I had an idea

I had this crazy idea to match the binding to all of the different half square triangles on this mini quilt.  Oh my goodness.  What was I thinking?  It took me most of last Sunday and a little bit more tweaking yesterday morning.  Erg.  12 different changes and at different angles depending on the HST.  Blah.  But it looks pretty awesome. Stay tuned. Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guild Modern Mini using Zen Chic for Moda.  It is a wrap.

Who doesn't love a Sew Sisters sale?

Psst!  Just this Sunday, 20% off yardage at Sew Sisters!  And flat rate shipping within Canada at only $9.99!

Please note: 

• The Sale is ONLINE ONLY. The store will remain closed on Sunday, January 24, 2016. 

• Flat Rate Shipping will apply - $9.99 within Canada. 

• If you live in Toronto and would like to pick your order up please mention this is the comments box. Shipping charges will be removed at the time of billing. We will email you when your order is ready for pick up.  

• Discount is only valid on Continuous Yardage including Clearance and Last Chance Fabric. 

• Discount does NOT apply to pre-cuts, kits, fat quarter bundles, mini-bolts etc.

More details on the Sew Sisters Blog!

On the design wall

I have been working away on this over the last few weekends.  It grew and grew until I can say enough.  Next weekend I will stitch it all back together again. I need to spend the next week looking at it as I pass by.  The blocks may need some moving around to even out the dispersion of the prints etc.  This is from book Modern Bee. I have made it before and it is a great scrap buster.  I used a combination of stash and scraps and the colours just make me so happy.  I do like purple.

Hmm... Let's Eat!

Cynthia gave me some of her new fabric a little bit ago and I used some of her Let's Eat line for Robert Kaufman combined with some scraps to make Husband some new oven mitts.  I have to say it is pretty awesome to have such a talented quilty buddy!  This particular line has some lovely fun choices and this particular fabric worked perfectly with my black and white scraps and that awesome clown stripe binding.  Lots of quilting in Aurifil 50 wt in grey keeps all the layers of batting and insul-bright together.  Wouldn't want any heat to get through these mitts.  I did not use a pattern but traced around an old pair of oven mitts that we have used for years.  Super fun and oven mitts are a great gift item for showers or house warming gifts.  Or for your husband if you are like me and have a husband that does all the cooking!

Don't forget, Sew Sisters has free shipping in Canada this weekend!

Free Shipping at Sew Sisters this weekend!

Sew Sisters has fee shipping this weekend!  Get your shop on!  Only in Canada!  

The start of something new

Started something new!  Lots of cutting up bits to sew back together again.  I really like the colour combination.  So stay tuned as this unfolds.  The block is from the book Modern Bee.  Back to work tomorrow after Christmas holidays.  Snow is in the forecast and that always makes the little school people ever so excited.

An I Spy quilt and I really love 4" squares

   Quilt stats

Name:  I Really Love 4" Squares

Design:  224-4" squares with 4" border

Size:  56" by 63"

Fabric: I Spy Scraps and stash fabrics, binding is Timeless Treasures Clown Strip in black

Quilted: by me with Aurifil 50 wt in lt gray, #2600

Backing:  OOP Ikea sheeting

I find I Spy quilts are great donation quilts for organizations that are looking for raffle prizes.  I have made quite a few of these, let me tell you!  I whipped one up over the Christmas holidays to keep in stock for the next raffle prize emergency.  I always stick to the same plan and I have made quite a few of these that I have not even blogged about.  Shocker!  I have a container of pre-cut 4" I Spy squares.  I mean, if you are going to cut one square, why not cut a bunch at the same time?  This way, I can quickly throw up the needed number of squares on the design wall.  Cut a few more if I need variety and then sew them altogether.  It just works.  When I am dealing with scraps, I tend to cut 4" squares of anything I spy suitable and throw them in the container at the same time.  I have a stock pile of the yellow dots for the border and always seem to use the same Clown stripe binding.  This time, I used an out of print Ikea sheeting for the backing.  I bought metres of it before it was no longer available.  It makes a great backing for this type of quilt.

The quilting is simple, straight lines on one side of the blocks with a little bit extra around the border.  I used Aurifil light gray, 50 wt.  The gray blends really well with all the action in the I Spy squares.

I do this with baby quilts too.  4" squares are my go to, quick and easy baby quilt.  I have pre-cut 4" squares ready to go for those purposes as well.  This makes me feel very organized and virtuous.  Just saying.  These baby quilts were done with the 4" square method.  Here and here.  

And you can see we still have snow!  Brrr!  And this is my first finish for the year!  Woo hoo!

and I tucked the quilt up so you can see the back. Happy New Year!