Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Quilts Beyond Borders finishes


Happy Wednesday! Today's finishes were all made for Quilts Beyond Borders (QBB,) which provides quilts to children in need all over the world.


This one was made with a batik layer cake, using a free pattern called Cobblestone Street by Robert Kaufman. The layer cake was called "Cockatiel" and the colors really do look like the pretty little birds! 


Usually the quilts for QBB are fairly small, around 40"x60". I heard via my online quilt guild, Sunshine, that one of the QBB regions was collecting slightly larger quilts for teens in a shelter near Baltimore. So I stitched up a few closer in size to 50"x60".



I had a big chunk of this antique airplane fabric that I used on the back. Maybe some future pilot will enjoy it.


Don't stare at this pattern for very long! It will make your eyes cross! This quilt is also a bit larger, and features this kinda crazy double hourglass block in blues and grays. Even though it is busy, I like the strong geometric movement of the design. It is a free pattern from Mary Quilts called Spools.


The back features pale blue stars and a jumble of railroad motifs. The quilting on both these teen-sized pieces is a simple, soft stipple for maximum cuddliness.


QBB requires a sewn-in label, and I try to piece it right into the backing. This one I added later, in the bottom left corner. I cut it using pinking shears so it will hopefully only fray a little.


The third quilt is the standard size for QBB. It is a Round Robin quilt made by 3 or 4 of my guild members. The first person, our resident Quiltin' Harley Dude, Spoon, made the column of interlocking squares, then sent that to the next Robiner in line. 


When it came to my turn, I added these scrappy feathers, made from a pattern called Feather Bed by Anna Marie Horner. It looks like she's selling it now, but it was free when I downloaded it.


Usually the person who starts the Round Robin finishes the quilt, but I knew Spoon was really busy. So I offered to sandwich, quilt and bind this piece. Spoon sent me some backing material, but I stole it for a different quilt and used these chunks from my stash instead. Many thanks to my guild friends for adding their creativity to this quilt!

20 comments:

  1. Wow, you are on a roll. Love the colors in the round robin and the final layout as well.

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  2. Those are some awesome quilts! That round robin quilt is really eye-catching. Glad you were able to get them photographed on such a lovely day.

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  3. Love your quilts! (Especially the ones with feet!)

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  4. They are all lovely. You really put a lot of thought into those quilts and it shows. I try to forget that you are doing this on a boat! LOL I can't imagine trying to sew inside a moving object!

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  5. Louise, what beautiful finishes. I really like the Spool quilt and the airplane fabric for the backing is super. As always, you do such a beautiful job with your quilts!

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  6. Great finishes! Love the backings you used, like a hidden treasure on the back.!

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  7. Wow, things are heating up on your boat!!! Three great quilts, Louise! The first one especially caught my eye. I have a few (haha) 10" squares in my studio. I see the pattern is designed by Elise. Elise is a young quilter and use to work with me at the quilt shop, until her pilot husband took a job out of LA. Now she's working for Robert Kaufman there and is famous, showing up in their photos (Insta) and designing patterns left and right! Just a little inside info!!!

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  8. Wow, you've been busy! These are all great looking quilts, sure to be appreciated by someone. I especially like the round robin, with its unusual layout, and I love the cobblestone quilt.

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  9. So that distant hum I've been hearing is you, sewing away on these beauties! Always fun to see what you are creating, and the charity they are going to. You have a very generous heart. That second quilt's pattern is really fun, but definitely hypnotizing!

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  10. Happy Wednesday to you too! I always look forward to reading your blog posts because they are always full of color and creativity. The round robin is my favorite on this round! You are a productivity machine!

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  11. Love the cobblestone quilt! You sure have been busy.

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  12. Wow. You always have so much to look at. I need to hunt down some of these patterns. Cobblestone is very interesting.... must acquire said pattern! Is Sunshine open for new members? It sounds like you all might be more into charity quilting? Curious minds want to know! Have a great week.

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  13. That Round Robin is just fabulous. I made the flying geese on it. It was fun, because those two vertical rows began as diagonals, and then someone turned it sideways, and it is fabulous ! Kathleen

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  14. Spoon's finished quilt looks great!

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  15. more wonderful quilts... so effective with those patterns. Going to great causes.... you have been ultra busy...
    Hugz

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  16. I really like the Cobblestone Street pattern! Makes me want to go buy a layer cake just so I can make one. :) Great finishes, Louise!

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  17. Thank you for your participation in QBB. There are so many people that need a warm hug that sometimes only a quilt can provide. Love the cobblestone street pattern. It will be perfect for boy or girl. The spools quilt is good for both genders also. Now that third quilt is my very favorite. I remember you making those feathers & they fit in perfectly with that beautiful quilt. It looks reminds me of a very sunny day in Arizona....New Mexico...or wherever the sun shines so bright. {{{HUGS}}}

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  18. Three more quilts which be so very welcome for folks who receive them, I especially like quilt number three and the feathers on either side are a great addition. I once made a cushion using this pattern, I don't think I would want to made a quilt with it!

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