I finally had enough left over fabric from blocks 2 and 3 to make block 1. I made in error while I was cutting the fabric for the first block and I decided to go on to the other blocks and just wait to see if there would eventually be enough left over fabric to make it. This block is called "Fly Away."
Here are the foundation paper pieces, one left and one right. I have them upside down so you can see that there is a Block 1 - Foundation A & B.
I finished the Foundation B pieces first. Pieces A & B are sew together and then sewn to the other pieces.
I finished sewing these pieces last night but I will have to wait to sew them all together for later. I just laid them out to decide where I was going to place them. I see two pieces that I will have to change their location in this block. I have to go to work so I will post a photograph of the finished block tomorrow.
I finished block 3 last night. The name of this block is "Northern Lights." It is another fun block to piece but I could not get the center to lay flat. I have been working on this block for two days and can't get it right but I am tired of working on it so I will put it away for now and get back to it later to "re-work" the center.
A friend asked how this block was sewn together. There are six foundation pieces that are the right side of the smaller block (shown at the right already sewn) and there are six smaller components that are not sewn and comprise the left side of the smaller block (the foundation paper is shown here). A left and right piece of the smaller block is sewn together and those six smaller components are sewn together to make one large 21" block.
Again, a fun block to piece but it is tedious work even if you like foundation paper piecing.
Almost six months ago, while my husband was at a meeting in Anaheim (California) and I was in our hotel room, I started to look over a catalog from Keepsake Quilting. I spied the Arcadia Avenue - A Block of the Month Quilt Pattern and was so intrigued. So I ordered the BOM and it has arrived every month for the last six months. I didn't have time to sew the blocks so I put them away in a plastic bin waiting for the day that I could pull them out and start them. I really don't have the time but I decided that I would try at least one block. Since I love paper-piecing so much with the Flock of Feathered Stars, I thought this would be just as enjoyable. It is so much FUN too!
It consists of 12 separate sections to make one large block approximately 21 inches from opposite points. I used vellum paper to print the patterns. I like it because it tears easier and feels smoother than the newsprint. The drawback to using vellum is that it is more expensive than the newsprint. This is block #2, called "Peacock Feathers. I made an error in cutting block #1 that I decided to go to block #2. I hope to have a bit of left over from each month to finish block #1.
Last Tuesday was the second class of this BOM. Unfortunately, I was sick and could not attend but I did pick up my fabric a few days prior. Block 2 is called "The Twinkling Star." Again, if you follow the instructions (they are well written), cut the pieces as instructed and follow the box that I mentioned in last month's post---it was pretty easy to sew together. Oh yes, I forgot to mention that you must enjoy foundation paper-piecing. Some quilters like it and others hate it. I would not recommend this BOM if you DO NOT enjoy paper-piecing.
July's Yuletide BOM was so fun to sew. There were only two blocks to make but they were spectacular.
Block #9 were just Bowties - 16 1/2" unfinished
Block #10 - Tree of Life - 14 1/2" unfinished
I can't wait until it is time to put these blocks together. It will be beautiful. Thanks again to Joanna Figueroa. These blocks are so gorgeous!
A couple of weeks ago, I saw a teaser (poster) at my local quilt shop for a class called "A Flock of Feathered Stars." This was a paper piecing class and I was intrigued. I had the book at home and loved the stars but I didn't have the time to do it. Here was a class held once a month, the first Tuesday of each month, we bring our sewing machines, do it at the quilt shop AND socialize with twelve other quilters! What a deal! I immediately signed up and we had our first class earlier this week and we paper pieced! Needless to say, I loved it!
A photo of the book is pictured to the left, A Flock of Feathered Stars by Carolyn Cullinan McCormick.
It is a wonderful book full of paper pieced stars. They look difficult but they are not. I will say that you had better like paper piecing!
This is the block that we started with: Feathered Star No. 4.
It was fun and not complicated. The block is 12" finished.
This BOM is an 18-month program. We will sew a block each month and make 3 blocks of the border. It really is fun.
I am current with the Threads of Time BOM. Well, I put the four blocks together for Month #8, Broken Star and Month #9, the Anvil block. Of course, I have not done the flying geese for them but they are not difficult when I use Studio 180 Design's Wing Clipper Ruler.
I enjoyed sewing the Broken Star Block. It was fun because it was a bit more complicated compared to the previous blocks. Of course, after a difficult block, a majority of the time an easier block is next, the Anvil. It was easier and fun but the background was directional.
