Caught up with Month #4 - Star Spangled in Blu

This month's block of the month is the Secret Drawer.  It is a 10-inch block and so easy to do.  This was so fun to sew together.  I loved it.  I am a fan of the blue and white color scheme.

The Star Spangled Banner, the middle of the quilt has four points that are sewn to the middle of the block.  The kit for this month included only the blue fabrics, two of the four points.

     This is the top left corner of the block.  I have not 

     sewn it together yet because the instructions did

     not instruct us to do so.

     

       This shows the middle of the block and where            the top left corner and bottom right corner will          be sewn to the middle.

     This shows the bottom right corner of the block.         I have not sewn this together yet.

I am assuming that next month's fabric kit to pick-up will include the two other points in brown.  It has been difficult because of the small pieces but I am willing to try.  I do like the look of the quilt.

Star Spangled in Blue - Finished Banner - Month #3

This portion of the Star Spangled Banner was difficult.  There are lots of small pieces and trying to sew it all together with all of the bulk in the seams.  Well, it took me a while but I just finished it this morning.

This is the center of the banner.
It is 8.25 inches square.

Here is the photo of the entire block, Star Spangled Banner.  

22" Block

The portion that I just finished is in the center and it is on point.  I peeked at the next month's instructions and we are sewing some of the 3-part point corners.  I am not looking forward to sewing these small pieces together.  It's the sewing them together which is a pain.  As I stated before there is a lot of bulk to sew through.  To be honest, I would try to make it as perfect as possible but I gave myself a maximum of three tries to fix the "visible imperfections."  

Star Spangled in Blu - Finished months 1 & 2

Well, I finished the first package of the BOM, Star Spangled in Blu.  I sewed together all of the navy blocks of the Star Spangled Banner.

This little portion of the Star Spangled Banner is only 4 7/8 inches (unfinished) probably closer to 5 inches without the rounded ends from corner to corner or each side.  Ugh!  I really dislike these small pieces.  I had to make eight of them but sewing both both parts together was difficult.  I like to keep the papers on until I am finished joining them but there was too much bulk.  I found it far easier to remove the paper and join them together.

Here is the Star Spangled Banner block that the eight navy pieces (the first photo above) will be sewn together with eight of the brown little blocks.  The reason I decided to show this 22 inch block is I just peeked at next months packet and that is what is in store for me to do with a nice larger block!  Yes to the larger block!

I was able to finish the navy blocks because it was Saturday.  Sunday will quickly come to a close and I will probably not have much time to make the brown bits until later in the week.

New BOM - Star Spangled in Blu

This new block of the month started two months ago.  I am catching up and just started to work on the first two months.  

This is the cover of the new block of the month.  It is by the same designer as the Flock of Feathered Stars, Carolyn Cullinan McCormick.  I love her designs and was so happy that my quilt store, Fabric Garden chose this quilt to have as a BOM.  I forgot to mention that this quilt is totally paper-pieced.  Some quilters like it and some hate it.  I love it!

The first two months were in the same packet we pick-upped.  I did the easy and larger block first:  Ducklings.  It would have been easy to just cut the pieces and sew together but I think it was selected because it is an easy block to paper-piece.  It is a 10 inch block.

If you look at the quilt on the cover you can see that there is a medallion block in the middle, the Star Spangled Banner.  We will be sewing parts of this block every month.  Here is this months part of the block that we sewed.

These were very small pieces to sew together.  I disliked sewing all those small pieces but I know that it has to be done.  There were eight of them and brown combined to make that 22 inch star.  

I will work on the next month's "Star Spangled in Blu" block and part of the Star Spangled Banner.

Summer Sampler Quilt - Assembly

The twelve blocks are sewn together.  I opted for the dark background (navy).  The blocks are arranged on point.

The fabric is a "colored" solid muslim.  I enjoyed using the solid fabrics.  I LOVE solids so this was so enjoyable.  The measurement of this portion of the quilt is 51.5" x 68.5".  There are four borders to add to the quilt.  Border 1 is 2 5/8" wide (top and bottom) and 3" wide (side border).  Border 2 is the pieced border.  Border 3, top/bottom and side borders are 2 1/4" wide.  The 4th Border is grey and is 4" wide.  I will post a photo of the quilt as I finish each border.

Saturday Sampler - Month #12

This month is the last of the Saturday Sampler Quilt.  The block is called Columbia.  it is an easy and colorful block to sew.  As I always try to do, I make a solid muslim block and a 1880's reproduction fabric block.

Saturday Sampler - Solid Muslim

Saturday Sampler - 1880's Reproduction Fabric

I have been sewing the inner and outer borders.  It is a very colorful quilt.  I have never made a quilt with a dark background before now.  I am excited to compete it.  I will post photos of the progress of putting this quilt together.  The quilt is on point with a dark background.

Saturday Sampler BOM - Month #10 - Perseus and Month #11 - Dorado

These are the next two months of the Saturday Sampler BOM in the two color ways:  Solid Muslims and 1880's Reproduction fabrics:

Solid Muslins
Month #10 - Perseus

1880's Reproduction Fabrics
Month #10 - Perseus

Solid Muslins
Month #11 - Dorado

1880's Reproduction Fabrics
Month #11 - Dorado

There is one more month left to complete this Block of the Month Quilt.  I also received the finishing kit two months ago and haven't started it.  Hopefully, it will not be difficult.  I hope to have it finished SOON!

1880's Reproduction Fabrics - Months #8 & #9

It has been at least two months since I posted my last blocks.  I apologize...I have been working quite a but and trying to sew and post to this blog is time consuming.

For the Saturday Sampler BOM, I have making two color ways of the blocks:  the muslin solids and 1880's Reproduction fabrics.  I last posted month #8 and #9 blocks with the muslin solids.  Here are the same blocks with the 1880's Reproduction fabrics:

1880's Reproduction Fabrics
Month #8 - Octaus

1880's Reproduction Fabrics
Month #9 - Andromeda

Saturday Sampler - Months #8 and #9

I haven't made any posts to this blog in quite awhile.  I have been working everyday, Monday through Friday and we bought a condo to be closer to our children.  So my days and weekends have been busy.  Also my son is getting married this coming weekend in Chandler, Arizona so I haven't had much time to sew or post to this blog.  I apologize.

I finally sewed month #8 or last month's block:  Octaus.  It was easy to do so I thought I would post this one tonight,

12" x 12" Finished - Octaus

12" x 12" Finished - Andromeda

2017 Summer Sampler - Block 14 - Saddle Star

This week's block from the 2017 Summer Sampler is the "Saddle Star."  It was sewn together using the paper piecing technique.  It was enjoyable and easy.

It did not take long to sew because of the paper piecing. 

2017 Summer Sampler - Block 13 - Compass Star

I am caught up with the blocks of the 2017 Summer Sampler!  Only for a few hours because I will receive Block 14 in the morning.  

This block was sewn together with paper piecing.  It was easy only because I enjoy this technique.  

 

2017 Summer Sampler - Blocks 11 and 12

I finished two blocks today and really enjoyed sewing them together and both blocks required piecing.  

Block 11 is called "Pixie Dust Star."  I just noticed that I did not put some of the pieces on correctly.  I will ignore it for now and try to fix it later.

Block 12 is "Ombre Star."  I like the look of the modern blocks and colors.  It is fun because I usually don't use these fun colors.

I will be caught up when I finish block 13.

2017 Summer Sampler - Week #10 - Spring Star

My sewing machine should be returned any day now.  I have it in the shop because of it's tension problem.  Hope it returns in good shape.  In the mean time, I am continuing to catch up with the weekly 2017 Summer Sampler.

The Week 10 block is called "Spring Star."  This block was paper-pieced and fairly simple to sew together.

2017 Summer Sampler - Block 9

I am behind again.  It was experiencing tension problems and I took my machine for service.  My small back-up machine was in storage so I took it home and finished today's block:  Midland Star - Block #9.

I loved making this block because it was easy to follow and the fabrics that I have been mostly using have been the "cool" blues and greens.

Saturday Sampler - Block #7 - Aquila

Last Saturday, I picked up the next installment in the "Saturday Sampler" BOM (Block of the Month).  This is the 7th block in the quilt and it is called "Aquila."
It is a beautiful quilt of solid muslin fabric.  I finished it yesterday and the other block that I make with Civil War Reproduction Fabrics.

Aquila - Block #7 - 12" x 12" (F) - Solid Muslin

Aquila - Block #7 - 12" x 12" (F) - Civil War Reproduction

2017 Summer Sampler - Block #8

I was finally able to finish block #8 this afternoon.  The block is named: Princess Cut Star.  It took me a little longer to finish because we changed to another cable company and the installer came this morning and had to change out wire underneath our house and out to the telephone pole.  He was finished until this afternoon so I could finally finish this block.

This block was sewn together with paper piecing.  I enjoyed the process because it is fast, easy and I like the technique.  

I received my 9th block yesterday morning so I will begin sewing that tomorrow afternoon.  I have a class at my local quilt store, "Fabric Garden" in Sacramento.  It is on the Creative Grids rulers.  We are introduced to the incredible rulers by designers who think differently than most of us do.  These make our lives so easy by helping us make straighter and more accurate cuts of the fabric.  I can't wait to see which ruler we will be using and learning about tomorrow.

2017 Summer Sampler - Block #7

Woo Hoo!  I finished another block, #7, called the "Turning Star."  The block was sewn together using foundation paper piecing.  It was again, fast and easy to do because of the paper piecing.

Some of the colors depicted above are not correct.  The background is white (not beige) and the center colors are pretty close to the actual colors.  

I have one more block and I am essentially caught up with the 2017 Summer Sampler.  The next block will be in my email Monday morning.  I will try to sew that block together ASAP.  In the meantime, block #8 is awaiting my attention.

Summer Sampler 2017 - #6

I am slowly catching up on the 2017 Summer Sampler by three quilters:  Katie (swimbikequilt.com), Lee (freshlypieced.com) and Faith (freshlemons.com). Their blogs are informative, wonderful and modern.  I receive their blog posts through email and always read them.  I enjoy their tips and looking at their quilts.

Week #6 block is called the "Marine Star."  I love all of the blocks but this I enjoyed sewing it and of course, the paper piecing.  I know that there are quilters who do not care for paper piecing but I can understand you non-acceptance of this technique:  working on the back of the paper, purchasing the special paper piecing paper and sewing through all of the thickness of the fabric but I love it so much.  To me it is easy and quick especially considering the sharp points are really SHARP!  This block is my favorite, so far.

Well, I have two more blocks to complete:  blocks 7 & 8.  I will continue to work.

Summer Sampler 2017 - Block #5

Once again, I am catching up with these blocks of the week.  I am several weeks behind, four to be exact.  Block #5 is called Alchemy, a medieval slant that reminds me of the Dark Age.

This block was another fun block to sew together.  Not that difficult but you had to be precise in your sewing and pinning (I'm an avid user of pins) to be sure that certain seams would meet in order to look crisp and well sewn.

I don't know what is wrong with me or my camera.  I can't get the correct colors of the blocks to transfer to this post.  I will have to read up on it.

Blocks 6, 7 and 8 still to do!  Catching up.....

Saturday Summer BOM - 2017

Last Saturday was the sixth block in the Saturday Summer BOM.  The block is called the Lyra.  The colors of the original block are very muted and blue/green. I loved sewing both of the blocks.

12.5 Inches - Unfinished

This photo does not reflect the true colors.
I am not sure how to fix it.