"Marcia Squared"

"Marcia Squared"

Quilted Tablecloth created for the Project Quilting Season Four Challenge ONE -- Square in a Square.

Marcia Wachuta
Marcia's Crafty Sewing and Quilting
Boscobel, Wisconsin

I chose to use different sizes of squares in the centers of my blocks to create an offset look. Light centers, medium light blue for one side and then a medium blue for the other two sides. Then a dark blue for the lattice strips. I staggered my blocks in each row to offset those too! finishing the outside with a medium blue border and binding to complete my quilted tablecloth.
I choose to work with blues, because it was comfortable for me for the first challenge.

Here is my post on how I constructed the blocks and the quilt.

I finished the quilting right before the Packer Game last night.

I finished the binding this morning.

Thanks for the help selecting the backing fabric.

Love the colorful backing fabric with my dishes!

Just got these blue bowls for Christmas. I may have to cook sometime and use them.  Or just take photos of them with quilts.

 And thanks for help with the name --- "Marcia Squared"

I shared the construction of my blocks and quilt - here: 

Thanks Kim for the another fun challenge for Project Quilting! If you would like to see all the Quilted Projects created for the Square in a Square challenge click here.

Enjoy your day!

Marcia

I know, I am Square!

I decided to work in my comfort zone with blue fabrics.  I did not think too far out of my square.   I guess that makes me square.  But that is OK.

The block I used is the Denim Block  click here for instructions.

I tried out a couple fabrics for the lattice. This one was too busy.

I liked this one.

The quilt top is complete! I need to give it a good press and it will be ready to quilt.

I need to pick my backing fabric by tomorrow morning, so I can quilt it. It will be a quilted table cloth for my dinning room table.  I will probably never flip it over to the back. Several years ago, I tie dyed this backing fabric a grey blue.  Should I use it?  A blue quilting thread will show up nicely on this somewhat plain backing fabric.

Or should I just use a cream muslin backing?

And here is a very colorful choice for a backing fabric.  If I used this one, I would probably flip it over and use the back side too.

Any suggestions? Which fabric?

Plus ----  I need to name my quilt.  
Any suggestions?

Do you like?  "Marcia's Square" or "Marcia is Square"

Enjoy!
Marcia

Changed My Mind

I am going with BLUES!

When I work up this morning, I kept thinking about what I said on yesterday's post: "I will choose my favorite combination of fabrics. I have found, I will finish a quilt faster, if I like the fabrics and the colors.  I am not telling you which one, I will choose yet. I did not pull out any blue combinations, but I still might!"  So I pulled out my blues.

I decided I am going to make something for the living room. I could make a quilt to cover the trunk in front of the sofa. Or I could make a quilted pillow cover for the sofa to match my blue quilts. 

The blue fabrics look great with my Blue Upcyled Quilt and my Denim Raggy Quilt.

This fat quarter is my favorite one.

 I love that it brings out the yellows in the plaids.

The blues, I chose are "bluer" than the denim blues. I like that and I am sure my husband will be glad I am adding a little color to our all blue living room!

I have a great idea to put a little twist into the "square in a square" design. I will share it later in the week.

I started pressing, cutting, and sewing, but not even for 15 minutes.  I upgraded to a Quickbooks Pro 2013 and that took up most of my evening.  I will find more time tomorrow!

You can read more about the challenge: Project Quilting Challenge 1

  Enjoy!
 Marcia

Brainstorming Ideas - Make it Simple!

First click here and read the challenge over at Persimon Dreams.  Then come back....

Kim gave you some great photos ideas with a variety of color ideas too!  

I went thru' some of my fabrics and came up with some possibilities.

I want to use fabrics that I already have in my stash, because I live in the country.  It is not convenient for me to go to town, because I work at home.  I started by selecting fabrics and grouping them together.  

We all have a stash of fabrics.  Some have bigger stashes than others!  How about the fabrics you bought that you just thought were pretty and you couldn't live without them?

Do I want to use solid fabrics?

Or I should choose patterned and textured fabrics.

That would really add movement to the squares.  I think that would be a very interesting choice.

What if I chose solids with a black and white square print fabric?

I would have squares in squares fabric to repeat the square pattern. It would be very bold color choice.

Or how about another square print fabric with solids/blenders?

I like this soft green with this square print too. It is a very simple look.

What if I used a tiny flowered print with a square print?

I could use some 30's reproduction prints with floating squares and then add a gingham print in a flannel fabric.

I might even pull out some of my texture prints from my little collection of landscape fabrics.  This would really create movement in the squares. Wow!

I could even use the new kaleidoscopic fabric I received from the Secret Sister Fabric Swap.  My choice would be to combine it with a crackle texture fabric.  I think it gives your eye a resting space, but still adds detail.

On this challenge, I believe the first thing to do, is to decide what fabric combination to use.  

I will choose my favorite combination of fabrics. I have found, I will finish a quilt faster, if I like the fabrics and the colors.  I am not telling you which one, I will choose yet. I did not pull out any blue combinations, but I still might!

When I am actually working on my quilt this week, I may choose a different fabric combination. That is ok to change your mind on fabrics.  I might change my colors or I might add more fabrics and more colors.  That is the fun part. Be flexible and make changes.

In addition to choosing the fabrics, I will do a Google Image search for squares -- not just in quilts.  I will look at all squares and combinations of squares.  I did a search for squares.  I also did a search for square in a square.  There were some awesome squares and square designs! Remember to keep in mind --- Square in a Square.

With that in mind, I quite often go back and re read the challenge.  This is important as you will see so many ideas that you will forget the challenge details.

Next, I will think about what the final quilt project will be: A table runner or a table topper, place mats, a quilted pillow cover, or a baby quilt.  Maybe a quilted tote bag, a quilted carrier for my smart phone, or a quilted computer case for a laptop. I am not thinking any bigger than a baby quilt for my quilted project.

I hope that helps give you some ideas.

Choose colors you like,
pick a square in square design,
and create a quilted project.

I will go to sleep tonight and dream!

"Think Outside Your Square!"
Marcia