Les Bleus d’Alsace 2026 Quiltalong

For our 2026 quilalong, I had a plan but after visiting Alsace, a region in France, my brain led me a different way. 

So here we are- my inspiration was this lovely gray/blue I kept seeing!

Just a little peak on the right.

 

This was the airbnb my daughter and I stayed in 2015. Blue shutters have stole my heart!

Swatches at the linen museum.

And, of course, this quilt displayed in France from the International Quilt Museum.

I've gathered up a few bits of gray/blues and blue printed shirtings. I have one print that is a dark blue. I had to dig deep! I wish I had more French General blues. The quilt will measure about 22" square. 

If you want to sewalong, start digging for the fabrics you'd like to use. 

The name of our quilt is Les Bleus d'Alsace or The Blues of Alsace. Feel free to rename it if you decide NOT to use blues. 

Let me know, either in comment or email to humblequilts@gmail.com if you plan on joining!

Have a lovely week!

PS, I have vintage linens from France in my Etsy store! Check it out HERE  if you'd like. (search linen) 

Humble Quilt Swap- Checking in

 

My little quilt is winging its way to its new home! I see many others are zig zagging the US and the world right now!

Just wanted to remind you that May 9th is the deadline to have your quilt in the mail! If it is heading overseas I hope you will get it mailed sooner than later. 

The quilts I've seen have been wonderful! 

Have a lovely weekend!

STOP THE PRESSES! Summit Stitches part 3

 Feel free to pull your hair out, scream at me, never read my blog again! 

In testing they always say your first answer is usually correct..well, 

My first post said we needed 80 four patches, then I corrected it to be 320.

When I was sewing 320 four patches, I thought, "Is this actually right?" NO it wasn't! But I am going to have a lot of little 4 patches left over and you may too. 320 is the amount of 1.5 squares we needed. Geez Louise!

I have made small errors before in the sewalong but I am considering this one a very LARGE   error.

I'm so sorry!

You still need only 5 sawtooth stars from part 2. 

I was going to wait to put this out on Monday but today is a good day to move forward.

Using your 4 patches we will now make a 16 patch. Keep your lights in the same position when sewing them together.

These should measure 4 1/2" and you will need 20 of them.

So sorry about that mistake. Thankfully 4 patches are fun to use!

Summit Stitches Part 2

This is the original star in the quilt. I've cropped it close, but yes, the tips are cut off a little. 

Let's make one!

You should be able to click on that and make it larger. 

Here is the background square cut on the diagonal twice.

Lay your pieces out

I start with the flying geese sections, lining up one side as seen in the photo, 

Sew, then press and add the other side. I take a tiny bit less than a 1/4" seam allowance. This piece, when sewn should measure 2 1/2" x 1 1/2". 

Then assemble in rows. 

This is how I press

Ta-Da! Your block should measure 4 1/2"

Admire your sweet block then make 4 more for a total of 5. I will be using the same blue in all of my blocks.

Much love to you all! Have a great week!

 

2025 Swap Quilts Linky Party

My swap quilt is crossing the seas and I have not received it yet, but I wanted us to start sharing the  quilts!

We will post the quilt you received. 

Please try and take a straight on photo so we can see them better online. 

You can add a photo from your blog, from your desktop or instagram. 

If you cannot figure out how to add your received quilt feel free to send me a photo at humblequilts@gmail.com and I'll post it.

Thank you to everyone who sewed and swapped!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Swap Quilts On The Move

This was not my planned quilt, but this is how mine turned out. I played with more fabrics and the 2 reds just seemed destined to be the main show.

I hand quilted with a cross hatch. 

 The backing is a lovely fabric!

Many quilts have arrived at their new home and other's are winging there way across the USA and World!

If you aren't done, don't panic. You have 17 days to get it completed and in the mail.

I hope your week has been wonderful.

Little Quilt and Baskets

 

Here's Janny's little quilt made from my "new old quilt" You can see it HERE. Each version is so adorable!

When I did my Bounty of Baskets workshop last month one of the ladies (I am so sorry I cannot remember who brought them) shared her string baskets from a class she took in Sisters.

Because one of my workshops is Bounty of Baskets and one is String Quilts Your Way I was inspired to make a string basket!!

I hope I can spice it up a little a liberated style border. It falls a little flat for me right now.

But I love to give quilters options!

Where I like to go berry picking there is a place with beautiful views. I go there every year! On the right, Mt Hood, to the left in the background, Mt Adams. 

And way back there Mt St Helens!

I'm having a great week and I hope you are as well!

Fun on a Friday!

Here is another cutie Patootie little quilt! This time made by Laura in WA. (I kept her instagram handle in the photo if you want to follow!)

She opted for 7" blocks. 

Then I turned this:

Into this!

We have had some beautiful summer nights. 

I'm sorry for all those dealing with wildfire smoke. I hope it clears up soon. On the west coast we get it a lot and understand how miserable and ugly it can be. Take comfort in the fact it always clears up!

Thank you all so much for the Etsy orders! I appreciate it so much! (link on my sidebar)

Enjoy your weekend quilt friends!

 

Shenandoah Stars

Thanks for the good feedback on my joyful Friday post. That was fun!

This quilt has been put on hold long enough! I had it machine quilted and it just wasn't what I hoped for, so I removed it then hem-hawed around trying to figure out how to quilt it.

I moved forward and started doing some large cross hatching, not minding where the stitches fall. 

I've always liked an all-over pattern so I'll trust myself I'll like it when it is complete. 

The fan stitching lines should come out after washing when the quilt is completed.

My friend Michelle, has been traveling for about a month so we met halfway and caught up while hiking and camping.

How beautiful it was! 

Only after I started to take our food down that I thought you may be interested. We tie our food up and if we are in a populous bear area (or more remote) we will also add any lotion or anything smelly to our food bag. (no food in tent ever!) We find a high branch to throw our rope over and with a carabineer we attach our food bags and hoist it into the air, then tie our rope off on a nearby rock or tree. This method also keeps rodents from trying to get to your food as well. 

If you are hiking/camping in a heavy bear area you may be required to carry a bear canister or a campsite will have a bear locker where everyone stores there food, etc. overnight.  

Public service announcement of the day! Hahaha

Have a great week!

 

Joyful Friday!

Today's post, June 2, 2023 are the things that bring me JOY this week!

A little quilt remake by Mary R! Darling as ever!

Fresh eggs from my neighbor. They are so pretty!

I've seen some very small lizards around my house but none this long for several years! Look at that tail! At first I only saw the tail and thought it was a pack rat. I was thrilled it was Mr Lizard. 

Cara Cara oranges. I have to get these at my Trader Joes 1 hour away! Should have bought 2 bags!

Flowers at my front door.

Wildflowers on a hike.

Central Oregon mountains.

Two little blackbirds sitting on a stone......

Making plans for Peru!

Thank you for all your sweet comments on the newest basket quilt!

Have a wonderful weekend!