G1 – Love in the Mist
I started working on this block Friday or Saturday night, but I was having an awful time with the diamonds. One set was significantly smaller than the other. This afternoon, I looked at it again. The strips were cut the right size and the segments were cut the right size, so why was one set smaller than the other?
Turns out the angle was wrong. So, I dug into my fabric and made another strip set. This time I got the angle right and the diamonds went together well.
D5 – Square and Star
43 out of 140 Blocks done
C5 – Lady of the Lake
This is a paper pieced block. When I saw the announcement this morning I thought it would be quick. What I failed to remember is that these tiny 6″ block take as long if not longer than a 12″ block. I’m off to work on the music quilt now.
Last night I threw up my hands in frustration. I’ve worked with 45 degree diamonds before so I wasn’t expecting any issues. Ha!
First off the centers didn’t match — honestly, that was to be expected. So I ripped and started sewing again. The centers matched beautifully. That’s when I noticed I had yellow points instead of a red and blue point. Eventually, I ripped again and re-sewed. This time all was good. We won’t discuss the setting triangles and squares. Nearly all of my previous diamonds were appliquéd (there’s that word again) to the background.
I sent an e-mail to the SBS list and then Mary posted here that she was now concerned about making the block. Truly, the diamonds are easy so I’m going to show a brief photo tutorial on how I made them. It may not make sense if you don’t have the book.
#1 – after sewing the two strips sets, cut the strips as directed, making sure the colors are oriented the same way and the angles are a like.
#2 – Flip the diamond piece on the right so they are oriented correctly.
#3 – flip the piece on the right over on top of the piece on the left. Make sure the “v” forms at 1/4″. This is the seam allowance.
#4 – This is a trick I picked up along the way. I’ve drawn my needle line and 1/4″ either side of it on a straight piece of cardboard and taped it to my sewing machine. There are notions out there you can buy (and I have some of them — not that I can find them when I need them).
#5 Line up the top “v” with the needle and the bottom “v” with the line on the guide. Stitch the seam.
#6 – Open up the diamond. I promise there are no camera tricks here and I didn’t re-stitch it.
When I work with larger diamonds I pin, but I was finding that pinning on these tiny pieces was causing part of the problem. Hope this helps someone.
Judy said she cheated since her picture was from Sunday. The SBS Blue & Brown swap blocks may be on the wall, but they are not what I’m currently working on.
I’m working on Carolina Christmas. Part 1 is complete and I’m half way through and I’m now cutting the large “green” triangles. (My gold is green and my green is blue. My red will be pink).
This morning I received a squishy in my mail box. The Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler Blue & Brown Swap blocks. The blocks were from quilters all over the world. Australia, Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, and the USA.
A special thanks goes out to Joan who coordinated the swap.
Now to figure out a setting to showcase these wonderful blocks.
Since I didn’t do so well on last month’s goals, it’s more of the same.
The month is over, so how did I do? Well, not as good as previous months, but it could have been worse.
* Keep up with the SBS BOW – Done
* Finish the hand quilting on Josh’s Quilt – nope – two thirds of the last block remains
* Finish piecing the DWR – nope – one row is ready to attach and the last row needs putting together
* Hand quilt 2 rings on DWR – obviously not
* Complete Finishing Instructions for both sizes of Kansas Spirit BOM – The smaller quilt instructions have been turned in!
* Machine quilt borders on Josh’s Quilt – obviously not
* Make at least 4 make-up SBS blocks
* Decide on the quilting for Jeremiah’s quilt – didn’t even look at it.
* Work on Ladder to the Star sashings – finished and got the center completed
* Keep Scraps Cut Up – did this, not that there was much to do
I also made a pineapple block to try out a new-to-me technique.
The Blue & Brown Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler blocks will be back in the next couple of weeks. I think they are due to the hostess tomorrow or Saturday. Mine were sent off in early September.
Anyway, when I made my blocks, I made the five to swap and one to keep — except for G10 – Arizona. I ran out of the background fabric. I decided go ahead and make the block so I’ll have a complete set when they arrive. I think I like the original better than the new block, but in the long run I doubt it will matter much.
Last week was mostly piecing what I already had cut. So just a little bit out — enough for my SBS BOW and the rest of the cornerstones I need to complete the row of rings I’m working on for my DWR.
Even though I saw some great fabrics as the show yesterday, I didn’t buy any. I even walked away from music FQs that I had not seen before!
Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 282.083 yards
Fabric Used this Week: .25 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 77.511 yards
Net Stash: +204.572 yards (162.583 was received as gifts)
See how others are doing by following the links over at Patchwork Times.
