Statement Quilt Fail

A few months ago, I entered a Statement Quilt in an art competition hosted by AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) with a special emphasis on the challenges faced by caregivers and those seeking care in the LBGT community. https://states.aarp.org/lgbt-caregiving-art-contest/ While I am none of those letters, it did not preclude me from entering. I did not win. I question whether I should have pieced the letters rather than appliqued them but in the grand scheme of things, it probably didn't make any difference. I am curious what type of piece and methodology won the competition.

Will I make another Statement Quilt? Most likely not, but for the time being this one keeps me warm at work. I turn the letters on the inside and enjoy its warmth.

Turning to a manageable challenge, I am following along with patternsbyjen.blogspot.com for the 2018 Color Challenge with January's color being red. How perfect is that? I decided to tackle some red and white blocks for a sampler. Here is one of those blocks. Combined with my monthly blocks I will try to highlight snippets of Sacramento public art (one building-side painting you can see in the far left of the image). 

Next month's color will be blue - lawd knows I have more than enough blue fabric so that won't be a problem.  

Pattern of the Day is a sweet one from 1964



Linking up with Amanda Jean at crazymomquilts.blogspot.com for Finish It Up Friday.


If you are interested, signups are now open for the Quilt Qwazy Queens blog hop http://www.seamstobesew.com/quilt-qwazy-queens-2018-sign-up-now/ focusing on UFOs finished and possibly traded.


Have you ever made a Statement Quilt or would you?

Lap quilt for me *sings the word*

Most crafters will tell you they give away or sell most of their creations. It was about time I made a lap quilt for myself. I finished quilting this at year's end opting to cross-hatch. Binding usually takes me a few days because I hand sew while I watch TV. Most of the fabrics used in this quilt were the result of a seamstress friend's destash.

I purchased the entire end of bolt on the red flannel, almost but not quite covering the entire piece. It is the second time I have used a flannel for a backing and think I prefer it for winter quilts, giving them some heft.

As has been my practice for the past few years, I have been able to find thrifted cashmere sweaters for $10 or less, especially around this time of year. The five or so I have purchased recently require minimal mending, closing a moth hole or two. I then send them to the dry cleaners with some being de-pilled. 

My new project is a going to be a sampler, constructing blocks to supplement the three shown below. There are pieces of blocks and varying sizes of precuts. 













It fits in perfectly with the January Color Challenge at dizzyquilter.com. I will be posting a block creation on Instagram as tamaschen under #2018MonthlyColorChallenge. Of course, further detail on my Red Sampler progress will be posted here.

There are two June babies due of co-workers on my team. I will make both lap quilts at the same time. Those go together quickly and easily with minimal quilting. 

Since it is a red kind of day, Pattern of the Day is from 1967.