Postage Stamp Quilt ~ Finished!

And so finally the Postage Stamp Quilt is finished.

Postage Stamp Quilt :: 54 inches x 54 inches

Please be warned that what follows here is a picture post of the quilt:  the colors, the fabrics, the binding, etc.   Yawn ... I hope not to bore you with too much detail.

My thoughts when I started quilting this quilt?  ::  What have I started?  I must be insane!

This quilt is a catalog of the fabrics that I have used in my quilts in the last three years -  over 1200 squares of fabric and an estimate of 300+ different quilting cottons including the odd vintage scrap.  

It is an "I Spy" of quilting fabrics and also of running puppy dogs (Sherbet Pips) by Aneela Hoey (Hi Aneela!),  Matryoska Dolls and text prints in a range of colors.

For the back of the quilt I have used a print that I have been hoarding saving as backing fabric for just the right quilt.  This fabric is from the Del Hi collection by Valori Wells - Paisley in Scarlet.

For binding fabric I have used Running Stitches in Turquoise (from the Lush fabric collection) by Patty Young, which is a nice change from my standard black/white binding fabric.  I do like to mix it up a little.

This quilt was listed in my Etsy Store, but it was SOLD before I finished writing this post.  I know it is going to a wonderful home where it will be used often and much loved.

Postage Stamp Quilt :: Handy Links

Work in Progress (Part 1)
Postage Stamp Quilt (Part 2)
Postage Stamp Tutorial

Thank you for stopping by!
Rita


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Postage Stamp Quilt Tutorial

Postage Stamp Quilts are many and varied - with variation in layout and size of each square - and so is the way to approach making a Postage Stamp Quilt.  I have chosen to make my Postage Stamp Quilt from fabric scraps and by sewing 16-patch strip pieced blocks with a random layout.

I started by tipping over my scrap bin and noticed that many of my fabric scraps were small/narrow strips (trust me, you don't want to see this mess!).  And so it started:

Step 1 - Cutting Strips

Cut strips of fabric measuring 2 inches x 7 inches.

 You'll need a total of 432 strips to make a Postage Stamp Quilt measuring 54 inches x 54 inches.  However I rarely cut all fabric in advance for a project, and prefer to have short cutting sessions followed by sewing sessions.

Step 2 - Sewing Strips

Sew four strips together, pressing all seams to one side (press all seams in the same direction).  This block now measures 6.5 inches x 7 inches.  Press carefully without pulling the strip set out of shape.

Step 3 - Cross cutting the strip set

Cross-cut the strip set at 2 inch intervals.  You will have some excess fabric left over which may you may need if your strip set is a little wonky.  Make sure that you are cutting at a 90 degree angle to the sewing lines.  If not, straighten up by trimming back.

 Step 4

You'll need a total of 324 of these units :: four units for each 16 patch block.  (Again, there's no need to make all of these units first ~ it does get a little tedious).

Step 5

Sew together four units into a 16 patch block.  Each block now measures 6.5 inches x 6.5 inches. 

This is where direction of seams allowances becomes important!   

Arrows indicate the direction of the seam allowance.

The direction of the seam allowance is indicated by the arrows above; sewing and pressing ALL blocks the SAME way ensures that you will be able to easily match the seams when eventually sewing the blocks together into a quilt top.

Step 6

Press all final seam allowances in one direction.  Be consistent in pressing seam allowances for all blocks.  I am left handed and found it easier to press these final seam allowances toward the right.

The back of your block should look like this.
Make a total of 81 blocks.

Step 7 - Quilt Layout

Arrange the 81 blocks in 9 rows each of 9 blocks.  The arrows above refer to the direction of the final seam allowances of the individual blocks in Step 6.  (For example, the final seams of all blocks in the first vertical column should be pressed up).  By alternating the direction of the final seam allowance all of the other seam allowances will also "lock" together and will make matching of seams a piece o' cake.

Sew blocks together into (horizontal) rows.  Press all seams in one direction; and in opposite direction for every second row.

Sew all 9 rows together into a quilt top!  Press seam allowances (direction not important).

You're done!  Quilt top measures 54.5 inches x 54.5 inches.

Any questions?  Please feel free to ask by leaving a comment, and I will reply in the comments sections.

Happy Stitching,
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Work in Progress (Part 1)
Postage Stamp Quilt (Part 2) 
Postage Stamp Quilt - Finished Quilt
More FREE TUTORIALS and patterns



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Postage Stamp Quilt Part 2

Since I last posted the progress of my Postage Stamp Quilt I've had to make just five more 16-patch blocks.  Unfortunately it took 2 more days to make just those five blocks.  I can procrastinate.

Yesterday I set my mind to finishing the quilt top and came up trumps later in the evening:

81 16-Patch Blocks

1296 patches of scrap fabric

and a scrap bin with less fabric although at a glance
you'd never know that there was anything missing.

Tomorrow :: A simple tutorial for quick and easy Postage Stamp Quilt piecing

Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Postage Stamp Quilt Tutorial
Finished Postage Stamp Quilt
Checkerboard Postage Stamp Quilt

A Blogger FQ Bundle

Choosing fabric for a project - and selecting fabric purchases - is one of my favorite parts of the quilt making process.  I used to feel quite lost in this process but over time and having enjoyed A LOT of fabric play, choosing fabric has become a process that I look forward to.

When Brenda from Pink Castle Fabrics asked if I would like to put together a Blogger Bundle for her online store I knew my only difficulty would be in limiting myself to choosing just 12 fabrics!  I wanted to create a bundle of fabrics that work well together but also are great fabric stash additions. And so here they are:

Mono Pez in Black - Moda

Closet Coat in Pink -  Millie's Closet by Bee in my Bonnet for Riley Blake

Metro Living Circles in Turquoise by Robert Kaufman   SOLD OUT**

Dot in Red - Farm Fresh by October Afternoon for Riley Blake

Teeny Mushrooms in Blue Bell - Walk in the Woods - by Aneela Hoey 

Mono Pez in Yellow- Moda

Teeny Mushrooms in Cloud Gray - Walk in the Woods - by Aneela Hoey

Chevron in Red by Riley Blake 

Dots in Blue - Millie's Closet by Bee in my Bonnet for Riley Blake

Mono Pez in Sky - Moda

Big Dot Black on White by Annie's Farm Stand - Lake House Dry Goods
Dotted Leaf - Flea Market Fancy - Denyse Schmidt

And then I broke the rules and added some coordinating solid fabrics! 

Robert Kaufman Kona - Ash

Moda Bella Solids - Blue Raspberry

Moda Bella Solids - Scarlet

Freespirit Designer Solids - Nugray

 Iced Watermelon Shake

(naming my FQ bundle was truly the hardest part!) 
A total of 4 yards of fabric.

The RPQ Blogger Bundle - 16 Fat Quarters - is available for purchase from Pink Castle Fabrics!  Find the listing here:  RPQ Blogger Bundle  SOLD OUT

**Metro Living Circles in Turquoise has sold out and is replaced by a similar substitute fabric.

Have a great stitching week!

Rita

[workinprogress]

It's been a while since I've gone head first into my scrap bin, however the scrap bin continues to overflow and could no longer be ignored.  The overflow was messy business.

 My fabric scraps are many but they all vary in shape and size.  The only reasonable conclusion to draw from this mess was to make a Postage Stamp Quilt.  Postage Stamp quilts can by any pattern - not necessarily a light/dark fabric layout - and the name refers to the rather small scale of piecing.  

I am making a Postage Stamp Quilt with 16-patch blocks and I am strip piecing the blocks (cutting strips measuring 2 inches x 7 inches)  just to speed things up a little thereby ensuring that I don't lose interest and end up with a doll quilt; the intention here after all is to use up those scraps (mind you, I do love doll quilts!). 

Each finished patch of fabric is 1.5 inches x 1.5 inches.  

I think you'll recognize many of the fabrics used!

Thank you for stopping by!

Rita

Sunday Stash #136

It's no secret.  I love fabric!

I love all sorts of fabric: linen, cotton, blends, solids, dots, stripes, pretties, 30's, gingham, boldy geometric, you name it, in every color of the rainbow.  I especially love all mono color prints on a white or clear background.

Chevron by Riley Blake Designs in

Black, Gray, Navy, Yellow, Brown, Hot Pink, Orange, Aqua, Green, Red

 It's obvious then that these Chevron prints by Riley Blake could not be resisted. 

Enjoy Sunday!
Rita

Echo (et al) ~ A Patchwork Quilt

A finished quilt featuring fabrics from the popular fabric collection Echo by Lotta Jansdotter ...

...  et al (and others):

• Pearl Bracelet by Lizzy House in Yellow
• Mono Pez - Moda - in Grey 
• Birch Mod Basics - Dottie Color in Pool
• Kokka Small and Large Gingham in Natural
• Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton in white 

And for the back of the quilt I have used the last large piece of my (new and straight out of the box) Orla Kiely Duvet Cover.  This large scale Multi-Stem print is simple divine and complements this the design, colors and feel of this quilt perfectly.  I couldn't be any happier to have used this fabric in this way.

In keeping with the overall gentle and calm tones of the quilt I have used a Kei Honeycomb dot in grey to bind the quilt.  The binding edge is just subtle enough to add a delicate edge without harsh contrast.

I have listed this quilt in my Etsy Store!  You can find the listing ::  HERE. SOLD

Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

[workinprogress]

It had to be done!

The time has come to cut into my stash of Echo by Lotta Jansdotter.
 

Echo by Lotta Jansdotter is such a pretty fabric collection that I was keen to feature the fabrics;  accordingly the quilt design is super simple.  I have used a neutral gingham fabric for sashing around each of the quilt blocks which helps to soften and blend the colors.

The quilt top is now ready for basting, quilting, and binding.  Busy days are ahead!

Rita

No Signal!

A new TV (new to us) arrived in our home this week.  A widescreen TV.  We can now see and read all of what is presented on the screen.  I am not sure if that is such a good thing.

We are not so clever when it comes to installing and programming TV/Video/DVD players and together with the fact that this TV was so incredibly heavy and there were so many cables it was never a task for the faint hearted. 

After many cable exchanges, much button pushing, and a gasp from the - not so helpful - onlookers, there was sound, and then finally an image.  The image transported me back to a time when TV stations did not transmit 24 hours a day, and the TV test pattern was a regular screen feature.

I knew immediately that I could replicate the No Signal - Test Pattern in quilt form.  I started and finished this mini quilt project on Friday evening and it's the most playful sewing fun I've had in a while.  I started cutting and piecing without a plan, no measuring, no calculations, just taking one step at a time and trimming back when things got a little out of proportion.   I think it worked out rather well.  Lucky!

I love making mini quilts especially the quilting part!   All of the quilting was done with a walking foot, even the circular spiral on the background fabric.

Quilt Notes:

Mini Quilt measures 25 inches x 25 inches

All solid Test Pattern and binding fabrics are Kona Cotton Solids by Robert Kaufman

Background fabric is Alexander Henry - Heath in Metal

Backing fabric - Kona Cotton in Chartreuse

More mini-quilt projects are likely!

Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

Sunday Stash #135

I have continued to collect fabric selvages to add to my slowly growing selvage collection; although I still only cut off the selvage when I actually use the fabric. 

I think that the time has come to work with my selvage collection otherwise they might end up in the trash can.  Again.  Yes, my husband was lending me a helping hand by tidying my sewing area and promptly ditched the bag of selvages in the bin.  The whole bag.  Outside.  Just one step away from the garbage truck!  Let's just say they were quickly and quietly retrieved from the bin.

I started collecting selvages almost 10 years ago when I first started quilting. Looking through these "scraps" I am transported back to a time,  a place, a quilt, a fond memory.  It's been a worthwhile journey ...  and I am looking forward to creating something fun with them.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Instagram Goodies

1. Japanese fabrics from Ayumi's Etsy Store including Kumiko Fujita -  Text - in aqua and yellow
2. Marimekko 2011 Anniversary Print
3. Camera Pouch from = Etsy Store OneShabbyChickHawaii  :::  Amber's Blog: One Shabby Chick
4. Laurie Wisbrun's Modern Whimsy - Circles - in Lime, Green, Aqua, Red and Yellow.

I've got lots of helpers!

Enjoy Sunday!
Rita