I had a brand new fun pattern written, fabric pulled, pattern pieces cut, and ready to be sewed. Then, I broke my toes. So, now I have to take a break for at least a few days. I needed to finish sewing the binding on this quilt, so that’s exactly what I did, with my foot propped up on the sofa. These blocks got a fresh new setting and are the focus of today’s story.
Last September, I finished making this quilt for my kitty. He kept on using it happily, but I HATED it! Yes, I truly hated that green sashing. I thought the green dulled those bright beautiful colours of the blocks. I refused to lay that quilt out for my cat. So finally, before I went on holiday, I started remaking the quilt.
Time was short. Instead of taking the whole quilt apart, I started at the seams that joined the blocks to the sashing. I unpicked the stitches until the blocks came free. Since I am a fairly light quilter, I was able to pull the blocks out during one afternoon. Patience is required for the process though, good thing I like to listen to stories while I work. Some day I will pull out the yellow backing for use in an another project.
Of course, the blocks were not as crisp as when they were new. They also shrunk a bit during multiple washes. After trimming them to be of the same size, pressing them with a hot iron and steam made them good to be used again.
This time I used plain white Kona cotton for the sashing to bring out the bright colours of the quilt blocks. I did somewhat of a grid quilting. It’s not a perfect grid, but it’s not random either. The pale sea green thread is almost the same colour as the block background.
I found this steel-grey-blue in my stash for the backing.
To keep it light and airy, I used the same fabric for the binding that I used for the block background. By the way, if you use pins for binding, I highly recommend binding clips. Clover clips are even better. I only have one set of those at the moment, I will definitely get more in the future.
The Squares Plus idea started with my wanting to make a plus quilt. I also wanted to add a little twist to the traditional plus blocks. While fiddling with the design, I added the little squares on top of the plus sign. That became my Squares Plus pattern.
So here’s the newly-finished Squares Plus quilt for my kitty. Not that he would know the difference, but I am certainly much happier to lay it out now.
My kitties use their quilts a lot. If there is not already a quilt on one of their usual sleeping places because I have taken it away to wash, they sit and wait patiently, right beside the spot. They continue to look at me until I lay a quilt down for them. Smart, huh?!!
Happy Sewing,
-Soma
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33 thoughts on “Squares Plus Quilt Remade”
Janie October 13, 2017 at 10:35
I agree, you are dedicated! Beautiful results.
Your kitties are discerning, lucky you.
Linda October 11, 2017 at 13:08
A lovely little quilt! Thanks for sharing with ‘sew stitch snap SHARE’
Linda October 11, 2017 at 01:27
I like that change of colour. The cats quilt really pops now.
Connie K Campbell October 10, 2017 at 05:02
The white sashing really sets off the blocks, does your kitty seem to like it better now? LOL Sorry to hear about your toe.
Ness October 5, 2017 at 06:52
I really like the simplicity of the design. If a design like this isn’t perfect it can look a mess but there’s no danger of that in your quilts!
Jenny Benton October 4, 2017 at 13:15
How on earth did you break your toes? Sounds very painful indeed. I was amused to read that your kitties wait till you have put a little quilt down for them before curling up on your furniture. They are very clever cats!!
Kerry October 4, 2017 at 01:53
Ouch! But on a brighter note the quilt is lovely. Lucky kitty! I do like the plaid effect with the quilting. :D
Marie-OR October 2, 2017 at 13:04
What a wonderful quilt project. Love the colors! How awful that you broke your toes!!!!
jesh StG October 2, 2017 at 12:38
Actually, for most of my life I very much disliked green! But am turning around, because I live in the forest, to the point that even we (hubby:) ) have started painting our house -kind of a sage green –
Like these colors Soma -so vibrant! Your cat will like it (don’t know if they see colors?)
Many thanks for sharing your new quilt with All Seasons! Have a very productive week:)
Roseanne October 2, 2017 at 10:03
Hi Soma,
I am so sorry to hear about your toes. My goodness, that must hurt! I would love to see those kitties patiently waiting for you to put the quilt down. How the heck cute is that?!! I liked the quilt originally but if you’re not happy with it, then it’s a good change. The colors really do pop! ~smile~ Roseanne
Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts October 2, 2017 at 05:34
Oy! That is a project that requires lots of patience, and it paid off. I love the new quilt, and I’m sure kitty appreciates all your hard work! :)
Kaja October 1, 2017 at 01:07
What dedication, Soma, and it paid off as the new version looks much brighter and cleaner. I hope your kitty appreciates it!
Sandy Panagos September 30, 2017 at 19:47
Wow, it looks SO much better! Even so, I bet your cat didn’t mind either way. lol
Lady Fi September 29, 2017 at 21:53
Lovely colours and patterns.
Linda in Calif. September 29, 2017 at 15:05
I love, love the quilting on this. I thought I loved and would use the one you did on your cat quilt. But I love this one so much more – I can’t wait to start quilting my daughter quilt with a similar design.
krislovesfabric September 29, 2017 at 07:52
Glad you were able to do what makes you happy, even though you have a “toe setback”…hope they are feeling better by now. I have had broken toes but thankfully, only one at a time and the tape it to the next one method has worked well for me. More than one must be a struggle to heal! I do not envy you all the unpicking, I had a quilt fold over a bit on the back recently when I was machine quilting it and have been grumbling not so softly as I unpick it, I will try to adopt your more sunny attitude.
Kim Sharman September 29, 2017 at 06:25
I totally agree the white does make the squares plus quilt look brighter and makes the colours pop. The grid quilting looks cool. Lucky kitty and a very smart one, at that. =)! Ouch…your poor toes. I hope they heal quickly.
Mary September 28, 2017 at 20:14
I do like the redo and I agree that it really makes the blocks pop. The quilting is perfect for the design. The story about the kitties waiting for their quilts is so funny. Smart kitties, indeed.
Hope the toes feel better soon.
Susan September 28, 2017 at 19:47
I liked the quilt before the change, but have to agree it is much brighter now. I am so sorry about your toes. I do know how painful that can be. I will pray they heal quickly and correctly.
Cheryl Brickey September 28, 2017 at 19:15
I liked the quilt originally but I agree that the white really sets off the blocks and improves the quilt. I am so sorry to hear about your toes! I hope that they mend very quickly.
Kathleen September 28, 2017 at 17:15
Wow, you are one determined woman to make a quilt right! And it looks great. I do hope your toes heal soon.
Lisa September 28, 2017 at 15:58
That white sashing really is the ticket for making the blocks stand out. It’s a lovely pattern and I like your twist on the plus block.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare September 28, 2017 at 14:45
So sorry to hear about your toes, Soma. I do hope they heal soon.
Your quilt looks very refreshed with the new white sashing. It really does have a brightening effect :)
Maria September 28, 2017 at 14:39
Lovely plus block quilt Soma! My goodness…it can’t be much fun with broken toes; hope they heal quickly xx
Sandra September 28, 2017 at 14:38
I love that mental image of your kitties waiting for you to put down a quilt; my Bella takes any quilt, even when it’s just pieces of fabric LOL and plonks her butt on them. Hope your toes heal quickly OW! I CANNOT BELIEVE you unpicked all that. I would’ve remade it and donated the original if I couldn’t stand looking at it! HA!
Toni Leggate September 28, 2017 at 12:57
Lucky Kitties – a beautiful ‘new’ quilt. Ouch though! I hope your toes mend quickly and painlessly… Take care
BillieBee September 28, 2017 at 08:55
Great design and popping colors.
Susie September 28, 2017 at 08:34
You were so right… that white makes your blocks Explode with color!!!
And you are soooo patient to be able to extract the blocks and quilting threads!!! I giggle as I imagine your smart kitties patiently waiting for their quilts to be put back into their napping spots!!
I hope your toes are on the mend , poor dear!! Sends gn you hugs and prayers !
Susie
Tish September 28, 2017 at 07:11
I love how the blocks pop with the new white sashing, but I’m a sucker for white backgrounds and sashings :) What a good kitty momma that you want your babies to snuggle in style. Cats and quilts go paw in paw :)
Jayne September 28, 2017 at 06:08
I love that you remade the quilt, especially because you were not happy with the original Kitty quilt! The things we do for our pets! My dog had three quilts…they love quilts too!
Wendy @ September Violets September 28, 2017 at 05:46
I liked the original quilt, but when I saw the change in the sashing colour, it really does look so much better. The squares look like they’re floating over the plus :)
Patty September 28, 2017 at 04:38
That is a great quilt top!
Sally September 28, 2017 at 01:26
Only a truly dedicated quilter would go to so much trouble for a kitty quilt! But you’re right, it does look much nicer now. Well done!