Strip

I don't do much quilting, I just don't have the patience for it.  When the urge (or need) strikes, I reach for a strip piecing pattern.  It's quick, it's easy, and I like it.  No brainer sewing, sometimes you just need it.  6 of the 7 quilts I've sewn have been strip pieced.  The 8th one (later this year, for my son) will be strip pieced, too!

The fabric and pattern were purchased while we were camping in June 2009, in East Tawas.  It was all bought with this exact intention, a quilt of patriotic, Navy, and Fire Fighting fabrics for DH.  The pattern is "Strip Stacks" from G.E. Designs, which has quite a selection of strip quilts.  I whipped up the top of the quilt the weekend before Christmas, and completed the "layering" part of it today, with the batting and binding and all.  I will still add some actual "quilting", I'm just letting the ideas marinate while I decide how to best use those empty white spaces.

We've got stars, stripes, anchors, rope knots, fire trucks, maltese crosses... the only fabric the store didn't have was a motorcycle print!  This one is a lap sized quilt, for the couch at home or the recliner at the fire station.  My next quilt will be more of the fire dept. theme, too.  Little Man's room is decorated that way, and when he was a baby, his crib sheet had that motif.  I'll be cutting his crib sheet, and joining it with other fabrics to make a twin-size quilt for his big boy bed.  I did one for my daughter, using her old butterfly crib sheets, and it turned out great.  Something she'll have forever, from when she was a baby.  All together now... awwwwwww.....

In other news, the muslin of the Communion dress is done, and fits perfectly.  Just a few inches off the hem, so we're ready to dive into the real fabric.  I'll post pics of the muslin and details of my plan later this week. 

Lastly, tomorrow is my 37th birthday.  I'm lucky enough to have the day off work, so I'm looking forward to spending the day relaxing! Hope you all also have a great day!