Thursday, January 30, 2014

Midwinter Blues part 2

If you've done my quilalongs before you may have made 1/2 blocks. You cannot make a full block and just whack it in half and use both sides. You need a seam allowance so everything fits together properly.We will make 4 half blocks.
From your blue cut four (4) 4" x 2 1/2" rectangles.
We will piece the side triangle the same as we did in the previous step.
From brown cut two (2) 2 1/8" squares, then cut on the diagonal  for 4 triangles. We will only need 3 of them.
From your tan floral print cut five (5) 2 1/8" squares then cut those on the diagonal to make 10 triangles. We will only use 9.
Look at the photo and the section on the left. It seems like you would not have to add  the extra triangle, but we still need a seam allowance so add a triangle. (I have a secret, On my other half blocks I used a scrap triangle and not even from the same fabric as the other ones! Most of it will be cut off!)
 Be sure to iron and trim off any dog ears.
 Get your square ruler and line up your corner, just like you would if you had a full block and trim. Keep your 1/4" seam allowance if it is possible, if not, it isn't the end of the world.


Now we need to cut the block in half. Line up your ruler so you are 1/4" past the center. and trim excess block. I wish I would have gotten a better photo, so be sure to let me know if you do not understand.
Make 4 half blocks.





On the original quilt, which you can see here , the corner setting triangles are quite a bit different than the fabric used in the blocks and I opted to make mine that way as well.  Choosing what you like will make the quilt uniquely yours!

I oversize my triangles and trim them after the quilt is put together. Because I used 4 different fabrics this is what I did for my corners. Cut a 5" square of paper and cut on the diagonal to get a triangle. Lay this on your fabric corner and cut a triangle. If you prefer to cut a square from the fabric that will work too,  but then you will have an extra triangle.

I am thrilled to see so many working on this little quiltalong! I'm giving plenty of time for each step so everyone can keep up and be able to share in the linky party at the end.

Happy Thursday!



Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Creative Mess

What a mish mash I have on my design wall. There aren't enough hours in the day to get all I want accomplished. I've got my Flowers project, hst sashing,  a new Valentine/red/pink mini, my antique signature block, (bought a frame, it looked like crap) and a background for a Halloween project!
My sewing table isn't much better......
Please tell me I'm not the only one with long strips of batting hanging around. LOTS of strips. It is really annoying. I put mine to use once in awhile.

Overlap them a little then use a big zig-zag stitch to sew it together.
Trim some of the overlapping backing.
Use.

Have a fantastic Tuesday.

Friday, January 24, 2014

MidWinter Blues Quiltalong! Please Join Me!

I ended up sticking with the block I showed you earlier. As I played around with a setting it morphed into this, that I am calling Midwinter Blues. And not because there is anything depressing about it but  because blue and tan/brown tends to have a calming effect. The final quilt measures 21" square.
I don't think we have  done any quiltalongs with sashing, so I thought now was a good time- sashing with on point blocks and we have the half-blocks again.

It is hard for me to tell you how much fabric you'll need. I used a different blue, tan and brown for each block. So I'll give you the sizes and let you figure out how you want to do your "midwinter blues". I knew I wanted my backgrounds to be floral, that was my only criteria.

We will start by making 5 blocks that finish at 5".

Cut your fabric this way:
Blue- one (1)  4" square
Dark brown- two (2) 2 1/8" squares, then cut on the diagonal for 4 triangles
Tan-  six (6) 2 1/8" squares cut on the diagonal for 12 triangles.

Lay your block out so you can see how it will be assembled.
Pair up a brown and tan triangle and make 4 half square triangles. They will measure 1 7/8". Trim the dog ears.
Add a tan triangle to one side, as shown. Press to the triangle and add the other side.
When you have 4 of them made we will add them to the blue square on opposite sides first. I can eyeball the center, but if you'd like,  make a little mark on the center of your blue and line up your outside triangle to the mark and sew. Press towards the center.
Add to the other 2 sides but this time press out.
I give it a nice press on both sides with a hot iron.
Trim to 5 1/2". Tada! Admire your cute little block. Now make 4 more. (my photos disappeared when I was making them for the quilt so I made another one after the quilt top was put together- that is why you do not see this block in my top)

Here is the quilt that inspired me. As you can see I had to change it to make the mini quilt work. 
I hope you like Midwinter Blues and will be sewing along!!

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

No- Sew Tuesday

The sewing I've been doing is slow so I don't have much to show, but had a couple of things I wanted to share.
A friend and antiques/vintage seller found this among some vintage quilt blocks and thought of me! Isn't it sweet?! I thought about framing it, but would I layer it with batting and quilt it a little then put it in a frame? I'm not quite sure how to go about it. I'd appreciate any help. Thank you Laurie!

You may have seen this already on Barbara Brackman's site, but wanted to share it with my readers. Another FREE BOM! Is this gorgeous or what? After my love for Civil War reproduction fabrics I love patriotic. This is being released one block a week and it is free if you get it within the first week. There will be a small charge if you miss it and want to download it later.  You can get the first block HERE.   (PS, No I'm not doing this one at this time)
Thank you for the well wishes for my travels this weekend. I came very close to turning around as I drove in freezing fog a good part of the way. I trudged on and am glad I did as my dad's health has declined a lot since I've seen him last.  I'm planning on another trip in 2 months to help him celebrate his 89th birthday.
My dad bought an 8MM camera in 1958 and filmed so much of our outings. A year ago my brother got them all transferred to DVD's and I brought them to watch with my dad. It was a really good distraction since he isn't up to doing much else. When I got home I put this in the computer and did a screen shot of me (the youngest) and my siblings.  I just love it.

I hope to be back this week with sewalong fabric requirements.I hope you'll be joining me!
Happy Tuesday.

Friday, January 17, 2014

2014 Mini Quilalong Process

I love doing the doll size quiltalongs on my blog, but I have to admit I struggle to find the right project. There are a lot of cute little quilts to reproduce but don't want one block reproduced 6 times. While it may be adorable it makes for a boring quiltalong. I also like to make a block or two to make sure the proportion is right; not too small, not too big, but just right!
Here's a cute little one I made this week. So far I cant get the setting to look as wonderful as the full size quilt.
It would be on-point. It's a cute little block, and not too difficult to piece.
Unlike this one which was more difficult. I would assemble this one differently if I try it again.

Hang in there, I'm working on it!!

This weekend I'm heading to my dad's so I'll only be doing handwork.  A healthy friend of my mom's who lived in assisted care passed away quickly from a cold turned pneumonia this past week. She was really active and feisty. It reminds me again of the frailty of life. As long as the roads are clear of snow I'll go hang out with my dad for a couple of days.

Have a fantastic weekend!!

Thursday, January 16, 2014

DreaM gARDEN

Just in case you missed it,  the talented and generous Gay Bomers of Sentimental Stitches is offering a FREE Block of the Month called Dream Gardens.
A little applique, a little embroidery and a funky vine border.
How sweet is this?

Thank you Gay for your generosity!!

Get it HERE.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Slow Quilting

 Here's the start of my cross hatching Beyond The Cherry Tree. The last time I showed this quilt I was contemplating clamshells but nixed that idea. I'm pretty happy with it so far although I wish I was faster.
I started with the center grapes block and will move my way around it. I'm almost done quilting the wreath on the right, then I'll move to the left of the grapes.

Have a great Wednesday!

Monday, January 13, 2014

Flowers Sashing Solution

 I decided on  homespuns for my half square triangle sashing. The colors in the photo aren't very good but my dark colors are red and blue and I snuck a few greens in too.
I'm happy with my choice and it seems to go really well with my homespun applique backgrounds. 

I've got them all made in 2 sizes, and will trim them and add them as I finish the blocks.

So, what do you think?

Friday, January 10, 2014

Cavalcade of Little Quilts

 I'm working on a project that will be published! (Yay! I'm so excited!) The only bad thing is I cannot show you yet. I finished machine quilting so I can start some regular sewing soon!! Whoop! Whoop!
I thought I'd show you a few of the little quilts I finished in 2013. These do not include the AAQI quilts. I had a heck of time finding these online, so hopefully they were all made in 2013.
A Country Threads design from Charm School- This one is on my coffee table right now and I love it!

Vermont Challenge- gifted this year
   Baby quit for my grand nephew. (so many of you generously donated cowboy fabric to the cause)
  
Abundance quiltalong


Juniper Flats

Mini version of Scandinavian Christmas

 Medallion Quiltalong
Tea Time- gifted

Faithful Quiltalong 
Harmony Quitlalong

Braided quilt from Tara Darr


I hope you enjoyed those. I like being able to go back and see what quilting I got accomplished.
I think 2013 was a good year.

I've been asked a couple of times about a winter quiltalong. There is always so much going on at the beginning of the year, but I do enjoy them, so even if one person (Lizzy!) sews along I can have a good time. Be patient a little while longer.

Have a wonderful weekend! We are supposed to have high winds- ugh! Football and sewing are on my agenda!



Wednesday, January 8, 2014

"Flowers" Wool Applique

One more wool applique complete! I really want to start making the HST but my machine is set up for quilting and don't want to change it until I'm done.
Six blocks are now complete! I am going to start hunting around for the color I will use for the HST. One side of the hst will be the same. The original design uses  a copper/brown color but I'm leaning towards blue. Any thoughts on that?
 
Was cleaning my car out today and look what I found! I'm not sure what I was using him for or how long he has been in my car....is it possible since vacation in September?

Happy Wednesday! Stay warm!!

Monday, January 6, 2014

Basket BOM

The next basket block is ready at Legend and Lace. It is called Sugar Bowl and it went together pretty smoothly.
Wendy is offering these as a FREE BOM.  Here are my 6 so far!! What are you waiting for????