Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Little Penguin Quilts Through the Year

Friday, July 12, 2024

Zipper-de-doo-da!

I haven't shown my zipper block collection since May when I made a few new pink blocks for it.   At that time, I decided I would make four more blocks for a total of 42, and call it good!


And I finally got around to doing just that this week!  A light blue for June, an aqua block for July, and a red and a gray to round it all out.


Then it was time to lay these blocks out and get sewing them together for the quilt top.  With these being all color, and no background fabric, the layout isn't the easiest thing to figure out, but I mostly tried to balance lights vs darks and solids vs prints.


***Every time I work on these blocks, I second guess myself about how busy they are all together.  But I spent some time looking at Klein Meisje Quilts, the quilter who came up with the original design, and that's what hers looks like, too (you can see her quilt at the link).  So, I'm sticking with it, and sewing them up!*** 

It doesn't take long to get a few rows sewn together - this was my Friday afternoon sewing time.  


And the four sections for another County Clare block were constructed in between seams, too!


Sharing at SoScrappy for ScrapHappy Saturday.
Melva Loves Scraps for Sew and Tell Monday.












27 comments:

TerryKnott.blogspot.com said...

Your zipper block layout is great. I hear you about the challenges of "balance." You nailed it!

Laura said...

Your zipper block quilt is so much fun! :)

Anonymous said...

What a fun and colourful quilt you have made! Love the leader/ender project too.

Anonymous said...

Last comment from Gail at the Cozy Quilter

Michele McLaughlin said...

I love your zipper quilt and your layout works well! Also love the colors you chose for the County Clare block! It's a nice combination! Have a great day!

Linda said...

LOL on that title! :D "My oh my what a wonderful day". I like the alternate light and dark. I zoomed in and found kitties, birdies, buttons, and even elephants! I'm really looking forward to seeing your pretty finish.

Linda said...

BTW I looked at the one on the link you provided, and no I don't think yours is too busy at all. It has a "Jen Kingwell" look that I love.

Kat Scribner said...

Love your zipper block quilt, Diann. and you've added more of the new leader/ender project blocks, that will be so lovely.

Sara said...

I think they look great. My Zipper blocks are not sewn together yet into a complete top. I have just one row assembled.

scraphappy said...

If the original quilt spoke to you with all its busyness, then something about it worked. Glad you decided for go for it.

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

love those zipper blocks

Kate said...

The zipper blocks make such a colorful quilt! You are moving along with your County Clare blocks. Leaders and enders may seem slow, but it is amazing the progress you can make over the course of a month or two.

Gwyned Trefethen said...

Busy or not, it works. Those zipper blocks will make a great lap quilt.

Sylvia@Treadlestitches said...

Awesome zipper blocks, and now I'm singing! Great way to start the day. I sometimes have trouble with "busy" layouts too, but I think scrap quilts benefit from them. The more the merrier!

grammajudyb said...

To paraphrase Linda, “my oh my what a wonderful quilt!” 42X54 will be a great size. I’ll keep plugging away at mine. I need to lay them out and see how they play together! 🙂

No aqua sewing at my house this week! I’m in a “Funk”.

Cathy said...

Aren’t Zipper blocks and quilts fun?!? (I always seem to have at least one in progress) . Your is absolutely delightful! Sometimes it’s hard to just “let go” and let the blocks play and clash and have fun together! But the romp is fun and addicting, at least to me. Stay cool and keep bringing those fun blocks! The County Clare block is to die for.

Chantal said...

Lynn can do wonders with busy fabrics, I agree but your rendition is perfect. It is scrappiness at its best! (You just prefer Lynn's because it doesn't have your scraps. We all think other quilters' scraps are more fun than ours. Lol.)
And I agree with Angela too. So, enjoy it! ;^)

Deb A said...

Those zipper blocks look great! Love that you are working another quilt while finishing up that one. I love the look of the green and blue in the new leader and ender blocks.

Nann said...

Yes! The zippers are playing with one another very nicely. Good start on County Clare!

LA Paylor said...

whee! I love this colorful quilt... LeeAnna

Melisa- pinkernpunkinquilting said...

Your quilts are always so cheerful and happy, Diann. I just love your zipper blocks as well as your County Clare. I am going to have to jump in and piece some myself. Have a great weekend .Hugs.

Sue said...

I'm doing County Clare as well, so it's fun to see your blocks! And I think your zipper layout is great!

Bonnie said...

Your zipper blocks look so bright and fun. When I'm having trouble figuring out color placement I take a photo and then switch it to greyscale and see what stands out. I'm usually surprised at how it looks in just greys. You've done a great job on them. Ooh County Clare looks like another great scrap buster. I haven't heard or seen this pattern before. Where is it from?

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Love them all together!! I love scrappy zipper crazy color blocks!!

Jeanna said...

I think the Zipper blocks look great, Diann. You are doing well with the leader/ender project, too!

Jocelyn is Canadian Needle Nana said...

Beautiful zipper blocks and how stunning they look together, Diann.

Lynn Dykstra said...

Once you start sewing them together they always transform and look like they were meant to be!
I love seeing what you did this this block!