Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Colorblast - November block from Sherrie D.

Colorblast Block

Hello Ladies!  Sorry so slow getting this up! I had the post almost finished the other day and had to leave my computer for awhile.  When I came back a few hours later the post looked just like I had left it.  As soon as I tried to add the last two pictures the whole post disappeared. I'm still new at this blog thing, a word of warning, if you have to leave for some reason in the middle of a major post, save it before you go!

You should have or be getting the fabric for my block from Jennifer R. soon.  Thanks Jenn for volunteering to distribute kits for me.  Included in the kit is a printed copy of the instructions.  I am doing the red version.  All pieces are precut as that was the only way I could figure to make my fabric yardages come out right. All you have to do is SEW!  This block is traditional piecing and has 33pieces (I know that's a lot, but it is not difficult, just repeats 4 steps over 4 times).  The picture above is what all but two of your finished blocks will look like! (The A Block) Two of you have a B block it is the same to the last row and it has the center fabric as the outside strips)

A little history on this one! Early last spring my daughter and I were in a store where they had this quilt in Red displayed.  They had all the fabric for both the red and blue versions and the printed instructions there.  My daughter said to me "Mom that would be a really cool Fort Dodge Quilt". Her high school colors are Black, Red and White.  I am asking for your help with half of the blocks so that maybe Ican actually finish it before she graduates. She is a junior this year.

Step 1.  Take the 3" black and red block and sew two 3" x 1 3/4" black and white dot strips to the sides.  Make sure all seams are exactly 1/4". Then press seams toward the center block.

Now add two 5 1/2" x 1 3/4" red and white dot strips to the top and bottom of the block and press seams toward the center.

Step 2.  Take two black and white 3" squares and two red and white 3" squares and draw a diagonal line on the wrong side, across each from corner to corner (I just used a mechanical pencil).



Step 3.  Take the black and white squares and place them, right sides together, on the upper left corner and the bottom right corner of your block.  Stitch across the diagonal line, making sure that your stitching line is right next to the point on the center square not overlaping the corner.


  Trim 1/4" beyond seam line  and press black triangles out as shown below. Press seam toward the triangle.




Step 4.  Now take the red and white squares and place them right sides together on the top right and bottom left corners.  Stitch across the diagonal lines.  Again make sure that your stitching line is right next to but not overlapping the point on the center square.  Trim to 1/4" and press point out, pressing seam toward triangle.



Now repeat step one to add 5 1/2 x 1 3/4" black and white strips to the sides of the block pressing seams to the center, and then two 8" x 1 3/4" red and white strips to the top and bottom of the block. Press seams to the center.





Repeat steps 2-4 to add squares to the corners of the block.  Press all corner triangle seams toward the triangles.


Repeat steps 1-4 to add 8" black and white dot strips to the sides of the block and then 10 1/2" red and white strips to the top and bottom of the block and then another set of black and red squares to the corners.  Make sure black is always on the top left and bottom right and red is on the top right and bottom left. 


At this point those of you that have "A" blocks will repeat the same proceedure to add your last 10 1/2" strips to the sides and 13" strips to the top and bottom. Now add your last black and then red squares.


If you have a "B" block you will add the center fabric strips, first the 10 1/12" strips to the sides and then the 13" strips  to the top and then to the bottom.  press seams toward the darker strips on this one.

That's it! Finished "A" block looks like this. The finished block will measure 13" x 13"  



Any questions?  I have a new email address it is sherriedillon.sd@gmail.com.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

October and November

Sorry guys.  I had a little snafu in scheduling and really messed up October.  It has created two blocks for November.  Sally and Sherri D. both have blocks this month.  I was hoping to have the tutorials up by now.  Ladies, do you need any help downloading them?


Friday, November 9, 2012

How did I do that!

I don't know what I did, but I sure didn't mean to delete my last post with the Arkansas Traveler and Jen's house...

Anyway, what's happening? Are we taking a break? Have I somehow missed October's square? If we are taking time to catch up, I understand. Just wondering what's up.

Mardie

Friday, September 28, 2012

Round Up

Ladies,

We only have a few months left in this years quilting bee.  We really need to have all blocks finished and delivered (January through September) by October 31st.  I realize that some of you are really bogged down with work and callings and family.  If you need some help to finish these blocks by the deadline, just call me or email me and I can recruit someone to help.  Several members of our bee have offered to do extra squares.  Thanks for all the hard work!

Welcome, Welcome

I want to welcome Liz Johnson to our group.  She will write a little bio for us in the next few days.  I am so excited she is able to join!  Liz, you can start with Jennifer R.'s block and then you will be responsible for providing a tutorial for your block in December.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

for Jennifer R

here's my wonky house for my friend, Jennifer R!


I used a Christmas Village pattern that I LOVE (see the house on the bottom left?).  
That was fun!

em

Monday, September 17, 2012

September House for Jennifer R.

1.  Put away your kona white.  Pull out your bright colored scraps.
2. Think Gypsy sister meets Dr. Suess.
3.  Use appliqué or a combination of methods of your own choosing and build your little piece of heaven on a 12.5" by 12.5" block.



You may use a lighter color combination for the background, but please use bright colors for your house.  You may add trees, bushes, a garden, a car, a dog, a mailbox, a turtle, the SUN or anything else to your house block.  Also, you don't have to use a blue colored background for the sky.  Remember all of the different colors that you may see... yellows, purples, oranges, you name it, it's been there!

I have been searching on the web and looking at houses for a year.  If you search "houses quilt block" and then choose to look at images... you will be overloaded with ideas.  Please steer clear of the plain log cabin looking block that is out on the web.  If when you are finished, it looks like a 9/10 year old girl designed it, it is PERFECT! Wonky is perfect. Unrealistic is perfect.

Remember, please don't used plain white fabric.

There are many things I am offering you:

1- If you would like some wonderunder or other double sided sticky stuff to help adhere your house pieces to your background, I would be MORE THAN HAPPY to mail it to you!  Just leave a message for me on this post OR shoot me an email or a text!  I have heard/seen some people use glue stick to temporarily adhere your fabric to the background.  It is up to you.  I've used it before and it get's you a little sticky... but it may simplify the process slightly.

2- If you would like for me to provide you a 12.5" x 12.5" block for your background to build your gypsy sister's Dr. Suess styled luxury dream home, I would be MORE THAN HAPPY to send that background piece to you.

3- If you would like a piece of my wood printed fabric (THANKS Emily Sigler!) I would be happy to include that to you in an envelope.  If you would like a cute stack of "little apples" scraps that may include turtles, children, trees, squirrels, shoes, I would be happy to include that to you as well.



Here is a close up shot of my clothesline.  It's not perfect.  That's okay.  You can see here that when combining my two fabrics for my background I sewed them right sides together, ironed open, and trimmed down to 12.5" by 12.5".


Here is a closeup shot of my chimney.  I had planned to hand stitch whimsical smoke.  But sitting behind my machine is so much easier.  ;-)  You can also see in this picture that I appliquéd the house onto the background but did not use the appliqué method for attaching my roof to my house.  I sewed it right sides together then ironed it open and trimmed.  You can "build" a house like this using a log cabin style method.  I only used this method a couple of times.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask me!!!  Also, I'd be happy to host a sewing day to help you all out.  Does anyone want to come to my house the Tuesday the 24th or Wednesday the 25th?  Say 10a-1p.  Just leave a post to this message or contact me!

Thank you ladies!  Oh, and of course, I don't expect to see this block by the end of September.  But, I'd be happy to have you over and help you bring your wonky, gypsy colored, Dr. Suess styled dream house to reality (on a block of fabric.)

Hint:  If you draw out your plan to size, you may use this drawing as a pattern to cut your fabric and wonder under.  It works very well!!  Hope you enjoy this month's quilt block!!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Question for Connie

Ok. I am going on the rule that "no question is a dumb question" here.

Is the plastic template to use for cutting out the diamonds? and I don't need a 60° ruler?

There... I asked it.

Mardie

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Sherrie T reporting:):) Two more done:)

Here are two more done, one for Connie and one for Emily.  I'm sorry for the delay girls and thank you for your patience.  Mardy yours will be next and soon.
I really did enjoy doing these and I'm learning alot from you girls!  You girls are great!!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

A Fond Farewell to Ceanne

I wanted to wish a fond farewell to Ceanne.  She will not be able to continue in the group.  She has been overwhelmed with their move and all the activities for her children. 

Jennifer Russell has kindly agreed to do the square for September.  She should have her tutorial up fairly quickly.  I have a little hint that we should be looking at houses!!

If any of you need any help getting caught up on your squares, please ask me or anyone in the group to help.  Connie and I were able to enjoy a fun quilting marathon with Llewellyn yesterday to get her caught up.  I am happy to host more quilting get togethers for any that want them.  Sometimes it's just easier to tackle them with a little company to motivate you.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Our Newest Baby!

Announcing the birth of 
Clark Tyler Curtis
son of Grace (Tobler) and Jason Curtis
Sunday August 19, 2012
6lbs 12oz

 (Connie, this is my excuse for being even later with your beautiful square!) 


Sunday, August 19, 2012

My apologies too

I know that we all have busy lives and other things going , but I want to apologize too. The last 2 1/2  months have been filled with drama and taken a toll on my quilting. I am going to turn all that around.  Right now I feel overwhelmed but I have some good friends that are going to throw me a life jacket, an intertube and some water wings to keep me from drowning.






j


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Interruption of A Pity Party

I have taken a break from my sluggishness and self pity to finish some squares.

Connie, I have your Arkansas Traveler.

Emily, Some Bow Ties for you.

And for Mardie a few triangles.
That catches me up!

Now to finish the wedding quilt for Sarah.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Bowties and Triangles

Bowties for Emily:



I used Sorbet by Sentimental Studios for Moda.  I have had this fabric in my stash for a while and was so happy to find a project for it.....I hope you like it Emily.  Also, I was somewhat confused on the size of the bowties...I hope I did this right!  This was a fun one to make and I can't wait to see the finished product.


Triangles for Mardi:


This was fun to make....so much so I am looking through my fabric stash to make myself one of these!!  Mardie, I am glad we didn't have to sew these four squares together since I got a lot of the same fabric design...it was hard to mix it up so you will be able to spread them out in your quilt.  Can't wait to see this one completed!

Happy Sewing Ladies!!
Connie

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Monday, August 6, 2012

Urban Cowgirl it is!

Mardie-

Your blocks are ready to be mailed!  I love the name of the fabric line.  The colors are very nice and will make a comfy throw indeed!  Hope you like our blocks!

This is Vee's square.


This is my square.

-Jen

Monthly Trading Updates

I have made a couple of changes to our monthly assignments.  I have switched Sally to December (to give her some time to catch up) and moved Ceanne to September.  I hope this is okay with you Ceanne.  If you need any help, just let me know.  I would love to host a quilting day at my home for any who need to catch up and would like a little company and food while doing it.  Anyone want to join in?  I am very flexible on dates.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Just to let everyone know. I have not forgotten about you.  I did not get the fabrics for quite awhile for the Arkansas traveler and Bow Tie blocks.  I left the day after I received them for Utah to help my daughter plan her wedding which is the end of October.  I got home and a dear friend in our ward passed away from a short intense cancer battle.
 I just received the fabric in the mail yesterday for Mardie's block.  I am leaving tomorrow for a week  trip to Missouri, to Lake of the Ozarks and meeting Vee and Jennifer Russell in Branson for a couple of days.  I promise I will get to all three as soon as I get home next week.  If I don't it will never happen because I am going to be very busy with an upcoming wedding after that.  Thanks for your patience.  Life just gets crazy sometimes.
Sherrie D.

Arkansas Traveler

Connie-

Your square is absolutely stunning.  I love the final product.  It is a bit of work.  But, the reward of seeing it come together is totally worth it!  I cannot wait to see this quilt come together for you!  The fabric is so delicious that I have ordered some of my own.

This is Vee's square.


This is my square.

We hope you like them!!  Sherrie also completed yours and Emily's square with us on the same day.  She will post pictures of them later.

Thursday, August 2, 2012

I am having fun making these squares.  I was wondering if I have a month that I should be preparing my quilt ideas.  Could you please let me know what month is mine.  Thanks!!  Your squares are on there way. And I got yours, Mardie in the mail today!!  Yeah!!

More Bow Ties!

Here are my bow ties for Emily. What fun. 

I did have the same problem as Jennifer. Luckily I was able to make the bow ties bigger with squares. The edges are a bit off on those 2 (gray and the deep yellow), but hopefully it won't be a problem for you, Emily.

(If it is, please let me do them again.)

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Bowtie's for Emily!

This is my bowtie block for Emily.  My bowtie fabric comes from the Little Apple's line by Aneela Hoey.  I thought this line coordinated beautifully with your solid color choices! I hope you like them!


 This is my mom's block.  Her bowtie's come from the Punctuation Collection by American Jane.


We had some difficulty after sewing the printed block to the solid one.  When sewing a square that was not a true 4", often the bowtie would not "open up" to a squared off 5 inch square. (It would come up short.)  So, my recommendation would be to always cut a 4 inch square.  Then when you go to mark your diagonal line, have the edges of your line fall somewhere between 3 and 4 inches.  When you OPEN your print, your fabric will extend pass the 5 in block.   You will then square off the 5 in block.    ...OR... maybe I did something wrong.  =)  If so, I apologize for the added tute!!

Triangles for August


My inspiration for this month's quilt is borrowed from one of Emily Sigler's favorites... It is a "FairyFace" Design. Here it is:





































I am wanting a throw for my house. I have chosen a Moda line "Urban Cowgirl". (I like the name! Yee Hah!) Lots of greens, browns, roses, etc. 
I love the fabrics and colors. 
The design will be simple and easy. 

I am sending you ALL of the fabric that you will be using. 
• Eight 5" squares of the "Urban Cowgirl" 
• One 5" strip of "Bella" cream fabric. 
Please do not use anything else! I am asking for more than a 12 1/2 " square because you don't have to use any of your own fabric. 

• Sew 1/4" seams.
• Use a light cream thread.
• Keep the cream in the upper left corner of the squares.

Cut your 5" strip of cream into 5" squares. 
You will have 8 of the cream and 8 of the pattern.


With right sides together, pin 1 cream and 1 patterned piece together.
Draw a line corner to corner.
Stitch 1/4" on each side of the drawn line. 
Please measure for 1/4".

Chain the pieces together to save thread. 
Stitch down then turn and stitch back up. 

Now you have a lovely chain of 8 squares.
Snip them apart.

Cut alone the diagonal line to create the triangles shown below.

Open and press the seam "light to dark/pattern" on each square.



Please trim the corners to square things up.

Sew 2 squares together. Press light to dark.
Then 4 squares together. Keep the center points precise. 
Press the last/center seam open (not to the side) to lessen the bulkiness of the center of the square. 

Do this 4 times and you will have Four "4 squares" to send me.
Please DO NOT square off or trim, I'll do that. 


I will then be able to mix them up for the overall "randomness" of the quilt.

Thank you, ladies. I am excited to start getting squares.
(Your fabric is in the mail!)

Mardie