Fresh & Funky- March

This month, Alexandra asked us to make blocks around the theme of confetti.  I can't wait to see the finished quilt!

Fabric

I've been traveling a lot lately, so I haven't been doing too much sewing.  I did bring my laptop and notebook, so I did plenty of designing.  I also recently purchased a refurbished (which means much more affordable) Wacom tablet, so I've been learning how to use it as well.  Improvement is the name of the game for me. ;)

Geo Safari

Detail

Puppy Dots

Detail

Detail

Doodle Safari

Explorer Bears

Detail

Detail

So, that's what I've been doing on the crafting front.  Happy Tuesday!

Just Like Martha Quilt

My friend asked me to make a quilt inspired by this seersucker quilt from Martha Stewart.  She loved the simplicity of the whole thing, from the simple fabrics to the large pattern.  I never would have thought to make a quilt from seersucker, but I know for a fact that it is something I will happily do again.  I absolutely love this quilt, and I hope she loves it too!

I used seersucker, shirting, flannel, and quilting cotton.  I pre-washed everything since each fabric was a different blend of fibers.

The seersucker has so much soft and wonderful texture to it.  It's light and wonderful to hold.  It was actually very easy to piece as well. 

 I used Kona Ash quilting cotton for the back and binding.  It just might be my new favorite solid.

Instead of a spiral pattern, I opted for a square-in-square look.  I think it has to do with my personality...I just like things to be symmetrical and orderly.  I always have.  Probably always will.

So that's my latest creation.  I hope my friend likes it as much as I do!

QAYG Blocks

After the earthquakes in New Zealand last month, Cat of Catalina's Cottage sent a call out for QAYG (Quilt As You Go) blocks.  She's using them to make quilts to comfort those affected in Christchurch.

Here are the ones I made.  These guys are on their way to NZ now.  I just hope they're not too late!  My heart's in the right place, but sometimes I can be slow getting things done...  

Anyway, I hope these blocks can bring some comfort to someone in New Zealand.  I can't imagine what they've been through, and thinking about them definitely puts my small worries into perspective.

I'm not sure how she puts them together.  I even read a tutorial on the subject, and it still eluded me.  I'm just glad she can use what I'm sending!

Thanks, Cat, for giving us a way to help.  

Question

I have a question for you.  Do you pre-wash your fabrics before making a quilt?

I had to pre-wash for the quilt I'm currently working on because I used seersucker, shirting, and quilting cotton.  Each fabric had a different make-up (polyester/cotton blend, for example), so I decided that I should shrink them all before sewing them together.  The last thing I want is for some parts of my quilt to shrink up more than others.

I had never done it before a few days ago because it seemed like so much work.  And waiting.  I mean, who wants to wait for fabric to wash and dry before cutting into it, right? Not to mention the ironing...

I must say that I was extremely surprised at how much I enjoyed the whole process.  I actually liked ironing all my newly cleaned fabrics.  It was also nice to know what they looked like after being washed.  Usually it's a throw the quilt in on the gentle cycle and pray that it comes out alright kind of thing.  It was also nice to piece clean fabric.  I don't know why, but there was something about it...

Anyway, I'm just thinking about making the switch to pre-washing everything.  It is important not to mix pre-washed fabrics with fabrics that aren't pre-washed, so I think I'll have to commit to one way or the other.  Here is a great discussion on pre-washing.

So again, the question is, do you pre-wash?  Why or why not?  Thanks for your help!

Happiness...

...is this right here.

I still find it funny that a package full of fabric that has yet to be made into anything can bring me such joy.  The fact that it was all on sale and then 20% off on top of that helps, too.  If you'd told me such a package would make me so happy even a few years ago, I'd think you were off your rocker.  But, thanks to a little down time and a lot of blog reading, I've arrived in the fabric-crazy place I am today.

What about you?  If you're a quilter, did you learn growing up?  Who taught you?  If not, keep reading blogs, and you too can conquer the world of quilting! :)