Welcome to the Shades of Blue Blog hop, part of the Sew It – Show It Challenge, sponsored by Carla or Creatin’ in the Sticks. This has been a busy week for me, don’t worry things will slow down after this. Welcome to those looking for the Villa Rosa Blog Hop that is still going on here.
Our Mission
Here’s what Carla said as a prompt….
This one is Shades of Blue.
Easy, peasy. Add shades of blue to your project.
Show us your winter blues.
It can be any stitched project, just make sure there is a shade of blue somewhere.
You know blue is one of my favorites and boy, did I have fun making this quilt. I decided to go full on and make a lap size quilt from my blue strip stash! I am not usually a scrap quilter, but I do save some scraps and organize by color, by strips and sometimes things like 2 1/2″ squares.
I decided that Into the Deep by Purple Pineapple Studio would be my inspiration. I picked this up at QuiltCon 2020 when I was shopping with SomethingRoseMade! Let’s see how I did with my version
Quilt Construction
The first thing I did was sort the pile of strips into blues. There seemed to be plenty, but I added some scrap pieces, too, before I set out to construct the quilt. The pattern called for 10″ strips but I cut them a 11″. You then construct rectangles….an equal amount in the light, medium and dark. I would trim at the end.
I stopped and took a photo to see how I was doing. I didn’t love the purplish blues in with this, but it was a good part of the stash, so I decided to just go with it…even after the black and white photo. As I started sewing, I was worrying that the colors were not quite right…but I continued on.
Forging ahead was just the right thing! You can see the medium and darks are sort of one shade in the black and white, but not in color. That is a good thing. The other adjustment I had to make, which was easy enough, was that I didn’t have enough strips in the medium and dark to make the size blocks suggested. Since I was already a little short on width, why not in length. I did need to add some darks to the stash (we were on retreat near a quilt store so I added in some fat eights).
So, in all the pattern adjustments I made were that I made 6 less blocks in order to keep the width correct for my frame. I also made it shorter to accommodate the lack of mediums and dark blues. This pattern is very forgiving because once you get into making the blocks, you can easily make these adjustments.
Quilting
I loaded the top onto Tabitha, my Simply 16 Handi Quilter on a Little Buddy Frame with ProStitcher. I decided to use Baptist Fan Curl by Nancy Haacke Designs (on my Prostitcher). It could be rainbows or waves, but either way I really liked it. One of the nice things about a computerized design is you can adjust the size and I went for a wide open look. As a lap quilt, I like a little fluff to my quilts, so I wanted this a little more open.
I love the way the narwhals are frolicking in this part of the quilt. And yes, they are all right side up, my good friend Missy who was on retreat while this was constructed, insisted on it. The sailboats, too, are right side up. The top thread was a teal, So Fine #471 Glacier, while the bottom was So Fine #473 Brooke.
The Finished Quilt
I really love the way it turned out. While there were things I would have changed, I made it and used my scraps. That is, to me anyway, a real bonus.
I love the back, too, in that it looks like a whole cloth quilt. The backing is a grunge wide back and the thread was a little lighter blue that really shows up beautifully. The binding, like the top, used up some leftover binding strips and other strips that didn’t get used in the quilt. For me, the scrappy binding is really the perfect ending for this quilt.
Blog Hop List (and giveaway)
Before you go, make sure you stop and visit the bloggers this week and give some love. Also, I have a giveaway on my post from a few days ago. Just comment “Shades of Blue” to gain an extra entry!
Monday, January 23rd
Creatin’ in the Sticks
Desertsky Quilting
Selina Quilts
Just Because Quilts
Scrapdash
The Joyful Quilter
Tuesday, January 24th
MooseStashQuilting
Kathleen McMusing <==== you are here
Den syende himmel
Karrin’s Crazy World
Artes de Paula Louceiro
Days Filled With Joy
Beaquilter
Wednesday, January 25th
Just Let Me Quilt
Inflorescence
crazy’boutquilts
Kathy’s Kwilts and More
Quilted Delights
Quilt Schmilt
VroomansQuilts
Thursday, January 26th
Ms P Designs USA
Lianne Makes Stuff
Quilting Gail
Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
Words & Stitches
Just Sew Quilter
Quilt Stats: Calming Blues
Calming Blues: 46″ x 60″
Pattern: Into the Deep by Purple Pineapple Studio
Pantograph: Baptist Fan by Nancy Haake
Quilting Thread: Top: So Fine #471. Bobbin: So Fine 473
Piecing: Aurifil Dove
Batting: Bosal Katahdin Polyester – Winter
Coming Up on the Blog
Tips and Tutorials 1/22/23
Shades of Blue Blog Hop 1/24/23
Retreat Placemats
SAHRR & Diatom Progress
Tips and Tutorials on the 22nd 2/22/23
Dust Off a Book Blog Hop 3/8/23
Linky Parties
TGIFF
Finished or Not Friday
Brag about your Beauties
Fabric Stash
This year I am keeping track of fabric used in quilts or other sewing projects and what I have added to my stash. Right now, I am in the positive range, 4.25 yards. I think by the end of the month I will be even or maybe even down a few yards. I purchased some fabric for a few specific projects, and I am hoping the purchases calm down for a bit. I only count fabric when a quilt or bag or whatever is finished. Wish me luck, as my goal for the year is to be at a negative number!
What a pretty quilt, and all from scraps! Amazing! Love the binding!
I love the changes you made from the original pattern….The blues you chose are stunning! I think the purple blues add a lot to the overall quilt. ♥️
A beautiful quilt, I like the addition of the purple blues.
You made a nice dent in your blue scraps with this lovely blue quilt!
Shades of Blue! Love this!!
I feel this is a super quilt Kathleen, and since I am a scrapper at heart, you get even more points for such a lovely creation.Going through your process was an extra gift for me. Thank you
Shades of Blue!! What a great way to use up strips and scraps. It looks amazing.
Great to use up so many scraps!! Love the blues!!
I love that you shared the black and white photo process, Kathleen! I also love that you went outside your comfort zone with a few of those scraps! Your shades of blue challenge turned out great! 🙂
You know blue is also my favorite color, so I might be biased, but this is beautiful, Kathleen! I love that you used so much from your stash and kept the prints ‘right side up’. Looks like a great lap quilt to be cozy under and enjoy!
Gorgeous scrap quilt!
Gorgeous quilt, and quilting. Thanks so much for sharing!
Oh, Kathleen, this quilt is wonderful! I love all that blue goodness thank you for a fun post – you are so organized ❤
Those Purple Pineapple Studio pattern cards are so fun. I made a quilt from one and loved it. This one looks like another one I need to add to my list. It turned out so pretty! I love that all your scraps made this…cool!
This is gorgeous, Kathleen! I love that you used most stash. I need to do more of that! LOL
That’s a wonderful quilt. I love the way the ‘shades’ create a line of demarcation. I think keeping track of fabric used – starting at the first of the year – is a super idea.
Your ‘Shades of Blue’ is gorgeous!! I love the quilting too.
great quilt!
Oh! oh! oh! I LOVE your quilt!!! of course, I LOVE blues, but the way you put this together is pretty awesome!!! And of course, it’s a great use of your stash!!
This turned out lovely! I love the fade from dark to light.
Your quilt is great! I love the variety of blue shades, and your quilting is just what it needed to be magnificent.
Oh Kathleen, your quilt is fantastic with all those beautiful shades of blue. And always great to use from your stash.
Hi Kathleen! You have some wonderful blue scraps. What a beautiful quilt! I love that Baptist Fan Curl quilting pattern, too. I’d have to say that the Baptist Fan is one of my favorite patterns that I haven’t tried yet. Great job! {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
I liked seeing your project in blues, and it is really pretty. I could make it without adding anything to my stash of blues, I think. =) Great quilting design, too. Thanks for sharing what you did.
Your quilt is gorgeous and SEW perfect for the Challenge!!
Your Shades of Blue quilt turned out beautifully. I love projects made with scraps and blue is my favorite color. Scrappy binding is the best.
This shades of blue quilt is gorgeous. I like this scrap buster!
Nothing warms my heart more than seeing scrap quilts. Yours is a beauty! There was a lot of planning that went into it, to get the perfect color combo’s. You did a great job! Love the quilting too. Baptist fan is one of my favorite designs!
That is a neat quilt! All the shades of blue work well together. I really like the quilting too. I haven’t used a Baptist Fan for a while–need to remember it on a future quilt. Oh, and I like to make scrappy bindings too. Somehow it adds just a little more zing. Thanks for sharing!
Nice finish Kathleen! I love all the blues as well as the scrappy binding and gorgeous backing.
Loved all the blues and the way you group them.
Love your Shades of Blue!
Your Shades of Blue is beautiful and calming! I have tons of blue stash to use up so this is a great option for me! Thank you!
What a beautiful quilt and pattern. Love the quilting design also.
Beautiful quilt! Love your color combinations. Great stash buster.
Hi Kathleen, that is a truly lovely quilt. It’s so nice when the pattern is forgiving (my favourite kind!)
Your quilt looks stunning…& I love a Baptist fan as a design too.
Thanks for joining in TGIFF…xox
Just beautiful! And I love the snow as a background 🙂 xx
This is gorgeous!! Those blues just flow into each other so well! and your quilting is just perfect for it! Love how you made the binding scrappy too!