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2.04.2014

I've Caught the Quilting Bug

To be completely truthful I caught the quilting bug some time ago, but it was laying dormant waiting for it's moment. I started getting an itchy brain rash when I saw Morgan's stash busting quilt. Indigo and white, yesssss. *drooools on self*  So much better than the hand me down quilt on my bed. The color scheme is muddied pinks and pastels.......Heather does not do pastels, Ever.  The thoughts of making my own queen sized indigo/white quilt flitted through my brain and the quilting rash spread a little more.

If might have recovered from the quilting bug if Gillian hadn't announced her plans of making a quilt this year.  She started flashing her fabrics, indigo and white again but with pops of bright color.  OMG I feel feverish all over and I think my tongue is swelling.  I have Quilt-itus!  So what's a girl to do when she comes down with Quilt-itus and has declared a stashbusting/saving pledge?  Well if you're me, then you might remember how past Heather bought supplies for a quilt two years ago.  Oh stash, you're the gift that keeps on giving.

The original infestation of the quilting bug was probably via the Mason Dixon ladies, who brought the book "Modern Log Cabin Quilting" to my attention.  They used the cover quilt "Modern Crosses" as the inspiration to create the Mitered Cross afghan pattern.  I knit two of those and would cast on a 3rd if a pile of Noro happened to rain down from heaven. "Noro rain, Noro rain, ooooo ooooo Noro rain." - to the tune of AquaBat's Burger Rain.
Sorry got sidetracked there... long story short, Past Heather loved that afghan pattern so much that she bought the quilting book too.  She might have also spent many an afternoon buying fat quarters from Etsy, cause that's not like buying "real fabric." Yeah, there's a reason I have a stash to bust.

Caught in quilting fever I finally cracked that book open and started reading.  Strips, centers, chain piercing? Oh thank god a diagram. OK brain, I don't like you and you don't like me but we've go some work to do.    Commence deleting the rest of algebra to make room for some new crafting knowledge. Ooo that tingles!
After getting my mind wrapped around the whole concept, the actual block making was a breeze. It's soothing chain piercing a bunch of tiny squares and turning them into blocks.  The colors pop in the white frames and I LOVE IT! Oh quilting bug, you and I are pals....until someone releases a new pattern. Patterns!

26 comments:

  1. Muhuhahahahahaha! /\ Welcome to the dark side!!!!! I love love love this pattern, and I think it's going to make such a nice quilt! I'm trying to enjoy the piecing process as much as I can, knowing that the actual quilting might not be as fun. So far I'm enjoying have a project that easy to put down or pick up - and no pesky fitting!
    Enjoy! :)

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  2. Hey, you're welcome for that itchy brain rash! Glad I passed it off before a second quilt took ahold of me, although it'll probably be back before long. Your blocks look beautiful - I love those plus signs.

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  3. Pretty! Quilt math hurts my brain, so I think I can relate. This reminds me that I have a queen sized quilt top sewn up and ready to be made into quilty loveliness for my bedroom. :-) Now if only the newborn would let me sew for more than a couple of minutes....

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  4. Mmmn love the pattern and the color against the white! Strip or chain piecing quilts is the only way for me to go! :) If it ever does Noro rain let me know! I'll be right over with my buckets!

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  5. Oh dear, I am not sure we can be friends anymore Heather. I will check back to see if you return to the land of garments soon. ;-)

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  6. Looks great! I have been a quilter for years, and only just recently got into dressmaking. Oh, it's so addictive. The fabrics look great

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  7. LOL! Yes delete that algebra for quilting!! I had that quilting bug a few years ago and made a few. It is such a satifying project and addictive...be careful! ;) Can't wait to see your finished cozy quilt.

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  8. Pfft. I deleted algebra from my brain long ago. Unfortunately, I think half of that deletion inadvertently happened while I was still taking it...


    This quilt is going to be so pretty when it's done! I've never been much of a quilter myself, but my mom is basically super quilter lady. And I did chop up most of my smaller cotton scraps the other day, to give that string quilt thing I put on Twitter a try. Because it's basically a mostly free blanket. And I like free. And blankets.

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  9. What NO?!?! Another one seduced to the dark side! I'm going to quickly click away from this post-- don't tempt me to start a new hobby!!!!!

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  10. This part had me laughing and laughing: "Commence deleting the rest of algebra to make room for some new crafting knowledge. Ooo that tingles!" I think I lost my algebra through the memorizing of random commercials and songs. Ah well.

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  11. I love that book and have made a couple quilt tops, but usually have someone else finish them. I am working on the center squares for an anniversary quilt right now, I love the example in the book.

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  12. This is a great pattern. I have enjoyed seeing all the different blocks on instagram. I've been considering making a quilt recently. I was thinking more along the lines of seasonal quilts to throw on the sofa.

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  13. OMG Gillian, can we get someone else to do the quilting. Right now I'm pretending that that particular step does not exist.

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  14. Hee hee, ahhhh scratching the itch. I'll hold on the bug for a little bit so you can get some clothes made for taking on another quilt.

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  15. Oooooo a quilt top all ready to go! Go to sleep little one and let mommy get an hour or two in at the sewing machine.

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  16. We need to make this Noro rain thing happen. You think Noro could at least air drop a crate of Noro on a parachute?

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  17. Noooo come back Maris. I'll make more pretties I promise. :)

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  18. Thank you Kaitlyn, the quilting certainly has gotten it's hooks into me. :)

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  19. Now I want to see your quilts Margo. :) I've gotten really addicted to knitting afghans so it can totally see how quilts could be similar.

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  20. LOL Becky, I had the deletion during taking it thing with Calculus. My brain was like "Nope, not learning this shit."
    A free blanket sounds like the perfect project and you have a great resource in your Mom.

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  21. Haa haa haa, how about screen printing? That the hobby I'm trying to resist cause I'd have to buy everything.

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  22. :) If I was completely truthful then song lyrics probably overwrote algebra a long time ago.

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  23. The anniversary quilt is really pretty too, it's such a great book. Once I get the quilt top done I might be looking for someone else to finish it too.

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  24. Oh yeah! A nice lap quilt that wouldn't be too much of a pain to do the quilting on the machine. Sounds like a great idea Laura!

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  25. Oh man, it sounds SO FUN! I'd really like to try it, but like you, don't want to buy more stuff and I definitely don't have any room for it.

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  26. :D Sounds like a plan for me! I mean TO me. I guess either way NORO RAIN!!

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