I really love making new quilt tops, but actually finishing the quilts? Not nearly as fun. I have a closet of unfinished tops to prove it!
Since we've been home and I have nothing new to work on, I've been slowly finishing up some old tops and teaching my kids how to help.
I made this scrappy Ziggy Baby top a couple of years ago, and it was a great project to teach my boys how to finish a quilt. I used this pattern.
My boys are a great age where they can run the sewing machine easily by themselves and even keep a straight-ish line. I turned down the machine speed, taught them how to line up the edge of the walking foot along the seams, and they quilted along each one.
Anywhere they had to "eyeball" the line straight was tricky for them and I did the quilting. Besides that, and a bit of unpicking and re-stitching the wonky parts when no one was looking, they actually did a pretty great job!
Aaaaaand it only took us about 2 weeks to finish quilting it. ;) LOL...it was veeeery slow going.
I bound it, and I'll help them donate it when we can.
The pattern is called Ziggy Baby...I wrote this one 9 years ago! I added a page to the PDF with the cut sizes and a coloring sheet to make it scrappy like this version.
What are you guys working on? Any fun quilting projects? I've been SO unproductive during this time, but I'm also enjoying the down time.
I'm definitely feeling ready to start a new project though, maybe I'll make a few more quilt tops to add to my never ending closet of unfinished quilts!
Donna Weeks
Just purchased the pattern and now I have a great scrap buster for the weekend. Thank you for a great pattern at a great price. Donna Weeks (aka Momma Llama)
Allison
Thanks Donna! Happy weekend sewing!!
Lisa Crawford
My stay-at-home project is a quilt for my new grandniece. I'm turning the floret table topper into a sweet little quillow for for our new little munchkin.
Allison
Oh that will be such a cute quilt for her! I always forget about that one...I should remake that one too!
Marcia Gilbreath
My mojo is a no-show! I have two quilts in progress, but can't seem to get started. I've been using my time to go through closets, etc. to fill up some boxes to take to a thrift shop. I'm almost finished with that, so maybe then I will get back to my sewing!
Judy Stodghill
I made a house quilt using Adyta Sitar’s pattern “Winter Village”. I used colorful scraps and changed one house pattern into a church. Going to call it: “Sheltering in Place” to remember this time in our life’s. Two other friends made one with me via text messaging!
Allison
I think house quilts are on the brain right now...I made one and I've seen tons of them!! That's so fun you all made them together!!
Allison
Ugh that's been me too...this quilt is all I've done in the past few weeks. I'm finally feeling like it's time to start sewing again. When I have no sewing mojo I just lean into it...good luck and it will come back!
Amber
I’m taking every small scrap of fabric I own and organizing it by size and color, cutting them down into ready, useable strips. It has been a huge task but so rewarding. It has made me more grateful for all I have and has actually made me not want to buy fabric. My mind is exploding with the possibilities of what I can do with all the sweet scraps. I want to be a good steward and not waste, especially in these uncertain times.
Allison
Oh that's a great idea. My scrap basket is overflowing. I'm working on a scrap pattern that uses 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" strips...so it's good motivation to tackle the scraps (not my favorite thing to do!). Thanks for the idea!
Sheila
So nice to hear from you! Glad you are surviving your coronacation with your kids. Love this Ziggy baby quilt. I have a baby quilt i need to make in the near future. This could be the answer. Right now I'm working on your mini pumpkin pattern. Always seemed to run out of time for it. So this year I decided to start work on it early in the season. Hopefully by fall I'll have it completed.
Allison
Oh my gosh "Coronacation" I'm dying laughing. You are smart to work on a fall quilt now...fall comes SO FAST and then you'll have time to enjoy it!
Judy Stodghill
Love the steps quilt. Getting the pattern to use up scraps! Thanks for sharing!
Allison
Thank you Judy, have a great weekend!
Bec
Masking tape is great to use when quilting straight lines. I use a piece about ten inches long and keep reusing it until it doesn’t stick anymore then I get a new piece.
Love your blog and book, my copy is about worn out!
Allison
Great idea! I've done that on quilts but it's been a long time...I'll use it again!
Becca
I’ve been finishing up UFOs too—but I’ve sent them out for long arming after I finished piecing them, haha. And sewing masks, and sewing some clothing patterns I’ve been waiting on...lots of projects perfect for quarantine! That quilt is great, and I love that you’re letting your kids help!
Allison
Oh don't worry I have a BIG "to the longarmer" pile too! ;) Good job keeping busy sewing...you have more sewing energy than I've had in 6 weeks LOL!
sewhappy
I would have had left all of their stitching in. It would have made for a great story for them to donate to another child in need. Happy Creating.
Allison
I thought about that...but since we donate them to a children's hospital we can't donate them in person (and they might wonder about all those crazy seams). I left all of the non-crazy wonky seams...it's actually pretty cute with them!
desidear
Over the last six months of last year, I made an effort to get great batting on the cheap. I bought 9 queen size batts in batches of 3 for $65 w/free shipping and also some others. The idea was to turn as many tops as possible into quilts this year. So far I've finished three. The trick is NOT making new tops to replace the ones I've just quilted!! Not easy!!
Allison
It's the "not making new tops" part I struggle with! Someday maybe I'll be quarantined at home for 8 weeks and finally have the time to finish them all! Oh wait...I do and I still don't. ;) New projects are more fun LOL!
Mirka Kimlová
I have some tops and no helpers :-)))
Mirka
Allison
I'll send you mine! They like to be paid in ice cream sandwiches. ;)
Donna Becker
Every kid should learn how to do the basics of taking care of themselves. Sewing enough to do simple repairs to their clothing is a must. The boys will be well served having learned a bit of machine sewing. Cheers to you!
Allison
Thanks Donna! I totally agree!
Melonie Kuegler
You are a good mamma! Love your blog.
Allison
Thanks Melonie!
Kathy
Is it possible to figure out how much fabric you would need to do s bunk bed sized quilt?
Allison
I would double and a half (2 1/2 x) the requirements for a pretty perfect bunk bed size. You'd have to lay it out to see how large you want it, but it would fairly easy to do since these are such easy blocks!
click here
Love your new Ziggy quilt, so fresh looking. Give your quilt the the lady with 10 children,
Allison
I made her a different one! A cute eye spy quilt. :)
Shari Hammel
Thank you for the Heart Quilt design. I have completed a king size quilt for Valentines Day 2021
Your instructions were excellent.
Shari Hammel
lindielee
Beautiful quilt! Can you tell me what brands of threads you use in you Juki? I have the same one!
Sara Bronfman
Love this post, comes at a perfect timing!