I had a week that was pretty open so I filled much of that time sewing…and I sewed a lot. It was fun to get back in and have a few hours to sew.
Early in the week I was determined this was going to be a week that I accomplished a few things. So after work one night I pulled out this scrap bag. Blog readers often send me scraps and I put them in a bag until it’s big enough to deal with. This bag was FULL plus I have another bag upstairs. For now, I just tackled this one.
I love getting scrap bags from others because they spruce up my own scraps. Despite popular belief, scrap boxes do diminish. Especially when you make all scrappy quilts like I do. HA!!
These are the piles I ended up with. All are cut and ready to go into my scrap boxes. I keep everything according to size. From left to right are 1 1/2″, 2″, 2 1/2″, 3 1/2.
I pulled the batiks out and stored them separately. I pull the Kaffe prints too.
That was a great job to have done and it was a great job to kick my week off.
Thursday was a day off work so I sewed lots. Being I had a big chunk of time, my goal was to finish the blog for my Tumalo Trail quilt.
If you remember, it’s a Bonnie Hunter quilt. This quilt is in Bonnie Hunter’s book Scraps and Shirttails II. By the way, this book is currently being offered for free if you have a Kindle Unlimited subscription.
Mine is some different as I used blue for all of my triangles. I love scrap quilts-love them a lot- but I like them to be a little more controlled.
I ended up sewing MUCH faster than I anticipated. I got this far…and actually even further.
Friday I got most of the sashing strips sewn too.
On Saturday I got it all put together!! I really like it. I like that I used only blues for the triangles. You can see why I call it more of a controlled scrappy look.
I did want to share a little tip with you. When you sew sashing strips to the block strips, always keep the piece that has more piecing in it to the bottom. Your feed dogs will pull and ease in the pieced piece so it matches more easily with the top uncut sashing strip.
I was chatting with my friend Carla of Longarm Quilting Inspirations when we were walking the dogs. Later we ended up on Messenger with me sharing pictures of the quilt. I was trying to figure out what to do next with the quilt.
The original quilt has this scrappy border…It’s a pieced piano keyboard border. If I did that, I would make mine all blue but I don’t know if I’m a fan of that.
I could leave it as is…I could make a triangle border for it. I do have some leftover triangles. I could add a traditional fabric border.
I’d prefer not to buy any fabric so I came up with these two possibilities. Carla and I both liked the paisley one closest to the quilt best. I only have 1 1/2 yards. It’s enough…but then finding a binding might be hard. Hmm.
Any thoughts or suggestions?? Right now I think the quilt is 84″ x 84″.
I asked the dogs for their input but they were no help. HA!!
So while I thought about that, I bound my Oregon or Bust quilt.
Check out the binding…It almost matches up perfectly with the setting triangle.
That gave me a smile!!! So fun.
I was pretty concentrated this week on mostly one project. I am so happy with the amount I got done. I’m hoping next week to hit my Tribute to Judie quilt really hard. Any chance I could at least get the quilt into rows? Fingers crossed!!
I find that even with careful pinning, if I put the block with the most piecing on the bottom when sewing, I inevitably get a seam (or more) that is winds up getting sewn going the wrong direction!
Love the paisley for a border. It brings back in so many colors. You will find the perfect binding once you get to that point. The right choice will be there waiting for you!
I think that paisley is the perfect border … I love it! A navy binding would work well, as would the red/pink that’s in the paisley print. It’s going to be a beautiful quilt!
Maybe a binding in the brown family? I know that you’ll make a great choice! It’s a beautiful quilt!
Yes, fabulous paisley border! Any chance you know the name of the fabric, so we can help you out if it’s in our stash?
just to let you know Jo, your Cross stitch update on Friday was all gibberish again. Also I sent an email to the address for you that is on the blog but it keeps bouncing. maybe it is an old email addy. thanks.
The only way to reach me via email is at joscountryjunction@gmail.com
I like the paisley for the binding with no more border ..I think 84×84 is a good sized quilt
It’s really a good one !
I prefer the other fabric for the border because I think the color works better. The paisley is too busy with all the “squigleys” going this way and that. But you are the one who is going to live with the quilt, not me, so use whichever YOU like best. I love the controlled scrappy look, using the blue triangles. It’s really lovely and adds such a nice, peaceful feel to the quilt.
I keep trying to get long blocks of time in my sewing room but things always seem to come up and I am lucky if I get in an hour a day. I am trying to get some projects cut up and kitted for a retreat in two weeks where I will have five glorious days to sew all day long (if my back holds out).
Love love love your Tumelo quilt. Keeping the triangles all blue was a great idea. Wish I had thought to do that. My squares are all done, just need to be put together. Love your blog! You are an inspiration.
I really like how you’ve done the Tumbler quilt with blues. I don’t know about anyone else, but I find it’s much easier on my problem eyes!
It is so fun to see you back in your sewing room getting so much done! The quilts are so beautiful. I think l like the plainer fabric for the border, but either would be good. I liked how well the plaids matched in the binding you put on Oregon or Bust.
You always make the perfect choices, so your finished quilt will be lovely, no matter what you choose. You seem to have an eye for what works.
Hi Jo—at 84” x84” I would skip the border. You can get the backing out of 2 lengths of fabric, and that’s plenty big enough for a good sized bed cover. Just saying….
I am absolutely loving your blue version of Tumalo Trail! I have always loved this pattern, but something kept me from making it…you just solved my problem. It was all the scrappy backgrounds in those triangles. Who knew….
As far as your border choices, I have to lay mine out on the floor and tuck it under the top so I only see how much will be peeking out as a border in order to determine which one works best. Might try that with yours.. I love both options, but I think my heart would lean toward a blue piano key border. Thank you so much for sharing your adaptions of
Bonnie’s quilts!!! I love her style, but you have helped me to see that I like a more controlled color palette when it comes to her designs. Thank you!
Hope all is going well with the new job and cancer issues. Miss seeing you on “Sew with Jo”, but I totally understand that you are totally occupied right now. Hope to see you back on YouTube soon!
I completely agree with you, and for the same reasons. The paisley, to me, is distracting.
This quilt is gorgeous, blue is my favorite color by far so that helps!
I say skip the border altogether, the quilt top looks great as is!