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Quilty Love

A quilting creative blog

2021 Completed Quilty Projects

Compass Star Baby quilt – The Ruby Star Society one

I have the cutest Compass Star baby quilt to share with you today! I actually made this quilt top last spring but recently had it quilted and finished.

Compass Star is one of my favorite star quilts to make and I’ve made a few of them by now. Recently I made one using my new Quilty Love Palette Picks bundle.

This might be the first Compass Star baby quilt that I have made though! Compass Star is a really great stash quilt as it only uses fat eighths. So for this baby sized star quilt you would only need nine fat eighths from your stash.

I used the leftover Smol Ruby Star Society fabrics from my Hopscotch II quilt. So technically I didn’t even have fat eighths. I just cut each block piece from the fabrics I had left. I ended up using more than nine fabrics to make that work. I also used a solid as an accent since I didn’t have enough fabric.

The Compass Star quilt pattern is available in the Quilty Love pattern shop.

Hopscotch quilt by Emily of quiltylove.com using Smol fabrics

Quarter Square Triangle star block

Compass Star uses quarter square triangles. I love quarter square triangles! They are a no waste method which is always great.

It might seem a little intimidating to make quarter square triangles but they are actually pretty easy! The Compass Star quilt pattern walks you through each step. It also makes the quarter square triangles over sized so you can trim perfectly.

Compass Star Baby Quilt

I couldn’t resist using up the leftover Ruby Star Society Smol fabrics so I decided to make up a baby sized Compass Star quilt. Compass Star is a nice and easy quarter square triangle star quilt pattern. It goes together with quarter square triangles.

If you have never made quarter square triangles, they are fun to make! I also have you make larger and then trim to size for better precision. So you trim them just like you might half square triangles. I personally enjoy trimming and find those precise squares satisfying.

Fat Eighth Friendly star quilt pattern

Compass Star is a fat eighth friendly quilt pattern. I love fat eighth quilts because they really stretch your fabric. Plus a fat eighth bundle is a lot less expensive than a fat quarter bundle when buying an entire fabric collection. A fat eighth is half of a fat quarter. They measure about 9″ x 21″.

I have a few fat eighth friendly patterns in the Quilty Love pattern shop.

Modern quarter square triangle star quilt

Compass Star is a modern quarter square triangle star quilt. It’s a nice and easy quilt to sew up. I think I made this baby version in about a day or two.

Compass Star looks great in solids, prints or a mix of both.

All the quilt sizes

Compass Star includes instructions for a baby size, a throw size, a twin size, a queen size and king size quilt! I’ve included all of the quilt sizes including the bed size quilts.

I don’t make baby size quilts that often but they sure are a fast finish! I love this one so much though that I kind of wish it was a throw size…haha. These Ruby Star Society Smol fabrics are such a beautiful fabric line and definitely a new favorite. It’s those navy prints in the fabric collection that get me!

Ruby Star Society Speckled background

I’ve been trying to branch out from my go-to white backgrounds in quilts lately and have been gravitating towards subtle prints like this Ruby Star Society Speckled fabric. It has just enough print to keep it interesting but is light enough to let the main fabrics shine. Ruby Star has some really great lighter basics that work well for this. Plus these subtle prints are so much more practical than a white fabric.

Peppered Cotton Wideback

I finished off this Compass Star baby quilt with some leftover Peppered Cotton wideback fabric from other quilts. It’s not the most exciting backing but it’s a classic grey and I’m all about using what you have available.

Binding

The binding on this Compass Star baby quilt is a Ruby Star Society grid fabric. I used to use such neutral bindings but over the past year or so I’m finding myself using bolder options that really frame the quilt.

Long arm quilting

I sent this Compass Star baby quilt off to my quilter to be quilted! This is the first time I’ve had a baby sized quilt long arm quilted. I actually don’t mind the quilting process and a baby size is the easiest size to quilt so I’ve always done them myself.

However, my time is a lot more limited these days with the toddler and quilting is the obvious step to take off my plate. I had good intentions of quilting this baby quilt but after it sat as a quilt top for well over six months I decided it was time to send it off.

Jenae of Vintage Stitch quilted this baby quilt for me. She chose this adorable quilting design. I really love how this baby quilt turned out that I may never quilt my own baby quilts again..ha.

Compass Star baby quilt resources

Quilt Pattern: Compass Star by Quilty Love
Fabrics: Smol fabrics by Ruby Star Society
Background: Speckled by Ruby Star Society
Backing: Peppered Cotton Wide Back
Binding: Ruby Star Society Grid
Pieced on my Janome MC6700p
Long arm quilted by Vintage Stitch

Ombre Hexie Pop quilt

Today I’m sharing the ombre Hexie Pop quilt I made a while back. I’m in between projects right now so I’ve been working on updating the blog with all of the quilts.

Hexie Pop is a fast and easy modern half hexie quilt. It is pieced using half hexies and traditional piecing. No Y seams! While there are angles in this quilt, they are pretty simple. I’ve even written the Hexie pop quilt pattern in a way where you won’t lose a single point!

The original Hexie Pop quilt is on the blog here. The Hexie Pop quilt pattern includes a 3 color version like the original and a multi colored version like this ombre one. You can use either three different fabrics or choose a different fabric for each row.

I’m using seven different shades of ombre for this Ombre Hexie Pop.

Ombre Quilt Pattern

Have you noticed yet that I love working with ombre fabrics..haha. My favorite ombre fabrics are the VandCo Ombres. They started out with 20 plain ombre colors but have now expanded to many more colors and variations.

I’m using the VandCo Confetti ombre fabrics for this Hexie Pop quilt. I actually had a full VandCo fabric bundle that I separated into cools and warms. This is the cool version. I am making the warm version of this hexie quilt right now actually!

Once you make a quilt or two using ombre fabrics, you want to try everything in ombre..lol. And I’ve yet to find a quilt that doesn’t look great in ombre fabrics!

Since I’m making the multi color option of Hexie Pop, I chose seven different shades from the VandCo Confetti Ombre Line.

VandCo Ombre colors used

The VandCo ombre confetti colors used left to right are: Avocado, lime green, Mint, Lagoon, teal, turquoise, Indigo

There are so many beautiful VandCo ombre shades to choose from. You can use those exact colors above to make a similar quilt or choose any seven cool shades.

I lined my ombre hexies up light to dark. The variation is pretty subtle so you don’t have to worry about perfection here. But for the most part, I ran the ombre fade light to dark. You could really play around with the arrangement like dark to light back to dark for some cool ombre effects.

Hexie Pop quilt pattern demo

Hexie Pop is actually a pretty fast and easy quilt to make! I recommend you use a hexie ruler (or 8.5 inch triangle ruler) for easiest results. The pattern does include templates though so you can make one without any sort of special ruler.

This IGtv walks you through making the Hexie Pop hexie blocks. In the video I demonstrate how to use each of the rulers or even the template to cut out your pieces for Hexie Pop. Then I walk you through making a block.

Half hexie quilt pattern

Hexie Pop is made up using half hexies which means no Y seams! To be honest, I have never sewn a Y seam before because they just don’t sound very fun. All of my hexie quilts avoid Y seams for this reason.

Instead, Hexie Pop is pieced traditionally using half hexies.

Recommended quilting rulers

Like I’ve already mentioned, I do recommend using rulers when possible because it helps keep accuracy in the cutting step. However, you certainly can skip the rulers and use the templates. Watch this IGtv to see how to use the templates properly.

I’m a pretty minimalist quilter and really don’t like collecting notions and tools. But I do have a few rulers that I use and love.

If you want to keep things simple, get yourself an 8.5 inch (or larger) triangle ruler. You can cut both hexies and triangles with a 60 degree trianlge ruler! I really love this 8.5 inch Quilt in a Day ruler.

Another favorite is the Hex N More ruler because it also has both a hexagon and a triangle ruler. I find myself reaching for my triangle ruler above more often though.

Hexie Pop quilt pattern

The Hexie Pop quilt pattern is available in the Quilty Love shop. Hexie Pop includes all of the quilt sizes from baby size up through bed sizes. It includes instructions for a baby size quilt, throw size quilt, and twin, queen and king bed sized quilts.

Easy beginner friendly hexie quilt pattern

While Hexie Pop has angles, it really is a fast and easy quilt to piece! If you are new to working with angles or hexies, be sure to watch the quick Hexie Pop demo on IGtv and I promise you will be more than ready to tackle this one.

I’ve left extra room in the seams so you don’t lose any points. It really is a forgiving quilt to sew up.

Sew up this modern Hexie quilt using just three different colors or make a multi color version like this ombre one. The quilt pattern includes cutting instructions for both.

Hexie Pop ombre binding

I finished off this modern hexie quilt with an ombre binding. I used some extra VandCo confetti ombre I had in my stash for the binding. It’s VandCo Ombre in the color turquoise.

Hexie Pop backing

This fun and modern Hexie Pop ombre quilt is finished off with a solid grey Peppered Cotton wide back. I’ve been using this wideback quite a bit because it’s a nice neutral that I stocked up on.

Ombre Hexie Pop Long Arm Quilting

I sent this one off to Knot and Thread for quilting. It sat as a quilt top for so long that I gave up on quilting it myself. Knot and thread chose this really cool geometric quilting pantograph that really compliments the hexie shapes.

Now I just need to finish up the warm version of this ombre hexie quilt!

Materials used:

Hexie Pop quilt pattern
VandCo Confetti Ombre fabrics (exact colors listed above)
Kona Cotton background is the color Snow
Binding is VandCo Confetti Ombre in Turquoise
Backing is Peppered Cotton Wideback
Pieced on my Janome MC6700p
Long arm quilted by Knot and Thread

Sassafras Lane Lucky Log Cabins Quilt

I have a fun one to share today! This Sassafras Lane Lucky Log Cabins quilt is a bright and cheerful quilt.

This fast and easy quilt is the first in the new Quilty Love Stash Buster series and a stash buster it is! Lucky Log Cabins does not require background fabric making it a really great quilt to sew up your stash.

This version of Lucky Log Cabins uses the newly released Favorite Things fabric by Sassafras Lane for Windham Fabrics. So while it is not technically fabric from my stash, it was a full fat quarter bundle that was cut up and sewn together in no time.

Sassafras Lane Favorite Things Fabric

I was thrilled to participate in the Sassafras Lane Favorite Things Instagram (and blog) tour to help show off their newest fabric line.

Favorite Things hosts a vibrant spectrum of fun prints, a few functional low volume fabrics and a handful of unique neutrals

Favorite Things features Sassafras Lane’s signature rainbow of vibrant color. This fabric line includes little motifs of all of your favorite things.

Sassafras Lane Lucky Log Cabins quilt

I knew immediately that I wanted to make a Lucky Log Cabins quilt using this colorful and vibrant fabric line. It has some really great low volume prints in it making it the perfect choice for Lucky Log Cabins.

I chose 15 prints from the Favorite Things fat quarter bundle for the medium throw size. I ended up leaving out the oranges and purples.

Stash Buster Quilt Pattern

Lucky Log Cabins does not require any background fabric making it the perfect stash quilt or in this case fat quarter bundle quilt. I could use the low volumes throughout the quilt since they wouldn’t get lost in the quilt.

What I love about Lucky Log Cabins is that is uses every inch of a fat quarter.

Fast and Easy stash buster quilt

This Sassafras Lane Lucky Log Cabins was sewn up in about a day. Lucky Log Cabins is a fast quilt to make! It uses strip piecing shortcuts and requires almost no fabric placement planning. It really is an enjoyable quilt to sew up if you are looking for some good mindless sewing.

All the quilt sizes included

Lucky Log Cabins is one you will find yourself sewing more than once! The pattern includes eight quilt sizes from baby all the way up to king size! The Lucky Log Cabins quilt pattern includes all of the bed sizes and several throw sizes.

This Sassafras Lane Lucky Log Cabins quilt is the medium size throw.

Perfect Teenager Quilt

My teen saw this quilt in my sewing studio and commented on how cool it was. Favorite Things by Sassafras Lane is teenager approved..lol. All of the Sassafras fabric lines with their pretty rainbow of color are perfect for quilts for teens.

The lights and whites in this Favorite Things fabric line are so fresh!

Long Arm Quilting

This Sassafras Lucky Log Cabins quilt was long arm quilted by Jenae of Vintage Stitch. She sent me some quilting ideas and this Macrame computerized quilting pattern was the perfect choice!

I actually had Jenae finish this quilt off for me! It came back completely done! She offers binding as part of her add on services. It was amazing!

Blossoms Wide Back fabric

Let me tell you about this backing fabric! This black backing is a Blossoms wideback by The Tattooed Quilter for Riley Blake Designs. I was so excited when these widebacks were introduced because I’m always on the hunt for a good neutral modern wide back fabric.

Quilting widebacks save you time and money. I really don’t like piecing backing fabric and a wideback eliminates that. A wideback is just that… a wide bolt of fabric intended to use as the backing of quilts. Most wide back fabrics are 108 inches wide.

So when I find one I like, I stock up! And use it over and over again…lol. These Riley Blake Blossoms wide backs are one of them that I’ll be using over and over again. I love a backing with a nice subtle print like these especially when the front of the quilt is busy and colorful.

Black quilt binding

This Sassafras Lane Lucky Log Cabins quilt is finished off with a Kona black binding. I liked the black binding with the black backing fabric and the splashes of black through the quilt top itself.

Materials Used:
Lucky Log Cabins Quilt Pattern
Favorite Things fabric by Sassafras Lane
Blossoms wideback fabric by Riley Blake Designs
Kona Cotton black binding
Pieced on my Janome MC6700P
Long arm quilted by Vintage Stitch

VandCo Ombre Gems Quilt – The QAL one with new colors

I have another VandCo Ombre Gems quilt to share today! Somehow this Ombre Gems quilt never made it up on the blog. This colorful Ombre quilt is the one I made during the last Ombre Gems quilt along.

The last Ombre Gems quilt along was the 3rd and final quilt along I hosted for this rainbow quilt. If you missed out on a quilt along, you can still do it on your own by signing up here!

This Ombre Gems quilt is sewn up using new VandCo ombre colors. With the addition of new colors to the VandCo Ombre fabric line, I created a new color scheme.

Ombre Gems is available in the Quilty Love pattern shop.

VandCo Ombre Gems quilt pattern includes exact color placements

The original Ombre Gems quilt uses all of the 20 original VandCo ombre colors. The VandCo ombre fabric line has now expanded well beyond 20 colors so I choose 20 of my favorites for this quilt.

The Ombre Gems quilt pattern includes exact placement and instructions for both the 20 original Ombre colors and the 20 colors used in this quilt. If you use these exact colors, the planning is already done for you!

20 VandCo Ombre colors used in Ombre Gems

Since there are so many more VandCo ombre colors to choose from, I left out the tans and blacks for this version of Ombre Gems.

Here are the exact colors from the photo above: cranberry, cherry, popsicle pink, hot pink, persimmon, tangerine, cayenne, coral, honey, lime, mint, teal, kelly, lagoon, turquoise, nantucket, slate, mauve, plum ,magenta

Buy an Ombre Gems quilt kit here!

Quilting with ombre fabrics

I have been a fan of the VandCo Ombre fabrics since their very first ombre line hit the market. In fact, back in 2016 I created Ombre Gems around that very first VandCo ombre line! It was first published in Love Patchwork and Quilting Magazine and even made it on the cover!

Ombre fabrics create so much interest and movement in quilts. They can make a quilt look way more complex than it actually is.

Ombre Gems quilt pattern is easier to follow

Over the years I have been tweaking and updating the Ombre Gems quilt pattern so it’s easier to follow and easier to make. It now includes exact colors and placement when using these exact colors (or the 20 original colors) so no planning needed! You can now replicate this quilt exactly.

I can’t resist the photo opportunities when sewing with ombre fabrics..lol. They just look so pretty every step of the quilting process.

Below are all of the Ombre Gems quilt blocks ready to be arranged as a quilt top.

These photos are a little nostalgic. This was right after our move to southern Minnesota and my sewing space was set up in our large master bedroom our rental. We weren’t in this place for more than a few months but this colorful quilt and the quilt along happened here.

Portable quilting design wall

It’s a good thing I made my design wall portable because I can’t tell you how many times I have had to move it..lol. When I made it I really thought it would be kept in one place for years and years.

The only reason I made it portable was because I didn’t know for sure which wall of my studio it was going to live on. Since making it about 3 years ago it has been moved into at least 3 different studio spaces.

My design wall is one of my favorite things about having a dedicated sewing space. It really helps to see the quilt come together on the wall rather than on the floor.

It is thick insulation foam board covered in cotton batting. I made the mistake of trying to use a thinner foam board and it was too thin to be portable.

This insulation foam board is 2 inches thick.

First I cut it down so it didn’t bump the ceiling in my space. I actually cut it to my original studio which has a lower ceiling. It was only in that space for a couple of months (if not weeks..lol) so I could have left it a little taller than it is.

Then I painted it white so you wouldn’t be able to see the blue foam board through the batting. I covered it with cotton quilting batting that is just taped to the back with my favorite Kraft tape.

You can see some videos and additional explanation about my design wall in these stories on instagram.

And now we are in my current studio..lol. The closet doors have since been painted white. I think we ended up moving into our house right in the middle of hosting the Ombre Gems quilt along.

Ombre Gems quilt pattern

Ombre Gems includes instructions for two different throw size quilts. This is the larger of the two. It also includes a smaller throw with significantly less blocks. You can see a small Ombre Gems throw I made here.

I would call Ombre Gems an intermediate quilt pattern. While the construction of the blocks aren’t too complicated, it does have a lot of seams to line up. The pattern includes pressing instructions to help with lining up seams.

This quilt is a very rewarding quilt to make! I’ve made a few of them now and they are always so gorgeous and satisfying when they are done.

1/4 yard or Fat quarter quilt

Ombre Gems can be made using fat quarters, quarter yards or even jelly roll strips! If you buy specifically for the pattern, I recommend the 1/4 yards, then fat quarters, then jelly rolls in that order. All three options will work but jelly rolls are probably the most challenging since they tend to vary in their width.

Long Arm Quilting

This Ombre Gems quilt sat as a quilt top for too long. I recently sent it off to Knot and Thread for quilting. I love the diamond quilting pantograph she chose for this colorful quilt.

Peppered Cotton Wideback

I used a light grey peppered cotton wideback for this rainbow quilt. I like to add a subtle backing to my Ombre Gems quilts since the quilt tops are so colorful. This peppered cotton wideback I had on hand worked perfectly.

Ombre Gems Binding

I finished off this colorful Ombre Gems quilt with a grey VandCo confetti binding that I had on hand.

I love how this Ombre Gems quilt turned out! It has a little more of a softer color palette than the original Ombre Gems. It reminds me of rainbow sherbet or something.

Ombre Gems looks great in any of the VandCo ombre variations such as the fairy dust or confetti. You can use these same 20 colors in any of the VandCo ombre fabrics. Here is an Ombre Gems made using the 20 original colors in the Confetti fabric line.

Materials Used:
Ombre Gems quilt pattern
VandCo Ombre fabrics
Peppered Cotton Wideback
Pieced on my Janome MC6700p
Quilted by Knot and Thread