Quilting – Page 19 – Wanda's Life Sampler

I was the lead quilter for July for the Emerge Circle of do.good Stitches. We make quilts for local and global charities. I am the lead quilter once a year. The other months I make blocks for the lead quilter.

Flower Stems

The quilt is made of (12) 18″ square blocks and (12) 12″ square improv blocks. We have 12 members in Emerge Circle, including myself, so everyone made (1) 18″ square block and (1) 12″ square block. The color palette was: Salmon, Dark Gray, Light Green, White, Light Blue, Peach and Yellow. I put the blocks together randomly.

You can view the instructions here: FLower Stems pattern July 2018.

The layout is very simple with Row 1 with (4) 18″ square blocks, Row 2 with (6) 12″ square blocks and so on:

Flower Stems Layout July 2018 I used Quilter’s Dream batting, 100% deluxe cotton. The quilt finished at 78″ by 72″. I used the walking foot on my Bernina to quilt it.

Emerge Circle photo of Flower Stems closeup

Paige Alexander at Quilted Blooms and Cheryl Brickey at Meadow Mist Designs have a new book, Modern Plus Sign Quilts. They asked me to make a project from the book and share on my blog. I was very excited for them. I met them when I participated in the 2015 QuiltCon Charity Challenge. I got to meet them in real life at QuiltCon 2018. They are awesome folk.

I’m one of many who are participating in the blog hop for the book. Paige and Cheryl are having giveaways, so go to their blogs for details on that.

Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs

Paige @ Quilted Blooms

I chose the quilt, Cute as a Button, from the 16 projects in the book.

This is my version:

The pattern uses machine raw-edge applique for the “buttons”, but I used needle turn applique because I enjoy the handwork more. I also used some of my hand-dyed indigo fabric. The button template was simple, and I just added an eighth of an inch to the template for the needle turn. I cut the template out of freezer paper and ironed it on before cutting it.

I hand quilted it and emphasized the plus-sign pattern in the quilting. I took the photo above along the Appomattox River at the Old Brick House in Colonial Heights, Virginia. (An ancestor was an indentured servant there). I’m using my new photography skills, but I haven’t mastered that blurry background effect yet.

The quilt measures 30″ by 30″. I plan to hang it on my living room wall.

This is Paige’s pattern in the book.

Photo: C&T Publishing

As you can tell, this is a versatile template and offers options for playing with color. Each block is 6″ square finished. The button template uses a 5″ square — great for pre-cuts. The quilt measures 39.5″ square.

You can purchase the book from Paige at her Etsy shop or from Cheryl at her Etsy shop. Just click on their names. It’s also available on Amazon.

Also there are other bloggers who are sharing their projects from this book:

Tuesday, March 13th

Soma @ Whims and Fancies

Ann @ Brown Paws Quilting

Kitty @ Night Quilter

Sophie @ Luna Lovequilts

Afton @ Quilting Mod

Shelley @ The Carpenters Daughter Who Quilts

Wednesday, March 14th

Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal

Jen @ A Dream and a Stitch

Abigail @ Cut & Alter

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl

Sandra @ mmm! quilts

Karen @ Run Sew Fun

Thursday, March 15th

Linda @ Flourishing Palms

Bernie @ Needle and Foot

Liz @ Savor Every Stitch

Stacey @ Stacey In Stitches

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty

Patty @ Elm Street Quilts

Melanie @ A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog

Friday, March 16th

Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts

Izzy @ Dizzy Quilts

Ruth @ Charly and Ben’s Crafty Corner

Christa @ Christa Quilts

Monday, March 19th

Jessica @ Quilty Habit

Cindy @ Hyacinth Quilt Designs

Jennifer @ The Inquiring Quilter

Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

Tuesday, March 20th

Tish @ Tish N Wonderland

Judy @ Sew Some Sunshine

Emily @ The Darling Dogwood

Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats

Katherine @ Sew Me Something Good