Woodland Wonderland Quilt Flimsy

Posted on March 3, 2023 by nwquiltedcat

A few years ago, I signed up for a whimsical woodland quilt block-of-the-month program with Fig Tree & Co. I kept up with the blocks for about the first 4 months or so, and then you know what happened! Time got away from me, and I stored the remaining blocks for a “someday” project.

One of my goals for this year is to catch up on some of my quilts that are partially completed. I still plan to work on new projects, but I do want to devote some time to these WIPs. I pulled out the Woodland Wonderland project recently, and just started sewing on it every evening after work and on the weekends.

When I pulled out the remaining blocks, the project did look overwhelming initially. I decided to pull out one block at a time and really took the time to enjoy sewing each block. I started with this cute little owl block:

Owl block from the Woodland Wonderland quilt

The eyes are woo felt that I appliqued after constructing the block.

The background fabric is a black chambray from Moda.

I started to feel my enthusiasm for this project coming back, and I quickly moved on to other blocks:

Gnome block and mushroom block from the Woodland Wonderland quilt

I cleared a space on my sewing room floor to place the blocks that I had completed so far, when my quilt inspector, Romeo, jumped up onto to his special chair to supervise the job:

Romeo inspects my progress on the Woodland Wonderland quilt

He could see that I still had many blocks to complete so he went back to sleep. In the meantime, I kept sewing in my free time and enlisted another one of my quilt inspectors, Pepper. She isn’t as skilled as a cat quilt inspector, but she did her best inspecting this block:

Pepper tries to be a quilt block inspector. Romeo needs to give her more training!

In January, our teen had a band retreat down at the coast. I thought that would be the perfect opportunity to get some photos of my completed quilt flimsy. It was pretty chilly and windy, which made getting good photos a bit tricky. My husband and I stayed at a cute little motel, and he held up the finished quilt top while I took a few photos in between wind gusts.

Woodland Wonderland quilt flimsy at the Oregon coast

The motel had these fun red railings that I thought accented the quilt rather nicely. It used to be a U.S. Coast Guard lookout station in the 1940s. The most recent owners have remodeled it with a vintage vibe, including turntables in each room. You can check out LPs from the front office.

Here’s a close-up look at the quilt flimsy:

Close-up of the Woodland Wonderland quilt flimsy

I did tweak a few things in my quilt from the original Woodland Wonderland pattern. I omitted the column of flying geese from the side next to the trees and stars. I liked the look of the quilt better without the geese. I also added little blocks above the big mushroom blocks next to the gnome. I used those some blocks, slightly larger, and added them to the ends of the long vine blocks for balance.

I really enjoyed making this quilt. It’s all traditionally pieced with only a couple of appliqued features on the owl and hedgehog. The printed fabrics are all from the original block-of-the-month, and I think they are all Fig Tree fabrics. The background is black chambray from Moda, which really sets off all the green, red, and cream fabrics wonderfully!

Next up, how to quilt it? The quilt flimsy is going into my to-be-quilted pile. I want to finish up some piecing projects before tackling this pile.

Happy quilting!

~Jen

Sea Glass Quilt Finished

Posted on April 6, 2021 by nwquiltedcat

Hi everyone,

I took my completed Sea Glass quilt to the ocean for a few pictures several weekends ago. It was beautiful weather, although the wind made it pretty tricky to get good pictures. We rented a yurt for camping and had a great time! We were so glad to be in a yurt instead of our tent because it did get below freezing at night. Brrr!

I did free-motion quilting using Glide thread in Cool Mint. I used large, open swirls that reminded me of the beach. For the backing, I used Luxe Cuddle in Seal Aqua Sea. My HQ Avante handled the cuddle backing perfectly!

Free-Motion Quilting on My Sea Glass Quilt

For binding, I opted to use a fabric that wasn’t part of the BOM. I had some Zuma High Tides in Aquamarine by Tula Pink in my stash that complements the blues and turquoises in the quilt. I think it really accents and frames the quilt very nicely. Those little anchors are too cute!

I did machine stitch the binding to both the front and the back because it is pretty difficult to hand sew through the cuddle fabric. I knew that this quilt was going on a bed so I also liked the extra durability of machine stitching.

Here’s a look at the completed quilt with the Pacific Ocean in the background:

We found some interesting cliffs a little farther down the coast so I asked my hubby and son climb up on a log to hold the quilt for a picture. It really helps having a teen who is now taller than me!

I have a full size futon bed in my guest room so this quilt will make a nice covering. The luxe cuddle backing is so soft and feels so good against your skin. I’m sure my guest (aka my sister) will love sleeping under this quilt during a future visit.

This Sea Glass quilt finish is the result of a year long block-of-the-month program through Fig Tree & Co. Although the BOM program is over, you may be able to purchase a pattern on their website.

I really enjoyed making a quilt with this soothing color palette, and I’m really glad to have another WIP completed!

Happy quilting!

~Jen

Sea Glass BOM – We Have a Quilt Top!

Posted on February 4, 2021 by nwquiltedcat

Hi everyone,

If you’ve been following me during the past year, you know that I’ve been working on a BOM by Fig Tree called Sea Glass. This BOM uses a soothing palette of sea glass: greens, blues, and creams.

In January, we received our final BOM packet to not only complete the blocks for month 12, but we also received the final setting instructions for the quilt. So exciting!

When I sew blocks together to form a quilt top, I like to arrange them all first and then take a picture so that I can remember the order in case things get messed up. Sometimes I put the blocks away into a WIP pile, and sometimes my little inspector likes to do a little rearranging!

The quilt inspector happily rearranges blocks!

I then sew my blocks together into rows, one at a time. I press each row carefully and remove stray threads. I like to use Clover Patchwork Glass Head pins because they are heat resistant and glide through the fabric easily.

I also use a fine mist spray bottle with plain water and a hot iron for pressing. I do not use water in my iron to avoid potential issues like rust stains. Plus, I do foundation paper piecing often and steam is a big no-no because it shrinks the paper.

The Sea Glass quilt has, what I call, “feature” blocks and “spacer” blocks. The spacer blocks form a beautiful Irish chain with subtle variations between a light green color and a light aqua color. The feature blocks are all different, usually 2 per month during the BOM. They use deeper hues of blues, aquas, and greens, like beautiful sea glass found on the beach.

Here’s a look at the quilt with all the rows sewn together, but before I added any borders:

The final quilt layout contains 3 borders. The first border consists of cream-colored squares that were leftover pieces from the feature blocks. The second border uses the sawtooth flying geese units that we sewed at various stages during the BOM. The third and final border uses long pieces of the cream colored background. The quilt is roughly 72″ x 72″ before quilting.

It’s been so rainy here lately that it’s been very difficult to get a good picture of the completed quilt flimsy (top), but we finally got a bit of afternoon sunshine yesterday.

In this first picture, my husband is holding the quilt with his arms as wide as he could go!

In this second picture, I’m standing on a little ladder while my teen took the picture. The quilt is dancing in the breeze, and we can’t catch a moment of still air. Oh, the problems of taking quilt pics “in the wild!” I do like how the afternoon sun shines through the quilt, illuminating the sea glass colors.

I haven’t yet decided on quilting. I plan to use this quilt on the bed in my guest bedroom so I’m leaning towards free-hand edge-to-edge quilting rather than custom quilting.

I also plan to back it using minky fabric, possibly this Cuddle in Turquoise. It will so soft and comforting!

With a little luck, I’ll have time to quilt it this weekend.

Happy quilting!

~Jen

Sea Glass BOM, Month 10

Posted on November 20, 2020 by nwquiltedcat

Hi everyone,

I’m playing a bit of catch-up on my Sea Glass block-of-the-month project. I finished the block for month 10 several weeks ago, but haven’t had a chance to blog about it. If you are new to my blog, this BOM is by Fig Tree & Co, and sign-ups were last year. I don’t know if this BOM will run again in the future or if the pattern will be available to everyone at the end.

I continue to really enjoy working with this soothing color palette each month, and I’m a bit sad that we only have 2 months to go! I’m not sure if month 12 will contain finishing instructions only or if that month will also include blocks.

For month 10, our block is called Water Lily. This block stitched together very quickly!

We’re getting very close to the end of the program, and I just received my fabrics and pattern for month 11. I will stitch those blocks up this weekend as well as catch up on my flying geese for the sawtooth border.

Happy sewing!

Jen

Sea Glass BOM, Months 8 and 9

Posted on October 14, 2020 by nwquiltedcat

Hi everyone,

I’ve caught up with my Sea Glass block of the month program by Fig Tree & Co!

In September, we got the fabric pack and pattern for month 8, which instructed us to make 24 setting blocks instead of the regular 2 focus blocks that we usually make. At first, I thought that 24 blocks would take a long time, but the setting blocks come together very quickly with chain piecing.

We only used solid fabrics in these blocks, alternating the colors in small squares between a light aqua and a light green.

For this month’s block, we returned to the standard format of 2 focus blocks. The block this month did not come with a name, as they usually do, so I’m sure that we just a small oversight. I really love the block this month, and how the blue color really pops!

We have 3 more months to go left on this wonderful BOM. I have all the blocks up on my design wall in my sewing room, and I just love the soothing color palette. I can’t wait to see how it will all come together in the final month!

Take care and happy quilting!

Jen

Sea Glass BOM, Month 7

Posted on August 21, 2020 by nwquiltedcat

Happy Friday, everyone!

We made it through another week, although they are starting to blur together. The warm August days are beautiful, and I do enjoy getting a little outside each day during breaks and lunch as I work from home. My little backyard vegetable garden is thriving, and we’ve enjoyed several salads from the bounty. School is starting soon for my teen, but it will so very different being online rather than in person.

I finished my month 7 blocks for the Sea Glass BOM, designed by Fig Tree. I’m really enjoying the soothing color palette of these blocks each month.

This block is called Sea Star.

Sea Star block, month 7 in the Sea Glass BOM

My blocks in the BOM are growing! I just need to go back to last month and complete the flying geese (likely for border units).

Sea Glass BOM, months 1 through 7

Pretty, pretty sea glass! These blocks just seem to sparkle.

Have a great weekend and happy quilting,

Jen

Sea Glass BOM by Fig Tree, Block 5

Posted on June 9, 2020 by nwquiltedcat

Hi everyone,

We’ve been having an unusually rainy start to June here in the Pacific Northwest. I’m definitely looking forward to some sunshine soon!

Over the weekend, I worked on my Sea Glass BOM by Fig Tree & Co. The block this month features a cross shape in the middle, to acknowledge this strange year dealing with COVID-19. The participants in the BOM will always remember that we worked on this quilt during a pandemic.

The block is called “Ocean Cross,” and we could choose from 2 different layout options. I decided to make one block using each layout. Due to the rain, I had to take these pictures indoors so the blocks do appear a bit brighter in person.

Sea Glass BOM, block 5, Ocean Cross

Here are all of my blocks together. So pretty!

Sea Glass BOM, blocks from months 1 to 5

We have also been working on large flying geese for the BOM, which will likely form a border. Each month, we cut out extra pieces for the geese and sew a few together when instructed.

I really love this color palette!

Happy quilting,

~Jen

Finished Catalina Stars Quilt

Posted on June 4, 2020 by nwquiltedcat

Hi everyone,

I’m happy to share my completed Catalina Stars quilt with you. In my last post, I talked about receiving this project in my first Little Box of Figs subscription, and I showed my quilt flimsy.

I decided to keep the quilting simple on this project. I free-motion quilted a flower and swirly pattern using Glide thread in white.

Finished quilting the Catalina Stars quilt

I auditioned several choices for binding, but I kept coming back to a red striped fabric. I wanted to accent the reds in the quilt, and this binding helped to pull it all together. Yes, I do wind up my completed binding strips onto an Aurifil thread spool. I add the binding spool to my extra spool holder on my machine, and it slowly unwinds as I stitch.

Because I’m going to use this quilt as a lap quilt and a picnic quilt, I decided to complete my entire binding by machine. This not only saves time, but it holds up better with repeated machine washings.

Here is my finished Catalina Stars quilt next to a rose hedge in my yard. My trusty quilt inspector, Cow, came over right away to give it a thorough test. We had lunch together on the quilt in the sunshine!

Quilt inspector on Catalina Stars

Completed Catalina Stars quilt

I really love how quick and easy this quilt is to make! You can purchase a copy of this pattern from the Fat Quarter Shop. I’m thinking about making another version of it to give to a friend who is expecting a baby boy this summer.

Happy quilting!

~Jen

Little Box of Figs, Catalina Stars Quilt Project

Posted on June 1, 2020 by nwquiltedcat

Happy Monday, everyone!

Last fall, I subscribed for the first time to a quarterly fabric subscription box called “Little Box of Figs” created by Fig Tree & Co. The subscriptions open up each fall, and they are limited so if you don’t sign up quickly, then it fills up. I first noticed this subscription on Instagram when some quilters had posted pictures of a cute fall pumpkin mini quilt, and I thought I’d try it out!

I received my first quarterly box a few weeks ago, appropriately themed for one season ahead so participants have time to finish the project.

Here’s what my box looked like:

Little Box of Figs, Spring 2020

Little Box of Figs, Spring 2020, with Catalina Star pattern and fabric

We received a very cute tote bag, a mini cutting mat, notepad, folding scissors, supplies to make a key fob, plus the fabric and pattern for a quilt called Catalina Stars. The fabric and charm packs were packaged in the adorable green box.

The quilt is a nice lap size, approximately 44.5 inches by 52.5 inches. I decided to get started on it right away so that I could use it for a picnic quilt this summer. The pattern goes together very quickly, with the 10 star blocks taking the most time. I pieced the entire quilt using Aurifil 50 weight thread.

Here’s a look at my completed star blocks with dog running around in the background:

Star blocks

The fabric line, Catalina, is light, cheery, and summery! The remaining blocks are comprised of 2 squares and 1 rectangle so you can chain piece them together.

I took my quilt flimsy with us out on a recent family hike, along a section of the Pacific Crest Trail. We did run into snow about an hour into our hike, but we were able to pick out the trail here and there until we made it to a stunning view of Three Fingered Jack. We had a picnic lunch here, and my hubby took a picture of me holding the quilt top. It was quite windy!!

Catalina Stars quilt flimsy along the Pacific Crest Trail, with Three Fingered Jack in the background

I love both hiking and quilting so I try to take pics of quilts “in the wild” whenever I can! In total, we hiked about 5-6 miles that day, but the snow made it a little slow going. However, the scenery and fresh air was just incredible, and we had the trail mostly to ourselves.

In my next post, I’ll show you how I quilted and bound my Catalina Stars quilt.

Happy quilting!

~Jen

Sea Glass BOM by Fig Tree, Block 4

Posted on April 28, 2020 by nwquiltedcat

Hi everyone,

I had a chance in the past few days to catch up on my Sea Glass BOM by Fig Tree & Co. This is a year long block-of-the-month that started in January.

I worked on the flying geese border units that we were supposed to make with the month 3 blocks, but I didn’t have time in March. We made 27 flying geese units, and we could mix and match the colors in whatever order we wanted.

The block for April is called “Ocean Coral,” and I really love the darker blue aqua print! I believe that print is from the Breeze line of fabrics by Zen Chic. I may have to get some more of this fabric for my stash!

Here’s a look at my 2 blocks this month plus the flying geese from last month:

Sea Glass BOM, Block 4 “Ocean Coral” and flying geese

I always like to take pictures of my blocks outside whenever possible because the lighting brings out the richness of the fabrics. I had the opportunity this morning where the weather was calm.

Ocean Coral blocks

The softness of this color palette is really appealing to me right now during our COVID-19 crisis. As I sew together more blocks, I can see the sea glass emerging! I need to find some real pieces of sea glass the next time I can go to the beach.