Orphan Block Quilt

Orphan Block Quilt

40 x 60

The middle orphan blocks are called Practical Orchard (I think).  I swapped them long, long ago but didn't like some of the blocks because the points didn't match up nicely, some of the HSTs are turned the wrong way, etc, etc.    Well, they sat around long enough that I finally decided to let them out of the bag to star in a quilt for donation. 

I added a couple of strips of butterflies on either side of those blocks. 

And then I added some Rail Block orphans to the top and bottom plus some extra strips to make a 40 inch width.  I quilted it on my DSM with what I guess is a serpentine stitch. This was a first try of quilting with a decorative stitch on my machine. 

I pieced together my batting strips. I used a thrift store sheet for the backing and some strips left over from backing used on another quilt for the binding. 

This was my goal #6  for

2017 First Quarter Finish-A-Long

This will be donated to either Wrap-A-Smile or Quilts Beyond Borders. 

And Yet Another Wonky Log Donation Quilt

Go Fly A Kite

40 x 58

For this Wonky Log Cabin I started with six inch centers of a kite fabric I've had laying around here for years. I think my daughter brought it to me from a garage sale. 

The rest of my blue short strings went into this quilt.  

I pieced together some batting pieces by zigzagging them together.  I used a solid blue sheet from the thrift store for the backing.  I quilted it on my DSM with some swirls (like the wind blowing the kites around).  I had just enough of that blue fabric for binding.  And I used up some blue thread I had already wound on a bobbin that pretty well matches it.   Machine binding is recommended for the donated comfort quilts but I'm not good at it as you can see.  I've been trying out different stitches to stitch the binding down and sometimes it's just hit and miss. 

This will probably be donated to Wrap-A-Smile but that box is almost full so it may go to Quilts Beyond Borders instead.   When that box is full then I donate locally.  I like to rotate donations. 

I say a little prayer for the future recipient of the quilt who will be undergoing surgery (if donated to Wrap-A-Smile).  I figure what goes around comes around. My son-in-law will be receiving a bone marrow transplant soon for his leukemia. A donor match has been found and that prayer answered. 

 No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted - Aesop

This was my goal # 2 for

First Quarter 2017 Finish-A-Long

Another One For Wrap-A-Smile

Wonky Logs

40 x 58

I made 9 inch wonky log blocks with purple and blue scraps (some given to me for donation quilts) and started each one with red heart centers. 

I used some other fabric with hearts for the border. 

As you can see there are some unexpected surprises in some of the blocks too. 

I quilted each square going back and forth with with scribbly lines in alternate directions (kind of like a basket weave pattern). 

I quilted it on my DSM with gray thread.  I hope I didn't quilt in any cuss words because my machine kept skipping stitches periodically. There were so many starts and stops and ripped out threads in this darned thing.   I think I finally figured out it must be the cross wound spool of thread.  When I changed to one that was not so full the quilting seemed to go a little better. 

This was the first FMQ  I have tried since my sewing machine went in for repair and I did notice that I could not lower the feed dogs because the switch is stuck. I guess I will have to take it back in to repair guy.   I actually don't lower the feed dogs when I FMQ so went ahead and kept quilting. 

I used scrap batting. I zigzag pieces together until I have a piece big enough for my quilt.  The backing was a piece of yardage I picked up from the thrift store a few years ago.  And the binding was leftover.   

This will be donated to Wrap-A-Smile.    Wrap-A-Smile is a partner of Rotaplast International, Inc. an organization committed to helping children and families worldwide by eliminating the burden of cleft lip and/or palate, burn scarring, and other deformities. 

This was my goal #3 for 

2017 Finish-A-Long

Happy Butterflies

Happy Butterflies

50 x 50

I have a box of Happy Blocks (I call it a Happy Place) of various sizes and themes. I used to use my scraps that way (bordering a central square) and when I got enough of them in any particular theme that might look good together I'd sew them into a quilt.  It's nice to have a happy place whenever you need to assemble a quilt quickly. 

I found enough 10 inch butterfly themed blocks bordered in blues, purples and oranges to make this quilt for the Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge. I will send it for Happy Chemo.

I added some pieced batting and quilted it with some very free form five-petaled flowers on my DSM. 

I had enough of this flowery fabric in my stash for the back and binding. 

This was goal #8

for the 

Q2 Finish-A-Long

Linking up to:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun than Housework

Brights Out - A Quilt of Lesser Value

Brights Out

60 x 78

Made of pastel string scraps

A donation quilt

I made the blocks last year as a Heartstrings challenge to make string blocks with light centers. I used a light gray calico with pastel colored flowers. It was fabric left over from a long skirt I made all too long ago. (It was cute too - a maxi skirt with buttons down the front). The rest of the fabrics were from the light colored strings scrap bag. 

I still managed to put some novelties (the smile factor) in the quilt - owls, feathers, butterflies.  In this section.  I must have been smiling when I got there because you can see my quilting swirls kind of went wonky at that point. 

I used another gray calico for the borders - fabric left over from an A line dress I made all so long ago.  (I haven't worn a dress in ages). 

I pieced together batting (with zigzag stitches) and I used a Martha Stewart 100% cotton pink floral sheet from the thrift store for the back. (It's amazing what people take to thrift store. There was not a tear or spot on it.)   I quilted it with spirals on my new little Bro. (Hey, I have arthritis and carpal tunnel so give me a break)! 

And why do I have so many bags of pastel strings I need to use up? They are mostly trimmings from sheet backings. 

This was my goal #7       for      Q2 Finish-A-Long

AND 

I'm linking up to: 

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

ImpRoverished

All year long I make 40 x 60 quilts from orphan blocks, crumbs, strings and other scraps.  I use my batting scraps in these quilts too. I zig zag them together.  I add them to a box and sometimes I take out of the box and give one or two away locally. My daughter is friends with a foster mother and sometimes the quilts go to the new kids in the home.  (My daughter always knows someone who needs a quilt. Pity she doesn't sew.) 

At the end of the year whatever is left I send off to Quilts Beyond Borders or Wrap A Smile. 

I consider these quilts improv...as in improvise...use what's on hand...no pattern...

I've blogged about them all individually all year long so most of them, if you are a regular visitor, are old news. 

But...I just finished that one there in fall colors.  I previously blogged about my "method" of making this style of orphan (improv) quilt and the one next to it. 

40 x 60

This was my November goal    for    A Lovely Year of Finishes.  #49

It was also my goal #9 for the Q4 Finish Along      with Adrianne of On the Windy Side. 

I practiced free motion quilting leaves. 

And I pieced a backing with scraps and a big piece of horse themed fabric I found at the thrift store for $1.00. 

All of these quilt backs came from the thrift store except for one which is the aqua with navy polka dots second in from the right.   That was a bargain basement purchase. 

Ok...so that's my version of improv....as in improvise.   I guess I could be otherwise considered impRoverished! 

There are lots of interpretations for improv. 

Visit either Ann's blog, Fret Not Yourself  OR Kaja's blog, Sew Slowly,  and you will see what I mean...A bunch of Ad Hoc Improv quilters hang out there at the end of every month.