Works in Progress

 I don't know about you, but it seems that I have a lot of WIPs.  I have entire quilts cut out ready to sew, I have finished quilt tops that need to be quilted, I have fabric and patterns chosen and in containers waiting for me to start, and I have projects planned in my mind that haven't made it any further than that!  Sound familiar? 
  Well, this week I worked on quilting a customer's quilt that I know she started 6 years ago.  How do I know?  It is a "Buck a Block" project that we had at the Quilters Cottage when we first opened in Kearney.  I have the same project in different fabrics in my sewing room waiting for me to finish it!  Anyway, working on this beautiful quilt inspired me to get crackin' on my own "Buck a Block."  Isn't that the greatest thing about seeing all the projects in a quilt shop, or going to a quilt show, or watching show and tell at your local quilt guild---INSPIRATION!  I always come home after an outing raring to go on my own WIPs.  I hope the following pictures from my customers quilt inspire you to work on some of your projects...even if they are 6 (or more) years old!

Tennessee Waltz is my new Favorite Pattern

I love this pattern!  I saw it in a magazine a few months ago, and thought, "I need to make one of those."  As is my usual way, I got distracted with other projects and things that needed to get done.  Now in the past month, I have had two customers bring me these beautiful quilts to quilt for them.  They have me chomping at the bit to make one of my own!  I love this particular use of a light, multi-colored batik as the background.  This simple two block quilt is just a snowball block alternating with a 54 40 or Fight block.  The easiest way to make it, I assume would be to use Eleanor Burns' Tennessee Waltz book.  Eleanor's books are like "Quilting for Dummies" and I love them.  Of all the seemingly thousands of designers out there, I feel like Eleanor makes the best patterns.  They are so easy to follow, and have the quickest possible methods.  This is definitely on my "to do" list!