Wedding quilt for a June bride

What a wonderful way to kick off upcoming June with a finished quilt top and backing whose final destination is for a new bride. I used up the entirety of my low volume fabric creating this twin-sized quilt. 

I had grand plans of setting the four patch blocks on point but made the blocks with a 1-1/2" border and sashing and didn't like the look. I set the project aside for a couple of weeks. Then out came the seam ripper and I deconstructed what I had done.

Since I want my piecework to improve, I took care to match all of the seams in the blocks. There was a lot of redoing in my quest for excellence. 

I wanted to make this as big as possible with my fabric on hand. I saved all of the smaller precuts so I could make the big piano key border. This quilt used up all of my low volume and feedsack fabrics. 

I will update the post after I "quilt by check," so this will be ready to be gifted in a couple of months. 

Linking up with emsscrapbag.blogspot.com for Moving it Forward Monday.

Making an appearance also at myquiltinfatuation for Needle & Thread Thursday. 

It wasn't me and wedding quilt prep

Leading off with "What do you do when the Mr. discovers your stash?" Fabric stash people, the other stuff is legal here in Northern California.  

Do you claim it isn't yours?
Do you insist you are holding it for someone else? 
Do you find other hiding places? 
Do you feign ignorance? (It wasn't me)
I'm so busted. 
Progress on the wedding quilt patchwork piecing is turtle pace, but coming along. This is totally off list for any of my quilting challenges, but I decided this would be an amazing gift for my hair stylist June bride. 

First layout revealed I need to make more blocks. I was going to border and sash the four patches in grey, but now I think I will just sew the four patches together on point and finish off the corners and edges in gray. I am determined to make this quilt from just my stash. 

Second layout just to get a head count revealed I still needed more blocks, thinking 12 ought to do (I am just about out of all low volume fabric at this point). 

I am also being pickier about my work, literally. If the points don't match on the four patch, I rip out the seams and try again. I hate to admit on a couple of the four patches, I had to do over again 3-4 times. 

Finally found fabric in my favorite form - in bulk. A $10 purchase at SPCA thrift, hoping there will be something useful inside. 

Shamelessly showing off
bottlebrush in bloom

There was some prequilted stuff I don't like. Luckily, some Cranston print yardage and other fabrics saved the investment.

Facebook quilting challenge prompt for May is #4, my black/cream/pink quilt. On my wish list, but no plan in mind. Another punt.

I am still working away on my magnolia needlepoint with the intent of giving it framed to my mom this Christmas.  

Patchwork Times challenge prompt for May is 11 which is my art with fabric blog hop quilt. It is partially quilted but my machine insists on only piecework right now and will not quilt without skipping. Drives me crazy. 

So, do you have to hide your fabric (or any other) purchases?  

Going Gonzo Gardening

As a follow up to the Quilty Orphan Adoption, a small group of quilters that offer fabric, quilt blocks, etc. to other quilters, I sent out two boxes, recipients posted here, and threw my name in for these seminole bands offered by Nann at withstringsattached.blogspot.com.

Even prettier in person

She mentioned she might send fabric, or a book, or a pattern, and Boy Hardy, did she! All kinds of fabric, a pattern and a slew of books with my favorite being an OBW (one block wonder) and Mad about Plaid. My interest in a colorwash quilt is waning and my interest in an OBW has taken hold. 

My hair stylist is getting married in June and I would like to surprise her with a low-volume bed-sized quilt utilizing fabric remnants of pastels. I did a fabric pull and cut 5" squares, chain pieced a few and will see how it turns out. 

Linking up with Jennifer at inquiringquilter.com for:

Thrifting didn't produce much even though I hit up 5 shops. My finds included a summer shift, blue patchwork maxi and a larger hoop for my hexagon hand quilting. 

On the gardening front, I've got quite a few seedlings growing in the greenhouse. So far they include heirloom tomatoes, purple carrots, arugula, beets, peas, sweet peppers, beans and onions. Northern California weather has been stunningly beautiful so I have spent every moment outside. My goal is the have the greenhouse jam packed with edible goodness. Images to follow in the weeks to come ~