Friday, April 23, 2021

PSP20 and Hands2Help

 I can't remember who started the Postage Stamp Pandemic (PSP20) but I was quick to hop on board.   Having finished a postage stamp quilt not too long ago, I decided to bump up the size of my cut squares to 2".  The memory of sewing up all those smaller sizes was still very fresh in my mind!




All of the fabric for the top of this quilt all came out of scrap bins.  Every time I would come across a chunk of solid fabric in a shade I had not used before, I would make a block



For the print squares, I really focused on cutting up scraps I am tired of seeing or those that I knew I would have a hard time using.  So a few odd panel pieces, novelty fabrics and lots of multi-colored prints fell under the rotary cutter.



When it came time to quilt it, I decided to use the piecing as my marking and stitched in a double eight pattern.  It was easy placing those loops in the appropriate square and knowing that my spacing was going to be just right.



I even used a bunch of leftover binding scraps to make a scrappy binding.  I don't often do this but it worked perfectly for this quilt.  

For the backing, I used an orange/blue print I picked up at Connecting Threads.  Their clearance section is my favorite place to get affordable large cuts for quilt backs.

Originally, I laid out all the colors randomly across the quilt and was not very happy with how it looked.  We all know I love a challenge, so I started playing with the color hues of the blocks.  I was really pleased with how it turned out.




I will be donating this quilt to Happy Chemo as part of the Hands2Help quilt drive.  I have sent quilts to Emily over at Ems Scrap Bag for quite a few years now.  Cancers Sucks - so if I can bring a bit of comfort to someone going through chemo, I am more than happy to do so!





23 comments:

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

What a GREAT finish! Your double eight quilting design is terrific. Anytime marking is not involved is a winner to me!

Betty C said...

That is a good color arrangement. It looks like an abstract sunset.

Gretchen Weaver said...

Beautiful quilt, this will bring some joy.

Julierose said...

What a lovely postage quilt--nice work hugs, Julierose...

Barb N said...

Oh, I do like your color arrangement on this one. And the quilt is proof positive that you can use up those fabrics you just don't like looking at . . . and it all turns out well! What a great bundle of love for someone.

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

Love the scrappiness and the color shifts.

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Using piecing as a guide for quilting is a great idea. And you definitely succeeded in the challenge of creating a really pleasing arrangement for the quilt top!

The Joyful Quilter said...

Gorgeous H2H finish, Cynthia!!

Cathy said...

Love it!

I think it was Sally at Objects of Design that started the PSP20 virus. I love how yours turned out. I've been trying to use only solids of the same value (no lighter shades) because I wasn't sure all values would look good together. Well, was I wrong!! Now I will use my lighter shades too because your arrangement looks fantastic. And, I will probably quilt the same way too...someday! I've been using 1.5 inch pieces and am aiming for a BIG quilt.

Mego said...

I love the grouping of the colors! Nice job!

karenbbsnow said...

It turned out great, I really love the colors.

Kat said...

I love this design! Such a cohesive scrap quilt.

Linda said...

Lovely quilt. The solid fabrics are great colours, the inclusion of the more subtle shades is great. Your placement of the blocks really shows up the different solids, perfect choice to use a pieced binding.

Chantal said...

Great call on the quilting design for this one. It's easier to space the loops for sure. I have to remember this design for one of my own. The colour placement is just perfect. ;^)

Rebecca Grace said...

Really fabulous job with the layout and color balance on this one, Cynthia. So much positive energy is radiating out of this quilt! What a blessing it will bring to the patient who is lucky enough to receive it!

Louise said...

It really glows! Beautiful finish and wonderful that you are donating it to Happy Chemo :)

QuiltGranma said...

Great quilt, using up scraps, and helping others... what not to like?

Kathy S. said...

This is beautiful! I love how you used the multi colored scraps and got rid of them. I need to do this as well. Mixing them with different colored solids is brilliant.

Allison said...

This is such a great quilt. It was worth taking time to arrange the blocks - it looks like there are bursts of colour across the quilt. Using the patchwork to evenly place the quilting pattern is a good idea. I find that pattern difficult to draw let alone stitch!

Mystic Quilter said...

This is just a glorious Postage Stamp!!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

What a great quilt!!! and all the colorful goodness!!!

mommalarue said...

Yes. Cancer sucks. Chemo sucks. But you are there helping to bring hope and encouragement to someone, so they know they are not alone in their misery. Way to put a positive spin on your "scraps". Scrap therapy at its best!

Danice G said...

The quilt looks perfect. I rarely sew squares smaller than two inches. 'Got to make a postage stamp quilt this year, hopefully.

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