Sister's Choice Quilts

Dresden Plates--Six Done

Before I went on vacation, I had finished six Dresden Plate blocks.  Well, three are completely done, and three just need the center circle appliqued on.  I prepped three more blocks to stitch on while traveling, but so far haven't opened up my sewing bag.  Who knows maybe today I will work on them before the trip is completely over with!  The hand sewing really goes pretty fast, and is relaxing and kind of meditative.

Happiest Place on Earth

Sorry to have dropped out of sight like that. I have been visiting the Happiest Place on Earth with my little grand daughter, and have been just too busy to blog!  We are having a blast and I will be back to regular posting in a jiffy.

 

All Stitched Up Club

Shabby Fabrics is offering a new Block of the Month program, featuring patterns created by Kathy Schmitz.  Each month you construct a little mat combinging patchwork and embroidery.  Shabby Fabric provides the kits which include fabric and embroidery transfers.  You also get a spool of Sulky thread and a Micron pen.

Now, you all know I do not have a good record when it comes to completing embroidery projects.

Still, I am tempted when I see these cute things and feel the draw to join in and give it yet another go.  I was thinking since these are small complete monthly projects, it wouldn't seem like such a monumental task to put them together, as completing an entire quilt top would be.  Besides, I want to do more handwork, and have a little portable something to pick up when I am watching Eva or visiting Grandpa.

So, I joined up. 

The program starts with February, then March, etc...  The idea is you work one month ahead and complete a seasonal mat you can put to use in the upcoming month.  I like the idea, I like the size of the projects, and I liked the price.  So now, let's just see if I can get that March mat made up!

Organizing Block Units

I know.  This looks like a complete mess, but actually shows a method that keeps me organized.

When I am making a compex block with multiple units, I have to keep myself organized so the components of the block don't get all mixed up.  What I have used for years is plastic baggies to hold the various small block parts.  I use a black Sharpie pen to label the bags with the dimension of the pieces and a number or letter of the alphabet to identify the individual unit.

Victory Star has a lot of pieces in each block.  I think I started with Unit A and got up to Unit G!

I think the most complicated block I have made is the Pineapple Block, where I had what seemed like a dozen baggies with various size strips in them.  This one really gave me a headache.  Surely there must be a better way?

There are lots of ways to organize your block units.  Some people use muffin tins to hold the various block parts.  What do you do?  This is such an individual choice when it comes to keeping your block units straight, but I bet there are lots of us who would love to know your method if you have a new idea.   Share?

Small Star Block Options

You know I love to show you all how human I am when it comes to my sewing.  I make mistakes every now and then just like anyone else, and sometimes I do have to laugh at myself at how dingy I can be.

When I took the Victory Star class, the instructor, Paula Barnes, gave us options on methods to construct the small stars that are in the quilt border.  Usually when I make this block, I like to make Flying Geese units for the top, bottom, and side star points.  Four Flying Geese per block, four small squares for the corners and a larger square for the center. 

Paula wanted us to switch things up and make the block with eight half square triangle units in place of the four Flying Geese.  We didn't have to do it this way, it was just another way to do it.

I don't like the seam that goes through those top, bottom and side units.  So, I was determined to make   Flying Geese  that had, in my opinion, a cleaner look.  The block above was what I made in the class, and when I looked at it later, I realized I had used the wrong background fabric anyway.  Oh well, I wasn't going to use the block so it wasn't a big deal.

I got busy figuring out what size Flying Geese units I needed to end up with.  1 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches.  Then, I wanted to use my Fit To Be Geese ruler, so I needed to find the instructions as to how big to cut my fabric pieces.  That involved turning the sewing room upside down.  Why I can never seem to put that piece of paper back in the same place after I use it is a mystery.  Finally, I was all ready to make a sample star block using the trimmed down Fit To Be Geese method.  Isn't it adorable?  And I used the wrong background fabric again.  Argggh.  This time I had fully intended to use the block, one out of 24 total, and was quite annoyed with myself for wasting time and fabric.

I got busy again and made another block, before I totally forgot what I was doing.

Yes.  Finally this block looks like it is supposed to.

This is another lesson on what happens when you put a project away to languish in the closet for years on end.  You completely forget what you are doing and make a hash of things!

Victory Star Block Units

Here is my Victory Star block, which is comprised of two different units and a solid center square.  The units are not very complicated, but when you are first making a block, you do have to concentrate a bit on what you are doing, and particularly the direction you are sewing your "sew and flip" corner blocks.

I am sure most of you have used the sew and flip method, but here is a photo to demonstrate what that is all about:

Draw a diagonal line on the corner square and stitch right on top of it.  This is where you have to pay attention, because there are two directions in which you might draw the line and stitch, each giving you a corner square that flips in a different direction.  This will make a critical difference depending on the design of your block.

Trim, flip and press and there is your unit.  Don't you agree that it is a preferable method to cutting and sewing tiny little triangles onto a larger piece of fabric?

Victory Star

I find myself with several irons in the fire right now, and am reluctant to start a new project.  It just seems the time to finish up some really nice projects that have been aside for too long.  While rummaging in the closet,  I dug out a project from several years ago, Victory Star, a Bonnie Blue kit that was part of a class I took.  In class we completed a block or two, and went over various construction options of the units in the blocks.  When I got home I made a few blocks, and wasn't feeling the darkness of the fabric and packed things up.

In re-opening this project box, I am quite pleased with the potential to use this quilt in my home.  I have a white couch in my library room that this would look terrific on. The walls in that room are painted a warm yellow, and there are dark red curtains at the window.  This will go great in that room and at 75" square will be a good size for a "couch quilt".  And the block design....how cute is that?  It reminds me of a fancy bow on the top of a present.

The blocks are somewhat involved, involving several "units" to come together to form the block.  I will share that with you in a later post.

I spent a lovely day over this long weekend, making more blocks and setting them out on my design wall.  Hope you all had a Happy Valentine's Day and a nice 3 day weekend!

Monique Dillard's Flying Fat Quarters Craftsy Class

Recently I finished a Craftsy class by Monique Dillard of Open Gate Quilts.  Monique is known for her wonderful quilt designs as well as her clever rulers, such as Fit to Be Geese, Fit to Be Quarter, Fit to Be Square and others.  I am a huge fan of Monique's rulers, particularly the Fit to Be Geese tool, which ensures perfect flying geese units every time.  Monique has a website, Open Gate Quilts, as well as a blog by the same name, which I encourage you to check out.  Right now Monique has a Blogger Girls Block of the Month project going on, which is lots of fun to check in on.

The focus of Monique's Craftsy class is definitely Flying Geese, and she gives the student options on techniques to make these units.  She demonstrates making flying geese the traditional way, and also demos how to do it using her special Fit to Be Geese ruler. Seeing the video demonstration of how she uses her tool to trim down her flying geese units is invaluable, particularly for the beginner who is interested in learning how to make these units with the greatest accuracy.

Her class also goes in depth into the subject of fatquarters, and how to use them effectively in scrappy quilt designs.  One thing I loved about the class is that she had sample projects using both traditional fabric styles as well as batik fabrics.  Throughout the video, Monique emphasizes the options we have when it comes to quilting, in our materials, tools and fabrics.

If you sign up for the class, not only do you get comprhensive instruction on making flying geese and half square triangle units, but complete patterns and material lists for making several very nice projects:  a flying geese pillow, a quilt called Stacked Geese (shown above) and lastly, as large quilt which features a block comprised of both flying geese and half square triangle units.

There is also an interactive side bar next to the video, where you can opt to view questions from class participants and see the answers provided by Monique.  This is such a wonderful feature, especially for a newcomer to the world of quilting.  No question is too dumb, everyone is treated with respect, and much can be learned from the resulting dialog.  Truly, one feels as if one is attending a class in real time. 

I love Craftsy classes, and this one by Monique Dillard is a real winner!

A Little Hand Work

 

Finish something new, pick up something old, that should be my motto for this year.  I was so happy to finish up The Madness (my black and cream half square triangle experiment), and decided to return to an unfinished project that has been neglected for some time.  Remember a couple of years ago everyone was making a Dresden Plate quilt? 

Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill organized a Scrappy Plate Sew Along, complete with tutorials and had such a huge following.  I jumped on the bandwagon, using a collection of scraps from leftover Fig Tree projects, but got distracted by something and put the project aside.  The instructions and loads of links to photos of finished blocks and quilts is still on her website, you should check it out if you are interested.  There are downloadable pdf files for making the quilt top, which you can print out and reference as you make your own version of the Dresden Plate quilt.

I think this quilt will be the prettiest addition to my front porch this summer, with its vintagey faded colors and the old fashioned block design.  I want to make twelve blocks and have three of them nearly done.  I think it was the applique that was holding me back on this project.  Sometimes I drag my heels at doing hand work, even though once I get into it I enjoy it.  This applique is super easy and really does go very quickly.  The project is a great scrap buster and very fun to work on.  Those little plate blades are quite addictive!

The Madness, Finished

My half square triangle experiment, now dubbed "The Madness" is finished!  I am quite happy with the results and the person to whom I am gifting the quilt seems to like it as well.  He has named it "The Madness" after his wine label and one of his best selling wines.  I love the name, as it seems an appropriate title for a project made entirely of half square triangles arranged in 25 different ways.

I plan to stitch the backing together and get this off to my favorite quilter by next week!  The quilt blocks are 8 inches finished (each one made with sixteen 2 1/5" half square triangle units.  The entire quilt top finished at 68 inches square, a nice size for a lap quilt.  I think I have been photo bombed in the picture below.  That would be Remy, a fine little Westie who is part of the family.

Did you all have a good weekend?  I went to visit my father on Sunday, and I always stay overnight so I am not spending six hours in the car all in one day.  I am so lucky  my father is in such good health.  I can't help but compare his situation with that of my father in law, who we recently had to put in a memory care facility.  The main difference between the two of them of course, is that my dad doesn't have dementia.  He is an avid reader, and still exercises at the age of 88.  His home is still our family hub, the place our Sunday dinners take place each week with out fail.  He is always so excited to know who all will be in attendance, and is very interested in the activities of all his children and grandchildren.  He is a great example of the old adage "use it or lose it".  He isn't about to lose it any time soon I don't think.