Christine Sews

My current project is a manly flip quilt for DH.  It’s very heavy.  I’m using an old blanket for the batting and old sheet for the quilt back. I’m big on reusing and recycling.  Since I’m cutting very long lines, I’m using a laser level to keep everything straight.

• Line up the laser level perpendicular to the grain.
• Aim the laser across the fabric.  I used a traditional sewing cutting board to help aim the laser from inch two on one side to inch two on the other, then inch nine and inch nine.
• Cut carefully on the line.
• Repeat.

I stacked the fabrics,  making the quilt sandwich at the beginning of the project rather than the end to set up for the flipping.

Here is the quilt top.  I thought I had posted it already.  But now I remember that we lost power before I got this photo up.  The fabric on the left will be the quilt back and custom bias binding .

My daughter has named this papillon (butterfly) quilt.

This four square quilt block did not get to benefit at all from the really cool piecing techniques described in the quilting book that I borrowed.  Since I am quilting with materials left over from sewing projects, I don’t have long strips that can be stitched together, pressed, then cut as a unit.  These are actual scraps.

This is actually part of spring cleaning for me.  I need to clear out the fabric scrap stash to make room for more fabric and notions.

This quilt is also turning out to be something of a memory/keepsake project, though that was not my original intent.  Being a very practical person, I just thought I had found an enjoyable way to use up scraps by making something nice and warm.   However, while working with the blocks below I remember that the white broadcloth and turquoise flowers were originally fabric used to make maternity blouses.  The pink flannel is leftover from cloth diapers.  And the pink roses were fabric brought over by my friend to drape as a tablecloth for the baby shower she hosted for me.

I think this quilt is going to be very brightly colored.  SIL who loves earth tones  - you know who you are - you may have to hide your eyes.

The completed quilt is very warm.  I finished the edges with one inch custom bias tape matched to the backing fabric.  Prior to attaching the bias tape, I serged the edges due to the already fraying sweater fabric.