Friday, November 22, 2013

Arkansas Crossings

Looking at this quilt just makes me feel so happy! Arkansas Crossings is my 4th UFO Finish this year from the book "Quilts from the Heart" by Karin Renaud. I'm going to say it again, this is a great book and one of my favorites for scrappy kid's quilt inspiration.

Another thing that makes me happy about this quilt is that it is UFO Finish #52 for 2013 which means I've met my goal to average one UFO finish a week this year. I am more than ready to relinquish my Queen of UFOs Crown!  Happy Dance!!
Many of the 4 patches in this top were made from a package of bright 4" squares I bought on eBay because I hadn't been cutting 2" squares yet. I remember pairing them up, trying to spread the colors around and wondering if working with these small squares would be worth the effort.
Then I started cutting 2" squares out of leftover scraps to fill in the rest that were needed. I've got a tray of leftover 4 patches and squares so I look forward to starting another one. I just love the little kitties peeking out in the blocks below - I hope I remember to add a few fussy cuts here and there in my new patchwork quilts.

Yesterday I posted HERE about my quilting process. I'm still really happy I went back and added the diagonal lines. White Aurifil has become my go to thread for scrappy quilts on white background because it sinks in so nicely - it almost looks like an invisible thread. I like to let the fabrics shine on these quilts.

Often I use a "calm" fabric to border a scrappy quilt but in this case I really liked how all the colors of the blocks were used in this fabric and I think the small scale works with the rest of the top. I tried 8-10 fabrics as binding before I pulled out this one, I was stuck on wanting more blue but I was wrong!
On the backing I used this large scale print which I just love! I'm hoping I can find more of it next week if I venture out to SR Harris on Black Friday while we are in Minneapolis/St. Paul for Thanksgiving. It is 60" wide which is just perfect for backing kid's quilts.
What I Learned:
  • Scatter some fussy cuts in patchwork blocks.
  • If the top needs more quilting go ahead and do it!
  • It was worth going small for - keep cutting 2" squares.
I'm linking this UFO Finish up to TGIFF@Never too hot to stitch!Can I Get a Whoop Whoop@Confessions of a Fabric AddictLink A Finish Friday@Richard and Tanya QuiltsNeedle & Thread Thursday@My Quilt Infatuation and Finish it Friday@Crazy Mom Quilts.

27 comments:

  1. good work! the border fabric is perfect.

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  2. Love it! I'm going online to look for the book!

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  3. Awesome quilt. I am adding this to my "want to do" list.

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  4. Congrats on the 52nd! You are the queen of the UFO's! Amazing that you did it! Bowing down....

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  5. Love your beautiful quilts!!Hugs Bambi

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  6. I love, love, love this quilt. Thank you for sharing. It inspired me to make one too and I am really happy with the outcome of mine. Congratulations on another grand finish.

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  7. This looks GREAT! That's a fabulous finish for meeting your goal!

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  8. Love this quilt, love the border, love the binding, love the backing, love the quilting, love looking at it and saying, ooh! I have some of that fabric, and that one, oh! and that one too! LOL
    52 UFOs finished! And the year isn't over yet! Goodness woman, what more can you achieve?

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  9. Your quilt has turned out fantastic! I am working on 2 quilts in the same block pattern! I love seeing how other people complete the same project I have in my UFO drawer, it certainly encourages me to pull it out more often! You made a delightful quilt, you should be very proud!

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  10. Nice design. Very colorful but the white breaks it up. Hooray for striped binding!

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  11. I love the colours and the scrappiness.

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  12. love your quilt!!! just ordered the book, can't wait to get it. I also love 2" squares!!!! thanks for sharing your quilt. it is AWESOME!

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  13. Another great finish - can we send you our UFOs, you are such an expert now!

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  14. Congratulations on finish #52. You have done more than one a week. amazing!

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  15. Great job with another finish. I love to shop "my" stores on black Friday- everyone is happy and friendly.

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  16. I love colorful quilts and love your Arkansas Crossing! Congratulations and let the drums roll for finishing 52 UFOs!! That is incredible!love the fabric used in the border too!

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  17. This is so beautiful Deb! I've got a little one (1 1/2 inch squares) on my wall....need to finish it.

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  18. I absolutely love this quilt Deb!! It is just so happy and fun to look at! Hooray for you for finishing 52 UFO's this year- a month before the year end too!

    Thank you so much for linking up to Needle and Thread Thursday!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  19. This is one of my favorite scrappy quilt patterns, they always turn out great! Nice finish!

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  20. The completed quilt is wonderful.
    Congratulations on all your finishes. That is a wonderful effort.
    I hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving.

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  21. Lovely quilt! The border fabric is prefect. I admire your commitment to getting through the UFOs. Great effort! I think my problem is that I don't like all of my UFOS anymore, well I don't love them as much as I once did.

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  22. This quilt is so fun and bright. Love it!

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  23. Just became a member of your blog! Come follow us back! Thanks

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