Friday Block Party

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

This week's block is called, 'Christmas Star'. It is a 12inch block. It has a few HST in it, but I think you will agree that it is a beautiful block.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Do You Have Scraps?

2011-12-16T05:20:00.000-05:00

An easy block this week, folks. It is paper pieced, but it's not difficult. If you have never tried paper piecing, or don't like it much, this might be the block to try. It's called, Scrap Patch and is a 10inch block. This would be a great block to use up some of your scraps.

Mississippi

2011-12-09T05:09:00.000-05:00

This week's block is called 'Mississippi'. It's a 12inch block.

Kathie's Homeward Bound - Wek 44

2011-12-08T09:50:00.003-05:00

I sometimes wonder where blocks get their names. I don't see much to suggest Homeward Bound in this one, but it's a nice block nonetheless. I now have 10 blocks made in the orange/blue/green/pink fabric. Kathie L in Allentown

I'll Be Home for Christmas

2011-12-01T23:26:00.001-05:00

This week's block is called, 'Homeward Bound'. It is a 9inch block.

I am on a Scrap Kick!

2011-11-11T08:24:00.001-05:00

It says this one is fast and easy. Just what we want, right?
It's called 'Scrapbagger'. It's a 12inch block.

Kathie's Prairie Queen - Week 30

2011-11-05T16:46:00.003-04:00

I'm still trying to use up the green/blue/orange solids that I bought. This makes one more for that future throw or quilt. I always like HSTs and 4 patches. In my rush, I have the blue spinning in the wrong direction!! Thanks, Hetty. Kathie L in Allentown

Is There Anyone Still Out There?

2011-11-04T03:02:00.001-04:00

This week's block is called, "Prairie Queen". It is a 12inch block.

Hourglass #4

2011-10-27T22:27:00.000-04:00

This week's block is called, 'Hourglass #4'. It is a 12inch block.

Week 37

2011-10-13T22:21:00.002-04:00

Sorry I did not post a block last week. It was our Thanksgiving weekend and I could not tear myself away from all the housework, entertaining and cooking.

This week's block is called, 'Flying Dutchman Variation'. It's a 12inch block.

Kathie's Oregon Trail - Week 36

2011-10-05T17:28:00.002-04:00

I'm trying to get enough blocks using these blue/orange/green solids that I have. This was a good candidate. If I did it over, I'd add some green to the mix. Kathie L in Allentown

Week 36

2011-09-30T08:55:00.001-04:00

Sorry, I did not post a block last week. I am getting bored with the Quilter's Cache blocks.

We may have done this block before, but here it is.....
It's called 'On the Oregon Trail'. It's a 12inch block. There is no applique or paper piecing involved. That should please a lot of people.

Week 35

2011-09-16T04:02:00.002-04:00

I know that there are not many quilters out there who like to do paperpiecing. I really can't understand why that is. I think it has a lot of potential, especially when making an intricate block. And then there is applique - another feared-by-many technique. So this week I am challenging you all to try this easy block. It contains both paper piecing and applique. It is called, 'Sweet Dreams' and it is a 7inch block. I think it would make a great baby quilt!

Eco 34

2011-09-14T14:03:00.001-04:00

I made this week's block. Yippeeeee! I paper pieced it, but not using the pattern given on the site. I just measured out a 6inch block (6 1/2 in. unfinished) on graph paper and then went ahead and pieced it. I used scraps for this one. I could make it any size I want. Maybe I will try a 7inch one later.

Kathie's Economy - Week 34

2011-09-13T17:15:00.003-04:00

I made this block as a six inch block rather than 7 because it is one of the blocks for the Farmer's Wife sampler quilt. I killed two birds with one stone. Kathie L in Allentown

Week 34

2011-09-09T06:55:00.004-04:00

I thought we should try a paper pieced block for a change.
I know that many quilters are afraid of paper piecing, but it is simple once you have done a few.

This one is really easy.
It's called 'Economy' And is a 7inch block.

Correction: This block does not print out to 7 inches. The little square that is supposed to measure 1 inch, only measures 7/8 of an inch. Maybe your computers and printers are different. I would advise anyone trying to make this block to check the size first.

Hi All, Using Year 2009 Blocks

2011-09-02T19:14:00.004-04:00

Just to let you know I have made three quilts so far from the 52 blocks made way back, not this years choices, they are from 2009 can you believe. I have really enjoyed getting them done, I have one more quilt to make and that will be a BIG one with the rest of the blocks, I will have a few remaining which I am going to put on the backs as labels.

These were the tiny blocks, I made them larger by adding strips around each block using random fabrics from the ones I had used in the actual blocks, did the same with the border, then went mad with the quilting..

Close up of the quilting...

and this is the back of it...

Next I finished the slightly larger blocks, again putting a border round each,

I liked the look of the previous quilt so repeated it, if it works, fine...

Close up of the strange quilting I did on this one...

the back of it...

Larger still blocks, same form as before, strips round the blocks,

I think it is helping bring them together and that is why I liked it so much...

close up of the quilting again, sorry if you are bored now...

and once again, the back.

I have just noticed I used the same fabrics but different colours for the backs,

how strange, I didn't know til I just loaded them on here together...

So that is three done, one more to do, then I will have completed the Quilts and used all 52 blocks.

I do hope everyone doing this year's blocks is having as much fun as I did when making these wonderful blocks. Thank you.

*****************************************

A finished top

2011-09-01T14:04:00.004-04:00

While we were on summer break, I took the opportunity to put together nine of the blocks we've made this year into a small throw-sized quilt top. I'd love to get it to my long-arm quilter this month so that I can count it as finished. I tried to arrange them with similar blocks on opposite sides of the center. My sister gave me these fabrics a few years ago for my birthday, so I'm glad I can show her that I've put them to good use. Kathie L in Allentown

Kathie's Liberated Wedding Ring - Week 33

2011-09-01T13:55:00.003-04:00

I took a real liberated approach to this week's block and didn't follow either of the instructions exactly. I've been making 12 inch blocks using these 2 greens, blue, orange and pale pink this summer, so I decided to do this month's block in that size and color. I just cut the light blue and green at 2.5 by 4.5 inches, added corner triangles of green, orange and pale pink and trimmed to 6.5 inches. Then I put the 4 blocks together to get the ring. Very little measuring and done quickly. Maybe a bit too quickly since I noticed that I have a blue and green reversed in one of the sections. Oh well. Here we are saying goodbye to summer and hello fall. I love the cooler weather and the colors at this time of year. Kathie L in Allentown

Week ? - Liberated Wedding Ring

2011-08-30T05:00:00.003-04:00

I remember seeing the Double Wedding Ring pattern in a quilt on my friend's grandmother's bed. The rings were in different reds while the background was a light yellow. It was beautiful. Not sure I will ever make a traditional double wedding ring quilt - but this liberated version is so nice that I think I will make one of these!

The original Liberated Wedding Ring is described - with a lot of other quilt techniques in:

Liberated String Quilts by Gwen Marston. Well worth the read!

These two sets of directions aren't exactly the same, but close enough I think..... (Just pick one and sew up a block!)

Paper Piecing
http://www.quilterscache.com/T/ThatThirtiesThingBlock.html

Liberated

http://littlemissshabby.blogspot.com/2010/06/liberated-wedding-ring-block-tutorial.html

BTW this post shows my favorite setting for the block:
http://sophiejunction.blogspot.com/2010/02/progress-report-and-thoughts-on.html

2011 Week 32 - Change of Pace

2011-08-05T06:00:00.002-04:00

It's time to take a break from sewing new blocks, and instead to spend at least a week sewing some blocks together, doing some free motion quilting, or ....!

Interlocked Squares - Week 31

2011-07-29T10:49:00.001-04:00

I wasn't going to post a block this week because the heat and humidity have left me light headed. But we are getting a little bit of rain today - a tiny little bit, so I will post a block called 'Interlocked Squares'. It's only 6 inches square, but the construction of the seams might be a bit challenging.

Are you enjoying a long weekend where you are? Enjoy it if you do!

June's Week 30: Double Wonky Shoo Fly

2011-07-22T18:46:00.000-04:00

I'm cheating a bit as I really sewed these blocks last year - but oh well.

The blocks go together really quickly - but I've got about 50 of them now so don't think I need to make any more right now....!

: )
June

2011 Week 30 - Double Wonky Shoo Fly

2011-07-22T06:00:00.002-04:00

Continuing with the theme of blocks where you create two at the same time, this week it's the Wonky Shoo Fly!

Directions for creating this block are here.

Start with two pieces of fabric, cut the shape, move fabric around and sew the blocks up!

June's Week 28: Farm Friendliness

2011-07-20T20:15:00.003-04:00

Again using fabric I received in a swap - now that it's together I can see that I should have picked darker fabric for the points....

Here it's even easier to see the low contrast! (Added after Kathie's comment.)

June's Week 29: Forest Paths

2011-07-20T20:12:00.001-04:00

I used material I received in an online swap...

The blocks were 3.5 so I had to cut them down to make everything fit - then I noticed I didn't have great contrast in the center....

Kathie's Forest Paths - Week 29

2011-07-18T13:08:00.004-04:00

This week was a simple one for me because I already had the pinwheel part of the block made. Whenever I have a leftover scrap of fabric left from a project, I make it into 9-patches or HSTs or pinwheels if I happen to have 4 matching HSTs. This is leftover fabric from a Thimbleberries project I did a while ago and they were just sitting in my bin of quilt parts. I still had some of the blue, so I used that for the border. I took the picture outside, and it's a good thing they aren't chocolate, because they would have melted. The worst of the heat is on its way. Wouldn't you know that the worst will be on Friday when I plan to go to NYC to see the star quilts at the Folk Art Museum Annex. Kathie L in Allentown

Week 29

2011-07-15T05:00:00.002-04:00

Here is another 6 inch block. I haven't done last week's yet, but I plan to do it on the weekend. This one is called, 'Forest Paths'.

Week 28

2011-07-08T18:05:00.000-04:00

I have decided that I have way too many large blocks from this Party. So today's block will be a small one - 6 inches. It is called, 'Farm Friendliness'.

Sorry this post is late.

Kathie's Twist and Shout - Week 27

2011-07-07T18:15:00.002-04:00

I made this over the weekend, and was in a patriotic mood. I think it looks good in red/white/blue. Kathie L in Allentown

June's Week 24: Nine-Patch

2011-07-06T04:09:00.001-04:00

Man, I didn't get any 'exploring of nine-patches' done -

but I

did pull out some pieces I received in a fabric swap and

did make one pretty traditional one tonight!

Holiday Weekend!

2011-07-01T09:03:00.001-04:00

Hurray! The first long weekend of the summer! Here in Canada we are celebrating Canada Day today. And in the States the holiday will be July 4th on Monday. I am planning to take in lots of sunshine and do a little BBQ-ing. There will not be much sewing in my weekend.
So here is a simple block for this week. It's called 'Twist and Shout'. How's that for a great holiday weekend?

Kathie's Friendship Scrap - Week 23

2011-06-30T14:25:00.003-04:00

I can see how this block got its name - it would be great for a friendship block. I'll keep it in mind in case I ever do one. Kathie L in Allentown

Kathie's Nines - Week 24

2011-06-26T16:04:00.006-04:00

I am never at a loss for making nine patches. Whenever I finish a project and have same fabric to spare (which is always), I usually whip up a pair of 6-1/2 inch nine patches. I've got quite a pile and will make a scrappy quilt or two soon. Also, I belong to a Yahoo group (Niblets) whose members exchange 3-1/2 inch nine patches each month. This month's theme was denim blue and bubblegum pink. Here is a picture of some bigs and smalls that I made this week. Kathie L in Allentown

2011 Week 26: Double Wonky Squares

2011-06-24T05:00:00.009-04:00

We have reached the half year point for 2011....

Just in case anyone wants to try it - this week I'm posting link to directions for making another double block -

http://piecefulkwilter.blogspot.com/2009/07/wonky-squares-tutorial.html

Pick two fabrics and decide on the size - then follow the directions! Modify them to suit your style! You'll end up with two blocks.

Kathie's Broken Sugar Bowl

2011-06-23T12:16:00.004-04:00

I recently made this block as part of my ongoing effort to make the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt. I like HSTs and 4 patches, and this is a nice combination of those two elements. I apologize for being missing for the last month. My husband and I took a road trip from PA to CA and back. We had a great time seeing friends, family and national parks, but I missed my sewing room. I'll try to catch up on a few of the weeks I missed. Hetty, if you want to take a break this summer, that's fine with me. I'll be here when you return. Kathie L in Allentown

The Nines-week 24

2011-06-17T19:26:00.000-04:00

I tried & tried & tried to get these posted earlier this week, but I only just got to sit down at the computer just now. Anyway...I love 9-patches!

My most recent favorite 9-patch is Cut Glass Dish, which I have been making compulsively for a few ....uhmmm...months now. I like to take a completely not-neutral fabric, use it as the main & use neutrals scraps instead for the 1/2-square triangles. I don't know why I find it so appealing, I just do.

& yes, in my world lime green is a neutral. Also, if a little yellow goes a long way then a lot of yellow will take you even further.

Broken Sugar Bowl - Week 25

2011-06-17T05:00:00.003-04:00

This week's block is called, "Broken Sugar Bowl". It is a 12inch block. I don't know how many people are still out there following the Friday Block Party. Please let me know who you are. I may have to stop posting new blocks for the summer if there is no one out there any more.

Tiny Nine Patch Blocks

2011-06-11T13:52:00.000-04:00

I had a hard time getting started this morning. I have lots of things to work on, but nothing was calling to me. So I decided to do a few of these little nine patch blocks since that is the theme for this week. These measure 3in. when completed.

Thanks June, for posting these for this week. I love nine patch blocks! I still want to do a few of the not-so-typical nine patch blocks later.

Friendship Scraps

2011-06-11T13:46:00.000-04:00

My block for week 23. It's the Friendship Scrap Block. This one uses triangles. My points are not too accurate, but at least it's done. I don't think I will be making any more of these.

2011 Week 24: Explore the Nine-Patch

2011-06-10T05:00:00.077-04:00

The simple nine-patch. This versatile block can be the star, co-star or extra of your quilt production! Its appearance can change when it is sewn in the same two fabrics, or made with many different fabrics to create a scrappy look. The sections can be made with straight lines an equal distance apart, or the cuts can be slanted, curved and/or different widths!

This week pick a size, and a style - and make a nine-patch!

Here is a link with directions that will result in two nine-patch blocks (made with two fabrics):
http://www.thequiltercommunity.com/Wc1a8b2aaedf3b.htm
Notice the example scrappy quilt at the beginning of the screen.

Here is a link with directions for creating a three-color uneven nine-patch block:
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/projects-ideas/table-toppers-runners/uneven-nine-patch_3.html

Here are directions to making a disappearing nine-patch:
http://www.popularpatchwork.com/news/article.asp?a=5294
You make a nine-patch then cut it and rearrange the pieces.

Here is a link with directions for using a disappearing nine-patch to create a new block:
http://ros-the-quilter.blogspot.com/2010/10/disappearing-nine-patch-second.html
You make a nine-patch then cut it and rearrange the pieces, then add another piece of fabric!

Here is a link with directions for making curvy nine-patches:
http://www.straw.com/quilting/articles/curvy9patch.html

Here is a link with directions for making a modern nine-patch:
http://modifytradition.blogspot.com/2009/11/nine-patch.html

Week 23

2011-06-03T06:39:00.002-04:00

This week's block is called, "Friendship Scrap Block". It's a 12inch block. Hope you can all find time to sew since the weather is getting so nice and the garden is calling.

June's Week 22: Liberated Leaf

2011-06-02T02:48:00.003-04:00

I had fun making this leaf! The curves are a welcomed challenge and it feels nice to be free in the colors and fabric I use (and not be using gray as the background)....!!!

I read the directions, then got sidetracked with testing what would happen if I cut a piece of fabric with a curve and resewed it back together (and repeated a few times). It was a good exercise and made me more comfortable with doing this block. I found it really helped me line up the fabric when I started the cut with a little straight area.

Tip: Remember to include the side veins in the leaf before you sew it to the stem. I had a little ripping to do as I was so concentrating on the curves in the leaves. I didn't have a strip of brown handy so I made my branch yellow.... I made our now 23-year old son a pair of pants out the branch material... he was probably 3- or 4-years old. 'lellow was his favorite color.

: )
June in San Diego

Blue Birds of Happiness - Week 20

2011-05-27T12:40:00.001-04:00

I am trying to catch up. This is my bird from week 20. I still have several other blocks to make. Ahhh! So many blocks, so little time!

I also made this second bird. Since the grid was 5 by 5, I made this block 10 1/2 inches square. I don't have to add anything to the outside of it.

2011 Week 22: Liberated Leaf

2011-05-27T05:00:00.004-04:00

And now for something different - a non-animal block - but still a picture of something block. I saw this block on Glen's blog and thought they would be really fun for us to try out.

Her directions are posted here:
http://www.15minutesplay.com/2011/05/june-scrap-bee-block-from-glen.html

This involves curves and improvising!

June's Week 21: Gay Two-Patch Quilt

2011-05-21T23:55:00.003-04:00

I'm not sure what happened for me with this block. If you look you'll see that my three smaller blocks on the outside are all consistently too large.

I put on my liberated hat and just sewed it together.
It ends up 10.5 square, so I'm happy.

I forgot to invite you all to join in the Liberated Round Robin - you might be interested for a little change of pace.

http://liberatedroundrobin.blogspot.com/

It's a summer project. Guidelines for adding rows will be posted every three weeks.... So there will still be time to do the FBP!

This block could be both the initial center block and the first row as they are triangles!

: )
June

Kathie's Gay 2-Patch - Week

2011-05-21T09:35:00.003-04:00

I knew that if I didn't get the block made this morning, it wouldn't get made. I love sawtoooth borders, so I enjoyed making this week's offering. My quilt guild is celebrating it's 20th anniversary this year, and as a way of celebrating, we are having an outdoor quilt show tomorrow in Emmaus, PA, which is where we meet. After a few weeks of rain, it is expected to be sunny this weekend, so wish us luck. Kathie L in Allentown

Week 21

2011-05-20T03:20:00.000-04:00

This week's block is another 10 inch one to go with the animal blocks we have been doing. It is called, 'Gay Two-Patch Quilt'.

Kathie's Bluebird - Week 20

2011-05-19T09:30:00.004-04:00

I found the time last night to assemble this week's bluebird. I sure wish we had bluebirds in our neighborhood, but I think they like meadows better than suburban backyards. I have my share of colorful goldfinches and house finches, though. Best of the spring to you all, Kathie L in Allentown

2011 Week 20: Birds

2011-05-13T13:10:00.001-04:00

This week we have a choice of two blocks. Both are birds.

http://www.quiltingassistant.com/bluebirds.html This one is a traditional patched pattern.

http://patcherymenagerie.blogspot.com/2010/07/bird-how-to.html This one is a little more liberated and free.

One or both would be a nice addition to the animal blocks we have been making!

Kathie's Mother's Day - Week 19

2011-05-09T10:30:00.005-04:00

This is a block I'd never seen before, and it is quite nice. Happy belated Mother's Day. Kathie L in Allentown

June's Week 19: Mother's Own

2011-05-07T18:56:00.001-04:00

This was a really quick block to do! (I guess because it just has two colors and I set up my strip organizer so I have my FBP fabric ready to use in different widths.)

I decided to use green for the block, since it's the new color I added for my animal quilt.

Thanks Hetty for posting the block!

And Happy Mother's Day to everyone.

Hope we all have some time this weekend - either with our moms or our kids or someone else!

In Honour of Mothers

2011-05-06T10:21:00.001-04:00

Because Mother's Day is this weekend the block for this week is called, 'Mother's Own'. It is another 10inch block.

Happy Mother's Day!

Sorry I'm so late in posting this. My Internet seems to be suffering from hiccups.

June's Week 15: Fish

2011-05-03T03:34:00.001-04:00

I still need to do the final trimming to get this to 10.5 square, but it's pretty much done.

I used 3.5 inch square sections for the nine patch part, then added 2.5 inches to the end and 1.75 to the top and bottom. I'm going to center the fish in the block.

: )
June

June's Week 9: Scottie

2011-05-02T01:05:00.001-04:00

I measured to have fewer seams - thanks to Kathie L in Allentown for the tip on that!

Went together really easily. I'm getting my sewing legs/eyes back as I can see a quarter inch of background before the tips of the ear and nose!

Thanks again to Hetty for organizing this blog!

June's Week 16: Alaska Homestead

2011-05-01T01:23:00.000-04:00

Starting to get a little caught up!

This one really was easy to get together - thanks Hetty!

June's Week 18: Standing Tangram Rabbit

2011-04-29T05:01:00.005-04:00

2011 Week 18 - Tangram Rabbit

2011-04-29T05:00:00.043-04:00

The Easter Lily block was beautiful, Hetty.

Oh my, I was like the White Rabbit and was late with posting this block for Easter! It's still not too late to make a tangram rabbit to add to your collection of animal blocks.

To make the rabbit just print the pattern you select so it's as large as possible on one piece of paper, draw the cutting lines, cut the pattern apart into sections, then number the order you will sew the pieces, and paper piece the rabbit! Tip: If you aim to have a 10.5 unfinished block, be sure to add the side pieces in your pattern (like I forgot to do). But if you forget you can always add a border until the block is the size you would like.

The tangram rabbit patterns I liked the most came from this website:
http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/bunny-tangrams-673779/

The handout is a PDF:
http://familyfun.go.com/assets/cms/pdf/crafts/0108_Bunny-Tangrams.pdf

I picked the forward standing rabbit - here is the order I did the piecing:

I cut the diagram into the five lettered sections then did the piecing (adding seam to the edges of the sections so I could then join E to D, C to B and then added those to the A section).

Just for fun, here is a link to an impressive tangram quilt:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bissellbaby/4497790684/

Easter Lily

2011-04-24T20:44:00.001-04:00

I decided to make my block in oranges. So I guess this is a Tiger Lily. But that's okay. I love Tiger Lilies!
Beware: I used the paper piecing method on the lily 'petals'. But I had to draw up my own on drafting paper. When I printed the paper pieces from quilter's cache, they were not big enough and I would have ended up with a 9 3/4inch block if I had used them.

Easter Week 17

2011-04-22T05:00:00.000-04:00

The Easter Weekend is here. The block for this week is called, 'Easter Lily'. It has a bit of paper piecing in it, but not too much. I think we can handle this.

Happy Easter!

Kathie L's Alaska Homestead

2011-04-15T09:56:00.004-04:00

This block took practically no time to do. And I was even able to whip it out with all the banging of men putting a new roof on our house today. Bonnie Hunter used this block in her latest mystery (roll roll cotton boll), and it was stunning. Check it out at her quiltville.blogspot.com. I don't know what's wrong with my camera, but what looks like blue in this picture is really purple. Kathie L in Allentown

Week 16 Alaska Homestead

2011-04-14T17:00:00.001-04:00

This week's block is an easy one. I just couldn't imagine doing something difficult since I have no time. It is called, 'Alaska Homestead'. It's a 10 inch block.

Kathie L's Fish Block

2011-04-12T15:26:00.004-04:00

I made a single 9 inch fish block using 3 inch squares and HSTs and then adding 1/2 inch to the top and bottom and 1 inch on the right to get a 10 inch finished size fish. It was easily done. Kathie L in Allentown

2011 Week 15 - Fish

2011-04-08T05:00:00.004-04:00

This week the challenge is to make a fish block!

This pattern "Easy Fish Block" is the inspiration...

The block in these directions finishes with a huge 16 inch block - but notice the supplies list on page 2 of the pattern tells what is needed for one fish. So if we make one fish we can put it on background and end up with a 10.5 inch block.

Kathie L's Pieced Tulips

2011-04-04T10:40:00.004-04:00

I went with Hetty's directions for making this into a 10 inch block. I just saw some lovely tulip beds while visiting the Dallas arboretum last week, so I was in the mood for just this type of block. I know there aren't many blue tulips, but it's what I wanted to do! Kathie L in Allentown

2011-04-01T12:33:00.002-04:00

I made the Tulip block this morning. It's an easy one and took little time. I might be persuaded to do a whole quilt with these. I really like them. This one is 9inches finished. And this one is 10inches finished. I just cut the middle strips 2 1/2in. by 4 1/2in. and the centre square 2 1/2in. square. Hope you have as much fun with yours as I had with mine.

Honey, Honey

2011-04-01T12:29:00.003-04:00

I had wanted to post this block before I put up the next block. But it was not to be. I finished this one last night and it was too dark to take a picture. My colours aren't very strong, but I think it will go with the others.

Tulips

2011-04-01T05:00:00.000-04:00

This week's block is called, 'Pieced Tulips'. It's a 9in. block, but I am sure you could increase the centre strips to measure 2inches, thereby changing it to a 10in. block. I think there are tulips blooming in some parts of the world right now, but not here. We had snow again last night. Hopefully this block will entice spring to come.

Enjoy!

Kathie L's Honey Bee - Week 13

2011-03-31T08:55:00.003-04:00

You might think my Honey Bee is only half done, but it's as done as it's going to get. I think the orange that I picked for the corner petals is kind of overpowering compared to the lilac 9 patch, so I think that just two corners is the right balance. I'm not a big fan of doing applique, but this wasn't a hard shape to do, so even a beginner like me felt comfortable. Thanks for making me get out of my comfort zone, Hetty. Kathie L in Allentown

elephant parade

2011-03-28T23:26:00.003-04:00

I haven't been doing the block party so far this year, but that doesn't mean I haven't be playing on my own! I mentioned earlier that the elephants were going to be my birthday block for a little swap group I'm in, and so here's the finished top: I adore these guys! Now I just have to find the perfect baby to finish it for... Julie

Honey Bee

2011-03-28T10:17:00.002-04:00

Here is the one I made. I like this pattern and would make it again. Please pay no attention to Dinah Kitty. She makes sure she gets a lot of attention.

Bee Block - Week 13

2011-03-25T05:00:00.001-04:00

This week's block is called 'Honey Bee'. It is a 10-inch block and has a little bit of applique. Do it any way you like.

Kathie's Scrappy Butterfly - Week 12

2011-03-21T15:11:00.002-04:00

After a beautiful 3 days to usher in spring, today we woke to a little snow, and now it's cold and rainy. Enough already! Let's hope this week's butterflies bring spring in on their wings. Kathie L in Allentown

Week 12 Spring!

2011-03-21T11:11:00.002-04:00

Spring has arrived! Time for flowers, showers and butterflies.

I finished the butterfly for this week. I just love it! I know I will make more of these. So easy, yet so pretty.

A Butterfly for Spring

2011-03-18T09:21:00.004-04:00

Spring arrives this weekend! Hurray! What better block to do than this wonderful butterfly? It's called, 'Scrappy Butterfly'. And it's a 10inch block, so it will go great with the rest of our 10-inch animal blocks.

Have a great weekend!

Ribbit, Ribbit

2011-03-13T19:02:00.005-04:00

This guy gave me some trouble. Not because of the pattern, but because I sewed one side in reverse. I couldn't fix it at the time because my computer broke down. It was at the shop all week. When I got it back I had thrown out the old section that was not done correctly and had to draw another one. As a result, my frog is not symmetrical. But I like him anyway.

Kathie's Flying Squares - Week 11

2011-03-13T17:42:00.003-04:00

I was away last week, which is my excuse for not making the frog. It is on my 'to d0' list though because it looks like a fun block. Here are my flying squares. It was easy to put together, and I like the movement. Kathie L in Allentown

A Symbol of Friendship?

2011-03-12T09:15:00.004-05:00

I got my sewing machine back! It's fixed, but it doesn't seem to sew the same as it did before I got it fixed. It's like having a whole new machine. But I will get used to it, I'm sure.

I couldn't wait to sew something, so I made this week's block. It's called Flying Squares, but they don't look like they are flying to me. In fact they look very grounded.

And they remind me of this symbol of global friendship.

Now to find my frog and finish it.

Flying Squares for Week 11

2011-03-10T23:00:00.001-05:00

This week's block is called, "Flying Squares". It's a 10inch block so it will go with our animal blocks.

Sew happy!

Blondie Week 10

2011-03-06T16:18:00.006-05:00

I was able to finally get one done. I made the froggie the other day; been so rainy here I couldn't take pics successfully.
I think I might would make a few more of these; fun and easy.

Are we going to continue on the animal theme?

June's Week 10 - Paper Pieced Leaping Frog

2011-03-04T04:01:00.010-05:00

I hope the rest of you will enjoy making your leaping frogs!

It was fun for me to make. I'm not sure if he is going to be leaping to the right or the left in my quilt.... I added 2 inch borders to make the block 10.5 inches square.

2011 Week 10 - Paper Pieced Leaping Frog

2011-03-04T04:00:00.011-05:00

Hard to believe it's already March!

This week we will do another paper-pieced pattern - a really cute little leaping frog.

The block is at http://www.winnowing.com/frog.html

This paper-pieced pattern is easier to do than the previous one, fewer pieces (less waste), the sections are divided off in the pattern, and results in a very easy to recognize leaping frog.

You'll just need two fabrics for this block!

Hope you will enjoy making it!

Two Scotties

2011-02-28T20:52:00.002-05:00

I made a second Scottie with the pieces I had left over from the first one, after I changed the dog fabric. I did this one in reverse so that they can look at each other.

Elephants on Parade

2011-02-26T18:46:00.002-05:00

I haven't been participating this year in the block party...just "too many irons in the fire" at the moment.
But I always check in and see what you're up to :)
I was recently at a quilting retreat and one of the quilters (Helen Meyer) happened to be working on a friday block party project! I asked her permission to post a photo for you to see her "elephants on parade".
The Daddy elephant is the 10" block pattern from week 2. She reduced the pattern by 20% on graph paper and used templates to make the Mommy elephant. Then she reduced the pattern even more and made the baby elephants by paper piecing. However, with paper piecing, the block was reversed, so then the baby elephants weren't following the parade! These blocks are just so adorable...the photo doesn't do them justice. There will be some kind of sashing added and a scrappy border. It will be a great quilt for a youngster. Great job Helen!

Scottie

2011-02-25T13:45:00.004-05:00

Here is my Scottie Dog. I started to make him with some cute dog fabric and some little paw prints. But when I started making the HSTs, I realized there was not enough contrast between my puppy fabric and the background. (as you can see in the squares beside my block) I decided to cut out some dark fabric and use it for the Scottie. The nose is done in the dark fabric, but using the back of it because it was darker. It doesn't show up in the photo, but I am not taking it out. I have lots of puppy fabric left over, so I think I will make another block using that and a light background. But not today.

Did anyone use the templates? I looked at them, but did not use them. I think they are not correct.

Kathie's Scottie Dog - Week 9

2011-02-25T13:26:00.004-05:00

I was hoping that this block would be one of the animals that we'd do this year. I had the perfect dark blue fabric with some white squiggles that give it that rough fur sort of look. You'll see that rather than sew a lot of 2-1/2 inch squares together, if similar colors were together, like the body of the dog and parts of the background, I just cut out one piece the size of the many pieced squares. I hate having more seams than I need. Kathie L in Allentown

Week 9 of 2011 - Going to the Dogs

2011-02-25T05:00:00.004-05:00

An easy 10inch block for this week. It's called, 'A Scottie Dog'.

Enjoy!

Hetty's Dromedary

2011-02-23T16:20:00.003-05:00

I made my own pattern for paper piecing. I think I would do it differently next time. No idea how. I'll have to think about it. I don't like it when the pieces are on an angle. It makes them difficult to sew together.

June's Week 8 - Paper Pieced Camel

2011-02-18T05:01:00.011-05:00

Missing the ear and eye.

I hadn't planned on suggesting this block, but after doing the patchy heart I had a bunch of scraps and I thought doing a paper pieced block would help me make use of those bits of fabric.

I haven't really done paper piecing before - looking at these videos helped me out:

Leah Day - For the beginner
TimbleArt - Adds a few more tips
Crafty Gemini - Adds much more detail

See Notes below...

Notes:

Print the pattern the size you would like - I suggest at least two copies! I printed mine so it was ~~10 inches~~ - so I had to bring it into an editing program so I could divide it and print on two sheets of paper (so I would get the exact size that I wanted.) Note: For my 10.5 unfinished block, I should have set it to print to be 9.75 or maybe even 9.5 - when I sew my block to the next block the seam will intersect with the tail, rear leg, and be really near the face.....
Notice there are several groups in the pattern (head, neck, body, and legs) - cut the pattern apart at these lines - remember you will need to extend the lines by .25 inch so when you join them together they will fit! Along the outside of the entire block I added additional fabric to be sure to have enough fabric. (I hope I added enough so when I sew the block to the next block the detail is not lost!)
There are just two colors to use in this pattern. So that part is easy. I marked the pieces where the camel would be to help me keep track of things though. I used Kona Cotton solids so I did not have to worry about front and back side of fabric.
I goofed when I was making the tail and had to do it twice. Because I had used the tighter stitches I couldn't pick it out and reuse the fabric, so the second time I basted things, checked to be sure it was correct, then when back and sewed with the tight stitches. Still there were a couple of places that that I didn't have the fabric placed correctly. I just added extra fabric where needed (so I have additional seams).

Paper piecing isn't as much fun as I thought it would be, but perhaps after doing a couple it will get easier and I'll be able to do more detailed projects.

I hope you'll try out the block!

To take some of the mystery of paper piecing patterns
How to Draw a Paper Pieced Pattern in PhotoShop
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m28FWEd8pNw&feature=related Video 1 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qmnfpMvoPQ&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL Video 2 of 2

2011 Week 8 - Paper Pieced Camel

2011-02-18T05:00:00.008-05:00

This week we are doing a paper pieced pattern for a Camel!

There is a link to the pattern from this webpage:
http://www.bellaonline.com/subjects/3968.asp

The cover sheet for the pattern - with an example block:
http://www.paperpanache.com/free/guestpats/ajsogcaml.htm

This pattern can be done by a beginner. The size is dependent on how you print the pattern out. The pattern uses two colors of fabric and is divided into four sections (head, neck, body, legs).

June's Week 7 - Heart

2011-02-16T18:02:00.001-05:00

I'm still trying to stick with my selection of colors for the blocks, so did my patchy heart in orange and pink. I should have flipped where I put the colors though as the pink is fading in with the background.

Thanks for picking the block Hetty - It was fun to do!

Chocolate & pink heart

2011-02-14T14:11:00.000-05:00

All I can say is in person this block really does look like a box of valentine candies. It took me a couple tries & in the end I decided to forgo the templates & cut the squares as measured & make the triangles the way I had been taught without exposed bias. You can guess from this what a stretched-out mess my first try was.

I cannot see myself making this block again, mostly because I don't even know what I am going to do with this one, but I am happy with the way it came out.

Hetty's Heart

2011-02-11T13:16:00.004-05:00

Here is my Patchy Heart. I posted this week's block without checking it first. When I realized that the little coloured squares are done with a template, I measured it and cut my fabric accordingly. The template measured 1 7/8 in. square. I cut my fabric scraps 1 7/8 square. That should have worked, but it didn't. I made the borders wider and then cut them down for the block to measure 10 1/2inches. I don't know if the pattern was out a bit or if it was my sewing machine. This old Jeans Machine does not do 1/4in. seam allowances very well.

Kathie's Chicken - Week 5

2011-02-11T10:14:00.005-05:00

I took suggestions from both Jeanne and June on making some adjustments to the pattern as given. Other than the fact that I think the beak should be a bolder color, I like how it turned out. Originally I had some basket weave fabric that I thought would be good for making this a 'Chicken in a Basket' block, but the color was too dull, so I ended up using the pink for the nest. Kathie L in Allentown

A Valentine Heart - Week 7

2011-02-11T05:00:00.002-05:00

In honour of Valentine's Day I think we should do a heart.

It's a 10-inch block so I hope it will go with the animal blocks we have made so far. It's called, 'Patchy Heart'.

Sew cool!

Happy Valentine's Day!

My Chicken Block

2011-02-10T16:02:00.003-05:00

I used this week's block to make another mug rug. I designed it as a paper piecing block. It measures 6 inches square for the chicken part. I appliqued the comb. Thanks June! These blocks are cute and so much fun to make.

June's Week 6 - Chicken

2011-02-04T05:01:00.004-05:00

I resized the block so it would end up being 10.5 square.

I recorded the sizes I cut my pieces on my blog...

2011 Week 6 - Chicken

2011-02-04T05:00:00.003-05:00

It's time for another animal block, this time we are doing a chicken from the Sew Inspired blog.

Her directions guide us to making a 7 x 8 block. By adding strips of background it's easy to bring up to the 10.5 inches we have been making the animals... You'll need two to four colors for this block.

The directions are in this blog entry.

Kathie's Fading Star - Week 5

2011-02-03T12:08:00.004-05:00

I'm glad the bad weather has finally stopped and I have time to sew today. I hope you all are managing to get through the snow/ice/cold. I couldn't find a nice gradation of fabric this morning, so I did more of just a log cabin in the corners. I must say I prefer the lovely example that Hetty made. Kathie L in Allentown

Fading Star

2011-01-29T13:06:00.002-05:00

I worked on my 'Fading Star' this morning. Mine looks almost identical to the one on Quilter's Cache. I could have done it in any colour, but I love greens. They remind me of spring. Only 50 more days!