Layer Cake & Fat Quaters

When you fall in love with the fabric that is already prepacked, what do you do with it? If you're like me, I purchased it, because it was a super great deal or love the colours, but most of the time I stashed it away because I had no plan for it.

They come in different sizes and shapes, from squares, strip, hexagons, and bundles. There are very fun for small projects and if you don't won't think too much about a colour them, then you're set with one of those.

This quilt was made using an FQ bundle I purchased for its bright colours. Eventually, I didn't like it much and tossed it aside. When we did one of our share-workshop, I grabbed the bundle, thinking nothing worse could happen to it, then staying hidden in a bin.

It turned out quite beautiful. Someone suggested I did flying geese in opposite corners. The pattern was called Magic Tiles. Another interesting technique was available on the internet. Our guild uses a simple version that was easy for everyone to complete in a day. This was my first attempt at sewing flying geese...without instruction or pattern.

 

Some times we don't purchase kids, they're given to us. What then! These fat quarters of green, pink, and floral were from the goody-bag I received from our quilt day out and purchased the black to accented those light colours. Of course, they're always chocolates.

Our retreat was around the corner and decided to fish for a cute and simple pattern and used them as they were not really my favourite fabric, certainly not the large black-floral.

Multi-Faceted Charm Pack Quilt

     The result was so beautiful, I would sell it at our Studio Fair next fall. Imagine that *smile*, For now, I need to plan the FM for both quilts. You can find this pattern at Moda Bake Shop

Horsin' Around

Spring is here earlier this year, at least a full month, and with most of my weekends booked, it's no wonder I had no time left for posting my latest jams. With a bit of drive though, I managed to complete the Dancing Butterfly Quilt Pattern by Leah Day. Another quilt-as-you-go.

There are a total of 12 large blocks and 24 smaller ones to FM. Lots of fun learning new designs. Some are easier then others, but overall, if you break it into sections has, it's feasible. I'll strongly suggest if you have no or little experience with FM, that you practice a few designs with Free Motion Quilting Design Gallery

 Even after many years of FM, I still found myself pulling, tugging, or guiding my blocks that left ugly stitches in the back. They may not show on the front, but they certainly do in the back. My mind tends to tend to speed up in the curves. Seriously,  programming your mind to SLOW down isn't the easiest thing at times when you want to finish a quilt. *laugh*. What did helped me performed nicer stitches in those curves, not always, is I listened to music or something with a soft rhythm.  If everything fails, I lower my speed on my sewing machine, which I don't favour.

 The 1st and 2sd row in the back. See the ugly stitches pulling away. Need to slow down in the curves. 

 The 3rd row in the back. Much improvement:)

  A design wall would be so nice, but closet doors work...okay

               And floor certainly are wonderful *smile*

 It took about three months to complete this quilt by modifying the pattern. Instead of butterflies, I used panels with horses. Someone if my family will be delighted with this Horsin' Around quilt.

All done with my stash of fabrics. Love it!

Let's Stash Away another quilt!