My newest obsession :: vintage footstools and scrappy strips. Preferably painted and all lined up. At least the footstools are a practical obsession, right? Am I the only one? The little ones are becoming so independent with the washing hands/brushing teeth/giving teddy a bath thing, as long as I provide them with a perch. So there’s my justification for the first. As for the scrappy strips? Well that’s not really anything new for me, but I just had to make something to match the log cabin pillow present. Because, ya know, I’m a product of the 80’s (esprit collections in yellow and purple squares come to mind), and matching is in my blood. So the pillow needed a complimentary friend.
I couldn’t find a pattern to suit, so I made mine up. The blocks here were just made with a bunch of 2.5 inch strips left over from the log cabin (and various other strippy projects), all laid in lines on top of a square ruler before sewing up to make sure I had enough length to fit inside. Except the middle one, that’s an even 3 inches., because I measured the white wrong. I also learned about halfway through it helps to overlap the edges to compensate for the seam allowance. A real quilter would have thought about it beforehand!
And there are so many inspirational quilts out there right now. Large strippy quilts with cherry blossom applique, little doll quilts look cute and scrappy, rectangle scrappy quilts, freshcut baby strippy quilts, even a fabric scrappy strippy rug! And, ooo, I spotted a really colorful one, here. And the amazing House on Hill Road (of twirly skirt fame) , is working on one, too. And her corners match. I’m jealous.
(Edited to add: Go visit Wee Toes and Noggins to see a properly constructed foundation pieced strippy scrappy quilt – look for the tiny bird!)
Have a fabulous Thursday everyone! Hope it’s as beautiful and blue where you are – we’re headed outside for the rest of the day!
P.S. For those home-school moms out there, I just found a cute new site – the Homeschool Lounge. Like I need another thing to do on the computer… but it seems kind of neat.
Your quilt blocks are really pretty. I’m working on one of these right now but mine are much more… crazy, verging on ugly in my book! I didn’t think to use the same fabric down the middle of each block for a little cohesion of the design. You know what works great for these is to sew them directly to a foundation block. Check it out: http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltpatternsprojects/ss/string_piecing_2.htm
Thanks Wendy! Some of mine are looking a little weird as well – I’m thinking it’s the kind of quilt that looks best when finished and not so much in pieces. That’s so funny you mentioned foundation blocking – I considered it, I really did, but was afraid of the weight it would add to the quilt and also I wasn’t sure about handquilting throught 4 layers! Have you ever done this? I wasn’t sure, so… I chickened out and did the strip piecing!
So cute.
Thanks for stopping by – Can I just have the quilt at the top of your blog screen please.
I machine quilt 98% of the time, so I actually like the weight of the muslin in there. Thanks for the compliment, that’s one of my favorites, too.
Oh, I think you gualify as a real quilter! Just found your blog. It’s great….
I meant to write “qualify”….
I found your site from a friend. I had to comment on the stools. I too love them and can’t get enough of them. I even blogged about them awhile back.
If you want to see the pictures or the blog entry on the stools here is the link.
http://peterspeapod.blogspot.com/2008/02/antique-time.html