Vortex, Winners, and NTT

Welcome to another Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all!  I finished my scrappy string quilt, and oh man, what an undertaking!

Scrap quilts are always my favorites.  It is so much fun to revisit some of my favorite fabrics, and it feels like I've really accomplished something when I empty out my scrap jars in the process.  I opted for a less traditional string layout on this one, and I'm really loving the single offset diamond.  It really draws your eye in, so I thought Vortex was a fitting name for it.

When I work with scraps that are bright and busy, I almost always choose either a black and white print for the back, or I make a rainbow stash backing.  Rainbow backings are easy to put together, and a great place to use up some serious stash!  It feels like a win to make a quilt without purchasing a single shred of fabric.

Though I didn't have to purchase fabric for this one, unfortunately, thread was a different story.  This twin quilt measures 72" x 96," and I decided to quilt with a dense, all over paisley design.  I thought that the two large spools of my favorite Aurifil white sitting on my rack would surely be plenty to finish it.  Oh, how wrong I was!  After hours and hours of quilting, it looked like I might make it, but alas-

My spool ran out with only five blocks left to quilt.  Since we don't have a local shop that sells Aurifil, that meant ordering and waiting for it to be shipped.  grrrrr...  I honestly don't know what possessed me to choose such a labor intensive motif for a quilt this big, but after almost 16 hours of quilting, I definitely appreciate the result!  You can see it really clearly on the solid yellow.

I framed out all of that crazy with a solid black binding, and the colors just pop against it.  Someone once told me that adding just a little bit of black really makes a quilt sparkle, and I must agree!

Since several of you asked after my last post, I figured I would quickly share my method for sewing string blocks without foundation piecing.  I don't like sewing to paper if I can help it, and I don't want the extra weight from using a fabric foundation.  I learned my lesson on that a few years ago, when I sewed this string quilt (a queen size!) to a Kona White foundation.  I think that quilt weighs 20 pounds!  Avoiding both of those is easy peasy if you use a square ruler.  I used an 8.5 inch ruler, but you can use whatever you like.  Just be aware of the length of your longest strings, and let that help you make your decision.

To make a string block with this method, use your ruler as a guide to make sure your strings cover the ruler completely.  Sew the strings offset, just as they are laid out, until you cover the whole area of the ruler.  In my Vortex quilt, I used a 1 inch white strip (1/2 inch finished) in the center of each of my blocks, but string quilts are equally pretty without a uniform center.  Check out my Vertigo quilt to see one that doesn't have uniform center strings.

Once your strings are all sewn together (covering the entire ruler), press the seams either open, or in one direction, and use that same ruler to trim your block into a perfect square.  If you're going for a wonky look, rotate your ruler a little while trimming, so that the center line isn't perfectly aligned.  So simple, and the resulting quilts are always fun!

Alrighty, friends!  I owe you some winners from last weeks amazing sponsor giveaways.

The winner of the spool of labels from Finer Ribbon is Melanie, comment number 42!

Lynne Tilley, comment number 148 is the winner of the $10 gift card to LouLou's Fabric Shop.

Comment number 115, Teagan, is the winner of the $25 gift certificate to Lady Belle Fabrics.

Sonya, comment number 57 is the winner of the beautiful Bejeweled bundle from Fort Worth Fabric Studio.







Congratulations to all of you ladies, and a huge thank you to all of my wonderful sponsoring shops that make it all possible!

Whew!  I feel like we've covered a lot in today's post, but we certainly can't party without a quick run down of awesomeness from last week!  So, really quickly-

This modern mini is from Anja Quilts

This scrappy star quilt is from Karen at Quilts, Etc.

and this modern art-inspired collection of minis is from Luna Lovequilts-

Okie dokie!  It's time to party, friends!

You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

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5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

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Modern Strings and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all!  My latest quilt top is made from a scrap jar dive, and it's a doozie.  It's loud and wonky, and I love it!

It's amazing how quickly scraps add up when you start sewing them together.  When I started, I didn't plan on making a quilt this large, but the my pile of strings didn't diminish as quickly as I anticipated.  This quilt measures 72" x 96," and although I used all of my strings long enough to cover the length of the center of the block. I still have LOTS of shorter ones left.  Every now and then, I get on a mission to get rid of all of my scraps at once.  Though I have pulled from my scrap jars selectively for certain quilts, it's been awhile since I've busted them completely, so it was time to put them to use.  Scrap quilts are always my favorites, and the way this one is shaping up is definitely not disappointing.  I can't wait to get it basted and quilted!

Oh my goodness!  Last week's party had so many amazing projects linked up, I had the hardest time choosing features today!  Just look at this awesomeness by Shauna's World-

And this fantastic variation of an orange peel quilt by Zarkadia Quilts-

And finally, this curved log cabin mini by Handwrought Quilts is so gorgeous.  The shades of gray in the background really make the rainbow strips pop!

Woohoo!  Y'all rock!  I always look forward to browsing the links each week, and I can't wait to see what you have going on.  By the way, I have FOUR giveaways going on right now, as well as a few great coupon codes from my favorite shops, so be sure to hop over HERE to enter.

Let's party, friends!

You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Butterfly Oasis and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, friends!  My parents came into town last weekend for a visit, and I finished my aunt's quilt, so that I could send it to Louisiana with them.  My aunt actually lives in Texas, but in a few weeks, my grandmother is taking a trip there, and the quilt will be passed off to its final destination.  We relay things like this as often as we can, and it's always fun when it works out that we don't have to ship things.  That meant that I had to finish this one up pretty quickly before my parents arrived, but it all worked out!

From a little bit of a distance, the quilt looks a bit busy, but because the colors are so calming, it still works. There are so many pretty prints in this one, and you can really see them so much better up close.

I used up all of the leftovers on the back, and decided on a clover green binding to finish it off.

Blues and greens are so soothing, and I love how this quilt turned out.  I decided to use the butterfly print as inspiration, and name it Butterfly Oasis.  I don't usually choose prints with animals in them, but I was drawn to this one!

Shall we get to last week's features?  Teresa at a Quilt and a Prayer shared this scrappy rainbow masterpiece.  So fun!

Tanya Quilts in CO shared Christmas patchwork Swoon quilt, along with a Swoon mini.  The patchwork variation is so unique, and I love that soft green background.

and this Flaming Star quilt by Monkey Needle is amazing!  LOVE!!

Y'all really rocked it out last week!  Time to show me what you're working on this week.  Let's link up, friends!

You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Happy NTT!

Welcome to the downhill slide of another week, friends!  I can't believe that a whole month of 2017 has already slipped by.  I actually have a quilt I can share with you today.  This quilt is for my aunt, who asked for shades of navy, green, aqua, and teal...aaand I just realized the quilt is sideways in the picture.  oh well.

As you may already know, this is one of my very favorite color palettes, so it was a perfect fun project after having to sew to a deadline lately.  In case you're wondering, this is the same block that I used for my Sugar Plum Fairy quilt (also at my aunt's request), and the block tutorial can be found at the post HERE.  Also, I feel compelled to say though this is a busier pattern, it is looking much busier in the photo than it does in person.  I think the cool colors keep it from being too overwhelming, too.  If I can manage it, this one is getting finished up tomorrow, so I can actually have a shareable Friday finish this week!

Last week's party was full of awesomeness, as usual!  Just look at this hexie project in shades of green by Den syende himmel.  Oh my goodness- what a labor of love!

or this bright and fun postage stamp quilt by Gretchen's Little Corner.

and this beautiful top from Quilting at the Farm.

Wow!!  Y'all finished out January with a bang!  Time to show what you have going on this week.  Let's party!

You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

Quilting Pride and NTT

Whoop whoop!  I am so excited to share that I have finished with all of the quilts for my book, so all of my secret sewing is finished- yay!  I'm a terrible secret keeper, so I'm excited that I now get to share what I'm sewing in its entirety.  Now I just have to write, write, write!  In these last few quilts, I took a little more risk with my quilting and did a couple of designs I have never done before.

This design was so much fun, and pretty easy to move around the space.  It's not exactly a paisley because there are no overlapping stitches, and not really a swirl either, so if anyone knows if this motif has a name, I'm all ears!

As hard as it is to believe, I have never quilted a giant spiral on one of my quilts, and I changed that last week as well.  The spiral is very dense in the center, which I quilted free-motion, and gets wider toward the outside of the quilt.  I used my trusty walking foot for the outer rings.  It has been raining here every day just enough to keep everything damp, so both of these are inside photos.  The spiral backing looks super puffy, but in person, it really isn't.

All in all, I am so proud of myself for branching out with my quilting, and I even enjoyed quilting the top motif as much as I love stippling, so you'll definitely be seeing that one again.  The spiral felt tedious though, so unless the quilt really demands it, I'm not sure I'll do that one again.

Let's get to last week's party highlights!  Love Quilting shared this pretty Storm at Sea quilt-

Anja Quilts shared her fun Modern Sampler quilt-

and Simply, Sarah share this fresh hexie baby quilt-

Okie dokie friends!  I can't wait to see what you've got going on this week in your sewing space!  Party on!

You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

More Sneak Peeks and NTT

Happy Needle and Thread Thursday, y'all!  I've made tons of progress in the last week on quilts for my book, and I have two more little peeks to show you.  These photos are of the backings only, but you can at least see the quilting.  In fact, I've expanded my quilting horizons a little bit with these two.

The first quilt has a very peaceful palette, and I thought some free motion waves with aqua thread would complement it nicely.  It's the first time I've ever quilted waves, and I'm pleased with them.  Next time though, I plan to try to have some of the waves come closer together in places.  I think this will make the movement more organic.

I backed the second quilt with French General fabrics and quilted with flowers in muted gold thread. French General fabrics aren't exactly considered modern, but being a south Louisiana girl, the warmth of these French influenced fabrics are near and dear to my heart.  They just remind me of home.  This is the second time I've quilted flowers, but I made these a little smaller than the first attempt.  I found that making them smaller actually made it much easier to cover the quilt evenly without blank spots.

Let's get to last week's party highlights, shall we?  I'm embracing a final bit of Christmas kitsch in this quilt from Homespun Hannah-

Kate at Life in Pieces linked up her progress on this pretty quilt.

and I know I shared the blocks last week, but I couldn't help but share this finished top from Tanya Quilts in CO.  Y'all know I love a curvy illusion!

Alrighty friends!  Let's link up and party!

You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)

NTT- Kicking off 2017

Happy New Year, y'all, and welcome to the first NTT of 2017!  I have my first big book deadline approaching February 1st, so for the past week and a half or so, I've been quilting like a mad woman at all hours of the day.  No exaggeration- I basted my current quilt at 3:30 am this morning...yikes!  I do have a couple of finishes to share soon (backing and quilting only), but today's daylight was waning, so they will have to wait for another post.

Never fear though, we can still get our eye-candy on with these drool-worthy projects from last week!  Check out this Cotton and Steel beauty from Judy at Sew Some Sunshine-

I love, love, LOVE how these Bonnie and Camille fabrics play against the charcoal background in these blocks by Tanya Quilts in CO-

And oh. my. gosh!  Check out this stunner by Summer Lee Quilts-

Clearly, y'all have been busy at your sewing machine too!  Time to kick off a brand new year of Needle and Thread Thursday.  Let's party, friends!

You can link finished projects or WIP's , but just keep it about quilting and sewing!

2. Link to your specific post (not to your home page!) to make it easier for others.

3. Please remember to spread the word and post my button or a text link.  

4. Spread the comment love far and wide!

5. Following me is not a requirement to link, but is so very appreciated!

*If you're new to the party, here's a helpful tip for linking up- select "Auto Crop"  when selecting your thumbnail photo.  For some reason, trying to crop your own image results in the dreaded "white question mark box," and we definitely want to see your awesome work!  :)