Leftovers, Pieces & Parts -

I have the hardest time getting rid of (or setting aside) any leftover units from a completed project -

Remember the finishing of my Lahinch quilt in May? (Yes, that one - it's being released as a PDF pattern in the fall, so be watching for it.)

I kind of went a bit overboard with the half-square triangle count and ended up with quite a pile left over.

My first thought was to just baggie them up and save them for a "rainy day" but there were also 3 block quarters extra...

Couldn't I just use the leftover pieces and parts to make one more block quarter and turn it into a pillow or something?

Of course, this was all happening when I should have been packing for Iceland, but you know how that goes...squirrels take over and sewing jumps in.

After the block quarters were set together, there were STILL more leftover units - so I started playing with border ideas to keep the design going, to use up as much of the units as I could without having to make any more.

I love playing with half-square triangles!

They really are the most versatile unit in geometric design as a whole - not just in quilting -After all, this whole Lahinch quilt was designed from a photo of a tile floor.

By this time things were definitely going to be too big for a pillow, so why not keep going further?

There are some definite gems in the stash that have been with me since the beginning of my quilting journey, starting in the early 1980s. (Yes, I joke with my sons about my stash having value because it is from the 1900s!)

This little rust print has been saved, and passed over time and time again, and I finally found a use for some of it.  It's a Jinny Beyer from the early days.

I used the Jinny Beyer as the narrow inner border, and then framed the whole thing with another brown/green print that has been sitting.

It was either too brown, or had too much green or was just too busy for any other project.

You know what we say? Sometimes things have to age a while before they finally find the right place to go.

It's now a cute little table topper size and will likely find its place on the round foyer table at Quiltville Inn during the fall.

And the backing for this one?

It feels like I've been at this for years - using up stuff on the back that just needs to go.

There is nothing wrong with hitting the stash for your backings, even if they are pieced.

In the case of this one - it's an old VIP print with no selvedge date.  Toasty cream with a print of brown wandering vines and orange flowers.
I think it has found a great place to land here.
At 63 - I honestly don't think I can sew myself out of my stash, but I'm sure having a ball trying!
I know that others may look at my fabric choices and think "Ewww...that's so outdated."
But who is it that decides what's outdated anyway?  Who gets to determine what is "in" or "out."
These quilts are likely to outlast me anyway - and ALL fabrics will reach outdated at one point or another, regardless of how new they were when we made the quilt.  Think about it.  Really think about it.
If its pretty, and does the job I want it to do, with every piece of fabric I've acquired over the past 40+ years of quilting comes the right and the privilege, and the possibility of using these fabrics at any time I want, in any way I want,
Today I hope to get this loaded into the long arm for some simple (and quick) machine quilting, and it will be next up in the binding queue.
I've started on side 4 of binding Open Window. So, one side, the hanging sleeve and label to go and that one will be in the done column.
Have you shown any love to your older, deeper stash recently?
And here's a bit of an Iceland memory to share with you!

It's hard to believe I've only been home a week - it already feels like it was so long ago.

While in Iceland we made a visit to the Fridheimar Greenhouse where we indulged in a hearty lunch of homemade tomato soup and delicious artisan breads freshly prepared with produce grown right on the premises.

Such an amazing experience to see how tomatoes are grown year-round in a climate controlled location!

My newest Fireweed PDF pattern is currently 25% off in the Quiltville Store - no coupon needed. It's an automatic discount good through 6/30/25.

Scrappy nine patches are surrounded by triangles in red and purple inspired by the Fireweed flowers of an Alaskan Summer. Use your favorite fabrics  - off the bolt or recycled from shirts. Piecing options, full color photos and graphics and many tips for easy piecing pleasure included.

Quilt Size: 76’’ X 90’’

Did you enter the gift away On That Post?

I'll be drawing for two winners who will each receive a Fireweed PDF pattern from me and a Facets of Red fabric roll from  Cotton to Quilts.

Yes, they have many more cotton rolls available - be sure to check out their adorable neutral rolls!

We will draw for our two winners this coming Saturday, 6/28/25.

Today - Connie and the Mississippi Stitchers will be arriving this afternoon, and it looks like our rain will begin just as they are arriving around 4pm.  Oh Joy!

Everyone was forewarned to bring umbrellas and something to cover their wagons as they roll their belongings from cars to the back porch.

It's been so hot here - hotter than normal, and the rain will bring a cooling break.  

I have nothing against the rain - it's all about timing!

This morning there are beds to be made and towel baskets to fold and fill and last minue details to make everything ready.

What's up for your Wednesday?

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

It's been a week. And it's only Wednesday! ⁣

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Self care is needed. ⁣

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What's your flavor of choice?