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. 

Over the River / Two Finishes / Pieced Backing

After long last, 'Over the River and Through the Woods' is ready for quilting! 

I ran into a little problem when I assembled the stitchery and blocks

The stitcheries should have matched the two rows of blocks to 36.5", but did not. It was about 1/2 - 3/4 inches shorter on each side (see photo above). I couldn't do anything about the row of blocks; they were the right size; 6.5" by 36.5". I had to extend each side of the stitcheries by stitching the trees to fit the exact size. 

Well, I can't draw, but at least I managed to stitch something that looks like trees! lol

I'm not sure how this happened. My hand stitch tension may have been too tight, or the backing fabric for the stitcheries made the top fabric shrink? The lady at the quilt store in Norway (where I bought the fabrics) recommended some sort of loose woven material with glue on one side, to be used as stabilizer. I've used Moda Marbles and that stabilizer was ironed on to it before stitching. I used a hoop too.

Oh well, not a big deal really. It was an easy fix. 

Pieced backing for this one too. 

The blocks were meant for the Flying Geese border, but the contrast between the 'geese' and background was too dark. Other fabrics from my stash.

Not easy to get the right colors, photographed on a cloudy day.

I'm pondering how to quilt it on my domestic machine. I've seen one (Pinterest, I think it was), the middle stitchery (verse) was quilted cross-hatched design. I really like it, I think I'll copy that design. I have an idea how to quilt the 'Flying Geese'. How to quilt the blocks between the stitcheries as well as the stitcheries at the top and bottom? 

Your ideas / suggestions are very much appreciated. 

I'd been wondering when I purchased the pattern, I found it here. It was a birthday gift to myself in 2009! Visiting Norway in 2010, I purchased fabrics for the quilt. Time to get it done! 

Earlier this year, I purchased this pattern from Coriander Quilts

When I first saw it, the reindeer put a smile on my face. I knew I had to make one! 

I've made two; one for us and one for my DF in Norway. 

'Rudolph' #1

This is my friend's quilt. His favorite color is green, hence the green border.

Pieced backing. The center rectangle shows cute red foxes and I also added two orphan bauble blocks. They were originally meant for my quilt, but I decided on red baubles instead. 

'Rudolph' #2. 

I've had this red, green and gold plaid fabric for some time. It has been in and out of the shelf I don't know how many times. When I purchased it, I had in mind to use it for a Santa's pants, but it didn't work out. I like how it turned out as border on this quilt. It was half a yard and after straightening it up it was just enough! 

It's not easy to see the quilted details on the photos. I chose to do outlined straight lines. I used gold metallic fabric for the stars and baubles, and these I quilted with gold metallic thread. The faces are free-motion-quilted, I used a variegated brown thread. For the rest I used an ecru colored cotton thread to match the background snowflakes fabric. 

Rudolph's face (both quilts) could have been a bit darker, maybe? 

Maybe not. These are winter reindeer, meaning their coat turns from brown (summer camouflage) to a greyer camouflage against the snow, makes them blend into the snowy landscape.

Pieced backing #2. Got to use up most of the Skaters fabric and other bits and pieces. 

Fabric requirement for 'Deerly Loved': 

Approximately 7 yards. And since I made two; approximately 14 yards fabric, all from my stash. 

I haven't done any sewing the last couple of weeks. I've been on slow motion after I caught a bad flu. It's still hanging, but I'll say I'm 95% OK. As if the flu is not enough; I stumbled in my own feet and fell head down on the street earlier this week. I hurt the right side of my head; cheek and a small cut (from the sunglasses) on the bone next to my eye. I'm fine now and I have a 'beautiful' green-yellowish eye and cheek! LOL  

I have finished a few cross stitching UFO's, but that will be for another post. 

Hope you all are doing well. Be careful on icy roads! 

Linking up with Angela and RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2025) 

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

*************************

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. 

Pineapple Quilt Finish (last year)

The Scrappy Pineapple Quilt is one of the few quilts I finished last year (June 2024)

It all began during the Covid lock-down (March 2020) and no I-net. 

The blocks (42) are paper pieced and made entirely from my strips 'collection'. 

Each block has 53 pieces. The strips finish at 3/4" / approximately 2 cm. 

2226 small pieces pieced together.

The quilt top was finished in May 2021,  and  thread basted January 2023. 

I couldn't come up with a way to quilt it and it was set aside. 

I was searching I-net for ideas and came across this design and knew that is what it has to be! More about that (my frustration!) here. 

The quilting is easier to see on the back.

Just admit you've noticed the puckering! I ensure you they are from folding the quilt and not from the quilting! LOL 

For the back I've used a floral piece I've had for a while. It has red/pink/cream flowers on teal. The outer border is mottled brown. I did not get the right color on this photo, the brown shows warmer than it actually is. The photo below shows the colors better.

Closeup of the back.

Size: 77-1/2 x 66-1/2 inches / 1.97 x 1.69 meters

Fabrics (front and back): All from my stash

Batting: Frankenbatting  (from my stash)

First block: Covid lock-down (March 2020)

All blocks / Flimsy: May 2021

Thread basted: January 2023

Finished: June 2024

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'. 

Star Streams has become a Flimsy

 After getting two flimsies and scrappy backings done, I decided to continue getting some blocks into flimsies, and later on pieced backing too. 

Do you remember Star Streams? It was supposed to be a RSC project, but I decided on blue and white instead. The first blocks were made January 2023. Step Blocks were made June this year. I ran out of background fabric when I had 7 blocks left to do. Argh! I didn't have anything matching, so had to order more. It was delivered after some weeks, but then I had other projects to work on. Now that I'm in 'flimsy-mood', I pulled out the blocks for this one, made the 7 remaining blocks and VOILA! 

Another flimsy is born!

A border can be added, but I'm going to leave it as it is, with dark blue, maybe scrappy binding. 

Measures approximately 57 x 65 inches / 145 x 165 cm.

 It has got a pieced backing! I had two 'in and out of the shelf' fabric I desperately wanted to get rid of! Can you guess which two? The half yard shell fabric and the sunrise, or sunset? fabric! I bought the sun fabric years ago, when I was stash-building. The shell fabric was a gift from a UFO challenge some years ago. I've never liked the latter! The big floral fabric middle right is actually a piece of a curtain I bought years ago in Norway! It's one of those good quality cotton curtains. I love it and could never part with that small piece! lol

When will I finish this one? Not sure. I have to purchase batting, even if I do frankenbatting, there won't be enough.

Yesterday I pulled out Country Charm. 

I'm making more blocks and I have cut more neutral/white 2-1/2" for the HST required for each block.  I'm not exaggerating when saying I have thousands of 2" squares. This quilt measures 85" square and 2412 2" squares go into the quilt! It should make a small dent?! 

Linking up with Angela and RSC - Rainbow Scrap Challenge

Flimsies, Pieced Backing and Frankenbatting

 I'm happy to say I have two RSC (Rainbow Scrap Challenge) flimsies!

Keep the Home Fires Burning

I had sew much fun adding all these blocks together! 

...and Sherri McConnell A Quilting Life BOM 2024

Finding the 'right' fabric for the border and sashing for a scrappy quilt can sometimes be a challenge. Since it has 'all' colors, any of these colors could be used, I guess. My DH suggested black for the sashing. Hm.... What do I have in my stash? Definitely not a big choice. A few strips left of Moda Marbles, one yard black Grunge is hiding somewhere... I ended up with a fabric I've had 'forever'; white pindots on black, that was just enough, only a few strips left! For the border I've chosen a gorgeous batik in dark blue, purple and turquoise.

The last days I've worked on pieced backings for both flimsies.

I've pulled out fabrics from my stash, some been there 'forever'. You know those fabrics that are pulled in and out of the shelf until you get damn tired of them, leave them and forget about them. That's the case for these pieced backings.

'Keep the Home Fires Burning' is square, approximately 73"x73" (185 cm square). I have to get the quilt (all three layers) on the table to see if the backing fits. The sides are only an inch bigger than the quilt! YIKES! (Don't ask me where the math went! ...or my brain?!!) I may not get it straight on the table, I may have to get it on the floor getting it straight. I shall see... My poor old knees won't be happy!

Fabric requirements for this quilt is approximately 8-1/2 yards for the top and 5 yards for the backing (total 13-1/2 yards) 

It was easier to do the pieced backing for the BOM. I found some half yards and FQ's hidden at the bottom on a shelf, under a lot of Christmas fabrics!!! I know why they were 'hidden' there; I had no clue what to do with them and not sure I liked them that much either. A few were a challenge win years back. 

Fabric requirements: Approximately 11 yards for the top and 4-1/2 yards backing (total 15-1/2 yards) 

For these two quilts: All fabrics from my stash, a total of 29 yards. This is according to the fabric requirements. 

Even if not visible (as I can see!), it sure has made a dent in my stash. 

Some time ago I learnt a new word; frankenbatting. 

If that is new to you, you can learn more here. 

I have done frankenbatting for years without knowing it's a word for it. lol 

Do you do frankenbatting?

A couple of days ago I had to go into the city again. On my way home I stopped at Bagatelle Mall to get a few groceries and have a look at the Christmas decor. I'm not a big fan of malls, I find them rather boring. Malls have popped up everywhere on the island the last years. 

One of the entrances

...and even a decorated Banyan tree

 I enjoyed admiring their Christmas display

Have you decorated the tree? That's what I'm going to do this weekend!