Alternatives

I was putting together the blocks for the 2014 Mod Mod Sampler from Block Lotto, and here is my epic fail at sewing curves.  I have successfully made Drunkard’s Path blocks with quarter circles, but these semi-circles were too much.

I needed to come up with something else for that space in the quilt.  I looked at some traditional blocks, but this is a Modern Modular design.  So I improvised, first trying string piecing.

Then I turned to my favorite bit of quilting, the 2-1/2″ square.  I had a stack of red and blue squares and I needed a 7×7 grid to make my 14″ block.  Here is the arrangement I came up with.

Now I just need one more 14″ block and I can finish the sampler.

I keep sewing the split 9-patch as my leader-ender project.

I have sewn 76 blocks, and I want 120 to make a quilt top.

 

Sewing for Me!

I loaded one of my own projects on the longarm this morning.  When I checked my notes, I found it this is the first time all year that I am working on something I will keep!  It’s my Women of the Bible quilt.  The blocks were sewn from October 2013 through September 2014.  I decided on a simple stitch-in-the-ditch outline of the primary element in each block, with free-motion feathers in the borders.

I won’t win any awards for my ditch quilting becauseit gets pretty wobbly, but since this is not going to be judged I am not stressing over it. My plan is to hang the finished quilt in the room at church where my adult Sunday School class meets.

I made another block for my True Blue stars: 

And I am still working on split 9-patch blocks as my “leader-ender” (in-between-other-things) project. I need to count them to see if I am halfway to a quilt top yet.  My goal is a 60″x80″ quilt for QOV and that will take 120 blocks.  Scrappy heaven!

Design Wall Monday: Split 9-Patch

Linking up with JudyL to share my on-going project.  I am making 6″ blocks in a split 9-patch.  Bonnie Hunter suggested this block as a leader-ender project a while ago…maybe in 2013?!?  Since my stash is not as organized as hers, I need to cut my scraps to the appropriate size, which limits my variety a bit.  I have been trying to mix in those oddball “light” fabrics as well.  They stand out now, but I am hoping as I mix more in, they will blend better in the final quilt.  Man, those golds and yellows are hard to fit in!

I love the variety of layouts that you can make with a half-square-triangle.  Furrows:

And the ever-popular chevron…

I have about 50 blocks done, and I want 120 for a twin size quilt.  That may take a few more years at my turtle pace!

HSTeria Project

   Vicki is hosting a Quilt Along.  She dyes beautiful fabric and is offering prizes each week.  Pick any block that uses half square triangles (HST) and join the fun!

I am using Split Nine Patch blocks as a leader-ender project (more info at Bonnie’s blog), and there are three HSTs per block.  As an added bonus, the blocks form HSTs too! Here are the baskets with my squares.  The small one holds the 2.5″ squares. I use the two-at-a-time method to make HST, so I cut my squares at 2-7/8″, then sew 1/4″ from each side of a center diagonal, thencut on the line.  The bigger basket has those larger squares and the finished HST.

I usually lay out one block next to my machine and then I am ready to grab a piece when I get to a stopping point in my main project.Here is the finished Split Nine Patch block/larger HST:  These blocks can be arranged in many, many, many ways.  Vicki has been sharing different layouts.  Earlier in the year, I started with a single square, then rows of light and dark.  This morning I used alternating squares.I have 21 blocks that finish at 6″, so I figure I need about 120 blocks for a 10×12 layout.  That will end up at 60×72 without borders,  which will fit the QOV required dimensions.  I started pinning piles of blocks together in packets of 10.  It is fun to watch the pile grow!

Juggling

Okay, I have to confess a minor bout of “start-it is.”I have never been a monogamous crafter…I have dozens of projects laying about, so I have plenty to choose from when I get time to hide away in the sewing room.  But, it is getting a bit overwhelming to have four quilts in rotation.  I may have to put something in time out just to make space on the table!

First up are some grey and white Drunkard’s Path blocks for a secret project.  I was intimidated by sewing curves, but my mom told me the trick is to keep the arch of white fabric puffed up, with just the seam allowance flat along the curved arc of the grey fabric.  And that is working beautifully, yay!

My second project is bead blocks for the February Block Lotto group.  I made three in the yellow-orange-maroon colors for the exchange, then made these in patriotic colors for the Mod Mod QAL that Sophie is hosting this year.  I need to go back and finish the January chevrons…I need 4 of those for a twin size quilt, and 10 of the beads.

I have my basket of squares ready and when I get to the end of chain piecing for a different project, I reach for one of these blocks.  I am using 2-1/2″ squares, so these blocks finish at 6 inches.  I will need at least 120 bl0cks to make it QOV size.  I will be satisfied if I have enough for a top by the end of the year!

And some progress on the Star Light Star Bright QAL: Flying Geese on the left and 1/4th of the required half square triangles on the right.  Last week’s assignment was over 300 HSTs!!  There was no way I could get that done.  I haven’t even peeked at this week’s directions, but I think we have enough units to make a whole star block. 

I decided to swap out one fabric.  The “Mardi Gras” colors in the top piece were not playing well with my other fabrics.  Each star will have two main colors and an accent plus the background which is that tan fabric shown above.  Yes, I cut all the pieces, and paired the groups of three for the star blocks, then decided it just wasn’t working, so I found that tonal purple in my stash.  I cut the purple squares to make HSTs, then as needed I will replace the other sections.

Wow, looking at all of these fun projects makes me itch to start sewing right this minute!  Let’s see if I still have that inspiration after my daughter’s bedtime routine…

New Year, New Projects

I do have a long list of UFOs or WIPs, or whatever you like to call them, but I can’t resist the lure of the next new thing.

Bonnie Hunter suggested this block last summer, the Split Nine Patch, as a leader-ender project.  Over Christmas vacation, I organized a scrap basket so that I am ready with my 2.5″ squares and 2-7/8″ squares (to make half square triangles two-at-a-time).Here are my first few scrappy blocks.  I can’t decide if yellow should be on the dark or light side!  Those squares are definitely eye-catching, but my theory is that they will blend once they are in a full size quilt.  You may notice a plethora of blue…my favorite color for sure!

Sophie over at Block Lotto decided on bold graphic designs for 2014.  She is even hosting a separate quilt-along with her patterns.  So, I made the grey and white version for the Lotto, and the red and blue for my 2014 QOV sampler.  Check out the details here for the Mod Mod QAL.