quilting

Funky Noodles

May 24, 2021

Funky Noodles is, without question, my May Drop Everything and Make It (DrEAMi) Project, and I’ll be linking this post up with Sandra over at Musings of a Menopausal Melon later this month. If you’re not familiar with this linky party, you can read all about it at this link. Then join in at the end of this month, if a squirrel has dropped by in your studio too! 

So let’s get back to Funky Noodles. It all began Saturday morning, as I was lazily reading through blog posts. That was how I came across Devoted Quilter’s release of her new pattern Noodles, which you can read about here. I hope you support her by buying up a copy of this pattern. You’re going to want this one in your stash. 

I commented to Leanne that I snapped this pattern up quickly, but that I wouldn’t be able to make it until I had some other projects done. I began pondering those projects – I was caught up on my improv mystery workshop, the test pattern units are almost cut, I still have time to get those two bindings on those two large quilts. Before you know it I was up out of my chair and in my sewing room, pulling out these fabrics. 

My fabric pull for my Noodles quilt, pattern by Devoted Quilter - piecefulthoughts.com

I know, I know – that fabric pull looks a bit like my Mango Salsa table runner. I am clearly drawn to yellow-greens and red-orange. Anyway, I picked up the four prints in a Kaffe bundle while in Santa Fe. The green is Kona Peapod. Let the cutting begin! 

I have one tip for you as you make this pattern. Put a meal in the crockpot, or plan to have take out. Once you start this project, you won’t want to stop! 

I chose to whip up the little 20″ mini. I timed myself while I made the blocks. I had them all done well within an hour. If you haven’t done curved piecing, it may take a bit longer, but Leanne’s method is so easy and fun, you won’t have any problems. (Since I have done curved piecing, I did cheat a bit and cut my curves freehand.)

Once the top was done, I found a piece of my franken batting just the right size (yay!) and some backing fabric. I completely forgot to take a photo before quilting, so here’s the finished quilt. 

Funky Noodles, my version of Devoted Quilter's Noodles pattern - piecefulthoughts.com

I had so much fun quilting this mini! Using my walking foot, I stitched along the orange noodle in the top row, down along the orange noodle in the third row. I stitched a couple of rows to the right of those noodles. Then I went to the yellow noodle in the second row and did the same thing, but this time stitching a couple rows to the left of the noodles, working along until the rows came together. For the little gap in the middle, I just stitched in and filled it in. The final step was to go back and quilt through the upright noodles. I took my time, and just kept it loose and flow-y. I didn’t do any marking at all, just used the noodles as a guide. 

Funky Noodles, close of up quilting detail - piecefulthoughts.com

For the quilting, I used Aurifil 40 wt thread in Spring Green (#1231) with Spring Green 50 wt in my bobbin. 

Funky Noodles, another look at the flow quilting - piecefulthoughts.com

For the backing, I used this crazy bright orange print. 

Funky Noodles, back view - piecefulthoughts.com

For the binding, I cut 2-1/4″ strips from two of the Kaffe prints. 

I started this project just after lunch, and had it completely done in just a few hours. 

Funky Noodles, my version of Devoted Quilter's Noodles pattern - piecefulthoughts.com

This is a fun, versatile pattern. I’d like to try a few more in the larger sizes. Here are some ideas I’m noodling (see what I did there?): 

  • Low volume background, with bright noodles
  • Baby quilt, with Minky noodles (fun tactile effect)
  • Black background with bright noodles
  • Two solids, like black with white noodles (or vice versa) with one or two colored noodles tossed in

So many possibilities! Thanks, Leanne, for providing me with this fun weekend project. It made my Saturday! 

If you like my Funky Noodles, I hope you snap up the pattern and make a mini (or larger) quilt of your own!

Wendy

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