True Blue - A Flimsy, Pieced Backing

'True Blue' is a flimsy! 

I started working on this quilt in January this year, when the selected RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) color was blue. I was not supposed to start anything new, but... 

1) I couldn't resist making a blue and white quilt

2) it's a relatively small quilt with only 20 big blocks

There are 3 different blocks, easy to make, before the corner units.

Bad me seldom read carefully through any pattern. I didn't realize it calls for 160 triangles! First I read it was 80, but that is sets of 2 triangles! 

OK! No problem! I had lots of 1.5" fabric strips. In addition to the already cut strips, I needed to cut more blue as well as white strips. A bit tedious to sew all those small strips together, but I finally got there! 

It gets a pieced backing. I hope to get a better photo of the backing after it is quilted. I need batting for this one, so it'll have to wait. 

I've been working on this one and the Basket quilt while waiting for ordered quilting thread. I have to rant: I ordered thread from an online shop in the US on February 14 to be shipped UPS Expedited. The company is not able to get the right custom papers to UPS! I had a look at the tracking again last night, and again (2nd time!) the package is returned to sender due to missing commercial invoice! I paid US$ 50 for expedited shipping, and after one month they have not managed to provide the right custom papers!  I just can't believe it?!?!!! It is so unprofessional! Usually expedited shipping takes about 2 weeks from the US. Due to the delay, I requested a shipping refund and got it. What happens next, I don't know. I suggested they use another courier, so let's wait and see what happens. 

Coffee With Dad - An RSC Flimsy, Another WIP

As the title says; Coffee with Dad is a Flimsy!

Viola at Familie Barwitzki challenged me to work on my UFO #26, since 26 is her birthday. Now that Swirling Stars is on hold, waiting (forever! due to shipping error from the online shop!) for ordered quilting thread, I accepted the challenge. 

In my previous post I mentioned I had too many blocks for one quilt. 

That is absolutely not true! I don't know where my head was, or better say brain (it must have melted in the heat these days!), when I figured out I need 36 coffee cup blocks! I had 64 blocks and thought I would use the 'leftovers' for another smaller quilt. 

OK, it didn't turn out! After re-reading the pattern, I noticed I misread. It reads; 'make 36 sets of 2 matching'. It's there I made the mistake; I must have read '36' only. LOL

The idea was to make it a lap quilt size; approximately 60 x 72 inches. It grew bigger! lol Instead of the intended size, I made it 60 x 84 inches. 

A pieced backing is done too. (Photos later).

The chosen RSC color for March is RED

I did part of A Quilting Life's BOM 2025 last year (RSC colors). I'm doing the rest of the blocks this year

One of them is the block for March, in red

Next up to work on: UFO #5 - Basket Quilt.

The pattern is called 'Retro Baskets' by Chris Jurd, published in Marvellous Machine-made Quilts magazine. I can't find any date/year this magazine was published. I got it from an ex-pen friend in New Zealand, in May 2008. Some pages are missing, she kept patterns she wanted to make. 

I don't have any records of when I started working on this quilt. I believe it was in 2020, since it is on my UFO list 2021 (#10).

After making the first two blocks (whenever that was), I got a bit discouraged. I didn't like the blocks; they looked dull and lacked contrast (here). Great suggestions from my dear quilting friends, I ripped off the outer border and changed it to low volume fabric (here).  

I've spent hours (over)thinking what fabrics to use on the next blocks. I pulled out this, that and fabrics I could think of. I didn't like any of them! After sleeping on it, I came up with the idea to use leftovers from 'Over the River and Through the Woods'. It may not work either.... together with the fabrics I chose when I decided to make the quilt. I'm NOT going to buy any new fabrics for this one! What I have, has to work! lol

More pondering... SIGH! 

Then, looking at the blocks for the umpteenth time! 

There's something with them I don't like, but what? Then I saw Melva's beautiful basket block and knew right away this is how I want to make them look like a basket with flowers, if you follow what I mean

Years ago, for unknown reason, I decided I needed to add basket weave fabric to my stash. Don't ask me why, because they are still there! LOL I don't remember how many I bought, I have 6 half yards left. I also have one in bright blue that will be used as part of the backing on True Blue. Another one was pink. (YIKES!) If I remember right, most of it was used to make Arreli's pink quilt and RSC blocks. 

I made another block, using basket weave fabric for the 'basket'. 

Doesn't this one (to the left) look more like a basket with flowers? 

Which one would you prefer? I think I'd go for the one to the left. I don't want more overthinking! lol I've already spent 3-4 days pondering about this one. The few blocks I've already made can be used for a pieced backing.

It's still hot here. We are not much outside, except yard work / weeding (when the weather allows) and grocery shopping in early mornings before it gets too hot. 

Yesterday we decided we have to get out for a longer walk. Layer of sun protection, bottle of water, and out we went. We went to the neighbour town Rose Hill and back, about 6.2 miles / 10 km. It was hot, about 89.6F / 32C with a nice breeze, it was bearable. 

On our way home, we discovered a breadfruit tree with fruits 

(click on the photo to enlarge)

Although it is classified as a fruit, it is used as a vegetable; like potatoes

 

Lots of fruits on this tree

The trees become monsters and usually have a lot of fruits

Linking up with Angela and RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2026)

 

True Blue - Progress

 I worked on True Blue in January, when the chosen RSC color was blue. 

Unit #1 and #2 were done, and part of unit #3. 

The last days I'm working on True Blue again

The last 4 blocks of unit #3 are done 

...and I'm almost done with the corner units. 

I have to make 160 triangles! I'm almost there! 24 to go! 

I'm making it scrappy; one triangle at a time. I have so many 1.5" strips to use. I was struggling with the first corner units; the pressing direction (on the pattern). I think it was because I do one triangle at a time. I got irritated and decided to press the seams open. Doing it that way worked much better! 

I love how these blocks turn out.

Those of you on the Northern hemisphere, is there any sign of spring or is it winter? 

February has been hot, and it continues into March; we have had a few days with 91.4F (33C), which IS hot halfway on the plateau where we live. The west coastal region has recorded 95F (35C). In addition; 70-85% humidity. I can't wait for cooler days; one month to go before it starts cooling down!