SCRAPPY RAIL FENCE QUILT

What do you get when you start digging through the closets of a quilter?

Lots of unfinished projects! Lots of scraps...lots of sewing notions...

This one had been in there long enough. I just had to finish it.

 "Scrappy Rail Fence"

And here is the back.....

About six years ago I started my fabric square business. I would go fabric shopping at least three times a week, come home and wash, dry, and iron it all, then cut it into squares to sell on Ebay. It was not an easy job. I kept the leftover scraps in a huge plastic tub. Okay, several huge plastic tubs :-) I could probably make 20 quilts like this with what I have left, even after donating most of it.

I went over to one of the quilting bees in the area one day and ask if they wanted some scraps. I brought a bag full to show them what I had, but no way could I put it all in my little car. They would have to come and get it. So the following week on bee day they showed up at my house, caravan style, and each one "claimed" a bin as she walked in. One of the ladies thought of making some quilts to send to Haiti after the earthquake hit so they now had a great use for all this stuff. I'm not sure how many quilts came out of it, but it was at least 20-30. They sat and sewed, and sewed, and sewed. Rows and rows of scraps, a little trimming, then more sewing. One lady volunteered to sew bindings on them. She had a fancy schmancy attachment that folded and sewed all in one swoop.

Here are some of the Haiti quilts...

not all of the fabric used here was from me,

 but I'm glad my scraps went to a good cause.

 

A lot of the scraps were 4 inches one way but not the same the other way.

They sewed them all together anyway and came up with these.

Notice the seams don't match up, but aren't these great ? Very colorful.

Great job, ladies!!!

 

Reunion Baby Quilt

Happy National Quilting Day!

This fun fabric collection is called Reunion by Sweetwater for Moda Fabrics. The backing is also from Sweetwater, but part of the Hometown collection. The gray sashing and red binding are Moda Bella Solids. The finished size after washing is about 39 x 39 inches. It did shrink about 2 inches each way. I  prewashed the solids and the backing, but did not prewash the five inch squares because they were from a charm pack which was already precut. I didn't want to make them all wonky by washing.

I had fun meandering the quilting. I hung it up to take a photo and

while I was standing there wondering how to show the back side -

turn it over, pin up one corner, have someone hold it....

  ..... a little gust of wind came by and helped me out.

I love the crinkly look after washing.

Vintage looking!

The charm packs and solids are available for sale on my website while supply lasts....

Charm Packs - http://www.charmpacksplus.com/reunion-by-sweetwater-jan-2012.html

Solids - http://www.charmpacksplus.com/fabric-by-the-yard.html (scroll down for solids)

Blue Batik Quilt

Back in April 2011, I posted another Batik quilt made with this same pattern and some general cutting instructions. Then in October 2011, I posted the beginnings of this quilt - Same pattern, different colors.   I am so excited that it is now finished.... and I finished it myself using the free motion quilting techniques I recently learned. I really like how it turned out. The colors are so rich, even next to the gorgeous geraniums. I used a variegated thread on it to blend with the colors of the fabrics throughout the quilt. The batiks are from Princess Mirah. The thread is from Superior Threads - King Tut Quilting Thread - 100% Extra-Long Staple Egyptian Cotton #40/3.

Notice how I used binder clips to hang the quilt....

a few permanent nails in the fence make it really quick to hang a quilt for photos.

A peek at the backing....

I used one long straight pin to hold up the corner.

(I'm telling all my secrets)

This quilt is was for sale on Etsy

along with my other handmade items.

I ♥ Etsy.