School's Out.....
for summer! Woohoo! It was a crazy spring with lots of musicals and concerts to keep me me too busy to get much sewing done. I did, however, find some fantastic Riley Blake jelly rolls to make adorable race quilts for two little girls who share the name Anna Grace. So I call these my Anna Grace quilts. Each quilt was the same set of prints, but came out quite differently because the strips were assembled in random order.
I photo documented the jelly roll "race" process. If you haven't tried this yourself, it's a must. Very fun, quick and easy. Missouri Star has a wonderful tutorial on You Tube!
Anna Grace Quilts
Select your material! *note I forgot to take a 'before of the jelly roll...this photo was part way through the sewing process...
Begin by chain piecing ALL the strips together.
Once you are done it looks like this...fancy! Kidding!
Trim and clip the thread so you have a single 1600 foot long, continuous strip! I have a very helpful hand model (thanks Jon).
Let the race begin! Bring the two ends of your super long strip together and simply sew a 1/4" seam the entire 800 foot length. This first one seems to take forever, but after this time flies. I promise!
Cut the fold that you have created at the end. Now you will have an 800 foot strip that is two strips wide.
Repeat the previous two steps until desired width:
Bring the two ends (now two strips wide) together and stitch down one side.
Bring the two ends (now four strips wide) together and stitch down one side.
Bring the two ends (now eight strips wide) together and stitch down one side.
Bring the two ends (now sixteen strips wide) together and stitch down one side.
This is where I opted to stop.
I could have layered this as it is since it is a good size for a toddler quilt, but I chose to add a 4" border.
Here is a shot of the backing. I thought is was the perfect compliment to the front. Very cheerful for smiley toddlers!
The part that I am most excited to share is that these are the first quilts that I have quilted entirely by myself! Most everything went quite smoothly (with only one ridiculously, silly WHOOPS that I am too embarrassed to share) right up until about noon-time today. When my trusty Kenmore whom I've been calling 'Bessy' decided to get a bit moody. The second quilt has literally eight inches of quilting and the binding left, but I don't dare try it until Bessy sees a doctor. I'll be making that appointment tomorrow ;) I've really learned a lot making these. And there are spots where that definitely shows in a few places...but I know that they will be well loved and get lots of use!
Stay Tuned
When I get my machine back from being serviced, I will be showing a few small projects that I have on my to-do list. One item is a multipurpose play mat that I am making for a friend who is due in August and the other is a messenger bag for myself!
Respectfully,
Harmony
