The Work in Progress Project: Chapter Six: Shaping Up!

Here I am with another update and another proud finish for The Work in Progress Project!

I'm really happy to say that I have finished my second version of the Shape-O Quilt ! It turned out really well and I'm really proud of it. Personally, I think this is one of the best quilts I have made, as I pushed myself a bit and tried something different for the quilting. Plus I had a clear plan of my fabric choices before I started, which I think paid dividends in the finished quilt.

Shape-O Toy Quilt Complete!

For this version, I used a collection of fabric called Bounce by Allison Harris for Windham Fabrics for the top and binding. I love this collection of fabric and I think it suited this quilt so well. Plus that Aqua Bouncing Balls border (which I made slightly wider than the original pattern), just makes the whole thing 'pop'.

I dug into my stash and found some funky purple and green stripey fabric for the backing and used 100% cotton batting from Spotlight. It was quilted using plain white Gutermann Thread, using a square to start and working my way out in lines following the square shape - sort of like a square spiral.

I didn't want the quilting to be perfect, so I didn't use any rulers and the spacing between each line is a bit uneven, but that was actually the way I planned it - and I LOVE it!

I think this quilt would make an awesome play-mat or gift for a new baby and because I'm so proud of it and can't bear to part with it, I'm planning to stash it away for my next niece or nephew (whenever that happens).

I'm slowly finishing the WIP's I have going on. I think I will try to concentrate on my Grandmother's Garden Lap Quilt next - but don't hold your breath, as you know, I'm easily distracted!

Happy piecing!

RJ

The Work in Progress Project - Chapter Five: It's the progress that counts!

I haven't finished anything this week, but it is called The Work in Progress Project -  and I have made progress.

I have started to quilt my Shape-O Quilt. One of the things I realised was I was nervous about quilting it, mostly because I didn't have a clear plan. This is a really cute baby quilt pattern and I didn;t want to ruin it with my very average quilting skills!

I ended up deciding to make a small square on a slight angle and just work my way out from there so it will be a continuous square - well kind of anyway. I haven't used rulers or a walking foot. so my spacing is going to be slightly uneven and in some places it bows a bit - but I'm really liking how it is looking so far and think I will use this method of quilting again. I can't wait to show you once it's finished!

I have made another flower block for my Grandmother's Garden Lap Quilt and I have printed out the templates for my next two - yep that's right I'm making three of these Daffodil blocks - Remember how I said I had a plan for my Orphan Iris Block?

I discovered that I also had an extra Bird of Paradise block already made, which got me thinking I could combine them and make a cushion which could not match completely with my quilt, but I think it will still look nice and tie in well.

That's it for now - still making progress!

Make sure you let me know how your own WIPs are going - you can also use #theworkinprogressproject on Instagram to let me know how you are doing!

Happy Piecing!
RJ

The Work in Progress Project Chapter Four: It's had its Ups and Downs....

It's time for an update.

I have a new quilt pattern being released on July 12th in Make Modern Magazine! It's called Riding the River Rapids and it's my first pattern that is not a Foundation Paper Pieced Pattern. It is great for using a jelly roll of fabric. I used a jelly roll of Blueberry Park Fabric by Karen Lewis and I really love the fun prints in it. I actually made two versions of this quilt - the rainbow-colored version that is being featured in the magazine:

and a floral version which sat on the spare bed for literally MONTHS pieced, quilted and only awaiting binding. This week I finally finished it!

I remember now why it took me so long to get to it - because sewing the binding took me ages (I binge-watched the entire second season of Good Girls on Netflix while hand sewing the back). But I am very pleased to have it finished and now I can take it off my list.

Make sure you check out my Instagram to see some more photos of this quilt - or if you want to buy a copy of the pattern it's currently only available in Issue 29 of Make Modern Magazine which comes out on the 12 of July 2019. Click here to buy a copy or subscribe to Make Modern Magazine.

So to recap: I had ten projects to finish when I started #theworkinprogessproject and here is how the list is looking currently:

1. FPP Quilt Swap  - Finished!
2. Finish binding on River Rapids Quilt - Done!
3. Quilt and Bind Shape-O Quilt - Still need to get to this
4. Concrete Mixer Quilt - Finished!
5. Grandmother's Garden Lap Quilt - 4 blocks to go.
6. Tommy Turtle Quilt - Haven't gotten any further on this
7. Farm Animal Quilt - Um. I got half my sheep done. I still have several animals and a barn to go.
8. Up in the Air Quilt - Don't even want to think about it just yet...
9. Orphan Iris Block - I actually have a plan for this now - I found another spare Bird of Paradise Block and think I will make a matching cushion for my Grandmothers Garden Lap Quilt.
10. Rag Quilt - Done!
11. Rainbow Lorikeet Pattern (Wait Where did this one come from? Keep reading...)

That's 4/11 so far. How's your progress?

However, I also need to admit to being naughty and cheating on my mission. Last week I was bad and I just couldn't resist making one of the Rainbow Lorikeet Patterns which was last month's free pattern for the month for my email subscribers. 

It's a 6" block and I think I will make it into a Mug Rug (or Coaster) and I think it will be a Birthday Present for someone I know. I used the scraps of the end of my jelly roll to make the Lorikeet.

What I am finding really hard with the Work in Progress Project is that I'm constantly thinking about all of the other quilts I want to make and so I'm constantly tempted to start another - even though I already have my hands full! 

Also, I'm super jealous of everyone who is doing the #100blocks100days2019 Quilt Along with Gnome Angel on Instagram at the moment - I see all of the fantastic blocks being created and I start itching to make them myself. I'm doing my best to use that as motivation to finish some stuff and hopefully, I will be able to join in next year!

Happy Piecing,

RJ