Starry Night For Josh Step 1

Just in Case you missed the Fabric Requirements - Here you go
http://alyciaquilts.blogspot.com/2015/06/qov-2014-intro-to-next-qal-called.html

There are 6 different blocks in this quilt. It is a simple quilt, with very basic techniques, that comes together in a very striking way.  We will do the cutting instructions for each block, and stitch it out before moving on to the next block.

Block 1

You will make 12 blocks of Block 1: 

BLUE: 

Cut 4 * 3 ½ inch width of fabric ( WOF) strips of Blue. 

• Sub-cut the strips into 44 – 3 ½ inch squares.

Cut 3 * 4 inch WOF strips. 
• *Take 2 strips of this and sub-cut them into 20 - 4 inch squares
• *Take the remaining strip – sub cut it into 4 – 4 inch square. 
• *Use the remainder of this strip ( Strip 3) to cut 4 more 3 ½ inch squares with it. 
( I don’t like to waste fabrics ;-)   )



RED: 

Cut 1 * 3 ½ inch WOF strip
• Sub-cut it into 11  3 ½ inch Squares

Cut 3 * 4 inch strips ( WOF)
• Sub-cut 2 strips into 20 – 4 inch squares
• Use the remaining strip to cut 4 – 4 inch squares, and cut one more 3 ½ inch square

If you are using 44 inch wide fabric – you may find that you get more pieces out of the strip, therefore eliminating one of the strips that you cut.

You will need to make 48 ½ square triangles. 

Take 24 of the Red 4 inch squares, and the 24 Blue 4 inch squares.  On the wrong side of the Light Blue, take your ruler and draw a line along the diagonal: 

Pair the blue with a red square – right sides together. 

You will then sew each square twice – ¼ inch off of each edge of the line. 

After stitching each square twice – you will use the diagonal line you drew as the cutting line – cut 
each block along the line – and you get 2 Half Square BLOCKS

Next we will lay the squares out and start assembling the block:

I stack all of my pieces as if they are a part of the block, and then stitch them into rows:. 

Press :  

I press the top and bottom row to the outside

and the middle row to the inside

Sew the rows together:

And ta –da – you now have 12 Red and Blue Stars – set those aside and we will start on Block 2:

If all worked well - your blocks will be 9 1/2 inches by 9 1/2 inches ;-)

Come back on Saturday to see the next step

PS: This is the most time consuming step - and I don't know how long it takes.... because I was talking with my stitching buddies when I was doing this.... and, well, I sort of forgot to keep track of time.....

Linking up with:
http://www.patchworktimes.com/2015/06/15/design-wall-june-15-2015/
http://www.hugabitquilts.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/2015-new-quilt-bloggers-blog-hop-and.html
http://www.cookingupquilts.com/mcm-23-playing-catch-up/
http://lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com/2015/06/monday-making_14.html
http://ihavetosay.typepad.com/randi/
http://www.conniekresin.com/2015/06/linky-tuesday_16.html
http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/2015/06/sew-cute-tuesday-sunshine-through-the-rain/

RSC Saturday - Light Blues

In my quest to use my 30's prints for my RSC2015 - I have found.... I used all the blues.

Not to worry - there is still more blue in my stash.... so I played. I love playing in scraps!!

I Layed the strips out and decided on a length to cut them

I made a huge pile

And this is what's left....

What am I making??  I don't know - but I really like the quilt I made like this:

I backed it with fleece

And even last night - 

I snuggled under it,

While my husband kept opening more windows to cool  the house down

Linking up to http://superscrappy.blogspot.com/ for the 2015 RSC challenge


Oh  PS - anyone want that little pile of blue scraps???  Let me know in the comments - first one to say yes - I'll email you and get your addy....  PPS - I went to go do chores are ride - and wow - a lot of you like blue scraps - these are spoken for

Pink Plaid Sticks

Pink Plaid Sticks is a finish!! A complete and bound finish!

I decided that the backing should be fleece - and I had just the perfect piece of pink with white polka dots.  It was such fun - and I bound it in Hot pink with gold stars.

We headed outside to take a few photos and whoa! Could you see the skies turning black.

The skies set the colors off so well.

The one above is a little blurry - I got the giggles as wrangler man and sons were trying to

keep the quilt from flying

Here you go - a little better

and the back!   If you click on the photos and go really close up you can see the quilting. I used a panto from Dawnas Design Threads  called TEMPEST . It gave it wind like movement.  AND - do you want to know a secret???

I have a pantograph for sale at Dawna's Design Threads  - I do!!! 

It's called Feathers a la mode. But a lot of truth in advertising here. The design was my concept - Dawna did a ton of work to make it a real design... she is quite talented !!  Go Check it out!

Lastly - this quilt is for sale in my Etsy store.Pink, Purple and Polar Fleece  Has been listed .

This project was one of my Qtr2 Finish a long projects

Linked up with:
http://www.quiltmatters.blogspot.ca/2015/06/tgiff-quilt-girl-spies-turtle.html
http://www.pinkdoxies.com/2015/06/pet-project-show-24.html

QOV 2015 - INTRO to the next QAL called Starry Night for Josh

Happy Wednesday Morning!!!

Today I am going to introduce the Fabric Requirements for the Next Quilt of Valor Quilt a Long .
 It is called

 "Starry Night for Josh"

Josh was assigned to the third helicopter battalion and was shot down during Operation Enduring Freedom by enemy fire. Six of the Seven soldiers on board were killed, including Josh.  Josh is also the son of two of my most favorite people in the world. Josh's Dad is a VietNam Veteran. 

I hoped this would be a way to show them support while honoring other Veterans Touched by War as well.   My only request - if you are making this - or your groups decide to make it - let me know would you? I would love to report back to the parents and let them know these quilts are being made.

Fabric Requirements

Finished Size 63 x 72

Based on 40 inches of usable fabrics

Blue:  3 5/8 yds                              Red: 1 3/8 Yds

Cream:  ¼ yd                                      Cheddar:  ½ yd

Binding: ½ - 3/4  yard  ( depends on the size of binding you use)

Backing : approximately 4 yards. I would check with your Machine quilter to see the amount of extra fabrics they need for quilting.

For my Blue - I am actually using a variety of Blues. They are all the same shade, but are just a tad different.  

These are my fabric choices

The first Step in this Quilt a Long will be posted on June 15th, the next step will come out Saturday the 20th - and then we will go back to Wednesday and Saturday Steps. I thought that would give you good time to gather fabrics - and if you are like me.... Iron them ;-)

(Edited to answer question)
1. Is there a picture of the quilt?    Not yet - it is a mystery, Trust me... I won't lead you wrong)
2. Is it really really hard?               No - it is very beginner friendly, great techniques to learn, or brush up on. There will be lots of photos of each step - so fun to follow.

Hope that helps  a little?

Now - On to Today's QOV inspirations.

This top ( above) was put together by Kaje and Harriet. A Granddaughter/Grandmother Team

I quilted it.   

Below - this top was pieced by Gisela in CO

I quilted it.

It is actually already in use - it was awarded at a Women Veterans Retreat

The next 6 quilts come from the Fremont Victory Quilters

They are in Southern (ish) Colorado and do a fantastic job!!!

I have to say I love all of them 

but this one below - Wow - I just love the soothing-ness ( a word - I am sure of it)

of the colors!!

Hope you enjoyed today's quilts!! NOW!!! Go gather your fabrics and get ready for the 15th - and the first step!!!  You can do it!!!

Chevron Design Wall

We have ( okay I) have finished all the chevron blocks I am going to make..... and then I begged Little Bit ( who I now look up to)   to give me a crazy awesome design that was different than anything I had seen....

and he went nuts!  And then I fed him - and this is what he came up with!

Ta- da!!

The blocks are those Chevron Blocks from the Missouri Star Quilt Company Tutorial.

And surprisingly  - that was all scrap fabric

Who knew I had at least 10 inch squares in that pile???

Linking up with:

Patchworktimes

Love Laugh Quilt

Cooking up Quilts

blossom heart quilts

I have to Say

quilt Story

June UFO - Finished

Finished!!!

The borders on the original pattern had these really cool geese.... But

I knew that if I made those borders - this would go right back into the UFO pile....

So I changed up the borders - and Now I am done!

I got so inspired to really finish it - that now it is quilted:

And if you will notice - 

It's even bound!

A total Finish - yay!!

Stats:

Pattern: Lessons from Mama - Atkinson Designs

Finished Size : 55 x 80

Linking to:
Off the Wall Friday
Confessions of a Fabric Addict

June UFO

It is coming together.....  I have the top insides done....

Now to start adding the borders...

Quilts of Valor 2015

I'm taking a break from my June UFO - to bring you this QOV show. If you want to see my June UFO - go back two posts..... it's still there ;-)




Our first quilt today comes from The Crafty Red Hat Group  - and was quilted by Kathy and Sue.

This one (below) was made by Margaret

Quilted by Kathy and Sue

Another one ( below) from the Red Hat Crafty Group

And quilted by Kathy and Sue

This one was pieced by Judy 

Quilted by Sue and Kathy

The one below is a part of our BlockDrive - so the blocks were made by many

Assembled by the Greeley Group

Quilted by Sue and Kathy

( the are the MACHINES of this post lol)

The string QUilt below was pieced by the Tuesday Morning Group in CO

Quilted by Sue and Kathy

Another yummy String Quilt

Pieced by the Arapahoe County Quilters

Quilted by Sue and Kathy

I am taking a bit of credit for this one (tee hee)

I cut the kit

It was pieced by the Greeley Group

Quilted by Kathy and Sue

If you remember we are covering a special Womens Retreat so Zandra pieced ths one

Kathy and Sue quilted it too

Below

Betty is a WWII Veterans Wife and a prolific piecer

She made the blocks, Sue put them in the top and Kathy Pieced it

The last quilt for today - again Quilted by Kathy and Sue

It was pieced by Jean

That should give you a lot of Inspiration for today - right???

Or maybe you want to see a smile?

Enjoy!!!

Before you leave me - did you enjoy the way I did the Stars and Stripes Quilt of Valor?

Full Pattern      

I am thinking of doing another one Quilt a Long- 

so tell me if you are interested -

 I would probably start the posts June 15th.... Interested??

June UFO

Progress!!!

I made these Blocks - and I even remembered what my color scheme was ..... ( okay you can snort - it's alright!)

It's really fun to get back to these - and I think....

They are easier than I thought they would be when I was making it the first time.

That means I am getting better as a piecer  - right???

Linking to:

Show and Tell Tues

Freemotion by the River

Sew Cute Tuesday

June UFO

I unearthed a UFO..... Yep - I have a few of those, however I refuse to count, or admit to more!!!

I unearthed it - and this is what i had done:

And I also unearthed the post that I started this project:

If you care to look - I will admit my procrastination:

Alycia Quilts 1st post on this quilt

I hid the date - because I don't want to admit to a delay ;-)

It is all ironed, I have refreshed my brain on the pattern....

Let's Go!!!

( PS - the pattern book is called Lessons From Mama - it is an Atkinson Designs pattern)

Linking to:

Cooking up QUilts

Love Laugh Quilt

PatchworkTimes