Monday, May 28, 2012

Love to use Leftovers!

Last year in Jo Morton's Little Women Club, we made Courthouse Step Blocks using one inch strips.  I had lots of Leftovers, so I kept them in one of my little sorting boxes (recycled check boxes!) until I could get time to work on these little Four Patch Blocks.  Each block has 4 Half Inch squares so the finished block size is One Inch.  I machine-quilted in the ditch between all the blocks.......may go back and quilt my favorite little wavy line in the borders by hand later.  The batting is wool that has been split in half, making a very thin quilt!  The other half is in 

 this little quilt that I made from the leftover Leftovers!  Can't stand to waste/throw away even the smallest pieces that I know I can use!  The cheddar in the second quilt really makes it Sing!....Whereas the first little quilt is quite subdued, perhaps even drab, but it does look to me like it's old!
 This is a recent Finish of a quilt in Jo Morton's Club for this year......tiny little geese that are 5/8" x 1-1/4".......really not that hard to do when you are sure you have the correct math!  However, it was time-consuming!  I figure that I have about 10 hours in this quilt!  I have made a paper-piecing pattern and we'll see if that makes the quiltmaking process any quicker!  Will let you know!  I used Jo's fabric choices because I really liked them but used a bit darker binding fabric.  My paper-pieced one is going to be very different colors!
 This is what is in my quilting hoop for tonight's work while watching "Hatfields and McCoys" on History Channel.  This little quilt is from Country Threads "Return to Charm School", using elongated Hexagons from Barbara Brackman's "Civil War Homefront" collection.  I will be able to kit this one!
 Lovely weather recently here in New England!  Flowers blooming, breezes blowing in the windows that I will leave open until late Fall.....love the fresh air!  My laundry that I dried outside on my clotheslines smells Heavenly when I fold it!  The photos below are my Bridal Wreath that grows outside my living room windows.  Gorgeous, but of course, will not last long enough!  The Lilacs  were at peak for Mother's Day and are gone now until next year!  Years ago I spent lots more time gardening that I do now....I miss it but there is only so much time in a day and something has to give!

 Oh, one more thing!  I found this Applecore quilt top that I completely forgot I had until I ran across it while looking for another quilt!  It is from the 1930's and is hand-pieced quite nicely.  However, along the edges, some fabrics are fraying and I will likely have to remove them IF I decide to finish the quilt Someday!
 This closeup shows a couple Novelty fabrics that are just darling and too few in the quilt!  The one on the right shows a little girl ironing!  How cute is that!  I have a friend who loves 1930's fabrics/feedsacks and her love for them has rubbed off on me!  Nineteenth century Fabrics are my first love but 1930's is a close Second!  I'm  beginning to like the 1950's too since I have acquired some.....made a String Star Miniature Quilt that I must remember to photo for next time!

22 comments:

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    1. Thanks, Donna! They are really fun to make and use for decorating!

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  2. Your little quilts are adorable! It's so wonderful that you were able to create new treasures from your leftovers! And your shrubs are beautiful!

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    1. As Time goes on, I'll try to show at least one little quilt with each post! Ambitious idea but I'll try! Waiting for Rugosa Rose and Clematis to bloom!

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  3. I'm currently making the flying geese quilt and am using the paper piecing method. It certainly goes a lot quicker than if I used Jo's method.

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    1. I have one row made and I am keeping time somewhat to see if it is any faster....seems like it should be! I know it wastes fabric/thread but perfect little geese!

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  4. Enjoying your blog, Cyndi...and enjoyed talking with you in your shop last week about Civil War material and Joshua Chamberlain chairs! Will be in again soon, I'm sure. Beautiful quilts, by the way!

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    1. Thanks for your comments, Joyce! I certainly do remember you and the Chamberlain chairs! Good luck with your quilt for your SIL!

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  5. oh i just love those little left over quilts especially the cheddar background ones , right now I just am loving using big borders like this on little quilts!
    wonderful.
    oh your hand quilting is wonderful....
    now I want to make a little quilt!
    Kathie

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    1. You must have Lots of little quilts! How do you display them...other than your wall of quilts? More handquilting later this evening!

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  6. I can't imagine working with such teeny tiny pieces, Cyndi but I think I'm going to have to try because I love all of them.

    Your Bridal's Wreath bushes are lovely. Most of the older homes around here have them...except for mine. I must have a peek to see if I can find one the next time I visit our local nursery.

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    1. I'll bet your can do it, Kaaren....just try it! Starting is the hardest because there isn't much to hang onto yet! This has been a ggod year for Bridal Wreath.....last year was the good year for Foysythia (at least around here!)

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  7. I'm so glad you reminded me to watch Part 2 tonight! I enjoyed it last evening. Love seeing your work. I have one of those bushes down here and it always reminds me of the old houses up north. Lovely home you have. I've been playing with aaaalllll those lovely toiles I got from you so long ago...

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    1. Very Nice to hear from you, Sandra! I've thought about you and wondered if you are making lots of quilts with toiles!

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  8. Love everything as usual....beautiful...

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  9. Cyndi, I love the idea of having a hand quilting project in the hoop...I need to act on that tip as I have lots of things needing quilting. Thanks for the look at your Little Women quilts. I finished Transferware and Raspberry Swirl and am working on her Yankee Doodle quilt now. I invite you to come take a look. I'd love to visit you and your shop some day. http://scraps-and-quilts.blogspot.com Mary in VA

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  10. Cynid, I love the fabrics in the elongated hexagon! Actually, I love all the things you do! And those flowers...don't see those too much here on the West Coast.

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  11. Hi Cynid, I was at your shop on Wed (6th)when my husband and I were visiting quilt shops in the New England area. I am now back in PA and all I have talked about to my qulting friends was your wonderful quilt shop with all the Jo Morton and other CW fabrics. I am so glad we found you and that I purchased some of your wonderful fabrics and FQ's. We went to 11 shops in 3 days and there were only 2 shops that I was excited about and your shop is on the top of that short list. Many thanks for your kindness, Nancy

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  12. Wow! Thanks for sharing! How inspiring! Visit our blog when you have time and enter our giveaway for a great Jan Patek primitive quilt and rug hooking book!

    Cheery wave from Bev

    http://44thstreetfabric.blogspot.com

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  13. question not comment; do you have barbara brackman's 'metropolitan fair' and will you be bringing FQ bundles of it to maine quilts?

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  14. Lovely quilts, truly. I'm sewing a Southern Belle Sue quilt right now out of Civil War type fabrics. I'm not an expert on reproduction fabrics but am pleased with the result and will be posting a photo of the quilt top, soon. I hope you'll come by and visit and follow me. I'm following you, now. Thanks for the great pictures. Love the apple core, too.

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  15. Love all the little quilts. And love the hand quilting!

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