You Stitch Fifteen Blocks and What Do You Get?

Sorry. That "Sixteen Tons" tune was just rambling around my brain seeking an outlet. 

Well, I've completed the fifteenth block and gotten them all sashed. Next step will be to add a border. The pictured "flying carpet" version above is not actually bordered, except in a rehearsal of laying the pieced blocks atop the proposed border fabric.  

Our class is about to take a break for the summer, so I won't likely get this sandwiched and quilted until some time this fall.

Lamp and Trust

One is "Lamp" and one is "Trust" Can you tell which is which? I think the "Lamp" looks more like a lantern, and I'm not sure why "Trust" is this design...but red on the corners is by design, and blue is true, they say.

Blocks 11 and 12.

There are three more blocks in the sampler to do, then on to the sashing, which I dread. All the precision of the squared up nine inch blocks will likely be a distant memory at the end of that exercise. This one will need to be completed, though, because it's been forever since I actually QUILTED any of my piecing projects. 

Leah suggested the "Lamp" would be pretty as a full quilt using those fabrics. I agree.

Draw, Drop, Hoop, & Stitch

Having just done the Two Circles Squared [see previous post], I noticed that you end up with something akin to a framed canvas on the contrasting back piece. This made me wonder if I could use the center of the contrasting piece for a bit of embroidery. Rather than experimenting with hand embroidery, I chose to also attempt the regular sewing machine, free motion embroidery demonstrated by various YouTubers. 

First I chose a picture to trace/transfer onto the predetermined  four inch mid-section of  my eight inch contrasting circle. Having penciled it in, I dropped the feed dogs on my machine, and removed the presser foot, all the while reminding myself that the lever that lowers the foot must be lowered when stitching actually begins, due to tension issues. Next I hooped the fabric in an ordinary embroidery hoop, as tightly as I could manage. Then I set to "drawing" with the machine stitches, following the lines drawn. 

The resulting picture was fine for my purposes. It might have been better to stabilize the fabric prior to hooping, but for an experiment and first run, I was pleased.

Oh! And just for fun, here's a postcard my mail carrier left for us a year or so ago:

 Something inherently precious about a little girl mailing a missive, I suppose.

Two Circles Squared

The tutorial for this intriguing little bit of fabric magic didn't catch my eye until after the holidays, but decided to give it a try because 

1. It (end product) looked difficult. 
2. Sounded easy (per instructions)
3. Took next to nothing by way of fabric committed
4. Gave me a chance to TRY to justify having purchased a circle cutting ruler, not to mention all the Christmas-themed yardage I never brought myself to cut into. (Sigh. I have to get over that!)

Mine turned out a little wonky, but I think it was due to my lack of care in doing those final folds. 

This one was made using two 8 inch circles, which resulted in a 4 inch square.

1. joined face to face using 1/4 inch seam, leaving an inch and a half open for turning right side out
2. once circle is turned right side out, flattened and pressed, the 1.5 inch opening is closed off as a 1/8 inch top stitch is sewn around the perimeter.
3. the circle is then folded in half. The ends of the resulting "taco" are pinched to make a middle line just at those ends, which are then joined with two or three stitches (hand sewn)
4. rotate a halfway and bring the two other opposing side together to join as well. result should be something that looks kind of like a crab rangoon wrapper
5. flatten the "wrapper" centering the stitched end joins forming a square.
6. flip the petal-like extensions inside out and over the outer corners and even out for the finish.
7. the back side will be a square with contrasting corner tabs.

The video walk-through which served as my instruction may be found here: 

folded fabric ornament

I hope to give this a whirl with a smaller circle than my first run-through. Yes, I tend toward miniaturization. 

Related ideas for/with this:

• Use serger for the initial seam.
• Use finished square as a pocket for an apron or doll's dress
• Join several for a tree skirt.

Five to Ten

From left to right, row by row, these blocks represent HOPE, CONFESSION, the CROSS, BIRDS OF THE AIR, STAR, and LOVE.

There are to be fifteen blocks in the sampler once completed. These are block numbers 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 (not shown in order). Blocks 1 through 4 were in my October post. 

Since I have not used a theme fabric for this project, I've found myself mired in indecision at the point of fabric choices as each block's instructions come up. I was actually considering doing a hodgepodge piecing from which to cut the red portion of the heart, but finally found some red fabric that looked more red than orange.

Counting My Chickens

Over on the Quilting Board I found a very fun tutorial for cute little "funky chicken" pin cushions. The poster used selvage for some of her creations, and had a truly funky topknot, comb...or whatever that thing on top is called. I just used some trimmings from some red batik that I had on hand. This was fun to make, and the tutorial is very easy to follow: selvage/funky chicken pin cushion tutorial link. 

Here's the one I made:

"Gertrude"?

She's stuffed with rice, a bay leaf and hot pepper flakes to dissuade bugs, and BBs for a bit of heft in her setter. Not sure, but I think she looks like a "Gertrude".

Sample of Sampler in Progress

Wow! That bottom right one is looking pretty wonky. Hmm. ANYway... these are the first four of fifteen blocks that will make up my first "sampler quilt". I had decided I would not go fabric shopping for this one, being determined to delve into my stash and use it exclusively. No need to be a spendthrift, right?  I've already gone shopping a little bitty bit since having made that determination. So much for my resolve. 

The pattern for this quilt is named "Roman Road", but the blocks are not paired with Romans scripture exclusively on the pattern sheet provided, so I may call mine a "Scripture Quilt", instead. Also, the pattern has a church building as the central block, but I may redesign that block as a Bible with a cross and dove. Not sure, yet. Still in the planning stages and since that block is number 15, I have some time.