A Modern Cat Finish for the New Year!

Posted on January 5, 2014 by nwquiltedcat

Hello everyone!

While much of the country is getting hammered with winter storms, we woke up to a clear and sunny skies with temperatures reaching 48 degrees this afternoon. We took the opportunity to take a family walk in the sunshine, and I brought my first quilt finish of the year along with my camera.

After the past several weeks, I finished piecing the cat blocks from the catevent hosted by Elizabeth of Oh Fransson! I modified the end quilt slightly by adding a calico cat print border and a small outer gray border.

This cat quilt is made from scraps and pieces from my stash. Each cat block is from numerous different fabric scraps. The gray background is Painter’s Canvas by Michael Miller in gray (#CJ-4816) and the calico cat print border is Happy Hills Calico Cat by Michael Miller in white (DY-784). I used Kona cotton in slate for the binding. It is entirely pieced with Aurifil thread.

For quilting, I used some shiny Sulky thread in a silvery/gray blended mix to give a nice sheen to the quilt top. I did straight-line stitching using my Bernina.

The quilting took almost 8 hours, and I couldn’t have done it without the help from my Machingers gloves!

Straight line quilting

Here’s a look at the quilt flimsy with one of my cat inspectors:

Romeo Inspects the Cat Quilt

Here’s a look at another cat inspector sitting on the quilt sandwich. Only part of the quilting is completed here!

Tiger Likes the Cat Quilt!

And, finally, here are some shots of the finished quilt in the Oregon sunshine:

Catevent Completed Quilt

Me, holding the completed cat quilt!

My 8-year-old with the completed cat quilt!

My thanks to Elizabeth for designing these happy little cat blocks and for generously posting the instructions on her blog. I had so much fun making this project!

Wishing you much health, happiness, and quiltiness in the new year!
~Jennifer

A Quilty Holiday House and Cat Quilt-Along #3

Posted on December 22, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

Happy weekend everyone!

As everyone finishes up their last bit of holiday sewing, I thought you might enjoy this needlework and quilt store from my little Christmas village:

A Holiday Needlework and Quilt Shop

I’ve been keeping up with Elizabeth’s Catevent quilt-along featured on her blog, Oh Fransson!

This week I made the following cat blocks:

Cat Quilt-Along, Week 3

On the top row, from left to right are: Max, Amelia, Boogie, Victor, and Monica. The bottom cat is Violet. I haven’t made today’s cat block number 22, Maslow. I will make that block today! Then, we’ll be down to just 3 cat blocks left before joining them together.

For the first time, both of my indoor cat quilt inspectors decided to get a closer look at these intriguing cat blocks. Usually, they’ll inspect edges of blocks or perhaps even walk across the blocks, but this time, the inspectors decided to just hang out on the blocks for a while!

Quilt Inspector Duo

My sister is also following along with this quilt-along. She doesn’t have a blog, but did send me a phone picture of her blocks so far.

Scrappy Cat Quilt-Along

I love the scrappy look of her cat blocks! I’m thinking of making some themed variations of this quilt using Halloween fabrics, Christmas fabrics, and patriotic fabrics.

Enjoy!
~Jennifer

Cat Quilt-Along

Posted on December 7, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

Hi everyone,

I started working on the one-block-a-day cat quilt-along project by Elizabeth of Oh Fransson! She has created a cute sampler quilt that is the perfect scrap buster. The completed project will be 30-inches by 35-inches and features 25 different patchwork cat blocks.

I finished up the first week’s batch of blocks today. Each block comes together very quickly. It takes me longer to choose the scraps and fabrics from my stash!

You do need a yard of fabric for the background. I had a piece of Painter’s Canvas by Michael Miller in gray (#CJ-4816) in my stash that I’m using. I love the subtle texture to the fabric.

Here’s a look at the first 7 cat blocks:

Cat Quilt-Along, Week 1

Elizabeth has also named the cats so I’d love to somehow work the names into the finished project. I’m not sure how yet!

In the photo, the cats in the top row from left to right are: Ferdinand, Bernadette, Sunny, Mia, and Ralphio. In the second row, from left to right are: Chowder and Krista.

Of course, I tried to ask my quilt inspector what he thought of this project. I think he loves it!

Tiger Likes the Cat Blocks!

I’m really enjoying this project since the blocks are so quick to make, and I can wedge them in between my other projects! My goal is to work on them as I can throughout the work week, and then play catch up on the weekend. I will keep my blog updated with photos of my cat quilt-along blocks.

If you’re participating in the cat quilt-along, I’d love to see your blocks!

Meowy quilting!
~Jennifer

Modern Trees QAL Table Runner Finish

Posted on November 25, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

Happy Monday everyone!

This weekend, I decided to finish up my Modern Tree QAL project from Christa Quilts!

Instead of making a quilt or a wall-hanging, I opted to make a small table runner and sewed together 5 improv tree blocks with sashing. I used the Snowman Gatherings fabric line by Primitive Gatherings along with some light blue and dark blue fabrics that I had in my stash. The dark blue worked really well in the sashing, but I didn’t have enough to do the binding!!! I had to use another dark blue that is close, but is not an exact match.

For the quilting, I did different types of free-motion quilting on my Bernina from pebbles to little spirals to little rainbow shapes. I echo quilted around each tree and stitched in presents under each tree! Next, I decided to add some handwork using a metallic silver thread and stitched little snowflakes in the blue border as well as an echo quilt on the inside of each tree.

The hand stitching took quite a while so I happily snuggled up with my little guy and we watched a movie together while I stitched. After the stitching was completed, I added some hot fix crystals in clear, light blue, and dark blue for extra sparkle!

Modern Trees Table Runner

Modern Trees Close-Up

This table runner was a perfect project to continue practicing free motion quilting. Unfortunately, my Bernina model is not built to accept the stitch regulator so it makes the FMQ a little more challenging. But, I can see improvements with each project as I become more confident!

I do have more of this cute fabric on hand and plan to make some coordinating snowman placements that I can use throughout the winter.

Enjoy!
~Jennifer

Toes in the Sand BOM, Month 6

Posted on November 5, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

Hi everyone,

I’ve just completed my Toes in the Sand blocks for month 6 in this program! The block is called Santa Cruz and has great movement in the block interior with all these little triangles.

Toes in the Sand, Month 6

Yes, I do have the fabrics ready-to-go for month 7 so I should be caught up with this BOM in the next week or so. I’m participating in this BOM via the Fat Quarter Shop, but you can pick up the pattern, Hex N’ More ruler, and fabrics at your local quilt shop. Or visit the designer, Julie, on her website, Jaybird Quilts.

Happy quilting!
~Jennifer

Modern Trees QAL Top Finished and Beach Pic

Posted on October 13, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

Happy Sunday everyone!

This weekend, I worked on completing my table runner top for the Modern Trees QAL, hosted by Christa at Christa Quilts!

Rather than making a quilt sized project, I decided to make 5 improv tree blocks so I could have a cute little wintery table runner. I added a dark blue inner border which really complements the trees well. The next step will be to add the backing and do basting. Since my project is so small, I’ll probably do the machine quilting at the same time so stay tuned!

Here’s a look at the Modern Tree QAL table runner top:

Modern Tree QAL Table Runner

Yesterday, I took a drive with my hubby and son to the Oregon Coast to pick up several more Sew Oregon quilt shop hop stamps on my passport. The weather was surprising nice – no wind and about 60 degrees! We took a picnic blanket and ate lunch on the beach near Haystack Rock. The tide was still out far enough that many families and children were exploring the exposed tidepools.

Here’s a pic of the “Needles” rock formations just to the left of Haystack Rock (not pictured).

Cannon Beach, Oregon

Hope you had a great weekend!
~Jennifer

Toes in the Sand BOM, Month 5

Posted on October 9, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

Yes, I am behind once again on this BOM by Jaybird Quilts! I have the material all set and ready-to-go for month 6, but will blog about month 5 first. You can read about my earlier blocks here. I’m participating in this BOM via the Fat Quarter Shop.

For month 5, this BOM called for making 2 of the Torrey Pines blocks. These blocks were fun to make as some of the center triangles were made from strip sets to create extra movement in the block.

Here’s a look at my Torrey Pines blocks:

Toes in the Sand, Torrey Pines block

I will get to the month 6 blocks soon!

Do you know about the Sew & Show blog? The blog hostess, Madame Samm, has a large variety of quilty related blog hops throughout the year.

The last one called “Let’s Twist to the 60s with Batiks” just wrapped up and the next one is a Halloween themed hop called “Wicked.” Go check out her site and see if you want to participate in a hop on your blog or just admire all the wonderful quilty creations from everyone else!

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Happy quilting!
~Jennifer

Modern Trees Quilt Along

Posted on October 4, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

I have a new-to-me dining room table that is just begging for a table runner. Since the holidays are coming up, I thought a Christmas themed one would be perfect, and I should have enough time to complete one before early December.

Then, I saw that Christa is hosting a Modern Tree Quilt Along (QAL) on her blog, Christa Quilts! She has instructions for a 30″ x 40″ finished quilt, but I decided to pare it down into a 5 block table runner.

I looked through my stash and found a Snowman Gatherings by Moda charm pack. You can find it online at the Fat Quarter Shop. This is such an adorable line of fabric that I decided to use it to make my improv trees. I found a nice solid light blue in my stash to use as a background.

Here’s a look at my 5 improv tree blocks:

Improv Modern Tree Blocks

I think this fabric combination will make a nice wintery table runner that I can display all season long. Next week, we’ll assemble the blocks as the second step in this QAL. There is still time to join this QAL and you can size the project to fit your space! You can make improv trees out of small scraps like I did or make solid trees from a 7-inch strip of fabric.

Happy quilting,
~Jennifer

Toes in the Sand BOM, Block Two

Posted on May 31, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

I’m working on the Toes in the Sand BOM by Jaybird Quilts as one of my year-long projects. Check out my earlier post here.

I love the blues/greens/aquas in the fabrics selected for the BOM as they do have a beachy feel to them. The fabric is PB&J by BasicGrey for Moda. Check out your local quilt store for both the Toes in the Sand pattern book and the fabric.

For month two, we made 2 of the Santa Barbara blocks. These blocks came together quickly and easily!

Here’s a look at my blocks:

Toes in the Sand, Block Two

The weather here in Oregon has finally turned sunny so I’m going out to enjoy it for a while!

Happy quilting!
~Jennifer~

Wonky Bird Blocks

Posted on May 4, 2013 by nwquiltedcat

I posted earlier about participating in a block swap hosted by my sister’s guild. I made an applique test block originally, but I was just not very happy with it.

The block exchange has three basic requirements: there must be a bird on the block, the block must use primary colors, and it must be 12.5 by 12.5 inches.

I decided to change my block from applique to a free piecing technique inspired by Sarah on her blog, house of krom. In this technique, you don’t follow a specific pattern. Instead, you start with a block idea and just “wing” it!

The result is that each block with have its own unique characteristics. In my case, each bird block has slightly different shaped birds. The beak on one may be shorter than the beak on another bird. Or perhaps the bird legs will be taller or wider than the other birds. This is a fun technique that is a great scrap buster and will encourage you to experiment!

Here’s a closeup of one bird. I added 2 buttons for the eye (which can be easily removed before quilting).