Blue on Blue; Scrappy Quilts

I've been in the mood to sew something blue, and when I found this quilt in American Patchwork and Quilting, I had to pick up the rotary cutter and start cutting. The quilt is called "Baby Blues" and is supposed to be a baby quilt. The completed quilt will measure 42 x 50.

I'm also trying to use up some of my older indigos and shirting fabrics. The block in this quilt is called a shared nine patch. I had never seen it before! The indigo and shirting strips are cut at 1.5 inches. I made a total of 42 blocks, set 6 across and 7 down. The medium blue setting fabric is a new purchase, as I didn't have a big enough piece in that color. The blocks finish at 5 inches.

When I received this issue of Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting just before Christmas, I knew that the scrappy quilt on page 38 ("Liz's Irish Chain") would use up more of my older Jo Morton fabrics. This quilt also uses a 5" block as it's basic unit--more 1.5 inch strips to cut!


So here's what's on my design wall tonight:

I have made a total of 80 of the pieced blocks (each with (25) 1 inch squares). Note that the dark blue indigo fabrics are the middle square on each of the four sides of the 25-patch block. This is going to be a heavy quilt with all those seams! But yes, I am using up some fabrics! I made 23 of the connecting chain blocks today. They go up much faster than the 25-patch block. I need 31 more pieced blocks and 87 more of the connecting blocks.

One of my LQSs had a fat quarter sale this weekend--buy 10 at $3.00 each, get 10 free. That means $6.00 a yard, so that's a good deal! I was able to find four more dark indigo Jo Morton fat quarters, so that made me happy. I also bought some Easter egg colored fabrics...I'm in the mood to make a spring table topper next.

Oh, the pattern for Liz's Irish Chain is on page 38 of the January / February 2013 Love of Quilting issue. And as an aside, when we lived in Missouri, our guild had Liz come and teach a class and she was delightful. It's so meaningful to have that personal connection with a national teacher. I always learn something new whenever I take a class.

It was 63 degrees this past week here in Richmond Virginia. And this afternoon we had snow flurries! Some of it actually stuck to the ground. It will be gone tomorrow when it warms up a little.

Till next time, keep stitchin'!
Mary