4/14/17

Three Projects

There was sewing for three different projects yesterday. First up, I made Block 17 for the Solstice Challenge. This block is called "Spring Fever" and mine is to mark April Fool's Day.


The jokers were fussy cut from some fabric I purchased recently, and then the remaining fabrics were all pulled from the scrap bin.

Also from the scrap bin, I pulled fabrics to make the remaining four 9-patches for the Welcome Home small quilt mystery. The four blocks from yesterday's sewing are across the top. The rest were made earlier.


Caught up on my challenges, it was time to get to work on the Mommy & Me baby quilt. As you might guess, I had plenty of help for this.


I'm using fabrics I purchased especially for the pattern, and also pulled some appropriate aquas and grays from my stash.


Yesterday's task involved cutting a variety of 5 x 5 squares and working to achieve a pleasing mix of colors and patterns. There are three rows above the elephant applique and two below. 


I ended up cutting more than I needed just to get a good mix. When I had the top three rows laid out, I decided to give it a rest for the day. It was hard choosing a good mix. As I'm looking at this, I think I need to substitute one of the blue and gray circle patches for one of the large aqua polka dots in the bottom row. Also, I think those gray and white polka dots might be a little too evenly spaced across the whole. Random layouts are the hardest for me.

This morning I'm walking with Sue. When I get home, I'll take another look at this and then start sewing the rows together. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm waiting on some fabric for the elephant applique. For now, I'm just sewing the background pieces together.

8 comments:

gpc said...

I agree, random layouts are hard but they seem to always turn out well once you don't have to compare all the options. I generally struggle for a ridiculous amount of time and then once I'm satisfied, I mess it up while sewing and end up with something entirely different. Mistakes are my stock and trade. :)

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Random is my thing and I don't stress. Throw it on the table and sew with a no-thinking process. It's a little cool here, but the sun is out which means I need to get in some Vitamin D.

Quilting Babcia said...

I think your two quilty helpers will have the purrfect random arrangement all laid out for you when you return from your walk lol!

piecefulwendy said...

While I'm reading your post this morning, I'm slurping the last of my first cup of coffee and listening to the rain pouring outside. I think it will be a good day for some sewing. Your baby quilt is going to be very cute! I like the fabrics you've got going on so far!

Brown Family said...

IT is a good feeling to be caught up. I have completed several mini tops and 3 crib size tops in the last month. I just wish I could get out of the doldrums and post!

quiltzyx said...

I do like the movement in your April Fools block, with the yellow swirling all around.
When you do your little 4-patch blocks, do you strip piece them or use squares?
Good to see the cats are helping with your random arrangement....loving that color palette.

Lynette said...

Love the jesters! Hate having to balance out a mix of pieces - I don't feel like I'm great at that, and I change my mind a lot on the layout.

Lyndsey said...

I like Sharon's approach to random ... throw it on the table and just sew it together. It usually works quite well (but not always).