Progress......

I just wanted to show you what the Star Block looked like when I put the two pieces together.  The blocks are huge!  As you can see from the photograph, it is at least 22 inches across from point to point.  I wasn't feeling well last night so I haven't finished all ten of the complete blocks.  There are several blocks that are just portions of the star.  As you can see, I am using civil war reproduction fabric in this quilt.  I have so much of this era of fabrics that I need to use it to even make a very small dent in my stash.

A New Project.....Continued

The Star Flowers quilt that I posted yesterday has been coming along quite quickly.  The blocks are large so I am feeling fairly confidant that I will finish the blocks today sometime.  I can share the blocks as I am cutting and preparing them to put altogether.

I found this pattern in the current Fons and Porter, Love of Quilting Magazine, March/April 2014 issue.  The designer is pictured below, Diane Tomlinson.

In the article, this unit is called the "Star Point Unit."  It is just three parallelogram pieces that are cut with the 60 degree line on your ruler.  I used my own ruler instead of purchasing the suggested Fons and Porter 60 Degree Diamonds Ruler.  Before you start be sure that your ruler is marked with 60 degree lines.  I only had one ruler that had the lines that I needed:  Nifty Notions or NN7x14.

The bottom photograph shows the actual color of the fabric, cheddar.  I don't know what happened with the photograph on top.  I tried to "fix" it but I was unable to do so.  Oh well, I am just happy that one of the photographs depict the actual color.

I've photographed half of the block.  I am very pleased that it went together easily.  Hahaha, I say that now!  I will post my results tomorrow once I sew more blocks together.

A New Project....

I can't believe that it has been over two weeks since I posted my last blog!  I have been subbing again at my local high school and I visited my son in Glendale, Arizona.  Glendale is a suburb of Phoenix and the site of my son's graduate school, Midwestern University.  

I don't get to sew when I have been subbing at the high school but I did bring my small sewing machine with me to Phoenix, Janome Jem Platinum 760.  I sewed a small amount but I didn't complete anything.  I did, however, go to a quilt store in NW Phoenix, "The Other Quilt Shop," at the corner of N 43rd Avenue and W. Thunderbird Road.  It was very cute and had a lot of gem tone fabrics.  The owners were very helpful, full of information about Phoenix, and they had quite a bit of batiks.  It is always fun to visit other shops in other towns.  The shop is always a reflection of the owner's taste.  I wish I had taken a picture of the quilts in the store.  They were lovely.  

While I was at the Sacramento Airport, I purchased a magazine, Fons and Porter's, Love of Quilting, March/April, 2014 issue. 

I really loved the quilt on the cover,  Star Flowers.  I read the article by Diane Tomlinson.  She is an Assistant Editor of this magazine.  The caption stated that  "She designed the quilt on her computer and played with  colors until she had a pattern that she loves."

This pattern is based on diamonds and has quite a few set-in seams.  I am going to try it.  I am using Civil War fabrics because I have so much in my stash that I would like to use it all up.

The article suggested that we watch a video, "Sew Easy:  Set in Seams" at FonsandPorter.com/setinseams.  I did watch it a couple of days ago.  Of course, it looked easy but I haven't done it yet

I made about twelve of the "Star Point Units."  I haven't put them together in a block.  I will let you know if I am successful or if I will trash it!

Top Finished - Charm Pack Cherry Quilt Pattern

I started the Charm Pack Cherry Quilt this morning.  I finished the top tonight.  It was really fun to sew together.  I used four charm packs for this quilt:  two solid charm packs by Bella Solid, Robins Egg'  The other two print charm packs are from Moda designed by Sandy Gervais, "Chance of Flowers."

I watched the video/demonstration this morning on YouTube before I started.  It looked easy and I was not going anywhere today so I just sewed it together.  I will have to find a back.  It requires 3 1/2 yards of fabric.  You can also download the pattern from www.FatQuarterShop.com.

Vintage Quilt Revival Block Along - Week #10

This is week #10 and the last week of the Vintage Quilt Revival Block Along.  We have done all of the blocks in the book and I have thoroughly enjoyed sewing all twenty of them!

Exploding Star Block

The Exploding Star Block was absolutely fun to sew.  I was not sure about using the green solid fabric but now that I look at it, it isn't too bad.

Geometric Star Block

Now, I really loved this block, the Geometric Star.  I loved using the blue and red fabrics together but using the lime green was a step that I was very hesitant about.  I really like the look of the block.  It looks great to me!

I loved this block along.  The blocks were so different yet familiar.  These were traditional blocks that were made modern.  LOVED IT!

Charm Pack Cherry Quilt Pattern

I have not blogged since last week and I feel compelled to put one together today.  It's raining now but we need the rain in Northern California to help us get rid of the three-year drought.  I can't go outside so why not blog!

I have been working with my co-chairs of the Country Store.  We belong to is the River City Quilters Guild.  We have been updating forms to hand out and put on the internet for the members that contribute handmade crafts to sell at our quilt show.  I also had dental work last Monday, two crowns that had fillings that were over 40 years old with cracks that would eventually cause me much pain.  It doesn't hurt but having my mouth open wide for three hours caused a lot of pain in and around my jaw for a couple of days.  Fortunately, it has now subsided!  Yay!

My sewing machine has been idle for a week now and I thought that I had better do something!  I decided that I would try my hand at the Charm Pack Cherry Quilt Pattern, a free pattern from the Fat Quarter Shop:  www.FatQuarterShop.com and there is also a video on YouTube that you can watch Kimberly Jolly demonstrate how to make one of these quilts.

The pattern looks easy and the instructions are usually well written and easy to follow.  The FQS write patterns for "It's Sew Emma."  I have used their patterns previously and I like them very much because of the easy-to-follow directions.

I decided to use two print charm packs called "Chance of Flowers" by Sandy Gervais for Moda and two solid charm packs from Bella Solids by Moda.

I am using the Robin Egg Solid and the flower print so that the quilt would look like spring.  I don't know if I like the Robin Egg charm pack yet.  I may change my mind later.





I do have my last week of blocks due for the Vintage Quilt Revival Block Along.  I want to finish those blocks first before I start the charm pack quilt.  

Vintage Quilt Revival Block Along - Week #9

I enjoyed sewing both blocks this week.  There was no paper piecing but the blocks were fun.

Mosaic #8 Block

Star and Pinwheel Block

I especially liked the Star and Pinwheel Block.  After this block along, I am going to make a concerted effort to make a quilt with this block.