Just a Little Stitching Going On

First, let me say, that I have signed up for many block of the month programs - often free or rather inexpensive, and some not so free, but I have NEVER kept up with any of them. So, why did I opt to sign up for a Block of the Week program this summer? And not only one, but two!! Well, I had a customer bring in a beautiful quilt to be quilted and it was from the SBOW 2011 from Primitive Gatherings and she began telling me about them. So, since I really enjoy applique and lately have dabbled with wool, I decided to go for both programs. This one is called the Rocky Mountain Puzzle.

So, above are the first week's blocks. They are six inch square. Not near so small as Dear Jane blocks but I feel as though I've never mastered half square triangles so this is a challenge for me. So far so good. Slow, but good. I'm now working on Week 2. Now my goal is not to finish the blocks every single week but just to finish the project eventually, which is more than I've ever done before with BOMs. Again, I thought I'd show the difference in the blocks on point and sitting straight.

Something else I'm still trying to get used to are pressing seams open when they are only 1/4". I've quilted for 30 years and rarely pressed seams open but I'm trying to follow the instructions and make my blocks lay flat. It takes a little while and for me a burst of steam in the end, but they are turning out well.

Now here are the fabrics for the second and third week's blocks........if nothing else, the fabrics are beautiful together and I'll have a nice collection to add to my stash if I don't finish them - LOL!

And now I've saved the best block til last. This is the wool applique, Summer Block of the Week,  Evelyn's Album, which I am really enjoying. No edges to turn under, bond the blocks with gentle Steam a Seam 2 Lite and stitch away. Lots of stitching but I really like this primitive look for a change for me. These are ten inch finished blocks so a little larger to work on.

And here I chose some fabrics the other night for my Farmer's Wife Blocks. That is one of my favorite parts of quilting - choosing the fabrics to go together. I just took my time, went through my stash and gathered the fabrics for the next 8 blocks. Hopefully I'll have those to show in a few days.

Happy Stitching and enjoy the journey and not just the finished projects!

More Farmer's Wife Blocks

 Isn't it funny that how you look at blocks can make such a difference? These Farmer's Wife blocks really need to be on point to me. I am enjoying making these little six inch blocks and choosing the fabrics. I always seem to lean towards florals and I can tell I'm doing the same with this quilt!

Stitch when you can! It soothes the soul.

Graphic Mixx

In February, our small group took a class with Terry Atkinson of Atkinson Designs. It was a great class and we had lots of fun but because she was 'testing' the pattern, we could not post pictures. Well, her book is now out and I'd like to share our quilts. Above is the cover of her new book. What I like so much about her patterns are the ease of reading them and the different sizes available give you a lot of choices when making the quilts.

Here is my quilt top I must call it. Still waiting for quilting - hey, I've gotten the backing sewn together, just not quilted - LOL!

Here is Jane and her quilt - beautiful colors, aren't they? It was so interesting to see all the variety of color choices in the class - no two were alike.

Here is Nancy's quilt from Tattered Garden. Nancy is on the left and Gloria on the right has her quilt below.

Gloria often uses batiks and these beautiful colors.

Here is Wonda's quilt with a directional batik for the background. I had wondered how it would work and it turned out beautifully - the directional fabric really added to the quilt I thought. Now I'm still missing Gerry's picture but it was just beautiful also!

 Here are a few pictures of us at the retreat. Are we having fun or what? Btw, it was put on by Sweet Home Quilt Company. They did a fabulous job of keeping us comfortable, happy and fed.

 Here is Gerry!

 And Nancy!

 Wonda!

 Jane!

And Gloria! Happy Stitching!