Patty Murphy

More Scrap Quilts

I have been busy sorting and cutting my scraps. I have entirely too many. A friend of mine suggested I toss them. Can you believe that?! I scoffed that the idea. It did, however, encourage me to start using them. Maybe.

I’m going on a quilt retreat in a few weeks so my plan is to cut now and so I can spend almost 3 days sewing. Sounds like a plan, eh?

I’m starting with this pile.

and cutting my strips to 1 1/4″ each.

It’s a weird size, I know. Not all of my scraps were large enough to make 1 1/2″ strips and I decided 1″ strips would be too small to deal with once they were pieced. I see no reason to have finished 1/2″ strips for this. That makes for precise work and a lot of sewing for what should be a quick and easy log cabin quilt.

The centers will be dark grey because: why not. Ready to get started but I think I have 2 other tops ahead of it. Maybe? I’m starting to lose count….

Tablet Cover

I pulled out my favorite sweater the other day and it had a hole. I was unbelievably bummed. I decided that, instead of tossing the sweater or taking it to the Salvation Army for someone to mend (G-d forbid I mend it, right?), that I should turn it into a tablet cover. I can repurpose something and keep my favorite sweater near, even if in parts.

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I measured my tablet and added a small seam allowance before cutting my sweater apart. I grabbed some black interfacing to stabilize the back side of each piece I cut. The cover of the tablet had the hole so I appliquéd wool hearts and added a blanket stitch. Note: the blanket stitch took longer to do than sewing the rest of the cover.

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Once I had the applique attached, I cut my cover to size. I cut two pieces of lining fabric and sewed on a zipper.

I turned the cover right side out, pressed the opening in the lining (along one side inside the cover) and voila!

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It is important to note that I measured incorrectly. I needed an extra half inch or so for my tablet so cut slightly generously. My mistake did work out well for my mother-in-law. She needed a tablet cover and this fit hers perfectly! I’m bummed that the cover didn’t work for me but I’m happy it’s in a good home and will be well loved.

UPDATE: I’ve been asked for a pattern so I’ll post that soon. Shouldn’t take too long since I still need a tablet cover. sigh…

All Squared Up

This quilt pattern of mine was featured on the Spring 2007 cover of Quilt Sampler magazine. It continues to be a favorite of mine. The quilt is quick and easy to put together and it creates interest by using a lot of different fabrics.

Somewhere along the way I started to incorporate a lot of fabric into my quilts. I don’t know if I was using scraps because I had them, if I grew into it, or what. But I like it. The thing is, if you use 5 fabrics in a quilt every one really matters. If you use 25+ fabrics in a quilt each matters, but not as much. You give yourself a little leeway to add some unexpected pieces and, in turn, usually have a pretty fabulous quilt. That’s my opinion, anyhow.

A friend of mine has been sick so I’m making this for her. I need to finish piecing and quilting it before Thanksgiving, so I have a hefty deadline over the next two weeks, but I think I can manage.

I’m very happy with how it’s turned out so far. yay!

Vintage Gone Kaffe

I’ve posted about this quilt a few times over the last several months. I thought I’d have this top finished before now but, alas, that wasn’t in the cards. I finished it yesterday and I’m beyond thrilled!

This quilt was fun to piece, and I enjoyed working with colors that aren’t typically mine. I love bright and fun and all but even I admit that it’s a change of pace for me.

I went to my favorite local quilt shop to find a border but nothing worked. I contemplated a blue inner border, piano keys, a spotted outer border and combinations thereof. I played with prints I used in the quilt. I added some black and white for contrast. Nothing quite work and I decided if I have to work that hard for a border then the quilt doesn’t need one. Besides, the original doesn’t have a border, either.

I plan to mimic the quilting on the original. There are a few changes I’m going to make so quilting will be easier. The original quilt was hand quilted and since I plan to quilt this on my machine the changes will make quilting more fluid for me.

Kaffe Mini Swap

A friend of mine put together a Kaffe Fassett Mini Swap in July. I’m a huge lover of Kaffe fabrics so, of course, I had to participate! As usual, I waited until the last minute. I swear I do better work when I’m under pressure. Others may call me a procrastinator but I think my creativity soars and things just come together.

I sent this yesterday to parts far North of here. I hope the person that gets it is happy.

I have to admit, I was kind of sad not to keep this for myself.

Piecing it Together

I was able to get the parts of my Kaffe quilt arranged last week and am in the process of sewing the top together. I still need to cut the setting triangles but that shouldn’t take much time. Besides, I have to sew the diagonal strips first so what a little more work, right?

I was hoping to have the top pieced by tonight but I don’t think that’s going to happen. I’m already thinking about the border. I think a narrow blue inner border and possibly a piano key outer border. Still contemplating anyhow and there is no rush to have it finished. Well, other than I have more quilts in the queue that I want to make.

Inspiration in Nature

It’s the little things, like these nuggets of awesome I found on my walk the other day. I’m absolutely in love with the passion flower!

Vintage Quilt Goes Kaffe

I am slowly making progress on the vintage quilt that I am recreating in Kaffe Fassett fabrics. You can see it here. I’m pretty excited about how it is coming together, too.

The quilt is basically 9-Patch blocks, Half-Square Triangles and squares. Once the hst’s are pieced the blocks go together quickly. woot!

The blocks are set on point and finish at something like 14”. Lucky for me I’m making the quilt a square. I have 2 more blocks pieced but not on my design wall yet. 9 more to go. yay!

Cairns

We took our boys for a hike at the Roswell Mill on the Chattahoochee River over the weekend. We live close, it’s free and in addition to wearing them out, the dog loves it. The weather was beautiful on Saturday and the water was cool. We saw a few people on our adventure but mostly we could enjoy each other and nature, including a water moccasin. gah!

We came across this cairn before finding the perfect watering hole to wade in for a bit. It was a great surprise. I love that someone took time to build this and I had to capture the sculpture in case it isn’t there the next time we return.

A little piece of zen in the city.

Kaffe Block One

I bought a vintage quilt ten or so years ago. My best guess is that the quilt was made in the thirties. The quilting is impeccable and the stitches are so small. I’ve been wanting to make an updated version for a while but hadn’t figured out exactly how I wanted to do it. The other day I was folding up said quilt and it hit me. Here’s a peek of the quilt.

I needed retail therapy yesterday and took advantage of one of my kids feeling a little under the weather. I don’t really think he was ill but if he’s going to play that game, so am I. We went to my favorite quilt shop and picked up some goodies. You can see them on my previous post here.

Last night I decided to make a block. Well, part of one block, the quilt is on point and I have to piece it in diagonal strips. Curious yet? I’m thrilled with it so far!