Yesterday those of us in the US celebrated Martin Luther King Day, which turned into a four-day weekend for me since I had Friday free as well. I made great use of my time and have been sewing and reading up a storm. I didn't leave the house except to walk Archie.
I have finished all the main blocks for the Designer Mystery 2015 block of the month project. I have to say they were all a lot of fun to make, but they sure did have a lot of teeny tiny pieces!
I don't think I have ever made a block with so many pieces that I used all 26 Alphabittie letters plus some of the Alphabittie numbers! Alphabitties are little tags that you use to label the pieces in a quilt block. When the instructions say "Sew piece J to piece Y" you won't get mixed up.
And let me tell you, some of these pieces were minuscule. The last block, number 12, was the church, which came out great, but that tiny cross over the door was challenging.
Here is a close-up:
I recall that the smallest pieces in the cross measured 7/8 of an inch! When sewing such microscopic pieces, I advise cutting accurately and sewing very slowly and straight. A smaller-than-normal stitch length helps too.
The border blocks were next up, and are coming out well. That block on the lower left is a Moda Blockheads block that photobombed my picture.
Check back tomorrow for a tip on what to do when you are out of your favorite foundation paper for making square in a square blocks.
This quilt is so pretty! I love it!
Posted by: Lisa D. | January 16, 2024 at 06:57 AM
That's a lot of little pieces! Your block looks great. I have these patterns and maybe one of these years I will get to it!
Posted by: CarolE | January 16, 2024 at 07:00 AM
Great quilt! I’ve seen that Snowman Gatherings IV is going to be available in shops in July, love the blues, creams and tans. Looking forward to seeing your tip tomorrow.
Posted by: Sandra | January 16, 2024 at 07:11 AM
Thanks for today's tip! Stitching smaller pieces with a shorter stitch...excellent suggestion! I'm going to remember that one. Your quilt is adorable! ⛄️⛄️
Posted by: Jan | January 16, 2024 at 07:55 AM
shorter stitch makes a HUGE difference. I really like the navy polka dot for the background. really gives it a feeling of winter.
I've really become a hermit. I prefer the days when I only go out to walk the dog. my husband is an introvert. he says that after 40+ years he has finally rubbed off on me. ;p unfortunately, today is grocery shopping day. ugh.
Posted by: Ina | January 16, 2024 at 10:02 AM
Looks great!
Posted by: Anita | January 16, 2024 at 11:46 PM
Your blocks are so cute! I have some of the patterns for this quilt and the finishing kit. I have pulled house blocks from the internet and hope to start on the quilt this year.
Posted by: Janette L | January 17, 2024 at 07:30 AM
good work. love your dedication to precision piecing. i have an extra finishing kit if you need
Posted by: Mary Truax | January 17, 2024 at 04:11 PM