This week I have an update for 4 different projects. How is that for multi-tasking? Let me tell you, it is kind of over whelming for me… but at the same time it is fun and gratifying to see progress (even small progress) on each project.
1. Cocoa Leaf Drum Lamp Inspired Queen Sized Quilt
Things have progressed along quite nicely since the last time I shared information about the Cocoa Leaf quilt design. The background color was selected (Kona Cream) and it was agreed that the background color will also be used for the quilt backing. I was able to visit with my customers in their bedroom and talk about how they would like the quilt to drape on their bed. With my handy tailor’s tape measure, I was able to determine the finished size for the quilt. Assuming a 9% shrinkage (we agreed it would be better for the quilt to be larger than smaller of their mark), I will be making the top 100 inches wide by 120 inches long. I have re-sized the border leaves and placed them to provide the most visual interest when the quilt is draped over the side of the bed. The medallion is now positioned in the correct location so that it will be centered on the bed just below the pillow tuck or fold. I plan to make the fabric order for this quilt in the next week.
Cocoa Leaf Quilt – Final Design
2. Pretty Secretive Queen Sized Quilt
I have put in just over 8 hours of piecing for this project. The first series of blocks came together quickly: I was able to make twenty-one 15.5 inch square blocks in 4.5 hours. I only need to use nineteen of those in the final design, so I will be able to audition the blocks when I make the final layout to see what will work best. I need to make nineteen more 15.5 inch square blocks and one large 30.5 inch square block, and I expect these last twenty blocks to take an hour (or more) to piece each. If you are curious, I have been sharing some “sneak peak” views of the piecing in my Instagram account.
3. Tessellated Leaves Queen Sized Quilt
The fabric for Tessellated Leaves arrived yesterday! I will probably start cutting into the fabric next week. The most important part of the package is the box, however. It provided some great entertainment for my cat for a few minutes. 🙂
Tessellated Leaves – Fabric Order
4. Fall Placemats
I started working on a set of 6 Fall Placemats on Monday. I have made 144 Half Square Triangles (HSTs) and assembled the tops. Today I will be quilting, and I hope that Thursday I will bind them so that I will have them complete for TGIFF! I love how the fabrics my friend selected are working together. I will be using more of the dark green/maroon batik for the backing and binding, which I think is really going to frame these out nicely.
Fall Placemats – Pieced Tops
Coloring to De-Stress
In closing, I want to point out a very interesting article about coloring that was shared with me by a friend who works as an art therapist. Her formal research and personal practice agrees that coloring is good for the mind and a great tool for stress relief. Which made me think about quilt design and color selection for quilts and all kinds of associated topics surrounding quilting. I think a much larger theme could emerge on the connections between quilting / crafting and this topic, but I will save that for another day. I hope you find the article as interesting as I did. Now I think I will to go find my big box of crayons…
Linking up to WiP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced and Let’s Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts.
Holy wow, Yvonne, you have a LOT going on here!! 🙂 First, your design for the Coca Leaf quilt is awesome! Can’t wait to see it come together! The fabric for your tessellated leaves quilt is yummy (how adorable is your cat in that box??). The place mats look fabulous! I love how that background fabric makes the rest of the block look like it is floating! You have such a great eye for color!
I am always amazed at your productivity!! 🙂
Love your design Yvonne! Can’t wait to see it come together. And the placemats look great!
You are doing so well with your tasks. I should take your pace as inspiration 🙂
Wow, that is quite a WIP list! The cocoa leaves quilt design is amazing!! That is going to be such a gorgeous quilt!
Those placemats look great, and I’m itching to see more pictures of all the others. Just going to have a read of that article now.
That cocoa leaves quilt is a BIG project and it looks so cool! I also love the placemats. I never would have chosen the tan print fabric but it really makes the placemats. Fabric always amazes me – it seems to take on a life of its own once it’s cut and sewn. You’ve been so busy and so productive. Good job!!
Love, love, esp the cocoa leaves!! woot woot!
So funny that you linked to that article–my mom is an art therapist and shared it on FB a day or two ago! That cocoa leaf quilt is going to be huge! Whew makes me tired just thinking about quilting one that size.
Sounds like you have quite a lot happening in the sewing room right now. How fun to be designing a custom order! This is going to be amazing…. And HUGE! Looking forward to seeing your progress on that big baby!
Those placemats are fantastic, very fall appropriate!!
Wow! You have made such awesome progress. Loved seeing your friend in the box, but especially the placemats.
The cocoa leaf is going to be knock out of the park amazing. I can’t wait to see it in progress. Now, can you send me some of that multitasking skill!
I will have to dig out my colouring books and use them for their intended purpose and not as a source of kids’ quilt designs!
You are right about the cocoa leaf quilt – better to err on the side of a bit too big than too small. I think that will be lovely and look forward to seeing the end result.