Not only are two more quilts done but I am done with crumb blocks for a while! Way back in 2005 I pulled out my scrap basket, sorted the scraps into color groups and proceeded to sew about a billion crumb blocks. I even designed patterns for each of them and bought the sashing and setting fabric. I started off well and got the first quilt, Mardi Gras, done in 2006. That quilt is enjoyed in the guest house. Kids love it. Then I lost my mojo for this project. It returned to them last year and I finished Zig Zag with the blue and tan blocks. That quilt is on my guest bed upstairs. Earlier this year I made On Point with the black, white and red blocks. That quilt is in a closet because it's too big for our queen bed. The last group of blocks were green and tan and the quilt I designed was another huge quilt.
I. Could. Not. Bear. It.
Ugh.
About that time I was thinking of a new Quilt of Valor or Veteran's quilt project. I had decided that I would alternate making QOV and Veteran's quilts since I have an affinity for both organizations. I had so many blocks and so much fabric I wondered if I could make one of each from the green blocks.
Yes!
I had enough fabric for 2 quilts and the backing for one and now, thankfully, the crumb blocks are all gone.
The Veteran's quilt is 48 x 60 because that's the size that the organization requests. I used the same basic layout that I did for my last Veteran's quilt.
The Quilt of Valor is 68 x 82. I could have used an extra row of blocks but I kind of like the top and bottom border of gold bars. One thing I noticed after the quilts were done is the bit of red int he blocks. THese quilts aren't super exciting to begin with but I think that bit of red really makes a difference.
My Guild provides the batting for the Veteran's quilts and it's Hobbs 80/20. I've never used it before. I do like quilting with it and it makes a really soft quilt but, personally, I like a beefier batting like Quilter's Dream Blend or Warm & Natural. I used W&N in the QOV. Both are quilted with my favorite manly pantograph, Square Spiral in a gold King Tut thread.
Fast and easy. I like that!
The Veteran's quilt will go to the coordinator in my guild and the QOV will go to Alycia. Alycia works tirelessly for the QOV program. I really enjoyed working on the two quilts at the same time and that's the approach I am doing for the next two quilts.
I could tell myself that I will not make mroe crumb blocks but I know that would be a lie. Sometimes it's fun to just sit and sew a bunch of random scraps together and it's only a matter of time before I am back at it.
Next time you make a crumb quilt, consider making the entire top from "crumby blocks" without any sashing or borders. It would be a spectacular scrappy quilt and would use up the crumbs faster!
Posted by: Linda Evans | August 28, 2012 at 02:01 PM
Kinda reminds me of the song, "99 bottles of beer on the wall . . . ."
As you know, I am currently in the Crumb Block Lockdown.
Great work, Vicki!
Posted by: Debra S | August 28, 2012 at 06:04 PM
Great quilts for two very honorable causes!
So glad you've introduced yourself to the group doing Barbara Brackman's new B.O.W at
www.flickr.com/groups/grandmotherschoice
It's going to be a lot of fun to see what everyone does.
Posted by: Becky in VA | August 28, 2012 at 07:32 PM
Beautiful quilts and wonderful causes. I decided to start one of mine today and had one of those, what was I thinking days, lol. I was trying to use a charm pack and then had to redo the blocks and make them smaller, and now I have to figure out a way to set them.
Debbie
Posted by: Debbie St. Germain | August 28, 2012 at 10:19 PM
Wowie, look how many quilts you got out of crumbs! I think I like Mardi Gras best.
Posted by: Laceflower | August 29, 2012 at 11:13 AM
I have been thinking of making crumb blocks. I think I could make a whole quilt just from the ones on the floor of the studio. :-)
Posted by: Gari | August 31, 2012 at 08:45 AM