Braided Irish Chain

Last year, I had the lucky privilege of winning 3 patterns by Melissa of Happy Quilting as a prize from Q1 of the Finish Along.  One of the patterns I chose was her Braided Irish Chain.

Image by Melissa Corry

Her pattern calls for strip piecing, but I wanted to use up scraps, specifically I Spy scraps, so I didn't strip piece but used 2 1/2" squares instead.  The baby size is a single super-size blocks, made up of several different smaller components.  When I finished the super sized block, I felt like it needed a little more.

super-sized block, as written in pattern

I decided to extend the pattern out one more row, so I did the math to figure out how big to cut the background pieces.

I used Kona Cabbage as the background and I really like how bright it is.  Normally, I care about the I Spy fabrics facing the same direction, but that was something I had to let go of in this quilt.  I did the piecing using I Spy scraps that had been cut down to 2 1/2" squares and used this as a leader/ender project.  I quilted it in a big spiral.

spiral quilting

Look at all that I Spy goodness!

This was a fun pattern and it's likely that I will do it again.  I really like it as a scrap quilt!  Thanks, Melissa, for a fabulous prize!

This was #16 on my list of Q1 goals for the globally hosted Finish Along.  I will also be linking up with Cynthia at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework for Oh Scrap!  And Scraptastic Tuesday, co-hosted by She Can Quilt and Mrs. Sew and Sow.  (For some reason, I can never get that button to work--my apologies!)

Q1 Goals

I love the motivational link-up party that is the Finish Along.  I first discovered it in 2015 so this will be my third year participating.  Like last year, this year it has a number of hosts from around the world.

I break my goals into 3 categories: general quilts, mini quilts and pillows, and quilts for Project Linus.

General Projects and Gifts
1. Noodle's growth chart
When my brother & his family were visiting in December, I showed them Munchkin's growth chart and asked if they wanted one for my niece, Noodle.  The answer was an enthusiastic yes!  I gave my sister-in-law my stack of I Spy 2 1/2 strips as well as some yardage that I could cut a strip from and let her pick out what she wanted, and she picked solids from my Kona color card.

2. Rainbow name tag
I've been wanting to make a sewing-themed name tag for myself or a while. I mostly want it for my Project Linus meetings, because frankly it drives me nuts that we don't wear name tags, but I also see wearing to shows and other potential quit-related events. I have a pile of scraps set aside for this project.

3. Rainbow
A couple of years ago, I bought a Kona New Bright Palette Jelly Roll when it was the daily deal at Missouri Star Quilt Company.  The showed a picture of a rainbow quilt that was a class/project on Creative Bug.  I pieced the top over my winter break.

4. Doll Quilts
My niece has doll bunk beds that used to be mine.  But they don't have quilts!  So I need to fix that!  I plan to use I Spy scraps to make 2 doll quilts for the bunk beds.

5. Meadow Mystery
I've been doing the Meadow Mystery quilt hosted by Cheryl of Meadow Mist Designs.  The final layout instructions come out in early February.

Meadow Mystery November Clue

Mini Quilts & Pillows
Pillow Menagerie
I am slowly making us a menagerie of animal throw pillows four our couch, as I got rid of the big cushions that came with the couch because they were so big it was annoying.  The following are pillows I have patterns and fabric for, and I've spent time getting the pattern pieces enlarged and color coded.
6. Koala--pattern is from the zoo animals collection by Kristy @ Quiet Play
7. Giraffe--pattern is from the zoo animals collection by Kristy @ Quiet Play
8. Kangaroo--pattern by Juliet from The Tartan Kiwi
9. Hazel Hedgehog--I have an extra Hazel block from a mini I pieced over winter break and will turn it into a pillow.  (the block is Blue Hazel)

10. Hazel and the Hedgehogs
I've been wanting to do a Hazel the Hedgehog quilt for a while now.  I finally got it pieced and quilted over winter break; I just need to bind and label it.

11. batik hexies
This might be the project that never ends! My hand sewing batik hexie project is progressing slowly. I am currently sewing the back to the front. I'm sort of making up the finishing process as I go along, as I haven't found a tutorial for finishing hexies that completely works for me.

12. Mr. Bunny
I saw this quilt by Laurel @ Quilts by Laurel and I really wanted to make my own version to hang on our front door at Easter time.  She enlarged Elizabeth Hartman's Bunny block by 400%.  I think I will do mine by 300%; I've started working out the math so I don't make the same mistake as with my Piggie Pillow and have problems with seam allowances.

13. Blue Butterfly mini
I have one block from the Rainbow Scrap Challenge butterflies that did not make it into a quilt top.  This will become a mini for the wall of minis in my office.

Project Linus

14. Dinosaur Roar
This has been on my list since my first FAL goal-setting!  I finally got out this awesome dinosaur fabric and filled in the gap at one corner.  It is layered and ready for quilting; it will get some applique after I've done the grid quilt quilting.

15. Arrow
This was my first leader & ender project.  I've had the arrow pieced for a while, but I finally got it on a background.  This is layered and ready for quilting.

16. Braided Irish Chain with I Spy Scraps
Another leader & ender project that is layered and ready to be quilted.

17. Butterflies in the Sky
I made butterflies blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge in 2016.  The bright butterflies are already in a quilt; the lighter ones are now in a top that is ready to be quilted.

18. Wizards & Stars
This one is cut and now in a "kit" that I can take to a Project Linus meeting and work on piecing.

19. Western/Cowboy Quilt
Another one that is cut and put together in a kit for Project Linus sewing.

20. Monopoly
And the third quilt-in-a-kit I have ready to go, this one with some Monopoly fabric my mom gave me a couple years ago.

I am well aware that I will not finish all of these.  But I never know what I am going to be in the mood to work on.  Here's hoping for a productive Q1!