petunia checker quilt

Apr13

Working with Kaffe Fassett fabrics is always a pleasure. The fabric designs and patterns are so diverse, the colors vivid, but always matching. Over the years I have collected a lot of scraps from my projects. I had them always stored in a separate bags or boxes, no mixing with other fabrics or designers. It was time to use them for a quilt.

petunia checker baby quilt - skalabara quilts

It was clear for me that I want to do a checkerboard – post stamp quilt. As the scraps had different sizes, I made out that I need to cut the squares 2 1/4″ so that I could use as many scraps as possible. I knew I wanted a bright color for the base and I had a fabric like this on stock. It is Petunia from Moda Fabrics – Bella Solids line.

I pieced units with 4 x 4 squares, each unit measuring 7″ x 7″ finished size. I added and extra row to the top and bottom of the quilt. Altogether there are 21 x 27 rows = 567 squares 2 1/4″. When piecing the checkered pattern there is more pressing than sewing. Accurate pressing helps to match the pattern by nesting the seams. I didn’t use one pin for the assembly of this quilt.

The batting is a 80/20 cotton/polyester mix, a nice and cosy medium weight batting for quilts or light quilted jackets.

For quilting I have selected an easy design – straight lines with the walking foot on the diagonal. Stitch length is 4 mm. For the pink squares I have used a Mettler Quilting 40 thread in cotton – color fuchsia. For the Kaffe Fassett squares I have selected a King Tut 40/3 in cotton by Superior Threads in a variegated version – color #934

I looked through my fabrics on stock and found a nice piece of a Kaffe Fasset extra wide backing fabric, the perfect match to the quilt top! Needed a bit of width, here I have added a strip of the petunia solid.

The quilt colors are made for a small princess – with all the bright pinks, purples and oranges. To finish this baby quilt I have selected a pink for the binding, Kona Solid Medium Pink.

This quilt was quite a while on the waiting list to get quilted. I have worked on the quilt top last year in the summer. But somehow other projects got the preference. This quilt is a donation to the rescue dog charity that my little Dotti came from.

Pattern : Checkerboard or Postage Stamp quilt

Quilt size : 37″ x 47″

Wadding : 80/20 cotton polyester blend

Quilting thread : Mettler Quilting 40 in fuchsia + King Tut 40/3 variegated #934

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Happy quilting, till next time

barbora flower small skalabara quilts

a hexagon quilt

Mar18

Meet the next baby quilt made with a pattern from quiltylove.com. This pattern is called Triangle Hexies. Once more a versatile quilt pattern, with many size options, to use your scraps or a nice fabric collection.

The background fabric is from the Kona Solids in grellow and the thin grey hexagon borders are in Kona silver. The rest of the fabrics are from a Sun Print collection designed by Alison Glass. As I wanted to try out this pattern and did not have a lot of fabrics, I decided to go for a baby quilt size.

The triangle hexie blocks come quickly together. The quilt is pieced in straight rows, no “y” seams. Both cutting and assembly are explained clearly in the quilt pattern.

I have used batting from Vlieseline – Natur Cotton Mix 80/20 cotton/polyester. It is a medium weight batting developed specially for quilts or light quilted jackets. This was the first time I have purchased the batting from Vlieseline and I am happy with the quality. I will use it surely in the future.

For the backing I have selected a rest piece of a duvet cover from Ikea. A colourful jungle motif with birds. The fabric pattern reflects all the colors in the quilt. The duvet cover fabric is 100% cotton and has a good thread count.

I have quilted this project using the walking foot and following the hexagon pattern. I have marked all the quilting lines by drawing the straight lines first, i.e. parallel to top and bottom. Afterwards I have added the 60 degree lines to finish the all over triangles. The quilting lines are 1 1/2 inch apart.

The quilting is not too dense, but gives the quilt a nice and neat structure. Quilting thread is from Superior Threads King Tut 40/3 in cotton, variegated gold/yellow/aqua/lime shades color #934. Stitch length is 4,0 mm.

For the binding I have selected a medium pink solid fabric that matches well with both sides – quilt top and backing fabric.

I have pieced the quilt top last year and ist the first of my “UFO” projects for the coming months. It was fun piecing the hexagons with no “y” seams and going for a new quilting design. I can imagine to make another version of this quilt, but this time in larger – as a good quilt size for the bed.

Pattern : Triangle Hexies by Emily from Quilty Love

Quilt size : 45″ x 45″

Wadding : Natur Cotton Mix 80/20 by Vlieseline – 80/20 cotton polyester blend

Quilting thread : Superior Threads King Tut 40/3 in cotton, variegated #934

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Happy quilting, till next time and thanks for visiting!

barbora flower small skalabara quilts

a heart quilt

Feb28

Well, meet my first ever heart quilt. I have been following quiltylove.com for some time. This year Emily launched a wonderful heart quilt before Valentine’s Day and a quilt along with her new pattern Patchwork Hearts. The design is simple but very attractive and versatile.

patchwork hearts baby quilt - skalabara quilts

The scrappy version was my favourite and I started organizing my fabric selection as soon as I saw the pattern. I went for a baby quilt size as I wanted to use my diverse orange/pink/yellow fabrics with purple shaded hearts.

The heart blocks are 9″ square and are pieced with 4 units. Both cutting and assembly are explained clearly in the quilt pattern.

Almost all fabrics are Kona solids. For the first time I have used batting from Vlieseline – Natur Cotton Mix 80/20 cotton/polyester. It is a medium weight batting developed specially for quilts or light quilted jackets. I have washed the batting befor use.

For quilting I have selected the extra wide zigzag stitch on the Bernina. Started with lines between the blocks and quilted every 1 1/2 inch. At the end, I have quilted lines every 3/4 inch apart. The quilting is not too dense, but gives the quilt a nice and neat structure.

I looked through my fabrics on stock and found a nice piece of a “book pattern” fabric in pinks to use for the backing.

To get the right width I have added a strip of dotted fabric. This baby quilt can be used from both sides. If you don’t want to see the hearts, you can change to book shelves.

The quilt colors are made for a small princess – with all the bright pinks, purples and oranges. To finish this baby quilt I have selected a medium pink for the binding.

This quilt is solely made in 2022 – started and finished within 3 weeks. It was good fun piecing the hearts and quilting with the large zigzag stitch. I can imagine to make another scrappy version of this quilt, but this time in a throw size or even larger.

The above photo features my doggy Dotti. She is now with us already 1 1/2 years – the time moves so fast! She is such a darling and a happy little dog.

Pattern : Patchwork Hearts by Emily from Quilty Love

Quilt size : 45″ x 45″ / Block size : 9″ x 9″

Wadding : Natur Cotton Mix 80/20 by Vlieseline – 80/20 cotton polyester blend

Quilting thread : Gütermann Sulky Cotton 30 in pink – color 1119

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Happy quilting, till next time

barbora flower small skalabara quilts

checkered quilt with liberty fabrics

Sep3

This summer was hot on the east coast of Spain and the pandemic situation forced me to stay more at home. No blog posting doesn’t automatically mean no sewing. Actually, I was busy sorting out my fabrics and all the scrap baskets I found.

liberty checkered quilt 1 - skalabara quilts

This quilt pattern was always on the top of my list. But I couldn’t decide what solid color to choose. I am also taking part in this year’s Sugaridoo/Bernina quilt along – here I am using the Kona solid in Haze. As I was short of this fabric, I had to get some more. And why not get even more for the checkered quilt?

liberty checkered quilt detail 1 - skalabara quilts

The Haze solid blends well with the Tana Lawns by Liberty London fabrics I have on stock from my previous projects. Kona Haze is a versatile neutral shade, not grey, not beige, not white, but still a warm color.

liberty checkered quilt detail 2 - skalabara quilts

Quilting is once more with the walking foot. I have added stitches in the Haze squares on the diagonal. And also stitched on both sides of the vertical and horizontal seams.

liberty checkered quilt backing 1 - skalabara quilts

Last month I went to IKEA to get some calico cotton. I have also visited the bedding department and found some nice sheets and duvets covers to use as quilt backing. This is one of them : a black and white duvet cover with butterflies and beetles.

liberty checkered quilt backing 2 - skalabara quilts

liberty checkered quilt detail 3 - skalabara quilts

I have used the same Kona solid in Haze also for the binding. Keeps the quilt neutral and calm.

liberty checkered quilt binding 1 - skalabara quilts

liberty checkered quilt binding 2 - skalabara quilts

Here a take of the quilting on an early morning just after the sunrise.

liberty checkered quilt detail 4 - skalabara quilts

liberty checkered quilt 3 - skalabara quilts

Quilt size : 54″ x 74″

Squares : 999 pieces (27 x 37 rows) – cut size 2,5″ x 2,5″

Wadding : 50% – 50% cotton – bamboo from Rosello

Quilting thread : Aurifil Mako NE 40/2 – color 2600 Dove

This is all for the moment, more to come! I have further quilt finishings on my to do list, keep safe

barbora

a train quilt for baby adam

Jun28

A few weeks ago my mum asked me if I could make a quilt for a baby boy. A quilt for her friend’s great grandson, Adam. Little Adam is turning one this summer and a baby quilt would be the right gift. They gave me a theme: a pattern with trains.

I found a nice a pattern with a train motif, but it was too large. The quilt pattern is All Aboard by It’s Sew Emma and it is for a twin size or a wall hanging. I needed only a pattern for a baby quilt. So I “redesigned” the train block to the right size and added Adam’s name.

There are 4 train blocks, each block is 32″ x 10″ finished size. I have added background fabric to the top and bottom and the outer borders are 4″ finished.

The letter blocks are a free design over at Temecula Quilt Company. All Little Letters are easy to piece and have explicite instructions. The letter blocks are 4″ x 4″ finished size.

train quilt quilting 3 - skalabara quilts

The background fabric is Kona Solid in Dove. This is a wonderful neutral shade that matches with the blueish color of the border and letters. This fabric from the Linea Collection by Makower in Duck Egg.

Rest of the backing fabric is also from Makower – Baby Jungle Alphabet (that I bought to make a dress).

train quilt backing 2 - skalabara quilts

Quilting is once more with my favourite walking foot. I used stich number 4 on the Bernina, a wavy pattern that I quilted 1″ apart.

And the binding :

train quilt binding 1 - skalabara quilts

Here photos of the quilt sandwich with lines prepared for quilting. I have marked the lines with Hera Marker from Clover. And I still prefer to prepare the quilt sandwich with basting pins.