WIP: Basket Quilt and Mini-Dwellings

We've had some nice cooler days, but the last couple of days the weather has been sultry! Wind from North (Equator), means hot! I had to do a couple of errands Wednesday morning, and I have to say I was glad when it was done and I was home again!

Today is Equinox (March 20). The beginning of the 'cold season' for us living on the Southern Hemisphere, although we won't feel any difference until beginning April. Can't wait for cooler days! 

Since my previous post, there has been some progress on the Basket Quilt. 

All the small triangles were cut and pieced together with the 4-patches,  for the second border. 

The corner blocks are done too

As I have mentioned earlier; what I have left of the basket weave fabrics as well as the first (gremlin) blocks I made (and didn't like that much), go into the pieced backing

There's no more I can do on this one until I get the ordered background fabric for the basket blocks.  

A little progress on the Mini-Dwellings stitchery

The tree is done.

Trunk & branches are backstitches, leaves are lazy daisy stitches. 

It has been years since I did lazy daisy stitches, it took me some stitches getting into it

Thread Update: The parcel has arrived and is at the Customs! I should get it by next week. 

Even if I haven't worked with red fabrics, at least there are a few red squares in the blocks for the Basket Quilt that should count. 

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

and

Melva Loves Scraps - Sew & Tell

 

Basket Quilt and Mini-Dwellings WIP

I'm still waiting for the quilting thread! SIGH! 

The 'problem order' made it through US Customs and has made it to France! Scheduled to arrive next week. 

Meanwhile; progress on the Basket quilt

The 4 scrappy 16-patches corner blocks are done

The small 4-patches - measure 2.5" square - for the second border is done; 72 out of 72!

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Mini-Dwellings is UFO #25 on my UFO/WIP list

The small house block has been sitting on my sewing table for weeks. The idea is to make a small wall hanging, but I wanted to add that little extra to make it more interesting. I wanted to add some embroidery, but haven't found the 'right' design.

This block is leftover from 'Dwellings' I finished last year. 

During the weekend, I flipped through several issues of Australian 'Creating Country Threads Stitchery' magazines to see if I could find something I like. 

I did! 

I chose three stitchery patterns, and this is a combination of the three. 

I don't have a lightbox, I had to tape the pattern and fabric to the window to get the design transferred. The shades on the fabric make it look dirty.

I dived into my DMC floss to see if I have the recommended colors. 

I have 9 colors out of 5. That meant going to the neighbor town for shopping! 

I got what I needed, and it was a nice long walk. 

These are the colors + black. 

I may swap the purple with another color, I shall see when I'm there...

 

Dwellings - A Finished UFO

Warning: Photos heavy! 

Click on the photos to enlarge.

 My goal this year is to finish at least one UFO each month. 

'Dwellings' was my goal for April, and yes, I did it! 

The border is a fun houses design. It looks a bit overexposed and I was not able to correct it in the photo editing program. Not the best quality photo, you can see a better photo of it here. 

Pieced backing

I used up the house fabric, a piece of Stonehenge and various Moda Marbles

Moda Marbles are also used for the scrappy binding

Closeup of the quilting. 

This is the best I could do on 'dear Nina'

Each house is custom quilted

Size: 61 x 86 inches / 1.55 x 2.18 meters

Fabrics: Moda Marbles, Country Houses, batik, Stonehenge

Batting: Quilters Dream 'Select'

Thread: King Tut, MasterPiece, Aurifil, Yli, Mettler (52 colors used)

Fabric used: The pattern calls for approximately 16 yards 

(9.75" front and 5.75" backing)

All fabrics, except 'Country Houses' (purchased) are from my stash.

Batting was purchased for this quilt

Quilting: Each house is custom quilted in straight lines. Background, sashing and border FMQ.

Total hours of quilting: approximately 96 hours (17 days, average 5 hours per day) 

First block: December 2022

Flimsy: March 2025

Thread basted: March 2025

Started Quilting: March 21, 2025

Finished: April 10, 2025

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Next up: 

UFO #19 - Too Many Men (Snowmen Wall Quilt)

UFO list 2025

Compared to the quilts I have finished so far this year, this is a small one. I needed a break from wrestling (arm exercise!) big quilts. I'm currently quilting this one and hope to get it done this month. 

A Flimsy and Pieced Backing

'Dwellings' is a flimsy!

'Dwellings' was born Dec 2022, after drooling over the pattern in Sept/Oct 22 issue of Love of Quilting. 

I can't believe I haven't posted updates on this quilt! There's only the post linked to above.

I've been hoarding Moda Marbles as long as I've been quilting. I had a good selection and realized it is unlikely I'd use those MM any time soon. Using them in small projects don't make a dent! Then I decided 'Dwellings' is the perfect quilt to use some of the MM. 

I have used MM for all the houses, background and sashing, approximately 8 yards. For the roofs I've used grey batik as well as dark pink/purple batik for the cornerstones. I ran out of MM grey and had to purchase more to finish 4 blocks. 

Moda has discontinued a lot of their MM and many I have used in this quilt is not available anymore, sadly. I.e. I had just enough of MM 'wine' for the sashing and inner border. It's a beautiful fabric, and sadly it is one of the many that is Out of Print. 

I wanted something fun for the outer border and came across this colorful houses and trees fabric. Since it is directional, I had to purchase the full length of the quilt. 

That is what I thought I did! My mathematical skills failed (again!); just too short! The fabric is very busy and I think one has to look carefully to see where the two pieces are joined. 

I had a big piece of the house fabric left (approximately 44" x 63") after the border strips were cut. Enough to make a pieced backing without too much (brain) work and measurements! I went through my stash and found a leftover piece of 108" Stonehenge used for backing on another quilt. It was just enough for the top and bottom. Don't you just love those Stonehenge fabrics?!

I had to add more to get the right width. More MM were cut into wide strips and pieced together. 

Most of the time (!) I listen to DH's suggestions. In this case, he suggested I cut the house- and Stonehenge piece into two pieces and add the pieced strips in the center. 

So said, so done! I did listen, but not sure I agree 100%! lol 

I think this will be my goal for April; to quilt and finish 'Dwellings'. 

Moda Marbles - just sitting there...

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas together with family or friends. We had friends over for dinner on Christmas Eve, which was really nice. Sunday was quiet, slept in and did some sewing in the evening. 

We all (at least us quilters) know how important it is to always have the right colors in our stash, don't we?! ...and when we need that specific color, nothing matches! Right?! Since it is unlikely I'd use up those Moda Marbles any time soon, I've been pondering what to do with them. The first idea, as you can see here, is a scrappy granny square quilt. (No progress on that one). 

Then I discovered 'Dwellings' by Joanie Holton. Decision made! The pattern calls for approximately 9.75 yards (blocks, sashing and border) + 5.75 yards backing. Finished quilt measures 60.50 x 87 inches. Love those houses!

I've made some blocks, the same house in different colors. 

A few more blocks. Love that I can use up small bits and pieces. 

HAPPY QUILTING!