For Christmas, Scott gave me a stack of fat quarters in fall fabrics for a Thanksgiving quilt I want to make. I have a landing that’s prominent in my living room and I like to hang a quilt on it to soften it and dress it up a bit. So far I have a patriotic one and last year I made a Halloween one, which was my third
finished quilt. (Did I mention that I’m a novice quilter? Hence the need for more time to quilt. I’ve made 3 finished and hand quilted, one that’s partly hand quilted, 2 pieced tops for charity that someone else finished, and a UFO pieced top made from scraps leftover from the quilt that I’m quilting now. That’s my entire inventory. I’m not counting all the tied quilts I’ve made over the years because what I really wanted to learn was how to piece and hand quilt.)
OK, back to the fall fabric. I’ve been looking through my books and magazines for a pattern that I want to use to make this quilt and so far I’ve been underwhelmed. On July 2 we went to lunch at Archibald’s Restaurant and did some shopping at Historic Gardner Village because it was my birthday weekend and I wanted to. 🙂
Scott sat on a bench outside while I browsed around Pine Needles, looking for bargains and inspiration. I found both! Cute Moda charmpacks 1/2 off and a quilt sample done up on the wall that I just fell in love with. The quilt had a sign on it saying the pattern was “Off the Grid” from Moda Bake Shop so I called over a saleslady and asked her about getting the pattern. Discovery: Moda has oodles of free patterns online using their products. Who knew? Well, all the savvy quilters knew, I’m sure, but I discovered a gold mine when I got home.
So I looked up the pattern, printed the instructions, and found the designer, John, has a blog of his own called Quilt Dad. Which brings me to the Pay It Forward section of my post. (You were wondering when I was going to get to that, weren’t you?) His blog is packed full of cool ideas and I’m linking to one of the best parts: his charity quilting. He participates in quilting bees where members contribute blocks to make charity quilts. Check out his blog!
Back to me. Last week I cut out the pieces to my Thanksgiving quilt and here they are. I can’t wait to get started sewing.
I love the colors and the fabric! I want to quilt, sew, knit, scrapbook, make great cards…just like you! You are so creative. Someday you are going to teach me all these skills. I can’t wait to see your Off the Grid quilt when it’s finished.
I love the “PAy IT Forward” websites even though I’m not a quilter. It’s looking at all the colors and the textures, and dreaming. I decided I want the Fox quilt!
First I need to learn to make the knitted washcloths…LESLIE!!!! ;-D
Hi, I’m coming over from Pay it Forward to say hello. I so admire your willingness to learn how to quilt and it looks like you have a natural talent for it. I love quilts but sadly, I’ve never learned how. I can feel the joy you have at making quilts and learning more about it.
Your header picture is so pretty! It makes me want to walk down that road and see all the pretty sights and smell those lovely flowers. God Bless.