Hamilton Gardens Quilt Finish

 Good day, and welcome to my blog.

In 2025 at the start of my retirement I started on the pattern Hamilton Gardens by Bonnie Hunter.  Blocks are sewn together and set on point for a dynamic look.  She gave instructions for filling in the triangles around the edges that come with such a setting.  But I used plain setting triangles, as you will see below.

Start of the project is described in this blog post.

Progress on blocks is described in this blog post.

The start on assembly is described in this blog post.

Today I report that the top has been quilted by my local long armer quilter, and it is bound.

And a closer look:

Every so often, the reproduction fabric squares will contain the image of a flower, a girl, or a train.

On to the next project!

Linking up with Monday Musings, Sew and Tell at Melva Loves Scraps, Design Wall Monday, Wednesday Wait Loss, Put your Foot Down at the Quiltery, Nina-Marie, Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, From Bolt to Beauty, I Quilted This! at Quilting and Learning, Frederique at Quilting, Patchwork, Applique, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt and stamp posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

Contessa Blocks in '30's fabrics: Now 2 tops

Good day, and welcome to my blog.

I am reporting the progress I made this week on my Contessa project.  This pattern is free from Moda's website.  It was the Sew a Jelly Roll pattern for 2024. 

I picked 1930's reproduction fabric and a Kona snow background, and cut and sewed with wild abandon, no counting of blocks.

Beginning of the project is described HERE.

I had a pile of blocks:

Each block finishes at 10 inches square.  I made two tops 6 by 6 blocks in size, and counted how many blocks were left.  I had enough to make two tops 60" by 80" or 6 blocks by 8 blocks, and I had 2 blocks left over!

Top #1:

And top #2:

Yes, they are different, in the placement of the fabric strips.

I hope to quilt these myself on my trusty Kenmore.  They are at a good size for charity giving.

Linking up with Monday Musings, Sew and Tell at Melva Loves Scraps, Wednesday Wait Loss, Needle and Thread Thursday, Put your Foot Down at the Quiltery, Nina-Marie, Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, From Bolt to Beauty, Frederique at Quilting, Patchwork, Applique, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt and stamp posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

Contessa pattern (again), in 30's repro prints

 Good day, and welcome to my quilting blog.

Today I am hemming corduroy slacks I just purchased, but I have been busy this last week, working on a new iteration of the Contessa pattern.  I used this pattern in making a top for my mom, shown in This Post.

I enjoyed the process, so started cutting into my 1930's to 1940's scraps and fat quarters, for another version.  This does not always happen to me.  I cut fabric with wild abandon, not counting.  So I now have enough strips to make two quilts!  And I bought more Kona Snow for the background fabric needed.  

Here are some blocks, laid out on the design floor:

The slight creaminess of the Kona Snow fabric makes a nice background.  Many of my reproduction fabrics have leaves, flowers, or geometric patterns.

But I made an effort to include novelty fabrics with dogs, cats, kids playing, children's toys, etc. for fun.

As soon as I am done with hemming, I will get back to this project.

Oh! but later this week (Sept. 20) it's National Sew a Jelly Roll Day!  Of course I have a new project lined up for this too.  I'll be using the Over and Down Under pattern and some bright batik fabric strips.

Linking up with Monday Musings, Sew and Tell at Melva Loves Scraps, Wednesday Wait Loss, Needle and Thread Thursday, Put your Foot Down at the Quiltery, Nina-Marie, Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, From Bolt to Beauty, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt and stamp posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

Hamilton Gardens: More quilty progress

 Hello and welcome to my quilting blog.

Today I am reporting on progress on my current project, Bonnie Hunter's pattern Hamilton Gardens.  You know it's true what they say, after retirement things fill your days, and you don't have as much time for hobbies as you think you would have.

So I have been blogging on this project for a few weeks.  It's a way for me to keep track of my progress.

Start of the project discussed HERE.

Some progress discussed HERE.

And where we are today:

Blocks are set on point, so you assemble diagonal rows of blocks.  Note white background fabric triangles at top and sides.

A close up:

I have used 30's reproduction fabrics for this quilt project.

And you know what happened?  I counted and recounted my blocks, and still ended up short one!  I am piecing it, then continuing with my assembly.

Linking up with Monday Musings, Sew and Tell at Melva Loves Scraps, Wednesday Wait Loss, Needle and Thread Thursday, Put your Foot Down at the Quiltery, Nina-Marie, Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, From Bolt to Beauty, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt and stamp posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

I am Retired! And sewing progress

Hello, and welcome to my blog! 

I am happy to report that I am retired from my full time career job; over 30 years in this position.  No details here, 'cause I like to maintain my privacy.  Sleeping late!  Reading books and magazines! And more sewing and quilting!  That's what I hope to do.

I am also happy to report a little more progress on my Hamilton Gardens project.  This is a Bonnie Hunter pattern.  The start of the project is described HERE.  Many small pieces need to come together and this is what I have now, set on point:

You have to imagine white or light sashing between the blocks, and cornerstones helping to connect the blocks, instead of the brown carpet in my sewing area.

Many more blocks to go, but I have the time now.

Linking up with Monday Musings, Melva Loves Scraps, Wednesday Wait Loss, Needle and Thread Thursday, Put your Foot Down at the Quiltery, Nina-Marie,  Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, From Bolt to Beauty, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt and stamp posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

A finish: Dutchman's Puzzle quilt

 Welcome to my blog.  It's a beautiful sunny day today, not too hot, where I am.  When I am not working my day job I have time to sew, and time for quilt finishes.  Here is a UFO (Un-finished object) that I started piecing in January 2023, and in May 2023 I had finished the top.  It went off to the long arm quilter I use, came back, and sat.  And sat.

Well this week I trimmed it and bound it, in the same fabric I used for the borders.  Here is an overall view.

The pattern is Dutchman's Puzzle, done in reproduction 1930's fabrics.  I had purchased a stack of fat quarters, and added scraps from my stash.  It is 80 inches by 89 inches, so it's hard to show it all.

A closer view:

And a view of one block:

I finished a quilt in this pattern earlier, using much different fabric.  Oldies from my stash, mixed with newer florals and some batiks:

Yes fabric choices make a difference!  My son is currently using the second one.

Linking up with Midweek Makers, Wednesday Wait Loss, Needle and Thread Thursday, Put your Foot Down at the Quiltery, Nina-Marie, Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt and stamp posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

A finish for the end of the year

 Good Day, and welcome to my blog of quilty happenings.  I have a finish to report.

I have a lot of reproduction fabrics, including fabrics from the 1930's and 1940's era.  Time to use these up in a quilt.

I got a book on quilt patterns from the Kansas City Star, by Barbara Brackman, and focused in on a pinwheel pattern with a secondary pattern that forms.  It was shown in a vintage quilt dating to the 1930's or 1940's.  Perfect, even if it had templates (I'm more of a rotary cutter user).

I started cutting fabric and sewing in September 2019, as described in this post.

I finished the top in October 2019 as described in this post.

I sent the top and backing out to be quilted by a local long arm quilter.   Then, well, COVID happened, and it has sat ever since.  It's time to finish it.

I trimmed and bound it this past week.  The border is actual feedsack fabric, but I did not have enough for binding, so an unbleached muslin fabric was used.

Colorful pinwheels, and you see the secondary pattern, in green?  Looks good at this distance, yes?

Well take a closer look:

Some of the green strips do not line up well.  I worked very hard to get the eight triangles to meet nicely in the pinwheel, and so the green strips either worked, or didn't.  I did not feel like ripping and resewing, and could not see where this would help anyway.  Just smile and keep on going!

The quilt is about 55 by 77 inches, and does not have a home yet.

Linking up with Midweek Makers, Wednesday Wait Loss, Needle and Thread Thursday, Put your Foot Down at the Quiltery, Can I get a Whoop Whoop, Nina-Marie,  Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt and stamp posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

Snowball blocks: Before and After

 Good Day, and welcome to what promises to be a warm day in the American Midwest.

This week, I have a project that has changed its direction.  I had made a top with Snowball blocks, finishing at 4 inches.  

What about changing the pattern, make the blocks bigger, and feature some of my reproduction 1930's and 1940's fabrics?  How about blocks that finish at 6 inches?

Below is my first iteration at this.

I followed the style of the top above, with plain Kona Snow fabric in the alternating blocks.  Oh, but I don't like this at all.

Try again, getting rid of the alternating blocks:

This is much better!  I am going to make this a small quilt though, and chalk it up to a learning experience.

Linking up with Midweek Makers , Wednesday Wait Loss (she featured my Dutchman's puzzle quilt top!  Thank you!), Needle and Thread Thursday, Put your Foot Down at the Quiltery, Can I get a Whoop Whoop, Nina-Marie,  Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt and stamp posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

Spring Sewing

 Good Day and welcome to my blog.  When I am off contract I can get a lot of sewing done - and I have. 

I dug into my stash and new acquisitions of 1930's reproduction fabrics, and I have been making many flying geese units.  I have assembled them into Dutchman's Puzzle blocks and finally this past week I sashed and bordered them, to make a large-ish top about 78 by 88 inches.  Here it is laid out on my floor in my sewing space.

Well, hard to see what's going on so here is a view of a corner:

Each block is 8 inches square, with 2 inch (finished) sashing, and a 4 inch border of a pretty green print.

A closer view.  If you use stash and scraps for both 'geese' and 'sky' you can use up quite a bit of scrap fabric.  

This is a pretty big top, for me, and so I think I will send it out to a local long arm quilter, rather than wrestling with it on my trusty old Kenmore.

Linking up with Midweek Makers (she featured my quilt top!  Thank you!), Wednesday Wait Loss, (my two quilt tops were featured here too! Wow!) Needle and Thread Thursday, Put your Foot Down at the Quiltery, Can I get a Whoop Whoop, Nina-Marie,  Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt and stamp posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

Update on two finishes

 Hello and welcome to my blog!  It's a nice Spring day in the American Midwest.

I have two finishes to report.  First, a doll quilt for the exchange run by Lori at Humble Quilts.  12 by 18 inches, machine quilted, hand bound.  Yes the flying geese are 3 by 1.5 inches.

And a close up:

You can see I had fun collecting reproduction reds and shirting fabrics.

My second finish is of a columns quilt, in black and white, and reproduction 30's fabrics.  It was quilted by a local long arm quilter.  An overall view:

More on this project at this blog post.  I added the binding by machining it on to the back, ironing it over, then topstitching on the top.  This needs a steady hand and your full attention!  A close up of a corner below:

It goes quite fast.  I am happy to have these done.  The exchange doll quilt is in the mail today.  The second quilt I am saving until the right recipient comes along.

Linking up with Midweek Makers, Wednesday Wait Loss, Needle and Thread Thursday, Put your Foot Down at the Quiltery, Can I get a Whoop Whoop, Nina-Marie,  Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt and stamp posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

Tops to the long arm quilter

 As mentioned in my previous post, I have been working flat out in my day job.  But I have gotten a little stolen time in my quilting nook in the basement.

My cookie tin has more blocks in it.

These are block parts for two different projects.

And, I assembled a top and put borders on it.

All 30's reproduction fabric.  A close up:

Pretty electric I would say!  Next, a top of Criss cross stars (what is the correct name for this block?) done in real vintage fabric and feedsacks:

And a close up:

Both quilt tops (and backing) have been dropped off at the long arm quilter.  I use Boone's Quilting - you can find her on Facebook.  She does a great job.

Linking up with Midweek Makers, Wednesday Wait Loss, Needle and Thread Thursday, Can I get a Whoop Whoop, Nina-Marie,  Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt and stamp posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

A Number of Updates

 Good day and welcome to my blog.  I am back after a bit.  I've been busy at the day job but I have made some progress on some projects.  Sadly no finish to report.

First of all:  I have bought some fabric and cut more pieces for several projects in the works.   Start of projects in this quilt post.

Here are my piles of cut fabrics, holding down the end of my working surface:

Some finished flying geese units on the right.

In addition I have some finished block units.  I am working with late 1800's reproduction fabrics, and have two projects in progress.  Finished blocks are living in this cookie tin:

The flying geese units in 1930's pastels are going to form Dutchman's puzzle blocks, like this:

That green unit doesn't have as much contrast between "goose" and "sky" - a challenge when working with these kinds of pastel fabrics.  We'll see how all the units looks like in the end, and I may border the blocks with sage green sashing - you know, the kind of green associated with this time period.  It will, I hope, make the background or 'sky' pop a bit.

My inspiration for this project is a quilt I finished recently - in different fabrics.  My son is now using this quilt.

Finally, more progress on a columns-style quilt.  The beginning of the project shown in this post.

Here is my current situation, laid out on the floor, not all sewn together yet:

You get the idea.  The fabric in the blue setting triangles will be used in the border, maybe 2-3 inches wide, and the binding will be the same blue.  I like the way this is turning out.

Linking up with Midweek Makers, Wednesday Wait Loss, Needle and Thread Thursday, Can I get a Whoop Whoop, Nina-Marie,  Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt and stamp posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

Simple block makes interesting quilt pattern

 Good Day, and welcome to my blog.

Stolen hours in my sewing room has led to some block making of a new columns-type quilt.  I saw this pattern on a quilt list I am a member of - Stashbusters on Groups.io.  Its ultimate origin may be on Pinterest. 

In any case I gathered my array of 1930's reproduction fabric scraps, and cut them into 2 inch squares.  I also cut squares of Kona Snow and Kona Charcoal solids.  It starts with a simple block:

With a nice diagonal movement.  The solids are not quite stark white and black but they have a high contrast.  Now, set some blocks together, rotating some blocks:

More nice diagonal movement.  Even better:  Set the blocks on point:

This is the pattern and look that set our internet group talking.  This is working up slowly because with a finished square size of 1.5 inches the blocks are only 6 inches across, finished.  If I do this again I would pick a bigger starting square size, say 3 inches.  I don't know yet how big this will be, but not large as I am using up my precut squares at a fast speed.  I also don't know how I'll finish the edges, but I'll think on that later.

I am using many different fabrics that play well together, and I would recommend that if you want this kind of look.  It doesn't have to be reproduction fabrics - I think modern Tula Pink type fabrics would work well too.

Linking up with Midweek Makers, Wednesday Wait Loss, Needle and Thread Thursday, Can I get a Whoop Whoop, Nina-Marie,  Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

9 patch project in 1930's repro fabrics

 Good day and welcome to my blog.  

Last week I wrote about my Cutting Party: going through lots of 1930's reproduction fabrics, cutting for 3 project to keep me going summer into fall:

1. 2.5 inch squares for nine patches.

2. 2 inch squares for a another columns-type quilt - a related but different pattern I have my eye on.

3. 5 1/4 inch squares and 2 7/8 inch squares (of lighter fabrics) for no-waste flying geese.

I am still pulling fabrics, but I started sewing the 9 patches together, to see if it matched the plan in my mind.  I am not sewing light/dark patches together, but all 9 are of one color.  Maybe set them side by side?

Or on point?

Well this does not match the picture in my mind.  Maybe some white or Nile green sashing fabric is needed.  I will make more 9 patches (I am having fun) and see how things develop.  Your opinions welcome.

Linking up with Midweek Makers, Wednesday wait loss, Put your foot down at For the love of geese, Needle and Thread Thursday, Nina-Marie,  Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

A Cutting Party

 Hello and welcome to my blog.  It's a cooler, somewhat rainy day in the American Midwest.

I wrote previously about how I was piecing blocks like mad.  I am at a natural stopping point: a pile of blocks that need to be measured and trimmed.  I don't wish to do this right now, so I am starting to cut pieces for upcoming projects.

I have a set of fat quarters purchased earlier this year - all reproduction 1930's fabrics.  After this investment, I must use them!  

And if I am going to go through these and iron them, I might as well cut for several projects.  Since I like scrappy 1930's quilts with a wide variety of fabrics, I decided to go through my scraps and add them to the mix.

On the ironing board, ready to go.  And if I am going to cut, I might as well cut for several projects.

1. 2.5 inch squares for nine patches.

2. 2 inch squares for a another columns-type quilt - a related but different pattern I have my eye on.

3. 5 1/4 inch squares and 2 7/8 inch squares (of lighter fabrics) for no-waste flying geese.

The beginning of my cut patches:

And I'm off!  It might be time to change the blade in my rotary cutter.  I am having to press down a bit, and sometimes recut.

Linking up with Midweek Makers, Wednesday wait loss, (She featured my columns quilt!  Thank you!), Put your foot down at For the love of geese, Needle and Thread Thursday, Nina-Marie,  Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

It's a finished top

Hello and welcome!

I have been busy at my day job and haven't had much time for quilting.  I did assemble my pinwheel blocks described in this post.  I described how the 4 quadrants of the block did not line up.  Luckily the  blocks were a bit too big, and just needed trimming to 12.5 inches square.  Hurrah!

The current top looks like this:

That is real feedsack fabric from the 1940's as borders.  I was lucky to find 2 matching feedsacks on ebay.  I now wish I had put a thin white inner border on - but too late now.

Final size:  57 by 81 inches, a throw size.  The green secondary pattern looks great at this distance, but a close look shows that the green pattern pieces don't always match!  It's time to take this top to the long arm quilter I frequent.

Now I have two days off from the day job.  Other than finishing this top I have not been inspired to do anything.  I will try to do some sewing, or cutting for a new project, tomorrow.

Linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers, Put your foot down at For the love of geese, Can I get a Whoop Whoop, Nina-Marie,  Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

New blocks Update

Hello and welcome!
Since working on the Log Cabin - Courthouse steps quilt top in the last post, I have been busy with yet another new project.  I saw this in Barbara Brackman's book on the Kansas City Star quilt blocks, and wanted to try this in 30's reproduction fabrics.  One block below:

You can see I had a few problems. The four quadrants don't line up exactly, though my triangle points meet nicely in the middle.   These older patterns involve templates, and tracing around the templates onto your fabric.  I haven't done this for awhile!  I am used to strip piecing, or sewing bits together and cross cutting them.

An idea to just make 12 12 inch blocks expanded a bit:

Here is what I have so far, laid out 4 blocks across by 6 blocks down.  One more block to go, then trimming.  Note the secondary pattern that forms.  I hope these green pieces line up after trimming.

After trimming, sew these blocks together and think about borders.

Linking up with Let's Bee Social, Midweek Makers, Put your foot down at For the love of geese, Can I get a Whoop Whoop, Nina-Marie,  Finished or Not at Alycia Quilts, Oh Scrap at Quilting is more Fun than Housework.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian

Quilt top July 3

Happy holidays this week, to those who celebrate.
I took a break from my slow on going Dear Jane project.  In putting my sewing room back together, I found a stash of 2.5 inch fabric strips, 30's reproductions, cut and stashed.  (also a big set of 2 inch strips, but that is another story.)  What to do?
Well, I went to Bonnie Hunter's website, Quiltville.com, and looked up her free patterns. I settled on Crayon box:
http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2005/06/crayon-box.html
And started sewing like the wind:

The white fabric in the middle of the blocks is from leftovers from a quilt backing.  All from stash and leftovers! Fun!  Now to layer and quilt this.
Next up: attacking the large amount of 2 inch strips in 30's fabrics.

Linking up with Connie at Freemotion by the River and Let's Bee Social, Silly Mama quilts.

I have a page on Facebook: keep up with my infrequent quilt posts at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viridian61/347674418583948?ref=hl

Viridian
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