APQ Quilt Along

I'm back from Bolivia-I promise a post on that coming soon but right now I am still trying to sort out my feelings and thoughts.  I can't wait to show you guys some photos and tell you a few stories once I work it all out.

One of my Favorite Blocks

While I was gone Bertha took a little trip to the sewing machine spa.  I missed her annual check up last year and while I didn't notice anything wrong with her she sure sounds happier now that she is back.  Before I took her in I was having a problem with my thread breaking sometimes when sewing but I just assumed it was me-now I realize it was probably a tension issue.  I'm happy to have her back home and happy because we have already spent a lot of quality time together.

Row 1 sewn together

The first project I worked on was my APQ Quilt Along.  I needed to make 2 more blocks and after asking all of you over on Instagram about the possibility of having 4 red blocks in the middle everyone encouraged me to go random.  I sort of listened.  I did end up putting those blocks with the red x's in the four corners but it doesn't really stand out as much as a design element that way.

Making Progress

I also listed when everyone told me to go without the sashing.  I understand now how smart the designer was to include it.  While I really like the way these blocks look without it-matching up some of these seams really was a bear.  Especially where those little 1 inch squares come together.  In the end I think it is well worth it but I think the sashing would have made the construction a little easier.

Finished Quilt Top

I used Scrumptious by Bonnie & Camille for the fabric and the pattern is from the APQ Magazine.  If you are on Instagram check out the #apqquiltalong for lots of photos and to see how everyone interpreted this same pattern.  I love the variety, some are very scrappy like the original, some are all made from one fabric line like mine, and others are a nice mix of both.  It's so interesting to see how the same pattern can look so differently when made up in different fabrics.

Sunkissed Trails

I have been calling this quilt Sunny Trails from the beginning because that was the name Corey used when she made it for Moda Bake Shop and since I was using the Sunkissed line by Sweetwater it worked.  But as I was sewing on the binding I decided Sunkissed Trails was just as appropriate of a name and I just liked it a little better.  So I have now dubbed this one Sunkissed Trails.

So much prettier than my typical laundry

Finished front of quilt

Overall this quilt was fairly easy to put together because Corey has a great pattern written.  One thing I will say is if you are using directional prints make sure you pay attention before you sew all your blocks together. You actually end up rotating every other one.  I tried to be really careful to have all my words running the same way but in the end I still ended up with a few rouge pieces.

Binding going on-back fabric

I used the great polka dot line for the backing on this one.  I have to say I love this line as much now as I did when I started this quilt back in 2011.  It has one of the softest hands of any Moda fabric I have ever sewn with.  And it is just so bright and sunny and happy.  I had this one quilted by a longarmer with a pattern called Daisy's Galore in a soft yellow thread.  I think that's just the right touch.

Close up of the daisy quilting

If you want to read more about the journey of this quilt you can find previous post here, here, and here.

WIP Wednesday

It's so hard to believe that it's Wednesday again already.  I feel like I find myself saying that more and more lately.  Time is speeding up and even though some of the days are really long the weeks themselves seem really short.  I haven't had a whole lot of time for sewing this week.  But I did manage to work on a few more APQ Quiltalong Blocks.

I was chain piecing these last few blocks and posed the question on Instagram if I should add sashing to these blocks like the pattern calls for.  The overwhelming response was to forgo the sashing.  So I am leaning in that direction.  My quilting friends are all really smart when it comes to these things and I don't think they would steer me in the wrong direction.  

My goal was to finish this top before I left for my trip but with Bertha going into the shop on Saturday I really doubt I will make it that far.  I am hoping to at least finish up my last two blocks before I leave.  Speaking of finishing something-I actually have a finish to share with you this week so look for that coming soon.

I guess that is all I have going on over here.  Be sure to head over to Lee's and check out what everyone else is up to for some great inspiration.  

WIP Wednesday

Blocks 12 & 13

It's hard to believe that it is Wednesday already.  A little more crazy weather here in the south had me home from work early on Monday.  Why is it that naps and sewing seem so much sweeter during business hours.  I think it might be the guilty pleasure of knowing that you really should be working but just don't have to.  I was surprisingly productive during my extra time at home despite the nap.  I managed to finish up 3 more APQ blocks in addition to the 2 I made over the weekend bringing my total to 16.  That leaves me just 4 more blocks to go.  I'm hoping to have this quilt top finished up before I leave for Bolivia.  It might be stretching it just a bit but goals are good.

Blocks 14 & 15

Block 16

My hubs also helped me add a little organization to the sewing space.  I share with our guest bedroom and it's a little tight.  In the past I have just kept my rulers on the floor but I've been a little worried about them getting broken.  More than once I may have stepped on the edge of one and though oh no.  Luckily I have not broken any.  So after seeing my mom's peg board for storage recently I knew that was the answer.  The hubs stuck this together for me and even painted it the same aqua as my shelf while I was out of town for work.  It works wonderfully for holding the rulers and I am sure I will continue to fill it up with all kinds of things.

I also got two baby quilts back from the long arm quilter this week.  So I managed to get the binding sewn down on one before work (we had a 2 hour delay) Tuesday.  I'm hoping to have it hand sewn in time for Finish it Up Friday.  I guess that's it for me this week-be sure to head over to Lee's and see what everyone else is up to this week.

Early Morning Binding