Quite some ago a blog reader sent me a box of scraps. Â In the box were a stack of squares. Â I thought they were 5″ charm squares but soon realized that they were 6″ squares. Â I didn’t know what I was going to do with them. Â They all seamed to coordinate. Â I pondered it then thought why not make a simple quilt top of squares.
I’ve been working on it leader and ender style over the last couple months. Â (If you haven’t heard of leaders and enders follow this link) Here it is. Â Simple. Â Very Simple. Â Once it gets some machine quilting it will perk up a bit.
I always feel a little guilty that I don’t sew more quilt tops for charity. Â Though simple, this one I did and once finished will keep someone warm.
I have this now sitting by sewing machine.It’s a bag of 3 1/2″ squares. Â I bought it at the thrift store awhile back for $1. Â I counted up the squares. Â Then cut and added a few more of my own. Â This I’ll work on a leader and ender. Â I can never find a good boy baby quilt so this is going to be simple square in the center with a border. Â Then I think I’ll add a fun novelty print for a backing.
All of this is very simple sewing…To some, it’s nothing at all simply sewing square together..for me, I love watching a simple quilt come to life while I am sewing something more complicated. Â Some projects I hate to work on as leaders and enders. Â For me, the spool blocks and the bow tie blocks that Bonnie Hunter challenged us to do were too hard to do as leaders and enders. Â I like a simpler block that I don’t have to keep track of so many pieces for.
This has been fun for me..and a great way to use up fabric that coordinates but I don’t love.
I am very jealous. I checked out the price of men’s shirts in a thrift store up here in Canada and they were about $8.00. Also have you got a plan for those blocks that we sent you for your birthday? Just wondering.
I like the random squares. Colorful and would look great on a bed for anyone.
I tend to pin a pile of pieces together, then keep them by my sewing machine to use as leaders and Enders. Last year’s L&E, Tumblers, worked well that way. (Still does. I’m no where near done.) Four patches are also good.
I don’t think you should feel guilty for not piecing charity quilts. You are quilting so many charity quilts that other people have pieced, you are filling a great need there.
I agree with Gretchen’s words of wisdom.
Love the quilt because it is so simple and yet will be a great gift that fills a need for another person. Bravo Jo! I have been working on the tumbler leader & enders and I must admit that its really become a favorite of mine and I might do another one when this one is done.
Nothing prettier or more soul satisfying than simple patchwork. I enjoy the other piecing, but this always calms the soul.
jo, i really love that you do so many quilts for charity and i have one that i would like to send you or someone else to finish. it was given to me a couple months ago and its just impossible for me to work on t this time.. its very dated–70’s or 80’s colors maybe.a very dusty rose kind of colors for the most part. there is plenty of yardage and blocks and pieces to make a nice size quilt out of what is there and has been started.
i recently had to leave my home—,my husband of 20 years hit me and pulled a gun. it was the worst and longest night of my life. i live with one son now and i have a small table to sew on. the only sewing supplies i have are the ones that were in the car from a class i took that day. i have bought an item or two i suppose but for the most part, i have very little. and i hate to spend money and run to the quilt stores everytime i need something. eventually i will get all my things back and be ready to sew wholeheartedly again, but right now i just cant seem to start.
i think now more than ever i can appreciate the importance of getting a quilt to someone who needs one.
please let me know if you, or someone you know might be interested in finishing this quilt
thanks jo
sara
Jo, I really like your simple squares quilt. Sometimes it is better to just let your mind relax and do something like this. I am sure the recipient will enjoy it.