Summertime Quilts

Checking in LATE for July. I haven't posted in awhile but here's my excuse: it always takes me so long to take and upload photos and then think of something clever to write. I get busy with family stuff and gardening and then I get lazy. And all I want to do is pick up a good book and stay inside when it's as hot as it's been here in Chicagoland. 

It seems like July is always red, white and blue month for many quilters. I do love the look of quilts made with red, white and blue fabrics plus stars. And I am always on the lookout for some pretty prints that combine both red and blue. Especially those with a reproduction theme.

Here's a little tour of some of my favorite July quilts.

                         Martha Washington Stars quilt.                  

Civil War Stars

Little Heart Flag quilt. 

        Dolley Madison Star quilts 

Patriotic Stars Row Quilt using blocks from the Schoolgirl Sampler book. (Quilt made by Sue Bennett so not really mine per se but I love it so much and it's in my book so it's sort of mine. Right, Sue? LOL) 

Earlier in the month in my Facebook group we had a Patriotic Pincushion Parade for July 4. First time in a really long time. It's always fun to see what everyone comes up with.

I'm hoping to blog a little more often in the coming months. Maybe even try another little sew along in September. So bookmark my blog if you can and check back. We'll see what happens. You can visit my Etsy shop for patterns for some of these quilts and pins. It's not too late to make a RWB quilt or pin for July!

                                                                                                                     Kathy

Monthly Challenge Quilts

Those of you who joined in my KT Monthly Quilt challenge late last year or earlier this year - we're resuming the challenges in my Facebook group. We took a little detour to do the Civil War Mini quilt during April. But there are lots of quilters in my FB group who want to continue to challenge themselves to make one of my quilts each month. So we'll do that on a monthly basis as long as there's some interest.

Here's how it works: Each month, pick a quilt from one of patterns in my books (or check out my Etsy shop) and work on it a little bit each week for the next month. No pressure, just fun.

Join me on May to start or finish another of these little quilts. Or maybe a large one? I'll be happy to give you a nudge each week to keep going and get it finished. I might even finish something myself!

It's so much fun to make simple little things . . . . Check out some quilts you may like to make by visiting my Instagram page or previous blog posts. And see Kathleen Tracy Quilts on Facebook groups for more details.

Civil War Mini Row Quilt - Finishing Up

It took me a few days to go through most of my Civil War/reproduction fabrics to select the borders but I think I chose the right ones for this quilt. 

Set your blocks in five rows of four blocks and add a one-inch sashing in between (cut 1 1/2" strips). The borders should be cut 2 1/2" wide.  

You'll find the complete finishing directions in the Facebook group files and also up on my website. Take your time and find some border fabrics that match the colors in your quilt top. Remember that it's a busy quilt with very scrappy blocks so maybe try to find a border that isn't too busy and doesn't compete with those blocks. Don't hesitate to set it aside and come back to it if nothing speaks to you right away. It will all work out. If you don't care for the mismatched borders like mine, select your own setting. Add corner squares or maybe you don't even need to have a border on it. Lots of antique quilts were made without borders. Good luck! I had a lot of fun with this one so thanks for participating. It's been so much fun to see your enthusiasm and your beautiful blocks in the Facebook group.  We'll have to do it again someday.

Civil War Mini Quilt - Block #5

 Here's Block # 5 for my Civil War Mini Quilt sew along - Churn Dash

 You'll find the instructions in my Facebook group files or on my website. Click on the top tab for the Sew Along page.  

Sew the four blocks into a row. We'll be making a mini row quilt with 5 rows of these tiny blocks. These little ones take some patience but if you slow down, cut accurately and then sew with a scant 1/4" seam you should have no trouble. 

This is the last block for the quilt. I need to finish my top and so I'll give you the finishing directions for the entire quilt on Monday, March 31. Hope you had fun with these tiny blocks and combing through all of your Civil War scraps! I sure did. Thanks for participating. 

Have a good weekend!