Another Rebuilt Log Cabin, and a Fairy Quilt

This is one of my next projects, (72 x 92 inches), a scrappy top several years old -- it's time for quilting! Are ya gasping at that quirky border? Look how the border meets at each center - each in a different way! I love it's oddness and can't wait to get it quilted.

While this border is a bit - uhhhh, odd with this quilt, it really is one great border. Look how it can fit around the corners if you plan it right. This border is 8 inches wide, but I'm sure the quirky log cabin blocks are larger. If you are wanting to expand your plain borders into a pieced border, this may be a useful pattern. I have dark values as the HSTs, and medium values are the diagonal squares. And wouldn't the border blocks by themself make one great quilt? This pattern is called Jewel Box, and has other names (Buckeye Beauty?) but it's an easy peasy pattern using 2 inch squares and 4 inch HSTs (finished).
Meggie, a 3 year-old niece wants a "Fairy Quilt" ... despite stern instructions to myself, "DO NOT BUY MORE FABRIC", I could NOT resist the Keepsake Catalog featuring several versions of fairy fabric. Oh my, it was delivered today and it's gorgeous! The wings are all silvery, and just demand some metallic quilt thread! I'm not decided on the pattern but am tempted to make yet another Kaleidoscope Quilt, this time all soft and fluffy, a place where fairies would live. I planned the fairy fabric for the back! I even HAVE fairy fabric that I had planned to use but like we frequently do, needed MORE!

My projects are backing up ....

Stars, HST, and QSTs

This might be my Challenge "Star" for our Mystery Round Robin. ... or maybe this one. If you are a little shakey about terms called "Half Square Triangle units (HSTs)", or "Quarter Square Triangle units (QSTs)", some of this might help. I remember a time when none of this sunk into my head - it was all so overwhelming!

For a Half Square Triangle - determine the finished size of the unit. My unit above (see the corners) finish at 4 inches. Therefore, I added 7/8 to that measurement and cut one light square and one med. blue square each at 4 7/8. Pair them right sides together, and draw a line from corner to corner. Sew 1/4 inch on each side of that line, cut them apart, press open gently. and voila, you have 2 half square triangles, aka HSTs.

For a 3-color Quarter Square Triangle - Do you see the 4, 4-piece units on the around the blue/red star, surrounding the red center? Determine the finished size of the unit. In this case it is 4 inches. ADD 1 and 1/4 inches (Quarter Square Triangle = add 1 and 1/4 inches) to a dark square and a medium square, and a second dark square and a light square (the two darks are the points of the star, in this case). So each of these 4 squares are cut 5 1/4 inches. Place right sides together of dark & medium, and the right sides together of dark & light, draw line on diagonals, and sew 1/4 inch on each side. Cut on the line, press open gently - you should have 2 HSTs, with different colorations. Now, put them together again, right sides perfectly together, and draw another line on the diagonal. Peek to be sure you have them in the right direction - seams should be opposing, and be sure to get the center matched perfectly. Sew 1/4 inch on each side as before, cut and press open. You're done! So much easier than fussing with little separate triangles!

(If you only want 2 colors, you just pair 2 together.)



It should look like this above (although mine is not sewn).

Desired result on the back - I like to open up that center seam and twirl the seams. The seams on half the units will twirl in one direction, and the other direction on the other half of the units. These turned out completely accurate. I trimmed off the points.

If you are still a little shakey on this technique, sit down and practice. Some of us learn by reading, many of us by doing. I showed this to DH and he was totally amazed - as if it was magic!

(Whew - this took a lot longer to type out correctly than it did to actually sew it!)

More snow, and finished Scrappy Star Struck

Ten more inches of snow - at least it's not real cold.

Below - Scrappy Star Struck - DONE. ... and this was the quilt I had almost given up! This should be a lesson to ME, and any UFOs that appear to be unsalvageable. I did NOT like this quilt - not because of the pattern -- but because of being in a pitiful, pathetic, poor-me state, and that led me to carelessness. During trimming/squaring up, some of them are trimmed OFF! However, that little one-inch border definitely perked it up. Then I auditioned at least 50 border combinations and eventually, one combo actually looked GOOD. Does this "issue" of too many small errors explain some of YOUR UFOs?. This is another wonderful pattern from Bonnie at Quiltville.


The back (above) was made of 10 1/2 inch squares, and I used a lot of my blues etc. THIS method of using old fabric DID make me feel frugal and efficient. Additionally, my brain no longer has to deal with looking at the pieces in the drawer , with guilt, "What can I do with this?" "Why did I buy this?" -- wearing myself out with self recriminations.


I quilted each of the 4 borders in a different kind of weedy, leaves, feathers, swirls. Good practice and another area for the owner to enjoy. I used a variegated blue - similar to the center. I don't like the variegated thread in the border because parts of the motif disappear and look disjointed and skipped. Lesson #8,462,729.

Now, here is the worst error and a great solution in this quilt. During my frenzy of careless sewing, too-quick careless trimming, I had a big cut-off point! So, I solved this error by drawing a "point" in the light fabric. I guarantee, it will never be seen - even I have trouble finding it, and I'm looking for it! I am showing it because we all need to remember (to each other) that an "error" is no big deal - it is STILL a great, finished quilt. It is NOT meant for a quilt show - it is a testament to loving and caring for another person - that's the important part. And it's ready to mail.

DH and I "tried it out" during yesterday's afternoon nap. It works! 8-)))

I wanna win!

Winning THIS wonderful giveaway should send one (or two or ??) quilters into a sewing frenzy! Whew - I don't often mention these freebies, but .... I WANT TO WIN THIS ONE! Check it out.

Quilting Methods, #2

I was hoping 'someone' could come up with a technique, label, sticker, emblem, etc., or something that would clarify the kind of quilting YOU do. For now, I have a short statement at the top of my links, although it would make more sense to have it show elsewhere - maybe in the profile.

Quilting Methods

I must admist, I cannot remember how most of you do your quilting. Do you send it out, hand quilt (not too many of you) or do you quilt it yourself? Do you use your domestic sewing machine or do you have a long-arm?

Would it be helpful to indicate your method of quilting in your sidebar? I just put that information in my links (not the best place but...) my knowledge of the template layout is not so great, so that's where it is now. I'll be there are a number of YOU who can come up with a better idea.

What do you think? Would that be a useful tool?