Gypsy Quilter's tuto

This little quilt is the result of a tutorial on Gypsy Quilter's blog.  She provided directions in two parts for this quilt.  My layout is different than her layout.  I was being creative and working outside my box!  Actually, a couple of friends helped me with the layout. 

I had trouble with the bias edges as I did not spray starch the pieces enough.  I have learned my lesson with that.  Bias edges often give me grief.  I know there are many quilt patterns popular currently using the tube method.  You sew two fabric strips together on both long sides.  Then you use a ruler and cut the strips on the diagonal.  When you open up your pieces, they make half square triangle squares.  The problem I find with that process is that all your outside edges of the HST units are on the bias.  Not for me I fear.

The floral fabric in this quilts is busy.  I was thinking outside my box and decided I would use it for this project.  I think the floral has too many white flowers in the design.  Maybe a dark inner border would have calmed down the floral business?  I learn something from almost every project I sew.  I am not sure exactly what I learned from this exercise except that I chose fabrics that did not do what I had envisioned.

There are many beautiful quilts that I have seen using these big, splashy florals.  If I am going to use my big, splashy florals successfully, it will require more design knowledge than I possess at this time.  But I will keep trying.  Who knows, maybe I will eventually hit the jack pot!

Happy Quilting

Layer Cake Quilt

Isn't this a darling quilt?  The pattern is from the Missouri Star Quilt Company.  I saw this on a video and decided it would be perfect for a layer cake package I had purchased.  I am addicted to their videos.  This pattern was called The Tea Bag Quilt on the video, but the sewist referred to it as the Tea Cup Quilt.  I also found this pattern in the Fall issue of Quilting Quickly, a new magazine from the Missouri Star Quilt Company where this quilt was labeled One Lump or Two.
 
This quilt was made to be a sample for a class I taught at our guild's Camp Stitches event in September of this year. I think it is absolutely darling, so colorful and bright.  I purchased this layer cake package a couple of years ago I think.  I also bought a charm square package too.  I cut the charm squares in half and used them for the border.  These bright colors make me smile and feel so happy.  Before the class, I sewed together this pattern in Halloween fabrics which is very cute, too.

Since this is Veteran's Day, I would like to honor all veterans, past and present, who have served, and are presently serving, in the military.  If not for them, we would not have the freedom we have now in our United States.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.