My Quilt #218 ~ Northern Lights Christmas Quilt 2010

One more nickel quilt!  This pattern is Northern Lights, and the quilt measures 47 x 60 inches. 

I made this quilt from a stash of Christmas fabrics that I’ve had for a few years.  I cut up the fabrics into 5-inch squares, found a pattern that I liked, and put it all together into a baggie as a kit. Last year, I pulled out the kit and put the blocks together; but I wasn’t thrilled with the color combo … the background just didn’t seem right … and I put it aside to work on other projects.

Well, 2010 being the year to finish those UFOs, I tackled this project and finally finished it!  But, even when I completed the top, I still wasn’t thrilled with it … it just didn’t sing to me.  I struggled with the borders, and then finally decided, the heck with it, I’ll just make it borderless. 

But now that it’s finished?  It sings loud and proud! I quilted it with an allover heart and loopy design (a nice change over meandering); and the backing is an angel fabric that my BFF found at a garage sale and gave to me for my kids’ quilts. 

I’m donating this quilt to Project Linus; and I think the angels are perfect … and so is this cute fabric with the puppy in a stocking.

---

Why so many nickel quilts?  A few years back, I decided I needed to tame my fabric stash and had this “brilliant” idea to make kits.  I went through my extensive stash and collection of quilting books and magazines, and started putting fabrics and patterns together.  I then placed these projects into baggies. 

During this time, I also cut up much of my yardage into smaller cuts.  If I had a yard, I cut it into a 1/2 yard and 2 FQs.  If I had 2 yards, I would keep one yard intact.  Sometimes I would cut a 1/2 yard into 5-inch squares, which means I ended up with tons of nickel squares.  And I’m still working my way through these kits!

July 2010

UPDATE:  Sold on eBay in 2011.

My Quilt #217 ~ Pinwheel Sampler Quilt 2010

I joined the pinwheel sampler quilt-along hosted by Rachel of p.s. i quilt in February, but then put it on the backburner.  Recently, I got motivated to finish it up when I saw the finished quilts that others had made.  I quilted it using an overall heart and loopy design; and it measures 56 x 68 inches.

This was my third blogging quilt-along, and they’re just so much fun.  I would have never tried a pinwheel sampler on my own.  I really love how this turned out!

July 2010

UPDATE:  Sold on Etsy in February 2011

My Quilt #216 ~ Flip & Sew Table Runner 2010

 

I purchased the  kit for this table runner a few years ago, and I finally got around to finishing it up.  It went together fairly quickly as it is a “quilt-as-you-go” project. 

But, as easy as it was, I still had a problem and almost didn’t finish it.  The middle square is supposed to be centered, and as you can see from the picture below it is not!  After sewing on all the “log cabins” (strips), I realized the strips on one side were too short.  I was too lazy frustrated to repair the damage so I just trimmed the edges as-is, thinking this would be another loser project.

 

However, once I finished binding it and putting it on the table, I realized it wasn’t too bad after all.  Besides, you all wouldn’t have known there was a major mistake if I hadn’t told you … right?

June 2010

My Quilt #215 ~ Dutchman’s Puzzle Nickel Quilt Top 2010

Another nickel quilt from Pat Speth’s book!  The pattern is Dutchman’s Puzzle, and it measures 55 x 69 inches.  Again, I used old scraps that I just wanted to get rid of use up.  I didn’t even enjoy the process of sewing the blocks and thought for sure the top would be a real loser.  But look at it now … it just all came together once I added the two borders.  The outer border is a red paisley that I am loving.  I’m thinking this may be one of my favorites once I finish quilting it!

June 2010

UPDATE:  Sold on Etsy in December 2010.