Thursday, May 7, 2020

Remembering Paula



Today I am participating in a blog hop to honor Paula Budinger, a beloved member of our online quilting community. Paula passed away in early February of this year and is sorely missed. Paula blogged at Paula B Quilts, where she shared her bright, happy quilts. She loved color and improv and antique quilts, and was never afraid to try new techniques and join quilting challenges. More importantly, she was sweet and supportive, always offering words of praise and kindness to fellow quilters.



To remember her "can do" spirit, I'd like to share with you my first ever Jelly Roll Race quilt. I made a small change from the standard Race technique, so this is also a tutorial about what I did. I started with this pretty red and white roll, called "So Ruby," by Riley Blake.



There was a nice mix of designs, ranging mostly red to mostly white, with just a few evenly mixed red/white patterns. However, I wanted just a little pop of something else, so I decided to swap out two of the strips for blue fabrics I had in my stash. I removed 2 of the less contrast-y jelly strips and put them into my scrap string bins.



To add a some whimsy, I chose a blue with tiny kitties on it, and another with a bazillion little mice. So cute! From the jelly roll, I pulled out three very white whites and three very red reds. With the two blues, I now had 8 strips.



I sewed these eight fabrics into two strip sets. Each set had four fabrics. One alternated white/red/blue/red and the other was white/blue/white/red. I wanted each strip set to have white at the top and red at the bottom.



Then I sliced the strip sets into 2.5" wide pieces. This yielded 16 rectangles from each strip set, for a total of 32 of these alternating blocks. Since the jelly roll started with 40 strips and I pulled out 8 at the beginning, I now had 32 of the original strips plus 32 of these smaller blocks.

Now I started the jelly roll race part of the program. But instead of just sewing all the long pieces together end to end, I inserted one of the shorter blocks in between each long one.



The key to this part was alternating the colors. So at the end of a long red strip, I sewed the white end of a smaller block. That would leave the red end available for the next seam.



Then I sewed a white long strip to that short red end. At the other end of the long white strip, I sewed the red end of  a shorter strip. I continued like that, alternating long uncut jelly roll strips with the shorter blocks, always sewing red to white or white to red.



And like all jelly roll races, I ended up with one, loooooong strip. I'm sure you know how it goes from there, but if you aren't familiar with how race quilts are put together, here is a nice tutorial.

As the top got closer and closer to being finished, I noticed that a lot of the whites ended up clumped together. Same with the reds. Hm, I didn't expect that. I'm not sure if that often happens with two color races, or if adding my little squares in between caused that. My quilt brain is usually pretty good with math, but right now I have Quarantine Brain. So, I decided to just embrace however it turned out.



And here is the finished quilt. It does indeed have a red side and a white side, but I like it! Kind of an unintended, surprise ombre effect.



The part that I saw in my head from the beginning turned out just right: the little groups of four squares look like they are truckin' across the quilt, and the blues pop nicely. Here they are in a whiter section.



And here they are in a redder section.



For the back, I used up the rest of the mice and kitties, plus a chunk of red, white and blue anchors. Because, you know, I live on a boat and my job is Boatswain. Anchors are my thing! More mice scamper around the binding and a big stipple keeps it soft and snuggly. 



I'll be donating this quilt to the Hands2Help Comfort Quilt Challenge by sending it to Quilts of Compassion. As a long time Red Cross volunteer working in disaster relief, their work calls me.



This memorial blog hop was put together by Janice of Color, Creating and Quilting, and Kate of Smiles From Kate. Thank you, ladies! Please visit the other "hoppers" below to see how they are honoring Paula's memory. And there are fabulous prizes! Every comment you leave on any of the blogs earns you a chance at these fun giveaways: (The deadline for winning prizes was May 15th, but feel free to visit these fine blogs if you are interested!)


Lorna, Sew Fresh Quilts, is giving away a $50 gift certificate for her pattern shop. Super fun animal designs!

Yvonne, Quilting Jetgirl, is offering 2 PDF patterns of choice. Bold and modern!

Bernie Needle and Foot, wants you to have a $25 certificate for her shop. So many pretty fabrics!

A lovely fat quarter bundle from Figo Fabrics could be yours!

A set of super cute quilty gift cards from Initial Thought by DMF  (Note cards set 1) will be given away!

A pattern of choice from Karen, Sugar Free Quilts, might end up in your studio. Some really fun ones there!

A $30 gift certificate is being offered by Doris, Cactus Queen Quilt Co. You'll love her pattern selection!

A PDF pattern of choice from Joanne, www.etsy.com/shop/CanuckQuilterDesigns. I love Joanne's patterns!

$25 gift certificate to Fat Quarter Shop could buy some sweet loot!



In addition to these, I am also offering a prize to one of my readers. It is a jelly roll by Boundless Fabrics, their Ombre Sunset selection. These are beautiful solids ranging from dark purple to sunny yellow. All you have to do is leave a comment below. If you want, tell me if you've ever made a Jelly Roll Race! I will ship this prize internationally, because couldn't we all use a little happy mail right now? The deadline for my giveaway is midnight, March 15, 2020. (Please note this giveaway is now closed. The random number generator chose #28. Congratulation to winner JanineMarie!)




Here are all the folks remembering Paula. I hope you'll visit with them and join in the spirit of giving and learning that is the strength of our quilty community. It's what Paula would have done!

Wednesday, May 6 

Thursday, May 7

Friday, May 8

76 comments:

  1. Love how your jelly roll race turned out. Have not tried one myself but have been thinking I should. Have followed your (and Sean’s) blog for years and admire your organization and quilting

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  2. Pretty quilt! I might try this next week.

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  3. Wonderful JRR quilt. Love your modification and the way the color worked out! Thanks for sharing.

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  4. A great way to honour Paula's memory with a bunch of colorful quilts!! Bravo!!!

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  5. I love that variation of the jelly roll race! I’m going to try that. Great quilt! sarahsgiftnship(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. I never made a jellyrollrace. Never wanted to until I saw your brilliant variation. I may just have to go buy a jellyroll!

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  7. Your cat-and-mouse jelly roll quilt design is terrific! The insert makes it just smashing. I made ONE JRR out of Christmas fabrics. I did use up a lot but the overall effect was blecch. A prize jelly roll might make me try again . . .

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  8. I liked your adaptation of the jelly roll race quilt. It adds a lot of interest to a simple design.

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  9. nobody would ever know you didn't plan it that way...very nice...and i had some of those mice too...cute fabric!

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  10. thanks for the tutorial. Sweet quilt!

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  11. A wonderful tribute! I am sure she knows how you treasured her.
    As for your strip quilt...fabulous! I love how you got the effect of the red side versus the white/light! Never could we plan that!

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  12. I haven't made a jelly roll race quilt because I don't really like how most of them turn out. Interesting how your inserts spread the pops of blue throughout even with the unintended consequence of the red being concentrated on one side.
    Pat

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  13. Love your fun and colorful quilt. So sorry about Paula.

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  14. Thanks for sharing your process and how you adjusted the jelly roll race. I really like how it turned out with the red and white congregating on their sides...social distancing! Hehe! This quilt is a lovely tribute to Paula and her giving spirit!

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  15. Louise, your posts always blow me away! You know just how to add that 'wow' factor to constructing beautiful quilts. Thank you for sharing one of your techniques today, in honor of Paula. You and Paula? Definitely kindred spirits! XO

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  16. I love the ombre effect of your jelly roll race quilt! Couldn't have come out better if you'd planned it. Love the inserts, too - great concept and great tutorial.

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  17. I've never done a race but I really like yours with its variations! How nice of you to do this for Paula. I read her blog occasionally and enjoyed her.

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  18. I have wanted to make a jelly roll quilt, but just haven’t gotten around to it. I really like yours with the squares added. It is cool the way it ended up with the reds on one side and the lights on the other.

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  19. A lovely tribute to Paula, you knew her well. Great tutorial Louise, I do like your finished quilt, I love the two tone effect you achieved. Thank you so much for participating, and so generously offering a prize too. Paula would have so loved this.

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  20. Wow Louise, the effect of the color placement on the quilt could not be better! I love how the darks and lights managed to collect together creating the ombre effect. It is so cool! I have made one JRR quilt sometime back with a Christmas jellyroll I had. I did add the 2 1/2" squares but not several in a row as you did. Very cool take on this pattern. Well done!

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  21. Louise, that is such a great quilt! Even if it was unintended, the red corner transitioning to white is a really neat effect. I have made one Jelly Roll Race quilt, and I told all my quilty friends that I discovered quilting can be an aerobic activity. In order to lay out the long strip so that I could do the folding over and sewing together, I had to go up and down the stairs and all through the house - many times!

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  22. Wow, I've never seen a boat used as a quilt backdrop. Wonderful. I think your Jelly Roll Race quilt turned out terrific. I like the red and white sides that resulted. You couldn't have done it if you'd tried! Thanks.

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  23. Your jelly roll quilt turned out great. I have done several jelly roll race quilts and like you they never turn out as I imagined but scrappy lovely anyway. This is a wonderful tribute to Paula.

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  24. I love your quilts & often get inspiration from your ideas. I've never done a race because I don't think they're that interesting, but your variation is brilliant! Plus the ombre effect turned out so cool!

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  25. Wow, Louise, you outdid yourself with this quilt. I love how it ended up with the lighter and redder sides. I’ve done one Jelly Roll Race, but it was in my very early days of quilting. I made the mistake of trying to reorganize the order of the strips before sewing and ended up with ugly clumps of color. Live and learn.

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  26. I've never made a jelly roll race before. I like your idea of randomly breaking it up with the little strips with blue mixed in for added interest. The finished product is great!

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  27. What a neat way to remember Paula, Louise, by trying something new to you. Of course, your long history of donating is an ongoing celebration! This is fascinating to me, how this quilt made its own pattern with the red and white distribution. It makes it really interesting and artsy. And I think Paula would chuckle at the addition of those kitties and mice. I seem to remember making a very long strip of fabric sort of like a jelly roll race for a quilt one time, but I don't remember how I used that strip for the final quilt.

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  28. Great q and beautiful tribute to a Paula!

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  29. THAT, dear Louise, may be the MOST AWESOME jelly roll quilt EVER!!! Thanks for sharing the technique you used. Now, I have yet another quilt that I want to try! Fortunately, there are lots of organizations that could use another donation.

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  30. I have to say I have never made a Jelly Roll race quilt because I don't really like the looks of any I've seen plus I never buy Jelly rolls (although I guess I could make my own strips and pretend I have a Jelly roll).

    Now I can't say I don't really like the looks of any I've seen because I do really like the looks of your version. Great way to mix it up! And I may have to give your version a try someday when I have my homemade Jelly Roll to work with. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  31. Your red, white, and blue race quilt is giving me some ideas for expanding the center of a flag quilt I'm making. Thanks for sharing and sorry for the loss of your fur-baby.

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  32. I love how your jelly roll quilt turned out!! I have never made one, but would like to try your version!! This is a wonderful way to honor the legacy of a special lady!

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  33. I'm still laughing at Diann's aerobic activity in her comment above. :D
    I have never made a jelly roll race quilt but now I want to try. Your quilt is just beautiful! The color arrangement turned out great and reminds me of a gradation quilt, which I love.
    Even though I didn't know Paula it is an privilege to join with you in this hop honoring her.

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  34. I love how the quilt turned out kind of half and half! Very nice arrangement, even if NOT planned that way. Thanks for honoring Paula in this way. I have not made a jelly roll race because I thought they were kind of boring but your technique gives me lots of ideas!

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  35. I've always been intrigued by the Jelly Roll Race quilts, but haven't tried one...yet! You are giving me hope that I really should get on it soon. When I saw you had one red side and one white side, I wondered how you did that---cuz I really liked it that way! I'll bet if you wanted it to go that way, it wouldn't!
    The pops of blue really add the extra attention where needed. Paula would love this!

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  36. Please don't count me for your jelly roll giveaway, but your jelly roll quilt turned out amazing! What a happy accident! I love the effect, and I'm sure it will be very much appreciated. And it looks wonderful with the sky and the water

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  37. I’ve made one Jelly Roll Race quilt and I didn’t like it! My friends did but I didn’t. I like how yours has the blue squares marching across and seemingly evenly! Good work. I like the ombré effect too! “Just a happy little accident” to quote Bob Ross! LOL! It works!

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  38. I have never made a jelly roll race quilt. This post is the first I've ever heard of it, so now I'm curious. I gathered a bit about what it is from what you've written, but I still don't really know. I will have to look it up.

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  39. I love your tweak to the jelly roll, and I really like the way the red and white each took a side. Cool ombre effect! I've made a few jelly roll quilts; in fact, I have one in my UFO pile. I made it with leftover strips from another project, so it's an odd size. Your quilt looks great draped over the railing of your boat!

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  40. I do love a good jelly roll race. Great quilt.

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  41. you can`t beat a jelly roll race reminds me I have few jelly rolls stashed away somewhere

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  42. Oh I love the ombré effect in your jelly race quilt. I haven’t made one yet, but your showing this extra bit of pop has given me the suggestion of an idea. I think I need to go play with paper and pencil and see if what is in my Covid foggy brain can be worked out! Thank you for sharing and putting another squirrel in my mind! 😉 Carol

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  43. I love how this jelly roll race quilt turned out. It looks like you planned it that way. Very modern looking.

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  44. I have never made a jelly roll race quilt even though I've watched at least a dozen videos on making one. At the moment I'm all out of jelly rolls but I suppose I could cut my own 2.5 inch strips from yardage. That's a thought! Yours is quite nice...I love how it turned out. Paula will be missed in the blogosphere.

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  45. I love how your quilt turned out. It will be a welcome donation. I have never made a jelly roll race quilt, but it is on my bucket list. Thanks!

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  46. I love how you added the sections of red, white and blue squares and also how most of one side is red and the other mostly white. Great job. Thanks for sharing.

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  47. Louise, I love how all of you are honoring Paula by donating quilts. Marvelous! I haven’t made a jelly roll race, but I have watched a tutorial. I think your method is very clever and the ombré effect is perfect. Thanks for always sharing inspiring quilts.

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  48. Lovely colour combination and really like your jelly roll variation. It created a spectacular finished project.

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  49. I have never done a Jelly Roll Race but would like to try one and your method adds to the fun. Such a cute idea and a great way to honor your friend.

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  50. Thanks so much for this vision of the jelly roll race. I have not done one yet. Maybe some day. I did review the info, also on the charity quilts. Thank you for the giveaway!

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  51. What a beautiful quilt in honor of a beautiful lady! I've never made a jelly roll race quilt but have done web research on them & it's something I would like to try some day. I would want a "unique" quilt like yours. My brain does not think outside the box so I have to borrow other people's ideas when it comes to something different. I absolutely LOVE how your quilt finished out. You are such a genius!!! Thanks for the tutorial.

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  52. Serendipity in quilt design is such a fun thing! Love the jelly race quilt, Paula would have enjoyed it. She will be missed, it was always so fun to go see what she had going on in the sewing room.

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  53. That is a very attractive quilt - well done!

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  54. First, I'm so sorry to read about your cat. I loved imagining her wandering around your boat! Second, thank you for the chance to win the jelly roll. It has the best colors! And third ... I love that quilt! That division of the red/white is made perfect by your short strip additions. It looks as if colors are dribbling from one side to the other. This is a *fabulous* happenchance. Thanks for sharing what you did. I have never cared for the JRR quilts, though I've made some for charities, but this one I could do and love it!

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  55. Nancy A: SewingGranda@gmail.comMay 8, 2020 at 1:12 PM

    I have never made one of these quilts, but your quilt encourages me to make one. I like the squares you added. This is a wonderful way to honor Paula.

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  56. Your quilt is wonderful and it looks all the more fun on a boat!! well done and such a worthwhile thing to donate such a beauty:!

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  57. I like the unintended ombre effect....well done! And so sweet that so many did this in Paula's memory.

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  58. I have made a jelly roll race quilt. I made the quilt top in one day. When it was quilted it was one of the very first quilts I experimented with when I got my longarm. I cut Christmas themed fabrics. It turned out adorable and is one of my (almost) 13 year old son's favorite. It is on his bed right now even though it's not even close to Christmas.

    I LOVE how the colors ended up in yours. It is a beautiful tribute to Paula B.

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  59. Wow, your jelly roll quilt came out so cool! I love what you did! Cute kitty and mouse fabrics too! It is a great tribute to Paula B.

    I've never made a JRR quilt. I might some day. Who knows?

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  60. I have never made a Jelly Roll quilt! Seems odd to me too since so many of my guild friends have made at least one ... some have made several! Love that bit of blue tossed in there. Good idea!

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  61. I haven't made a jelly roll race quilt yet. Yours turned out so well, I think I will give it a try.

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  62. I love your variation on a jelly roll race, Louise! Sweet donation. I have made several jelly roll quilts, but not a jelly roll race quilt.

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  63. How fun to have a new twist on the jelly roll race quilt! Thanks for sharing your process, and great end result. I made and donated one a few years ago that used stopper squares. On top of that I decided it also needed a few stars appliquéd on it. It turned out cute.

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  64. That's about the best jelly roll race quilt I've seen! That's awesome that you visualized the outcome - I have real trouble doing that. I must say I had not run across Paula's blog, and it seems I may have missed out. Your post is a great tribute to a quilty friend!

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  65. Such a fun quilt! I love your header photo and the fact that you actually live on a boat. Thank you for the invitation to visit.

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  66. Brilliant, Louise. You were certainly rewarded for venturing outside the usual. Thanks for the tutorial, as well as all the links to the larger quilting community.

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  67. What a great quilt. I love the little touches of blue. And i love the design. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  68. I love how your quilt turned out with red on one side and white on the other. Beautiful quilt.

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  69. What a wonderful way to honor Paula. I love your quilt! Great technique, and I love the ombre look. I have never made a jelly roll race quilt. Can you believe it?? I keep thinking I'll try it. Maybe I will when I win that lovely jelly roll you are offering. (hardee har har)

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  70. I haven't made a jelly roll race quilt yet, but yours makes me want to give it a try. This blog hop has been really inspiring, making me consider whether I'm living the kind of life that will cause people to think, when I die, "The most fitting thing to do is carry on her charity work". I hope so. What a wonderful legacy.

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  71. This is such a happy accident having the ombre effect. I love it. I have never done a jelly roll race, but I do have a jelly roll I could put to use and make one. I'll have to watch a couple tutorials and read your explanation again of how you changed yours up. I am a Red Cross volunteer myself...teaching swimming.

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  72. Hi Louise! I just love your revised version of a jelly roll race! It turned out great! And I too like the way the reds and whites are grouped together but not just in a chunk. It looks great! It was fun reading your process for making it. You are always so creative! You never run out of ideas to try. :)

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  73. Love this Jelly Roll Race variation! I like how the colors distributed, too.

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  74. Beautiful quilt. Thanks for sharing.

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Please feel free to leave a comment and I'll reply as soon as I can.