More Orphan Blocks!

This is the orphan block project I've been working on lately. I haven't come up with a brilliant name for it yet so if you have suggestions, please leave a comment. Definitely a utility quilt which I'll probably use as a table topper since its roughly 58 inches square. Did I say square? Not really, lol!

I quilted it myself somewhat successfully using my walking foot. I don't like moving the quilt around when quilting and the pattern I chose to quilt the outer blocks was my downfall. I ended up picking out 6 blocks worth of stitching and starting over with easier straight lines.

I pieced the top several years ago and then as now quilt math was a challenge. I ran out of the red border fabric so I added the purple but didn't cut it long enough. I added a few inches of gray fabric and decided to add my initials and the year in that space to make it look "planned".

Why did I choose purple binding? I keep a bag of binding scraps to use on scrappy quilts and I found some binding which should reach all the way around the quilt. Premade binding, yes! Well, it almost reached all the way around the quilt. I added some scrap purple plaid to finish the last 5 inches.

I decided this quilt would be a good opportunity to learn how to sew down binding by machine. I stitched the binding on the front, pressed the extra to the back, and glued it down with Elmer's School Glue. It took me less than an hour to glue and stitch in the ditch from the front. I think it went fairly well for the first time doing this technique.

Other things keeping me busy: I've been stripping these 3 old chairs to refinish. I bought two of them at a farm sale at least 20 years ago so I'd say its time to do something with them! If they look good when stained, they will join 3 chairs like the one on the left around our dining room farmhouse table.

What's still blooming in my yard?

Asters

Brown Eyed Susans

More Asters

Butterfly Milkweed

 A Bumblebee was taking a nap on one of the zinnias one cool morning! I let him nap in peace.

Until next time, Mayleen

Orphan Block progress

I thought you might like to see the orphan block quilts which I've been working on since January. I received a lot of orphan blocks from guild members after my year as guild president was over.

I've challenged myself to put them together in different layouts and, as much as possible, use only fabric from my stash. I know several members of my local quilt guild, Prairie Quilt Guild, occasionally read my blog so maybe they'll recognize their orphan block!

 This is Orphan Block quilt #1 which I still need to finish. My plans are to big stitch quilt Baptist Fans on the top. Considering that this top was put together back in January, I need to make time to finish it. All of the vintage blocks were given to me by guild member, Jackie Clark. If this looks familiar to you, I wrote a blog post about it in January.

 Heart Orphan Block Quilt #2 - approximately 84x92"

Since the photo was taken, it was machine quilted by Dynamic Duo Machine Quilting in Wichita, KS. Just needs binding and some embellishment. I saw this layout or something similar on Pinterest and can't find it now to give the original maker credit. If you recognize it, please let me know. This layout used up a lot of orphan blocks but I had issues trying to keep it square. Probably a once in a lifetime project!

 Orphan Block Medallion Quilt #3 - 73x73"

There are 16 orphan blocks in this quilt, three of which were cut in quarters to make them small enough to fit. I used some of my Kaffe Fassett stash which I think really perked up and tied together the blocks. It was quilted by Bluebird Machine Quilting in Wichita. I still need to make and stitch on the binding.

Orphan Block Wall Hanging #4 - approximately 56x78"

I received quite a few red, white and blue blocks so I decided to put them together in a flag layout. It looks wonky in the photo but it isn't. I spent a lot of time measuring, picking out and restitching after I discovered it was over an inch larger on the top than on the bottom. Its going to the machine quilter today.

I have enough orphan blocks to make more projects but I need to concentrate on binding so that these projects plus my other quilts will be ready to show at guild meeting. I'm our guild speaker on September 13 and if you're in the area, I hope you're able to attend. Not a member? You may visit twice for free. Here's a link to the Prairie Quilt Guild website with more information. 

Until next time, Mayleen

Orphan Block Project #2

 After my year as Prairie Quilt Guild president last year, guild members gave me orphan blocks to make into something (?!?) I thought I was going to make a throw quilt but due to their generosity, it will be several wall hangings and maybe a throw size quilt or two! My goal is to have used all or most of the blocks by September when I'll be the guild speaker. 

I'm not going to reveal what I'm making until its finished but I hope the shape is recognizable when you see it.

You know how you get excited about making something but when you're well into the project, you start wondering if this was such a bright idea after all? Well, I'm there. I'm fairly sure it will turn out well or it will be an opportunity to be creative.

Our guild show, Common Threads Regional Quilt Show, is just around the corner. If you follow the link, all the info is there - June 16, 17 & 18 in Wichita, KS. Lots of new things happening at our show! We've got some really great prizes to give away at the Grand Hoopla! on Saturday - a Baby Loc sewing machine and a Bernina Sewing machine, a Brother Scan N Cut plus a sewing chair but I'm going to win the chair so don't worry about it, OK?

I'm in charge of creating the quilt show book so progress on Love Entwined has been slower than I thought it would be. Next month I hope to have something to show.

Until next time, Mayleen