3 weeks - Evelyn/Starfishy

Week 4 - Odds & Ends - sized up to 12".  The outside edge is a bit wavy so I might take it apart and re-sew... but then again that homespun is pretty stretchy and it probably will be just fine once attached to sashing strips.

Mother's Dream - week 5.  I used Kathie's simplified directions for the outside edge triangles, thanks Kathie!

Week 9 - Joseph's Delight.  I love this block and probably will make more!  I like anything that makes a big star design (4 blocks set on angles to each other).

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I skipped weeks 6, 7 and 8 so I could just make 12" blocks to add to my collection.  Plus week 6 (sickle varation) looks alot like a block I already made.

Odds and Ends

Ros

the green party

Here I go, playing catch-up again!

First up is "Mother's Nightmare" -- I set out to do the simplified version of this but got into trouble with the side triangles... cut 2 small ones instead of 1 large one... so then there was no way to put in a solid center block... so it ended up being 4 "square in a square" components and the interesting design in the middle!
The sickle variation leaves me cold -- too many disparate parts to this block!
This Odds & Ends block was fun, and went together easily

New Year, New Colors

Last year I chose to do all the 12" and 10" blocks in homespuns and plaids. I'm happy to report that during the year my skills using those contrary fabrics improved dramatically. I think I have almost enough blocks for 2 quilt tops. But I've gotten tired of using those fabrics. Frankly I'm sick of them. The smaller FBP blocks were all done in those really bright fabrics that became Jackson's Jungle, a quilt for my newest grandbaby's first birthday in April. It is all done and already wrapped in garrish, jungle print wrapping paper!

So all blocks this year are open to any fabrics that are laying about in my sewing room. I picked up some fat 8ths and 1/2 yd cuts on my recent trip to coastal Calif. and decided to make the last 2 blocks from those fabrics. I have enough left to make a few more blocks that will probably become a nice little table topper at some point.

First, week 4 Odd's and Ends



I didn't bother to read the construction directions, since I found them less than user friendly last year and, like several other Partiers, I resized this block to 12".I chose to re-arrange the fabrics a bit. I love these Autumn-y colors.

Week 5, Mother's Dream.



I used the same fabrics because they were already laying on the cutting mat. Thank you, Kathie, for the construction directions. This block was a breeze and turned out nice and square and flat.

I vow to stay caught up each week this year except for the times I am out of town. I love the challenge of these new blocks and have learned so much about block construction over the last year. It is so nice to have some new members as well as "old" members that have come back to play.

First Five...

No, Wait! Wasn't that the title of an Education Initiative in California a few years back? Not what I meant at all!!! I meant that I'm finally back with the FBP, and I'm caught up (where I hope to be all year, thank you very much!)

Thanks to Hetty for stepping up and continuing the party; hope to see Donna's comments occasionally, and wish for her a more serene 2010!

There has been plenty of weirdness down here, with strange weather, interesting relationships, and general excitability. But I think that is all past now (hope, hope...) and the year should begin to "line out" a bit.

We who drive livestock understand that term, and if you don't want an explanation, skip this next part...

In the beginning of moving a herd (cattle or horses), there is lots of confusion and dust, and lots of moving along at different speeds. Eventually, the herd settles down and the leaders aren't feeling the need to run down the trail anymore. They set a reasonable pace, and the rest of the stock following their lead settle into a rough line behind them, with the "drag riders" keeping the stragglers from getting totally lost. How is that for totally un-quilty bit of trivia?

Anyway, my year is lining out, and I'm finally back in the space I want to be - so "LET'S PARTY!" I still have trouble getting the text to ine up with the pictures, but if I only post one photo a week, that problem should take care of itself, too!

I declare this year my own personal "Year of the UFO" and "Not Buying That"... Since I have about 10 of those huge plastic tubs full of fabric, not buying more isn't really a hardship - but the blocks may come out with some really odd and ancient (80's???) fabric in them. Here goes...

The first block is "Wheel of Time" in solids. I've never made a block that had no print or 'texture' in it at all, so this is a first... sort of Amish-looking. Not my favorite block ever, but not bad.

"Another Star" was from week two. I'm going to make all the 12" blocks in reds, blues, and whites (or a variation - but those colors predominately) until I get enough that Play Well Together to make into a quilt. Then maybe I'll switch colors? Controlled chaos.

Next is "Quatrefoil". I really liked this one; very straightforward block, with possibility of secondary pattern if one were to make a "One Block Quilt" (never done that - could be interesting!) Repeat of the R/W/B colors as it is 12"block.

Odds 'n' Ends was just that. A tiny block, and I found some blue strips from a backing that were just wide enough to do. The green print is from a dress I made for my daughter when she was in Kindergarten (she's now 29!), so it is dated... but I like the flowers.

Both fabrics were quite soft and the block isn't as even as I'd have liked, but it will never show! Keystoning in the picture doesn't help either.

This last one is "Mothers Dream" - actually the block for this week. Thanks to Kathy for the "How to..." regarding the use of the square, strips and triangles. You are right; far less bulk, and much easier construction.

Kathie's Odd and Ends - Wk 4

Like many others, I like this block a lot. My method for picking fabric this week was very scientific. As I picked up a scrap that was laying on the floor, I thought, "It looks like there is enough here to make this week's block!" And so there was.

Kathie L in Allentown

Odds and Ends 2 (times)

A nice easy block this week. Don't you think? I made the first one according to the instructions. It's the small one and it is 8 inches. Then I decided to make a 12-inch block, so I did a bit of math (very little) and made the one on the left - in red, because I have Valentine's Day on my mind.

Patchwork Jenn's Odds and Ends 2

Here is my denim/khaki one.  I made it 12 inches.  If you want to do that, the strips are 2 by 6.5 sewn together.  Then the corners are 2 by 16 sewn together then cut into 2 inches. Then the squares are 3.5 by 3.5 and then make half triangles that size.  It involves math which I didn't do. I made my squares bigger and then sewed them, cut them and ironed them and cut to match.  LOL!  Yeah I know, cheating but it works. ;)

Hope that helps somebody else who wants a 12 inch block.

And here are all 4 of my squares.  I cut off part of them in the picture but you get the idea.

Odds and Ends 2 - Melissa V

I had to adjust the cutting measurements of this block so it would measure 9 inches finished size to match my other  blocks!  A fun block!

2010 - Week 4

This week's block is called, "Odds and Ends 2". It is an 8 inch block and I think it looks pretty easy. But I've been wrong before, so give it a try and let's see what we can come up with.

Happy Sewing!