My design wall on tracks

As I was posting my blog post for August 10/2025-Scrappy strings chevron quilt, I realized that I never did post anything about finishing my design wall/boards.  Way back on October 14/2023, I posted about changing the location of my quilting space from a small back room, to a larger more open centre space.  At that time, I just hung a sheet up over the closet doors as my design wall.  It served the purpose, until I was able to do something about it.  During my Christmas break of 2023, my mom came and helped me finish my design boards.  

These are my completed design boards.  I installed two separate tracks with two separate boards, to give me more design space, using the least amount of "wall" space.  Each board is 5' wide and 8' tall, for a total of 10' wide space if I need it.  They move independently and can both move out of the way for access to the closet behind them.

These tracks are not your usual box store tracks.  They are industrial tracks and can support as much as 500 lbs. each.  Not that I will need quite that much, but with the weight of the frame, plus blocks and pushing and pulling them as needed, I wanted something very sturdy.  Sometimes I feel I have monkeys that come to visit, who like to climb and hang on things.......lol......(ie child proof too!).

The tracks are spaced far enough apart that anything (including pins) on the design board in the back, don't get disturbed.   Each track is 10' wide to allow me to move the boards all the way to the left, to get access to the closet that is behind the design boards.  Or I can move either one to the side so that I can view both boards at the same time.

This picture below was taken back in Dec/2023, prior to covering the panel with batting, flannel and the black fabric trim.  I thought this would help with understanding the construction of the panels, in case anyone is interested in making a design board like this.

The framing is made with 2" x 2" spruce wood/studs, screwed to each other on the ends.  Then there is a thin wood, 3/8" underlayment, which is screwed to this frame to provide more support and sturdiness, without it making the whole panel too heavy.  Once the wood frame was complete, I then inserted the insulation and secured them to the back of the underlayment with large washers and screws (initial glue/adhesive was not working).  

Lastly I installed the coverings.   I lay the batting down first to cover the insulation, gluing the batting to the insulation with spray adhesive and stapled the edges to the front side of the perimeter wood, to lessen the bulk.  Then this was followed by the flannel, pulled taught, which was also stapled to the front side.  The black trim came next.  That was installed upholstery style on the front, to the edge of the wood, and then pulled to the back of the frame and stapled there.  Hope that helps!

Take care everyone.

Started a Basket Case quilt and where I left off on it

I found this pattern online way back when......and left it at that.  I was not ready to make it.  I kept the picture for inspiration and for the details of the maker, to know where to get the pattern.

Recently in March, during my time of mending, just before my second surgery, I did some quilt shop, shopping therapy, and came across this pattern again, so I bought it.  I went home and immediately started a couple of blocks.  

Over the course of a couple of days, I proceeded to make another hand full of blocks.  Nine in total.  Then they were put aside....hence how a UFO is established....lol.  

This is a pattern to use up jelly rolls, however I altered my blocks to fit the size of strips that I had on hand, which are 2" wide instead of 2 1/2".  Blocks turn out a bit smaller, but this way I get to use up strips from my already cut drawers.

The construction of this block is a bit different, so I am unable to use this as a leader/ender, as I get confused at curtain spots and end up taking too much time to sort it out.  That is primarily the reason why it got put aside, until I can make this the primary project.  I had it tucked away so well that I completely forgot about it.  I'll have to get this one back out!

Take care everyone and don't forget to take some time for yourself, you deserve it!

I started a stacking bricks quilt

I wrote a post about the inspiration of this quilt on Tuesday, August 12th and drafted it up to make one in the future, but I didn't think I was going to start one this soon....  Wednesday after work, I started cutting into my scraps that were smaller chunks of fabric.  I had a full bucket and now I only have half.  That cool!  Using up scraps is my goal. 

By the end of day, all the pieces were cut out and I had these rows set up to be sewn together.  The original quilt is sitting in the top right hand corner of the picture waiting for it's binding.

Today, I had the day off, to decompress.  What better way of relaxing than quilting?  I managed to sew all the vertical seams and half of the horizontal seams.  It's going pretty smoothly, with only a couple of mishaps with placement, that were easy enough to fix.

It makes me feel good, that I am almost done this one.  I have so many quilts on the go....  I really didn't need to start another one.  At least this one will be able to be crossed off the list quickly.  I don't usually stall out when I reach this stage of the construction.  

Take care everyone.

My finished version of the Heartfelt quilt

I realized recently, that I left my Heartfelt quilt as a cliffhanger.  I wrote about that on the August 13/2025 blog post called Heartfelt quilt words.  Prior to that, the last posted about this quilt was back on January 22/2024.  I have since completed this quilt.

For a bit of history, this was considered a BOM (Block of the month) quilt.  Our little group of ladies met up every month to sew on this quilt.  We started this back on Oct 7th/2023, then we met together for the first session at my place.  Then each month we met at the designated home to work together on each of our own Heartfelt quilt.

It was really nice getting together, sewing, socializing and watching all the different variations that came out of one pattern.  We even encouraged individuality in making the quilt each our own with sharing different block options and layouts.  I think they all turned out beautiful in each of the different colourways.

Here is my version of the Heartfelt quilt.  I chose to do all of mine in Red, pink and white. The background was using white with red print.  The letters were from Sugaridoo.  

I want to draw your eyes to the large X and O in the quilt that was made to stand out with the darker fabrics.  Purposely done to emphasize the theme of the quilt "Heartfelt" with, Hugs & Kisses (X and O) and there are other references to the same throughout the quilt, with the addition of a set of smaller x and o, plus different sized hearts.  Enlarge the picture and have fun exploring.

It was so fun to do this quilt!!  I loved the comradery that we had as a small group and watching all the blocks shape up.  The goal for me was to make sure I had fabric with enough contrast, as the whole quilt was being made out of only two colours.  I still wanted there to be a distinction between all the blocks.

Here are a few pictures of various sections for a closer view of the different blocks.  In this first one, we have friendship stars, a monkey wrench, flying geese and square-in-a-square blocks.  I wrote about most of these blocks in previous posts dated back from Oct 17/23-Jan 22/24.

In each of my eight-point stars, I decided to add in a four-patch to the centre (as seen below) and in all the sawtooth stars, I added a crazy block to add some interest.  One of the ladies in the group gifted my a paper piece pattern of this 6" crazy pieced heart.  These pictures go to show you that even though this is a two colour quilt, there are many shades of each colour from dark to light, or bright to soft. 

Here is one of my favourite blocks.  A set of four monkey wrench.  All have the same centre, each kiddy corner block has the same background, but otherwise they have everything else different.  So cute!  I love the texture/design of the zigzag fabric in the top left block.

Hope you enjoyed my version of the Heartfelt quilt.  Stay tuned for the reveal of the other versions from our group in future posts.

If you want to make one of your own, the pattern can be purchased from the designer Sandy/herself through ScrappyGalQuiltCo (no affiliation, just giving credit to the designer) at:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1510353224/heartfelt-quilt-pattern  

Have a great day everyone and take care.

Heartfelt quilt words

Today I'll be taking you back in time, to clean up loose ends.  The Heartfelt quilt progress was left on a cliffhanger.  The last post dated Jan 22/2024, was the last discussion there was about the Heartfelt quilt progress.  

Move on forward to Feb 17/2024 when the ladies from our little Heartfelt group were here to sew and you get this cute little heart.  This paper piece scrappy heart pattern was given to each of us in the group.  This cute one belonged to one of them.  I love the cheerfulness.

As for me, this was the time that I was working on my paper piece words for my quilt.  The works pattern come from Sugaridoo (you can buy the whole alphabet in large case and lower case, plus the numbers).   I had these letters done and was working on the small scrappy border along the top.  Not sure if you can tell from the picture, but each of these letters is scrappy red with one small piece of solid pink of various shades.

In this next picture, I added the "I" plus the two rows along side the words to finish off that one side.

I realized that I didn't show anyone the picture of the finished centre.  This next picture is prior to adding the words above.  There is a lot going on in the quilt with all the different blocks, but it is still somehow cohesive.  The light pink blocks surrounding the centre heart blocks help contain everything.

 

Tomorrow I can show you the finished top and some of my favorite blocks.  Until then, take care everyone and enjoy your day.

Inspiration for using up left over jelly rolls or charm packs (QW)

I see more of this quilt in my future.....lol.  I feel the universe is sending me a subtle message for an easy way to use up my scraps, chunks, left over jelly rolls or charms.  Also easy because there are no seams to match anywhere in the quilt.  The rows are offset to create the "brick" layout.  

A couple of days ago I quilted this quilt for Quilt of Valor.  Someone else made this quilt, so I don't have a pattern name for you.  I am just going to refer to it as the stacking bricks pattern.

Here is the same pattern that I came across a few years ago in a quilt shop up North somewhere (universe conspiring...lol).  This one is more coordinated with the maker likely using a full jelly roll to make it.  This one is also larger with an extra section on the side, plus a section added to the bottom.

I am pretty sure that I will be digging through my scraps, to accumulate the fabrics to make this quilt.  I think I have an abundance of fall colours that would work well.  I'll start off with the small scraps, miscellaneous left over charms, and chunks to see what I can use up.  Then if I still need more, I can move on to the fat quarters and so on up the line.

As I don't have the pattern, I will be making it up as I go, starting with 2 1/2" x 5" pieces for the "bricks".   I'll be making the size at the top of this post, as it is perfect for charity, measuring 56" x 66" for the centre and not seen in the picture is the 1 1/2" navy blue border, for a finished size of 59" x 69".

Construction would be as followed, per the diagram.  Though I noticed both the quilt and the quickly drawn up diagram of the layout, are off centre.  When making it, I would start off with a full two bricks of colour, then end with two full bricks of colour and continue the pattern with row two starting with 1/2 a brick and so forth.  I would then make 3 sets of rows 1-9 and 2 sets of rows 10-12.  Note that rows 1-4 are the same as rows 6-9, so you could repeat these 6 times and flip every other section. 

This will make a very nice charity quilt and use up my stash all at the same time.  Can you imagine how many charities we could help if everyone made one?  It would be mind blowing!! 

Take care everyone and enjoy your day.

Sometimes I like the pieces small...

Sometimes I like the pieces small.....really small...  Some people call it insane, but I do like the challenge.  This following quilt is definitely a scrap quilt.  It starts out with HST (half square triangles).  Lots and lots of them.  I think, if memory serves me, Bonnie Hunter says over 5400 pieces....lol.  

The reason I need so many is the fact that these HSTs are only 1 1/2" square, which is 1" finished in the quilt.  Yes, I know.  It is insane.  It's not for the faint of heart and this is not a get it done quick type of quilt.  

I've been using scraps and cut off triangles from bindings, flying geese, snowball corners or anywhere you are left with a triangle.  I even have friends collecting them for me as this size is smaller than most people want to work with.  Me too, normally....lol.  I put them by my machine and use them as my leader/enders.  I do take breaks from them here and there, as I often use the current project I am doing as their own leader/ender.  Once I sew them, I keep on top of ironing them toward the dark, then I store them in a container until I can find some time to square them.

Yesterday, I was quilting two charity quilts for QOV (Quilt of Valor) and while they were quilting, I set up this station right beside my longarm, for trimming the HSTs.  I was surprised when I realized that I was able to trim 170 HSTs while keeping an eye on the quilting progress.  I thought that was amazing!!

   

Here is my little workstation, on a rolling cart.  I secured a piece of wood to the top.  Put my container of HSTs on the upper corner with my small rotating cutting mat on the bottom corner.  I do have to say that I really love my rotating cutting mat and the Loc-bloc ruler.  They make it much easier to trim the HSTs.  When I am done for the day, I just have to roll the cart back up against the wall out of the way.

Below you can see that I am sorting out the HSTs into colour families.  I want to try and distribute the colours throughout the quilt.  As you can see, I have a LOT of blue.  The pile of blues is several layers high. 

I started doing these over a year ago (see post dated Jan 15/2024), however with everything that was going on, I'm really only just now getting back to these and I anticipate working on them for a very long time, but that's ok.  Some things just take time.

Take care everyone.