Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Still stitching...

While my scrappy hearts and nine patches are marinating on the design wall -


I pulled out a project I started last year after participating in the Hand-Pieced QAL.  I started stitching these 6.5 inch blue and white blocks last May.


I decided to combine every four of those blocks into a 12.5 inch block that forms a star, and now there are 5 of those!


Meanwhile, I began doing some Gail Pan embroidery, and enjoyed the very first design of hers that I did in variegated blue floss so much that I kept going with those, and now there are four of them!


So then, what to do with these various blue and white projects?  How about this?

I trimmed the embroidered pieces so they are the same size as the center stars in the blue and white hand-pieced blocks, 8.5 inches.

That does mean the embroidered blocks will need a sashing/border to bring them up to 12.5 inches, so I'm thinking about bordering them with the same design as the outside edges of the blue and white blocks - squares and HSTs.

I'll be working on the HST borders for the embroidery blocks as my slow-stitching today, and probably all week!

This whole project started as a way to use up some larger pieces of the dark blue and the blue and white floral that were leftover from other quilts.  And here's what's left now - 

Hopefully, just enough!


A big thank you to my friend, Karen, of Karen Quilts, etc, for giving me the idea to put these two sets of blocks together!  I think the whole thing will make a pretty wall-hanging.  

Sharing at Quilting is more fun than Housework for Oh Scrap! and 
Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching.







29 comments:

Libby in TN said...

I agree with Karen! It's going to be lovely.l

Carol R. said...

I agree, too. Combining the two was a great idea and it's definitely going to make a beautiful wall hanging.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

That is coming together nicely, it is going to be a stunning finish.

Julie in GA said...

Great idea to use the embroidered squares as the center of alternate blocks! I would probably add a narrow sashing of the light fabric (if you have enough) to float the HST points. This is going to be beautiful!

Gretchen Weaver said...

What's not to love, blues and the embroidery, going to be a wonderful quilt. Happy stitching!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

the border around the embroidery blocks is such a good idea this is going to look really good.

Vicki in MN said...

You have a good plan going Diann. That is going to make a fabulous wall hanging.

The Joyful Quilter said...

Sounds (and looks!) like a GREAT way to combine those two projects. That Karen is SEW smart!!

Jayne said...

I love when a plan comes together! It's going to be so cool with all those blues...cool as in amazing not cold!!

Bernie Kringel said...

What a great idea to combine the blocks, make stars and then incorporate the hand stitched pieces. Yikes, this will be wonderful Diane.

Laura said...

I love where you are going with your blue and white project! Great thinking! :)

Deb A said...

I agree with Karen - what a great combination! Did you hear there will be another hand piecing quilt along in March? New techniques are planned...guess I should finish last years!

Karrin Hurd said...

What a great combination, and project. Love it!

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

How very clever of you! I had forgotten about these projects. It is nice that they go so well together. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!

Sarah said...

Very clever! Putting the four small blocks together makes a really great block and genius adding your embroideries. This is going to make a lovely quilt!

MissPat said...

What a great way to put two small projects together for a beautiful piece. Will you hand quilt it as well?
Pat

Louise said...

Super idea! I love combinations of blocks like this. And you can never go wrong with pure blue and white :)

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

Wow that is lovely. The blue fabric with the flowers is pretty. What a great way to combine and make something awesome.

gayle said...

Beautiful idea for a beautiful quilt! I love how you're showcasing your embroideries - very clever!

grammajudyb said...

It’s going to be a beautiful little wall hanging! Embroidered blocks are great paired with patchwork. The borders on the stitched blocks will be awesome!

piecefulwendy said...

Well, how cute is that? Karen had a great idea, this will be a really pretty quilt. By the way, thanks for the tip on the show - we've been watching and enjoying them.

Kim said...

The blue and white blocks teamed with your embroideries is inspired. They are going to look fabulous. Love your hearts and nine patches. They do 'maketh' a lovely wall.

Michele McLaughlin said...

What a great idea! I think it is going to look lovely, particularly with the similar borders! I just love seeing the great ideas you come up with!!!

Kat Scribner said...

Oh, Diann, these projects are looking VERY INTERESTING !

Linda said...

What a great idea Diann! You are inspiring me on one of my current projects that needs a bit of pizazz. I love the blues!

Denise :) said...

Oh!!! I love the blue and white blocks with your bluework embroidery blocks! It's fabulous!! :)

Marti said...

I love your hand-pieced blocks with the embroidered ones. Perfect companions.

Cathy said...

That’s a brilliant solution - combining two blue projects. It’s like they were made for each other! I can’t wait to see the finished top!

Susie H said...

Perfect! I really love it! Excellent suggestion and perfect execution!!!