Sunday, December 22, 2019

Fat Quarter Challenge


One of the charities that I support, Quilts Beyond Borders, has a fun challenge. It is sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop, who have been generous with prizes. In a nutshell, the challenge is to make a quilt using at least one fat quarter, and send it in to the challenge coordinator. That's it! Easy peasy.


I submitted my quilt at the end of November, while we were still in the Metal Shark boatyard. Taking photos in that filthy environment was a bit of a challenge! The pattern is an old one called Five Yard. It doesn't really use full yards so it was easy to modify to the size needed. 


I made my piece using some fun Australian-inspired fabrics. There are kangaroos and Aboriginal art motifs. These were pre-cut 6.5" squares that I had in the stash. 


I pulled more fabrics in purple, turquoise and royal blue to complement the Aussie themed ones. The actual "challenge" fat quarter is this bold zigzag, which I think is from the Kaffe Fasset collective. 


Of course, the quilt needs to meet QBB's size and labeling requirements, which can be found here. I pieced together the backing with some more aquas and blues, added the sewn-in label, and quilted an easy stipple. 


Isn't this royal blue stained glass fabric neat? I had enough for a bit on the back after I made the binding with it. 


This piece of the backing is metallic stars to represent the Southern Cross constellation and that's the name of this quilt. True story: I visited a friend in Australia for a few weeks in 1985. We stayed at a goat farm in the outback, far from the city lights. One night, I stepped outside my room and was completely overwhelmed by the unfamiliar night sky. So many stars! All in the "wrong" places! It was like being on an alien planet. Suddenly a kookaburra cried out its weird laugh right next to me and scared the bejabbers out of me. I scrambled back into my room and ducked under the covers!

If you have a FQ lying around (Ha ha! Who doesn't?) consider making a quilt and donating it to the Fat Quarter Challenge for Quilts Beyond Borders. Once your quilt is received, it is eligible each month for a $25 gift certificate AND the end of year $100 prize. How many contests put your name back into the hat month after month? It's a win-win!

14 comments:

  1. Lordy I have soooooo many fat quarters!!! Thanks for the info...I'm off to check it out. Yours came out great!

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  2. Hi Louise, great quilt. Thanks for the reminder about the 5 yard pattern. Currently working on one from my stash. In awe of your organizational skills for 2020 too!

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  3. Such a pretty quilt, Louise! It will be well received! I am just getting my sewing station set up down here in Tx after almost a month of not sewing while traveling. Your quilt inspires me to get to work! Hope you have a very merry Christmas!

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  4. Fun quilt, Louise! Great job! Funny story! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

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  5. The Australian fabric is very interesting. I hav some of that blue stained glass fabric, too. It's been used in lots of scrappy kids quilts. When will you set sail (so to speak) again? Merry Christmas
    Pat

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  6. So many stars - that's the way I felt when visiting the Boundary Waters Wilderness for the first time. However, there were only the calming call of the loons, no kookaburra! I think I'd have scrambled back in bed too! Great finish on the quilt, Louise. I have plenty of fat quarters, but won't be able to do this one over the holidays.

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  7. That is a fun looking quilt pattern. Super special that they put your name back into the drawing! Merry Christmas.

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  8. Pretty quilt! I love the Aussie fabrics. Thanks for the links to info on QBB's requirements and the FQ shop challenge.

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  9. I hadn't heard of this challenge, and kudos for FQS. They do a ton of good works don't they. I love your quilt, andI laughed out loud at your Aussie experience tale! :-)

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  10. Thanks for the resource. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas.

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  11. That sounds like a fun challenge and you used a great design for it, Louise! I definitely could join in with that! Thanks for sharing the links for all the info. Have a wonderful Christmas!

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  12. Thats an awesome quilt Louise and a fun challenge with prizes yet. Will have to check it out.

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  13. This quilt is going on the 2020 Goals list! What a great way to use some fun large print fabrics.

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  14. This is absolutely gorgeous. I fondly remember all of the beautiful quilts in my grandmother's cedar chest. How I wish that I had one of them now.

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