Greetings dear readers! Several days ago I had a sudden memory of a box of unused squares that were cut a few years ago for my HST Medallion quilt – cut before I decided to use the Dutch panel in the center. I was going to use them to make many more HST’s. Sure enough, I found the box and there were quite a few already made up HST’s in the box.
Prior to finding this box, I had already combed through my fabric stash, unable to find enough of an appropriate border fabric – a victim of my tendency to buy multiple small pieces of many fabrics, rather than fewer larger pieces! So…I have decided to add 2 more rows of HST’s (they finish at 2.5 inches)to enlarge the quilt instead – that works out to the same final size of 70 inches square. Here’s a mock up in one corner of what it will look like:
Almost all the fabric is already cut so making the extra hst’s is easy and pretty quick.
I may, however, change my mind on donating this one😊….we’ll see.
I’ve also been working on piecing a back for ”The Inner Reaches of Outer Space.” I like using up some of the Asian fabrics with beautiful designs in this way. I lay out the quilt to be backed on the bed and start putting out fabrics that might work and then I figure out how best to piece them together:
And here’s the top part sewn together:
Since the last post, I took the time to figure out what I want to do with the baskets and how many I need. I like the look of them massed together on point and I don’t think they need a sashing. The blocks finish 6 inches so from one corner to the opposite – on point – they are about 8.5 inches. 7 blocks across and 8 down (56 blocks) alternate on point with 6 rows across and 7 down (42 blocks) = 98 blocks. This produces a center that is 59.5 X 68 inches. If I add a 6 inch border, it becomes 71.5 X 80 inches which is a good size for a bed quilt for Ursula! So… I need 98 blocks and currently have 43. Here’s the latest batch. These highlight mostly animals, making the quilt something of an ”I spy” adventure for her:
This is the season for me to really enjoy COLOR on my walks:
The rhododendron bush in front of my house:
I saw ONE lady slipper in the woods by the river:
Lots of visually interesting (IMHO) stone walls in my area:
Hope you have a beautiful day!
Be kind, be grateful, and cherish each day, Gladi
gladiquilts 
Gladi, I do enjoy your blog. I love that you work on several projects at once, moving from one to another in their various stages of completion. Your mind must be always working, creating new ideas or solving problems on one quilt or another. I’ve lately fallen prey to the Flosstube world and have taken up crossstitch again after many, many years. Those folk work on numerous projects at once, moving from one to another as their spirit desires. Few are ‘monogomous’ stitchers. It is all so interesting and delightful. What a treat to be able to peek in on quilters’ and stitchers’ lives and share their lovely works. I also appreciate your focus on nature. Your New England world has very different flora than my central Texas one, and it is a treat to see the lushness of your area.
Thank you Carol! When I was working as a physician and a medical director, I always had a long “to do” list and was constantly juggling several tasks at once. Some of that “style” of working seems to have followed me into retirement!🙂
So glad you found the box of fabric for the HST Medallion quilt. Like you, I rarely have big enough pieces of fabric for borders/backings, as I usually buy fat quarters or 1/2 yd. pieces.
I predict Ursula will adore her basket quilt!
Thank you so much! I agree – I think the quilt will be better with the extra HST’s.
Oh Gladi, you read my mind! So often I add a border fabric that looks fine but doesn’t really add to the quilt itself. I LOVE the idea of leaving just the half squares around that gorgeous panel. And, as much as I love to donate quilts, I think you need to keep this one. I adore it and it fits so perfectly with your home. (in my humble opinion)
Thank you Wendy! You’re right – the extra HST’s are the way to go! And now I’m envisioning it on display here……
How serendipitous to have remembered that box of HST’s before you finished the top. Well, you know the old saying ” all the planning in the word will never replace dumb luck”. That quilt is just gorgeous. I think it’s a keeper. Love your blog.
Thanks so much Joan! I can’t believe I’d forgotten about all those already cut squares and made HST’s just waiting for me!
Your quilt with the HST’s is exquisite!! I just love it! Hugs,
Thank you so much!
thatsa lotta hsts…lol….will be lovely i am sure….i agree about stone walls…i love to see them, so very new england..
Thank you Grace!
I’ve always loved that Dutch quilt design. All those hst’s are a true labor of love. Glad you found a few extras tucked away for safe keeping.
Thanks Kyle! So glad I found them too!
Of course the quilt progress is always a delight. Thanks, too, for the picture of the small hickory nuts, a much appreciated follow-up on those lovely images of their early spring evolution.
Thank you Marie! I’m glad I’ve become interested in the hickory nut/tree life cycle. I think most of we humans have become too detached in general from our environment and need to get back in touch!
Hooray for memory of hidden fabrics! And I can totally relate to the “buying small pieces of many fabrics” and then not having pieces large enough for borders and such. Sends me back to the quilt shop when the last thing I feel I need is more fabric.
Very clever method for piecing your backings. I really like where you are going with the back for TIROS. Beautiful fabrics, that are so appropriate for what is happening on the other side of the quilt.
The “I Spy” nature of the latest baskets are very fun for Ursula’s quilt.
Oh, the beautiful flowers on your walk! Breathtaking!
When we visited our daughter in Oregon last month, we went to a park filled with rhododendrons in a myriad of colors. They don’t grow in our valley, and I was in floral heaven! Your bush is a beautiful color! We also don’t have the stone walls here, and I love seeing them when we have visited New England. They have an “old world” feel to me.
Thank you Janet! Sounds like our fabric buying habits are similar 😊. New England is beautiful but so is your area in its own special way!
The additional two rows of HSTs enhance the center panel. This is a lovely quilt! I love the owl and hedgehog blocks. Your granddaughter will enjoy finding something new and fun each time she looks at her quilt. I love the rock walls and the one in front of the rhododendron is full of charm and interest. Thanks for showing your process for piecing the back for your quilt. This one will be gorgeous front and back!
Thank you Kelley! Always glad to hear that others find beauty in humble objects like stone walls. I know Ursula will love the fun things in the quilt fabrics!
All the little baskets…. Be still my heart!:)
I am enchanted and inspired by everything in this post — including the stone walls.
The extra rows of HSTs are going to enhance that quilt beautifully. I am sure that very few quilters have a box of precut HSTs to hand and which match the new project perfectly!
The back for Inner Reaches is going to make it into a reversible quilt.
And the animals ‘hiding’ in the baskets are delightful. I am sure you will whip up the next 50 or so baskets needed in no time.
Thanks for your kind and encouraging comments! I think I’ll be taking a short break from the baskets in order to work on a couple of other things, but am thinking it will be either a birthday or Christmas present next year when she’s 4😊.
That is special fabric that affords such cute hidden treasures. Perfect for those sweet baskets. How fortunate to remember your HST’s and look how wonderful they all look together. I think this should be a keeper too. Love to see what is in bloom and delighting you; you are just ahead of us here north of you. All in due time. Happy Weekend to you both.
Thank you Jocelyn and happy weekend to you too!
I definitely think you should keep this beauty. As much as I like framed medallions, I like the HST enmasse.
Great start to your pieced back. I too like to use large prints on backings.
Such pretty flowers!
Thank you Barb! I’ve always admired the wonderful backs of your quilts, including the excellent labels. You’re a role model for me!😊
Love the whole story about finding “forgotten” fabrics, so that you could finish your quilt. It’s going to be so beautiful! Those little basket quilts are also fun and will make a great quilt.
I also think your backing piecing is top-notch. They look like they go together (whereas mine just look like blocks of prints). And of course, the beautiful flowers–I love the look of your walk!
Thank you Elizabeth! I always sigh when facing the extra work of piecing a back, but then feel the extra work was worth it because it looks good, makes the quilt more interesting, and uses up fabrics from the stash without having to spend on new.
I’m very lucky to have 4 different very nice walks right from my front door and numerous trails and paths within easy driving distance. There are so many benefits to walking regularly!!