Love Handles Quilt

A couple of months ago, this  pattern started calling my name.  With an over abundance of tropical fabrics in my stash, I knew this design would be fun to make.  "Love Handles", designed by Judy Dohrman for Black Cat Creations, is a modern version adapted from an antique block.  

The quilt, now at home with my daughter in law Rachel, was gifted to her at Christmas.  With all the rain and cloudy days, the final pictures had to wait for the sun to come out.  

Linking up with Sarah, at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Love Handles - Top ready for quilting!

The "Love Handles" top is complete - I even weighed it....almost 2 pounds before batting/quilting!     The designer, Judy Dohrman (Black Cat Creations), used one fabric for her sashing and large border, however I made a  piano key border to use as much of the scraps as possible.    All of the dimensions are the same as the pattern - except I have gone totally scrappy.  

I am so happy with this colorful project -- Judy's blocks were so much fun to make.  Each block had its own unique personality.   My long arm has been busy lately with charity quilts, which means the Love Handles will need to wait her turn.

And....since this is the first Wednesday of the month, its time for sharing with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict (who keeps many of us accountable in the war against overflowing scrap buckets).

Love Handles - Scrap Attack Update

The blocks are sewn together and the first border is added.   The designer, Judy Dohrman (Black Cat Creations), used one fabric for her large border, however I'm choosing  to go with a piano key border.  The border will be the same size as the pattern.  All of the strip sets are done, so by next week, the top will be done.

While sewing the miles of strip sets, I pieced together "Quilts for Kids" using 6 1/2" squares.  I had enough fabric to make two of the colors above and a third is almost done.   This project has been adopted by our guild, using our own stash or kits provided by QFKs.  I then sew together 3 backs and load them on the long arm for quick quilting. 

Love Handles - Scrap Control Update

Keep reading to the end -- there is a giveaway alert!  The Blocks and sashings are done.    The designer, Judy Dohrman (Black Cat Creations), used one fabric for her sashing, however I still needed to use up a box of strips, so I went very scrappy while maintaining Judy's size of sashing. 

Next Wednesday's goal is to have the top sewn with borders.  Do I go scrappy???? --- maybe a piano key border.  We shall see.....  either way, I can't wait to have the top sewn for an OUTSIDE picture.  The indoor lighting just does not do the colors justice.

Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, just finished her Summer Wedding Quilt Top and is giving away an extra copy of the pattern!  Be sure to leave a comment on her website and good luck!

Love Handles - Scrap Control Update

Almost done with the blocks...just four left of the total 24 needed.    The designer, Judy Dohrman, used one fabric for her sashing.  Since I have gone scrappier with the backgrounds of each block, I am heading in the direction of scrappy sashing.  

Next Wednesday's goal is to have all the blocks and sashing together.  Then comes the auditioning of the borders.   Is it too soon to start thinking about my next scrappy project?  Maybe not, but I have just enough time to make one more before Bonnie Hunter's Mystery, which is always the ultimate scrap buster.

Love Handles - Scrap Control Update

Making progress on my "Love Handles" ... twelve done.  I like the way they look butted up against each other on the design wall; however the pattern has sashing that I like too.  I have some of the sashing pre-cut (scrappier version) and will wait until more blocks are done before adding them.

See you next Wednesday for an update to my endless supply of scraps.

Working on those Love Handles - Scrap Control Update

I have several large bins of different sized strips that have taken over my sewing room and closet.  I have used up some of the  2 1/2", 1 1/2" and 3 1/2" strips for the Kitchen Sinks #1 & #2 (Kaleidoscopes).  Has there been a noticeable reduction????  Well .... the lids to the bins close now, BUT THOSE LOVE HANDLES ARE STILL BULGING!   

It's time to get serious and start a major reduction of those bulging bins - what better way than to use this cute little pattern called LOVE HANDLES, designed by Judy Dohrman, published by Black Cat Creations.  The cover photo has a light background of all one fabric -- but that won't help the bulging "Chunk" bin (those pieces  smaller than fat quarters, but not yet cut up). So, as you can see, there are different backgrounds for my blocks. 

My fabric choices will be on the Tropical Side -- after all, losing those LOVE HANDLES will help someone in a bikini (just not me) ....but how about a cute beach quilt?

 I also have these four Kaleidoscope blocks below from the left overs of Kitchen Sink #2 -- my thinking cap is on as to where they will end up (table topper, small wall hanging, baby quilt???)  For now, they will just hang around on the design wall.

Scrap Control Update

A little detour -- I need a QUICK charity quilt with blues and green.  Time is short, so I pulled out my blues, greens and lights from the pre-cut 4 1/2" and 2 1/2" strips in the scrap bins.  The block is a variation of an oldie, "Prairie Queen" without any HSTs and finishes at 12".  I have them all cut out (a total of 30 are needed; 5 across, 6 down to finish at 60" X 72) -- it really pays to have bins of strips already cut.

And....if you notice what is on the long arm frame above, Kitchen Sink #1 --  almost done. 

After the Charity detour, I will start working on my "Love Handles" , designed by Judy Dorhman with Black Cat Creations -- a great diet / stash reduction. I love this little quilt and can't wait to dig in.

I follow along with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict, who helps us stay accountable to the growing scrap bins.