Category Archives: baby quilt

Simply Retro Quilt Along

August 17th 2013

Whew! I thought I’d never get this done but I enjoyed it so much. A great motivator to finish is using some fun fabric. It provided great stress relief, once I got started I could not stop! But I’ve only finished the top, quilting is yet to be done.

This pattern is called “Playground” in Camille Roskelley’s Simply Retro book (you can get it here or at her store Thimble Blossoms.) I’m quilting along through this book with Jana.

Grab button for Simply Retro Quilt Along

Here are two ways to change how the block looks.

Mix up the colors and patterns.

Or leave them more uniform, Both work!

I used Baby Big Top Circus Collection (or part of it) by Timeless Treasures. I got a Fat Quarter bundle at Craftsy, take advantage of those 50% off sales!!

Here are more of the blocks up close.

Once I laid out the blocks, I looked at it from different angles and took pictures to make sure the “weight” of the darker fabrics was evenly dispersed to create a more balanced look. You’ll notice your eye drawn to the darn blues and greens, right?

I added sashing vertically and horizontally to separate the blocks. The original pattern had blocks interspersed with partial blocks on the sides….but I didn’t want partial blocks. I really like how each block stands alone and pops with the white.

Oh, here’s a tip: I buy jelly rolls and charm packs in white (Kona) they are great “go-tos” when you need filler squares for HSTs or fast sashing, you can use them for multiple projects!

I’d like to know what you think about partial blocks?

Simply Retro Quilt Along

July 2nd 2013

I am so glad that I signed up for this quilt along.

Thanks Jana! Check out her blog and see what it’s all about! There are lots of pics of other great projects, take a look here, here and on flickr!

I am not going to tell you that it’s easy to keep up with these weekly postings but it’s a great excuse to lose sleep! I am really enjoying myself working on these projects as well as learning new things and moving along very quickly. The funny thing is every time I look ahead at the next project, I know exactly who is going to get it!

Here is the second project in the book. If you are a quilter, a beginning quilter, this book is the perfect place to start working with patterns. Easy, Peasy!!

You start with squares.

Lots of squares.

Group your squares.

Turn some into Half square Triangles.

Before you know it, you have a block!

I did this whole quilt top last Saturday! I adapted the size to 36″ x 48″ for a baby quilt. I hope to get it done before the baby arrives. Congratulations Natalie and Jader!!

This quilt is such an optical illusion! Can you see that?

I varied it slightly because I used two fabrics for each block because I didn’t have enough of either to do the whole block the same. I really did run out of both! So the splash of color, which really is part of the design in the book, was the perfect plan for this one.

I am having toruble with the backing fabric because way back, I only bought 1 yard of fabric, which is just a little short for backing. The other problem is I am on a Summer budget which does not allow for fabric purchase! (I buy in May, September and December)

The froggy fabric is what I have enough of but I just don’t know about that! What if the mom hates frogs?

Little Lamb Quilt Finished

July 20th 2012

Sorry this took so long to finish. But now with summer here it’s “On your mark, get set, CRAFT!” is easier said than done!

I am glad I had some batting stashed away for the “sandwich” part or I would have had to wait longer! I did debate about the quilting design, I knew the lamb would be “loopy” but I was not sure about the blocks. Either I mimicked the fabric (stripes or flowers) or did something uniform throughout. So you see, sometimes the “mental” part of quilting is more complicated than the “hands-on.” Another deliberate delay in finishing the binding is that I am in the middle of ordering labels for

my stuff and I really wanted to put a “Summercrafter“ label on it. But it’s a process and I must move on in my quilting and crafting!! But keep an eye out, my labels will be here soon.

To refresh your memory, here is how it started.

Here it is going into the wash.

Washing it was a big deal for me because: 1) This will tell how well put together it is.

2) It will give it a softer feel. 3) I will see if the little lamb looks fuzzy!

And here is how it turned out!

Here is the quilting close up.

Here I tried to shadow the flower shape, see the stitching?

And here is how the ‘unraveling’ of the little lamb turned out,

plus his coat is quilted in loops.

Below is the before picture, neat huh?

Here is the overall look… yes, I just realized the head and legs are too small and he’s misisng a tail and an ear, sorry about that! But the raw edge technique worked, woohoo!!

So how do you like how it turned out?