Summer Sewing Contest

Summer is here! Ok, not really, but today is Memorial Day in the United States, which is the day we set aside to remember those who died serving our country in the United States Armed Forces. It is also known as the unofficial start to summer around here. There are tons of cookouts and the pools open. Which was nice here yesterday when it hit 101 degrees at my house! It's also when I start to get the itch to begin sewing for summer - you know, sun dresses and new bags and picnic quilts. And I hope you are motivated to sew for summer too, because Jennifer over at Ellison Lane Quilts has organized a Summer Sewing Contest that I hope you will take part it.

First for a bit of inspiration... I was hoping to have this quilt finished in time for today's post, but things got crazy around here and it just didn't happen. But I am working on a new, giant (for me) picnic/beach quilt for the family. My daughter wants pretty much everyone we've ever met to fit on it. So, it's going to measure 80" x 80" and I think we are guaranteed to at least fit her and 10 of her closest friends on it at the park.

Each block uses a print from my stash and a print from Maude Asbury's Crabtastic line.

I also threw in a couple prints from Sweetwater's new Lucy's Crab Shack line. Confession: I don't eat crab. But I can't resist the designs and soft colors of this fabric.

I created a 16-patch for each block using 4.5" x 4.5" squares, resulting in 16.5" x 16.5" unfinished blocks. I plan on making 25 in total. (So far 15 are finished.)

So here is how the contest will run: 1. Sew something fun for summer in one of these 4 categories: You may enter one item in each category. · Quilts · Home Decor · Clothing · Bags & Accessories 2. Link up your entry at Ellison Lane Quilts: June 10-17. 3. Finalists are chosen in each category: June 18 4. Voting Begins: June 18- June 23 5. Winners announced: June 26

The Prizes: The winner of each category will receive a $100 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop.