Friday, October 14, 2011

One for Me, One for Basics, One for the Radio

It seems to take me a year to get around to quilting a top.  As someone else said, maybe they need to "mature" for a time before completion.


I just finished quilting this.  It's called "Crazy Scraps," and is 84" square.  I made the top last summer, shortly after I started blogging.  Victoria suggested we make "15 minute" blocks by adding scraps to a five-sided piece.  I decided I'd do this on a large scale and make a modern crazy quilt.




Each block is 12" square.  After choosing--and sometimes fussy cutting--the five-sided piece, I sewed on scraps that I grabbed randomly from my huge, all inclusive bin.









The back is an old Sears bed coverlet that I found at Goodwill for $5.  It was 90" x 108", plenty large for this project.  When a friend said it was "hideous," little did she know that was a compliment to me!




Here's Malti with the quilt I'm sending to Basic Housing, Inc. in New York.  I hope it will bring warmth and comfort to a needy family.






It's got a 1970's theme and lots of thrift store fabrics.


This is the first time I've used the extra backing fabric for the binding.  Just trim it, bring it to the front, fold and stitch--super easy.  I think they did this in years past to save fabric.

I love this backing fabric!



Bye bye!







On Monday I'll be talking to Pat Sloan on the radio!  Well, on the phone really.  But you can listen by clicking on the button here.  The broadcast will be live at 4:00 Eastern or 1:00 Pacific U.S. time.

25 comments:

Marit said...

You are showing to beautiful and colorful quilts here! The modern crazy quilt blocks looks like lots of fun to make!

antique quilter said...

I am going to have to go to good will for some fabric backings ! I love that first one, very fun!
nice of you to donate a quilt to Basics as well. great quilt pattern for a donation quilt !
Kathie

Theodora quilts said...

Hi there long time to stop by,I really love the crazy scrappy quilt I also started one and I am now finishing ,I love your vibrant colors that you used ,and the one going to victoria is awsome and I backing is so special , I wish you a nice weekend full of quilty fun.theodora

p.s. how do you quilt your quilt? by machine and straight lines or freemotion ?

Julie Fukuda said...

This week's theemed contest at Quilting Gallery is Scrappy. Not many entries that come close to either of these. Nice finishes to lovely quilts.

Sujata Shah said...

LeeAnn, You find the best of the fabrics from the thrift stores. I love both of these finishes. The basics quilt is sure to cheer someone up!
Congratulations on the up coming radio show. I will be listening!

Tonya Ricucci said...

love love love both these quilts. I so love how you choose fabric (even when you pick stuff that I never would, yet want to learn how to do). Very generous of you to donate this lovely quilt to Basics!

Vesuviusmama said...

They are both wonderful! And I, too, take a year (or two, or three) before quilting many of my tops. I may co-opt your "maturing process" explanation for myself.

Unknown said...

Love the hideous back... LOL!! How fun! I am sure it will be loved too! Congrats on talking to Pat!

Bridget said...

You get the awesome thrift store shopper award! Love both quilts, but the first one sings to me.

Many thanks for an entertaining post. Ahhh, the possibilities you have opened for me!

fiberchick said...

These quilts are both gorgeous and I love that "hideous" backing!!!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Both of these quilts are gorgeous - so bright and colorful. Just my style.

Mary Keasler said...

Gorgeous! You have such a wonderful eye for color and design. Your talent for taking hideous and ugly duckling and turning it into the beautiful swan.
CONGRATS on your radio interview. Looking forward with great excitement.

Quilter Kathy said...

I love both of these quilts! I'm excited to hear you on the radio...I will try to download the podcast.

sallgood said...

I LOVE your scrappy goodness! And someone will love your quilt and the love it represents.

meli B said...

Your 'hideous' backing is fabulous. I also love the close quilting you did on the crazy log cabin. Good choice. It brings all those mad blocks together.

regan said...

Your friend is a twit....it's not hideous....it's gorgeous! As are all the quilts! Well done!

Elizabeth said...

I love the bright scraps in your quilt blocks! Thanks for sharing. Your quilt photos inspire me to pull out more of my scraps.

smazoochie said...

Hey Super Star!
The quilts are beautiful & congrats for being on Pat's show! I'll have to listen to the podcast later. (If you know the show number, would you tell me it, please?)

Janet said...

I love both quilts and I'm sure someone will appreciate the donation. I'd like to try the old way of bringing the backing to the front one of these days.

Helen said...

Great quilts and such pretty backs, too! Will be tuning into your broadcast today...

Anonymous said...

Thanks for including the dimensions of your blocks and quilts. Aren't thrift stores the best?

Mary

Anonymous said...

cheery and colorful. You do have a knack for taking odd vintage prints and making something so beautiful. I really like these. Maribelle

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing these wonderful pics of your LOVELY colourful quilts - really really beautiful. Love the experiments with the heavier weight fabrics aswell in the next post. Love it!!!!

Andrea, the little collector said...

Love the quilt you are sending to Basics! Hope I have the chance to see it in person. :)

Maureen T. said...

Love the fronts and backs of your quilts!! I don't have fabric anywhere that cool in my stash!!
Thanks so much for sharing. You are such an inspiration to me!