Quilts by Year

Friday, February 23, 2018

Plus Block QAL


     I have finished my #plusblockqal quilt!  This was a fun project that started with an Instagram posting (@stephkucera   #plusblockqal) with a website (here ) as well.    The block itself was pretty easy, and it was a blast seeing all the different color combinations that were being made!  It looks like there were several who had the same idea as I did to use oranges and melon colors with the scrappy neutral low volume backgrounds!  They are all beautiful. 

      I started with scraps from my bins, and discovered I had just enough orange scraps to make this work.
     As I got scraps ready, I used my clover clips to keep the pieces for each block together.  This turned out to be quite handy!

   

    I like the speed and efficiency of chain piecing, so I continued to clip pieces together so I could chain piece without getting mixed up!
    I had decided to do a baby sized quilt, with 20  blocks total.  The finished quilt measures as 44 by 55, which is a nice size.    The musical notes fabric popped more than I had imagined, so I had to carefully scatter those blocks around the quilt. 
     As always, I use my craft table and big binder clips to make the quilt sandwich, and to allow me to pin without bending over on the floor. 
     I decided to do some straight quilting, with rows about 1/2 inch apart.  I used my walking foot, and simply used the outside of the foot as a guide.  I ended up using white Aurifil thread for the quilting, which kept it simple and clean looking. 

     For the second time in as many weeks, I used the black and white strip as the binding.  I made an error with the final miter connection, but one which was easily fixed.  Will I ever make a quilt that doesn't require ripping out at least one seam? 
     I prefer to photograph the finished quilt with some sun, but I don't think we'll see the sun for a few days.   So, a photo on an overcast day, thanks to my trust quilt holder!  This is such a happy looking quilt. I am considering putting it for sale on my Etsy site once I can get some better photos.  Stay tuned!  

         I am making some slow progress on the "On Ringo Lake" Mystery quilt - since the final pattern has been released, the only mystery is when will I finish!  In the meantime, I am anxious to try a quick piece with some fabric I picked up at quilt guild "garage sale" type auction. 
     Thanks for visiting my blog.  Have a great weekend!
Take care,
Gretchen  

10 comments:

  1. Your quilt is beautiful...the colors and the straight line quilting are wonderful! Great tip on using clips to keep the block pieces together. Thanks for joining in the plus block QAL!

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    1. Thanks for nice comments and for hosting. This was lots of fun. I love seeing all the different versions on Instagram!

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  2. I really like your little plus quilt! I've never used orange before as the only color in a quilt, but paired with the neutrals, it looks fantastic!

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    1. Thanks so much. I made an orange and hot pink quilt a few years back for my sister (her choices!) That was vibrant, to say the least! Many of these scraps are from that quilt. The neutrals tone down what might be overwhelming otherwise! Thanks for visiting.

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  3. Congrats! on a cheerful finish. Thanks for providing the measurements for the blocks you made. I recently made a small Plus Quilt of a different style. Would LOVE to give this one a try!

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    1. Thanks so much. It turned out to be super easy, once I kept track of the pieces! I will make this again!

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  4. The orange/peach/coral/salmon (love all the hues) crosses are beautiful, but I am really envious of your neutrals :-) The striped binding is the bomb!!!

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    1. Thanks Preeti! I now try to pick up a FQ or two of a neutral everytime I am in a quilt shop. I really like how a scrappy neutral background adds to a quilt!

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