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Quilt Projects

Home renovation and sewing

October 17, 2018July 8, 2020 Post a comment

Hi friends!

How is your week going? Have I told you about my home renovation project?

Back in the spring, hubby and I realized we could no longer put off the renovation of our deck. We live in a townhouse and our backyard is basically a deck. With stairs to the back fence that leads to the cemetery where I walk the dog.

The deck was old and the previous owner tried to shore it up and keep it alive. Jim did the same the first few years we were here- replacing a board or 2 here and there and basically just trying to patch it up. But the boards underneath were rotting and sinking and it was time.

Hop the Fence- a new quilt strip quilt coming soon.

 

We got a bunch of quotes and after we fainted from sticker shock, we signed on the dotted line and were told it would be about 6 weeks until they could start. That was early June. They called in late July but we were away seeing family on the east coast and we set a date for early August.

They postponed. 

Then they postponed again.

quilt that uses strips
Close up of quilting

 

Finally in late August they were coming! Yea! They ripped off my old deck but there was a problem getting their permit from the town (yes, they ripped off the deck before getting their permit to rebuild) and it took many weeks to get a permit. 

Kira would stare longingly out the back door at the muddy backyard.

No deck. Fence started.

 

Finally the permit was in hand and they started back on the deck!

It has not been a smooth process. They cut our neighbor’s tv cable right- and of course it was before the weekend when the neighbor usually watches lots of sports; they broke another neighbor’s downspout while putting up the new fence between the decks; it took 3 tries for the inspector to pass the holes for the concrete footings and then it snowed. 

They got started – happy dance- and then it snowed again.

Deck is starting to take shape!

 

But the good news is there is progress and we will have a deck soon and be able to enjoy it all next spring and summer. And maybe on a nice day here and there the rest of this fall. 

While all that has been going on, I have been sewing. 

strip quilt
Hop the Fence small quilt detail- don’t you love how the lines make this puffy secondary texture?

 

And sewing!

Braid with center square

And… oh wait!…. sewing!

100 Blocks Progress

In addition to working on all my new projects, I was able to finish all 100 blocks from the Tula Pink 100 Modern Blocks book! One a day for 100 days. Well, some days I made more than one so I could post images on the days I was traveling. But I did it! 

Here are my last 4 blocks: 

Block 97

black and white quilt block
Block 97

 

Block 98

Modern quilt block
Block 98

 

Block 99

modern block in purple
Block 99

 

And Block 100!

pink modern block
Tula Pink block 100

 

Love them. It really was a fun challenge. The blocks were for the most part pretty simple- striking but easy to piece. The hardest part was picking fabric. At first, I kept wanting to add to my preplanned group.  But except for a couple of blocks early on when I added a fussy cut of fabric with a totally different look, I kept to my palette. Actually made it easier! And the blocks go together well. 

Now I need to decide on a setting and be make them into a quilt. I have a setting in mind but… it will be a big quilt! We’ll see what happens. Maybe I can make 2 smaller quilts?

Next week on the blog will be the next installment of the Border Quilt Quilt Along and maybe I will get that book review done!

happy quilting!

Kate

 

100 modern blocksbook reviewhome renovationModern Patchwork Homereviewsstrip quiltsTula Pink City Sampler
About Kate

About Kate

Hi! I'm Kate Colleran, a designer who creates quilt patterns, fabric and surface designs. I lecture and teach about quilting. Welcome to my online home!

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