Saturday, April 23, 2016

Four Patches that became Nine Patches that became a Quilt


As you might remember, I tend to make a lot of four patches as leader/enders while I'm doing other sewing. And then, too, sometimes I just want to sew something! 

Quite a while back, I had bought some charm packs that I never got around to using. Over time, my hands have developed a real dislike for unwashed fabric, so I washed - very carefully - all the fabrics in the charm packs. They still decided to shrink. I then
trimmed them to 4 1/2 inch squares. 

Coincidentally that is the exact measurement of  the four patches made with 2 1/2 inch blocks, and I thought I would try using those units to make nine patches. So I did.
And this is what it became!  That border fabric was waiting patiently in the stash, and it seems perfect to me. The whole thing went together really fast, and that's a good thing because the lady to whom it is going has a birthday on Monday. When her husband asked me to make a quilt for her, I told him I wasn't at all sure it would be ready in time, but I'm so glad it is! I hope she likes it.
The backing is this pink camouflage type print. I'm smiling when I look at it. I don't know what she will think of it, but her husband is a Vietnam veteran. She's a retired schoolteacher. Somehow it seemed to me that they had both been through the wars!


Here it is in all its freshly washed and dried crinkly sweetness, always my favorite shot of a new quilt.
There has also been some of this going on around here - wedges of batik and Kaffe Fassett fabrics being sewn into circles. I am loving seeing these come together. 

As you may have heard, we had some pretty intense weather in this area the first part of the week. There was a lot of flooding and damage in so many places here in the Houston area, along with many others. I am happy and thankful to report that we had no damage here at Muddle Manor. Lots of rain, but no flooding, thank God! He is so good to us always and we are so thankful. 

I do hope you've taken the time to notice His goodness to you, too!

Hugs and kisses,

12 comments:

Lynn said...

Wonderful way to join patches together! I think that backing is great. And yes, goodness in many unexpected places. Thanks for showing us.

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

I was worried about you with the reports of so much rain. I'm glad you are OK. Things will be green there for awhile.

Susie Swanson said...

My goodness gracious alive, how beautiful is that. It's amazing how much one can do with nine patches and you take the cake with your awesome talent. I've been worried about you also with that heavy rain. Hugs, xo

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

well done to salvage those shrunken fabrics in that charm pack. Gorgeous quilt ... I'm sure she'll love it!

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Elaine, I thought about you and said a prayer though all of the rains you have been having! So glad that you are okay. I love quilts made from small pieces. That is how my grandmother and aunt made quilts. They never bought fabric, but used worn out clothing and left over remnants from the relatives who made their children's clothing. Your quilt is lovely!

Sewing Junkie said...

My kind of sewing. It is a riot of color and something hopefully she loves and uses for a long time. Glad the weather didn't harm anything around you. Keep on sewing. Chris

Thimbleanna said...

Haha -- you're too funny -- teaching these days must surely be like going into battle LOL! Another wonderful quilt Elaine -- I love how you alternated the placement in the nine-patches of the four-patch blocks -- it makes such a pretty overall pattern!

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

I'm really thankful you had no damage from the storms. Your quilts are awesome! I love the beautiful colors and the pattern. Keep sewing!

Cranberry Morning said...

I'm glad too that you weren't affected by that horribly devastating flooding. BTW, if the lady doesn't like the quilt, you can send it to me. LOL. It's beautiful. My sewing machine is never out unless I'm doing a specific project. I think that's why i never got into quilting. It's not that we don't have enough room for two people to rattle around in, but the rooms already have specific assignments. :-). Yes, i know it's just a lousy excuse. And i certainly admire others who do quilt!

Cranberry Morning said...

I'm glad too that you weren't affected by that horribly devastating flooding. BTW, if the lady doesn't like the quilt, you can send it to me. LOL. It's beautiful. My sewing machine is never out unless I'm doing a specific project. I think that's why i never got into quilting. It's not that we don't have enough room for two people to rattle around in, but the rooms already have specific assignments. :-). Yes, i know it's just a lousy excuse. And i certainly admire others who do quilt!

Karen S said...

Lovely result. Great way to use the charm packs to make the blocks. I think that is quite a fun fabric you have used for the backing.
I am so pleased the weather didn't cause you any problems. We had seen reports of it on our news, too.

Margaret Stickland said...

Thinking of you, so spent some time looking through your blogs as usual it was a lovely peaceful time .