Monday, November 24, 2014

Fig Tree Mystery Sampler BOM - Month #1

I signed up to participate in Fig Tree's third BOM.  I decided I had too many projects last year to sign up for the first BOM but it looked like so much fun that I decided to join the second BOM.  I have had so much fun with the second BOM that I decided to join the third BOM.  I just received the first month's fabrics and instructions Saturday so I got to work right away.  I finished all of the blocks except for the Clamshell blocks (applique).  We are supposed to make seven of them, one for each fabric included in the kit that was mailed to us.  I have taken an applique class several years ago but I have not done any applique since.  I will post a picture of them as soon as I am finished with them.

Here is a photograph of this month's blocks:



There are 42 leaves:  21 leaves that are facing to the right and 21 leaves that are facing to the left; two blocks of Rolling Stone and three blocks of Churn Dash.  These blocks were fun, fun, fun.  Now on to the Clamshells.

Saturday, November 22, 2014

Threads of Time - Block of the Month - Month #1 and the "Wing Clipper"

I posted several months ago about the new BOM called Threads of Time.  It is very beautiful so I had to join this group of piecers/quilters at my local quilt shop, Fabric Garden in Sacramento.  

I went and picked-up my first month yesterday at the store.  I was excited to get started and I finished this morning.  The first month's four blocks were all  the same, the "Devil's Claw," made with four different fabrics.  

I enjoyed sewing the blocks but I did not follow the instructions provided by Julie Hendricksen.  First, I noticed that the Devil's Claw was comprised of 8 flying geese.  I used my "Wing Clipper" ruler by Debbie Tucker of Studio 180 Designs instead.  The Wing Clipper is an ingenious device created by Deb Tucker.  Your four flying geese are perfect after you trim them down to size.



 

The photo on the left shows all eight flying geese before I trimmed them.  The photo on the right shows the "Wing Clipper" ruler and the small pile of fabric that I trimmed off the blocks with hardly any waste.


 The photograph to the right shows how I 
dealt with the seams.  I basically opened 
the seams especially in the middle area.  
That area had the most bulk especially 
where the two points of the flying geese meet.









I love making flying geese now because of the "Wing Clipper."  I've had the pleasure of meeting and speaking to Deb at PIQF this past month and last year.  She is passionate about her rulers and happily demonstrates every one of them. 

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Moda Modern Building Blocks - BOM - Month 4 - Fig Tree Style

First, I just noticed that I made an error on labeling last month's Moda Modern Building Blocks.  I labeled it as Month 2 when it was truly Month 3.  I just corrected it.  Sorry, I was working full-time last month and made an error.  Oh well.....it will not be the last time that I make an error!

I just finished this month's blocks.  Most of them look okay but one block, #22.  I will probably look at it next month and redo it.  I am in a hurry today because tonight I am selling tickets at our high school's Women's Volleyball playoff game and tomorrow is set-up day for our local guild's quilt show, River City Quilter's Guild.  I will be working all weekend in the "Country Store."  We sell craft items made by our members (we keep a percentage) so it isn't junky stuff but nice holiday gifts to give to your friends and relatives.

Block #12 - 12" x 12"
Block #13 - 12" x 12"













Block #10 - 12" x 12"
Block #45 - 6" x 6"
Block #6 - 18" x 18"














I don't know how I got these photographs in just two rows but I am glad that I am able to do this. 

Block #25 - 6" x 6"
Block #25 - 6" x 6"

Last month, Joanna wrote that we would be using Block #25 two times in the quilt.  I made the one on the left last month but it was in error.  She wanted us to make the block in different fabrics, the one on the right.   So, I am showing both blocks.  

Here is the block that I am not pleased with.  You will see that some of the intersections are not meeting correctly.  I will do it again next month because I am just not satisfied with the results.  Ick!  There is so much bulk and I did not heed Joanna's instructions...take your time and sew slowly.
I will next month!


Block #22 - 6" x 6"