Abandoned quilt blocks

At our last DC Modern Quilt Guild meeting, members were encouraged to bring "orphan blocks" that they were not using and want to donate to a larger project. I got excited about some of the blocks that were created in bright colors and started playing with the layout for a potential quilt. Aren't these blocks amazing?? Each time I picked up a block I wondered why on earth they had been abandoned. Members of our guild make gorgeous blocks and I am so excited to play with them. This is what I came up with at the meeting. 

I brought all of theses (plus some other) blocks home with me. I can't wait to lay them all out again and start experimenting with the negative space and hopefully piecing this quilt together.

Spring Showers Block -- Tutorial

I can't believe it is already May 7. I am a terrible bee member for the Bee Sew Modern Bee - since it's my month and I am just now posting my block tutorial. So sorry ladies!

The block is 15.5" x 15.5" and was inspired by this mini quilt from Megan at Canoe Ridge Creations and this block from Monica at Happy Zombie. I named it the Spring Showers Block because I am excited to make a quilt with springtime blues, greens, and greys - it reminds me of spring rains. I have broken the block into three sections for this tutorial. You can make each section out of a different fabric or choose to reuse fabrics. The level of scrappiness is up to you!

**Note: all seams are 1/4". I press seams open, though you can choose to do something different.

SECTION A (make 1)

Fabric needed:
(1) 5.5" x 5.5" - color
(4) 3" x 3" - white

Sew on the black lines below. Trim seams to one-quarter inch. Press seams. Repeat for the remaining two corners.

SECTION B (make 4)

Fabric needed:
(1) 3.5" x 3.5" - color
(1) 3" x 3" - color

(1) 3.5" x 3.5" - white
(1) 3" x 3" - white


Use the 3.5" squares to create one set of half square triangles. Trim HSTs to 3" square. Lay out pieces as shown and sew the section together to complete section B.

SECTION C (make 4)

Fabric needed:
(2) 3" x 3" - color
(1) 3" x 5.5" - color

(2) 3" x 3" - white
(1) 3" x 5.5" - white

Use the pieces to make two flying geese. The two "geese" should match the photo above. Sew pieces together to make the third section.

ASSEMBLY
Lay out the sections as shown below. Sew them together. Press. Congratulations on your completed block!!

Letter from camp

Just popping in to say that I. LOVE. CAMP. Literally, this is the best weekend ever. Eeeek!!! I just stopped for starbucks on the way home and want you to know that I could not be happier and I have a lot of great stuff to share with you!

Wow. I really love sewing...and talking...and talking about sewing!

HootnHaller Quilts is on Facebook!!

Now that I have a snazzy new logo I thought it was time to publish my facebook page. Head on over and become a fan!

https://www.facebook.com/HootnHallerQuilts

Hopefully I will have an etsy store up and running before the end of the month :)

Finish It 2012

Since January I have been using the hashtag #finishit2012 for a lot of quilting projects. This hashtag movement was started by Megan at Canoe Ridge Creations. While I have been making a lot of progress on outstanding WIPs this year, I have finished up something even more exciting....my college education! I started school at a community college in fall 2005 and last Thursday I finished after eight years!!! It is such a great feeling to know I don't have any more paper, project, or presentations and that I don't have to read another academic book or journal (unless I want to)!

So here is my Instagram shot from my last paper-writing session. #finishit2012

Want to know how I will be celebrating the end of this era? I am heading off to sewing camp!!! If you are looking for me this weekend you can find me at Camp Stitchalot, hosted by Pink Castle Fabrics. I am looking forward to this fun weekend and figuring out which projects to pack: quilts, op, dresses, bags, tons of fabric, and lots of exciting patterns! Eeek!!!

Right now I have a suitcase full of fabric and projects and a small-ish tote with my clothing. I feel like this is completely acceptable. :)

Shades of Happy

As promised, I have better photos of my Shades of Grey quilt! When my mom was here for a visit I had her hold up many quilts so I could finally get some decent pics! It is still really hard to photograph this one because it is too large for one person to hold and boy is it heavy!! I really like the way the grey squares pop next to the brick - I just wish that pesky basement window was not in the way.  

And the back...

Here is another photo she took that same day. Unfortunately it was too sunny and the coloring is off...but it doesn't look too strange in greyscale. I just love that pile of quilts!!

Sewing Circle Tote

Last month Elizabeth Hartman of Oh, Fransson! posted photos of a bag she had designed to carry all of her quilting supplies to sewing days with friends. Since I am such a fan of sewing with others I knew that I needed to make this bag and started counting down the days until the pattern was released.

The finished exterior of the bag

I absolutely love the pattern!! Elizabeth has written this in a way that is very easy to follow and the photos help to figure out the steps. She has included helpful tips that were able to boost my confidence when sewing. I got to try out many new skills with this project: working with different types of interfacing, creating zip pockets, quilt-as-you-go panels, making elastic pouches, and the overall task of constructing a bag. Elizabeth really breaks everything down into very manageable pieces!

I love the fabrics I chose (most of which come from the VeloCity line from P&B Textiles). This was my first time using Essex Yarn Dyed Linen and I absolutely love the feel of it! I originally wanted black, but was unable to find enough. I ended up using denim (the same color Elizabeth used on hers) and I really love the look!

I love, love, love this bag and can't wait to use it at the upcoming DC Modern Quilt Guild sew-in and drag it all the way to Michigan with me for Camp Stitchalot!

And, here is the final product!! I can't wait to load it up with all of my tools and toys. I will make sure to show you an updated photo soon of my bag hard at work!

I'm linking this post to Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.