Thursday

Synchronized Squares Quilt Along

Quilt Along
This is the final quilt top entered in the drawing for the $100 fabric gift certificate prize. Now I have to get the backing on and quilt it.

Monday

Synchronized Squares Quilt Along

Quilt Along
After folding all the squares in four and fitting a printed square in the middle of the white square by matching the folds, the squares were stitched together. Then, the squares were cut in half then in half again making the four squares seen on the left. The cut squares were randomly pieced and stitched back together to make the new squares. The new squares are placed in 7 rows of 6. After moving the squares around a bit, they are ready to be sewn into the quilt top.
Quilt AlongQuilt Along

Tuesday

Synchronized Squares Quilt Along


Quilt Along

The first instructions for the quilt along was to cut the layer cake to 7 and a half inch squares using the 2 and a half inch leftovers to make the binding. I cut the fabric on Sunday and made the binding on Monday. I am ready for next week's instructions.
Quilt Along

Monday

Quilt Design Board

While I work through my new sewing table design ideas, I thought I would try a project that I can complete within one day. So I searched the internet to figure out how to make my own quilt design board. After reading through a few different versions posted (thank goodness people like to share their hard work online), I decided what my design board was going to look like.

I went to JoAnn Fabrics and bought 3 yards of white flannel lined vinyl tablecloth fabric. I knew that most boards sold at home improvement stores came in 4 by 8 foot sheets so I used that measurement as a guide. The tablecloth fabric came in a 54-inch width so it was just big enough to cover 4 feet. The vinyl was thick enough to cover whatever the looked like so it seemed like a perfect choice. With a 50% off coupon, the fabric was only $4.98 per yard so I spent less than $15 for the vinyl.

The I headed to Home Depot where I bought a sheet of Owens Corning Foamular. It comes in the standard 48 x 96-inch sheet, just like I expected. The tougher choice was deciding the thickness. It comes in half-inch through 2-inch thicknesses. I knew I had to get a feel for it. When I thought about the vinyl covering, I decided on the 3/4-inch thickness. It was thin enough to not be too bulky but thick enough to handle the weight of the vinyl. It only cost $8.44 for the sheet. The hard part was getting it into the car. I had to bend it slightly to make the 4-foot width fit in my little SUV, and thank goodness for the SUV or else I never would have gotten it home.
FoamularFoamular
The foamular has a tongue on one side and a groove on the other, so pieces can be locked together. I took a razor knife and cut off the tongue on the one side of the piece. I laid the vinyl flat on the floor, flannel side down and plopped the foamular on top. I made sure it was evenly placed on the fabric.
Foamular
Starting from the middle top I used duct tape to tape the fabric to the back of the board. Then I moved to the middle bottom and did the same. Then I moved to the middle of each side and taped the fabric down so it was tight and even. I worked towards each corner then folded a miter into the fabric and taped it all down. It was the easiest project ever!

Wednesday

Synchronized Squares Quilt Along

Quilt Along
I just ordered the Ready, Set, Snow Layer Cake by Me and My Sister Designs for Moda Fabrics and the Bella White for this new quilt along. Sadly, the fabric by the yard isn't available yet so I hope I don't have to wait too long to get it and finish. I loved doing my first quilt along so I can't wait to start this one. It's a great way to stay motivated.