I was out in the gargage rummaging around, looking for a nice large bin for all my new happy fabrics, when this project practically fell on my head. Years ago, two houses and a lifetime ago, I began this applique project with some Fig Tree fabrics my friend Lisa sent me. I was so shocked to find that the four applique blocks were already completed, and all the units for the other blocks in the top had been cut out.
Intrigued, I took the project box up to my sewing room, and had a closer look.
Oh. I really am not that fond of this method for making flying geese units, but a commitment had been made, so I had to go with it. (I prefer to make my units larger and trim them down with Monique Dillard's Fit to be Geese ruler).
You can see by the photo, if you cut on the drawn line, and flip up the corner square, you will have two flying geese units. Actually, this method provides you with four matching flying geese. I used to love making them this way until I discovered the joys of accuracy using Monique's ruler.
I got to work, and in no time, I had a good number of the blocks finished. The photo below shows what I had accomplished by the end of the day Friday.
I spent all day Saturday sewing. Didn't leave the house, stayed in my house slippers all day long. And by 5:00 PM Saturday this is what I had finished!
There is a pieced border, which hopefully I can get together this week.
I have to add----I had forgotten how much I dislike working with triangles. All those bias edges. Ugh. This pattern calls for surrounding each star block with borders of pieced triangles, and the outer border is all pieced triangles. Really annoying. Piecing blocks with bias edge triangles makes me feel like a complete amateur. I hate that. Lots of fudging, tugging and pinning to make things line up. That being said, the quilt is pretty cute, and as Grandma Higgins would have said, "A man going by in a bus would never notice any imperfections".
What a beautiful quilt, Nicole! I love those fabrics! I need to get my Buttercream & Fig quilt out of the closet and on my bed!
Posted by: Lisa D. | March 31, 2014 at 05:22 AM
I think that quilt is adorable ... Worth the hassle of the triangles, I think. I'm the same way as you ... Hate triangles. Hoping that my GO cutter will at least alleviate some of the hassle. ;-)
Posted by: Kathy - aka Nana | March 31, 2014 at 06:06 AM
What fun!
Posted by: Diane Linford | March 31, 2014 at 06:10 AM
What a glorious discovery and clearly, a UFO whose time had come!!! The appliqued flower blocks are lovely and the triangle borders surrounding the Evening Star blocks really set off the center beautifully. How large is the quilt supposed to end up?
Unless you really, really like the look the pattern's outer border gives the quilt, I'd suggest you put on any outer border you want to.
Have fun!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | March 31, 2014 at 06:14 AM
I hate the bias edges too and I think it's a result of poor planning by the pattern writer - but never the less... it's a beautiful quilt! And very happy!!
Posted by: Audrey | March 31, 2014 at 06:19 AM
The best of my days are when I just wear my slippers! I love this quilt! It is adorable. I was surprised when I saw the first photo-appliqué! It is really a nice job.
Mary
Posted by: Mary | March 31, 2014 at 06:22 AM
And a great sewing weekend was had. Great results too! Now back to "happy" sewing. Is that a new header on your blog? The watermelon look means spring and summer on the way for sure. Aren't we all ready!
Posted by: Stephani in N. TX | March 31, 2014 at 06:25 AM
Or as my mum would say 'a man on a galloping horse' It's absolutely beautiful Nicole! So cheery and 'spring-like', amazing how quickly you made it, so inspirational :-)
Posted by: Sharon | March 31, 2014 at 06:33 AM
Some nice, cheery colors there. I really like the applique blocks.
Posted by: Cathy | March 31, 2014 at 06:59 AM
Another lovely quilt almost finished - you are such a fast worker. I recently did a group project that called for this method of making flying geese and I found it very confusing.
Posted by: CarlaHR | March 31, 2014 at 07:08 AM
So great that the appliqué blocks were already done --otherwise maybe the project would have jumped right back in its bin :). Fig Tree fabrics are gorgeous. I've had good luck with that fast geese method but sure compliment you in your success with the ruler. The blocks look terrific, bus or no ;)
Posted by: AnnieO | March 31, 2014 at 07:18 AM
This is so pretty! I love the colors and the applique goes well with the stars. Triangles make so many pretty shapes. Don't be discouraged. Keep up the beautiful work! K-
Posted by: Kristy Wlikinson | March 31, 2014 at 07:36 AM
Beautiful!! I love fig tree fabrics, so springy and happy! Is that a Carrie Nelson pattern?
I hope all is going well with you and your family. You have all been in my thoughts and prayers since the loss of your niece.
Posted by: Julia | March 31, 2014 at 07:56 AM
Love what you have done so far! How lucky you found a perfect spring, happy quilt almost finished :)
Posted by: Anita | March 31, 2014 at 07:58 AM
Gorgeous fabric, and gorgeous pattern. How lucky you were to stumble across this UFO.
Posted by: Heartsdesire | March 31, 2014 at 08:16 AM
Ahhh, ADD quilting at it's finest. My family just jokes - oh, Mom saw something shiny.
Posted by: Belva | March 31, 2014 at 08:51 AM
what a great find. glad you didn't get a concussion finding it! How fun for springtime sewing. looks beautiful.
Posted by: taria | March 31, 2014 at 09:08 AM
lol, grandma higgins sounds awesome! ;p
love what you found! can't wait to see finished quilt. ;p
Posted by: ina | March 31, 2014 at 09:21 AM
What a nice post! I started it by seeing your first picture and thought ... "Nicole started something new, she'll have a few blocks to show us" and then BAM! you have almost an entire quilt top done! I'm with Barbara - unless the border looks spectacular and you really think it will be worth it - why not design your own border?
Posted by: Jennifer Gwyn | March 31, 2014 at 09:23 AM
What an adorable quilt! We always used to say no one would notice riding by on a horse. LOL Actually, I don't think a man would notice at all, ever! ;-) Have a happy day!
Posted by: Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts | March 31, 2014 at 10:22 AM
How fun to find a put-away project that had a lot of the hard work done already.
My quilting teacher had the saying of "a man riding by on a horse wouldn't notice" like some of the others here have said. Isn't it amusing how all of our sayings are so similar??
Next up, finishing the happy fabric quilt! You had inspired me, and I drug out a bunch of my happy fabric and starting cutting strips yesterday. Yippee!
Posted by: sillysally | March 31, 2014 at 10:47 AM
I think it's going to be beautiful when finished, as it already is. I love the bus remark. I took a paper piecing class Saturday from the gal that invented the Add-A-Quarter ruler. The same sort of remark was made all day.
Posted by: Miss Jean | March 31, 2014 at 11:19 AM
Your appliqué is beautiful! That is going to be a 'happy' cheery quilt!! There is nothing wrong with spending a day in your house slippers!! I'm working on some flying geese right now using Fit to Be Geese. I think it would be hard to change methods after so much good luck with that ruler!!
Posted by: Jan | March 31, 2014 at 12:42 PM
I really like the triangle borders on those star blocks - it was worth the trouble they gave you!
Posted by: Jackie | March 31, 2014 at 04:44 PM
what a nice surprise to find. I really like how it is all coming together. pretty colors and ready for spring.
Posted by: Carrie P. | March 31, 2014 at 04:59 PM