First Loves - Log Cabin Block

That moment when you look at a quilt and realize, "hey, I made that!"

My sister's piano recital was in a childhood friend's home.  After the beautiful recital we were invited into the kitchen/family room for refreshments.  While enjoying a chocolate dipped strawberry I noticed something draped across the top of their couch.  A log-cabin quilt that looked strangely familiar... and that's when I recognized it!

This is one of the first quilts I made in High School (11 years ago!).  I learned how to make the block at a church activity and quickly became obsessed.  I made a few for my friends who were graduating, including the quilt pictured.  Can you notice that I tried to the traditional light vs. dark on the block?

I love that this quilt is a part of someone's home décor and is being used.  Whenever I give a quilt away I always tell them to USE and LOVE it.

I think I will always love the log cabin block.  I think it's kind of like that expression of "you'll always love your first car," or "you never forget your first love" (don't worry, my husband was my first love and will always be my love!). 

What quilt block was your first love?

In Stitches: HST Top Hand Quilting

Yay!  A little progress on the Green with Envy HST quilt this week.  Anyone else find hand-quilting relaxing?

Pay It Forward - Give Away Winner!

This lovely fabric is going to.....

Quilting Tangent!.  I've sent you an email so that you can send me your mailing address.  Be sure to thank the "Random" generator from random.org.

Thanks everyone for the comments on the strangest places you've sewn.  I kept thinking to myself that I need to follow-up to this giveaway with a whole post dedicated to random/strange sewing places.  It does seem a bit silly to purposely sew in strange places just for a blog post.  However, it must be done!  New series on the blog coming up.

Thanks again for participating!

Also, just as an FYI: I may be slowing down a bit on the blogging.  I'll keep checking in every Monday, but I need to go quiet for a bit.  My other life is busy working in and around distribution warehouses, making final construction adjustments before the big holiday season.

Best,
Kate

Pay It Forward: A Give-Away

First, a little WIP update:

I completed the HST Green with Envy Top.  Now to quilt it!  I am donating this and have decided to hand-quilt it with some simple straight line stitching.

I have other WIP updates, but I think you all are curious as to the give-away so without further ado...

Last week I received an email congratulating me on winning a gift certificate from Pink Chalk Fabrics!  This is the first blogging give-away that I have ever won.  Super excited!  Now... what to buy?!?  I should probably stay away from blue (see post about blue obsession here)...

While I figure that out, I've decided to pay my good fortune forward to a lucky person.  Typically I don't ask anything of my participants... but this time, if you could either "follow me" or like Quarter Mile Quilts on Facebook, it would be very helpful!  And to make it fun, please tell me the strangest place you have ever sewn in your comment!  I'll probably use the random number generator, but, strangest place may win!

Here's the prize:

1/2 yard of Melody Miller Ruby Star Polka Dot Patchwork Green and Navy and four coordinating fat quarters!

In summary, to be eligible to win this fabric bundle giveaway you need leave me a comment telling me the strangest place you've ever sewn! (If you are a no-reply blogger, please leave me your email address or you can't win - bummer!).  Closes at Friday, October 25th at midnight PST.

#payitforward

Zippered Pouch Goof

Do remember that one time I forgot to unzip the zipper while sewing the sides of my zippered pouch?

You don't?

Oh yes, I forgot to tell you about that one...

Everything started out fine...

I recently feel in love with the idea of French seams and while working on the pouch a few weeks ago this happened:

Luckily, I was able to slowly and carefully wrangle out the zipper.  VERY slowly...

Maybe I should start a link up party and call it Friday Fumbles?

Hope you're not taking yourself too seriously tonight and enjoying a wonderful Friday evening!

Borders vs. No Borders: A Quilting Experiment

I like to think of myself as a modern-traditional quilter.  I enjoy playing with modern fabrics in traditional patterns.  In the words of a new quilting inspiration, I feel like I need to stretch my quilting.  I need to challenge myself to try new things, even if they are in small steps.  Example: one of the items that can classify a modern quilt is the absence of a quilt border. 

Curiosity struck this cat and I decided to do a "quilt experiment."  I decided to make two similar looking quilts.  This experiment would include the control of the same pattern: Jeni Baker's Modern Plus Quilt Tutorial.   I would have two variables: fabric, and border vs. no border.  My hypothesis: I would love the border and not like the un-bordered quilt. 


A little bias in the experiment?  Yes.

Objective vs. Subjective? Oh dear, please don't make me get into that!

Here are the results:

The quilting above is called cogs and wheels, perfect for a little boy (or a engineering mind like myself!).  Fabrics are various Michael Miller, Japanese, Riley Blake, etc.

The bordered quilt features fabric from Violet Craft's Waterfront and Madrona Road fabrics.  This is the same bundle that I am using for A Crafty Fox's Starflower QAL.  The quilting is called boomerang and I think it works perfectly?

What do you think?  Any preferences?  I am pretty sure its hard to pick a favorite, but the border is pulling an early lead.

Hexagon Progress and a New Tutorial!

Happy Wednesday!

First I am excited to share that I am guest posting over at Young Texan Momma today!  I am sharing a Dr. Pepper mini quilt tutorial!  It uses some of the no-sew adhesive to do some raw edge applique.  Head on over :)

Also, I am happy to report that I finished stitching my Tula Pink hexagons over the weekend!  Forgive the snap-happy photos...

Now I get to applique them onto a nice neutral background before adding them to a quilt.  A tan that allows all that Tula Pink awesomeness to shine.  Then I took a picture with one of the "accent" corals I was trying to match... thoughts?

I don't think I quite got it right, but am wondering if it will be ok? Perhaps not to matchy-matchy?  Or just too intense?


Linking up to Freshly Pieced's WIP Wednesday :)