Hands 2 Help Mini-Tutorial

 I love working with panels when a quick and easy quilt is needed.   But it isn't always easy to know what to do with them, especially when the panel is not a typical panel.  This quilt started out with me buying a bunch of squares that had been cut from a panel several years ago from a quilt store in Texas.   Then in the last year at a quilt store here in the Phoenix area I found this remnant panel that matched the squares I'd found in Texas.

Yup, I had to buy it so that I'd have enough full squares from the panel to make a quilt out of

The second panel I used in my quilt was actually a remnant of one of the cotton dress fabrics that has the multiple rows of elastic thread at the top.   This piece was about 34" wide and I got it for a great price.  Had it for several years and then realized that the colors were the perfect match for the panel shown above.   I took out the elastic (just a chain stitch) and then washed the fabric to tighten the holes up.

Because this is cotton it works great in a quilt, so don't be afraid to use something that is not a traditional quilt fabric.

And don't be afraid to use non-traditional panels for the basis of a quilt.  This panel is one that was meant to be made into a pillowcase that a child could color on if desired.    The panel originally was just in black & white.   I took pieces from my scrap stash of pre-fused fabric and cut pieces to fit the letters of the word 'Dream' to highlight it.   I'm still debating on whether to add a border to this top or not, so it isn't finished.

5/27/21 -- The giveaway is now closed -
For Hands-2-Help this year I'm giving away these two panels from my stash to one person.   To enter, leave a comment on this post with the number of how many panels I'm giving away and which is your favorite.  If you are an anonymous poster and want to enter the giveaway, make sure that you put a contact email in your comment.


Gratitudes:

1. For my stash which gives me lots to work with

2. For good friends who are there in times of sorrow and need.

H2H quilt finished

Found myself not able to sleep early Sunday morning so I got up and finished pin basting this little quilt and then quilted it before getting ready for church.  Got it bound in the afternoon.

It will be going to Jack's Basket as part of the Hands 2 Help challenge this spring.  You can read more about the challenge by clicking here.

Backing was the perfect size and color and from my stash.  The four blocks in the quilt were all samples that I made as I was testing new block patterns several years ago.

Gratitudes:

1. Found the beads and other materials I needed to make the bracelet portion of the medic alert bracelet that I really should be wearing but haven't been.

2. For friends who challenge to keep growing in my faith instead of remaining stagnant.