Have you been reading the blog long enough to know that I plan a lot more quilts than I actually make? My list is always sooo long and there always seems to be another new project I want to do but I was looking through some older files the other night and came across these 3 that I still want to make one of these days … of course there are lots of other ones too — maybe I need to make a page on the website just for “one day quilts”! I’ll never run out of ideas … but then I never stop looking for inspiration.
I’m a couple days late posting this but I make and share ideas for RWB quilts for veterans as a way to honor and thank those that have served. My RWB hourglass top quilted last week will be donated to a veteran and I’ve got another RWB top I hope to get quilted this week. I’ve been wanting to make another version of my Autumn Leaves quilt. This one was pieced before we moved to Minneapolis so it’s at least 14 or 15 years old and it’s still one of my favorites.
And since I’m finishing up the two veteran tops I have here, it’s time to start thinking about the next one so I drafted a Rail Fence quilt with friendship stars. Block size will be 6 inches finished, 6.5 inches with seam allowances.
I haven’t started assembling the blocks for the first quilt but I started some rail fence blocks yesterday while I was finishing up with Rae’s schooling. She’s home now so I’ll have more sewing time in between all the service providers coming the next few days.
I’ve seen photos of Rainbow Rail Fence quilts online and decided I’d make a small version for my next Jelly Roll quilt. Blocks are 6 inches finished, set 7 x 9, and the quilt will finish at 42 x 54.
We’ve got a gutter company out today to start the many minor repairs needed on the house … it’s 20 years old and we had a really good inspection so we knew we’d have to work our way through a list of repairmen. It’s turned out really well that we’re staying for several weeks so we can get a lot of it done right away.
While he’s out there working, I’m going through email and looking at quilts on eBay. This one I found this morning reminds me that I want to make another version of my 9 patch quilt that’s on my website (that was also inspired by a vintage quilt).
Here’s my quilt … it’ has a similar jumbled feel but it’s not the same.
And here’s my original quilt drawing … I always knew I wanted to make it in RWB. Seeing the 9 patch this morning makes me think I should move it up the “to do” list but I’ll be working on a Jelly Roll quilt next… maybe I’ll even get it started in the next day or two!
Today’s a travel day for me but I thought I’d post some quick notes on the Chisel Stars since I’ve had so many people asked what pattern I’m using … while I’m sure there are patterns available I’m not using one … I pulled out my Accuquilt GO dies and started cutting.
DIES USED – 3 x 6 chisel die and 3 inch finished half square triangle.
Quilt size – 56 x 68
Block size – 12 inches finished (12.5 with seam allowances)
Chisel size – 3 x 6 inches finished (3.5 x 6.5 with seam allowances)
Blocks set 4 across and 5 rows down – 20 blocks needed
Border – cut 4.5 inches
When placing the fabric on the chisel die … do NOT fan fold, place each layer of fabric with the right side up.
The blocks are very easy to piece when cut with the GO. All you need is to make 4 light and 4 dark chisels for each block and sew them together as shown below.
PAY ATTENTION to how the chisel blocks are rotated when you’re sewing the light and the dark chisels together!!
Each section will be sewn the same way and just rotated in the final block. Make 20 blocks.
I’m making 2 blocks from each fat quarter so I needed 10 fat quarters (there is a little leftover from each fat quarter). I’m not done yet so I can’t tell you exactly how much background I’m using for the entire quilt but since it’s the same pieces in each block as the fat quarters it will be less than 2.5 yards.
I’m going to use the same fabric for the border and binding and 2 yards will do it allowing me to cut the borders from the lengthwise grain without piecing them. If you want to piece them, you’d need less fabric.
With less than 7 weeks left in the year, I’m thinking about what I want to accomplish/finish up before 2019 ends.
First on the list – I’m going to make a little rectangle topwith the leftover jelly roll strips from Mom’s Bento Box.
Next – Use one of my new dies from Blue Wren to make a RWB hourglass top. I drafted this one a while back but it uses 4 inch finished quarter square triangles.
My new die is a 6 inch block so I redrafted it. This one will be 54 x 72 and the hourglass blocks will be set 9×12.
I’m thankful for all those who served including my dad and Keith’s dad.
You know that my focus is donation quilting and while I don’t exclusively make quilts for veterans I try each year to make at least a couple to donate and through my MaryQuilts.com website, I share inspiration/instructions for veteran quilts.
Here’s the link to ideas for Veteran quilts on my website. And here are a few of my donation quilts you’ll find there.
