2015 in Quilts

If you were to ask me, "What do you like to do?" I would answer, "Quilt." I love the creative process. I love to see an idea come to life. I love to make something with my hands. I even say my favorite Bible verse is Proverbs 31:22a. "She makes her own quilts."

At the beginning of 2015, I made a goal to make "15 quilts in 2015." This post details the results of that effort.

The first quilt finish of 2015 (my 15th quilt since I started quilting). This was made while testing a pattern for Beth - a pattern designer. She decided to use my quilt on the cover of her pattern (it doesn't seem to be available anymore), so I had to finish it the week after I had Micah in order to meet the deadline.

The start of something new

Hello and Happy New Year!

When a new year begins, do you find yourself dreaming? Reminiscing? Wondering what the new year will hold? Desiring to try new things? Or throw out the old?

Me too!

This type of thinking led to "The Year of the 30" in 2014. The year I turned 30. I made a list of things I wanted to do and accomplish. I was a new mom, staying at home instead of teaching in a classroom, and I needed to find what I wanted to be when I grew up. As each item was crossed off my list, I noted whether I enjoyed it or if I should 'throw it out.' At the end of the year, one thing became very clear: I really enjoyed quilting.

When Skies Are Gray

This quilt started as a pattern test for Leanne Parsons (@devotedquilter). The pattern is named “Friendship Galaxy” (her blog is here and the pattern available here). I decided to use gray and white fabrics (both bought at Wal-Mart). Just after starting the quilt, I learned that my friend, Janet, had admitted herself to a mental health hospital for severe depression. Her husband had requested no visitors, no food, nothing. I ignored this, and with another friend's help, made a care package for each of them. For Janet’s, I made a fleece tie blanket and a dollar photo album with Bible verse images I had printed as photos off Pinterest. I also included lots of yellow items (socks, rice/lavender heating pad, yellow bottle of water, and snacks) because that is her favorite color. Beyond that, I wanted desperately to help, but had no idea what I could do. So I did what I knew – I quilted and prayed. Every time I sat down to sew, I prayed earnestly for Janet. I also hummed/sang the chorus to “You Are My Sunshine.”

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are gray. You never know, dear, how much I love you. Please, don’t take my sunshine away.”

Flannel Quilts from Leftovers

I purchased some flannel fabric at a garage sale in Las Vegas. From this one purchase, I made four quilts! First was this one, then these three.

Most of the flannel was already cut into strips and squares, so I just had to get creative on how to lay them out.

For this one, I laid pink, yellow, and green rectangles into a "rail fence" design to create a chevron pattern. I finished the quilt top on January 6, 2014.

I purchased additional matching flannel from Jo-Ann's in Springfield, Missouri for the back and binding for all three quilts. I quilted this one using a walking foot on my Bernina 930 Record by stitching 1/4" on either side of the chevron seam lines. I finished the quilt on December 17, 2015.

I gifted the quilt to my friend, Stacey, at her baby shower for her baby girl that is due in February 2016.

Curious George

I had planned to make this quilt for my friend Kiffany's son, but time got away from me. When Steve she announced baby #2 was a boy, I knew it would be perfect!

I bought the fabric panel, backing, and binding fabric at Prairie Flower Crafts – a quilt shop in Alden, Kansas.

I pin basted the back (also a Curious George fabric), batting, and fabric panel and quilted a large circle design using my Bernina 930 Record.

I mailed the quilt to Kiffany as a 2015 Christmas gift.

A quick finish and it's crossed off the WIP (work in progress) list!

Deer Quilt

After completing the Missouri art quilt, another angel was needed for the same #MYAHswap. I had another idea, so I volunteered to make another one.

The quilt was inspired by “stencil quilts” made by Daniel Rouse. He made a t-rex and a deer quilt. He says, "The quilt is one in a series of “stencil quilts” that I have designed and created. The technique involves creating two patchwork quilt tops, sewing the layers together along the lines of a stencil, then cutting out the top layer to reveal the stencil beneath. I was inspired by an antique quilt whose well worn top began to disintegrate, revealing and even older and more worn quilt inside that had been used as batting or stuffing."

I Spy Quilt

After joining Pinterest, I found an I Spy quilt that I liked, so I started collecting fabrics. I got fabrics from scrap bags, fat quarters, and even got some from other quilters!