Tuesday, March 18, 2014

My Quilt Bucket

The past few weeks have been a bit crazy, between being out of town and dealing with some dental issues (which are never a good thing), so instead of sewing, I've been enjoying all the Quilty Bucket Lists being shared over at the Tilted Quilt and thinking about my current wish list quilts and the techniques I want to try.  The list is long and ever changing, but here are a few of the highlights...

1. A Sampler Quilt
This is a bit outside my comfort zone; I like working on coordinated quilts.  For my first attempt I have chosen 20 different star blocks, but I'm only going to use 4 fabrics.  Baby steps!  I can't go from coordinated to super scrappy sampler in one fell swoop!  I was able to pick 3 colors from my stash but ended up having to purchase 3 yards of white for the background.  (Apparently my stash isn't set up well to actually use.)

2. Paper piecing
I'm planning to tackle this as part of my sampler quilt.  Somewhere around 4-5 of my stars are paper pieced patterns.  Hopefully I get the hang of it quickly!

Additionally, I want to make something with this circle of geese block.  It didn't fit into my sampler, but I'm considering how it might look as the center of a medallion.... Or maybe it will just be a pillow.  Who knows how ambitious I will be.
Tutorial by Christina Lane

By April Rosenthal for the Moda Bake Shop
3. Positively Perfect Nap Quilt (for me!)
A simple pattern, which surprised me because I tend to choose the path of most resistance, but I like the positive vibes.  Now I just need to pick some fabric.  There's too much pretty fabric to choose from!

By Turid Bakken of Norway
4. Holiday decorations.  I'd like to start with a tree skirt and a "hang the ornament on the tree" advent calendar.  I have also started gathering fabric to make a table runner for each season. So there's no lack of inspiration here!

5. Learn how to applique.

6. Make a piece using fussy cut fabrics.  I love the way fussy cutting highlights a fabric, but I still need to psych myself up a bit for making a scrappy quilt.

And last but certainly not least is a quilt for my husband.  The poor man has had to watch all my quilts walk out the door.  Someday it will happen.  That's a promise!

Linking up with A Tilted Quilt and Let's Bee Social.

12 comments:

  1. Once you get a couple of paper pieced blocks under your belt it will just become second nature. :) Love the sampler color palette. :)

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  2. I know everyone always talks about the 'cobbler's children', but I think the 'quilter's husband' is right on up there! Great list, Rachel!

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  3. I need to make a serious bucket list. I have a journal with more quilts than I could ever make, so I need to be realistic and make a real bucket list. You have a very good list there. My poor hubby doesn't have a quilt either. :(
    xo jan@ sewandsowfarm

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  4. I like the combo and look of your sampler quilt. I'm having trouble using many fabrics and colors as well :-)

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  5. I also have trouble "uncoordinating" my quilt projects - and I just haven't been able to let go yet. I even started a sampler and abandoned it after one block. Extra Karma Points to you for branching out and trying something new! I think it will be beautiful when it is done.

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  6. I have been tempted to make a bucket list myself lately. A sampler quilt would be on my list, too! Thanks for sharing all the wonderful projects you'd like to make.

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  7. I love it--"The path of most resistance."

    I want to learn to appliqué as well. I have taken a needle turn appliqué class from a local teacher. I felt like I learned a lot and it helped de-mystify the whole process. However, I'm still very reluctant to do an actual appliqué project.

    Love your list.

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  8. The circle of geese block looks lovely.
    leena

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  9. I want to make so many of the blocks from your planned sampler quilt! I'm doing red and tan for mine. I started with a lot fewer fabrics than my finished version is going to end up with. Once you get started, you may get adventurous with more than 4 fabrics!

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  10. The snowflake block in your sampler quilt is quite challenging, just so you know. Some lovely blocks there!

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  11. Great list! At first I was intimidated by paper piecing, but once you get started, you will absolutely love the results. Thanks for linking up and playing along with us this month!

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  12. great list and your sampler looks great. Now, I don't think a sampler quilt has to be scrappy at all. The sampler bit refers to the blocks, if I made one, I'd make the fabrics co-ordinate too or there'd be too much going on. I do encourage you to learn to applique, it's great fun and opens so many doors!

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