I Bought a Bit of Fabric

 One of the things I have discovered when doing block drives, is I need to be very prepared with materials prior to the start of each event.  So when Connecting Threads had their last sale, I did a bit of shopping (Thanks to a few donations to my blog and some affiliate purchases.)

I think I am pretty set for the next block drive but I have used just about all of the patriotic fabric so when I saw all these pretty blues heavily discounted, I bought 4 yards of each.  They are fairly neutral and should work on quite a few of the block drives as backings.

I bought most of the same prints in red also.  I think I paid less than $4 a yard for all of these.

I also grabbed some neutrals.  A few of these I plan on using in the next block drive which will get announced the end of this month.

At least fourteen backing for $200!  WooHoo!!  That sounds like a lot of fabric but so far each of the block drives have resulted in 15-20 quilts.

I also bought three rolls of batting and quite a few cones of thread.  

I'm keeping those delivery workers busy!

So many of you have also helped out by sending some fabric with your blocks.  It really does help out a lot.  I can always find a use for it!

I will be sharing some more finished quilts on Friday....

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New Additions

 It seems like it has been forever since I bought any new fabric.  

This last weekend, I taught a class at Aloha Sewing and Vac in Hillsboro Or.  I think it is the first time I have been in a fabric store since the start of Covid.  

So all those pretty bolts of fabric were impossible to resist.

Here are the pretties I bought.  Most are 3 yard cuts or larger.  The sketch fabric on the bottom is probably my favorite.  I can't wait to use that as a a background for a quilt.

While I was there, I saw a couple of used Bernina sewing machines.  If you are a fan of these workhorses, you know they are getting hard to find in good condition.  

They had both an 830 and an 831!

I really wanted both of the machines but I decided that only the 831 was coming home with me.  Recently the motor went out in Sparky (one of my 830s) so this one will be a replacement.  I still hope to repair Sparky but I have to find the right repair technician.

I have been sewing with my new machine all week and it is sewing beautifully!  It seems to have boy energy so I need to find an appropriate name. Any suggestions?

If you are looking for an 830, there is still one sitting in Hillsboro that can be yours!

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My Last Fabric Order

When I buy fabric, it is rarely for a specific project.  I like to have a nice sized stash that allows me to pull fabrics from it when I start a new project. That means I have to be real careful when I buy fabrics because they can sit around for a really ling time.

It also helps that I make mostly scrap quilts - everything seems to work with scraps!

I always get asked, how do I know what to buy.  First, I always buy when there are good sales.  These fabrics all came from Connecting Threads.  They recently had a 20% sitewide sale - that includes their clearance fabrics.  So I focused my attention there.

I have been wanting to add some ginghams to my stash.  And the price was finally right on these.  I bought 2.5 yards of all of them.  I plan to use them for things like sashings and bindings.

I bought 4 yards of each of these three prints.  I have lots of plans for these...the lights I am hoping can be some background fabrics for some orphan block quilts.  Or, they can be used as a back.  The dark will hopefully used the same way.  I can't decide though if it is black or a very dark navy.

Before I place any online order, I go and look at my stash (which is organized by color) and see what I am missing in the way of backing fabrics.  I was completely out of red backings and I only have one large cut in purple.  So I tried to only backfill these colors.  They didn't have any purple prints in the price range I wanted but the bottom blue and red piece looked like it might work on a purple quilt.  I am really glad I bought it.

I bought a total of 31 yards.  With the discount, I think I averaged right at about $4.50 per yard.

Getting these fabrics at this price means I can more easily donate a lot more quilts each year.

I knew the annual Hands2Help event was happening soon so stocking up now seemed like a great idea.

(If you are not familiar with H2H, you can read more about it in this earlier post.)

Do you buy fabrics for stash or for a specific project?

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Connecting Threads now has all of their Red, White and Blue fabric on sale.  

Just in tie for those summer picnic projects!

Happy Mail

 I haven't bought any fabric in a really long time.  I have been really determined to use what I have.  But in working on a few projects, I finally admitted that I needed to replenish my white on white stash.  I think I have used every tiny bit in my house.

Photographs of white on white fabric are kind of boring - but this happy mail sure excites me.  I have been digging through scraps for a couple years every time I need a "white" piece.

I ordered 8 lovely yards from Connecting Threads.  I received a nice selection of leaves, florals, geometrics and abstract prints.  This should last me quite a while.

If you need to replenish some stash, Connecting Threads extended their Labor Day sale for a few days.  I am off to my sewing room to finish up some blocks!

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Another New Start

 Recently I finished a quilt made entirely from my stash.  It had been a long time since I have made anything from something other than scraps.  I enjoyed the process so much, I decided to see what else I had in my stash to play with.

I came across this selection of fabrics.  I also dug out a really old pattern that I have made numerous time.  It is called Studio Chic by Artichoke Collections.  I think the pattern is out of print but you can still buy used online.

I like it because the pieces are large. (Ha!)

Large pieces is why I enjoyed the last quilt I made using my All That Jazz pattern - it is a nice break from all the small scraps I am usually using!

This newest project might take me a bit to finish.  I still have all the 1" sashing to cut and then a lot of sewing to do to frame all the squares.

....and I still have about three scrap quilts currently in the works!

So are you a stash or scrap quilter?

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Linking Up:

Love Laugh Quilt (Monday Making)

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Inquiring Quilter (Weightloss Wednesday)

Wide Back Sale

 

Just popping in this morning to let you know that Connecting Threads has their wide backing fabrics on sale today only.  A few of my favorites are the Hand Drawn and Star Flower.  I have used both on previous quilts.  Just use code 25BACKING.

Evolution of a Fabric Pull

 I know that not every quilter works this way, but almost all of my quilts start with the fabric.  I end up being inspired by a piece of fabric and it just takes off from there.  Sometime the fabrics come together quickly - other times it might take many months.

Back in January, Sally over at The Objects of  Design graciously gifted me some scraps.  In amongst her generous bag of fabrics were these three fat quarters.  I rarely have fabrics from the same collection (or even the same print) so I set them aside and decided to use them together in a quilt.

Aren't the pretty!

But when I received them, I didn't have anything I thought would go well with them.  So they just sat...

Then one day, I came across this low volume print that I had purchased from Connecting Threads last year.  I loved how they looked together!

But with three fat quarters and 2.5 yards of background, I knew I didn't have enough fabric for a quilt.  So the stack of fabrics just continued to sit.

I would occasionally over the last few months come across a fabric that I thought might work, but nothing excited me.  This morning I dug out a taupe geometric fabric that I have had for at least a decade.  I think I actually squealed out loud!

It is a half yard cut so that means technically I have 5 fat quarters.  And anytime I have five fat quarters and a big cut of background, my brain instantly goes to my Wiggle Time pattern.

I will use the geometric print in the second and fourth "wiggle".  Now I just need to decide what order I want those pretty fat quarters that Sally shared with me.

I am sure this pattern was on my mind due to Maggie (at Making a Lather) having shared her finished Wiggle Time quilt last Sunday.  You can see her sunny quilt here.

This quilt goes together very quickly and is super simple to make.  So hopefully I will have the top together soon.  I am still working on lots of other more tedious projects so this "speed sewing" will be a fun break.

Thanks for the inspiration Sally and Maggie!

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Rewarding Myself

 I haven't allowed myself to start something new in a really long time.  But after finishing all the Covered In Love quilts and making great progress on some of my WIPs, I thought I deserved to start a new project.

Quite a while back, a friend gifted me with these three lovely fabrics.  I had commented that I really liked these when she brought a quilt for me to quilt for her.  She had some leftover cuts so she passed them onto me.  They have been sitting on the corner of my cutting table since then - just waiting for some inspiration.

I knew I wanted to keep the pieces big because this quilt is going to be all about these pretty fabrics.  So I went to my stash and pulled some pieces to go with them.  I think I need one more fabric - I just haven't decided if it will be a gold or a pink.

I decided I was going to revisit one of my own patterns.  All That Jazz is a quick and easy project that really highlights big special prints.  The above quilt (that is the pattern cover quilt), I made using some of my favorite Kaffe Fassett prints.

I can't wait to see how this new version turns out!

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Backing Fabrics

 It is always fun to receive some happy mail!

Recently I took advantage of a sale at Connecting Threads and purchased a whole bunch of 2.5 yard cuts of 108" backing fabrics.  I bought both a light denim and dark denim chambray.  Not only can I use these as backings, but they would also make a nice background fabric.

They also added these Hand Drawn Lines pieces to their inventory again.  I have purchased them in the past and they are a favorite.

I also bought pieces of  Word Play and Multi Dot - these will work with just about any scrap quilt. I like 2.5" yard cuts because they can be used for a larger bed quilt or I can sometimes get two lap quilts out of each cut with some creative piecing.

I like to have a stash of backings so that when I am finished with a quilt top, I can shop right at my house.  I just don't have the patience to shop for backings at the end of the process - I want to be able to get right to the quilting.  Plus this way, I can take advantage of sales when I see them!

Now I just need to get some projects finished!

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Ugliest Fabric on the Planet

 One of my favorite scrap quilters is Sally over at The Object of Design.  I actually have met her in person a couple of times so I feel pretty special!

During the pandemic, she has hosted a few "scrap" giveaways - I really don't need any scraps but during her last giveaway, I commented that I was running low on low volume pieces.  Well, I won and a package soon arrived on my doorstep!

She was very generous in fulfilling my need for low volumes but she also tucked some other unloved fabric in mix - as I tend to do when I send out fabric to other quilters :)

One of the fabrics she included is what she dubbed "the ugliest fabric on the planet".  I have to chuckle because it is actually a nice large cut and when I saw it, I instantly knew I would use it first...not knowing it had been given the title.

I admit, I love purple and my sewing room is painted three shades of the color.  In fact, you can see my ironing board legs are even painted.   

Well, now my ironing board has been recovered in this floral.  

Honestly, I don't love the piece.   I am mostly happy that it was a big enough cut to work.  

So I will be seeing this fabric every day!

(Yes, I am ashamed of my iron - it is an ancient Sunbeam that I have used for so long, I have worn the soleplate down to bare metal.  But it still gets so hot I hate to get rid of it.  I keep hoping I will discover some way to resurface or something. Any advice?)

I still have quite a bit of the fabric left.  I have to agree with Sally that the floral does have an odd linear pattern to it -  so I am sure I will be cutting it up small and using it in scrappy projects.

...now there were a few other pieces in the package that I found more troubling.  Thank goodness you can hide away the unloved in the scrappy!  

Or in a package off to another quilter ....Ha!

Thanks Sally for your generosity.  

Now I can continue to make more blocks with scrappy backgrounds!

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New Fabric Purchases

 I recently took advantage of one of the big sales around Thanksgiving.  My fabric came today so I thought I would share some of the pretties I bought.

Almost all the cuts I purchased were 4 yard pieces.  This size works great for backings on the large lap size quilts I generally make.  I bought three really pretty greens.  A green sketch (no longer available), one called Dapper, and Trellis on the bottom.

I definitely seemed to be in the mood for orange because I certainly stocked up.  An orange sketch and pumpkin mums (no longer available), a Tartan Plaid, another color of Dapper, and a Heather Ross called Roses.  Looks like some orange quilts will be happening in 2021!

I needed some red backings so I ordered another color of Dapper and one called Chantilly.  I probably should have ordered a few more reds but it seems only these two made it to my cart.

And finally I bought some more neutral prints.  The top Trellis print I think I might use as a background for a scrappy quilt.  I am really intrigued by this print and just might have to buy some more of it.  The bottom two are actually wide backings - some white Hand Drawn Lines and one called Word Play.  There are just so many ways these fabrics may be used in my future quilts.  

I think most of these prints were purchased from the sale section.  I keep all of my backing cuts in rainbow order so I can quickly look through them to see what I should purchase to keep my stash well rounded.  I try to keep the cost down on my backing fabrics so I can use them on my scrap quilts.  That makes it easier for me to donate so many of them.  

It won't be long before you start seeing these prints in my finished quilts.  

Enjoy your day - I am off to organize some fabric!

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My Happy Mail

 I finally had a chance to open up some happy mail I recently received.

I bought four cuts at 4 yards each from Connecting Threads for some future quilt backings.  The bottom print is a reorder - I love that soft red and was so happy to get more of it.

The fabulous green print is called is Chaise - and it is still available in four colors.  I hope to get more of these prints soon.

And the top two orange and blue prints are called Dapper.  I wasn't quite sure about these prints when I bought them but once I see them in person, I am ready to buy more.  There are still four colors available in this print too.

I already have plans for the red and the blue prints so you will most likely see these in an upcoming quilt.  I always find myself with lots of sewing time in the winter.  So that means lots of quilt finishes!

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Let's Talk Background Fabrics

 I have been wanting to make another stacked coin scrap quilt so I thought I would take some time to look through my background fabrics to see what I could come up with to use.

Background fabrics are something I like to pick up when I see good sales and keep in my stash.  I often have people ask me what some of my favorite stash items are.  So I thought I would share some of them today.

I do still keep a lot of Kona solids in my stash but I actually prefer to use fabrics that look at bit more textural.  I use my Kona a lot for bindings.

An old favorite of mine is the Quilters Linen by Robert Kaufman.  This is a printed fabric (not a woven) and comes in a LOT of colors.  Above is a sampling of some of the colors I have in my stash.  The orange and the green are probably some of my favorites.  

Another good basic that comes in a lot of colors is the various Grunge collections by Moda.  This fabric has become very popular and you can pick it up just about everywhere.  I was happy to see Connecting Threads is now stocking wide backing in some of the colors and REALLY happy to see the Fat Quarter Shop has Grunge 20% off this entire month.  I used up a lot of my stash recently and need to replace some colors (like Essence and Bleu).

I also like a lot of the Connecting Threads blender series like their chambray, faux linen and mirage.   These prints change frequently so I have learned to buy it if you like it!

And if you are curious how much I buy?  I like to pick up 2 to 3 yard cuts - that quantity always seems about right for the lap quilts I usually make.

 You can tell I like colorful background fabrics - not a lot of neutrals for me!  

What about you...Do you have a favorite background fabric you like to use?

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The Fabric Made Me Do It

I keep my folded stash fabric in an open fronted bookcase sorted by color.  Every once in a while, there seems to be a fabric that physically throws itself at me wanting attention.  Once I retrieve the fabric half a dozen times from the floor, I finally give up and make something with it.

This (unloved) lupine fabric was the print screaming for attention.  I don't ever remember buying it but I know I did use it as a backing for a quilt ages ago.  I had some big chunks of fabrics all folded together that looked like they were the trimmings from a back.

I decided to keep it easy and just cut those long narrow strips into 2.5" strips.  Then I decided to use my "Life is a Highway" pattern to make a baby sized quilt.  

I already had a bunch of navy 2.5" squares so all I had to do was pull some stash/scrap pieces that coordinated.  I wanted to keep the color placement a mirror image across the top.

I also used the lupine print as the binding and across the center of the backing.

Here is a full photo...the dark blue fabric was also some leftover backing bits that I used on both the front and the back.

This quilt took no time at all to make and cleaned out a few pieces in my stash that I am tired of looking at......and picking up off the floor!

Do others of you have possessed fabric?

Happy Friday!

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Linking Up:

My Quilt Infatuation (Needle & Thread)

Confessions of a Fabric Addict (Can I get a Whoop! Whoop!)

From Bolt to Beauty (Brag about your Beauties)
Alycia Quilts (Finished or not Friday)

The Gift of Scraps

Recently, my friend Sheila Sinclair-Snyder texted me to see if I had an extra cone of thread for a color she needed.  During this time of Covid, it is nearly impossible to just pick up a single item and I was happy to help her out.  

As a thank you gift, she left me with a bag of scraps.  Quilty friends are the best!

The scraps she gifted me are the nicely folded ones along the top.  I pulled some coordinating "solids" from my scrap bins to stretch them so I could make a nice sized lap quilt.

(Notice mine are not so nicely folded.)

I have since been turning these fabrics into 12" blocks.  

These bright and happy fabric have been perfect to work on and keep my spirits up!

Thanks so much Sheila!

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Your Ideas Please

My sister volunteers at an animal shelter and they have a fundraising event coming up soon and I told her I would make her a quilt.  The date just keeps getting closer and I am still not firm on what quilt I should make.  I thought I would see if any of you have some good ideas.  

I don't want to go buy more fabric!

Here are the fabrics that I want to use for the project.  I can still pull a few more pieces out of my stash like a dusty blue and maybe another gray or brown piece.

Most of these are half yard pieces or fat quarters.

I also have these two pieces that I can use as a background.  I have a yard of each.  I think this will give ma about a 50 x 60" quilt.

My initial idea was to make a raw edge circle quilt like this one.

I shared a tutorial on how I make these back in 2015.  I thought I could alternate the background fabrics and use the dog prints as the circle prints. 

I don't really have a bunch of contrast in my fabrics to make some pieced blocks.  But I am curious if any of you have any ideas for how to use these.  

Keep it simple please - I am running out of time!

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In my email this moring, I see Connecting Threads have put together some thread sets on their Essentials Thread.  I usually piece with my big cones I buy for my longarm, but I do like this thread.

They have put together some beautiful combinations!

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