100 Day Challenge Finish
I have my 100 Day Challenge Finish to show you today. Earlier this year, I joined in the 100 Day Challenge on Instagram. For the challenge, you choose something you will do for 100 days and post about it each day. It can be anything that you choose; it doesn’t need to be quilt related.
As I considered what to do, I knew I’d need to keep it simple if I was going to keep it up for 100 days, so I chose the simple little plus block. My blocks finish at 3 inches. The blocks were quick and easy to put together, and I had fun staging the photos each day. Here are a few of my favorites:
I began my 100 Day Challenge on April 8th. I added a few additional challenges:
- all fabrics had to be from my scrap stash
- no repeats except the rainbow stripe fabric
I was successful in that all the blocks were made from my scrap stash. I’d like to say that I used up a good chunk of my scraps, but a little 3.5″ block doesn’t use much fabric!
I purposefully used the rainbow fabric for a block every now and then, for a bit of fun and to give a nod to all the colors used in the blocks. I had thought I managed to avoid any other repeats, but then I saw two red polka dot blocks. I think that’s the only other repeat I had.
As I was pondering how to put the quilt together, one of you mentioned that I should look at the book, Modern Plus Sign Quilts by Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander. I can’t recall which one of you suggested it, but thank you. It was just the ticket. The layout of my mini plus blocks is modeled after a fun table runner in that book.
My reason for choosing a mini plus block was also related to the pandemic. I needed something to remind me to think positively each day as we sheltered in place. I had no idea, when I began, what a challenge that would be. Many of these blocks have a memory attached to them, some good and some bad. Nonetheless, it did help me think on good things and pray for those who were struggling with some terrible life situations.
I like the way the plus blocks dance across the quilt in this layout. The low volume blocks, with all the variety, signify the uncertainty we’ve felt during this pandemic. The blocks are pieced together in the order I made them, the first block being the orange in the upper left corner.
The quilt measures 34″ x 44″. For the back, I used this fun Tatami Gray (Natalie Barnes, Makers Home) and added the binding in the rainbow fabric.
I’m very happy with my 100 Day Challenge Finish. It is a nice feeling of accomplishment to see the completed quilt.
Have you ever done the 100 Day Challenge? If so, what did you do?
Linking up today with:
- Confessions of a Fabric Addict
- Powered by Quilting
- Quilting Patchwork Appliqué
- Tish in Wonderland
- TGIFF
- Cooking Up Quilts
Wendy
To Do Tuesday #28
34 Comments
Cindy P
What fun little blocks, I like the layout you used! A beautiful finish!
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
This quilt is beautiful. I’m amazed at the perfect colour balance you’ve achieved joining them in the order they were made. It puts my endless arranging and rearranging of blocks to shame! don’t think I could do a hundred day challenge but I like the way it has cheered you during the pandemic and encapsulates memories of this strange time.
Molli
Wow this is such a beautiful quilt. It was so fun to see each block arranged and photographed so artistically as each one was completed. And to have worked on it during such a strange and memorable time in history. It is a treasure.
karenfae
I love the layout and so bright and pretty – one by one they sure added up!
Riceford Streams
I love how you pulled this all together in your final layout! What a meaningful quilt. Did you label it? The 100 days of positivity is a great idea and one I’d be willing to try — maybe this winter. 100 days seems daunting; I did a 30-day challenge and thought that was hard. So, kudos for sticking with it and concluding with such a neat quilt.
Diann@LittlePenguinQuilts
That turned out so great, Wendy! I loved reading about all your thinking that went into this project. I like the offset layout you decided on, too – makes the quilt so interesting to look at! Are you putting a special label on the back to reflect this crazy time that your quilt was made in?
Helen
What a sense of accomplishment! Good for you for seeing it through to the hundredth day.
Vicki in MN
So glad you were able to stick with it as this is so bright and fun. You know I have enjoyed your 100 day journey. Love that you used the stripe in the binding🙂
catpatches
Oh my gosh…that turned out so cute. I love all that color. You got some practice with your pictures too. You took some cute ones along the way. I enjoyed seeing them on Instagram.
Kathleen McCormick
Terrific t’s – ok they are plus signs but I liked the way that sounded. It really turned out splendidly and the back and binding are perfect. I love that it help you get through this odd time, and that a thing of beauty came out of it, not to mention the pictures. Did you keep notes on your thought as you did them?
Nancy Bekedam
Fab, Wendy!!! So creative, photos and blocks! I love that tatami back! I want some! Where did it come from? Are you going to hang it on the wall? Or?
Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl
I haven’t taken on a 100 day challenge myself; your decision to stick with something small and manageable was very wise! The staggered layout and use of the stripe print in several blocks and the binding is a great unifying element. Congratulations on the finish. 🙂 Do you think you will do another 100 day challenge after finishing this one?
quiltedblooms
Ahh, I recognized the Rick Rack Runner vibs right off! I enjoyed seeing your brightly colored blocks on Instagram everyday. And, such a delight to see the finished quilt! Congrats on completely finishing your 100 day project.
Joyfully, Nancy Manos
It turned out so beautifully, Wendy!
Rochelle Summers
Wendy such a lovely quilt. I love the setting. I have that book and participated in the sampler quilt along they sponsored two years ago. It is one of my favorite quilts. A 3 1/2 ” block should be manageable every day but it doesn’t take long for me to get side tracked. I tried to follow “The Year of Scrappy Quilts” sew along by Leila Gardunia and made it through 10 weeks (1 a week). So, my hat is off to you for faithfully completing a block a day and finishing the quilt. This is a quilt to treasure.
quiltinggail
YAY!!! Congratulations, Wendy!!! You did great with getting the challenge done! AND to use just scraps … wonderful job! And the quilt looks fabulous! A total win-win!!!
Happy Quilting! 🙂
Louise Hornor
What a wonderful result from 100 days of steady progress! I love how the pluses dance across the quilt, and the stripey binding is so great. There’s something about small, scrappy blocks that are just the best: so much variety! Great finish, Wendy 🙂
The Joyful Quilter
Awesome 100 Day Challenge finish, Wendy! I’m wondering about that binding. What width did you cut your strips? It looks wider than I normally see out in BlogLand. Is it just an optical illusion because of the rainbow stripe? Thanks for sharing!
Sandra Walker
How fun and rewarding to see all those plus blocks from Instagram grow up into this meaningful quilt. I like the arrangement, and yes that’s a great book. I can’t wait to see Cheryl’s next one…
Patricia Ludwiczak
It’s a beautiful quilt, and you deserve kudos for being able to stick to your plan during this awful time. Great job!
Quilting is in my Blood
Hi Wendy. I missed some of your posts. I especially like your first and last post with your fun styling. I’ve never done a 100 day project. One of these days I hope to do a temperature quilt (maybe 2021?), and that will definitely require fairly consistent making of blocks over a period of time. I really like this finish! Great job, Mary.
marissthequilter
This is absolutely fantastic — the quilt itself and the thought that lies behind it. I can see why you are happy with your 100 day finish. You should also be very proud of yourself. The sample from the photographs that you posted on Instagram are fabulous too. Congratulations all round
karen berrisford
Such a pretty quilt. The perfect challenge for these stressful times.
Cheree Hull
Yay–it turned out great and I too like the way they dance across the quilt! Great job!
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! Oh, I’m so glad I didn’t miss this post. Love, love, LOVE everything about this finish. I’ll bet it was hard to pick your favorite blocks – I had several that I loved over the 100 days but I would be hard pressed to pick them out now. That setting!! And the backing and binding!! Perfection, in my mind. LOVE IT. ~smile~ Roseanne
Cocoa Quilts
Wendy I am loving this quilt. I enjoyed each block that you posted. I love that they are laid out in the order made. Enjoy this beauty!
Preeti
One positive thought per day is a simple mantra that we can all follow. The pandemic quarantine has been a strange time and there is no end in sight. Happy and Uplifting quilts like these definitely make the journey bearable. The striped binding is the cherry on top of this sundae 🙂
Michele McLaughlin
This quilt is so fun and I love the layout you chose! Way to go Wendy!!!
Rebecca Grace
Your Hundred Days plus quilt is adorable! I especially love how your plus signs are offset a little rather than lined up like soldiers in straight rows marching across your quilt. Congrats on a lovely finish!
laughinggasquilts
So this is what those adorable blocks became! It’s so much fun, which is only appropriate, because so were the block pictures. Congratulations on meeting the challenge, and on finishing a great quilt.
Kim
Such a happy way to spend 100 days stitching a plus block each day. A lovely, colourful overspilling with lovely pattern. A most gorgeous finish.
Anja @ Anja Quilts
Kudos on finishing the challenge. It turned out great. It was interesting to follow the blocks on Instagram…and all the interesting props you used. Thanks for linking up with Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday.
Rebecca Grace
Okay, your quilt is FABULOUS, first of all. I’m also in awe of your photo staging prowess! But when I think about what I could possibly commit to doing every day for 100 days, the first thought that popped into my mind was that I could post photos of my Adult Beverages each day: Cabernet on Day One, a margarita on Day Two, mimosa on Day Three… Don’t judge me too harshly; I have daily battles with a teenager who knows everything and is especially irritable about being trapped at home with his parents for online learning instead of going to school with his friends!
Linda
I searched your blog for the “dancing” plus blocks you mentioned for my SAHRR, and oh how I love this quilt! So many good things about it – the meaning behind it, the way you pieced it in order of making each block, and the fabrics you chose – beautiful! I do remember you posting those wonderfully staged blocks on IG, but I that was during the crazies of our house sale/search/buy last summer, so I missed this post.
I saw Modern Plus Sign Quilts mentioned several times while searching for plus block ideas last night and confidently went to my sewing room to pull it from my bookshelf. Surprise – it was Modern Rainbow Quilts that I have – lol!
Yes the “dancing” should give my block some nice height. Thanks for the suggestion!