Jack and Jill

Hurray!!! I met all my March goals. Even if it is on the very last day.
Taxes were done AND I delivered twins.  Meet Jack and Jill.

Jack

Jill

What started as a Dreami moment in December, resulted in Twins (pun intended - meant especially for the former English teacher) in March.  They were conceived on a weekend afternoon, but took a couple of months to deliver :-D

Jelly Roll Strips for Jack

Jelly Roll Strips for Jill

It was a super simple Fat Quarter Shop Tutorial - Jelly Roll Twist. That is easy. I can do that and do it quickly, I said aloud.  There were two problems.

1. Too much white.  The quilt needs more color.
2. Too wasteful. The tutorial suggests using 34 strips to make 42 blocks. Actually, you can make 42 blocks from just 28 strips.

Solids for Jack

First Blocks - Jack

I chose to use one jelly roll to make two quilts. 20 strips will yield 30 blocks, enough for a crib quilt measuring 43" by 52". The best part was choosing solids to match the jelly roll fabrics.

Solids for Jill

Did you notice there is only one color difference between Jack and Jill?
Jack has navy and Jill has pink.

Jill - First Blocks

I blogged about these flimsies in this blogpost.

Jack on the Design Wall

Both quilts use the same block, with common fabrics - grey, white, green and turquoise solids.
The layout of the blocks is random.

I wanted to make sure that the solid white square did not fall along the outer edge of the quilt.  That gives the impression (to me) that someone took a bite out of the quilt and left a hole in there.

Jill - Finished Flimsy

This brings me to backing. I had  been hoarding that blue print for a couple of years.  The navy blue binding for Jack was an easy choice.

Backing for Jack

The scooter print for Jill's backing is a recent acquisition from Hancocks. It is adorable :-)

Backing for Jill

After auditioning several fabrics, I chose a gray striped fabric for Jill's binding.  It works well with both the front and the back.

Jill - A finish

Jack - Finished and Labelled

With the completion of Jack and Jill, the total tally comes to six quilts in 2017.

The twins

This is an easy pattern and if you are a beginner, this may be a good pattern to start.

Quilting Close-up

Jill - Love the texture

 Both Jack and Jill were quilted using walking foot and gentle curves quilting.

In the early morning light

Jack and Jill

Me: Six quilts in three months.
Paul: Babe, you may want to slow down.
Me: Slow down? Whatever for?
Paul: I am hungry and you may want to cook for me.
Me: Or I may want to take you out to brunch. Treat you like royalty :-)
Paul: Uh huh.

He knows I am ignoring chores for the love of sewing.  But he can neither decline an offer of brunch nor argue about my love of sewing.

I win this round.

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As much as I would like to end this post with my win, there are a few other important things happening in the blogland such as Bernie's expanded Etsy store.

Vintage Sheet Fat Quarters

Bernie of Needle & Foot expanded her Etsy Shop and a few of my favorite bloggers were promoting her with a 20% coupon.  I wasted no time in ordering a couple of fat quarters and two supercute panels.  I ordered on Sunday, and received my package on Wednesday. Supercute fabric and superfast shipping. I was happy.

Super cute Panel

Then Bernie asked me if I had a project in mind.
Project? Yes, I only buy fabric when I have a specific project in mind :-D
Hmmm...well, imagine a flying goose on top of each of those panel squares, like a little house.
Aw... that is cute, she said.

Now, I had to make it. At least one audition block. So here it is.

Audition Block

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Some quilters enjoy making pieced backings. I have done it. It can be a fun design exercise, for smaller quilts. But if it is a queen size quilt, I'd much rather use a wide backing.  If you are with me, then there is some terrific news for you.

Connecting Threads (affiliate link) is having a 25% off sale on wide backing fabrics. That means you can get 104" wide fabric for under $9/yard.  Yay!!! Doing a happy dance.

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I will be linking with Elm Street Quilts for March OMG and all may favorite linky parties. 

Did you meet your March goals? Did you file your tax returns yet?
And most important - what project do you have in mind for your latest fabric purchase :-p