looking forward to April's random numbers to see what I might be working on moving forward! 

#103a - Still Working on It

 UFO #103 is what I've been working on this month. Surprise, surprise...when I went to assess what was needed to take the UFO to flimsy stage I found that UFO #103 was actually two different UFOs that used batiks -Framed Four Patches and Happy Blocks.  

So I hope to have two flimsies by month end - #103a and #103b. 

For this one - #103a- I'm using 12 of the Framed Four Patches for the centers of 24 inch Massachusetts blocks. 

Only three more blocks to go!

Tomorrow or the next day I hope to show you the #103b flimsy. 

I've Been Thinking

 I posted on Monday about my UFO #103 which happens to be two UFOs - both old swaps that use batik fabrics.   I was thinking of making a couple of twin sized quilts. I have a very small amount of batik fabric so making more blocks of both to reach that size was out of the question.  I'm trying to limit myself to complete these UFOs without buying new fabric. 

So now I think I may have a plan.  I have had this 24 inch block called Massachusetts from Quilter's Cache in my folder for awhile as a block that could be used for a big square of novelty fabric or big print fabric.  The center is 8.5 inches.  Well, guess what...my UFO #103a happens to be 8.5 inch blocks.   So I made a block to see if I like it using the framed four patch as the center.   Well, I do! And it will only take 12 blocks to make a twin sized quilt so...

 I picked twelve blocks and paired them up with pieces of batiks that I thought might be big enough to make the remaining 11 Massachusetts blocks. 

And these look gray because I used a flash to take the photo but they are pieces of black solids and BOBs (black on blacks) that I have that should be enough to complete the blocks. 

I may use the rest of the blocks of UFO #103a on the back or if I have enough blacks and batik pieces I may be able to make another Massachusetts 12 block quilt.  First things first.  

After I make those 12 blocks and assemble the flimsy I will use the rest of the batiks to make more batik Happy Blocks (UFO 103b). Hopefully there will be enough for a twin sized top. If not I will decide if I want a smaller quilt, sashing or...

And lucky thing...UFO #103b has a bunch of four inch centers with the blocks that just need to be framed.  And I had exactly enough scrap left from making that Massachusetts trial block to frame the fish with some algae. 

And for those of you who are shocked I have so many UFOs...

I never used to have much money for fabric. So I would swap and swap and swap.  That way I could buy a couple of pieces of fabric and make lots of the same block, swap, and get back lots of blocks in different fabrics.  But I never had enough blocks to make a quilt, never had money to buy many more fabrics or battings or backings.  I knew someday I would.  The swaps accumulated.  Thank goodness postage was a lot cheaper back then.  And it was always nice to receive a package of blocks in the mail.  It was a treat to look at all the different fabrics. 

As time went on I slowly built up stash buying small pieces  of fabric and remnants that were on sale or with a coupon.  I also found fabric at thrift stores or cut up used clothes. I stockpiled sheets from the thrift store for backings.  Then when I did have a little disposable income to spend on fabric I never had the time to sew. But still I bought small pieces of fabric, usually half yards, on sale and/or with coupons and as I grew older with senior discounts.  My daughter started bringing me fabrics (real oldies usually) from garage sales and church rummage sales.  The stash started accumulating.  I couldn't find the time to use it. 

And now I've been retired for almost exactly two years. I have the UFOs and I have the fabric and I have the time. (I knew someday I would).   I've challenged myself to use my stash to complete the UFOs that way I can give the monthly dollar amount I budgeted for fabric in retirement to a cause near and dear to my heart.  And when I complete a lot of the UFOs they can also go to causes near and dear to my heart. 

It's all good.