improv from long ago

Posted on February 6, 2019

Thank you so much for all your kind comments on my previous quilt! It’s fun to finally have things to show here again.

Today I have another old quilt to show you — I pulled this quilt top from the depths of the closet, where it’s hung since 2012. I had even already made a backing to go with it, so I’m not sure why it took so long to actually quilt it.

I don’t even remember actually piecing these improv sections together – you can read my original post here which talks a bit about it – but I do remember not having enough of any one solid for the background, and being quite pleased with myself when I was able to come up with enough of four different colors to use one in each corner. I like the way it turned out – probably more so than if I had used one color for the whole background.

Once again I decided to quilt this one with straight lines about 1″ -ish apart. The majority of the backing is an Essex linen, and the simple straight lines keeps it nice and soft. It’s bound in a pretty pale pink stripe.

And just for a laugh –

Here’s the first time I attempted to get photos of this quilt, also in the snow, but also on perhaps the coldest, windiest day possible. Morgan’s being a good sport, but I think he was pretty happy when I called it quits!

Posted in [search] Wonky/Improv Quilts, Finished Quilts, Posts about Quilts, Quilts | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

a snowy start to 2019!

Posted on January 30, 2019

Well well! It seems that the longer you stay away, the harder it is to get back into it! But look — here I am, and even with a finished quilt that I saved specifically for a snowstorm. The weather finally obliged a couple weekends ago, and despite being bitterly cold, I couldn’t pass up the chance to get this bright and colorful quilt photographed against the start snowy background.

Tired of seeing so many quilt tops hung in my closet, I’ve been making a good effort to make backings for them and actually get them quilted. I was paralyzed for a minute, feeling I needed a different (new! fun! exciting!) quilting design for each, but after going through a pile of older quilts, realized that I’m really quite drawn to the ones with simple straight lines, so that’s what I’ve done here. I always love how it looks.

This quilt top is one I made way back here (2016!). I always love the look of a hst quilt, especially one in solids, so naturally this one is a favorite. It’s bright and cheery and a good antidote to our current chilly temps!

I found the perfect backing in my stash – this great floral print by Anna Maria Horner, and even took the time to piece the backing neatly to make it almost appear seamless. Sometimes those extra steps are worth the effort. I bound it in a dark charcoal solid also from my stash and am quite pleased to have this out of the closet and into the finished pile!

Posted in [search] HST Quilts, Fabric, Finished Quilts, Posts about Quilts, Quilts | Tagged , , , , | 29 Comments

quilts for sale!

Posted on October 27, 2018

Why, hello! I know, I know… it’s been forever! I keep thinking that having two of the three kids back in school will provide me with more time for sewing, but alas, it seems that is not so.

I feel like it’s been forever since I’ve made a quilt, and I’m itching to get back to it! I’ve long had my sewing space in what should have been our dining room, but it’s become obvious that we actually need the dining room space back for dining (imagine that!), so I’ve spent weeks emptying it and trying to find a new home for my sewing stuff.

It landed in our bedroom for a while, but that wasn’t ideal, then ultimately I took over what should have been Henry’s bedroom. Lucky for me, he refused to sleep there, preferring to sleep with Hazel in her room, so I snagged the open space while I had the chance!

It’s always a big (and messy!) job to move rooms around, but I think I’m finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Anyway, all that to say that all this moving stuff around has prompted me to take a look at the things I’m not using (ahem… quilts! and fabric! and notions!) and to list them for sale.

I’m starting with quilts, and have just posted a large number of them on my destash account on Instagram (@fitfdestash).

In addition to a number of great patchwork Liberty baby quilts that I did make to sell (and maybe never got around to showing here?), I have a number of other throw sized quilts that need new homes.

I’d love to see them used, rather than stored! I’ve even included a few I never thought I’d sell, so snag them quick before I change my mind!

Anyway, take a peek if you’re so inclined. Maybe you’re in the market for a handmade gift? Or in need of a unique baby gift?

I’m quite partial to the Liberty patchwork baby quilts – they’re all one of a kind and wash up to be super soft and just perfect for a new baby. Thanks in advance for looking!

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments